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Open Mouth, Insert Foot – Joe Biden is Free at last

By NewHampster on January 8, 2009 at 12:30 AM in Current Affairs, Joe "Bro" Biden

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17139.html

So, Politico says that our old friend Joe is already making good on his promise to liven up the gossip in DC.

Joe Biden hasn’t said much in public since the election, but one of Washington’s most prolific talkers is back – and making news whenever he speaks.

In fewer than five minutes on Tuesday, Biden criticized his own incoming Obama administration and disclosed information his aides have kept secret for security reasons. And on Monday, Biden declared, “We’re at war!” and compared the economic turmoil to 9/11.

Team Obama kept Biden under wraps immediately after the election, but with his Senate swearing-in and upcoming Iraq trip, he’s back in front of the microphones.

Chatting with reporters after he was sworn in for a seventh term in the Senate, Biden called it “a mistake” that the Obama transition selected Leon Panetta as CIA director without consulting the Senate intelligence committee.

Thanks Joe. I thought it couldn’t get better than Blago and Burris but dang this really looks like a fun 4 years.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

Oh good the court jester is back in form!

Perhaps a few truths will slip from his lips.

He swears he’s not a drunk — never drinks — but then his behavior says otherwise at times.
http://firefox AnnieCollier

Biden called it “a mistake” that the Obama transition selected Leon Panetta as CIA director without consulting the Senate intelligence committee.

Yes Joe, we’re aware that BHO hasn’t a clue about protocol. Although, any executive would have known to keep his team in the loop on a need to know basis before making a major announcement. Forgot. BHO has no executive experience and he always has a subordinate doing his daily tasks for him.

http://firefox AnnieCollier

well, except for the Gym. Hopefully, MEchille will be educated by the WH staff before she has to give a dinner party for anyone other than JZ or Ludacris.

http://www.wewillnotbesilenced2008.com OBAMA IS A FRAUD

What happened? Did the bar 86 him?

TeakwoodKite

Which one?

My mom…god bless her.

Peggy Sue

Call me daffy, but I like Joe Biden. I like him for all his flaws and misquotes. He says what he thinks without editing. I can actually admire that, relate to that. Dumb or not.

I can’t help it. He comes from the tri-state area. He’s colorful. He’s real. And he’s got a lot of foreign relations experience. We could actually do a heck of lot worse for VP than Joe Biden.

Is he perfect? Not even close.

But he’ll keep things lively! You can count on it.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

He is a sexist pig — one of the worst — always remember that he is the enemy.

And he is the dumbest VP ever.

William L. Donlon

That’s no way to talk about the man who is Just One Heartbeat away from having a heartbeat.

truthtelling007

how about I lay it on you about the current VP…he’s one battery away from being the Pres, and I think he’s the scum of the earth. I can go on if you wish. I want him in prison for the rest of his battery life. I’ll be glad to see him sit in his beloved Gitmo. 5 deferments….and then sends boys and girls to his windmill war in Iraq.

Had he any real experience in war, he’d have known to stick to it in Afghanistan and stay focused. But he’s not such a man. He’s a zealot absolutist without compunction or self doubt.

He outed a CIA agent in revenge, and blew not only her cover, but her operations. He placed our intelligence services in positions that were more painful that Khalid Sheik Mohammed ever faced while being illegally waterboarded under his authority and request.

How we doing William? Basically, Dick Cheney is the worst VP we’ve ever had, and we’ve had some pretty shitty VPs.

Elliott

I like Joe too AND I think he is a very old fashioned sexist like the majority of men his age. But he is not 1/10 the sexist that Obama has displayed himself to be nor an ageist nor a class-baiter. I think Obama et al is going to have a problem “controlling” Joe because he is not secretive nor controlling like Obama obviously is. He is also much more knowledgeable about everything than Obama. It is going to be interesting to watch these two try to work together.

Masha

I agree. It’s going to be very interesting. Biden’s gaffes could become very “convenient” for BO. He might actually use his partner’s “gift” to test some of the unpopular ideas he wants to ram down our throats like the overhaul of SS and Medicare. Biden can always be made to look like a fool. Let’s keep an eye on him.

DAB

You apparently forgot about Dan Quayle.
ipotter

WOW! Didn’t think anyone could take that title from Quayle. Considering the considerable dumbing down of America, do wonder how low the future IQs will go.

Snickers

Peggy Sue, perhaps you forgot Anita Hill and Biden’s part in it. How about that bankruptcy law he pushed through which affects regular people. And how about MBNA and Credit Card Joe’s relationship, and Larry Sinclair and Joe’s son. How about Joe wanting to keep his seat warm by some non-celeb until Beau Biden can claim it. I wish people all over this country would start voting out their Members of Congress. I had hoped that MA would get rid of Barney and CA would get rid of Nance. No such luck, they’ve inflicted those crooks on the rest of us one more time…

hedy

I agree 110% Snickers I tried in Ma to get Frank and Kerry out but the people here are so dense. they can’t see these people for what they are and until they do we are in trouble.

BernieO

That would be fine if he were not in such a position of prominence. He can cause a lot of turmoil with his mouth. That remark about Obama being tested because of his inexperience was a good example. Yes, he was probably right, but it was wildly irresponsible to say it.
What if he pops off like that about a country we are trying to negotiate with? He could undermine our diplomatic efforts shooting off his mouth like that. Bet Hillary is worried about that.

One thing, I have a feeling he will undo Cheney’s legacy of a too-powerful VP. The Obama people seem to be keeping Biden out of the public eye. They have to be suffering buyers’ remorse.

http://www.wewillnotbesilenced2008.com OBAMA IS A FRAUD

Well…I like you Peggy Sue…but…uhhh…he DID take the job as sidekick to the FRAUD. And then there’s that pesky drinking problem…

Peggy Sue

Well, I’ve read about the “drinking problem” and saw the one vid, where admittedly he looks pretty soused. But then I come from a family where you could find plenty of vids like that and we’re not all hopeless drunks.

Yes, he’s “The One’s” VP. But the only thing that gives me a sense of hope [any hope] is that there are people in this administration that I still like and admire and trust as human beings. Joe Biden may be clownish at times and I know he’s been indirectly tied to Chicago, but he’s always struck me as a bascially decent man, a patriot, and a man who has decades of knowledge on foreign policy.

And God, Biden’s delivery never fails to crack me up. I mean, who else would say, “gird your loins?”

That’s a resurrected phrase from a musty old Catholic textbook, something that stuck in his head, perfect for Joe B.

What can I say? I’m a former Jersey girl with a soft spot for our Senator from the south. But then, I’m also a fan of Ed Rendell.

DAB

I’m kinda with you Peggy Sue. Joe has a common touch and I agree that his lack of guardedness which can be refreshing albeit occasionally embarrassing.

Also by publicly declaring that Obama “made a mistake” he inadvertently or intentionally offered him some cover in order that he could be forgiven i.e. “he’s green about these things — he’ll learn”.

Still cringe at Obama but hope there will be bright spots from other quarters.

http://www.hillaryorbust.com Hillary or Bust

I will never understand why in a million years Hillary was good enough for SOS but not for VP. It still burns me, especially with Biden as the alternative.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

One reason I can think of –

0-zero can’t blame his failures on his VP.

But he can blame Hillary — and he will.

I will NEVER understand why she didn’t tell 0 to shove it! She isn’t dumb by a long shot — and yet he acted in the grossest sexist manner towards Hillary and THUS ALL women — she refused to call him on his behavior. And NOW and other “women’s” groups acted like dumb slugs — and they still our — issuing a passive response to Obama’s sexism in appointing women — oh well we wished it could have been better — blah blah blah.

Clarence Thomas hearings — Joe Biden was the worst sexist pig — and for his behavior I will never ever forgive him and always LAUGH at him — because he is a very stupid person. Any woman as stupid and ignorant as he is — would be working as a clerk in a store somewhere — never as a US Senator — because women must be a hell of a lot more intelligent then the Joe Bidens of the world — who must have all of their ounce of intelligence in their male parts. /end of rant.

Sorry if this rant offend the guys — but get used to it as these sexist pigs feel liberated and show their true colors.
Ani

She did not want VP.

I am willing to bet you he offered it to her privately and she rejected this.

SoS is the plum by comparison.

Why would she want to sit in the Senate and preside over those backstabbers? Why would she want to sit in the background and be his angelic Dick Cheney? Or, worse, do what Biden is doing — with a far more diminished and more old fashioned merely ceremonial role as VP.
Peggy Sue

Well, I’ll never understand that either, Hillary or Bust. But then, HRC will rock as SOS. I have every faith in her in State. Hell, she was far more prepared than Obama for POTUS. But I think SOS will be more challenging for Hillary than the VP slot.

We’ll have to wait and see. It’s going to be an interesting ride!
truthtelling007

she was good enough for VP. Lets not overthink Bambi’s motivations. Better to have your guy buddy there who will pat you on the back and say, “way to go buddy, stick it to them” than that uppity thinking woman who will out class him the moment she steps in the room. I mean, damn, isn’t this all about appearances anyway for Bambi?

HARP

Biden as VP is the only person Obama can`t fire.

kgirl1028

ahhhh universal justice

Prem

At least Joe spoke outloud about how BHO’s transition team did not go through the Senate Intelligence Committee in selecting Panetta—letting us all know that he is aware of BHO’s tendency to not play by the rules. Maybe he did it on purpose to make sure that we know that he knows about BHO’s faults. We’ll see! I’m not a big fan of Joe Biden, but he’s outspoken—perhaps as a detraction—but I think he “cuts” through the Washington, DC, bs. It could all be orchestrated to make him look like he’s transparent and really is not, but it’s entertaining, unfortunately because there are very, very serious national/international issues we are being confronted with.
Butch Zero

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Barack Obama will revamp the way the U.S. government coordinates counterterrorism efforts, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper, citing people close to the presidential transition, said on its website that Obama would abolish the White House homeland security adviser’s office and transfer its responsibilities to the National Security Council. A deputy national security adviser would oversee plans to guard against terrorism and also respond to natural disasters, the Times said.

CIA veteran John Brennan will be named to that post, Democrats close to the transition told the newspaper. Brennan was mentioned as a possible candidate for the post of CIA director, but the Times said criticism of his views on interrogation and detention scuttled that.

WTH is it with Obama and the need to find a job for an old Bush mo who endorses torture?

I mean, COME ON, guy, what are you thinking?

ROTFLMAO.

Well, at least the pattern is emerging — Brennan will report to Gen Jones.

OT, sorry, but I wish Biden, and say, Jimmy Carter would speak up about this, any signal Obama approves torture will harm the US, why he would want to keep on a guy who supported and/or failed to recognize Cheney’s kook think is beyond me.

Butch Zero

One other point, Col Lang wrote a very informative piece about his experience with the IDF, and what he perceived as its weaknesses.

I was left with an impression of an organization in decline, barely able to function, suffering from severe internal chaos, disabled, really, ripe for exploitation.

I seem to remember the IDF was admired by some in the Bush administration for its methods of interrogation, i.e. it’s torture technique.

Some of us make the argument the use of torture leads to chaos in the military which adopts it, Colin Powell saying armies who use torture must be regrown, as its use is cancerous, perhaps the IDF is an example — the chaos it tries to inflict in fact throws IT into chaos, and decline.

So, if SMART militaries understand this, why is Obama holding onto a guy who doesn’t?

I mean, I see Cheney thinking this way, but Cheney, IMO, isn’t bright.

Obama should know better, or his advisers should, anyway.

(Sorry for the rant)

http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

Obama has zero knowledge of the military and the military culture.

Many civilians believe that torture “works” — apparently they are watching too much tv?

Military brats see a lot while embedded in the military culture — I was born into the military and that was the only life I really knew until I went to college. I’m NOT military — but it is part of me none the less.

My dad was Navy Air and he flew over China, N.Korea and Russia as part of his job. At one point one of the planes was lost and all flight crews were required to undergo POW/torture training. I don’t know exactly what happened during that “simulated” torture — POW training. But I do know that my dad returned badly shaken, and in rough shape psychologically. I was young — but you know when something isn’t right with your parent. My school mates also reported that their dads also had a bad reaction to this training camp. (Military kids had our own spy network — we KNEW what our dads were doing. But none spoke of this secret to anyone outside of our own network.)

One of the problems with torture is the effect on the torturers — as you mentioned.

Another major problem is that when our side mistreats and tortures then all bets are off and the “rules of war” are tossed out the door and our military is in deep trouble — in fact in the current Iraq conflict we do NOT hear about POWs. If their side captures our soldiers — they are tortured and killed.

I feel that bush & cheney and Rummy got a lot of our guys killed — when they might have survived if that gang of thugs in the white house had understood WHY warfare needs some rules and needs both sides to play by the rules.

Another NQ-er mentioned that he had been through the POW/torture training — and he stated that it was as horrible as I assumed it had been for my father. I guess the military reverse engineered the torture techniques to use in training.

Peggy Sue

I don’t want to scare the bejesus out of anyone but . . . Fox News at [1:43 a.m.] has reported that Hezbollah is firing rockets into Israel.

I was going to go to bed [about an hour and half ago].

But this . . . is very bad.

Butch Zero

But not unexpected.

Perhaps Cheney’s last stand, but, who cares?

(Other than for the civilians who are suffering, that is).

The Washingotn Post has an article in regard to the Red Cross and Israel:

JERUSALEM, Jan. 8 — The International Committee of the Red Cross said Thursday that it had found at least 15 bodies and several children — emaciated but alive — in a row of shattered houses in the Gaza Strip and accused the Israeli military of preventing ambulances from reaching the site for four days.

Red Cross Reports Grisly Find in Gaza
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2 p.m. ET: Middle East: Israel Halts Operations To Allow Aid Shipments
Red Cross officials said rescue crews had received specific reports of casualties in the houses and had been trying since Saturday to send ambulances to the area, located in Zaytoun, a neighborhood south of Gaza City. They said the Israeli military did not grant permission until Wednesday afternoon.

In an unusual public statement issued by its Geneva headquarters, the Red Cross called the episode “unacceptable” and said the Israeli military had “failed to meet its obligation under international humanitarian law to care for and evacuate the wounded.”

When rescue workers from the Red Cross and the Palestinian Red Crescent arrived at the site, they found 12 corpses lying on mattresses in one home, along with four young children lying next to their dead mothers, the Red Cross said. The children were too weak to stand and were rushed to a hospital, the agency said.

They don’t look tough, they look Bush.
Butch Zero

But not unexpected.

Perhaps Cheney’s last stand, but, who cares?

(Other than for the civilians who are suffering, that is).

The Washingotn Post has an article in regard to the Red Cross and Israel, it is grisly, Israel doing itself no favors.

Peggy Sue

Cheney’s last stand? What the hell are you talking about? Cheney’s directing Hezbollah now?

Hey, I’ve never been a Republican, but even I’m not that paranoid.

And yes, I’m sure the casualites are grisly.

That’s the problem with war.

Gary McGowan

“And yes, I’m sure the casualties are grisly. That’s the problem with war.”

This is not a war. This is an inhuman occupation with massacre splattered on as a sort of macabre icing, with fellow human beings being subjected to a hell beyond most of our ability to comprehend.

For a stunning film on the situation in Palestine, see this on-line film (roughly 90 minutes long):

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2451908450811690589&hl=en

Alibe

You are correct. This is not war. This is the equivalent of The Germans clearing out the Warsaw Ghetto. Gaza has been a ghetto. Israel has treated the people of gaza as less than human. They have tried to control every aspect of life in Gaza. Just as the Nazis tried to control the Jews in the Warsaw ghetto, the Israelis have morphed into the Nazis and now use the same thinking the Nazis did. It is so ironic. To become what you have hated the most…but not that unusual. (The Democrats have morphed into the Repubicans) We have a corrupt facist President elect who is like the reincarnation of Bush/Cheney. He has taken over the Democratic Party and destroyed its principles and will do the same with the country. BHO…scary stuff!

Butch Zero

I have to wonder if the person directing Israel’s war effort is even aware of its true position, how much trouble they are in, world wide. Even from a military standpoint.

He or she seems to be making decisions without a true or realistic anchor, sort of like trying to direct a ship without a compass, deliberately obtuse to the truth.

Or maybe the truth is too difficult to acknowledge and incorporate, (though denial is not desirable in a time of war, in the heat of battle).

And for a nation that in part seems to predicate it’s ability to thrive on PR, a nation who seems to think its war is PR, and PR control, I find that fact ironic.

(Or given Pat Lang’s essay, yesterday, not surprising).

Seems as if Israel is fighting a PR war against the world public — strange way to direct severely limited Israeli resources, at a false flag.

BTW, no nation is ever faultless, or perfect, esp. in a time of war. Part of winning is having those around you who will speak truth to power. Denial is fatal.

Butch Zero

You are aware of the American neocon posiiton on the ME and how it relates to the American military actions, there, including Iraq, and Afghanistan?

(Think Richard Perle, say, or Henry Kissinger).

AS well as admisntration aid to Israel?

Many of Cheney’s staff also have questionable relationships to the Israeli government, think Doug Feith.

I understand this subject is grating.

Gary McGowan

Butch, (Sorry, the way these comments are nested I failed to notice you seem to be addressing my comment.)

It’s not irritating or annoying TO ME that you point out the facts of American neocon involvement. However, it’s light years beyond annoying that Americans have somehow come to allow it. One aspect of this complex mess is my hope that if enough Americans learn more, they won’t allow it… a perhaps gratingly simplistic statement.

Anyway, it’s a fair question you asked, because millions of Americans are so lightly informed. I can’t imagine getting anywhere here with a comment including references to Jabotinsky, the Sykes-Picot agreement, or this being an Anglo-Saudi operation.

http://www.hillaryorbust.com Hillary or Bust

I really wish McCain were our incoming president. I don’t trust Obama to handle this sort of thing.

DaddysDarlin

Joe will end up telling us some more Obama secrets, and I can’t wait to hear them.
Perhaps he will even fess up to the corruption in the Obama administration and even before.
How about a list of the pay to play folks Joe?
The list would go on forever, and had Joe’s drinking not hampered his memory he might even have told us more!
AF catfish

Good for Joe. Starting to be really glad he picked Joe!
wodiej

Keep tipping the bottle Joe, we need more dirt on BO
Benjamin

It will be interesting to see if any of Obama’s networks pick up this story about Biden. I know that it would be covered extensively in any other administration – if the VP criticized one of the the president’s picks. And we all know that if Hillary criticized Obama in any respect, there would be a media firestorm.
Elliott

I think Biden is criticizing the part about not phoning the Chairman of the committee as common courtesy. It is protocol and good manners of which Obama doesn’t have. It’s not like Obama was ever in the Senate and learned the most rudimentary of rules “Don’t piss off the Chairman”.

truthtelling007

Elliot, don’t you have to have a clue to have manners?

glennmcgahee

Everyone needs to lay off Biden. Princess Caroline picked him for BO so he must be the best. Besides, he’s willing to go on Hardball every night if necessary to explain what they (Congress) intend to do. They probably won’t do it, but they intended to. Biden shoots from the hip, it should be funny watching the Obama administration trying to shut his mouth.
somerset

I am sorry for those of you that missed Joe during the time he was chairman of the clarence thomas hearings. We learned so much about erotomania…that is when a woman is being sexually harassed and complains, then is blamed for seeking sex all the time, drooling with lust and psychotic mania. It was sooooo informative. Joe kept the other three women, probably also suffering from deadly erotomania, locked in their hotel room so they couldn’t testify about clarence’s sexual harassment of them. He and that entire MALE committee plus clarence the porn king are asshats. But thank God we have no woman in the White House. They are such c****.
ACPD

Joe Biden is a terribly misunderstood individual, but that is intentional. Like BO he is not what he appears to be. He is, like BO, charming and has a long record of being every one’s friend. But under all that hale-fellow-well-meant affect is a very sharp and dangerous guy–also like BO.

Remember Clarence Thomas would not be on the Supreme Court, if it weren’t for Biden’s screwing up the Senate hearings. It was Biden who called off the hearings before other women, who were prepared to corroborate Anita Hill’s testimony, could speak. Read Strange Justice for the details.

Also, there is a reason so many corporations and especially credit card companies choose DE as their corporate headquarters. They are protected in DE. It is a state that has a long history of supporting anything corporate over the welfare of consumers and employees. And yet, after years of supporting this system in DE and these big money companies, Biden ran on the imagine of being a “regular Joe.” There is nothing about him that is middle-class or ever was. (Even his family was very wealthy before his father lost their money.)

DE is one of the most corrupt states in the country. I have family that used to live there. Nothing gets done except for lots of unnecessary road construction. The health care system is deadly. The schools are dreadful. They have the highest number per capita of middle class kids on drugs. It is polluted and a mess. The Bidens (father and son) are a big part of the power structure that runs that state….Being such a small state everyone knows everyone else; they all hang out at the same country clubs and go to the same parties. It is very inbred.

Biden may also be a “drinker.” I don’t know, but he acts like one. It may be that he is just drunk on power and high on the fact that he can charm anyone–it seems–out of anything. I think he and BO are perfectly matched. Neither knows what he is doing and both are now at the top of their incompetence and game….
Sassy

Joe will extract part of our revenge on the media!
When he really gets going and showing his pearly whites, their eyes start glazing over!
I hope he holds a press conference as often as possible!
Phishmelt

if no one reports it, did it still happen.
Tricia Spiegel

If the implications for flip-flopping and contradicting each other were not so scary, it would be really funny.

Larry Johnson (Bio)
@noquarterusa

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