General Protect Us

[Marty]

From Gen. David Petraeus' opening remarks to the US Senate Armed Services Committee:

“Security in Iraq is better than it was when Ambassador Crocker and I reported to you last September, and it is significantly better than it was 15 months ago when Iraq was on the brink of civil war and the decision was made to deploy additional forces to Iraqâ€

[Dan McKenzie]

hmmm, question seems like a legitimate one.

“Should we be successful in Mosul, should you continue, General, with the effective operations that you've been engaged in, assuming that in that narrow military effort we are successful, do we anticipate that there ever comes a time where Al Qaida in Iraq could not reconstitute itself?

Sounds like it came out of the mouth of and educated person, not worded quite the way I would "tell me Marty, under what set of circumstances do you see Al Qeada not re-grouping in Iraq?"

Pres. Obama does not scare me, Pres. Clinton does. McCain has the best ring to .

I honestly don't see any possible exit from Iraq without severe and dire consequences for us or any other country. I don't think we have even gone half the distance. I believe we need to draft approx. 1/2 to 3/4 of a million individuals, train them and send 1/2 to Iraq, 1/4 to Ahganistan and 1/4 to Lebanon and bust some chops and do the job the way it should have been done when those "boneheads" first made the choice to invade. Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz bungled the entire operation, end of story, everything else is just filler material. Sorry this has gotten a bit off topic, but holy crap, the Republicans made the decision to invade both Afghanistan and Iraq, that was almost a decade ago, they were given carte blanche to nearly everything they asked for, and you whine about a couple dufus senators arm wrestling for good camera shots of themselves for CNN. Republicans have bungled this, and they can't speak the truth of what is really needed to finish the job, why? lousy stinking politics, speak the truth and down you go in November.

Do you spend all your days looking for the evil in every democrat, and your weekends picking on fish?

[Jeff C.]

Here's a thought for all you Republicans who are so enthusiastic about continuing this failed mission in Iraq, why don't you open up your wallets to pay for the darn thing?

This fiasco is costing somewhere in the range of 2 billion dollars a week. Maybe that number is too abstract to comprehend. Here's another way to think about it: The bill so far amounts to over $16,000 for each family in America. How about all you pro war Republicans pony up your share for this mission? Oh yeah, I forgot, Republicans don't like to pay taxes so lets just pass the debt on to our grandkids.

[CORAL 96]

Have to agree with Jeff C. It's sometimes amazing to me to hear conservatives talk about not raising taxes. How in the H#!! do you plan on paying for all of this? Not to mention the "Corporate Welfare" checks being handed out on a daily. Don't you think if they make mistakes they should pay for them as we all would have to? I think "Little Bush" has spent far more than "Slick Willie" did before him. If all you remember, there was actually a "SURPLUS" then. Is that the case "NOW"??

[getalife]

Jeff C.

Why are you so full of hate? I looked at your past posts and they are overwhelmingly negative. Do you even have time to fish, or are you just consumed by your hatred of conservatives.

The idea of republicans not wanting to pay taxes is ridiculous. We already pay most of the taxes. As a business owner (S-Corp) I am personally taxed on all corporate income, regardless of how much I take home. That puts me in the "rich" category, even though I cant even afford to put gas in my boat. I have paid more in taxes over the last 5 year period than most people will MAKE in their lifetime. I AM ALREADY PAYING FOR THE WAR! I do not mind paying my fair share but, from my perspective, I am already paying more than most so I SHOULD get some kind of tax break. You seem to think that all republicans are CEO's of Fortune 500 companys. I will pay my fair share of the war, and not complain, if you will pay for all the social programs that are provided to those too lazy to get a job.

I am in no way lending my support for Bush, I think he has totally mismanaged the war and allowed the civilian contractors to rape the treasury. There should be an investigation into how this war was waged and how the money was spent and if there was some shady dealings then those responsible should spend some time behind bars (regardless of who they are). But, now is not the time to cut and run! Now is the time to go in and finish the job properly.

General Petraeus seems to be a straight shooter. I have no reason to think that his statements are politically motivated.

[Jeff C.]

Jeff C.
Why are you so full of hate? I looked at your past posts and they are overwhelmingly negative. Do you even have time to fish, or are you just consumed by your hatred of conservatives.

Frankly that sentiment is a bit puzzling to me. If you actually have looked at my past posts you'll see that virtually every one of my "negative" responses came after a conservative has fired the opening volley.

For instance, in this post above Marty basically called Obama stupid and illiterate. Hmm lets see, the guy received his law degree from Harvard and was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. Call him what you want, but claims of stupid or illiterate have absolutely no credibility.

In the previous thread, I was simply responding first to hrvestuff suggesting that Obama was finished because the views of his former pastor, and then to you who issued a challenge over the infallability of Michael Savage.

The same is true for each of my other "negative" political posts, i.e., where I respond to an obviously flawed and often hateful statement by a conservative. I don't get it, are you saying that conservatives have the right to post obviously inflammatory statements and no one should challenge them? Kind of reminds me of how Sean Hannity spends most of his radio show spewing nothing but hate and insults at Democrats and then routinely makes fun of callers who disagree with him by calling them haters and asking them why they're so angry.

[getalife]

I hear you, and I too am guilty of firing off negative responses to what I find offensive.

[getalife]

It just struck me, as I was trying to figure out where you were coming from, that you are a self-professed scientist. You should know that the basis of all science is doubt. A good scientists develops an hypothesis by questioning what is known or accepted. Yet... you have no doubt about your opinions and refuse to even acknowledge others opinions. You throw out names like Limbaugh, Savage, and Hannity when any conservative voices an opinion. I thought the left was all about tolerance. Acceptance without doubt is called faith... and thats what makes the global warming movement similar to a religion.

[FishaHallic]

Conservatives have been in a rage ever since Bill Clinton was elected. All I ever hear from them is attacks on the democrats and it gets very old after a while. The conservatives are driving a wedge into this country that will take years to remove.

It's funny how you never hear a conservative start a thread about the worst president in the last 100yrs and all they want to do is attack one of the best in recent memory (Clinton). At least after a little persuasion "the conservative" will finally admit that George W Bush suckssss.

And I don't have anything against General Petraeus but he dare not go against the Presidents policy or he will be doing snow removal in Alaska. The administration set the tone early on before the war started by dismissing the general that said it would take over 250 to 300 thousand troops to get the job done.

I have noticed most of the attack and hate post on this forum and many others I visit are started by Bush lovin republicans not the democrats, and they all start the same way, on the attack. I think they think if they attack enough no one will notice how they have screwed up this country in the last decade......NOT.

[getalife]

Fishaholic

Nice wedge! No one mentioned Clinton at all. Savage was right again... "Liberalism is a Mental Disorder"

[FishaHallic]

Actually I was adding a little to Jeff Cs post about conservatives being so negative all the time. I realize that no one mentioned Clinton in this post but I was using it as an example of how "your type" are alway attacking. Attacking a president that did more for this country then GW could ever dream of. Attacking anything that is not the status quo, as long as your pockets are getting lined by the likes of this president all is good. Attacking the left for giving out handouts when you yourself most likely benefit more than most people on this board from gov't handouts but in your case you call them tax cuts.

You right wingers are all the same, most of you are hypocrites. Preaching about god and country, you know nothing of one and you do nothing for the other and expect people to bend over to your ancient ways. Well I have news for you this is 2008, times are a changing and they can only get better from here on out because anyone (even McCain) would be better than George W Bush.

Before you get too high and mighty at least learn to spell my screen name right .

[getalife]

FishaHallic

Excuse me for spelling it wrong. "My type" takes no govt. handouts. Bush is not "lining my pockets". I work hard, sometimes 16 hours a day, seven days a week, trying to keep four businesses going. I am currently writing a book, producing training videos, running a solar installation company, partner in a painting business, and working for an environmental consulting firm. I EARN MY BACON. I have invested money in my businesses. I have lost more in business than you will probably make in the next five years. I am willing to take risks to ensure that my kids have what they need.

The world is full of sheeps and wolves. I am a wolf! I am willing to do what it takes to succeed. The problem with the left is that they are not willing to work, they want the govt to take care of them, they want the govt to take my money and give it to them so that all is "fair". BAAAAAAAA

I did not prosper under Clinton and I did not prosper because of Bush. I will prosper because I am willing to work my a$$ off and make the sacrifices that you are too scared to make. Now, you want to penalize me with higher taxes if I am successful?... F-You!

I don't preach about "god and country". I am personally not that religious, but as a former Marine who has seen the elephant, I am very patriotic. I swore an oath to defend this country against all enemies, both foreign AND domestic. Right now I see our greatest threat from within... its you and all of your left thinking wacked out brothers and sisters.

My name is Eric Keith and I approve this message.

[Jeff C.]

It just struck me, as I was trying to figure out where you were coming from, that you are a self-professed scientist. You should know that the basis of all science is doubt. A good scientists develops an hypothesis by questioning what is known or accepted. Yet... you have no doubt about your opinions and refuse to even acknowledge others opinions. You throw out names like Limbaugh, Savage, and Hannity when any conservative voices an opinion. I thought the left was all about tolerance. Acceptance without doubt is called faith... and thats what makes the global warming movement similar to a religion.

You're right about the basis of science being doubt, although I would say that "healthy skepticism" is a better term. However, the difference between politicians and the scientific community on controversial scientific issues is that politicians will often distort the truth in order to further their political view. That happens I believe on both sides, although it's usually more blatant for politicians (or their supporters) who come out against the mainstream scientific view (like on the issues of global warming and embryonic stem cell research as examples).

While scientific advancement is built on the idea of healthy skepticism, dissension only serves to further our knowledge if it's based on reality.

Again though, I agree with FishaHallic (note the spelling) -- why the double standard on the expression of opinion?

To discover if liberals really are monopolizing things on this board like you seem to believe I did my own tally by looking at each opening post. Out of the 49 or so topics on the board, I estimated that 26 had a Conservative tone, 4 were Liberal, and 19 were neutral. I should say that I classified several posts as neutral when you would probably assume they were Conservative. For instance I'm a liberal and I'm against gun control and for the death penalty so I didn't assume the anti guncontrol and pro deathpenalty posts were conservative. If you disagree with my math then do your own count.

So in my unscientific sample, 53% of the posts on this forum are Conservative while 8% are Liberal. Now I see why you don't think I should express my opinion. You're so used to being exposed to nothing but conservative views, it must be a bit shocking to learn that someone disagrees!

Is this what Conservatives are always talking about when they mention the "Liberal Media"?

[FishaHallic]

FishaHallic

Excuse me for spelling it wrong. "My type" takes no govt. handouts. Bush is not "lining my pockets". I work hard, sometimes 16 hours a day, seven days a week, trying to keep four businesses going. I am currently writing a book, producing training videos, running a solar installation company, partner in a painting business, and working for an environmental consulting firm. I EARN MY BACON. I have invested money in my businesses. I have lost more in business than you will probably make in the next five years. I am willing to take risks to ensure that my kids have what they need.

The world is full of sheeps and wolves. I am a wolf! I am willing to do what it takes to succeed. The problem with the left is that they are not willing to work, they want the govt to take care of them, they want the govt to take my money and give it to them so that all is "fair". BAAAAAAAA

I did not prosper under Clinton and I did not prosper because of Bush. I will prosper because I am willing to work my a$$ off and make the sacrifices that you are too scared to make. Now, you want to penalize me with higher taxes if I am successful?... F-You!

I don't preach about "god and country". I am personally not that religious, but as a former Marine who has seen the elephant, I am very patriotic. I swore an oath to defend this country against all enemies, both foreign AND domestic. Right now I see our greatest threat from within... its you and all of your left thinking wacked out brothers and sisters.

My name is Eric Keith and I approve this message.

No, your not taking gov't handouts . You assume alot for not knowing anything about me, you must really think your something. That just goes to show you, arrogance and stupidity=George Bush

[Jeff C.]

Cmon guys, why all the hostility? We can disagree on politics but why get so personal?

[FishaHallic]

Personally I don't like the verbal attacks on people who disagree but when faced with comments like this....
"Liberalism is a Mental Disorder"
"its you and all of your left thinking wacked out brothers and sisters. "

and who can forget this one "F-You!"

when faced with these type comments and the overall walking around with blinders on and not seeing what is happening to this country, Everything is good as long as I am making money attitude you will continue to see these type of attacks.

I believe when they get there directives from the far right the main thing these robots are programed to do is attack, attack and try to keep the other side off balance and no one will know how bad the right wing republicans have screwed up this country. Meanwhile we are in a recession, unemployement is up, housing prices are down, oil is at record price per barrel and let's not even mention the deficit and the far right still seems to think everything is fine and dandy.

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

Housing prices are down, now just how is that a bad thing..

Now before you or anyone else calls me a right wing Republican or a left wing Democrat, let me just say I have always and will continue to vote for the man or woman I feel best capable of doing the job for which they are running..

I probably have voted for more Democrats as President than most that have posted..I have also voted for more than one Republican..Now true, I have made mistakes in my choices (I did vote for Carter)..And even though his Presidency hasn't gone as well as I had hoped, I also voted for Bush, both times..

Now you might wonder why, to me it was the choice of the lesser of two evils..The Democrat party seems hell bent on nominating the poorest choices of those initially running..They have done the same thing this year..Had the Democrats opted to nominate Richardson, they would have gained this Independents vote..As it is I will probably hold my nose and vote for McCain, although the Republicans also had better candidates initially competing..

Truth be told this is probably the worst bunch of probables I have ever seen..McCain may not be the best possible cancicate, but he is far better than either of the two remaining Democrats..

This is my opinion, and just like a--holes everyones got one and most of them stink..

mac