Jay Bookman

By "The Corporal"

November 29, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do NOTHING.”

Sir Edmund Burke.

“You can no more negotiate with this kind of evil than you can cancer.”

The Corporal

By getalife

November 29, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Hyman Roth asked , “What does that tell you?”

Micheal Corleone, “They can win.”

And they did in Cuba. How do you defeat people who will blow themselves up for their cause?

Well, not by invading a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 and cutting and running from the ones that did.

Obama is on the right track.

By Joey

November 29, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Jay: You sound so certain that the purpose of the 9-11-01 attacks was bin Ladin’s desire to force us into a military response. A lot of people disagree with you on this.

Bin Ladin was counting on us to puff up our chest, spew out indignant statements and drop a few bombs on harmless targets. He expected that because that is exactly how we had responded to every other attack.

When we decided to fight Mr. bin Ladin showed his bravery. He fled into the mountains of a country that has no real central government. Apparently he cowers there still.

The claim that the U.S. is anti-Islamic has been made by many in the news media. You and your peers often speak the same words as Islamic Terrorist.

I admit concern that after January 20 we will return to the chest thumping inaction of the past. My hope is that this concern is unwarranted. That fighting terriorist in their homeland will be one of the things that does not change.

By getalife

November 29, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

“THANKS: Iraq says $80 ‘reasonable’ price for oil…

Saudi king says $75…”

Looks like Obama is on the right track on green energy too.

By Morningstar

November 29, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

By RW-(the original) November 29, 2008 11:01 AM

RW, I didn’t make any definite comments about history’s assessment of GWB. I don’t bet/gamble, so I wouldn’t dare go there. We can only make an educated guess based on current events.

Greg Mendel @ 12:05PM said it much better. Real time, “reality today,” is all we have to base our opinions and/or prognostigations. Who knows what will happen “way down the road.”

By Midori

November 29, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Bin Ladin was counting on us to puff up our chest, spew out indignant statements and drop a few bombs on harmless targets. He expected that because that is exactly how we had responded to every other attack.

so instead we puff up our chest, spew out indignant statements and drop NUMEROUS bombs and INVADE a country that had nothing at all to do with it?

THAT makes it right?

Huh?

HUH??????

By Morningstar

November 29, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

By Joey November 29, 2008 11:31 AM Jay: You sound so certain that the purpose of the 9-11-01 attacks was bin Ladin’s desire to force us into a military response. A lot of people disagree with you on this

A lot might disagree, and a log might not! Again, from The American Conservative, Nov. 17, 2008 issue, “WHEN ELEPHANTS FORGET,” by Patrick J Buchanan. (((How many Republicans have repudiated the Bush Doctrine that got us into Iraq-the belief that only by making the world democratic can we keep America secure and free? Americans no longer believe that, if ever they did. And history proves them right……The party says it is losing because the economy went south. But who caused that? Was it not because Republicans colluded with Democrats to push “affordable housing,” subprime mortgages, for folks who could not afford houses? Is the GOP prepared to demand tough terms for loans?

Was it not GOP presidents who appointed the Fed chairmen who pumped up the money supply and created the bubble? How many Republicans objected to the easy money when the going was good?

The GOP needs to confront the truth. The failure of the Bush presidency lies not in the failed execution of policy but in the policies themselves and the neoconservative ideology that informed them…………………………………………………….They will now have the time and opportunity for reflection. “The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars but in ourselves.”)))

My apologies for all the quotes from The American Conservative, but I just couldn’t resist. The ‘devil made me do it.’ Off to shop and improve the economy.

By @@

November 29, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

We claim over and over that we will not let the terrorists get their way. And over and over again we react precisely the way they had hoped and give them just what they wanted.

jay, I’m so relieved to see that you finally get it!!!

When you and your band of leftists actively seek to overthrow capitalism and feudalism here in the U.S., Al Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah have indeed won YOUR surrender to their ideals - not mine.

Marx was appalled by economic inequality, which he attributed to capitalism. Bin Laden was appalled by economic inequality which he attributed to secularism and corruption.

They both favored radical or even violent changes to society to correct the imbalance and here, you leftists have joined their forces?

My advice would be to “withdraw your support” for “radical” change immediately.

By Truly Inspirational

November 29, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Withdraw your support for radical change — vote Democrat.

By Dusty

November 29, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

@@ 1:03

So glad you are back. Things were getting a bit boring. Bookman is having a sugar surge after eating pancakes for twenty so we excuse him for the holidays. (But no later!)

Jim Wooten is on vacation so the liberals are over there trying to take over. Makes a lotta stuff to skip. The other laggards are here still fussing over Bush and the anti-warriors are still complaining. Things are pretty much the same. Sadness in India of course.

How was Florida? Nice and warm and sunny I hope. Wish you had brought some of it with you. Kinda dreary here today!! Maybe a little snow mix by next Tuesday!! How ‘bout that??

By @@

November 29, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Thanks Dusty.

How was Florida?

Dreary and cold.

Can’t win ‘em all, I guess.

Sometimes it’s nice to have an excuse to do nothing but curl up and watch T.V. (something I rarely do). Then, and only if we feel like it, we walk into town and enjoy awesome seafood and luscious desserts.

All in all, it was only half bad, and that half was relaxing.

Hope your day of thanks giving was realized to its fullest. I have no doubt it was as you are truly thankful for those things which others take for granted. A fine example of what it means to be truly American.

By "The Corporal"

November 29, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

“When civilized man can no longer stand the horror of war and refuses to fight, then he will surely be killed or enslaved by the uncivilized who can.”

Author Unknown

By Joey

November 29, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

Midori (12:41); You appear convinced that the Iraq invasion was a net loss for Iraqis. I disagree.

It also appears that you believe that A-Q has not be harmed by the war in Iraq. I disagree.

You appear aggitated that I cannot see what you think you see so clearly. I regret that you cannot see more clearly.

Morningstar (12:47): You are actually pointing to Pat Buchanan as source for how the U.S. should act. Really??? I think that you misunderstand Mr. Buchanan’s sphere of influence.

How can you expect anyone to respect your position when you cite an extremist like Buchanan as your guide to how Conservatives or Republicans think?

By david wayne osedach, san diego/ U.S.A.

November 29, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

I think we are seeing less suicide bombers. Our reaction is becoming less overwhelming and there are less terrorists willing to die for the cause.

By @@

November 29, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Truly Inspirational? Hardly.

Vote Democrat? Not as long as radical leftists find safe harbour in their ranks.

Have you ever checked into the “small schools” movement, heavily funded by CAC (Chicago Annenburg Challenge) in which individual schools built around specific political themes push students to “confront issues of inequity, war, and violence?” Obama and his buddy Ayers believe teacher education programs should serve as “sites of resistance” to an oppressive system.

Both Ayers and Obama promoted education bills that called for behavior modification programs to be implemented. Now I’m all into behavior modification, but I work with “special needs” kids. So does Obama and Ayers view “typical” as needing something that THEY VIEW as special?

When you go back and research the goal of the Weather Underground Organization, their focus was on recruiting students in the destruction of U.S. imperialism and the achievement of a classless world or “communist world” if you prefer (which obviously you do). They, the WUO argued that the “struggles within the U.S. would be a vital part of the process…”

That may not concern you TI, but it does concern me when people like Obama and Ayers view students as lab rats in their pursuit of a non-existent utopia.

By Morningstar

November 29, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

By @@ November 29, 2008 1:03 PM When you and your band of leftists actively seek to overthrow capitalism and feudalism here in the U.S., Al Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah have indeed won YOUR surrender

I said I was through quoting “The American Conservative.” OK, another promise gone bad. From The American Conservative, “When Elephants Forget,” by Patrick J Buchanan. (((For Iraq has never been democratic and America has always been free. Yet the Republican Party has never renounced the Bush Doctrine. Indeed, it is being applied today in Afghanistan. That war, too, after we failed at Tora Bora to capture or kill bin Laden, has become a long slog to crate a democratic, which, like a democratic Iraq, has never existed.

In Afghanistan, we are entering the eighth year of war with victory further away than ever. The Taliban grows stronger. U.S. casualties are surging………These two wars helped to cripple the Bush presidency and end the GOP ascendancy. Yet at the highest levels of the party, one hears no serious questioning of the ideology that produced these wars. ………..Nor have Republicans objected to the U.S. air strikes that have killed hundreds of Afghans, or the Preditor strikes that have inflamed pakistan, or the helicopter raid into Syria that humiliated Damascus and enraged the populations. If Republicans disagree with these policies and actions, their voices are muted….))))

“Yet still the party remains in denial, refusing to come to terms with the cause of its misfortune,” states Buchanan.

(((If the Republican Party “were a dog food,” says Rep. Tom Davis, “they would take us off the shelf.”

I believe as does Pat Buchanan, that most in the Republican party believe that Bush only ‘went wrong’ or ‘asleep at the wheel’ with Katrina.

I’m all for strong defense. I support our troops, but let’s get real. We should not attack a country except in ‘defense.’ Iraq was not involved in 911. The quotes from The American Conservative are from one of yours, Patrick J Buchanan. I don’t agree with all Patrick Buchanan advocates, but IMHO he’s right on with this one.

By “The Corporal” November 29, 2008 2:15 PM “When civilized man can no longer stand the horror of war and refuses to fight, then he will surely be killed or enslaved by the uncivilized who can

Corporal, I don’t know a living soul who would object to WAR in DEFENSE of our country. I certainly wouldn’t. We need a strong and effective military, and a CIC who will project logical decisions in an emergency, even if the decisions turn out to be wrong.

Remember, in the business world, we based decisions on “Facts and Laws,” to the best of our ability. If we were wrong, bite the dust and go forward!!!

By @@

November 29, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Morningstar:

I really don’t have time for this blog exchange but here goes…..

Pat Buchannan lost all credibility with me with his book “The Unnecessary War”.

If the objective of the West was the destruction of Nazi Germany, it was a “smashing” success. But why destroy Hitler? If to liberate Germans, it was not worth it. After all, the Germans voted Hitler in. — Pat Buchannan

The Taliban grows stronger.

The Taliban is suffering a great divide between the pragmatic element (seeking to participate in the political process) and the radical element, seeking to overthrow the government. Hezbollah and Hamas are experiencing the same rifts within their ranks.

These two wars helped to cripple the Bush presidency

In Bush’s second term, the American electorate saw us as winners in the Iraq war. Many of the radicals who were defeated in Iraq relocated to Afghanistan/Pakistan, and it’s there that your guy, Obama has vowed to take the fight. It was the economy that did the Republicans in. The economic problems are rooted in sub-prime lending, not the wars.

The air strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan (have you noticed they rarely complain anymore?) There’s a reason for that. I predict that you may very well see another military coup in Pakistan soon.

And the humiliation of Damascus…..????? Puhleeze! Syria aided and abetted our efforts in that strike. The population (a few thousand) may be outraged, but Assad has been able to placate/quash them in the past, I have no doubt he will continue to do so.

Have you been watching the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Syria. The U.S. and Syria? Lebanon and Syria? Turkey and Syria? The EU and Syria? They’ve been left no choice but to seek acceptance within the international community.

Back to Buchannan’s argument that our efforts in WWII didn’t succeed in the end. While there may be segments (populaces) within some of the former Soviet blocks, there are still those countries who struggle/fight against it. It is in their desire and struggle for freedom that I place my hope.

That you and Pat have become cynical is not my burden to bear. I’ve often wanted to hear Pat’s sister, Bay respond to his book. I can’t imagine that she agrees with his conclusion.

By Dusty

November 29, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Morningstar,2:46

Just give it up. You are a liberal, plain and simple.

You’re refining the ol’ hate-Bush routine. You are repeating the ol’ anti-war sentiments (those terrorists were not going to harm us).

The Taliban may be fighting but they are not running Afghanistan. Bush has given TWO countries the chance at freedom from tyranny. Our military are fighting terrorists THERE and NOT HERE. Osama is holed up in a cave in the Himalayas.

There is no BUSH DOCTRINE. He has done whatever necessary to keep us safe. He spent millions on saving NO after Katrina. Economics in America are more the effect of Democratic Congressional blocks and votes than anything Bush has done.

But you can twist and turn and blame everything from hurricanes to terrrorism on Bush. It should be called the BIG LIB LIE.

Don’t bother quoting your “conservative” writers. They make real conservatives laugh. But you seem to swallow it hook, line and sinker. Your privilege. Just don’t bother with trying to make it true.

By Truly Inspirational

November 29, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

@@,

You are certainly entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. Further, I see that Obama has been elected to the Office of the President of these United States. So, are you with US for the next four years or will you continue as though the vote has not been cast and the choice made.

By Child's Play

November 29, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Funniest line of the day:

I really don’t have time for this blog exchange but here goes…..

By GodHatesTrash

November 29, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

With regard to Afghanistan and Iraq:

More than 98 times as many people have been killed in these wars and occupations than in all terrorist attacks in the world from 1995-2003. About 229 times as many people have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq than in the ghastly attacks of September 11, 2001.

as of November 9 this year.

Isn’t that enough innocent blood for you warmongers?

Vampires is what you are. Creatures of the devil.

By @@

November 29, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Child’s Play:

It’s called “returning a courtesy” and this one will be my last for the day.

TI:

You are certainly entitled to your opinion

And my opinion is that Obama will appeal to the middle only long enough to secure his second term at which time he will implement his radical left agenda.

It was interesting to watch George Friedman of Stratfor evaluate Obama’s campaign. Said he was adept at being all things to all people. Friedman said that people saw in him, what they wanted to see regardless of what his position papers (not aired by the media) indicated.

Friedman believes that Obama, for the benefit of his political career, is more centrist than leftist. If he’s right, leftists gambled and lost. Again…..if he (Friedman)’s right, conservatives, in foreign policy at least, resisted but won.

It’s his domestic policies that I’ll be watching. If he attempts to implement failed socialist policies, they will be met with defeat. Our society has proven to be conservative in their principles.

So, are you with US for the next four years or will you continue as though the vote has not been cast and the choice made.

I will give PrezE Obama the same benefit of the doubt that the leftists gave Bush in his two terms. The same respect too.

He stole the nomination from Hillary and he’s a cokehead.

Howzthat for calling ‘em like I see ‘em?

By Truly Inspirational

November 29, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Thank you, @@, for so freely sharing your biases. You have certainly demonstrated that you do indeed belong in that small group of (what is it now, 20%) loyal Bush followers. By the way, I gave Bush every opportunity to demonstrate that he could lead this nation and, for me, he failed miserably. I did not criticize him until he was over half way through his second term and had proven beyond a doubt that he was incapable of satisfactorily fulfilling the duties of the Office of the President. Now, I look forward to giving another person a chance to prove himself and I will not speak so poorly of him unless and until he has left me with a true reason to do so. I did not try to use Bush’s past against him before he even took office and I won’t treat Obama any differently. You obviously choose not to be so thoughtful and that is your choice. I am simply thankful that I do not have to lie down each night and try to go to sleep with the thoughts that come from such a hardened heart.

By Child's Play

November 29, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

@@,

You obviously did have time and you don’t see the humor. That is sad. Go forth and find yourself a book of jokes and take a much needed break. Did you know that laughter will extend your life. Try it now. Just start laughing.

By norman ravitch

November 29, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

There will soon by anti-Muslim pogroms in India. The Hindus and Muslims since 1947, the age of nationalism, have been unable to get along. They prefer violence vs. one another. We need to follow the policy of the Greeks and Turks after WWI: population removal, Christians to Greece and Muslims to Turkey. The alternative is the Hitler way: genocide. Muslims in India must leave for Pakistan or any other Muslim state. Muslims in all non-Muslim nations should be sent packing.

By GodHatesTrash

November 29, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

For that very special Bears’ fan on your Christmas list…

By Dusty

November 29, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Truly inspirational,4:58

Please..nevermind the bit about the hardened heart. Obviously you have not read political blogs and other literature for long. Democrats have been throwing hate at Bush for the last eight years. There was nothing inspirational about it. Anybody that approved of Bush was insulted routinely. Some still do it from habit.

NO, it was not dissent. It was plain ol’ hate and now that you, one among a few, have decided to be nice, don’t go around calling names.

You are so blinded in your “inspiration” you cannot even see the good things that Bush has done. And you should as you are one of the protected.

Now that Democrats have won the presidency you have decided everything should be peaches and cream. Your party poured out the bitterness and it will not go away overnight.

Obama SOUNDS good. But let us see. The mad dogs of the Democratic Party may not like a few “mistakes”. Then you better show up with your “inspiration” ‘cause you are going to need it.

By Mr. Snarky

November 29, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

If India followed the bush doctrine, they’d now invade Bangladesh because of their WMDs.

By Bud Wiser

November 30, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this

You leftist idiots are so predictable. Even 2-3 years after The Token One takes office you will still be blaming GWB for everything from nosebleed to nuclear proliferation, even though GWB was to blame for everything from Day 1 when he took office.

You have no brains, no tact, no class, and certainly no intellect whatsoever. Your inability to conduct or comprehend reasonable discourse is staggering.

The Democratic Party goal of the dumbing down of America through the government school systems is now complete. It was first shown during the prattling prior to the election, and pretty much certified by the results.

I have yet to find anyone who can explain what they hoped for by voting BHO, as compared to what they are getting in return: the return of the Clintons to Washington, is that what you desired? As classless, or worse, than the Kennedys, with more baggage wrapped up in one ex-president than one can imagine.

If you tools wanted to recycle your garbage, I’d say you were successful.

By Truly Inspirational

November 30, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

Dusty 8:36 PM

Based on your unsolicited comments, I think it is safe to say that you must also think and feel the same as @@. As for your comments concerning myself, I see that you have accused me of having “…not read political blogs and other literature for long…,” and that’s just for openers. I am quite certain that we do not know each other or anything about each other beyond what can be discerned from our rather brief encounters via our few posts yet to “hear you speak”, one might wrongfully jump to a conclusion that we know each other so intimately that we must have grown up in the same household. Clearly, nothing could be further from the truth than that. So, whomever you are, the real person behind the Dusty mask, try to refrain from making such brazen and baseless remarks about me in your future posts. I will be most grateful and you will not appear nearly so arrogant and disrespectful to other readers. So, you see this could be a “win-win” for everyone if you will only oblige. Do say you will, won’t you.