Who is mis-informed?

In the past week I was accused of drinking the kool-aid and buying in to the spin of the White House by a guest on Nikki's show. There were "never" any WMDs in Iraq he claimed and we had not found any. Well I told him he was wrong, but he was deadset on being Anti-Bush. I am sorry I did not do it until now, but I got around to it and for your eyes...

In Veto Signature, A Tribute

In Veto Signature, A Tribute -- Bush Stopped Iraq Bill With Pen From Fallen Marine's Dad By
Peter Slevin, Washington Post Staff Writer

When President Bush vetoed the war spending bill, he used Bob Derga's pen. "It was just a plain old black rollerball," Derga said. "Just a $2 pen."

But it was priceless to Derga, an Ohio engineer who used it to write letters to his son in Iraq. Cpl. Dustin A. Derga, a reservist with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, was killed in a May 2005 assault just east of the Syrian border. For a grieving father, the pen remained a link to what he considers a young life lost for a good cause, and he wanted Bush to use it for a purpose.

It happened this way: On April 15, Derga and his wife, Marla, drove away from their home in Unionville, where a chiseled stone in Dustin's honor reads, "If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever." Derga was headed for a gathering the next day at the White House, where he hoped to have a minute with the president. He had two principal objectives: the president's signature on Dustin's Purple Heart certificate and a chance to urge him to use the pen if Congress sent him a bill setting an October date to begin a U.S. military withdrawal.

After Bush spoke to the cameras and a supportive audience, an aide led the way for the Dergas and about half a dozen other families connected with Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission. When they reached the Oval Office, Bush was standing in the doorway. "He greeted each family as we came in, gave us a hug and shook hands," Derga said. "Very emotional meeting... . He was choked up."

Derga said Bush spoke to the group, then with each family in turn. "He talked a little bit about how he didn't come to Washington to win popularity polls," said Derga, an engineer with Diebold Inc."He's very firmly behind his beliefs and convictions, and he believes the test of time will prove him correct. He even said whether he lives to see that or not is immaterial. He can leave the White House knowing he did what was right."

During their private meeting, Derga made his plea. "I handed him the pen and looked him in the eye and I said, 'Mr. President, if this comes down to a veto, I want you to sign it with my pen.'

He said, 'Yeah, I'll do it.' When we left, he was shaking everybody's hand. I said, 'I'm serious. I want you to do it.' He said, 'I will. I will.'"

A call from the White House late Tuesday gratified Derga."We very much support the direction the president's taken. It's not a popular one, but he's doing what I feel is morally correct. He's staying the course," said Derga, who aimed "to let him know we fully support him and we can be a little part of it. It's not on his shoulders alone. I'm supplying the ink. He's doing the pen motion. We're in it together."
Iraq veto

QOTD 20070429

C.I.R. Quote of the day

“Everyone in the world thought he had them … this was not some Cheney pipedream.”

Senator Biden on Meet the Press describing how the UN had cataloged that Saddam had stockpiles of WMDs. I do not agree with Biden almost ever, but hey at least he doesn’t spend all his time in the land of black helicopters like so many on the left. Now you even have Biden running to be President saying this was not some conspiracy of made up propaganda to go to war. He gets a CIR liberal brownie point award.

Biden Iraq Cheney

BULLSHIT II

C.I.R. Press Editorial
Subtitled: Straight talk, but no walk.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today was my first day back at work, which made me very happy and busy. I wanted to write about this earlier today but did not have the chance. Yes Rook, you underestimate me.

I spent the early hours doing my therapy to the wonderful sounds of C-SPAN and the Senate debating the dumbest of things. Basically that the Congress would now take the job of the Pentagon, and the fact that everyone knows POTUS will veto the bill and they do not have the votes to force America in to failure, yet.

One of the things that pisses me off is that we pay the lawmakers to spend our money and make law and yet most of the time they don’t even attend conference hearings etc. I really hate to see a hearing going on and watch a member berate a guest knowing they cannot respond in kind and then after they have their five minutes they jump up and leave the room. That goes for ALL members of Congress. Do your damn jobs and pay attention and put in your time.

You know what pisses me off even more? When people have one taxpayer funded job and don’t really do it in order to try and get another taxpayer funded job. Say for example a Senator that is running around campaigning for a higher office. It annoyed me when Lieberman did, Kerry did, and now Senator John McCain. I understand it is not a perfect world, but I think it would say a lot to step down in order to run for another office. But nothing like job security! And with the war debate in the senate, I believe the vote was to be on Saturday but they held it after the debate today.

Senator McCain is a true war hero in every possible sense. I believe he is a good man, a good Senator (for the most part), but he severely risked losing my vote today. For a man that has taken the President to task on HOW the war is being handled, but continued to support the mission… to not attend the debate, not be on the record on this important vote. I know the excuses. “It was going to pass anyway.” I DO NOT CARE.

What does this say to young voters out there, republican or democrat? Only vote if you think you will win. How about doing your God damn job Senator, I know it must be tough trying to campaign with only a YEAR AND A HALF LEFT. Throughout the day I started to notice his absence and began to contact his offices and campaign. When asked “will the Senator be coming back to DC in order to vote on the war bill” the response was “I can’t tell you the answer to that, it would depend on when the vote is.” Then I actually had staffers conclude with “do you know when the vote is?” Yes, they didn’t know when the vote was.

In conclusion if you are going to support this war, if you are going to champion it, if you are trying to be the next CINC then act like it and do your duty and actually walk the talk Senator. And no Rook, you did not inspire this. It is all from the heart and if it wasn’t then I would not have been on the phone with his offices around noon asking the questions I was. I read that many Democrats were altering their campaign schedules on Saturday to cancel or postpone events in order to come back to DC to vote on the bill. I am guessing I disagree with their vote, maybe they were doing it for political reasons, but kudos to those who were willing to at least go on the official record when it mattered.

When only three Senators don’t vote and 2/3 of them are Republicans… and together out of state; and the only democrat not to vote is not there because he is in the hospital recovering from (I believe) a stroke… that is sad. McCain and Graham should think about that. 'Saying it' is nice Senator McCain, making sure you attend votes that impact the war effort is better… in the future you will have to decide what to put first… the war and the countries national security, or your political ambitions.

You say you would rather lose the campaign, but win the war. After this showing I do not know how sure I can be of that. You have surprised me, and not in the positive way.

Iraq McCain

BULLSHIT

C.I.R. Press Brief Editorial

What a load of god damn bullshit this woman is filled with. Enough time to travel half way around the world to meet with the President of a terrorist sponsoring country, but not enough to meet with General Petraeus? I guess staying in DC and meeting with someone from the military isn't a big enough photo op, right speaker? If you are going to lead, and be voting I think it is only fair that you actually listen to details on what you are voting on. How dare there be a meeting of such magnitude and she not attend! Liberals sure know how to steal tax dollars. I do give Senator Reid a brownie point, he is actually willing to attend a briefing and do his damn job.

"Gen. David Petraeus is scheduled to come to the Hill tomorrow to brief lawmakers on the progress of the recent troop escalation. ABC News has learned, however, that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will not attend the briefing."

Pelosi Iraq democrats bullshit

Make No Mistake: This is War

C.I.R. Press Link
The following is from the WaPo. I have used selected quotations, follow link for full article.

Make No Mistake: This Is War
by Michael Chertoff

As the rubble of the Twin Towers smoldered in 2001, no one could have imagined a day when America's leaders would be criticized for being tough in protecting Americans from further acts of war.
...
Since Sept. 11, a conspiracy-minded fringe has claimed that American officials plotted the destruction. But when scholars such as Zbigniew Brzezinski accuse our leaders of falsely depicting or hyping a "war on terror" to promote a "culture of fear," it's clear that historical revisionism has gone mainstream.
...
The impulse to minimize the threat we face is eerily reminiscent of the way America's leaders played down the Ayatollah Khomeini's revolutionary fanaticism in the late 1970s. That naive approach ultimately foundered on the kidnapping of our diplomats in Tehran.
...
As with the Cold War, ideas matter as much as armaments. And as with the Cold War, this war requires our patience and resolve.

Perhaps the rhetoric of war makes Brzezinski and others uncomfortable. But history teaches that the false comfort of complacency is a dangerous indulgence in the face of a determined enemy.

Chertoff Brzezinski

Murtha revelations on MTP.

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning I had the unpleasant surprise to see Murtha appear upon my television. I decided to be a good individual an listen to him, unlike those on the left with BDS that just think republicans are wrong… because. Here are the revelations I heard this morning from Rep. Murtha.

“The details will be released tomorrow”
(Hasn’t that been the lefts catch phrase for the past few years, the plan tomorrow…no tomorrow…)

“As I predicted.”
(Well if you are such a good prognosticator, why did you EVER support the war?)

“Civil war.”
(Said 4 times in 4 sentences in under 10 seconds.)

“There is no way that we can continue our troops in harms way…” ***
(Just remember that one, will be used in a moment.)

“They don’t need to be up to our standards.”
(Speaking about Iraqi troops. He simply says they know the lay of the land and don’t need to be up to OUR standards. Ok, semi-valid point… if he was not the one always running around yelling about “standards.” He is just saying they don’t need to be in order to justify his attempts to cut and run.)

“They know where the al Qaeda is.”
(He said this about the Iraqi troops. Now I thought the Democrats were against the Iraq war but on board with the “War of Terror.” Interesting, remember all the complaints that continue to this day about going after the “real” enemy and not wasting our time and assets in places like Iraq? Well once again we have a democrat saying al Qaeda is in Iraq! Last week it was Levin, this week Murtha. So if democrats want to nail al Qaeda why are they trying to run from the fight? NOW refer back to the noted quote ***. Murtha does not want troops in harms way even though al Qaeda is there. The democrats appear to want to surrender to al Qaeda.)

“…2500 air force people to guard the prisons, who will be untrained to handle the prisons in Iraq.”
( His concept is that any US troops will commit the Abu Graib violations... they just will. I love the way he says “air force people.” Just so condescending. As if it is only the Army or Navy or Marines that can do things. Murtha, if it was good enough for VPOTUS to use I say to you “go fuck yourself.” Assuming that troops will mistreat prisoners off the bat. This is great he has gone from insulting, to convicting prior to trial, to now contending that airmen in a plan on paper will be conducting human rights violations. Oh yeah, he is a staunch supporter of the military. Murtha you are no better than those that spat on soldiers retuning from Vietnam and calling them “baby-killers.” You are worse, because once you served, and you still serve in the government… you should be above that but of course you're not.)

At the moment he insulted the United States Air Force, I could not listen further. By the way the USAF has some of the best security forces. If they are good enough to guard our ICBM silos and other nuclear weapons, don’t you think they can handle a prison?

In regards to when Russert actually pushed a bit about cutting the funding. Murtha was asked several times if he was for it. Now while I have to say he never answered “yes” he never said “no.” That means yes. This idea of setting up benchmarks that must be met in order to continue funding… they are either unrealistic or things Murtha knows cannot be done. So if he is for cutting of funds if those criteria are not met, and he knows they cannot be or is going to make sure they cannot be… he is for cutting the funds. My favorite dodge for a direct question of ‘are YOU for cutting the funds?’ was when Murtha replied “Well ya gotta have the votes to pass legislation.” The only person that does not view that answer as “I want to cut the funds to end this war is" Mudkitty. Who continues to blindly day after day insist that no one is even considering the cutting of funds to end the war.

Technorati Tags: Murtha Iraq cut & run cut funding

Always Faithful!

C.I.R. Press Note
(h/t Griz at God Bless America)

To Our Troops We Must Remain Always Faithful
Representative Sam Johnson:
You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.

I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.

I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.

Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life - and my freedom from prison in Hanoi.

I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War - weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow - 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas - a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.

While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims... for 72 days....
As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn't walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons... for 2 ½ years. That's when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle - with a foot-long bar connecting the legs.

I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand... and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity.

But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back.

Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way ... I'm living a dream...a hope I had for the future. "From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 - I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly...

And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when - not if - we returned home.
We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America.

We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it... We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all.

So - little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth... I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm's way....and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt.

We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and mission success. Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground.

Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home...tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.

We must never, ever let that happen again.

The pain inflicted by your country's indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors.

Our troops - and their families - want, need and deserve the full support of the country - and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm's way without support.

Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections.

There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It's alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq - maybe to Iran. And Iraq's closed its borders with Iran and Syria. The President changed course and offered a new plan ...we are making progress. We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.

Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy.

The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops...Just ask John Murtha about his 'slow-bleed' plan that hamstrings our troops in harm's way.

Now it's time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home - and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it...and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.

Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past... instead learn from them.

We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way...To our troops we must remain...always faithful.

God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you.