Could I Have Found A Rational Liberal?
A few days ago on another blog, I encountered an Aussie fellow who, I'm sure, felt he was being perfectly reasonable in his assessment of Iraq and America - and he was, as liberals go. The problem was, in his response, he had ignored everything I had just said, and I know it made perfect sense because I wrote it.
But here's something he can't ignore, can he? I mean, it's Bob Kerrey who's writing today in the Wall Street Journal, and saying not only everything I had said, but expanding on it. Not only that, but it's as if Mr. Kerrey is writing specifically to our little Dingo with this...
But Mr. Kerrey is just warming up...
"American liberals need to face these truths...: what does your conscience tell you to do? If the answer is nothing, that it is not our responsibility or that this is all about oil, then no wonder today we Democrats are not trusted with the reins of power."
WOW! Right between the eyes!
Mr. Kerrey continues...
"American lawmakers who are watching public opinion tell them to move away from Iraq as quickly as possible should remember this: Concessions will not work with either al Qaeda or other foreign fighters who will not rest until they have killed or driven into exile the last remaining Iraqi who favors democracy."
It's positively Liebermanesque!?!
I'll conclude with this because there are none so blind as liberals who will not see:
"The key question for Congress is whether or not Iraq has become the primary battleground against the same radical Islamists who declared war on the U.S. in the 1990s and who have carried out a series of terrorist operations including 9/11. The answer is emphatically 'yes.'"
Now I expect it will be forever before we find another liberal who's this rational, but isn't it refreshing that we found one? And remember, it's the K-Man with two R's and two Es, and one leg, not the Clown Prince of Massachusetts.
Oh heck, here's one last Kerrey quote especially for my friend downunder. Perhaps it will make sense if you read it upside down?
"We must not allow terrorist sanctuaries to develop any place on earth. Whether these fighters are finding refuge in Syria, Iran, Pakistan or elsewhere, we cannot afford diplomatic or political excuses to prevent us from using military force to eliminate them."
Call it "America on walkabout."
Mr. Kerrey, a former Democratic senator from Nebraska and member of the 9/11 Commission, is president of The New School.
Comments
OK, do me a favor, will ya? First, I'll delete your comment, Then you have that Aussie guy come here and post the exact thing you just said, and see what happens.
On a completely unrelated matter, my wife told me today that I should stop talking to people because I have no tact. I told her she was an obnoxious ho for saying that.
But in my heart, I know she's right, and I will let her know by putting something in her heart at the proper time.
Anyway... "not entirely sure that Iraq is full of terrorists"
1) Is it that the insurgents are different from the terrorists who are blowing themselves up in markets and mosques, or am I in a Catch-22 because they weren't terrorists before they blew up, and now they're gone, which means they're only terrorists for a split second, so technically, there are NO terrorists in Iraq?
B) You got a better battlefield? You know, where the terrorists take longer to explode?
Then again, maybe it's just that you say "insurgents," I say "tomahtos?"
There are terrorists in Iraq. Al Qaeda is a terrorist organization, and they have a base in Iraq. Along with affiliates in Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.
However, are all those who blow themselves up to kill Americans members of Al
Qaeda?
Are all those who take part in the massacres and bombings in Iraq all terrorists, or simply people who are sick of democracy, American-style?
Oh, and the guy who commented (the Ninja guy) was a Malaysian in Aussie.
* Very conservative - his last article is entitled Death by Multicultralism. While I do not agree with his politics, his military understanding has that 'revolutionary when you read it, commonsense afterwards' impact that makes any writer worth his weight in gold. Van Creveld has similar opinions but his politics are much closer to mine.
Terrorist - attacks civilians
Insurgent - attacks military/police
Soldier - attacks military/police
I think what Aput was talking about was the difference between foreigners drawn in to attack the MNF-I for ideological reasons and locals attacking them to try to get them to leave.
If you don't think people have a right to attack soldiers occupying their country, you would probably do collaborate were your country invaded.
That explains it then.
First, I had no intention of deleting your comment, I was clumsily making the point that if someone else had said what you did, my reaction would have been different.
I even understand your point(s), and I blame Bush for not crushing the opposition and imposing a constitution - an American style one of course, long ago - which would have rendered moot many arguments along the lines of those you've detailed.
Now, there is simply no need to make the distinctions you have since anyone who takes up arms against us should be neutralized.
And maybe I should mention that you may be at a disadvantage if you are unaware that a just released poll of American Muslims in which twenty percent believe the suicide bombings against civilians to "defend Islam" is acceptable at least on some rare occasions.
The problem, over and above the obvious, is that Islam needs no defense, since it isn't under attack.
Another poll point is that thirty percent either had favorable views or no opinion regarding al Qaeda.
And at least as troublesome is that sixty percent of American Muslims believe that 9/11 had no Arab involvement.
So in light of all that, I'm assuming you can see that your points are rather tangential in comparison?
I perused the commentary to which you so kindly referred us, and I fail to see what relevance it has to Mr. Kerrey's comment, unless your point is that it's just too tough to locate and destroy said sanctuaries, so the hell with it.
In addition, the learned Mr. Lind seems to offer no solution nor even advice for dealing with the problem he has no meticulously detailed. In which case, we thank him for his input, and we will give it all due consideration as we press the hunt.
More important, I am not interested in misguided attempts at objectivity, especially if one is an American.
And I'm especially troubled by the following:
"people have a right to attack soldiers occupying their country"
We are not merely occupying a country, we are the greatest country in the history of the world sacrificing as no one else would in an attempt to bring order and civility to primitives and peace and prosperity to a region, all for the ultimate benefit of the entire planet..
Furthermore, Mr Kerrey made many irrefutable points such that if one disagrees, there's something wrong with one - which is already apparent if one is unable to grasp that multiculturalism is ruining America.
Just how will you know that the "war against terrorists" in Iraq has been won? It seems to have escaped your notice that thousands of innocent Iraqis are being killed as a direct result of your invasion of Iraq. It isn't surprising that they would want to take retribution against the invaders who they see as being responsible for those deaths. Or that they would want to run their country as THEY see fit, rather than you.
I know it that it is convenient for you to label anyone as "terrorists" who happen to think that they have a right to survive on this earth, just like you do. So why shouldn't they think the same way about you? You just have bigger weapons than others. I have news for you. That isn't enough. You can't kill everyone.
How do you tell the difference between Iraqis avenging the trashing of their country and the killing of thousands of their people, and Al Qaeda? The truth is that you can't. Worse, you don't care. Every Iraqi that you kill results in instant recruits for Al Qaeda. So, don't you think that it is time that you got over the primitive mentality that so long as you are killing someone, the safer you will be? And isn't it time that you got over your bully mentality and realise that other people have a right to live as well as you do?
You can't kill everyone who disgagrees with you, you know. I know you'd like to
Serious or not, I somewhat agree with Kerrey's comments.
This argument for an immediate pullout of Iraq makes little sense to me. I am embarrassed that I thought the Democrats were going to push for changes in Iraq as opposed to a complete cease of occupation. I must admit that Ted and Dox were right and I was wrong. It IS just politics as usual - regardless of the stakes.
It is strange that to be against entering the war, and against the way the war is waged, one has to be for an immediate pullout. Totally makes no sense.
Sleep well.
"Just so you can further pollute the planet"
With that statement would it be safe to assume that you live in a tent, grow your own food, and hike everywhere you go?
But on the flip side, Iraqi's are getting tired of the death and destruction, caused by their own co-religionists, and are doing somthing about it.
What are they doing you ask?
Helping the U.S. and Iraqi forces get rid of the terrorists.
The Anbar Awakening
And isn't it strange that not one of the 9/11 terrorists was an Iraqi? Most were actually Saudis. You sure Dubya got the right country? After all, he's not too bright. Oh that's right, He's good buddies with the Saudi royal family who have no elections, no democracy, and rule by vicious Sharia law. And have lots of lovely oil that you have access to. No concern about establishing "freedom" there though. Any thoughts on that?
Snowed,
I told you to pick one very narrow point. I did that for a reason - because while Bush may not be too bright, you make him look like the Mr. Mensa.
And Hen! Nice to see you again. Seriously. I still don't know what you're saying, and I loved the backhanded compliment, but I'm glad we finally agree on something. I believe it's that Snowplowed is an idiot, am I close?
Now, Snowblind, you're trying my patience if for no other reason than WMDs were never why we invaded Iraq. I can't help it that all these years later, the fools you hang with still fervently believe they were - and I'd be willing to bet the farm that you're the smartest in your group, which while that doesn't say much for you, I know, it does say something about Australians.
Conservatives usually resort to personal insults and bluster when confronted with reasoned debate. I'm pleased to see that you have done nothing to alter my prejudice in that regard.
You like back handed compliments? Great! I'll try to deliver back handed compliments more often. I may despise your ad hominem arguments, but sometimes even when they are directed at me I find they are worth a laugh.
Hen,
Great, we understand each other!
Sow,
If I were you, forget conservatives, I wouldn't trust anything anyone says. That's because you've shown no evidence in our short exchange that you understand anything.
But here's the bigger problem. I know that lot's of people enjoy this sort of back-and-forth we've had, but I don't happen to be among their number. In fact, what I said about your trying my patience was intentionally misleading, since it should have been readily apparent to you that I have no patience whatsoever.
Now you've had ample opportunity to say something that indicated some small measure of comprehension on your part and you've failed utterly, so I guess something from you that exhibited even rudimentary intelligence is out of the question.
So with all that by the wayside, I would accept something from you regarding Iraq and/or the war on terror that was merely fundamentally accurate.
Failing that, you've now completed your stint here, and I suggest you do what Hen alluded to - read me for whatever you get out of it, and leave the comments to your superiors, who, amazingly, include even Matthue and John.
Which reminds me, if there are any leftist idiots named Mark and Luke reading this, please make your presence known so that we might complete the team and get started on the Liberal Testament
And Hen, I'll take laughs any way I can get 'm, so I want to express my appreciation for your comment, and I assure you that I am fully aware of my ongoing obligations to loyal readers like yourself.
Best,
Ted
And Snowblower...
Worst,
Ted
But I'm getting tired of this too. I really do have better things to do than try to educate conservatives. Now there's a nice oxymoron! I'll leave you to your ranting and raving, and whatever else you do to amuse yourself. I really didn't expect you to cave so quickly, though. I suppose I really should have known that when the bluster ran out, you really had nothing to fall back on. Your sort never do.
So, I'm off to try something a bit more challenging than debating conservatives. Hunting cows with a shotgun, perhaps.
A,
Sorry you're in the middle of this, because I don't want you to accidental become lumped in with respect to comments I might make to and about liberals.
On the other hand, I don't need any advice regarding how to deal with these subhumans. I assure you, I'm being as charitable as I possibly can be.
I'm sure you've read more than once that I do not engage in discussions with anyone who has demonstrated that they should have a guardian making their decisions for them. Yes, I understand that they know not what they do - and lack.
But there are plenty of people, such as yourself, who are willing to be friendly and accommodating and make allowances for their mental shortcomings - and there are very few people who are willing to hold them accountable for their failings.
So how does one do that, anyway? Well, it's another Catch-22, because you can't. You can't make them to focus, and you can't demand they be rational. As I see it, all I can do is to make their visits as unpleasant as possible.
I remain willing to engage anyone who gives any indication that he's sensible, reasonable, and logical, and I remain the sole judge of who those people are because I am one of the few who are qualified to determine that.
Take our own relationship. When I realized I had been too quick in my assessment of you, I caught myself and apologized. For your part, you were kind enough to accept that. And even though I feel some of your views and opinions are misguided, I think I understand why you hold them. I have no doubt that you think a number of my positions are even more misguided, and yet we get along because, at least from where I sit, I feel I could approach you if I really wanted to do so and argue my case, and that you would do me the courtesy of fairly considering my comments.
That's not the case with Mz. Australia. Her opening comments were idiotic, and she's gone downhill from there, this despite my specific instructions on how to approach me in order to receive fair consideration. She made no effort, and my biggest regret is that I wasted too much time before implementing my all insults, all the time policy, and even then, I restrained myself.
Or take the nut case with the dopey UID who asked us to consider one Mr. Lind's sanctuary assessments. So I did. That was fair and decent of me, wouldn't you say? But then I noted that Mr. Lind offered no advice on how to deal with his warning, and so I asked our visiting chump to elaborate on behalf of the esteemed Mr. Lind.
Well, do you recall reading any such elaboration? Because he's been back. He even posted a insipid comment. Yet not a word of clarification about the very topic to which he'd directed me.
Such indignities I've had to endure and you want me to chill? What do you take me for, a Muslim?
TW,
You've got an attraction to being flame bait, haven't you? I mean, what do you expect people to say when you write something as asinine as follows:
We are not merely occupying a country, we are the greatest country in the history of the world sacrificing as no one else would in an attempt to bring order and civility to primitives and peace and prosperity to a region, all for the ultimate benefit of the entire planet..
Furthermore, Mr Kerrey made many irrefutable points such that if one disagrees, there's something wrong with one - which is already apparent if one is unable to grasp that multiculturalism is ruining America.
Methinks you're actually a sad middle-aged public servant stuck in a dead-end job with nowhere and nobody else to share your narrow world views. You were probably room mates with that other idiot, McVeigh, at some point in time. Only he had the cojones to act out his frustrations. You, on the other hand, are all tip and no iceberg in blog land.
Do the world a favour and stay within your real and imagined borders.
UK: 45,000 troops.
Australia: 2,000 troops.
The UK is #2 in my book.
Snowy, Iraq is not about 9/11 - never was. And show me when and where the Saudis have done anything like Saddam, to prove your point.
Ummm... I can think of a few other nations which meet this criteria...
My Saudi comment was made in the context of RedneckTed's argument that the invasion of Iraq was justified in the name of the so-called war on terror. I suppose this will result in another torrent of insults. That's what passes for reasoned debate with him. Oh well, such is life...
Snowbound, how many ways do I have to tell you that I don't "debate" morons, much less you?
Now you and Lollipop take it elsewhere, because I don't want you two disgracing yourselves on my sight any further.