Link: Republicans introduce measure condemning MoveOn ad.
Oh please… General Petraeus or General Betray Us? Offensive? Probably to some. Juvenile? A bit. Outside the bounds of political debate? Not in a free country.
Who do these Republicans think they are, some kind of tender-witted political Pollyannas? These are the assholes who made ‘Swiftboating’ a verb. Now they whine about a little rough and tumble with their pet General. Give me a fucking break. I bet the General thinks their ninnyish defense of his honor is sickening. If ever there was a guy who can take care of himself in a fight…
Oh, I know the drill. Evil MoveOn.org is calling the General a traitor! No, they did not. That is the sort of lie that the Right is getting rather too adept at. Moveon points out, rightly, that the General is betraying his duty to tell the whole unvarnished truth to the American people by slanting his testimony toward the political agenda of the White House. That’s a betrayal of his oath and his duty to this country and to his soliders. It doesn’t make him a traitor, it makes him a political hack and tool, which is something he does not have the luxury of being while he wears an American uniform.
MoveOn.org’s critique is not baseless political posturing. They were extremely careful to carefully document and support their contention that the General has betrayed his duty.
I will say that the GOP knows how to make hay out of any genuine political opposition to their goals in order to whip their partisans into a fine lather. The propaganda machine is cranking and the talking points are hot off the fax machines and email lists. Anyone who dares support or agree with MoveOn.org’s critique is to be tarred and feathered and labeled some sort of Macarthyite (though, given that many conservative apparently revere the man, I don’t understand where they get off using him as a political bete noir, as well…). Democrats are being asked to condemn MoveOn.org’s ad. If a single one does, they lose my support and respect. I have little doubt that some of those useless pussies in Congress will do exactly what they are told rather than showing any spirit or spine.
Well, I agree with MoveOn.org. And to those conservatives who want to make some trouble over that considered and patriotic expression of my disappointment at the politicization of our officer corps, specifically, the craven toadying of General Petraeus, I quote three words of wisdom from your crypto-leader, Dick Cheney, that I think are perfectly appropriate to the occasion…
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Whew! Careful Dwight! You and I may wind up agreeing on lots of stuff.
As a CSPan addict, I watched Petraeus and this is what I saw and heard: When he was being asked a question, most of the time, he did not look at the questioner but was writing something on a pad. His answers were unresponsive and evasive. He had a lot of colorful ribbons on his uniform.
I believe in freedom of speech. I am not a member of MoveOn but they email me anyway. They asked people to tell them what they thought of the ad. I said I had not seen the ad but I believed in freedom of speech and they were free to say anything they want – as long as they don’t cry fire in a crowded theater. As for Congresspersons who are being asked their opinion, most of them talk too much. They can say a number of things – one of which is MoveOn is at liberty to say anything they want, etc.
What’s all the fuss about???
What really gave me an ulcer is the way a Republican member of the Committee – can’t remember who it was – managed to bamboozle Ike Skelton, Chair,(that mike was on and the whole conversation was heard) into removing people who, the Republican averred, were going to demonstrate (such a thing!) during the hearing – before they had even done anything. My own take on it was that Skelton wanted to be a good guy and didn’t think the thing thru when he evicted the potential demonstrators.
The MoveOn ad is just speech. Why is there not a great crying out about the minister who was waiting in line outside the hearing room and was assaulted by police who knocked him down and broke his leg. Where is the righteous indignation about that one!!! Dreadful!!!!!
Now, let’s get to the microphones not working – that was divine intervention! Someone didn’t want to hear what the General and the Ambassador had to say – y’think???
Michael,
My sentiments, exactly. Your piece captures it better than mine, but the gist is the same. Grijalva’s remarks were more solid than Giffords, but of course he enjoys a base she does not. She sits on both an Air Force Base and an Army fort. I’m not a politician, but the response to this ad is an indication of the lie and the paranoia about it.
The GOP is outraged over this after the shit Rove pulled? Nauseating.
Mike why don’t you come with me to Davis Monthan Air Force Base to my Monthly Air Force Meeting held on Base at Air Force Lodge Number 105 and tell the members what you just said on this blog?
You will find that these members do NOT agree with Jeff Latas that served with-out saying a peep about hating the Military until he left the Military with his pension!
I say to Jeff Latas if you hated the Military so much why did you stay and why don’t you return your pension?
Traitors you make the choice who the real traitors are!
If this Congress had NOT voted 99% in favor of putting Gen Petreaus to head the Iraq War and Funding his efforts I could see why they would not trust him.
But Congress is now crying Wolf from the Chicken Coop!
But to call him a traitor is over the top!
Move On was way out of line and Code Pink was disgusting this last week!
Just because we have NO DRAFT and have put Politics into a All Volunteer Armed Forces including volunteers with Families than try to have TIME OUT of a War Effort is NUTS!
Having been DRAFTED in 1966 and seeing the cross section being Drafted( Single-no Family) is the only FAIR way to fight a War!
It also puts more presure on Politicians who want to fight Wars that are not favored by The American Public front and center and makes them think twice!