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Subscribe to RSSCriticism over Chuck Hagel’s nomination for secretary of defense has been mounting for weeks, beginning even before the former Republican senator got the official nod.
Now, unhappy members of his own party will get the chance to grill him on a range of concerns, including Hagel’s antagonism to what he called “the Jewish lobby” and his vocal opposition of President George W. Bush’s 2007 surge strategy in Iraq.
Jason Reed / Reuters
Chuck Hagel reacts during meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington in this Jan. 23, 2013 file photo.
He takes to Capitol Hill on Thursday morning for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, but despite what’s likely to be three or four hours of adversarial interrogation, it seems all but certain that the upper chamber will vote to confirm him. That is, unless he makes the kind of catastrophic blunder during his testimony that no nominee has made in recent memory.
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the senior Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, who is uncommitted on the Hagel nomination, said Tuesday the statements by some GOP senators that they wouldn’t try to block Hagel’s confirmation by a filibuster “changes things dramatically.”
Hagel will need only 51 votes to be confirmed, not the 60 he'd need if there were a filibuster. There are 55 senators in the Democratic caucus and 45 Senate Republicans.
Although Sen. Lindsey Graham, R- S.C., said on Fox News Monday night that he would block the Hagel nomination until current Defense Secretary Leon Panetta testifies about the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya, one of Graham’s frequent allies, Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., distanced himself Tuesday from that threat.
Both Graham and McCain serve on the Armed Services Committee.
Hagel, who was seriously wounded while serving as an Army infantryman in Vietnam, was a Republican senator from Nebraska from 1997 to 2009.
In his written answers to a questionnaire from members of the Armed Services Committee released on Wednesday, Hagel alluded to Vietnam, saying, “I understand what it is like to be a soldier in war. I also understand what happens when there is poor morale and discipline among the troops and a lack of clear objectives, intelligence, and command and control from Washington.”
He said his Vietnam experience would help him “to ensure we maintain the best fighting force in the world … and ensure that we are cautious and certain when contemplating the use of force.”
There's been a lot of criticism surrounding the president's nomination of Chuck Hagel to the Defense Secretary position. Where did all of this bad press come from? The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd takes a deep dive look back at Hagel with the Atlantic's Steve Clemmons.
Some of the questions senators will pose to Hagel will likely focus on statements that he made years ago, such as his comment in 2007 about Bush that “before this (Iraq intervention) is over, you might see calls for his impeachment."
As a senator, Hagel voted for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but later turned critical of Bush’s conduct of the operation.
GOP senators will be listening closely for a “confirmation conversion” -- the familiar process in which a nominee recants or edges back from some of his previous statements.
But many questions Thursday will look ahead to the defense and fiscal challenges the nation faces over the next four years. Among them:
- Potential intervention in the Syrian civil war: While senators such as McCain are calling for sending arms to rebels fighting against the regime of Bashar Assad, Hagel said in his answers to the committee, “I do not believe that providing lethal support to the armed opposition at this time will alleviate the horrible situation we see in Syria.” The risks of a widening conflict in Syria were underscored Wednesday when Israeli warplanes attacked Syrian military targets near Damascus. The airstrikes reportedly targeted a convoy carrying weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- Intervention in North Africa: The Obama administration has expanded the war against al-Qaida with major new initiatives in Africa. The Pentagon is reportedly considering setting up a drone base in Niger, an African nation bordering Mali where U.S. forces have been supporting a French military operation against jihadists. This week the Obama administration entered into a status-of-forces agreement with Niger, allowing U.S. troops to operate in that country. Pentagon spokesman George Little said this week that in the Mali operation the U.S. military has been sharing intelligence with the French, providing airlift support to the French army, and refueling French military aircraft.
- Iran and Israel: In his written answers to the Armed Services Committee, Hagel addressed the question of Iran’s nuclear program, saying, “I am committed to considering all options to counter Iran and its aggression, and to maintain U.S. support for missile defense systems in Israel.” He added, “While there is time and space for diplomacy, backed by pressure, the window is closing. Iran needs to demonstrate it is prepared to negotiate seriously.” In the past he has opposed some economic sanctions against Iran. GOP senators will press him on how willing he would now be to use military force, or to support Israel’s use of force against Iran.
- Afghanistan: Senators from both parties will seek some insight on where Obama and Hagel are heading with the future role of U.S. forces in Afghanistan where 66,000 U.S. troops are still operating. Hagel told the panel in his written answers that the U.S. mission after 2014 will be conducting counter-terrorism missions and training Afghan security forces. But he would not commit himself to any specific number of U.S. forces: “The size of the force will flow from missions assigned.”
- Women in combat: Panetta last week issued an order eliminating the Defense Department’s direct ground combat exclusion rule for women. He said more women could be on the battlefield “without compromising readiness or morale or our war fighting capabilities.” In his written answers to Armed Services Committee, Hagel said he supported Panetta’s decision, but Armed Services Committee ranking Republican member Sen. Jim Inhofe, R- Okla., is very wary of this change.
- Spending cuts: Defense outlays now account for 18 percent of total federal spending but the Pentagon is facing a budget squeeze. The Budget Control Act of 2011 effectively cut the Pentagon’s “base budget” (for everything other than overseas operations such as Afghanistan) by about 4 percent in 2012. The Congressional Budget Office says base-budget spending for the current fiscal year could be cut an additional 12 percent if BCA provisions, including automatic spending cuts called “sequestration,” are not canceled or delayed. In his written answers to committee questions, Hagel urged Congress “to eliminate the sequester threat permanently and pass a balanced deficit-reduction plan.” He said if the BCA spending cuts take place it would have dire effects such as furloughs for civilian defense workers, “less training, including cuts to flying and steaming hours which would reduce readiness” and “delayed weapons system buys with resulting price increases.”
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Hagel will be confirmed, but it won't be without a lot of noise from opponents...
Who can be surprised by this. He made remarks critical of Zionism, so now the parties that represent Zionism rather than the American people (the Democrats, Left-Wing Zionism and the Republicans, Right-Wing Zionism), are going on the attack. Similar to what happened to Chas Freeman in 2009.
Anytime a real American has a chance to come into position of power, they get the boot if they don't sellout beforehand. And people wonder why nothing seems to change no matter who they vote for, and why the "US Government" has put in place policies that self-inflict harm against the American people like:
1. Constant attack on the Bill of Rights (Patriot Act, NDAA, 2nd Amendment) - Always to make us "safer" from "them", whether international or domestic. I think we might have about 2-3 amendments left intact for us.
2. The financial crisis and out of control debt - still waiting for those investogations
3. Wars no one wants - including the future War on Iran (and previously Iraq).
For what purpose is the Republican Party now practicing fratricide? The GOP, by all appearances (and rhetoric), has now moved so far Right that they will turn their back on those in the party who are not extreme-Right enough to pass a purity test.
It's all beginning to look and smell like the reemergence of fascism. Is this where the party wants to go?
I am sure that Lindsey Graham will OPPOSE him. He is the ultimate MORON that needs to GO!
How can a idiot like that can be in such a position? He wants the US to go to WAR, he opposes legislation to curve weapons, and he makes a BUNDLE from the NRA and weapons dealers.
He is only looking for himself and his pockets!
The GOP is a bunch of crazy lunatics that are destroying AMERICA
I used to think of Hagel as being one of the poster boys of the GOP. How times have changed. Apparently, he isn't radical enough for them. It's both shocking and sad.
These politicians are all in the same bed to begin with.This Democrat Vs Republican is nothing but a sideshow to keep the public occupied.
Israel will need to take care of themselves, with this administration, there is no support for them
Hamas leader reportedly backs two-state solution
http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-leader-reportedly-backs-two-state-solution/
Khaled Mashaal asks Jordan’s King Abdullah to convey the message to Obama, according to a report in Saudi Arabia’s al-Sharq
According to the report, which cited Jordanian officials, Mashaal expressed his organization’s support for a conflict-ending agreement that would grant the Palestinians an independent state based on the 1967 borders. The king is expected to convey the message to Obama in a meeting scheduled for the end of February.
Well GEE!!!! We KNOW that Obama has already thrown Israel under the bus on THAT one!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciES8cEoGZ8
Obama Urges Israel to Go Back to 1967 Borders
I still dont understand how Obama got the Jewish vote...
How well do you think Israel will fair?
UN inquiry calls for sanctions against Israel over West Bank settlements
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/un-inquiry-calls-for-sanctions-against-israel-over-west-bank-settlements.premium-1.500565
The UN has NO say in Israel but with Obama and now Kerry and Hagel on their side....
All nominees should be grilled, and grilled hard, what's wrong with that? Would love to see the left leaning morons do the same to their own who are not in lock step but you won't.
Robert in Oregon: You make an excellent point about today's GOP. Amazing: just when it seems they couldn't be bigger diks to independents (and of course anyone left of that), they consume another one of their OWN.
Perhaps this is their idea of 'equality': I mean - why be diks to just the normal victims when you can screw those in your own party as well? Simply Amazing...
If memory serves me well, ISRAEL has just elected Netanyahoo again. If they want some of our leaders to be agreeable with them, they need to elect officers that are willing to negotiate with PEACE, instead of WAR, especially if it involves the US.
Why should we go and defend them if they keep electing the same BULLY?
We did not elect Mitt Romney...So there!!!!
Netanyahu's interference in the last election was not only troubling, it was disgusting. I got the impression that Netanyahu put all his chips on Romney and was horrified to see that he lost it all when Obama won. Sorry, Netanyahu, but democracy is still in place in America and you lost, chump. Suck it up. With friends like you, we don't need any enemies. Keep talking peace while you build housing developments in Palestine. That will enhance your credibility.
Let's see:
Chuck Hagel attacked the nomination of an ambassador based on the fact that he was gay. (I thought this administration supported gay rights...)
He has made strange remarks about Jews and the "Jewish lobby". (I thought Obama wasn't against Jews...)
Hagel has opposed sanctions on Iran (which Obama, Clinton and most Democrats and Republicans have supported!).
Hagel is on the record as supporting drastic cuts in defense, and cutting the U.S. nuclear arsenal to zero. (Obama and Panetta both said there would be no drastic cuts to defense...)
Hagel opposed the surge in Iraq which even the Obama administration has credited with improving the security situation in Iraq which allowed U.S. forces to eventually hand over security to the Iraqis.
Hagel opposed designating Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorists. (Remember Hezbollah perpetrated the biggest single terror attack against Americans until 9/11 - and the IRGC are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops in Iraq.)
.
.
So let me get this straight, Obama wants to nominate for the job of secretary of defense, a Jew-hating, homophobe who opposed sanctions on Iran, opposed designating Hezbollah and the IRGC as terrorists, wants to reduce American nuclear deterrent to zero, and cutting defense when Iran and N. Korea are launching longer range missiles every other week, and the entire Middle East and North Africa are going up in flames at the moment...?
Oh yeah, and for all you liberals out there who are defending him, he even voted against a bill in the senate that supported Roe vs. Wade. I hope you're happy with your nominee. The Iranians certainly are, according to a Reuters report. And I quote:
Iran: Foreign Ministry Voices Optimism in Hagel Nomination in U.S.
The Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that it hoped the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be the United States defense secretary would lead to ”practical changes” in Washington’s foreign policy.
.
Well, at least the Iranians are happy with Hagel's nomination...
this is the top story??
you liberal clowns have 1 small article on the economy shrinking in q4...
wonder why the lack of coverage on the biggest story of the year thus far.
let's keep in mind gdp shrunk before we all had 100-200 dollars less a month to spend thanks to tax cuts, which we were told were only on the "1%".
4+ years and unemployment is the same as the day he took office. trillion dollar deficits. 6+ trillion to the national debt, and no one to blame but the left and their supreme leader.
this will get worse before it gets better..... thanks liberalism!!!
GOP = No compromise by anyone for anything Ever. If you're willing to compromise, you should die.
It is amusing watching them eat their own, however.
Roosterboy,
I am looking at maps dating back centuries, and I can't find Palestine on any of them... Care to help me find it?
They are opposing Hagel because they oppose anything that Obama says. Kerry will get a break, but they don't want a huge backlash. So they will oppose what they can.
This is just more obstruction without a cause.
NON Socialist/Marxist
Ask and you shall receive...
Here is one one from 1748 clearly labeled "Ivdaea adn Palestina"
http://www.worldmapsonline.com/images/1whistoricmaps/1w-wo-pal-1748.jpg
Here is one from 1783 "La Palestine"
http://www.freeusandworldmaps.com/images/AntiqueHistorical/AntiqueMiddleEast/Palestine1783LOC72Sm.jpg
There are lots of others too.
Nothing new here. I've always said the republicans are good at "eating their own," (especially when President Obama picks one, OEO = Oppose Everything Obama, the new republican cry, changed from "Obstruct Everything Obama" from his first four years) but I thought they like them bloody, not grilled!!
Hal,
Those maps show Israel and Jordan, but I don't see any land labeled Palestine.
The point of my comment, for those too slow to follow, is that there never has been a Palestinian State. It was all part of the Ottoman empire until WW1, then broken up into the countries that exist today like Israel and Jordan.
Now I am all for the forming of new nations if required, but when your stated goal is to "kill all jews" and "take Jerusalem" then I think there is a clear problem. Until civility is part of their goal, which has never been the case, they will remain what they are. A puppet for Hamas, which is a terrorist organization.
How are all you Obama fans enjoying your leaders economy?
Same unemployment as the day he started.
Q4 shrinking of the economy, all before tax increases that will increase the problem.
Trillions of dollars passed on to your children to pay for.
Discuss...
Israel is a war-mongering state just as most republicans are. Israel also has it's hands so deep into Americas pockets, since 1949, the U.S. government DOESN'T want you to know (it's a classified secret) but it's in the super high BILLIONS that's for sure! Sure, you'll find articles that "claim" to put an amount of money given Israel from 49, but that's only the parts the government wants you to know.
Man, you must be unemployed, that's all you cry about. Do you have any children, grand-children? I do, and life goes on, we're doing fine, sorry if you're in a "hole." Try harder, bro, get a couple of jobs.....LOL!!!
This is not a political position. Hagel is supposed to be trying out for a job managing the Defense Dept - not Dancing With the Stars. He will represent the President's positions on these matters - so all of his personal positions mean little. Question is whether he is dedicated to folks in the military and the security of this country - and he is.
He will enforce the laws - so if Gays are in, he will treat their service as any other. Lots of folks had different views about Gay rights just 10 years ago. Hagel is an example of a person with a brain who learns and evolves... shocking. The far left needs to get off that wagon.
And Congress - both sides - need to focus on what is good for this country first, not other countries, and understand that this post is part of the President's Cabinet....
Lindsay Graham is a hack, so is McCain - bought and paid for by special interests, and petrified that their eternal jobs in Congress might be primaried away by extreme right wing interests. Look at McCain's position on immigration reform - for it under Bush, against it during his recent Senate run, now for it again..... His vote is not based on ideology, it is based on doing whatever he is told to do.
The media needs to look at their records, and then laugh and move on. These two look like fools -
Hagel is an honest man - something quite rare in Washington. We need his candor, dedication to this country proven by his service, his steadiness, and his unwillingness to pander to foreign elements trying to sway American policy to one against our own interests.
How honest can Chuck Hagel be, Dorfy, when he has suddenly reversed many of his long held positions in the last few weeks in order to help his confirmation.
Just like Obama, it seems that Chuck Hagel is willing to say anything in order to get votes...
moshuluu,
Please entertain me, and provide some sort of factual basis on your wild claims that Israel is a "war-mongering" state.
I guess I would want to deflect any and all attention to the fact that for the past 4 years my policy has been an utter failure too. I respect the fact that your at least loyal even with our economy is slowly shrinking in a country that is growing in population.
Actually I am a medical device rep, one of many industries severely hurt by your grand leader and his policies. I make no where near the "millions" and "billions" that was demonized by your president, and told we must tax more, yet I am seeing over a hundred dollars a month taken from my pay check. I thought he said he wasn't raising taxes on the middle class? I am pretty sure millions more in the middle class like myself have a fair gripe.
If Hagel is confirmed Israel your on your own, and Iran build baby build
this is nothing but a public show; of course he will be confirmed, he was and is outspoken, but he is also one of them; a waste of time, better the Senate and house start looking at the economic crisis that they caused, Fannie Mae, social security trust fund raided, medicare trust fund raided for medicaid,pension plans raided,dollar on Verge of collapse,troops fighting all over the world and most of all a deficit so huge that no nation on earth could survive.
@FedupwithFed
Israel SHOULD HAVE to take care of themselves just like everyone else. If they didn't think the US would be neck deep in their wars, they would have made peace long ago. Let's not forget that they have attacked us on the open seas and killed our sailors. They are not our friends. They don't have friends because they view themselves as superior and God's chosen people. They have been systematically exterminating the Palestinians. I hope Arafat and Sharon share the same cell in hell. They have had their hand in our pockets up the the elbow for decades. Enough.
Netanyahu's Israel, AIPAC, Israel Firsters and ingenious distribution of enormous amounts of Jewish money have corrupted our electoral system and successfully involved us in continuing wars against our interests. Chuck Hagel is one of the few who has resisted. The Government of the United States must again serve American interests, not Israel's paranoid pursuit of invulnerability, territorial conquest and apartheid supremacist empire in, and beyond, the Mideast.
That is the reason Obama selected Hagel. Did you see that Ahole Netanyahu try to stick his nose in our election last September. Makes an unannounced visit and expects everybody to jump. Piss on him.
I do want to note that he did vote for the Iraq War in 2003, but then again, Bush/Cheney ran the country based on fear and intimidation, while Obama lends a softer touch to achieving the same goals. Sanctions are always the first step to war. Don't be misled.
It's all a game.
Democrats sanction and embargo nations on behalf of (left-wing) Zionism to weaken them.
Republicans conduct wars on behalf of (right-wing) Zionism after the offending nation is weakened.
For historical precedent, see Iraq under Bush 1, Clinton, then under Bush II.
The President sets policy for the Secretary of Defense, not the other way around.
All I'm concerned about is Hagel keeping us safe and taking care of the soldiers coming home.
Israel is already attacking Syria by air, trying to make their big push into Iran. Israel is hell bent on starting a war, Netanyahu is just as pathetic as some of these republicans who can't stand President Obama and hell bent on showing him they'll do what they want.
@moshuluu
The middle east has been a powder keg for a long time. It has settle down some in the last several years, although precarious.
So now in the last 4 years we have not only Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran being the primary hot spots, we now have Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Mali Pakistan and others added to the mix. I'm sure glad our administration has decided to focus on sending aid and military hardware to Egypt. When that little(sarcasm) issue blows all to hell and gone, I'm sure we're just going to stand by and watch it go right down the drain. Must be feeling good about getting certain guns off the street though
He faced a grilling? That probably means they had a BBQ luncheon..
I hear the salmon is particularly good..... :-)
Although Sen. Lindsey Graham, R- S.C., said on Fox News Monday night that he would block the Hagel nomination until current Defense Secretary Leon Panetta testifies about the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya, one of Graham’s frequent allies, Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., distanced himself Tuesday from that threat.
Wtf does the current Defense Secretary's involvement with the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya have to do with keeping continuity of command of our armed forces?
Fact...
It doesn't.......reason and common sense are the enemy of nitwits like Graham or any of these Benghazi fetishists. That could not have been more apparent when Ron Johnson of Wisconsin questioned John Kerry about it....and Kerry asked if he was at the briefing where the video of Benghazi was reviewed, and Johnson said, "no". He could've been.....he just didn't bother.
Proves these people don't give two ****s about Benghazi.....it is just another political football for them.
Romney had a meltdown on this Benghazi issue and dropped it.
More Republican extortion......"I won't blah blah until I hear more about Benghazi".....
What a load of crap..........
That's practically all they have to bitch about, so they are slowing wearing it out. Everything else they bitched about has been proven STUPID, so now they are STUCK on Libya. I still don't understand why they are not raising hell over the 4k+ Soldiers killed, 10's of thousands wounded/injured in the illegal invasion of Iraq? Oh, that's right, that was under Cheney/Bush, it's ok.
@ Eric
Just keep on sending tanks & f-16's to Egypt and all will be fine. LMAO
Hagel will be confirmed.....and the GOP will do even MORE damage to their image in the process. It will be found that all the noise they were making was much to do about nothing and they will put themselves in the position of obstructionist again. Conversely, Obama will again look like the guy that is willing to look outside his party if it is for the good of his country.
I don't know who is running the GOP day to day...but there is a reason this clownshow is hovering at 25% approval rating.
They love shooting themselves in the foot.
They are trying to look cooperative with budget matters, but can't seem to pull it all together.
I believe they've run out of feet, Eric, and are moving on to more vital organs.
Now iran will have two representatives in comrade obama's white house valarie jarrett and hagel!!!
Hey Gary,
Explain to me why wanting to do everything we can to avoid war with Iran somehow being their "representative"?
Common sense would provide that after two wars, thousands of lives, and trillions of dollars...the last thing we want is a war with Iran or Syria or anyone for that matter. You people claim to care so much about the 'budget'....but still you are willing to go to war (actually, not YOU...I'm sure you'll let others do the fighting for you) at the drop of a hat.
I've done my fighting son, where were you???
Dancing in a circle with flowers in your hair???
Wouldn't it be wonderful if, all the world couldn't be as civil and peace loving as iran???
Let me tell you something, Gary my friend. I've done my fighting too. Because of that i approach life with my eyes wide open. Your "comrade obama" statement is total BS. IMHO you wouldn't know a communist if you tripped over one, but I bet you sure know a black man when you see one don't you?
mike, major hasson was also did his share of fighting???
Gary K,
Are you going to be fighting any prospective Iran war? If the answer is "no"....then I'd shut your proverbial piehole.
This is totally stupid....you don't dance in a circle...it is more of an elliptical pattern.
That is exactly the response, I would expect from a twenty and a half year old punk???
Gary K
Sorry slappy, I have kids that are almost that old! I'm gonna take that as a compliment.....thanks!
By the way, this 'punk' is simply making a point.....it is usually the ones who won't be putting their own boots on the ground that are advocating for war. They are perfectly fine using others so they can feel tough and can pound their chest as being "strong".....when in reality all they are is a bunch of sniveling cowards.
Gary K can't back up anything he says with any form of rational thought and reasoning. Rush the junkie didn't tell him how to do that so he cats like a fifteen and a half year old punk.
I can understand why Hegal made the comment about the Zionest Lobby. I say this because of the 6 day war when Isreal attacked the USS Liberty in June of 67 where they strafed and torpedoded the ship killing the skipper and 32 intel sailors. I remember vividly the situation. As a sailor aboard the USS America we the next day removed by chopper the wounded from the ship. The USS Liberty then limped back to Naples to process the dead sailors. Isreal denied doing the dasterdly deed then. Interesting how President Johnson recalled the F-4's that we launched upon getting an SOS from the Liberty. Side note..some of our pilots (VF-33) had Nam experence and ready to tangle with a damn good Isreal air force. We also got a briefing on closed circuit TV from the wounded a blow by blow description of what happend. Not pretty.
Gary, all your responses are filled with hate and disrespect, is that all you have?
As far as "I've done some fighting," well, if you have, if you've actually had a leadership position in combat, and watched loyal young American Soldiers die all sorts of HORRIBLE WAYS, in combat, you would reconcile war and combat is not always the answer. Ask me how I know that.
When all of Northern Africa starts blowing up all over the place, I'm sure our administration will just send more tanks & f-16's, along with some humanitarian aid(that I'm sure will be used for that direct purpose). okie dokie
It is becoming more and more apparent that the Republican Party has not learned the lessons of the last election. The American people are fed up with their constant chorus of NO!! Let's start planning to rid tis country of this scourge before it is destroyed.
Nothing wrong with a Republican grilling a Republican. We don't just follow party lines like a Democrate
LOL. You really believe that? The republicans follow the party line before they do what's right for the country. Show me where the democrats signed a pledge to not work with President Obama on anything.
Stay off the Faux/GOP Kool-Aid.
Israel, for the sake of America, needs its strings cut. They have gone so far off the reservation that it's not even funny. They have richly cashed-in on America for decades and have given us nothing in return. They talk peace and build new housing in Palestine at the same time. If this were a marriage, we should be seeking a divorce by now. Enough is enough.
obama's anti-American progressive party line;
1. Destroy the U.S. Constitution
2. Destroy American Capitalism
3. Destroy American Exceptionalism
4. Repeat over and over!!!
Gary,
It is good to see you can be stupid in many different conversations....
How.......and when?
Right....because losing 800,000 jobs per month and GDP shrinking at 9% was SO much better under Bush?!?!? Plus the latest GDP numbers show the brilliance of the Republican plans for austerity and uncertainty that they try and pin to Obama. 3rd Quarter shows 3.1% growth....so naturally the GOP wants to slow things down with talks of cuts, cuts, cuts. These people are genuine idiots. (actually, they aren't.....the people who support them are).
Again, like what? It is funny that usually the ones talking about 'American Exceptionalism' are the biggest ******-nozzles on the planet.
Tell me what is your opinion on the three???
You have kids almost twenty???
Talk to me after you have experienced life, son!!!
Gary,
First...yes, my oldest in almost 20.
Second, the "constitutional" argument is stupid because he hasn't done anything that violates the constitution. Heck, even a conservative supreme court supports him. Regarding capitalism.....I gave you a snippet of the argument above. All I know is that we have had 35 straight months of job gains and over 6.5 million in that time....hardly what I'd call an anti-capitalist. Regarding 'exceptionalism'....where do you get off claiming you have the corner on what American Exceptionalism is? To me, it was the opposite of exceptional when we allow 30,000,000 + Americans go without health insurance.....it was the opposite of exceptional when we went into a war under false pretenses....it was the opposite of exceptional when we allowed the entire banking industry put the world into recession.
So get off your high horse.....I'll keep knocking you off.
I asked you for your opinion of the three???
I already know comrade obama's!!!
Have you no beliefs???
"It is becoming more and more apparent that the Republican Party has not learned the lessons of the last election"
It seems Republicans have not yet hit "rock bottom.' This type of denial is typical of those suffering from anti-social illnesses.
Doc-What do you mean by we "allow" 30,000,000+ Americans to go without health insurance"?...You talk about the 6.5 million job gains,and people with no health insurance,both in the same post...With jobs,can't they pay for their own health insurance,just like I do? Please don't respond with typical Ed Schultz childish put downs,.....I am just trying to figure out how to get MY "free" health insurance -THANKS!
Gary K-2697770
The GOP Anti American Progress Party Line:
1. Destroy Women's Rights. Legitimate Rape is the only way to go. I mean, let's force 15 year old raped/pregnant girls to have and raise a rapist child. Then lets not offer any financial assistance and give the rapist parental rights.
2. We the People does not apply to women, minorities, gays/lesbians and anyone that doesn't follow the Christian Right.
3. Destroy the US Job Market by rewarding corporations with a tax credit when they move jobs to other countries. Remember, keeping corporate taxes will create jobs, IN OTHER countries.
4. We want guns in our schools, but we are not going to pay for it, or books, better buildings.. more teachers...
5. Sorry American... SS and Medicare are considered to be entitlements, even though you pay into those programs.
Need I go on?
Please leave Gary K alone. It appears that the side affects of Agent Orange and drug use have finally taken hold of his mind. Thank god for comrade Obama, its beat "Elmer Fude" Bush and the guy who fought the Vietnam War while hiding underneath his mother's his bed "Dangerous" Dick Chaney.
When Gary steps back and gets on his meds I bet he is really a nice guy. Well maybe........
The Republicans follow party lines, except when it comes to Israel. They choose Israel over all other considerations. The Republicans want budget cuts, but no cuts in aid to Israel. The tali is wagging the dog.
People like Lindsey Graham and Eric Cantor, who are Israel firsters, should be voted out in the next elections.
@ Dr. Logic
You can thank Peanut Carter and Slick Willie for the banking collapse. Hell even Brooksley Born warned of this in 1996. A full 11 years prior to the tanking. Thank you Presidents Carter & Clinton
To all chicken hawks.
"It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry
aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation."
General Sherman 1879
joey did your mommy give you a ribbon when you lost a checkers???
Gary - You should really man up and stop being scared of Iran. We will not be going to war with them during your lifetime. Stop being scared.
Fact or more of your B???
Gary,
From everything I've seen you post....if markin is saying the opposite of what you think, my guess is he's right.
Gary, who the heck are you? You seem to lack any sense at all. You don't make a case for your "version" of the truth by spouting really inane, inappropriate and juvenile comments. Ask yourself and explain to us what benefits your course of action will bring our country.
Could you just do that please!
He's one of those teabag ditto-heads who seems to believe the best way to win people over to his side is to insult anyone who disagrees with you about anything. With guys like him, being a smart ass is more important than winning elections. In reality, he's a vote getting machine -- for Democrats.
Hagel has cut his strings to the Israeli puppet masters.
When we won WWII, we occupied Tokyo, and Berlin. We did NOT make either one of them our capitol, and we did not build settlements on occupied land. At some point and time, we well have to face the bitter truth about what is wrong and what is right. We are the champions of the world when it comes to democracy.
World votes going something like 350+ to 2, and the two being the United States and Israel is not going to fly forever.
Israel has a problem but as long as our religious extremists support Israels religious extremists they feel they can do as they please.
What is with the GOP and continuous drum beat for war, restraint with Israel and a pragmatic approach a must, opposed Bush and the surge, well good for him.
The swift-boating will be intense, nonsensical twists and spins will be the order for the day, Graham will attempt to derail, McCain will mealy mouth objections, believe opposition has already been scripted, in the end Hagel will be confirmed.
Regardless of Hagel's past party affiliation, a person that has experienced war and knows its horrors won't be so anxious to storm the ramparts. Rumsfeld was in the Navy and never saw combat, and became a war monger. Invading Iran the answer, lets turn the middle east into a glass sheet, end of problem. Why is the GOP answer for world problems and recalcitrant nations, war or bullying into submission?
Where does appeasement get you and the rest of the world? Where has it worked?
Where does CKSM us spending more on the military than the rest of the world combined get us except the poor house? Having a large military is just asking for it to be used, not sure thats a good thing.
Could it have prevented World War 11? What would the USSR have done if the US had not deterred them? Where would Iraq have gone after running over Kuwait? Peace through strength works, but there is also a few that abuse it. Which is better? How many lives would have been saved if there had been a power to deter Germany and Japan in the 1930's?
the drum beat for war Why? money money money - do you have any idea how much money the Bush regime made in their wars - lots and lots
Just wait till you start paying out yer a$$es when this administration starts bankrupting us to protect all of the (nearly ready to go full blown ballistic) Northern Africa and the middle east. I'll bet you anything we just sit back and watch. Sure we will
Anyone think that it's time to get our noses out of the rest of the world & bring our troops & MONEY back home ?
These countries have been killing each other for centuries. We now have generations that DESPISE us & know us as 1) the country that drops bombs on them & 2) the country that will always back their enemy, Israel.
Israel takes care of themselves & doesn't care what the rest of the world thinks about their actions toward aggression.
We could learn a lot from Israel in that sense.
Skyparrot,
Based on the fact that there's millions of dollars being spent anonymously on ads against Hagel's nomination, my answer to your questions about the GOP answer for world problems is that wars are far more profitable for international corporations than peace and prosperity (as in better funding for US infrastructure and education.)
MNPat, I saw some of those adds here in Colorado, where they wanted me to call our Senators. I wonder if those adds really work, they must if they spend that kind of money. If Hagel gets that kind of opposition to his nomination by I suspect the Industrial Arms Industry then he sounds like the kind of guy we need.
I only read the ads, as those corporations won't waste money in MN where they know our senators actually do research and vote their conscience.
MNPat, I believe the same thing. If you look at the contract firms that have and are doing business on behalf of the US Gov. in Iraq and Afghanistan and the insane amounts of money that they make, why would they want peace. Peace sucks for your bottom line.
We continue to drop in education compared to other countries. So much for American exceptional-ism.
Right Gary?
Hagel will be the useful idiot through which Obama will weaken American defenses, distance ourselves from traditional allies, and encourage the growth of radical Islam throughout NATO countries. Excellent!
Combating ideas with military force has been a losing proposition for a long time. Just making a lot of martyrs. Half of the Islamic population is under 25, there isnt enough bullets to stop that kind of growth.
Procrustes - where do you get your facts and data. It seems the world is a better place for US interests than it was 5 years ago. How do we currently encourage terrorists in NATO countries?
Any thoughts that contain a single freaking fact?
Well, try telling that to bin laden and Mo mo, and them pirates. However I DO think they will disagree with you.
do you have any remote idea of how completely insane you sound - guess not - proceed Procrustes
We are all just a little dumber for even having read your post. Amazing in its lack of fact or substance.
What is the purpose of the senate confirming a candidate for a position? Let them have at it! The discussion will certainly be as good as the comments on this vine.
When you want to purify your party, keep out any new or progressive ways of thinking, and subsequently make your party extinct, then you have to act tough. You have to really grill moderates in your party, and make them think twice as to why they would want to work with others, who are different from the party of purity, to make this world a better place.
the rethuglicans will confirm one thing. They are the party of NO. And they are the STUPID party. They are the party of you are like us all the way, or you are worthless. We are no longer a society of the ultra rich white men having control over everything.
GOP= gigantically opposes people
The gop couldn't grill a hamburger. This is the most worthless bunch of repubs we've had in congress in the history of the U.S. Anybody that voted against Sandy aid is nothing in my book. Just yesterday, some of em home states got hit by a bad storm, not as bad as sandy but bad enough, lets see how many of em scream for aid for their states. I just hope the demos DON'T do to them what they did to the sandy victoms....Oh, there were 36 republicans senators that voted against sandy aid. We need a new law, that says, if you voted against aid for the rest of the Country, you can't ask for aid for your State.....real simple.
top dog, Did they vote against Sandy or against all the pork added to the bill? I never heard any congressman say they were against Sandy aid, but I did hear a number say they were against the pork added to the bill. When does the pork funding end? 20, 30,40 trillion or where?
I heard em say it, of faux didn't report that part.
Voting against the "pork" is merely window dressing and eye wash to placate a slighly attentive public. This is not a new practice ~ but how many of these "conscientious objectors" have moved to block earmarks and tack-ons? Its all for show, else these guardians of the public interest would be working to change the rules to prohibit earmarks, add ons, riders, etc., that usually pump up the price of any legislation. But then, if they closed the door permanently these same "objectors" would not be able to add their own riders, earmarks, etc., when it could benefit them, their district, or their constituency.
if President Obama needed $10.00 from the Republican Party to fund a guaranteed cure for cancer - they would say NO
Wow... What a profound statement from the intellectual Left. I just don't know where you get all this insight. Please indulge us more with your great understanding of these motivations and tendencies. I bet you are the Poster child for the left.
You are quite correct to question For Ever Dem's comment, Media. Doing it as Dem suggests is so beneath the Republican Party. They would have one of their suck-up conservative media henchmen like Limbaugh or Hannity put it out that Obama HAS cancer ~ and he is only interested in saving his own miserable life. That seems to be follow the GOP's past modus operandi. And that approach usually works ~ at least among the Rabid Right.
thank you Jim in Texas for the support and understanding. I have a grandson who is attending a Texas University for his Master's degree, he promises me he will remain true to his liberal teachings.
The Repukes and Tea crappers are and will never CHANGE. No matter HOW MUCH BRAINWASHING AND SNOWBALLING THEY PUT OUT to their TAR BRAINS who follow them.
These parties WASTE MONEY IN THE WRONG AREAS that the CITIZENS see as corrupt and wasteful. Just like GUN CONTROLS at this time it is wasted TAXPAYER MONEY. There is a beurocracy but it is not CONTROLLED EFFICIENTLY for the SYSTEM AS A WHOLE. It needs STRICT OVERSITE by the very REPRESENTATIVES who put it together. THE HOUSE or CONGRESS??????????????
Wow... Even more intellectual provocation from the Intellectual left.
Why won't NBC News cover the breaking New Jersey Democrat Senator Bob Menendez underage prostitute story? Covering up for a Democrat?
We're all prostitute's in a manner of speaking, lol, job description makes it legal or not. A matter of opinion and laws.
Liberal media will try to give him a free pass. Basically by over rationalizing with Nietzsche'isms (Boromir case in point).
Schweitzer insists in “Makers and Takers”, that “conservatives value honesty more than liberals”, which is not such a big surprise since liberals tend to be relativist and doubt the reality of truth itself! They tend to embrace Nietzsche’s famous aphorism; “There are no facts, only interpretations” and uphold epistemological skepticism with a side of moral relativism.
Because as of now, it's only a rumor. Try Fox.
You have to admit his track record is not going well with the ongoing FBI investigations. He is definitely innocent until proved guilty. Something the Liberal left media should try.
Steve,
All the media, including NBC has covered the Menendez issue. All but Faux News have correctly reported it as allegations, which is consistent with our legal traditions that you are innocent until proven guilty in court. I have a few questions for you, however. Are you just as outraged about your guy Louisiana Senator whose name was prominently listed in the DC Madam's book as a preferred client? Where you outraged by your Nevada senator who had an affair with the wife of his staffer and then bought him off? Where you outraged by your Florida Congressman who was found hitting on his teen age male pages? Or do you reserve your outrage for Democrats?
It's beginning to look like science fiction: the American people sustaining and nourishing a progresssive, civlized society and the Teapublicans entrenched defending a kind of social and political barbarism that nobody understands anymore. Maybe some day they will wake up and understand that: 1. this is the 21 century, 2. that corporations are not people 3. that demonizing a briliant, popular, hard working president makes them look like the bigots they are and that 4. the world and the country will go on without them.
This is typical in today's envoirment. Huntsman who was a reasonable moderate could not come close to getting nominated because he had worked as an ambassador for a democrat. Rick Perry even went farther. The farther to the right or left a party gets the more irrelevant they become. It does and should wsork that way. I have no doubt conservatives and liberals sincerely believe what they believe. However, no form of government has lasted forever because we are human beings and capable of being wrong. Right now conservatives will take any victory they can get and if it means making Hagel look bad even if they can't stop confirmation they will do it. Doesn't make any difference. The only sad thing is that most of his supporters and critics avoided service when they had the chance. It is a shame a veteran like Hagel has to take questions from them. His service doesn't qualify him for the job but it is still a shame.
Grilling, the one thing the GOP is the best at doing, they burn a lot of good people in the process.
True. Their "grilling" is for the purpose of deflecting attention from GOP tyranny...