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Land War In the GOP

By John Batchelor on July 5, 2010 at 6:30 PM in Current Affairs

Inexcusable.

“Keep in mind again,” commented Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele to a swishy Connecticut fundraising audience last week, “This was a war of Obama’s choosing. ” Is he talking about Afghanistan? Really?

Michael Steele is a political actor whose job is to raise money for Republican party candidates – and occasionally to comment on the give and take of partisan happenstance.

Even still. Michael Steele’s puzzling and profoundly ill-informed remarks about the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq require a complete rethinking by the Republican Party as to what is to be done with a leader who does not seem to keep up on the news.

“Keep in mind again… this was a war of Obama’s choosing. This was not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in.” Michael Steele’s ignorance is breathtaking. Dumbfounding. Inexcusable.

It takes a strong mind not to break out laughing.

Land War.

John McCain, Lindsay Graham, Joe Lieberman all comment with alarm at Michel Steele’s remarks.

The land war in the GOP is between those who believe the mid-term success will determine the 2012 contest, and those who believe that 2012 will again turn entirely on the success in the war against Al Q and its gangs.

The GOP remains a war-fighting party. The Democrats remain an appeasing-negotiating party. Joe Biden and John McCain exchange the glances of old men in Iraq.

Spoke Sunday 4 with Liz Alvarette, NYT, re her profile of a heroic Staten Island family, the Marroccos, who are working together to reorganize the life of their youngest son, Brendan Marrocco, 23, who lost all four limbs (and 80% of his blood) from a satanic IED on Easter Sunday, 2009, and is at Walter Reed awaiting two arm transplants.

The Michael Steele remarks are just ignorant. The remarks by those who argue for abandoning Iraq and Afghanistan to the monsters are at best ignorant.

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  • sowsear

    Too bad about Michael Steele…
    Perhhaps we should use Joe biden’s infamous description of BO to describe Steele:
    “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” Biden said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

  • creeper

    Barack Obama has been president for eighteen months now.  Why would the war in Afghanistan NOT be his? 

    I don’t think Steele was referring to who got us into the war.  We know who got us into the war.  He was reminding us that it is being fought now by Obama’s rules. 

    And that makes it a war of Obama’s choosing.

  • donjo

    Steele’s problem is that he was probably right.  What does it take to realize that we don’t own Iraq and Afghanistan?  (We own the war, but not the state.)

  • HARP

    They should be busy putting out more stuff like this.

  • Yttik

    He does own the war now! Or rather, I wish he’d own it. We have troops on the ground and nobody wants to own this f-ing war! It absolutely infuriates me.

    I don’t care who’s fault it is or why we are there or who lied. Obama wanted the job and he got it and he really needs to take some bloody rsponsibility already. He is Commander in Chief, that makes it his war!

  • HARP

    They should be busy putting more stuff like this out.

  • Olivia1998

    Harp: you did again.  Great find.  The words just about say it all.

  • Olivia1998

    Harp: you did it again.  Great find.  I think there is a tide coming in America

  • getfitnow

    I think you’re right. But Steele needs to STFU, keep his head down and raise money. That’s his job. Because of his gaff ability, $$ are going directly to GOP candidates or the congressional committees. He’s becoming more and more irrelevent.

  • HARP

    Lyrics for above video:

    Pay no attention to the people in the street crying out for accountability.
    Make a joke about what we believe.
    And say you don’t matter cause you disagree.
    Pretend you’re kings, sit on your throne, look down your nose at the peasants below.
    I’ve got some news, we’re taking names, we’re waiting out for the Judgment Day
    I Am America one voice united we stand.
    I Am America one hope to heal our land.
    There is work to be done.
    I will not rest until we’ve won
    I Am America.
    You preach tolerance but lecture me. Is there no end to your hypocrisy?
    Your god is power, have you got no shame?
    Your only interested in political gain.
    You hide your eyes and refuse to listen. You play your games and abuse the system.
    You stuff your pockets while Rome is burning.
    I’ve got a feeling that the tide is turning.
    I Am America one voice united we stand.
    I Am America one hope to heal our land.
    I will not give up on this fight
    I will not fade into the night
    I Am America.

  • candymarl

    I agree getfitnow. Obama didn’t start this. He didn’t choose this. But he has to take care of business now.

  • Ferd Berfle

    Thanks, HARP. That is great.

  • sowsear

    He said he would bring the troops home….I think we assumed from both Iraq and Afghanistan. Not only has he built up the war in Afghanistan, but he keeps threatening Iran and Pakistan.

  • susiepuma

    Just gotta say – I am soooooooooooooooooo tired of hearing about Michael Steele – on Friday they were all saying no big deal – nobody will be talking about it on Monday but of course, it’s the big news deal of the day with talking asses from both sides weighing in with their own oh so important opinion on what Steele should do – frankly, I don’t care what he does – he’s supposed to be raising money for the GOP – from what I’ve seen on the blogs – people are donating directly to the candidate(s) of their choice & skipping direct to the party – can’t imagine why – both parties spend money on stupid shit – I’d much rather give directly to a candidate too…………………………..

    At least he hasn’t screamed like Dean did……………lol

  • TeakWoodKite

    OY T;

    ” – A leading gubernatorial candidate is gunned down by suspected organized criminals disguised as soldiers. A severed head is dumped near the house of a mayoral candidate. Voters wake up to four bodies found hanging from bridges. Candidates arrive to cast their ballots in bulletproof vests accompanied by security entourages”.

    You’d think it was Iraq or Afghanistan if I didn’t tell you it was Mexico. Our fine neighbors to the south are not happy with any party. That much there is in common.

  • Ferd Berfle

    The only problem is that when Steele makes those sorts of comments, the MSM can divert attention away from the real issues. This is simply put, a statement of verifable fact. The GOP needs to stay focused and on topic, which means that Steele needs to read from a script and stop going off message.

  • ~~JustMe~~

    When did any POTUS get choose what came along? If he is not open to dealing with issues, business, catastrophes and everything the position entails he should never have chosen run. We the people may be in a better position now; instead millions are out of work and suffering. Plus add the catastrophe on the gulf coast, whether he started it or not too many feel that is a non issue. 
    Sorry candymarl, you never got to choose what came along when you were in the military yet you went out and gave it your all and completed the task. Saying he didn’t choose this is an easy excuse for him standing in front of us blaming GWB?

  • ~~JustMe~~

    When did any POTUS get choose what came along? If he is not open to dealing with issues, business, catastrophes and everything the position entails he should never have chosen run. We the people may be in a better position now; instead millions are out of work and suffering. Plus add the catastrophe on the gulf coast, whether he started it or not too many feel that is a non issue. 
    Sorry candymarl, you never got to choose what came along when you were in the military yet you went out and gave it your all and completed the task. Saying he didn’t choose this is an easy excuse for him standing in front of us blaming GWB?

  • Ferd Berfle

    Yeah, Teak, we have a failing country on our southern border and the limp noodle in the WH can’t find a reason to secure the fucking border. Impeachment is needed now.

  • sowsear
  • Olivia1998

    your’e Fred Impeachment but ….this won’t happen as long as the MSM are still caring him.  If they drop him he’ll fall break his head and jelly beans will pop out just kidding I needed a laugh

  • Olivia1998

    you’re right Fred Impeachment but ….this won’t happen as long as the MSM are still caring him.  If they drop him he’ll fall down break his head and jelly beans will pop out just kidding I needed a laugh

  • Ferd Berfle

     Not only has he built up the war in Afghanistan, but he keeps threatening Iran and Pakistan.
    ========================
    I wonder what Pock-ee-ston did to That One to make him so pissy.

  • candymarl

    No JustMe. My point was the opposite. It’s his problem now. NO excuses. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

  • ~~JustMe~~

    Great ,well maybe I misread you I was a tad bit concerned!

  • ~~JustMe~~

    Great ,well maybe I misread you  but saying he didn’t choose this, if many in his circle state that enough time he will keep on believing its ok to blame someone else! He needs to man up and do the task at hand otherwise we will be completely spiraling out of control.

  • ~~JustMe~~

    Great ,well maybe I misread you  but saying he didn’t choose this, if many in his circle state that enough time he will keep on believing its ok to blame someone else! He needs to man up and do the task at hand otherwise we will be completely spiraling out of control.

  • ~~JustMe~~

    Great ,well maybe I misread you  but saying he didn’t choose this, if many in his circle state that enough times he will keep on believing its ok to blame someone else! He needs to man up and do the task at hand otherwise we will be completely spiraling out of control.

  • Katmoon

    Exactly!

  • My Site (click to edit)

    creeper: I agree.  I believe he was saying Obama could have chosen to get out, but instead, he chose to escalate.  No one ever wins in Afghanistan.  I say, enough people have died.  There are other ways to confine the Taliban.

  • My Site (click to edit)

    Obama, Commander in Chief.  Ouch!  That’s an image that hurts.

  • candymarl

    But other than that  Sowsear everything is fine. So Calderon can’t even keep candidates in his own country from being killed.  He can’t keep coyotes from leaving his people for dead.

    Calderon can tell us what an American state is doing wrong. Got it.  Where’s the applause from the Democratic majority now?

    Can you say *crickets*? I knew you could.

  • sowsear

    That would be coyotes…

  • NYSmike

    Have the wars, uhh…occupations made us any more safer here? Our domestic priorities must come first or there will be nothing here to save. As the last line in the article says, am I ignorant on this matter?

  • sowsear

    Calderon is one fine guy to help BO out with those recalcitrant border states…

  • Peggy Sue

    Well, if it helps NYSmike, I’ve never bought into either of these wars/occupations.  I fail to see the rhyme or reason of spending blood and treasure, not knowing the mission, let alone the exit plans of an endless military answer to something we’ve been told cannot be solved by a traditional military response. 

    Color me confused but I don’t get it, beyond spending tons of money [that we don't have] and risking the lives and futures of our young men and women.  Threats here include the complete collapse of our financial system [hardly helped by military expenditures], debilitating, ever-increasing unemployment, violence along our borders and the suffocation of the Gulf of Mexico and its coastline. 

    Seems to me getting things right at home would have priority in money and effort before restructuring/rebuilding other nations. And to what end?  But that’s me. 

  • TeakWoodKite

    Steele is twisted.

  • Ferd Berfle

    Afghanistan harbored Al Qaeda. That is enough for me to be of the opinion that if it cannot be put under the control of stable, civilized government, it should be made a parking lot–period.

    As far as Iraq goes, we should not have invaded for any number of reasons, with the main one being its position as a bulwark against Iran.

  • creeper

    Agreed, Ferd.  Afghanistan was the right war.  Too bad we never really fought it.  Shrub just couldn’t resist showing Daddy up by invading Iraq.

    The sad thing is, Barry’s not really fighting it, either.  So it’s time to go home.

  • creeper

    Agreed, Ferd.  Afghanistan was the right war.  Too bad we never really fought it.  Shrub just couldn’t resist showing Daddy up by invading Iraq. 
     
    The sad thing is, Barry’s not really fighting it, either.  So it’s time to go home.

  • Ferd Berfle

    The sad thing is, Barry’s not really fighting it, either.  So it’s time to go home.
    =============
    I understand your view and I reluctantly concur. However, the soldiers I spent the day with yesterday want to do this. Our country was attacked and they want justice. I concur with them as well. It is difficult, indeed. Our military is simply second to none and these troops give me yet another reason to be proud to be a veteran. They want to finish the job they started.

  • NYSmike

    I so agree Peggy Sue, and especially after 9 years. My word, it seems like we’re staying to basically “save face” and increase profits for the MIC. Al-Q and OBL have been disrupted in Afghanistan, but Al-Q is all over the world (Yemen, Somalia, etc.) This makes absolutely no sense to be there at this time. Ahhh, new boss, same as the old boss.

  • Ferd Berfle

    I want to also add that these soldiers have more courage, determination, and smarts than That One and his abominable henchmen. He and his minions aren’t qualified to shine their boots, much less lead them. This administration makes me sick.

  • Peggy Sue

    Ferd, I had no problem with going into Afghanistan and dragging out Osama and his henchmen, and then hanging them on lamp posts for what they did on 9/11.  But I’ve read there are less than 100 Al Qaeda left in country.  If we’re protecting the Pakistan nukes?  That almost makes sense to me.  But how long will the mission take?  What will winning look like and how long will we really be there? 

    I do not think we’re getting the straight scoop on this endeavor, anymore than we got the truth about Iraq [which I never supported, except for the surge because after we broke the country, I thought it was immoral to simply get up and leave]. 

    But I do not like this war.  Never have. I disagree with Hillary Clinton on this one. Worse, I don’t understand what we’re doing over there. I’m not interested in turning any country into a parking lot. Plus, I don’t trust that the President knows what the hell he’s doing.

    So, we’ll have to agree to disagree.

    Weirdly enough, I remember reading that Osama’s strategy in Afghanistan against the Russians was to bankrupt the country.  Then we had 9/11 and the continuous war that’s followed.  Strange parallel.

  • Ferd Berfle

    Then we turn the place into a parking lot.

  • Peggy Sue

    Sadly true, NYSmike.

  • candymarl

    The thing is they keep trying to equate this to WWII. Nazi Germany kept trying to get Atomic weapons.  This was foiled by underground resistance movements  that knew the stakes. The US and Allies supported these people.  Hiltler with an A-bomb would be the end of  the West and any semblance of freedom. 

    Remember what Bin-Laden said in at least one of his non-faked tapes. He said he  didn’t have to lift a finger. He knew the West, where he was trained and educated, would pass laws that curtailed our rights and let us  look to big government for all of the answers.  Much as the Nazis did when they co-opted both civilian and the private sector. That was seen as a form of Socialism/Facism that anyone with a brain didn’t want.

    We let GWB do it. Wrong then. Wrong now.

    The attitude seems to be that they know what’s best for us.  If this were any other government we would be screaming. We screamed under GWB. I was one of those people.

    Idiot statements by Steele don’t help.  It ain’t about  the RNC or thr DNC.  They only keep their positions with the consent of the governed.  What is it about that neither party seems to get?

    Oh I forgot.  Who cares about the Constitution?

    Remember Obama said he would give up all of these powers. He hasn’t He’s expanded some.

  • TeakWoodKite

    Choice.

    That is the problem. Calling this a “war of choice” is insulting to the lives effected.

  • makeji

    Okay, how?

  • candymarl

    We could always nuke ‘em.  Then it’s Miller time.

  • creeper

    Understood, Ferd.  That’s what makes this so damn tragic. 

  • creeper

    candy, that was my solution in 2001…drop a nuke on an uninhabited part of Afghanistan and then tell the Afghanis they had twenty-four hours to turn over bin Laden before the next one fell on Kabul.

    I still think that was the right solution.

  • Ferd Berfle

    I agree, Creeper.

  • carol haka

    Ferd, anyone with half a brain knows what you are saying.  The others don’t matter. 

    I’m with you.  Fight it like a war, clear the area of women and children and soldiers and start dropping the real bombs.  Stop Fucking around.  If they had the ability they would nuke us all day everyday.

    >:o

  • WhatNow

    Many people do not trust either party and are sending their money directly to the candidates – avoid the middle man (RNC & DNC)

  • Not Likely

    Sage wisdom from the rational intellect of Ferd Berfle.