In one of these weekend interviews Hillary stated that the UN inspectors were expelled from Iraq in 1998 and that before the war she supported forcing inspections as an alternative to invasion. I must be losing my mind here but I was of the understanding that UN weapons inspectors were doing their job in Iraq until days before the invasion. Can somebody set me or Hillary straight?
Posted by rico at September 23, 2007 12:28 PMShe comes very late to this stand. And yes, rico, I also remember as you do that Bush forced the inspectors to leave. It's an inconvenient matter that is slowly being covered by the muck of this meme that Hilary has now signed on to distribute.
I think one of Orwell's points in 1984 was that he who controls the past controls the future.
So, watch over the next few years as a new meme will develop that weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq. That's the history we want: Saddam threw out the inspectors because he had wmd. It's not true of course, but what does that matter if it just becomes too much work to keep reminding the policy makers for the military industrial complex about the facts. Talk about your inconvenient truths. Add these to the list.
Posted by angel at September 23, 2007 12:49 PMin 1998 bill clinton had the inspectors leave prior to his bombing (desert fox)
in 2003 george w. bush had the inspectors leave prior to his invasion (operation iraq liberation/freedom).
...
if hillary clinton said that the inspectors were expelled in 1998, then she's lying.
rico, do you know which show it was? i'd like to go listen to the podcast.
Posted by selise at September 23, 2007 01:36 PMrico - yes, she said it, and lied. on nbc meet the press.
Posted by selise at September 23, 2007 01:46 PMselise, thanks for setting the record straight on that point. I would suggest that everybody read Scott Ritter's "Iraq Confidential" to get a blow by blow report from the ground of what Bill Clinton's policies were (and yes, they formally accepted those of GHB), but Clinoton inplemented them with vigor.
Hillary's is pushing the notion that she only voted for new UN weapons inspections with the IWR. One only need to view her speech during the debate to realize that she is lying. Yes, lying.
So,how many troops, mercenaries and civilian support personnel will Hillary leave in Iraq? And how much will that cost? She doesn't know how to end it and not get herself tarred with the consequences of a full withdrawal any better than any of the other candidates. They're all too chickenshit to simply say, "We screwed up, the people of Iraq can't possibly do worse than the US in trying to fix it and we'll pay reparations." Because to say that takes the really high skilled messaging that neither political party is capable of creating.
Posted by Marie at September 23, 2007 02:50 PMHillary has voted "YEA" in the Senate 10 times for supplemental funding to keep General George's Iraq war going.
Maybe she's superstitious and thinks the number 11 will bring her bad luck?
Posted by Christopher at September 23, 2007 03:26 PM``I don't know what I'm going to inherit,'' Clinton said on ABC. ``I don't know and neither do any of us know what will be the situation in the region.''
She also condemned an advertisement by the anti-war group MoveOn.org that Republicans and other critics said questioned the integrity of General David Petraeus, the U.S. military commander in Iraq.
``I think it's important that we end these kinds of attacks on the patriotism of those who serve our country,'' Clinton said on NBC's ``Meet the Press'' program. ``Bloomberg
So go ahead and vote for her. She won't bring the troops home anymore than Giuliani will. And she takes issue at people like Seven here with his attack on General Petraeus. You're out of line Seven. Both Kerry and Clinton say so as does Wes Clark.
We're there to stay folks. Your leadersheep blew it by going for broke in the spring. Their uncompromising legislation trying to end the war missed the opportunity to peel off tentative GOP'ers. Now they try it and wonder of wonders, it fails because the general has provided enough to garner more time. March will see more movement for a continuance through the end of Bush's term. Then Iraq becomes the next president's problem and the problem of the 111st Congress.
It's going to be so interesting seeing how many promises they're going to break keeping the troops there.
Silber nails all of us, including Hillary and he probably didn't even have to subject himself to the torture of watching Hillary on all the talks shows today.
Posted by Marie at September 23, 2007 04:01 PMPeter
As usual, you are correct.
There will be MAJOR disappointment with the aftermath of 2008, in several ways.
Hillary-Principle? Can you connect the two?
Posted by jj at September 23, 2007 04:19 PMNo More Blank Checks.
I'll believe it when I see it.
Posted by gtash at September 23, 2007 04:19 PMAnd she takes issue at people like Seven here with his attack on General Petraeus. You're out of line Seven. Both Kerry and Clinton say so as does Wes Clark.
General Betraeus, General Betraeus, General Betraeus... what you gonna do about it petie?
Nothing like an Iraqi puppet government? The continued bleeding of Iraqi natural resources by American Companies? The Iraqi people dying of cholera will never stand for it. Al Maliki is losing support continuously. And the latest actions by Blackwater are really screwing with your plan.
The main thing peter is that America has lost the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. (stolen from Wes Clark on TDS last night)
There is only one way to "restore America to the world" and that is by setting a good example for the world.
Unfortunately, bu$h/cheney and their automatons are incapable of seeing that.
Posted by at September 23, 2007 05:32 PMLet's all be nice; Hillary is menopausal.
Posted by Mal Feasance at September 23, 2007 06:53 PMSeems we have a couple pod people on this site. Peter, stop responding to your own post by using the name jj.
Posted by Judith at September 23, 2007 07:15 PMLiz Sidoti at the Huffington Post:
Republican presidential candidates can't be any more clear: President Bush isn't welcome on the campaign trail...The candidates are walking a fine line. They are trying to tap into the deep discontent those voters feel about the state of the country without alienating any who hold Bush in high regard. At the same time, they have to counter the Democrats' powerful arguments for a new direction.
How candidates handle the 800-pound elephant in the room now could have implications beyond the primary. Privately, Republican strategists agree their nominee will lose next fall if the general election is a referendum on Bush. They say GOP candidates are wise to distance themselves from the president now, given his unpopularity among the public at large.
Bush holds the opposite view.
Asked last week whether he is an asset or a liability for Republican candidates, Bush replied: "Strong asset."
To be sure, none of the candidates want to be attached to Bush's legacy, afraid that doing so will make them sitting ducks for Democrats.
Who can blame them?
The unpopular Iraq war has bogged down his presidency. His party is in an uproar over out-of-control spending on his watch and embarrassing scandals among GOP officeholders. His job performance rating is at a low 33 percent, according to a recent Associated Press-Ipsos poll. Only 28 percent think the country is moving in the right direction. Half of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents think the country is on the wrong track...
The Republicans voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004, but they've lost confidence in him over the past few years for what Frederick-Wilson said were a million different reasons. "Overall, he's lost touch," she said.
"He's kind of lost his way, unfortunately," Wilson said.
George is really helping those republi-con running mates but when he turns around all he sees are head lights!
Hillary is just as big of a war hawk as the republiscams. She is moving to the left during the primary and will move center-right for the general election. She is playing the left wing for fools at this point.
It will be Hillary versus Rudy in 2008. It's obvious. Hillary will win because the country is tired of the republiscams. But the troops will not be coming home no matter who wins. She will not get health care through a filibuster.
Hillary is the status quo.
Posted by NE Bob at September 23, 2007 08:58 PMThe Sunday Times September 23, 2007
Snatched: Israeli commandos ‘nuclear’ raid
The Sunday Times September 23, 2007
Israelis seized nuclear material in Syrian raid
Seven, this doesn't concern you in any way? This stuff actually being there. I keep reading here something about cholera out break in Iraq. I've only seen it in the blogs, plural just because I expect you've read it elsewhere. Regular news doesn't seem to be carrying this, with the exception of something the BBC reported from the Kurdish region. A region we're not actively involved in. Only one story from the BBC. I find it interesting that you seem to be so worried about this and not other pieces of info out there. I've mentioned them here before about the hospitals and morgues not having the same levels of business anymore, thank God.
And then there's this ugly American again. Don't these people vote with their pocketbook? Seems McDonald's all over the world are seeing revenue increases. 12% in Asia and 6% in Europe, they seem to like our stuff. Our products and our people. We're even seeing agreements coming from France and Germany now. International agreements speak volumes.
Oh, seems the NYTimes finally figured out that ad shouldn't have run. It violated their company policies and the person selling the ad gave them favorable treatment. I'm going to enjoy knowing you vote for someone who calls your personal attacks on an honorable soldier unwarranted and distasteful. That they'd have an unfavorable opinion of you for doing this. But, this is America, say what you will.
While I honor his service and respect his words, I feel he has an agenda right now that he didn't have in 2003. Wes Clark says he knows Dave Petraeus personally. He say Dave Petraeus is a truthful man, a truthful soldier. On General Petraeus's chest sits nine rows of ribbons, including a Bronze Star with a V for valor. He has the support of the entire senate and the majority of Americans, represented by a 61% approval and rising.
Enjoy your day, Monday, Seven, tip a beer for me.
Posted by peter at September 23, 2007 09:10 PMJudith, just ask Steve to check the IP addresses. They won't be the same. He may also tell you that I post from more than one IP address, but always as 'peter', unless the 'remember me' gets unchecked like it did for SoS up there.
Posted by peter at September 23, 2007 09:14 PM"We" you lying asshole?
Posted by Duckman GR at September 23, 2007 09:37 PMThe easy way out for the Duckman.
Posted by peter at September 23, 2007 10:03 PMHere petie, this is WHO reports on the cholera outbreaks in Iraq!
Why should a humanitarian crisis in Iraq worry the republi-cons?
You have companies to run, children in college with health insurance to take care of and of course RNC talking points to bring to lefty blogs.
Besides all you're concerned with is having this idiot start a war on his 3rd front. Another sure success, right petie? Let me see if I get this straight, "We just have to back him, because we know he's telling the truth and would never lie to the American public!"
Again, Gen. Betraeus has not accomplished one thing during his tours in Iraq. He couldn't even successfully train the Iraqi Army.
Now, the al Maliki government is crumbling. How sad!
Enjoy your day, Monday, Seven, tip a beer for me.
Sorry, no beer for me. I have to take care of my 84 year old, WWII disabled Veteran father who happens to be stricken with Alzheimer's.
In case you missed it petie, here's Jon Stewart on the Dave Betraeus, "Dog and Pony Show"! Hilarious!
Breaks your talking points down!
The problem with Hillary is that she's a DLC Corporate Supporter. Other than that, she's fine. Professional, smart, personable, hard working, liberal in general. Better than any republican in existence.
Colin Powell has a whole slew of medals on his manly chest. Yet he lied through his teeth about the WMD's, questioning a General's reliability is just like questioning a politicians or a judges or a reporters or a Highway Patrol officer, or anybody elses.
Did Petraeus betray us in his testimony or not? That is the question.
You're a troll dude, you lie and distract and insinuate and you work for the republicans. There are no good republicans. There used to be, but since the gop marches in lockstep to cheney/roves fascist psychopathic drumbeat, they no longer exist.
Anybody who helps the gop is trying to kill me and every decent person and thing and place in this country. Therefore, when a creep like you says we or we're or something that includes you in the group of actual decent human beings, I call you out.
Get it? You are the enemy as much as Bush and Lewis and Dole and Bill Horn (County Supervisor) and every other republican in this country.
Posted by Duckman GR at September 23, 2007 10:33 PMIt's not earthshaking to me. Nixon was a great campaigner, governed adequately but lacked all ethics. In my life, only the Clintons have displayed similar prowess at campaigning.
But they've displayed some of the Nixon traits elsewhere, too.
She talks a good game, but she'll continue to legislate to the right on most issues of foreign policy and the economy.
I no longer look for a Savior as President. Hillary won't be as serial a killer as Bush.
Posted by Kevin Hayden at September 23, 2007 10:36 PMthis is WHO reports on the cholera outbreaks in Iraq!
"Democracy Diarrhea" is on the rise!
your personal attacks on an honorable soldier
Betrayus is anything but honorable. How can you then fault the attack?
On General Petraeus's chest sits nine rows of ribbons, including a Bronze Star with a V for valor.
Yep. Got it for a mortar round that hit about 50 meters away and did absolutely no damage. And the V device is awarded posthumously. If he's got one he should be court-martialed and visit Leavenworth for a spell.
But I'm glad you're impressed by his other training medals. I'm sure it makes up for his failure to train the Iraqi troops, the missing weapons and money, and expanding the number of Iraq's citizens in prisons.
Posted by phidipides at September 23, 2007 10:43 PMWes Clark says he knows Dave Petraeus personally.
I saw that interview, Clark was a Colonel and Betraeus was a Captain. Clark had to bite his tongue on whether Betraeus was a "chickenshit" or not!
Posted by Seven of Six at September 23, 2007 10:58 PMGuys, you mean that maybe Peter is lying again??
Fuckwad.
Posted by Duckman GR at September 23, 2007 11:01 PMHe makes the comments on Matt Stoller's interview and he has to bite his toungue. A friendly interviewer, come on.
Who reports on cholera in the Kurdish area of Iraq. We're not managing the Kurdish area of Iraq. We're not working in the Kurdish area of Iraq.
"9 deaths (case fatality rate, CFR: 0,14%)
1 death (CFR: 0,01%) The Government of Iraq has mobilized a multi-sectoral response to the outbreak. A high-level National Committee on Cholera Preparedness and Outbreak Response has been established. The health authorities of affected provinces are implementing public health control measures, including regular water quality testing, to contain the outbreak and to mitigate its effect on the population.
In controlling the spread of cholera, WHO does not recommend any special restrictions to travel or trade to or from affected areas." WHO
Read the article from WHO folks. WHO seems to be happy with the results of the central government and they're placed no travel restrictions. Gee talk about trying to invent something Seven. Trying to invent anything just to alarm people, make them think something is wrong. What about the ebola outbreaks in Congo? Oh, we're not there and they don't mater. Ok Seven, they've logged ten deaths from this, and according to some, some 1600 deaths from violence in the month of August. Let's use this for a reason NOT to be there. Wonder how many would have died had we not been thee? Wonder where the news would be had we not been there as in the Congo?
WHO says they're controlling this outbreak! WOW, the central government actually can do something right!
Posted by peter at September 24, 2007 03:52 AMSeven, sorry to hear that about your father. I hear that we're losing 1200 WWII vets a day! I lost may mother last year four days short of her 83rd birthday. She and her sister worked at the state department in DC. Lost my uncle over the English Channel, he was the nose gunner on a bomber. How long has your father been diagnosed? Let me tell you, I'm very sure you're going to miss him, if you don't already. again sorry to hear that.
Duckman, we're all Americans. You're no more of an enemy than my neighbor. I would never have any ill will against you. We just don't agree. That's OK guy. Sometimes, my wife doesn't agree too. It happens.
Posted by peter at September 24, 2007 04:28 AM"We all are Americans."
Indeed we are not. Those who support torture, do not uphold the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Habeas Corpus, or the rule of law are not Americans, in the true sense of the word. You Peter, believe in none of the values this Country was built on. You have posted enough over a period of time to tell us who you are, and you are not a believer in Democracy or America.
Posted by Judith at September 24, 2007 05:14 AMArchie Bunker was always shown as some piece of work, a buffoon sometimes, but he was always a free American. The Meathead wasn't always right.
Where was habeas corpus when my father was imprisoned here by FDR and Truman. He has no trial, nor even a tribunal or military hearing. No, he was just a POW, that's all. I'm not bitter at all, that's just the way it works. You fight in a war, are taken prisoner, placed in holding until their done with you. My dad spent two years in Alabama, forced to do labor by Americans. Nothings wrong with that, nothing, FDR and Truman were not at fault. Its war and the results of war. He still wanted to come back, he longed to come back and is a proud American, today.
He did get to immigrate to America later. His time was well spent learning English, studying the American way. After being sent back he worked for American/British authorities until his number came up to come to America. He worked his way here.
The U. S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are not limited to your understanding. How dare you limit them in your way. They are great documents that have stood the ravages of time. They are living documents and they're alive today in this America. The America you and I live in.
America, land of the free, home of the brave. Yeah, I believe that whole heartedly. I'm proud of our Flag. I'm proud of my forefathers. My uncles and my father technically fought against each other, yet, he was welcomed into my mother's family freely, even with the loss of one of my mother's brother in the war. This is a great country, then and now.
Posted by peter at September 24, 2007 06:36 AMpants-pissing peter: "We're there to stay folks. Your leadersheep blew it by going for broke in the spring. Their uncompromising legislation trying to end the war missed the opportunity to peel off tentative GOP'ers."
ROFLOL, yeah, which GOoPers you talking about? This is Bush's war, this is the ReThugs' war, period.
pants-pissing peter: "On General Petraeus's chest sits nine rows of ribbons, including a Bronze Star with a V for valor. He has the support of the entire senate and the majority of Americans, represented by a 61% approval and rising."
ROFLOL, and the American people did NOT buy the shit he was selling.
Duckman and Judith are right, the authoritarian loving ReThugs and right-wingers are the enemy of the Constitution and the Republic. The trolls will use lies and half-truths to futher their agenda. They want to be subjects, not citizens.
Posted by at September 24, 2007 06:54 AMThese are the Modern GOP’s only legacies:
A New Orleans in rubble.
A Constitution in tatters.
A carefully cultivated international reputation in ruins.
A debased media.
A proud legacy of science and inquiry kneecapped by roving bands of Conservative theocrats.
A debt that will hag-ride us for a generation,
And an Iraq ablaze for the next 20 years....
I don't think Peter's a liar so much as delusional, on LSD, or has possibly suffered a massive head injury. However, we have to care for the mentally challenged in our society.
Posted by tempus at September 24, 2007 07:03 AMRead the article from WHO folks. WHO seems to be happy with the results of the central government and they're placed no travel restrictions. Gee talk about trying to invent something Seven.
Just like you petie, did you see the date, it was from Sept. 14th, 2007.
WHO, along with other UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and international NGOs, continue to support the Ministry of Health and local health authorities in ongoing response operations.
Good for Iraq. I'm glad they have a Ministry of Health that takes cases of cholera seriously.
But hey, what's a little cholera, a lttle "blue death"... especially when they didn't have it before our invasion!
If it's so safe petie, I will personally spring for your "airfare to Iraq"! Baghdad in the Fall, ahhh... what say you petie, want to go to Baghdad!
I'm sure I could ask for donations of all the leftist sites, announcing that a 'troll' will back up his words and go unprotected into Iraq.
I'll be waiting for your response.
Do you think I could get in? We do have a few churches there I could visit. My pastor's been there a few times, his last visit was just in January. Maybe I could work it in with him. You paying, let me get my passport renewed, I've got plenty of vacation time. Money must be easy for you Democrats in this supposed bad economy to want to spend it on me. Will you pay for the passport renewal too?
Posted by peter at September 24, 2007 08:02 AMAdd "a debased currency" to the GOP legacy.
Posted by skeptic at September 24, 2007 08:04 AMHere's the rub petie, you must walk freely, unaccompanied among the people, by yourself.
Posted by Seven of Six at September 24, 2007 08:05 AMMoney must be easy for you Democrats in this supposed bad economy to want to spend it on me.
petie, sending you to Baghdad is money well spent. Seven, please send me an email and I'll kick in for 1/2 the ticket. But as Seven pointed out, you have to go by yourself, and stay outside the Green Zone. Ha! Oh, get your life insurance policy seriously upgraded.
Posted by tempus at September 24, 2007 08:35 AMHey, wouldn't know the language, got to have somebody who speaks and knows their way around. Google Earth just goes so far. I wouldn't have an expectation of people with some English on the ground. It's not like Europe, where I could get by and find English speaking people all around. Linguistics and me don't fare to well. As you've seen, I have a hard enough time with English. Got to have a purpose, a place to go to. While I'm comfortable in the city I live in, there are places here that I wouldn't wonder around without a purpose.
Posted by peter at September 24, 2007 08:41 AMOh shit, if you tell your insurance company you're going to Baghdad, they'll won't upgrade your insurance, they'll cancel it, immediately. Oh well, you've always got Gawd, right petie? I seem to remember seeing something about "in Gawd we trust". Don't remember where...
Posted by tempus at September 24, 2007 08:47 AMJust as I thought petie, someone who won't "walk the walk"!
Posted by Seven of Six at September 24, 2007 08:51 AMHate to tell you petie, but many Baghdad residents speak passible English. Are you talking the talk, but not willing to walk the walk?
Posted by tempus at September 24, 2007 08:52 AMHey you said alone. I'm game with a purpose. Your condition, I wouldn't know where I'm going. Make arrangements to go with someone that knows his way around, sure. My pastor walked around accompanied by locals without a vest, no problems. We have several churches in the Mosul area and their pastors have come to visit us as well.
Posted by peter at September 24, 2007 09:12 AMOk petie, your purpose, should you accept this mission, is to help out with the suppression of the cholera epidemic. You don't need a guide, it's all over Baghdad. Pick any street corner. You might want to avoid Sadr City, as you'll last 15 seconds in that neck of the woods.
Posted by tempus at September 24, 2007 09:30 AMWell what do you know... a mainstream news agency reports of Cholera in Iraq. ABC news picks up on the story.
Maybe this will get the attention of more news agencies. I guess it couldn't stay hidden from the American public forever!
How will you spin it petie, "it's only a few cases... the great, independent nation of Iraq has it under control... or they caused it themselves."
How sad, Iraq didn't have any cases of cholera until we invaded!!
Just think, "We bring freedom, democracy, and cholera." It has such a ring to the innocent Iraqi people! Remember, people who had nothing to do with 9/11!!
WHO said it was in the Kurd area. WHO also said the central government was managing fine and they did not place any travel restrictions on Iraq for this reason.
Posted by peter at September 24, 2007 09:38 AMYou are my enemy. I have nothing but contempt for you. That has nothing to do with the Constitution, which you shame every day with your cowardly presence in this country.
Oooh, look overthere, a terrorist!!! Better give up a Constitutional right, how about, I don't know, number 9 from the Bill of Rights?
"No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States;"
Bush and Gonzales did that in Texas when they murdered death row inmates by denying them true due process. I'm sure there are plenty in the South who would be happy to get rid of that provision, and every one of them is a Republican.
Posted by Duckman GR at September 24, 2007 09:39 AMDo you think I could get in?
Well, of all silly little things. I have a Jordanian expat buddy who says you can easily get in through Jordan. So we'll need the ticket to Jordan and car fare to your choice cities outside of the Kurdish areas. There are tons of Iraqi expats in Jordan who can arrange for an escort through Iraq.
This trip is easily doable, and we CAN put this trip together for you if you are game. It would be neat to have an on the ground reporter for TLC in Baghdad. Hell, I'll spring for the ticket if you want to take one of your kids or your wife.
Who knows. Maybe peter can get a Bronze Star with a V that's only awarded posthumously...but that Betrayus seems to wear for some reason.
I do know that I'll take trip insurance on the ticket. If peter is like all republi-cons he is first and foremost a coward. And then the bullying always follows.
Posted by phidipides at September 24, 2007 09:56 AMPeter, then you bring dishonor to your Father.
Posted by Judith at September 24, 2007 10:04 AM"America, land of the free, home of the brave. Yeah, I believe that whole heartedly. I'm proud of our Flag."
Your full of crap.
Posted by Judith at September 24, 2007 10:09 AMWHO said it was in the Kurd area.
You really don't read the full reports, do you!
The report was released on Sept. 14th, 2007 for data up until Sept. 10th.
That was 2 weeks ago. It has now spread to Baghdad and there are cases reported in the Basra area as well.
Your comprehension skills are lacking petie, if you look at WHO's pre-summer warnings, it said tht Typhoid and Cholera were likely to hit if something wasn't done about the potable water situation in Iraq. Only 5% of the H2O (that's water if you're not sure) is potable. I bet 95% of that potable water is in the Green Zone.
Posted by Seven of Six at September 24, 2007 10:23 AMSeven, obviously we cross posted.
09:36 AM
09:38 AM
Give me some breaks here. Your post wasn't there when I began mine. Wonder when ABC will do the story about ebola. Hey, I'm glad ABC picked up the story if it's still prevalent or on going. See , they're not blind are they. BBC hasn't picked this up in print, they had some pictures of something around 9/17. Has Al Jazerra(sp) picked this up?
Wonder when ABC will do the story about ebola.
Wonder when bu$h will do something about Ebola in Africa, or the starvation in Darfur, or AIDS in Africa?
Give me some breaks here.
The only break you'll get from me is when you leave TLC!!
As long as you post your GOP driven lies at TLC, I will be here to help refute them.
And like Duckman says, "You are my enemy. I have nothing but contempt for you."
Seven, obviously we cross posted.
So, are you going to Iraq? Me thinks your true cowardice is showing.
Posted by phidipides at September 24, 2007 11:09 AMAnd while I'm at it "peter":
How about that Bronze Star with a "V" on it that the "honorable" Betrayus wears? What's up with that?
Posted by phidipides at September 24, 2007 11:16 AMPhid, you opened my eyes on how to get there. Jordan, Fly into Amman and stay at the Four Seasons on Al Kindi St.. Find a way into Iraq and leave out of the northwest into Syria. Get to Damascus, stay at the Four Seasons there on Avenue shukri Al Quatli. Visit with my friend's Markus in Damascus and Bashar in Amman. What a great outing you're willing to finance. You'll pay for the transport into and out of Iraq too?
Posted by peter at September 24, 2007 11:22 AMNew rule petie, you must wear a shirt that says, "I love bu$h", on it at all times.
Posted by Seven of Six at September 24, 2007 11:34 AMSo much for Independent voters displeased with a Democratic congress:
From coast to coast, independent voters tilt tellingly toward Democrats in their opposition to the Iraq war, their displeasure with Bush and their feeling that the country is moving in the wrong direction, according to data from recent Associated Press-Ipsos polls.Posted by Seven of Six at September 24, 2007 11:38 AMThat could be decisive in next year's contests for the White House and Congress, starting with the crucial early presidential primaries in New Hampshire.
The portion of that state's registered voters not enrolled in a political party has grown to 44 percent. While people can vote in either major party's primary, more are expected to choose the Democratic contest. That potentially would boost antiestablishment candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., while leaving the GOP race more in the hands of the party's traditional conservative voters.
National exit polls show that after leaning toward Republicans by 48 percent to 45 percent as recently as the 2002 elections, independents began shifting toward Democrats.
"This is a serious problem" for Republicans, says GOP pollster Neil Newhouse. "We didn't get where we are among independents overnight. The data does suggest that it's going to take us some time to earn those votes back."
No More Blank Checks but a plan to occupy Iraq throughout her presidency.
Posted by MO Blue at September 24, 2007 12:06 PMYou'll pay the transport into and out of Iraq too?
I already have your accommodations in Jordan so you won't need to play at hotels and the like. Don't worry. His family is pretty neat, and it's not bad digs. But you're on your own while you play in Jordan because the offer is to get you to Iraq, not a vacation in Jordan. I have no problem with paying for the Mercedes that takes you into Iraq and then Baghdad. Or you might prefer Basra or Tikrit. They'll also make sure you walk the average streets you say you'll walk. You will walk the walk and talk the talk. And you will shop and converse with many average Iraqis.
You seem to be pretty mute on the "Honorable" Betrayus and his Bronze Star with a "V". You people are such tools!
Posted by phidipides at September 24, 2007 12:31 PMHere's the way in...
"Iraqis Return to Highway Where al Qaeda Once Ruled
24/09/2007
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Only six months ago, many Iraqi travellers considered it a suicidal risk to take the insurgent-controlled desert highway that stretches from Baghdad to neighboring Syria and Jordan.
But now Iraqi driver Jamal says the Sunni Islamist al Qaeda insurgents who used to abduct and execute his Shi'ite passengers before robbing him and fellow Sunnis are virtually a thing of the past.
"A lot more people are using this road these days," said Jamal as he waited for passengers to fill his seven-seater vehicle as he prepared to go to Syria."
...And out
Posted by peter at September 24, 2007 12:43 PM...And out
Since you'll be a TLC reporter, this is where you'll visit. Why, you could phone some reports to other reporters in the "green zone". As Bugs Bunny says: "Bahn Voy-edgy!!"
Posted by phidipides at September 24, 2007 12:51 PMBut now Iraqi driver Jamal says the Sunni Islamist al Qaeda insurgents who used to abduct and execute his Shi'ite passengers before robbing him and fellow Sunnis are virtually a thing of the past.
Of course what Jamal doesn't say is that his guns were taken away from him and his life threatened if one more Shia family came up missing from his little "taxi trips" across the border!
Posted by Seven of Six at September 24, 2007 01:16 PMAl Jazerra(sp) picked this up?
Al Jazeera has been reporting it. If Al Jazeera is reporting on something, you can take it to the bank the the U.S. news media is not.
Posted by Judith at September 24, 2007 01:16 PMpetie, NO Four Seasons hotels, particularly outside of Baghdad. While in Baghdad, you will have to find a cheap flop, like Lara Logan. Surely your belief in Gawd is greater than her professional fortitude. Right? And she doesn't wear a vest.
Posted by tempus at September 24, 2007 09:13 PMSteve Soto:
Great article, thanks. Hillary rocks.
Posted by Adele Smith at September 24, 2007 09:58 PM"She made it clear that she will vote against further funding of the war, and thought the MoveOn flap was nothing but a GOP misdirection attempt away from taking responsibility for their failed Iraq policies."
Maybe I'm being played for a fool, but I must say Hillary's stock is rising with me. And I will support the Democratic nominee. Period.
Posted by bartcopfan at September 25, 2007 08:59 AM"Where was habeas corpus when my father was imprisoned here by FDR and Truman. He has no trial, nor even a tribunal or military hearing. No, he was just a POW, that's all. I'm not bitter at all, that's just the way it works. You fight in a war, are taken prisoner, placed in holding until their done with you. My dad spent two years in Alabama, forced to do labor by Americans. Nothings wrong with that, nothing, FDR and Truman were not at fault. Its war and the results of war."
Whoa, whoa, WHOA!!
Pants-pissing-peter, you're saying your dad fought for the Nazis, the Fascists, or the Japanese Imperialists?! That explains a lot.
What Duckman said at 9/24/07, 9:39 a.m. and 7o6 elsewhere.
And fuck you for deliberately clouding the issue of POWs' rights under the "quaint" Geneva Conventions and the rights of American citizens under the "damn piece of paper" US Constitution.
Yeah, come back anytime you want some more of the ass end of an ass-kicking.
Posted by bartcopfan at September 25, 2007 09:13 AM