Jack and the meanstalk

Murtha, the ham fisted thug from Pennsylvania, continues his duty to his dominatrix by lashing out at her critics with threats allowing her highness to remain aloof. Of course not as aloof as a nice big jet would make her, but things gonna change once he has himself a hearing.

Appropriations subcommittee on Defense Chairman John Murtha (D-Pa.), who lobbied the Pentagon for a larger plane, announced that he planned to hold hearings on the use of military aircraft for executive branch and Congressional travel over the past two fiscal years. Murtha predicted that despite the flap, Pelosi would end up with a plane capable of making the coast-to-coast trip.

“I would predict she would” get a larger plane, he said Thursday. “I’m seldom wrong on these kinds of things.”

Watch out you Republicans and you toy soldiers over at the Pentagon, Jack "the Bad Mother" Murtha is talking at you!

Read the rest (behind subscription wall)

Global Warming

Let's face it, Global Warming is just not working out, at least not as a program.

If, as some conspire to say, the government is in charge of global warming then we should plan on buying heavy sweaters, because if the government would be put in charge of the Gobi Desert, there'd be a sand shortage inside 3 months.

Cottage

US of Illegal A

From:
MEDIACREAT@aol.com
Subject:
Becoming Illegal (From an Arizona resident to his senator)
Date:
Tue, 6 Feb 2007 4:49 AM

Dear Senator McCain,

As a native Arizona resident and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years.

I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out. Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.

Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year.

Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as well as "in-state" tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.

Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver's license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college-age children driving my car. If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively, if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative.

Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,
Morris (Manuel) Gonzstein (Gonzalez)

ANTONIN KRATOCHVIL

AP continues to purposely lie to its readers

DAVID ESPO
By AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) --
The Democratic-controlled House will vote next week on a nonbinding measure
opposing President Bush's decision to dispatch additional troops to Iraq,
officials said Tuesday, hastening a postelection clash between Congress and
commander in chief.

The precise nature of the measure remains to be determined, the
officials said, although Brendan Daly, a spokeswoman for Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
said, it will be "our opposition to the surge" in troops.
….

Under House rules, Democratic leaders have the authority to advance a
measure to the floor for three days of debate and a vote.

That stands in contrast to the Senate, where Republicans have so far
blocked an attempt by Democrats to hold a full-fledged debate on a war that has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 U.S. troops.

WRONG!

The Senate Republicans are opposing cloture. By opposing cloture the Republicans are trying to keep the debate open. The Senate Democrats do not want to debate this resolution or the other related resolutions. If debate is allowed, voters would find out what the Democrats are really thinking and planning.

What are they planning? Cutting and running. Killing freedom in the Arab world. Stabbing our troops in the back. Redeployment of our troops because then the terrorist violence will immediately stop and everybody will then "just get along".

The Democrats are cowards in debate and conniving in their "support" of our troops.

The AP is their willing enabler.

Sniper One is working on this as well.

A rendezvous with destiny

You and I have the courage to say to our enemies, "There is a price we will
not pay." There is a point beyond which they must not advance! This is the
meaning in the phrase of Barry Goldwater's "peace through strength!" Winston
Churchill said that "the destiny of man is not measured by material computation.
When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we are spirits - not
animals." And he said, "There is something going on in time and space, and
beyond time and space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty." You and I
have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last
best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the last step into a
thousand years of darkness.

Ronald Reagan
October 27, 1964

Stairs

Saro & Luca Di Bartolo

Old joke

I bought a new Lexus 350 and returned to the dealer the next day complaining that I couldn't figure out how the radio worked. The salesman explained that the radio was voice activated.

"Watch this!", he said, "Nelson"! The Radio replied, "Ricky or Willie?"

"Willie!", He continued and "On The Road Again" came from the speakers.

Then he said, "Ray Charles!", and in an instant " Georgia On My Mind" replaced Willie Nelson.

I drove away happy, and for the next few days, every time I'd say, "Beethoven," I'd get beautiful classical music, and if I said, "Beatles," I'd get one of their awesome songs.

Yesterday, a couple ran a red light and nearly creamed my new car, but I swerved in time to avoid them. I yelled, "Ass Holes!"

Immediately the French National Anthem began to play, sung by Jane Fonda and Barbara Streisand, backed up by Michael Moore and The Dixie Chicks, with John Kerry on guitar, Al Gore on drums, Dan Rather on harmonica, Nancy Pelosi on tambourine, Harry Reid on spoons, Bill Clinton on sax and Ted Kennedy on scotch...

Damn, I LOVE this car!..

kOskiDDies to troops - "Screw'em"

kOskiDDies get petulant when citizens and soldiers say something they don't like.

This, of course, is a point I have brought up many times and the Milblogs when crazy then. You, the military, are the servants of the people. That is what you signed up for. We send you to war and we bring you home. We tell you when to wake up and when to go to bed. If you do not like that, GET OUT. But, that is the life you chose.

The next thing the milblog right wingers were upset about was when
Arkin called our Military a mercenary force. Well, guess what, it is!! To get
people to fight this war we have had to add all sorts of additional benefits,
bonuses, insurance etc. The only way to get people to go was to pay them a lot
more - the definition of a mercenary. Also, if you count the 100,000 or so
"contractors" over there, that is even more evidence of a mercenary force. I called it at this post last year.

If the military is going to "take on" the American public by saying we have no right to change how we want to deploy them then they have joined the fight. I have said all along, and in the book, The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War the idea that the American military has lost contact with the United States Citizens has been proven. They have. Arkin called it right!

I sure hope they don't hold their breath until we apologize. Of course, then they'll really be blue.

Nick Clooney to speak at Lakota West High School

Nick Clooney to speak at Lakota West High School

Contact: Parker Novak, (513) 410-1144 parker.novak@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEST CHESTER, OH - (January 29th, 2007) Nick Clooney, nationally knownnewscaster and father of movie star George Clooney, along with Homa Yavar,co-chair of the Greater Cincinnati Advocates for Darfur, will speak at 10 A.M. on Wednesday, Feb. 7th at Lakota West High School.

The Darfur region of Sudan continues to be the scene of brutalities againstcivilians committed by the Janjaweed militia with the support of theSudanese government. Clooney and Yavar will speak about the situation in Darfur and what role the students can play.

Clooney and Yavar's visit is sponsored by students at Lakota West HighSchool, in conjunction with the Multicultural Club, National Honor Society,and Junior State of America. Students will be working to raise awareness about the Darfur genocide through various events and activities throughout the week.

Lakota West is the first public school and the largest school in the GreaterCincinnati area to hold a "Darfur Awareness Week." Principal Richard Hamilton is fully supportive of the students' efforts, saying, "It's greatto see students involved in promoting a good cause such as this. I thinktheir efforts will do a great deal to raise awareness about the situation in Darfur."

Other events and activities set for the week include:

Monday, Feb. 5th: Students will be selling t-shirts to raise funds forDarfur relief and posting signs throughout the Union Centre area to call for action in Darfur.

Tuesday, Feb. 6th: Teachers will be holding discussions in their classesabout Darfur allowing students to voice their opinions about the situationin Darfur.

Wednesday, Feb. 7th: Nick Clooney, along with Homa Yavar from the Greater Cincinnati Advocates for Darfur, will be the featured speakers at the freeassembly.

Thursday, Feb. 8th: Students will be writing letters and making phone callsto Congressmen and Senators urging them to take action about Darfur.

Friday, Feb.9th: Students will be holding a 'green shirt day' to raiseawareness about Darfur amongst the student body, and raise money for Darfurrelief.

-30

---

ROEs in Iraq designed by idiots

Or
Making sure Iraq is like Vietnam

The current ROEs for Baghdad -- including Sadr City, home of the Mahdi Army
-- have seven incremental steps that must be satisfied before our troops can
take the gloves off and engage the enemy with appropriate violence of
action.

(1) You must feel a direct threat to you or your team.
(2) You must clearly see a threat.
(3) That threat must be identified.
(4) The team leader must concur that there is an identified threat.
(5) The team leader must feel that the situation is one of life or death.
(6) There must be minimal or no collateral risk.
(7) Only then can the team leader clear the engagement.

This ties the hands of our troops, ensuring deaths, and just like a withdrawal timeline, gives the murders fighting against us the upper hand.

I hope the people responsible for these ROEs are made to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not with troops already there, but as a new unit made up of only those that thought up, okayed and foisted this upon our troops. No need to endanger smart troops with this group of PC morons.

ht to Blonde Sagacity

Strutting Strumpets get tart when called on bawdiness

Bought:
Warner of Virginia
Susan Collins of Maine
Norm Coleman of Minnesota
Gordon Smith of Oregon
Chuck Hagel of Nebraska
Olympia Snowe of Maine

Negotiating price:
George Voinovich of Ohio
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
Sam Brownback of Kansas
Lamar Alexander of Tennessee
John Sununu of New Hampshire

Acting coy on the street corner:
Arlen Specter of Pennsyvania

Just look for the redlight.

This is too much fun!!

Which songs would you pick for these candidates?

Feb 2, 5:53 PM (ET)By NEDRA PICKLER
WASHINGTON (AP) - Everyone needs a
soundtrack – even politicians.

The presidential candidates who addressed the Democratic National
Committee's winter meeting Friday got to choose their tunes, and it was an
eclectic mix that reflected personal favorites and not-so-subtle messages.

Some candidates requested two songs, one that blared as they approached
the stage and another that played as they left the podium.

The selections:
_John Edwards: "This Is Our Country" by John Mellencamp.
_Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut: "Get Ready (Cause Here I Come)"
by the Temptations and "Reach Out," also by the Temptations.
_Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York: "Right Here, Right Now," by Jesus Jones and "Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
_Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio: "America the Beautiful"

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois decided against using any music in keeping with the somber tone he sought to convey.

Wesley Clark, who hasn't indicated whether he will run, entered to Johnny Cash's "I
Won't Back Down."

Clinton picking a BTO song is almost as ludricous as Dennis the Menace picking "America the Beautiful". Know any gravitas songs for the Obama kid?

Choices?

Mike Hess

February 2

If it ain't one thing.....

1509 - Battle of Diu takes place near Diu, India, between Portugal and Turkey.

1542 - Portuguese under Christovão da Gama capture a Moslem-occupied hillfort in northern Ethiopia in the Battle of Baçente.

1971 - After a coup in Uganda, Idi Amin replaces President Milton Obote as leader.

1980 - Founding congress of the Revolutionary Communist Party of Turkey.

1982 - Hama Massacre: The government of Syria attacks the town of Hama and kills thousands of people.

1989 - Soviet war in Afghanistan: The last Soviet Union armored column leaves Kabul, ending nine years of military occupation.

Howard Dean: Who cares about freedom, let's screw Bush!

Concerning the Levin-Warner nonbinding resolution meant to embarrass the administraion less then the anti-freedom members of Congress would like.

On the Wolf Blitzer program with Howard Dean, Chairman of the democrat party:

"The resolution is not watered down," Dean asserted. "They changed a few
words: I think this is a very smart move on the part of Harry reid. If we
can get significant numbers of Republicans to repudiate the Republican
president's policy, which is about to --about what's about to happen, then I
think that's very, very positive."

Listed below are the telephone numbers and the e-mails of the Republican leadership. Call AND e-mail them to let them know that America's enemies are watching, listening and reading:

The GOP leadership n the House:
Congressman John Boehner: (202) 225-6205 Fax (202) 225-0704. E-mail here
Congressman Roy Blunt: (202)-225-6536 Fax (202)-225-5604 E-mail here.
Congressman Eric Cantor: (202)-225-2815 Fax (202)-225-0011. (No e-mail available.)

The leadership and key GOP members n the Senate:
Senator Mitch McConnell: 202-224-2541 Fax: 202-224-2499. E-mail here.
Senator Trent Lott: Phone: 202-224-6253 Fax: (202)-224-2262 E-mail here.
Senator Jon Kyl: Phone: (202) 224-4521 Fax: (202) 224-2207 E-mail here.
Senator John Ensign: (202)-224-6244 Fax: 202-228-2193. E-mail here.
Senator John McCain: Phone: (202)-224-2235 Fax (202)-228-2862. E-mail here.
Senator John Warner: Phone: (202) 224-2023 Fax: (202) 224-6295. E-mail here.
Senator John Cornyn: Phone:202-224-2934 Fax: 202-228-2856. E-mail here.
Senator Pat Roberts: Phone (202) 224-4774 E-mail here.
Senator Gordon Smith: Phone: 202-224-3753 Fax: 202-228-3997. E-mail here.
Senator Norm Coleman: Phone: 202-224-5641 Fax: 202-224-1152.E-mail here

William M. Arkin - Political gEnius

Arkin wrote a follow up speech article to his 1960's paper recent article in the Washington Post.

It was atricious.

It was, well, BC put it best:

I would say that Mr. Arkin is an embarassment to both the journalistic
profession and the Washington Post, but that's not true: he's an exemplar of
both.
Posted by: BC February 1, 2007 06:11 PM

I don't know who you are BC, but I applaud you.

The beginning of retreat

This is the message that republicans such as Warner, Hagel, Smith, Snowe and Collins are supporting. They will disagree, but without their support the Democrats would be unable to mount such a successful drive which is only just to embarrass the President for political gain.

The efforts being mounted are to eventually destroy our mission in the War on Terror and pull us out of Iraq in defeat and disgrace. I addressed the consequences here. To make this effort successful the Democrats have to employ the same methodology used by those opposed to the Vietnam War; disinformation, lies, the media and useful idiots in the Republican party. Now, the anti-freedom movement even get to pony up Vietnam veterans such as Murtha and Hagel to give their "thoughts" more gravitas.

So now, the Democrats "support the troops". Next it will be "support the troops" best by bringing them home by defunding the war.

That it will doom not just those Iraqis that have supported freedom, but also the rest of the population is of no concern. Quite frankly this is what I have come to expect from the modern Democrat Party. I am disgusted that any Republican would.

Read what these republicans are abetting:

One non-binding measure that appears to be gaining traction is sponsored by a
Republican, John Warner of Virginia, and asserts that while Congress "disagrees
with the 'plan' to augment" U.S. troops, legislators should not cut off or
reduce funding for the military presence in Iraq.

"Two years ago, it seemed pretty lonely. Now every politician wants to be seen on television saying something bad about President Bush's handling of the war," Dr. Rusti Eisenstadt, an activist and professor of U.S. history at Hofstra University, told IPS. "The key now is to get [Congress] to do something instead of hiding behind non-binding resolutions."

Activists are setting their sights on a request President Bush is likely to submit to Congress next week for an estimated 100 billion dollars more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Peace groups would like to see Congress vote against that measure, a
move they see as more important than any progressive piece of legislation
introduced in Congress this year.

"We are looking at a lot of things that are happening in the Congress right now, from a Senate resolution that opposes an escalation (sending more troops to Iraq) but will allow a war to continue, to other bills out there that talk about bringing the troops home and de-funding the war, but which George Bush can veto," said Nancy Lessing of the group Military Families Speak Out.

"The one thing that we see that can end this war is if Congress votes no money on the appropriation that's going to come before them," she added.

"Legislation is so that Congress has cover," added Michael McPherson, executive director of Veterans for Peace. "The bottom line is that we want the troops to come home and we need it to be defunded. All the other stuff is just a game."

The whirlwind we are now seeing is still in the beginning stages. Real Republicans should fight theses anti-freedom republicans every inch of the way and let them know we're fighting them.
We also need to let the Iraqi and Afghanistanian people as well as the terrorists that Americans have the stomach to defeat our enemies and protect ourselves.

William M. Arkin

Arkin is a condescending arrogant prig in all his Liberal know it allness.

These soldiers should be grateful that the American public, which by all
polls overwhelmingly disapproves of the Iraq war and the President's handling of
it, do still offer their support to them, and their respect.

Through every Abu Ghraib and Haditha, through every rape and murder,
the American public has indulged those in uniform, accepting that the incidents
were the product of bad apples or even of some administration or command
order.

Arkin is also an asshole.

Democrat Minimum Wage Bills a no go?

The Democrats control the House and the Senate. Rhetorically, these Democrats are one with the downtrodden. The downtrodden make minimum wage.


Madam Pelosi, in her 100 hours of glory, made even God aware of who is in charge. Unfortunately Little Charlie Rangel either didn't get the memo or more likely ignored it.

The House passed the MWB is a hurry, but the Senate took a minute more to consider the bill's impact on small business. The MWB hourly pay increase will hurt small business' nationwide. So, the Senate (Max Baucus) inserted a tax break to offset the pain caused by the good feeling MWB. Now the Senate will vote on their bill.

Charlie Rangel, no friend of business, doesn't like tax breaks for business, thus he doesn't like the Senate's MWB. There doesn't seem like there will be a compromise anytime soon.

aLgoRe No Bell Piece Price

OSLO, Norway Feb 1, 2007 (AP)— Former Vice President Al Gore was nominated for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his wide-reaching efforts to draw the world's attention to the dangers of global warming, a Norwegian lawmaker said Thursday.

(Seen here demonstrating solar control for the betterment of all citizens of the earth)

Abandoned Gothic

You are tired of the war in Iraq?

From Black Five:

Things that I am tired of in this war:

I am tired of Democrats saying they are patriotic and then insulting my
commander in chief and the way he goes about his job.

I am tired of Democrats who tell me they support me, the soldier on the
ground, and then tell me the best plan to win this war is with a “phased
redeployment” (liberal-speak for retreat) out of the combat zone to someplace
like Okinawa.

I am tired of the Democrats whining for months on T.V., in the New York
Times, and in the House and Senate that we need more troops to win the war in
Iraq, and then when my Commander in Chief plans to do just that, they say that
is the wrong plan, it won’t work, and we need a “new direction.”

I am tired of every Battalion Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major I
see over here being more concerned about whether or not I am wearing my uniform
in the “spot on,” most garrison-like manner; instead of asking me whether or not
I am getting the equipment I need to win the fight, the support I need from my
chain of command, or if the chow tastes good.

I am tired of junior and senior officers continually doubting the technical
expertise of junior enlisted soldiers who are trained far better to do the jobs
they are trained for than these officers believe.

I am tired of senior officers and commanders who fight this war with more
of an eye on the media than on the enemy, who desperately needs killing.

I am tired of the decisions of Sergeants and Privates made in the heat of
battle being scrutinized by lawyers who were not there and will never really
know the state of mind of the young soldiers who were there and what is asked of
them in order to survive.

I am tired of CNN claiming that they are showing “news,” with videotape
sent to them by terrorists, of my comrades being shot at by snipers, but
refusing to show what happens when we build a school, pave a road, hand out food
and water to children, or open a water treatment plant.I am tired of following
the enemy with drones that have cameras, and then dropping bombs that sometimes kill civilians; because we could do a better job of killing the right people by sending a man with a high powered rifle instead

I am tired of Democrats who tell me they support me, the soldier on the
ground, and then tell me the best plan to win this war is with a “phased
redeployment” (liberal-speak for retreat) out of the combat zone to someplace
like Okinawa.

Go read the rest.

flip floppers - Kerry, Biden, Reid and Hagel

We have a bunch of flip floppers. Could it be integrity instead of political hackery? Remember, they all love the troops. Yeah, right.

The effrontery of their lies is mind boggling.

Kerry
In 2004, he told NBC's Tim Russert some things
he believes "very deeply." "Number one, we cannot fail," Mr. Kerry said. "I've
said that many times. And if it requires more troops in order to create the
stability that eliminates the chaos, that can provide the groundwork for other
countries, that's what we have to do."

"We don't have enough troops in
Iraq," Sen. John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, said in 2005.

Biden
In June 2005, he said, "There's not enough
force on the ground now to mount a real counterinsurgency." "They're going to
need a surge of forces," he said in another interview.

By last week, Mr. Biden had reversed his war strategy. "The president and
others who support the surge have it exactly backwards," he told reporters.

Reid
"If it is for a surge -- that is, two or three
months and it's part of a program to get us out of there as indicated by this
time next year -- then sure I'll go along with it," said the Nevada Democrat who
voted for the war in 2002. "If the commanders on the ground said this was just
for a short period of time, we'll go along with that."

After Mr. Bush laid out his plan to increase troops, the Democratic leader
flatly rejected it. "The surge is a bad idea," Mr. Reid said on CNN's "Late
Edition."

Hagel
A veteran of the Vietnam War, he
also warned his colleagues that an Iraq war would be a long, tough slog. "This
is just the beginning," he said. "The risks should not be understated, miscast
or misunderstood. Ours is a path of both peril and opportunity with many detours
and no shortcuts."

And Mr. Hagel warned them against sowing seeds of division with hot
rhetoric.

"America -- including the Congress -- and the world, must speak with one
voice about Iraqi disarmament, as it must continue to do so in the war on
terrorism," he said. "Because the stakes are so high, America must be careful
with her rhetoric and mindful of how others perceive her intentions."


Mr. Hagel co-authored the resolution with Mr. Biden rebuking Mr. Bush and
his "escalation" plan.

January 31

1971 - The Winter Soldier Investigation, organized by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War to publicize war crimes and atrocities by Americans and allies in Vietnam, begin in Detroit, Michigan.

January 30

Communist forces in South Vietnam begin the Tet Offensive by launching surprise attacks against South Vietnamese provincial capitals. 1968

NBC story on Iraq Troops

Excellent piece.

McCain + Clinton = Vodka

2 people give 1 reason not to trust 2 candidates.

or

The Look of Love.

Nick Sanyal

For Jane

Charles Wilson

DC protesters are beneath contempt

Mixed message between signs.

Same scum.

Same haters.

Same defeatists.

Spoiled brats.

10 myths about Iraq

I was pointed to this site by 7.62mm Justice

January 28, 2007:
Top 10 Myths of the Iraq War.

In no particular order. There are more, but ten is a manageable
number.

1-No Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Several hundred chemical
weapons were found, and Saddam had all his WMD scientists and technicians ready.
Just end the sanctions and add money, and the weapons would be back in
production within a year. At the time of the invasion, all intelligence
agencies, world-wide, believed Saddam still had a functioning WMD program.
Saddam had shut them down because of the cost, but created the illusion that the
program was still operating in order to fool the Iranians. The Iranians wanted
revenge on Saddam because of the Iraq invasion of Iran in 1980, and the eight
year war that followed.

2-The 2003 Invasion was Illegal. Only according to some in the UN. By
that standard, the invasion of Kosovo and bombing of Serbia in 1999 was also
illegal. Saddam was already at war with the U.S. and Britain, because Iraq had
not carried out the terms of the 1991 ceasefire, and was trying to shoot down
coalition aircraft patrolling the no-fly zone.

3-Sanctions were working. The sanctions worked for Saddam, not for
Iraq. Saddam used the sanctions as an excuse to punish the Shia majority for
their 1991 uprising, and help prevent a new one. The "Oil For Food" program was
corrupted with the help of bribed UN officials, and mass media outlets that
believed Iraqi propaganda. Saddam was waiting out the sanctions, and bribing
France, Russia and China, with promises of oil contracts and debt repayments, to
convince the UN to lift the sanctions.

4-Overthrowing Saddam Only Helped Iran. Of course, and this was
supposed to make Iran more approachable and open to negotiations. With the Iraqi
"threat" gone, it was believed that Iran might lose its radical ways and behave.
Iran got worse as a supporter of terrorism and developer of WMD. Irans clerical
dictatorship did not want a democracy next door. The ancient struggle between
the Iranians and Arabs was brought to the surface, and the UN became more active
in dealing with problems caused by pro-terrorist government of Iran. As a result
of this, the Iranian police state has faced more internal dissent. From inside
Iran, Iraq does not look like an Iranian victory.

5-The Invasion Was a Failure. Saddam's police state was overthrown and
a democracy established, which was the objective of the operation. Peace did not
ensue because Saddam's supporters, the Sunni Arab minority, were not willing to
deal with majority rule, and war crimes trials. A terror campaign followed. Few
expected the Sunni Arabs to be so stupid. There's a lesson to be learned
there.

6-The Invasion Helped Al Qaeda. Compared to what? Al Qaeda was a
growing movement before 2003, and before 2001. But after the Iraq invasion, and
especially the Sunni Arab terrorism, al Qaeda fell in popularity throughout the
Moslem world. Arab countries cracked down on al Qaeda operations more than ever
before. Without the Iraq invasion, al Qaeda would still have safe havens all
over the Arab world.

7-Iraq Is In A State of Civil War. Then so was Britain when the IRA was
active, and so is Spain today because ETA is still active. Both IRA and ETA are
terrorist organizations based on ethnic identity. India also has tribal
separatist rebels who are quite active. That's not considered a civil war. This
is all about partisans playing with labels for political ends, not accurately
describing a terror campaign.

8-Iraqis Were Better Off Under Saddam. Most Iraqis disagree. Check
election results and opinion polls. Reporters tend to ask Iraqi Sunni Arabs this
question, but they were the only ones who benefited from Saddams rule.

9-The Iraq War Caused Islamic Terrorism to Increase in Europe. The
Moslem unrest in Europe was there before 2001, and 2003. Interviews of Islamic
radicals in Europe reveals that the hatred is not motivated by Iraq, but by
daily encounters with hostile natives. Blaming Islamic terrorism on Iraq is
another attempt to avoid dealing with a homegrown problem.

10- The War in Iraq is Lost. By what measure? Saddam and his Baath
party are out of power. There is a democratically elected government. Part of
the Sunni Arab minority continues to support terror attacks, in an attempt to
restore the Sunni Arab dictatorship. In response, extremist Shia Arabs formed
vigilante death squads to expel all Sunni Arabs. Given the history of democracy
in the Middle East, Iraq is working through its problems. Otherwise, one is to
believe that the Arabs are incapable of democracy and only a tyrant like Saddam
can make Iraqi "work." If democracy were easy, the Arab states would all have
it. There are problems, and solutions have to be found and implemented. That
takes time, but Americans have, since the 18th century, grown weary of wars
after three years. If the war goes on longer, the politicians have to scramble
to survive the bad press and opinion polls. Opposition politicians take
advantage of the situation, but this has nothing to do with Iraq, and everything
to do with local politics in the United States.

If Iraq is lost, it is being lost here in America and is being lost by Liberals and the media, but I repeat myself.

Iran loves patriots Kerry and Pelosi

From Little Green Footballs

They say that we must have an open debate about Iraq and the Middle East. Thus, all of their statements are just part of the debate.

They are liars.

They know they are liars.

Kerry, Pelosi, Schumer, Murtha, Hagel, et al are, in my opinion, guilty of subverting not just our troops, but our mission in Iraq and the global War on Terror.

This is not "politics as usual" nor is it patriotic. My argument is not political. It is my belief that these people, at the very least, put their own careers ahead of the safety of our country. If they are so stupid that they do not understand what they are doing, then they should be removed from office. That they cherry pick their Iraq "experts" and that they don't even make the effort to speak to a wide range of military leaders serving in Iraq must be planned, thus their statements of wanting an open debate is disingenuous.

The enemy's headlines speaks volumes. The man who would be President and our current Speaker of the House are either ignorant, stupid or treasonous.

Oh, has our media covered this?

kOs kiDDies defend Carry

John F. Kerry is quoted as saying:

"When we walk away from global warming, Kyoto, when we are irresponsibly slow in moving toward AIDS in Africa, when we don't advance and live up to our own rhetoric and standards, we set a terrible message of duplicity and hypocrisy. So we have a crisis of confidence in the Middle East — in the world, really. I've
never seen our country as isolated, as much as a sort of international pariah
for a number of reasons as it is today."

kOs kiDDie KingOneEye writes:

Lookout! Incoming! It has already started. This morning Fox News' Brain
Wilson (recently promoted to VP and Washington bureau chief) asked
Democratic "strategist", Bob Beckel, if John Kerry should be calling the U.
S. an international pariah (Beckel bought the premise). The headline on Foxnews.com is: "Kerry Blasts Foreign Policy, Says U.S. Has Become 'International Pariah.'"

Never mind the fact that that is neither what Kerry said, nor the
obvious intent of his comments. And forget that both surveys of international
leaders and populations affirm the accuracy of Kerry's statement. Fox (the
only cable news channel that does not bring you the usual left wing bias), will find this just too juicy a morsel to exploit and too easy to misrepresent. So be prepared for the Fox-led onslaught condemning these unpatriotic remarks that embolden the terrorists.

Not what he said?

Not what he intended?

This is a fake quote, but an accurate statement? (KingOneEye is Dan Rather?)

Another joke? (Not Kerry. What Kerry said.)

FOX is misrepresenting?

Where is my nuance and rhetoric translator?

Ah, "screw'um. Kerry is now an official nobody.

Isn't this the way it is supposed to work?

"The police didn't just take people with deportation orders, they took anybody
... guys who were just hanging out in the street and even from a Jack in the Box
restaurant ... and now people are afraid to go out," he added.

People who break the law are supposed to fear the consequences. Even those dining or "just hanging out" at Jack in the Box.

Wilfred Thesiger
Iraq

Mountain landscape at Ruwunduz. Iraq, 1950

Matt Damon says the Bush twins should be drafted

If Matt Damon was half as smart and half as forgetful as Jason Bourne, he'd bitch slap his own stupid ass.

: الكاميرا الخفية - Bloody Comedy

This is terrorist comedy. It has some graphic imagery, so be warned.

It also shows how pitiful our enemy is.

Kate O'Beirne

Ms. O'Beirne is right on with this piece

Guts?!

The Senate has unanimously confirmed General Petraeus to take command
of U.S. forces in Iraq to implement the new mission in Baghdad with the help of
additional forces. Rather than back a non-binding resolution of
disaproval, why didn't the gutsy Senators, like Chuck Hagel, who are riding the
surf of public opinion opposed to the troop surge and taking on a president with
approval ratings at the freezing level vote aginst General Petraeus'
confirmation? Their convictions hold that he has endorsed a wholly
unjustified escalation and will be leading troops on a futile
mission. They want a role in the conduct of the war and with the need
to win Senate confirmation of Gen. Petraeus the Constitution has given them
one, but they have taken a pass. Because Gen. Petraeus is an
experienced, credentialed, credible advocate of the new strategy, Senators
have no interest in tangling with him. When you're playing at being a
military strategist you sure don't want to go up against the real thing, so
better to have an unpopular commander-in-chief be the face of the new mission
rather than the veteran general who will be in command.

I really like Peggy Noonan

, but this drivel is beyond me. It is so far out in left field that I would not believe Ms. Noonan wrote it except she put her name on it. Hagel isn't an opportunist back stabber, he has "guts".

But there was Mr. Kerry, liberated by the death of a dream and for once
quite human as he tried to tell it the way he actually saw it. Took the mock
right out of me. Good for him, and for Mr. Hagel. I wonder if we are seeing
the start of a new seriousness.

Et tu Bruta?

You're a pro and I am not, but what hogwash.

Elizabeth Taylor wants Hillary Clinton

The star of "There's One Born Every Minute" (1942) thinks Hillary is just a gem and should be elected President.

Roles in such classics as "The Big Hangover" (1950), "The Girl Who Had Everything" (1953), "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" (1966), and "These Old Broads" (2001) has broadened her depth of what the "little people" need. How nice.

January 26

1565 - Battle of Talikota, fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Islamic sultanates of the Deccan, leads to the subjugation, and eventual destruction of the last Hindu kingdom in India, and the consolidation of Islamic rule over much of the Indian subcontinent.

Wikipedia

Bukka Raya I, reportedly advised by Rich Ard Cheney, was blamed for the rise of the numbers of Islamic fighters for his, and his brother's, illogical belief in defending their people. Another adviser, Jon Kena DE Cari III, blamed Cheney for the defeat stating that they could have all lived in death together citing his own ambitions as proof.

A message to the weak of heart

Via Right Angle Blog. Go read this great site.

Ken Blackwell's latest column on Townhall.com:

On Keeping Perspective and Beginning Again
By Ken Blackwell
Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Although Los Angeles Dodgers’ center fielder Willie Davis was widely
considered the fastest man in baseball throughout the 1960s and 70s, he is
perhaps more often remembered for a remark he made following game two of the
1966 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. In the fifth inning Davis
committed three errors on two consecutive plays. L.A. lost the game 8 to 4 and
was swept in the series. When asked about his less than stellar performance,
Davis dryly remarked, “It ain’t my life, and it ain’t my wife, so why worry?”
Even more important than his amazing speed, Davis had extraordinary perspective.

More than once since the release of the November 7, 2006 general election
results, I’ve given some thought to Mr. Davis’ quip. I have been elected to city
council and Mayor of my hometown of Cincinnati. I was three times elected to
statewide office, first as State Treasurer, then twice as Secretary of State.
Voters from my political party decisively choose me to be their standard bearer
in the race for Ohio Governor. When the votes were counted in the general
election, however, this time I and other uncompromising conservatives did not
come out on top. But beyond personal disappointment there is perspective (a la
Willie Davis). And beyond such perspective there is an ironic, yet undeniable
sense of accomplishment for many of us.

I have spent thousands of hours over the past several years traveling on
Ohio’s highways, city streets, and country roads, to virtually every
municipality and township in the state. I have talked with literally millions of
Ohio citizens about the sanctity of human life and the sacredness of marriage.
We discussed second amendment issues, the importance of demanding fiscal
restraint on our state and local budgets, tax relief, and viable plans to revive
Ohio’s economy that would offer our children opportunity to live, work and raise
their own families.

For all the effort over many years, I along with others of like mind, were
able to help shape the discussion at Ohio’s statehouse, courthouses, and city
and township halls. These efforts resulted in some remarkable victories – like
Ohio’s Constitutional Marriage Protection Amendment, the establishment of a
statutory state government spending cap, the reduction of the sales tax rate and
the defeat of expanded state-sponsored gambling. We raised more than $12 million
from non-traditional sources and identified more than 1.4 million individuals
who pledged themselves to be civic-minded forces for change.

While the results of the 2006 election represent a temporary set back to me
and other conservatives who labored to advance our cause like U.S. Senator Rick
Santorum, if we become too focused on the vote tally alone we risk missing out
on the fruits of the struggle. In fact, we did good work for causes that were
worth our time and efforts. And as a consequence, not only did we leave our
respective communities better than we found them, but we are personally improved
and better prepared for the next battle.

I think about the considerable personal and political setbacks endured by
Abraham Lincoln before he ascended to the presidency. The death of a child,
unsuccessful business endeavors and several election losses shaped his
perspective but did not dampen his resolve.

Lincoln understood that life is about struggle – wins and losses. He
refused to be defined by defeat because he was driven by hope and a belief that
we can improve the human condition.

I like what Elie Wiesel wrote: “When He created man, God gave him a
secret—and that secret was not how to begin, but how to begin again. It is not
given to man to begin; that privilege is God’s alone. But it is given to man to
begin again—and he does so every time he chooses to defy death and side with the
living.”

Our conservative causes are just as true and worth fighting for as they
were on November 6 (the day before the election). So, we must keep perspective,
and continue. We must encourage others to also remain engaged in the struggle –
to be a force for living change. In more than thirty years of pubic service one
thing I have learned is that the only way a cause is truly lost is if the army
is scattered and resolved to defeat.

As citizens united in conservative principles, we are called to unite and
to be a force for change. We are not defeated. Indeed, there is still work to
do.

Ken Blackwell is the former Secretary of State of Ohio.

Krakow

Pawel Ostolski

Damned global warming

Stand for and with our troops!

Hugh Hewitt offers a pledge to stand against those who oppose our success in Iraq.

By my count, the wusses:

Chuck Hagel

Ben Nelson

Gordon Smith

Susan Collins

Norm Coleman

Sam Brownback

John Warner

Lisa Murkowski

Olympia Snowe

and right on cue, the crying man;

George Voinovich

Another fine Jimmy Carter moment

January 25, 1981

The 52 Americans held hostage by Iran for 444 days arrived in the United States. They were welcomed home by President Ronal Reagan

Hagel, known warrior, leads charge

To succeed, it's all about technique. Oh, and who you choose to lead into battle. Choose wisely and you'll be a national hero. Choose poorly.......

This is fun! Fun. Really!

Economically and socially are you closer to Pol Pot, Ghandi, Margaret Thatcher or Hitler? I won't give you my answers, but I will tell you that Margaret has nice knickers.

Go HERE

I know, these things are BS, but go have some fun, you intellectual, you.

United States and the Zionist regime of Israel will soon come to the end of their lives

So says Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Maybe he was referring to Olmert's and Moshe Katsav's problems and looking to the 2008 Presidential elections in the US.

Liesure suit man was further quoted:

"Sparking discord among Muslims, especially between the Shiites and Sunnis, is a
plot hatched by the Zionists and the US for dominating regional nations and
looting their resources."

It's those pesky Joo cowboys again.

Rosie calls for Bush's impeachment

Ugly inside and out. Oh, and not too bright.

Russia, China and Iran

“So now, as the U.S. and its allies work to economically isolate Iran, as a
second aircraft carrier heads to the Persian Gulf, as coalition forces arrest
Iranian officials suspected of stirring violence in Iraq, what is Russia’s
response? Last week, Russian defense minister Sergei Ivanov confirmed that
Moscow had sold air defense missiles to Iran. Yes, that’s right. Russia is
selling weapons to Iran. It’s selling weapons to a state that is a leading
sponsor of terrorism, whose president has vowed to wipe Israel off the map. It
is selling these weapons even though the UN has been warning and cajoling and
threatening Iran to stop its nuclear program for years. How did Ivanov justify
the sale? Simple. It was all part of a contract signed in December 2005.
Translation: Business is business, and to hell with the rest of the world. The
Russians insisted that the sale doesn’t violate any international agreements.
And that the missiles are short-range and purely defensive. But let’s see. What
might Iran be defending? Its illegal uranium-enrichment sites? Other nuclear
facilities where it is likely to be developing the expertise to build a bomb?
And whose forces would be the likely targets of those missiles? The Russians,
like the Chinese, issue reassuring pronouncements about opposing Iran’s nuclear
march. The Chinese recently called on the Iranians to give a ‘serious response’
to the UN resolution. Yes, harumph, harumph. Serious!... Iran poses a grave
nuclear threat. Russia seems intent on giving it cover.” —Chicago Tribune

State of the Union

President Bush spoke eloquently about Iraq and the War on Terror this evening. I applaud him.

Also, I reverently hope that someone supplies Speaker Pelosi with dental floss. Throughout most of the speech it appeared she was desperately trying to use her tongue to clear a bit of calamari from her teeth. I hope her well with this, because it was ugly and needs to be rectified. for her.

The democrats seemed relaxed. They sat on their ass even when the President spoke of freeing nations and lowering the pain of those people. It is so good they are comfortable.

To enhance freedom we must spread freedom.

Unfortunately, we have to listen to an absolutely posionous little Jimmy Webb reply to the President's State of the Union address.

Webb is a moron. an absolute moron. moron in terms of being so egotistical that he actually believes he isn't a moron.

Others will write pablum that the President wasn't up to it tonight. I will disagree. I think it was one of his finest speeches.

snip..

Webb is on.

Iraq: proper conclusion? What is it?.
Economy: unbalanced

He presumes.

presumes.

presumes

and speaks of America's past heroes as if they would agree with him.

Now Webb is saying if President Bush doesn't agree with him, Webb will "Show him the way" out of office?

Webb, you're now a maitre 'd? I worked in many a restaurant. I think you're a busboy at best.

Moron.

Demagogue.

Barry Gibbs bought Johnny Cash's home

Karma - When the wife puts the brothers Gibbs on and I coincidently find this news item from 2006.

Fate - I'm going to the "store". now

Shouldna never ougtta happen

Troop stabbing freedom haters

I have worked in politics for many years. I have always defended politicians when the usual moron makes a sweeping statement like "they're all crooks" which they are not. Most serve honorably, some with great distinction and some dishonorably, both Republican and Democrat.

I believe some of the darkest days, politically speaking, occur during wars. Groups and politicians undermined Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis simultaneously. There were fifth columnists during World War II and Korea. I believe many politicians should have been punished severely during Vietnam as they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory condemning millions of Asians to murder and death.

Most of these occurrences happened on one side of the aisle. I am deeply ashamed that this is now occurring in my side of the aisle and by (little c) conservative (little r) republicans. I wrote about this here. It is getting worse.

This is just the beginning of the War on Terror. Instead of pandering to the press, worrying about their miserable re-election or worse yet, not understanding the gravity of the situation, these miserable little hacks should instead be speaking to the seriousness of the threat to our country, the United States of America and, to freedom itself. They should be supporting the goals of our troops in the field, not just drooling pablum about supporting the troops. Leave that worthless crap to the poster party for drool across the aisle.

Time to grow up kids. Islamofascists mean to kill us and you're helping them. You bring up Vietnam, sit cow-eyed as you listen to every fool that has an axe to grind, including retired generals and Congressmen, and you look for every convenient exit as you proclaim your deep concern so seriously. You all disgust me to my very core.

I say throw them out of office. Not just for being against freedom, but for being imbeciles. Yes, I will apologize to imbeciles for the slight at a later date.

Chuck Hagel
Ben Nelson
Gordon Smith
Susan Collins
Norm Coleman
Sam Brownback
John Warner

Saint Margaret's Hospital

My backyard responds to Hugo Chavev's "Go to Hell, Gringo" statement

34 years ago today

January 22, 1973

By a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court strikes down state laws prohibiting abortion in its landmark Roe v. Wade decision. 1973

With friends like this...

The tapas has barely been served and the normally uninvited guests were already criticizing the yet to be served main course. Of course, among these “new” guests, the defeatists are complaining that there is probably no desert nor aperitif planned, snidely referring to that barbecue party where only beer had been served. Or so they had heard.

For this party, with the “good flatware”, the host better have a plan to stuff their fat sated asses in their own cars, turn the ignition on and tuck them into their own beds.

The frequent guests, invited for their normally intelligent conversation and wit, have decided to impress the new comers by joining in with comments questioning the kitchen staff planning and whether this whole soiree was planned correctly.

Personally, I would tell the bastards off and leave them to stare at empty plates and a defeated evening. Me, I would round up those who remember what such evenings are all about and set out to make it a success.

Alas, it isn’t my soiree, so I just sit and watch the bounders and cads destroy what is good. Maybe I’ll go help in the kitchen. They seem more to my liking. Toiling in the heat and noise, they are skillfully completing their tasks without comment concerning their opinionated de jour “betters” in the front hall.

Maybe I will really ruin this fine soiree and be remembered as the one that tossed a turd in the punchbowl because I reminded them that they could stop their smug bitching, start remembering the purpose of the evening and even lend a hand toward its success.

I hate Saturday night catfights and Monday morning whiners. Everybody is a critic. Even those who can only burn toast.

They sound so. liberal.

Another fine Jimmy Carter moment

30 years ago

January 21, 1977 President Carter pardons almost all Vietnam War draft evaders.

One day after his inauguration.

Loser then. Loser now.

Hillary Clinton wants to talk

Gateway Pundit has a few subjects to discuss with Hillary:

Here is a partial list of blemishes from the first Clinton stay in the White House:

* Number close to the Clinton machine who have been convicted of or
pleaded guilty to crimes: 44

* Number of convictions during his administration: 33

* Number of indictments/misdemeanor charges: 61

* Number of imprisonments: 14

* Number of presidential impeachments: 1

* Number of independent counsel investigations: 7

* Number of congressional witnesses pleading the 5th Amendment: 72

* Number of witnesses fleeing the country to avoid testifying: 17

* Number of foreign witnesses who have declined interviews by investigative bodies: 19

The Clinton machine now holds the record for the administration with:

* The most number of convictions and guilty pleas

* The most number of cabinet members to come under criminal investigation

* The most number of witnesses to flee the country or refuse to testify

* The most number of key witnesses to die suddenly

* The greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions

* The greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad.

kOs kiDdies can't handle the truth

Currently there is a diary near the top of the recent diary list that attacks
Hillary Clinton for a supposed bigoted comment. The sources the diarist cites
are not credible, to say the least, and are more correctly described as right
wing websites.

I will not link to this diary as 1) I expect it to be deleted
by diarist soon, and 2) I will not spread such filth any further.

But this does raise an opportunity to discuss the First Rule of the Primary Wars. It is expected that there will be diaries criticial of any and all candidates during
this time. No one can complain about that. Indeed, your candidate will not be
our nominee unless he or she can survive our scruntiny. But, when writing such
diaries critical of a candidate, you may not now or ever use source material
that emanates from the right wing or Republicans to support your criticisms or
attacks.

If your source is NewsMax, delete the diary.
If your source is Insight, delete the diary.
If your source is Drudge, delete the diary.
If your source is Free Republic, consider suicide.

Daily Kos will not be used as a Right Wing echo chamber, for they already have enough echo chambers of their own.

h/t Mr. Johnson

Apparent Media Disinformation

AP ROME — Iraq's prime minister said security forces would have better
control over their country if the United States had equipped them with more —
and better — weapons, speaking during an interview in which he was deeply
critical of Washington, an Italian daily reported Thursday. Reporter Corriere della Sera

Only problem.

It isn't true.

Gateway Pundit is all over this and I got this information from his incredible website:

But, NOT ONE of the international articles included this from his press
conference (translated from Maliki's website):

"We feel and know the great help the United States and
President Bush gave us (IRAQ). They rescued Iraq from oppression and
dictatorship and helped set up the current democratic government in Iraq, even
though it still needs to mature fully, and the freedom Iraqis enjoy. None of
this would have happened without the effort (of the USA) and hard work...""Our
success is Presidents Bush's success and America's success and failure will
affect both of us."

Here's where we get to the truth on what was really said at the press conference...Iraqi American Haider Ajina wrote in an email on what Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki really said in his press conference:

Greetings Jim,I looked at al-Maliki's personal web page and read the official spokesperson comments. Maliki's comments were taken completely out of context and even reported inaccurately. The news first was reported by an Italian paper totally inaccurately. I will get more details and get back to you.

It is interesting that the media missed Maliki's announcement of the arrest of over 400 Mahdi army people, in spite of the strong support he has from Muktada. Maliki is doing this to show that he will punish all who do not obey the law.

By the way, Muktada's party said they will come back to the Parliament. They left, if you remember, when Maliki went to Jordan to talk with President Bush, now they are back with their tails between their legs....

Regards,Haider Ajina

Later, Haider Ajina writes back with more:
I have read the interview Maliki gave to a number of Western papers. They have taken his comments completely out of context.

Maliki even accused the LA Times person of asking devilish or tricky misleading questions.

The LA Times person was trying to put words in Maliki's mouth and Maliki rebutted him.

Maliki said in his interview that Iraqis have their freedom because of the sacrifices and help of the USA and President Bush and Iraq is grateful. This they did not report.

This is Maliki's personal web page, it is not in English. The link take you directly to the interview of the 17th...

http://www.iraqi-pm.org/mukabalat.htmIt is very maddening how the papers twist what he said and even make up stuff.

What we have known for years, actually since I was a child (back when dirt was young), is now being documented. The press may not have just an agenda, it has the lies to back that agenda up.

Why not join the crusade to find their "holy grail" from which their truth lies spring from?

(Gateway Pundit story)

Juan Cole - Intellectual Despot

In doing other research I came upon Martin Kramer and his Sandbox. Interesting reading. very.

As the anti-freedom worker bees move forward to undermine the people of Iraq and stab our troops in the back, I find it informative to learn how "intellectuals" were brought back in line starting as far back as 2004.

But since Professor Cole still needs help with his memory, let me add this quote to the litany (April 1, 2003):

I hold on to the belief that the Baath regime in Iraq has been virtually
genocidal (no one talks about the fate of the Marsh Arabs) and that having
it removed cannot in the end be a bad thing. That's what I tell anxious
parents of our troops over there; it is a noble enterprise to remove the
Baath, even if so many other justifications for the war are crumbling.

You've got the mise-en-scene? The much-titled expert reassures anxious parents of service personnel that their sons and daughters are risking their lives in a "noble enterprise." Now read this passage, which Cole wrote over a year later (April 23, 2004):

I would not have been willing to risk my own life to dislodge Saddam Hussein
from power. And, I would certainly not have been willing to see my son risk
his. So apparently the "noble enterprise" wasn't that noble, at least in
retrospect. For it's only in retrospect that Cole came to see the "noble
enterprise" as a "terrible idea."

Only in retrospect did a war to depose Saddam look to him like
a "bad idea," since at the time he thought it "cannot in the end be a bad
thing." When war began, he thought it would be "worth the sacrifices." Only in
retrospect did he decide it wasn't even worth the risks.

"Intellectuals" like Juan Cole are not just self aggrandizing losers, they are liars. dangerous ones.