One can only wonder what week 3 will hold in store for the “too much drama with Obama” administration.
Posted by: Jim | February 3, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
jpt writes:
“It’s like an episode of “24″ here.”
Let us guess … The Puppet’s TRYING to convince the press He’s playing the GOOD leader, but He’s secretly the BAD guy with the t-t-terror machine at the ready …
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
And everyone thought Hillary would cause all of the drama.
This is sweet…
Less than two weeks in office and the real Obama has surfaced.
“No Drama Obama” was always a bit of a myth, created by — well I’m not sure — but constantly repeated by his adoring press corps. There was lots of drama coming out of his campaign, and the first 2 weeks of his administration have been a constant PR headache. Anyway, I hope you keep asking tough questions Jake. Please don’t drink the kool-aid.
Posted by: Steve | February 3, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
President Pelosi and Vice-President Reid
better get control of their puppet.
He is threatening to derail the administration.
This administration was supposed to look better than Bush.
Posted by: harry | February 3, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
“One can only wonder what week 3 will hold in store for the “too much drama with Obama” administration.”
Gibbs goes into rehab. Emanuel’s unmasked as a Mossad agent. Geithner, wife at his side, holds a news conference to proclaim his sex-change operation …
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
“WHO SHOULD BE NEXT TO GO?”
Just say “Dubaku” Obama.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
When Fitzgerald’s report is out, Rahm will be next.
Have you heard of him lately?
Posted by: two cats | February 3, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Is it really that bad? you all are exaggerating just a bit don’t you think? All of the so-called drama has been around the Senate pick in Illinois and income taxes. No lying about WMDs or kicking out Attorney Generals for no cause. Wake me when that happens, until then, this is a snoozefest!
Posted by: JS | February 3, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
Too bad, had they had the order of confirmation reversed, probably, that new tax guy would be gone too.
Those republicans are a bunch of boneless snakes for not standing up to principles.
Posted by: skinny dog | February 3, 2009, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
How soon you vultures forget
Posted by: si se puede | February 3, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
In today’s word from McCain, “.the time for talking is over.” Democrats, you won the election. Pass the bills you promised the voters. Repubs regard Obama’s outreach to them as weakness.
The media hates it because they survive on controversy. Since 2006,many of us have been awaiting the arrival of some Democratic back-bone.
Posted by: B. Bear | February 3, 2009, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Why is this so dramatic? It’s not like Geithner and Daschle lied to get us into an unjustified War that cost the American taxpayers $720Billion thus far, not to mention over 4,300 American soldiers’ lives. So, they didn’t pay taxes on time, and had to pay penalties and interest too. Hope they learned their lesson, but they aren’t axe murderers. Why are you Repubs rejoicing in these minor issues? There are other qualified people who can be nominated in Daschle’s place. Unfortunately, he would have been good for the job. But unlike Bush, I am sure Obama will not appoint an unqualified shlub with absolutely no ethics (like Brownie, Rummy, Gonzo, TurdBlossom, Scooter) to do a job that requires experience and know-how.
Two weeks in and wow. If this is a trend, I am going to see where I put that receipt so I can get an exchange.
Seriously, not what I was sold. Not one bit.
“this administration is A SHAM”
Ever since Dunbaku lied about “his” Exelon bill in Iowa, THAT’s been obvious.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
Next up: Hilda Solis
Apparently she is on the board of a lobbying organization while in Congress.
And she basically stone walls Senators when they ask what her views are.
“There are other qualified people who can be nominated in Daschle’s place.”
Not “in Daschle’s place”, let us pray.
How about DOCTOR Howard Dean, who’d have BEEN president for the last eight years, except for the chicanery emanating from the John Kerry wing of the former Democratic Party?
How about Dr. Dean? Why NOT Dr. Dean? (Hint: or does EVERY member of the “Obama” organization’s administration have to be SO repellent as to make The Puppet look good by comparison?)
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
“I am going to see where I put that receipt so I can get an exchange.”
Bring back John Edwards. Not ONLY would he not shovel $ (and ALL the residential real estate) to the financial corporations, but he made his OWN $ without selling himself.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Hillary needs to get as far away from the BO administration as possible and start getting ready for 2012.
Right on!
It is time for Obama and the dems to stop running for 2010 and 2012. Just do the right thing! :(
Stop the politics of expediency and savvy mind manipulation with symbolic gestures and obfuscating rhetoric!
Grow up Obama – seek wisdom and virtue instead of personal aggrandizement! :(
jpt writes:
“It’s like an episode of “24″ here.”
Patter of little feet in the crawl spaces, and like that?
EVERY member of the “Obama” organization’s administration should be investigated for corporate connections and tax troubles. And if “Obama” is simply, as it appears, a VERY well-funded criminal enterprise, it should be dislodged from state power.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Robert Gibbs is getting grilled in a press conference.
He won’t answer questions about the vetting process–but says BO is confident in the process.
Are you kidding me!?
“[Gibbs] won’t answer questions about the vetting process–but says BO is confident in the process.”
Bullchips like THAT have lost their lustre, however … that The Puppet is “confident” of whatever, once the people have tumbled to His game, doesn’t much matter.
Gibbs makes one wistful for the merely-clueless Dana Perino! Never trust a person who talks “southern” only as a psycho-tactic.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
“don’t blame me I voted for McCain.”
Don’t blame me — I voted for Nader, the only actual Democrat on the ballot, after Hillobama and the Kerry wing sabbed the Edwards campaign.
Why do you suppose The Puppet hasn’t unleashed Axelrod on the “Daschle” scandals (of which “taxes”, in a way — given EduCap and all that — is but the tip of the iceberg)?
Nobody’s gonna forget all those “Democrats” who went on teevee, despite the compelling evidence to the contrary, to chirp about Daschle’s “integrity”.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
2 weeks of 24? Opinion. And whose? IF so, I’ll trade ya 2 weeks for 8 years of antiAmerican Bushie criminality.
Hey its ok, Obama and his liberal buddies hate the Jack Bauer’s of the world anyway! It would be ironic if a Bauer comes forth to save this administration from itself…LOL
Now stop gloating all you Obama bashers. What about the people who he has appointed without any blowback? Not every Democrat failed to pay their taxes. And not every Republican did pay their fair share of taxes, especially the rich ones that Bush gave the unfair, unscrupulous tax cuts to. I am sure they have greatly enjoyed their advantage over average Americans who had to pay their fair share while these greedy money-grubbing conservatives bought themselves yet another Bentley.
“Now stop gloating all you Obama bashers. What about the people who he has appointed without any blowback?”
You mean Gates?
Worst of all may be Clinton’s half billion in donations, some from foreign governments who now will be lobbying the SoS.
“Seriously, how could the Democratics elect the one person who has already turned to worse than Bush?”
Well, the msm was mau-mau’d into it by the birthday-suit factor, the Cheshire-Cat dentition, and that uh mob factor.
Fortunately, some kid has shouted out that the Emperor has no clothes, and that He and His corporate pals have been robbing the poor box, to boot.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
The Obama presidency will go down as the worst in history.
“And not every Republican did pay their fair share of taxes, especially the rich ones that Bush gave the unfair, unscrupulous tax cuts to”
geecee … LOL….
you guys really need to take this comedy act on the road!
So now being a democratic tax cheat somehow equates to your warped perception othat obeying the law by paying the taxes the tax code says you owe is really cheating!!!
Only in the blinder-based world of the Liberalist!!!!
Just remember not to get too close to the edge of that cliff….LOL
“Unreal. Atleast Bush kept us safe. 0bama won’t, he’s already coddling terrorist groups and enemy nations.”
ROFLMAO.
Bush reading My Pet Goat while 3000 Americans died because he IGNORED warning of an impending attack is keeping us safe!
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
you people are crazy,
bush will be the worst president ever,
have you forgotten, or you just don’t care,
there are 4k+ military families who are one member short because of bush’ war.
we did not have to invade iraq, and those soldiers did not have to die.
but hey, as bush said, “saddam, did try to kill my daddy”
bush to the dead soldiers families
“so what?”
bush will always be the worst president of the usa ever, because he caused soldiers to die who did not have to die
Hmmm I thought cheating on taxes was the new Republican “in” thing to do?
Ya know between Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin, I thought not paying taxes gavce one instant right winger cred?
Guess Daschle misunderstood.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
I have no doubt the Ologo garbage heap will rise and RINSE off and be back with a vengeance. Only to rot and stink another day!
“the day will come when partisian politics will be no more.”
When the same small group of super-rich corporados doesn’t outright OWN most of the players for both “parties”, you mean? If the “people” can manage to un-seat EVERY member of Congress who took part in the “bailout” bullchips, that certainly COULD happen.
By “post-partisan”, The Puppet meant only to convey, apparently, that His administration’s rhetoric and actions would COMPLETELY ignore the fact that millions upon millions of Americans — MANY of them “black” — would fall on their knees in thankfulness to EVER make enough money to be required to pay taxes.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
“NObody cares about Edwards’ supposed zipper problem — ”
Yes no one cares about Edwards cheating on his cancer stricken wife who became very dear to many Democrats hearts through her brave fight.
That must be why his name comes up so often for an elected or appointed position.
“and some wonder whether Hunter wasn’t sent BY the Kerry wing to do as she did.”
ROFLMAO.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
“The United States was not attacked by terrorists on that date … ”
“Terrorists” working out of the New York Yacht Club, most likely: that the made-for-teevee strike on the architectural excrescence of the Towers was the only “terrorist” success of the day SHOULD tell people SOMEthing … but noooo.
(Yeah, yeah, it’s too bad about the people who were disappeared. But the “US” DOES disappear thousands of people all over the world — and if “American lives” were valuable for something other than justifying race war against Arabs, and religious crusades against Muslims, we’d have National Health, instead of an undiscussed robo-war on Pakistan.)
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
“Hmmm I thought cheating on taxes was the new Republican “in” thing to do?
Ya know between Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin, I thought not paying taxes gavce one instant right winger cred?”
Funny you would bring them up.
Joe the Plumber isnt an office holder of again kind. He is just a private citizen who dared to ask your messiah an uncomfortable question and the Democratic smear machine sprung in to action. Democratic hack violated the oath of office and went browsing through all his records hoping to find something to change the conversation (much like you). What she found was the unemployment line. No matter- she’ll probably be rehabilitated like Samantha “Monster” Power.
Palin is a good speaking outsider who was making things hot for the Lord High Arugula. What to do? A Democratic office holders computer savvy son hacks her email account. Conversation changed! But oops go directly to jail.
Oh you wacky Dems and your abuse of power. How do you think this is going to end when the Demo have all the branches- I think we all know.
“If “his cancer stricken wife” got over it, why doesn’t Ryan C.? It’s a mystery.”
I liked Edwards a great deal in 2004, voted for him in the primary.
But he is done politically after that affair.
Granted in this day an age an affair is not necessarily a political career killers but this one mortally wounds him because of his wife’s popularity with the progressive base.
The progressive base that he had carefully cultivated reacted with anger to the revelation.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
Joe the Plumber isnt an office holder of again kind.”
Not yet anyway.
Apparently he’s a Republican strategist after his stint as a war correspondent.
“He is just a private citizen who dared to ask your messiah an uncomfortable question”
He went up to Obama and lied to his face about his circumstances to pose his question, Obama response was to calmly discuss the issue for a couple of minutes with Joe.
“Palin is a good speaking outsider”
Oh the irony.
So just to be sure, Palin’s tax problems mean nothing to you, is that correct?
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
“The progressive base that he had carefully cultivated reacted with anger to the revelation. ”
More like denial.
The National Enquirer had the story in October, 2007.
The cover story that she was pregnant with Andrew Young’s kid was preposterous. As was Rellie, Young and his *wife* all moving to California and getting set up houses out there.
The whole thing smelled of a cover up from the go.
“More like denial.
The National Enquirer had the story in October, 2007.”
I don’t blame people for ignoring the National Enquirer story until there was much more corroboration.
I mean you don’t believe that Palin cheated on her husband and that her son Track has a serious drug problem do you?
But once it came out?
People were livid. Elizabeth had a personal connection with many in the community and this hurt them a great deal.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
“wikipedia has a nice little article on ‘The Pet Goat’. Go look it up and you’ll never have to repeat lefty talking points again”
Yes because saying he was reading My Pet Goat is so wrong when he was actually reading The Pet Goat.
ROFLMAO.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
Has anyone noticed the irony that the President who pledged to raise taxes has tried to surround himself by people who don’t pay their own?
Posted by: Franklin DelinObama | February 3, 2009, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
“Give a liberal a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a liberal to question his programing and he becomes employable- thats my motto. ”
Sign. One more liberal stays on the dole.
Here is the section:
“Bush remained and followed along as the children read the book aloud, and remained with them for more than seven minutes more. Bush’s critics, notably Michael Moore in his film Fahrenheit 9/11, have argued that the fact that Bush continued reading the book after being notified that the attack was ongoing shows that he was indecisive. After spending about twenty minutes with the children, Bush was scheduled to give a short press conference at about 9:30. At the conference inside the school, Bush made his first speech about the attacks and was later taken to a secure location by the Secret Service aboard Air Force One before returning to the White House later that evening.[1] According to Bill Sammon in Fighting Back: The War on Terrorism from Inside the White House, Bush’s Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was in the back of the classroom holding a pad on which he had written “DON’T SAY ANYTHING YET.”[2]
Osama bin Laden made reference to the story in a videotaped speech released just prior to the 2004 U.S. presidential election, claiming that Bush’s reading of the book had given the hijackers more than enough time to carry out the attacks.[3]”
“Bush reading My Pet Goat while 3000 Americans died because he IGNORED warning of an impending attack is keeping us safe!”
“Bush reading”
- wrong he wasnt reading
“My Pet Goat”
-wrong it was the SRA Reading Mastery II: Storybook
“3000 Americans”
- wrong 2974
“IGNORED”
they took what actions they could. None of the materials that the hijackers brought on the planes were illegal at that point.
“warning of an impending attack is keeping us safe!”
-wrong. I guess you are taking the Bin Laden view that if only Bush hadnt been with the second grade class listening to them read them magically the terrorists wouldnt have had time to crash the second plane. There really is no support for that.
I see from the google search that you have posted this “My Pet Goat” flummery at least four times on Punch- and oddly is never on a thread that has anything to do with it. Oh wait, that isnt so odd.
Now that you know the error of your ways, perhaps you can refrain from trying to derail threads on topics you find politically embarrassing.
“Worst of all may be Clinton’s half billion in donations, some from foreign governments who now will be lobbying the SoS. ”
If that was an average Joe trying to work for the government, he would be denied a security clearance… garanteed.
Posted by: KR | February 3, 2009, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
Bertie,
The right wing claim is the Bush has kept us safe.
How did he keep us safe on 9/11/2001?
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
“Bertie,
The right wing claim is the Bush has kept us safe.
How did he keep us safe on 9/11/2001?”
So all that erroneous “My Pet Goat” business was just propaganda techniques from Saul Alinsky?
Here is what Concerned said:
“Unreal. Atleast Bush kept us safe. 0bama won’t, he’s already coddling terrorist groups and enemy nations.”
Here is what Mr. Obama has done that has made us less safe in the past month:
- not building a European missile shield
- not telling the Iranians that their getting nuclear weapons is unacceptable
- Appointing a party loyalist (oh its true) to the CIA
- Pandering to Code Pink by closing Gitmo without any clear plan about what to do with the terrorists there.
You could add in the rumors that he has been holding backdoor foreign policy discussions with Iran and Syria since before he was president.
okay, now lets wait and see how he HANDLES a set back. I am sure all of us will learn a thing or two in the process. The man is at his best when in a crisis.
and Jake, the no-drama is still going on since i don’t see any finger-pointing, accusations etc even in this crisis
Kathy, are you calling the NY Times primates? Are you calling Jake a primate?
Gotcha is gotcha and the media love a good story like this. Get used to it.
Posted by: robert b | February 3, 2009, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
Kathy, are you calling the NY Times primates? Are you calling Jake a primate?
***************************************************
I can’t find my previous posting that’s being referenced. I think I maintained that Jane Goodall would have insight into GOP behaviors. Jake Tapper and the NYT had nothing to do with it- so no to the question. Gotcha is okay for tabloids that link extraterrestrials to influencing the election, but not for most of the mainstream media or anything else purporting to be journalism.
- not building a European missile shield”
Shall we discuss this from the Maginot Line perspective, the cost perspective or the international relation perspective?
First let’s talk cost. Thanks to Bush’s war of choice and war on accountability with civilian contractors, we have spent an immense sum of money and we simply must make choices when it comes to future armament. This program has cost how many hundred billion?
Next international relations, shall we discuss Russia and Poland? The Poles didn’t want missile defense but we twisted their arms into accepting it. The Russian do not like such items on their door step. While the Russians do not get the final word on such matters, I think it was quite unwise to provoke the Russians by placing our weaponry nearly on their doorstep under the auspices of defending against Iran or NK. We see the Russian reaction by their hitting Georgia hard. But then again that reaction goes back further to our rejection of certain treaties.
As for the Maginot line, I’ll explain it if you like.
“- not telling the Iranians that their getting nuclear weapons is unacceptable”
When did he say that? He has been very clear that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable.
“- Appointing a party loyalist (oh its true) to the CIA”
Oh Leon’s a party guy. Whether or not he is capable and up to the job remains to be seen. But I happen to think he is.
“- Pandering to Code Pink by closing Gitmo without any clear plan about what to do with the terrorists there.”
Closing Gitmo had little to do with Code Pink and much more to do with fulfilling the promise that America will not torture people under an Obama administration as they had under the Bush administration. Obama believes that we cannot win a war when we cast aside our ideals.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm
But Kathy – the GOP did not make up this story from Mars. And it was the mainstream media that ran with the story of tax evasion as well they should.
Posted by: robert b | February 3, 2009, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
Thanks to Bush’s war of choice and war on accountability with civilian contractors, we have spent an immense sum of money and we simply must make choices when it comes to future armament. This program has cost how many hundred billion?
***************************************************
I don’t know how many hundreds of billions were spent on private contractors for the Iraq War, but at least 300 billion was overcharged and/or wasted according to audits. Ironically, KBR and others who were wasteful have contracts to continue in Afghanistan. Excuse me, I was being too polite with wasteful–I should have used the more accurate term of ripping off. They were also taking away money from badly needed resources, like body armor.
I don’t expect Obama to be perfect. I just pray he doesn’t screw up more than Carter.
Posted by: Grand Old Party | February 3, 2009, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm
“As for the Maginot line, I’ll explain it if you like.”
You could if you want. While you are at explaining relevance, note that the German’s didnt not attack over the Maginot line, they went around it. Iranian missiles targeted at Europe dont have that luxury.
“”- not telling the Iranians that their getting nuclear weapons is unacceptable”
When did he say that? He has been very clear that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable.”
No he has not.
Go back to the interview with Arab television. He was specifically asked about Iran, and the questions were probably submitted in advance, so there was no surprise. He didn’t the usual language dance and said that the Iranians will find the US’s hand extended but he *did not* say that Iran will be prevented from getting nuclear weapons.
Go back and check- post the part where he tells Iran no nukes will be allowed.
“”- Pandering to Code Pink by closing Gitmo without any clear plan about what to do with the terrorists there.”
Closing Gitmo had little to do with Code Pink and much more to do with fulfilling the promise that America will not torture people under an Obama administration as they had under the Bush administration”
GITMO and Military Commissions-which were passed by Congress- have nothing to do with torture.
However shutting down GITMO and abandoning Military Commissions are #2 and #3 on Code Pink’s wish list.
I don’t know how many hundreds of billions were spent on private contractors for the Iraq War, but at least 300 billion was overcharged and/or wasted according to audits
**********************************************
For the sake of accuracy, I think it was more like 300 million discovered so far, but that’s thought of as a conservative figure. The decrease of three zeros doesn’t lessen the amorality of the companies involved, or the need to place far more oversight and far less dependence on private contractors in the war arena.
Posted by: kathy | February 4, 2009, 12:40 am 12:40 am
“Next international relations, shall we discuss Russia and Poland? The Poles didn’t want missile defense but we twisted their arms into accepting it. The Russian do not like such items on their door step. While the Russians do not get the final word on such matters, I think it was quite unwise to provoke the Russians by placing our weaponry nearly on their doorstep under the auspices of defending against Iran or NK. We see the Russian reaction by their hitting Georgia hard. ”
You actually got this way backwards. Poland accepted the BMD assets AFTER Georgia to send a message to Russia. Prior to that, Poland used the BMD as a bargaining chip with Russia, mostly for political maneuvering. After the purchase, Russia then threatened to attack Poland. Are you suggesting we should just let Russia bully and threaten free nations?
Poland has had a rough 50+ years between German occupation, having their country devastated in war, and Russian occupation. I don’t blame them one bit.
Also, the whole reason there is an issue about BMD is because Russia has issue with it. BMD undermines their ability to intimidate other nations with their large nuclear ballistic missile fleet. Those of us who truly want the threat of nuclear ballistic attack to become an outdated method, should support the BMD program not just for us and our allies, but for all nations.
And BMD does work. Yes it is expensive, but not nearly as expensive as maintaining a nuclear ballistic missile fleet.
Posted by: KR | February 4, 2009, 10:13 am 10:13 am
“The decrease of three zeros doesn’t lessen the amorality of the companies involved, or the need to place far more oversight and far less dependence on private contractors in the war arena.”
The underlining issue is that we as a nation have no other choice in some cases to use private contractors, in other cases we choose to because it helps the situation.
Example, the military has lost or cut away expertise it used to have indigenous, filled in by contracting. In peacetime it makes some sense, but in war zones it hurts has badly. Contractors in war zones are extremely expensive with extra danger pay etc. If you want to fix this, support a larger defense budget to bring back those skills. If not, live with it.
Second is contracting with the host nation, in this case Iraq. Business corruption is culturally common in most places around the world. In places like South America, its endemic. In order to help boost the host nations economy, we use local contractors who are corrupt and overcharge. It’s not to our standards and it ticks us off. But the alternative is even worse and even offends the host nation.
As Americans, you are not going to see these perspectives unless you serve our country. Nevertheless, you form passionate opinions on these matters based on limited knowledge. That’s dangerous.
Posted by: KR | February 4, 2009, 10:21 am 10:21 am
Email
CPAC: Romney Struggles to Convince Voters 
Obama Backs Off Birth Control Battle?
One can only wonder what week 3 will hold in store for the “too much drama with Obama” administration.
Posted by: Jim | February 3, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
jpt writes:
“It’s like an episode of “24″ here.”
Let us guess … The Puppet’s TRYING to convince the press He’s playing the GOOD leader, but He’s secretly the BAD guy with the t-t-terror machine at the ready …
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
And everyone thought Hillary would cause all of the drama.
This is sweet…
Less than two weeks in office and the real Obama has surfaced.
Posted by: riley | February 3, 2009, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
“No Drama Obama” was always a bit of a myth, created by — well I’m not sure — but constantly repeated by his adoring press corps. There was lots of drama coming out of his campaign, and the first 2 weeks of his administration have been a constant PR headache. Anyway, I hope you keep asking tough questions Jake. Please don’t drink the kool-aid.
Posted by: Steve | February 3, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
President Pelosi and Vice-President Reid
better get control of their puppet.
He is threatening to derail the administration.
This administration was supposed to look better than Bush.
Posted by: harry | February 3, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
“One can only wonder what week 3 will hold in store for the “too much drama with Obama” administration.”
Gibbs goes into rehab. Emanuel’s unmasked as a Mossad agent. Geithner, wife at his side, holds a news conference to proclaim his sex-change operation …
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
WHO SHOULD BE NEXT TO GO? BARNEY, BARNEY, BARNEY!
Posted by: Ted | February 3, 2009, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
“WHO SHOULD BE NEXT TO GO?”
Just say “Dubaku” Obama.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
When Fitzgerald’s report is out, Rahm will be next.
Have you heard of him lately?
Posted by: two cats | February 3, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Is it really that bad? you all are exaggerating just a bit don’t you think? All of the so-called drama has been around the Senate pick in Illinois and income taxes. No lying about WMDs or kicking out Attorney Generals for no cause. Wake me when that happens, until then, this is a snoozefest!
Posted by: JS | February 3, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
Too bad, had they had the order of confirmation reversed, probably, that new tax guy would be gone too.
Those republicans are a bunch of boneless snakes for not standing up to principles.
Posted by: skinny dog | February 3, 2009, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
How soon you vultures forget
Posted by: si se puede | February 3, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
In today’s word from McCain, “.the time for talking is over.” Democrats, you won the election. Pass the bills you promised the voters. Repubs regard Obama’s outreach to them as weakness.
The media hates it because they survive on controversy. Since 2006,many of us have been awaiting the arrival of some Democratic back-bone.
Posted by: B. Bear | February 3, 2009, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Why is this so dramatic? It’s not like Geithner and Daschle lied to get us into an unjustified War that cost the American taxpayers $720Billion thus far, not to mention over 4,300 American soldiers’ lives. So, they didn’t pay taxes on time, and had to pay penalties and interest too. Hope they learned their lesson, but they aren’t axe murderers. Why are you Repubs rejoicing in these minor issues? There are other qualified people who can be nominated in Daschle’s place. Unfortunately, he would have been good for the job. But unlike Bush, I am sure Obama will not appoint an unqualified shlub with absolutely no ethics (like Brownie, Rummy, Gonzo, TurdBlossom, Scooter) to do a job that requires experience and know-how.
Posted by: geecee | February 3, 2009, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
Two weeks in and wow. If this is a trend, I am going to see where I put that receipt so I can get an exchange.
Seriously, not what I was sold. Not one bit.
Posted by: Buyer's Remorse | February 3, 2009, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
“this administration is A SHAM”
Ever since Dunbaku lied about “his” Exelon bill in Iowa, THAT’s been obvious.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
Next up: Hilda Solis
Apparently she is on the board of a lobbying organization while in Congress.
And she basically stone walls Senators when they ask what her views are.
Posted by: BertieW | February 3, 2009, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
LOL and Hillary is not causing any of the drama she has been his best appointment.
Posted by: rachel | February 3, 2009, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
“There are other qualified people who can be nominated in Daschle’s place.”
Not “in Daschle’s place”, let us pray.
How about DOCTOR Howard Dean, who’d have BEEN president for the last eight years, except for the chicanery emanating from the John Kerry wing of the former Democratic Party?
How about Dr. Dean? Why NOT Dr. Dean? (Hint: or does EVERY member of the “Obama” organization’s administration have to be SO repellent as to make The Puppet look good by comparison?)
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
“I am going to see where I put that receipt so I can get an exchange.”
Bring back John Edwards. Not ONLY would he not shovel $ (and ALL the residential real estate) to the financial corporations, but he made his OWN $ without selling himself.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Hillary needs to get as far away from the BO administration as possible and start getting ready for 2012.
Posted by: bailey | February 3, 2009, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
Right on!
It is time for Obama and the dems to stop running for 2010 and 2012. Just do the right thing! :(
Stop the politics of expediency and savvy mind manipulation with symbolic gestures and obfuscating rhetoric!
Grow up Obama – seek wisdom and virtue instead of personal aggrandizement! :(
Posted by: aware2u | February 3, 2009, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
I was wrong about Obama–he doesn’t mind looking foolish.
Posted by: sammy | February 3, 2009, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm
jpt writes:
“It’s like an episode of “24″ here.”
Patter of little feet in the crawl spaces, and like that?
EVERY member of the “Obama” organization’s administration should be investigated for corporate connections and tax troubles. And if “Obama” is simply, as it appears, a VERY well-funded criminal enterprise, it should be dislodged from state power.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Robert Gibbs is getting grilled in a press conference.
He won’t answer questions about the vetting process–but says BO is confident in the process.
Are you kidding me!?
Posted by: bailey | February 3, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
Obama is a joke.
don’t blame me I voted for McCain.
Posted by: Peace train | February 3, 2009, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
“[Gibbs] won’t answer questions about the vetting process–but says BO is confident in the process.”
Bullchips like THAT have lost their lustre, however … that The Puppet is “confident” of whatever, once the people have tumbled to His game, doesn’t much matter.
Gibbs makes one wistful for the merely-clueless Dana Perino! Never trust a person who talks “southern” only as a psycho-tactic.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
“don’t blame me I voted for McCain.”
Don’t blame me — I voted for Nader, the only actual Democrat on the ballot, after Hillobama and the Kerry wing sabbed the Edwards campaign.
Why do you suppose The Puppet hasn’t unleashed Axelrod on the “Daschle” scandals (of which “taxes”, in a way — given EduCap and all that — is but the tip of the iceberg)?
Nobody’s gonna forget all those “Democrats” who went on teevee, despite the compelling evidence to the contrary, to chirp about Daschle’s “integrity”.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
2 weeks of 24? Opinion. And whose? IF so, I’ll trade ya 2 weeks for 8 years of antiAmerican Bushie criminality.
Posted by: buzziea | February 3, 2009, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Hey its ok, Obama and his liberal buddies hate the Jack Bauer’s of the world anyway! It would be ironic if a Bauer comes forth to save this administration from itself…LOL
Posted by: Mike_C | February 3, 2009, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Now stop gloating all you Obama bashers. What about the people who he has appointed without any blowback? Not every Democrat failed to pay their taxes. And not every Republican did pay their fair share of taxes, especially the rich ones that Bush gave the unfair, unscrupulous tax cuts to. I am sure they have greatly enjoyed their advantage over average Americans who had to pay their fair share while these greedy money-grubbing conservatives bought themselves yet another Bentley.
Posted by: geecee | February 3, 2009, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
“Now stop gloating all you Obama bashers. What about the people who he has appointed without any blowback?”
You mean Gates?
Worst of all may be Clinton’s half billion in donations, some from foreign governments who now will be lobbying the SoS.
Posted by: BertieW | February 3, 2009, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
“Seriously, how could the Democratics elect the one person who has already turned to worse than Bush?”
Well, the msm was mau-mau’d into it by the birthday-suit factor, the Cheshire-Cat dentition, and that uh mob factor.
Fortunately, some kid has shouted out that the Emperor has no clothes, and that He and His corporate pals have been robbing the poor box, to boot.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
The Obama presidency will go down as the worst in history.
Posted by: Peace train | February 3, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
the day will come when partisian politics will be no more.
hurry up.
Posted by: WHAT! | February 3, 2009, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm
“And not every Republican did pay their fair share of taxes, especially the rich ones that Bush gave the unfair, unscrupulous tax cuts to”
geecee … LOL….
you guys really need to take this comedy act on the road!
So now being a democratic tax cheat somehow equates to your warped perception othat obeying the law by paying the taxes the tax code says you owe is really cheating!!!
Only in the blinder-based world of the Liberalist!!!!
Just remember not to get too close to the edge of that cliff….LOL
Posted by: Mike_C | February 3, 2009, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
“Unreal. Atleast Bush kept us safe. 0bama won’t, he’s already coddling terrorist groups and enemy nations.”
ROFLMAO.
Bush reading My Pet Goat while 3000 Americans died because he IGNORED warning of an impending attack is keeping us safe!
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
you people are crazy,
bush will be the worst president ever,
have you forgotten, or you just don’t care,
there are 4k+ military families who are one member short because of bush’ war.
we did not have to invade iraq, and those soldiers did not have to die.
but hey, as bush said, “saddam, did try to kill my daddy”
bush to the dead soldiers families
“so what?”
bush will always be the worst president of the usa ever, because he caused soldiers to die who did not have to die
Posted by: WHAT! | February 3, 2009, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
Hmmm I thought cheating on taxes was the new Republican “in” thing to do?
Ya know between Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin, I thought not paying taxes gavce one instant right winger cred?
Guess Daschle misunderstood.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
I have no doubt the Ologo garbage heap will rise and RINSE off and be back with a vengeance. Only to rot and stink another day!
Posted by: holdyanose | February 3, 2009, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
“the day will come when partisian politics will be no more.”
When the same small group of super-rich corporados doesn’t outright OWN most of the players for both “parties”, you mean? If the “people” can manage to un-seat EVERY member of Congress who took part in the “bailout” bullchips, that certainly COULD happen.
By “post-partisan”, The Puppet meant only to convey, apparently, that His administration’s rhetoric and actions would COMPLETELY ignore the fact that millions upon millions of Americans — MANY of them “black” — would fall on their knees in thankfulness to EVER make enough money to be required to pay taxes.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
“NObody cares about Edwards’ supposed zipper problem — ”
Yes no one cares about Edwards cheating on his cancer stricken wife who became very dear to many Democrats hearts through her brave fight.
That must be why his name comes up so often for an elected or appointed position.
“and some wonder whether Hunter wasn’t sent BY the Kerry wing to do as she did.”
ROFLMAO.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
“The United States was not attacked by terrorists on that date … ”
“Terrorists” working out of the New York Yacht Club, most likely: that the made-for-teevee strike on the architectural excrescence of the Towers was the only “terrorist” success of the day SHOULD tell people SOMEthing … but noooo.
(Yeah, yeah, it’s too bad about the people who were disappeared. But the “US” DOES disappear thousands of people all over the world — and if “American lives” were valuable for something other than justifying race war against Arabs, and religious crusades against Muslims, we’d have National Health, instead of an undiscussed robo-war on Pakistan.)
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
“Hmmm I thought cheating on taxes was the new Republican “in” thing to do?
Ya know between Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin, I thought not paying taxes gavce one instant right winger cred?”
Funny you would bring them up.
Joe the Plumber isnt an office holder of again kind. He is just a private citizen who dared to ask your messiah an uncomfortable question and the Democratic smear machine sprung in to action. Democratic hack violated the oath of office and went browsing through all his records hoping to find something to change the conversation (much like you). What she found was the unemployment line. No matter- she’ll probably be rehabilitated like Samantha “Monster” Power.
Palin is a good speaking outsider who was making things hot for the Lord High Arugula. What to do? A Democratic office holders computer savvy son hacks her email account. Conversation changed! But oops go directly to jail.
Oh you wacky Dems and your abuse of power. How do you think this is going to end when the Demo have all the branches- I think we all know.
Posted by: BertieW | February 3, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
“If “his cancer stricken wife” got over it, why doesn’t Ryan C.? It’s a mystery.”
I liked Edwards a great deal in 2004, voted for him in the primary.
But he is done politically after that affair.
Granted in this day an age an affair is not necessarily a political career killers but this one mortally wounds him because of his wife’s popularity with the progressive base.
The progressive base that he had carefully cultivated reacted with anger to the revelation.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
Joe the Plumber isnt an office holder of again kind.”
Not yet anyway.
Apparently he’s a Republican strategist after his stint as a war correspondent.
“He is just a private citizen who dared to ask your messiah an uncomfortable question”
He went up to Obama and lied to his face about his circumstances to pose his question, Obama response was to calmly discuss the issue for a couple of minutes with Joe.
“Palin is a good speaking outsider”
Oh the irony.
So just to be sure, Palin’s tax problems mean nothing to you, is that correct?
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
“The progressive base that he had carefully cultivated reacted with anger to the revelation. ”
More like denial.
The National Enquirer had the story in October, 2007.
The cover story that she was pregnant with Andrew Young’s kid was preposterous. As was Rellie, Young and his *wife* all moving to California and getting set up houses out there.
The whole thing smelled of a cover up from the go.
Posted by: BertieW | February 3, 2009, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
“More like denial.
The National Enquirer had the story in October, 2007.”
I don’t blame people for ignoring the National Enquirer story until there was much more corroboration.
I mean you don’t believe that Palin cheated on her husband and that her son Track has a serious drug problem do you?
But once it came out?
People were livid. Elizabeth had a personal connection with many in the community and this hurt them a great deal.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
“wikipedia has a nice little article on ‘The Pet Goat’. Go look it up and you’ll never have to repeat lefty talking points again”
Yes because saying he was reading My Pet Goat is so wrong when he was actually reading The Pet Goat.
ROFLMAO.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
Has anyone noticed the irony that the President who pledged to raise taxes has tried to surround himself by people who don’t pay their own?
Posted by: Franklin DelinObama | February 3, 2009, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
“Give a liberal a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a liberal to question his programing and he becomes employable- thats my motto. ”
Sign. One more liberal stays on the dole.
Here is the section:
“Bush remained and followed along as the children read the book aloud, and remained with them for more than seven minutes more. Bush’s critics, notably Michael Moore in his film Fahrenheit 9/11, have argued that the fact that Bush continued reading the book after being notified that the attack was ongoing shows that he was indecisive. After spending about twenty minutes with the children, Bush was scheduled to give a short press conference at about 9:30. At the conference inside the school, Bush made his first speech about the attacks and was later taken to a secure location by the Secret Service aboard Air Force One before returning to the White House later that evening.[1] According to Bill Sammon in Fighting Back: The War on Terrorism from Inside the White House, Bush’s Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was in the back of the classroom holding a pad on which he had written “DON’T SAY ANYTHING YET.”[2]
Osama bin Laden made reference to the story in a videotaped speech released just prior to the 2004 U.S. presidential election, claiming that Bush’s reading of the book had given the hijackers more than enough time to carry out the attacks.[3]”
“Bush reading My Pet Goat while 3000 Americans died because he IGNORED warning of an impending attack is keeping us safe!”
“Bush reading”
- wrong he wasnt reading
“My Pet Goat”
-wrong it was the SRA Reading Mastery II: Storybook
“3000 Americans”
- wrong 2974
“IGNORED”
they took what actions they could. None of the materials that the hijackers brought on the planes were illegal at that point.
“warning of an impending attack is keeping us safe!”
-wrong. I guess you are taking the Bin Laden view that if only Bush hadnt been with the second grade class listening to them read them magically the terrorists wouldnt have had time to crash the second plane. There really is no support for that.
I see from the google search that you have posted this “My Pet Goat” flummery at least four times on Punch- and oddly is never on a thread that has anything to do with it. Oh wait, that isnt so odd.
Now that you know the error of your ways, perhaps you can refrain from trying to derail threads on topics you find politically embarrassing.
Posted by: BertieW | February 3, 2009, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
“Worst of all may be Clinton’s half billion in donations, some from foreign governments who now will be lobbying the SoS. ”
If that was an average Joe trying to work for the government, he would be denied a security clearance… garanteed.
Posted by: KR | February 3, 2009, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
Bertie,
The right wing claim is the Bush has kept us safe.
How did he keep us safe on 9/11/2001?
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
“Bertie,
The right wing claim is the Bush has kept us safe.
How did he keep us safe on 9/11/2001?”
So all that erroneous “My Pet Goat” business was just propaganda techniques from Saul Alinsky?
Here is what Concerned said:
“Unreal. Atleast Bush kept us safe. 0bama won’t, he’s already coddling terrorist groups and enemy nations.”
Here is what Mr. Obama has done that has made us less safe in the past month:
- not building a European missile shield
- not telling the Iranians that their getting nuclear weapons is unacceptable
- Appointing a party loyalist (oh its true) to the CIA
- Pandering to Code Pink by closing Gitmo without any clear plan about what to do with the terrorists there.
You could add in the rumors that he has been holding backdoor foreign policy discussions with Iran and Syria since before he was president.
Posted by: BertieW | February 3, 2009, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
okay, now lets wait and see how he HANDLES a set back. I am sure all of us will learn a thing or two in the process. The man is at his best when in a crisis.
and Jake, the no-drama is still going on since i don’t see any finger-pointing, accusations etc even in this crisis
Posted by: Question | February 3, 2009, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
Kathy, are you calling the NY Times primates? Are you calling Jake a primate?
Gotcha is gotcha and the media love a good story like this. Get used to it.
Posted by: robert b | February 3, 2009, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
Kathy, are you calling the NY Times primates? Are you calling Jake a primate?
***************************************************
I can’t find my previous posting that’s being referenced. I think I maintained that Jane Goodall would have insight into GOP behaviors. Jake Tapper and the NYT had nothing to do with it- so no to the question. Gotcha is okay for tabloids that link extraterrestrials to influencing the election, but not for most of the mainstream media or anything else purporting to be journalism.
Posted by: kathy | February 3, 2009, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
- not building a European missile shield”
Shall we discuss this from the Maginot Line perspective, the cost perspective or the international relation perspective?
First let’s talk cost. Thanks to Bush’s war of choice and war on accountability with civilian contractors, we have spent an immense sum of money and we simply must make choices when it comes to future armament. This program has cost how many hundred billion?
Next international relations, shall we discuss Russia and Poland? The Poles didn’t want missile defense but we twisted their arms into accepting it. The Russian do not like such items on their door step. While the Russians do not get the final word on such matters, I think it was quite unwise to provoke the Russians by placing our weaponry nearly on their doorstep under the auspices of defending against Iran or NK. We see the Russian reaction by their hitting Georgia hard. But then again that reaction goes back further to our rejection of certain treaties.
As for the Maginot line, I’ll explain it if you like.
“- not telling the Iranians that their getting nuclear weapons is unacceptable”
When did he say that? He has been very clear that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable.
“- Appointing a party loyalist (oh its true) to the CIA”
Oh Leon’s a party guy. Whether or not he is capable and up to the job remains to be seen. But I happen to think he is.
“- Pandering to Code Pink by closing Gitmo without any clear plan about what to do with the terrorists there.”
Closing Gitmo had little to do with Code Pink and much more to do with fulfilling the promise that America will not torture people under an Obama administration as they had under the Bush administration. Obama believes that we cannot win a war when we cast aside our ideals.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm
But Kathy – the GOP did not make up this story from Mars. And it was the mainstream media that ran with the story of tax evasion as well they should.
Posted by: robert b | February 3, 2009, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
Thanks to Bush’s war of choice and war on accountability with civilian contractors, we have spent an immense sum of money and we simply must make choices when it comes to future armament. This program has cost how many hundred billion?
***************************************************
I don’t know how many hundreds of billions were spent on private contractors for the Iraq War, but at least 300 billion was overcharged and/or wasted according to audits. Ironically, KBR and others who were wasteful have contracts to continue in Afghanistan. Excuse me, I was being too polite with wasteful–I should have used the more accurate term of ripping off. They were also taking away money from badly needed resources, like body armor.
Posted by: kathy | February 3, 2009, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
I don’t expect Obama to be perfect. I just pray he doesn’t screw up more than Carter.
Posted by: Grand Old Party | February 3, 2009, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm
“As for the Maginot line, I’ll explain it if you like.”
You could if you want. While you are at explaining relevance, note that the German’s didnt not attack over the Maginot line, they went around it. Iranian missiles targeted at Europe dont have that luxury.
“”- not telling the Iranians that their getting nuclear weapons is unacceptable”
When did he say that? He has been very clear that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable.”
No he has not.
Go back to the interview with Arab television. He was specifically asked about Iran, and the questions were probably submitted in advance, so there was no surprise. He didn’t the usual language dance and said that the Iranians will find the US’s hand extended but he *did not* say that Iran will be prevented from getting nuclear weapons.
Go back and check- post the part where he tells Iran no nukes will be allowed.
“”- Pandering to Code Pink by closing Gitmo without any clear plan about what to do with the terrorists there.”
Closing Gitmo had little to do with Code Pink and much more to do with fulfilling the promise that America will not torture people under an Obama administration as they had under the Bush administration”
GITMO and Military Commissions-which were passed by Congress- have nothing to do with torture.
However shutting down GITMO and abandoning Military Commissions are #2 and #3 on Code Pink’s wish list.
Posted by: BertieW | February 3, 2009, 11:37 pm 11:37 pm
I don’t know how many hundreds of billions were spent on private contractors for the Iraq War, but at least 300 billion was overcharged and/or wasted according to audits
**********************************************
For the sake of accuracy, I think it was more like 300 million discovered so far, but that’s thought of as a conservative figure. The decrease of three zeros doesn’t lessen the amorality of the companies involved, or the need to place far more oversight and far less dependence on private contractors in the war arena.
Posted by: kathy | February 4, 2009, 12:40 am 12:40 am
“Next international relations, shall we discuss Russia and Poland? The Poles didn’t want missile defense but we twisted their arms into accepting it. The Russian do not like such items on their door step. While the Russians do not get the final word on such matters, I think it was quite unwise to provoke the Russians by placing our weaponry nearly on their doorstep under the auspices of defending against Iran or NK. We see the Russian reaction by their hitting Georgia hard. ”
You actually got this way backwards. Poland accepted the BMD assets AFTER Georgia to send a message to Russia. Prior to that, Poland used the BMD as a bargaining chip with Russia, mostly for political maneuvering. After the purchase, Russia then threatened to attack Poland. Are you suggesting we should just let Russia bully and threaten free nations?
Poland has had a rough 50+ years between German occupation, having their country devastated in war, and Russian occupation. I don’t blame them one bit.
Also, the whole reason there is an issue about BMD is because Russia has issue with it. BMD undermines their ability to intimidate other nations with their large nuclear ballistic missile fleet. Those of us who truly want the threat of nuclear ballistic attack to become an outdated method, should support the BMD program not just for us and our allies, but for all nations.
And BMD does work. Yes it is expensive, but not nearly as expensive as maintaining a nuclear ballistic missile fleet.
Posted by: KR | February 4, 2009, 10:13 am 10:13 am
“The decrease of three zeros doesn’t lessen the amorality of the companies involved, or the need to place far more oversight and far less dependence on private contractors in the war arena.”
The underlining issue is that we as a nation have no other choice in some cases to use private contractors, in other cases we choose to because it helps the situation.
Example, the military has lost or cut away expertise it used to have indigenous, filled in by contracting. In peacetime it makes some sense, but in war zones it hurts has badly. Contractors in war zones are extremely expensive with extra danger pay etc. If you want to fix this, support a larger defense budget to bring back those skills. If not, live with it.
Second is contracting with the host nation, in this case Iraq. Business corruption is culturally common in most places around the world. In places like South America, its endemic. In order to help boost the host nations economy, we use local contractors who are corrupt and overcharge. It’s not to our standards and it ticks us off. But the alternative is even worse and even offends the host nation.
As Americans, you are not going to see these perspectives unless you serve our country. Nevertheless, you form passionate opinions on these matters based on limited knowledge. That’s dangerous.
Posted by: KR | February 4, 2009, 10:21 am 10:21 am