196. OMG #193 NO ONE HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE TROOPS!!! WE ALL SUPPORT THEM AND WANT THEM HOME. THEY SHOULD NOT BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!! IT'S TRUE THERE IS NO DRAFT AND OUR ARM FORCES ARE FORMED FROM VOLUNTEERS, BUT I SERIOUSLY DOUBGHT THEY "WANT TO BE THERE". YOU NEED TO STOP DRINKING THAT REDICULOUS KOOL-AID AND GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND!! IT'S THE IDIOT THAT GOT US IN THE MESS THAT WE DO NOT SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT'S SO TOUGH ABOUT INVADING A SOVEREIGN NATION WITH NOTHING BUT LIES FOR A REASON. THEN HAVE THE NERVE TO SEND OUR TROOPS WITH ILL EQUIPT ARMOR AND EQUIPTMENT. NOT TO MENTIONED THE FACT THAT HE DID NOT SEND THE NUMBER OF TROOPS NEEDED. SO SHUT UP ABOUT THOSE OF US THAT DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS FARCE OF A WAR, DO NOT SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!! A BUMPER STICKER ON YOUR CAR, DOES NOT SUPPORT THE TROOPS, MERE WORDS DO NOT SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!

ONE MORE THING IF BILLO IS THE BEST OUT THERE AND TELL'S LIKE IT IS, WE ARE ALL IN DEEP CACA. HOWEVER, IF YOU BELIEVE THAT, IT DOES ANSWER A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

LB at 5:18PM on May 14th 2007

197. In response to 176 and 177, General Clark falls far short of the respect you hold for him. I served with him and knew him personally, and while seemingly charismatic, he is a farce of a military leader. He was carried through his carrier on the backs of those he served with beyond Captain and when the political climate changed in such a way that competence was required, he retired (but not before beginning a half-hearted political campaign while still on active duty). He did NOT lead any combat successful operations, combat or otherwise, and can only take credit for having an incredible support staff and subordinate commanders that HE DID NOT PICK and were able to take the initiative in the absence of clear orders.

I’m no fan of O’Reilly’s style, and think that he mishandled the encounter, but General Clark was is definitely not the one to hold up in awe.

cw2gator at 9:07PM on May 14th 2007

198. LB in 192. I’ve read all of these responses and as long as you were pointing out facts, I thought I would help you out. Clinton instituted the policy of regime change in Iraq. Congress Voted for the war with the same intelligence as Bush. If Oil was the objective, we would have annexed the fields and been done with it two years ago. Over 500 individual rounds of nerve agent filled artillery rounds were located and reported to the President and Congress by our troops in 2003 in Iraq. The agent within the rounds was possibly part of that supposedly “destroyed by Saddam” and was considered degraded, so it was debated on the floor of the House or Senate (they showed it on CSPAN) as to whether it “counted” as a WMD. Tons of unrefined yellow cake were also found and have been reported. While some committee voted that the artillery rounds didn’t count, they did contain what Bush, Clinton, Blair, and the Congress was looking for, and the yellow cake can be used to make a hundreds of thousands of crude “dirty bombs” (another type of nuclear weapon or WMD). And before you start thinking of me as some indoctrinated NEOCON, think before you speak… I know FIRST HAND of what I say.
For some reason LB, you seem to think that we are no longer in Afghanistan. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. My old unit is there right now as are my son’s best friend and several other military assets.

cw2gator at 9:46PM on May 14th 2007

199. One other thing LB. I noticed from your rant in #193 that you have some serious misconceptions about the military. While most of us don’t want to necessarily leave the ones we love to somewhere that there is a very real chance of injury or death, most of us are very proud of our service and accomplishments in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have done incredible things in the face of adversity and it isn’t because “Bush” failed to prepare us. We do what we do with a sense of commitment and are accustomed to doing more with less to degrees that most people could never conceive. The military was cut by one third during the Clinton administration in manpower, and training, maintenance, and equipment costs were deeper still. We practiced the invasion of Iraq the entire time Clinton was in office and perfected it down to as few units as we used and fewer. Clinton established the policy of regime change for Iraq as official US policy, and when Bush did not change it and Saddam continued his ways, so went his regime. After we took control of the country with plenty of armor and equipment to do the job at hand, then came all the “mistakes” and what we in the military call “mission creep.” The plan was poor as to how to deal with the infrastructure rebuilding and people were forced to adjust accordingly. What worked in some areas does not work in all and unfortunately the ones that get most of the press are the ones that don’t work.
You seem very opinionated, but at the same time, not unreasonable. Take a trip and ask some of the Vets of this conflict. Just go to one of the military hospitals and ask some of the wounded warriors. Most of them are anxious to get right back out there. I know your heart is in the right place, just think before you speak and think before you vote. While you might disagree with Bush and he will be gone in a short while, having Congress disgrace the soldiers by toying with their funding is just plain wrong. If Soros wants to give money away to a worthy cause, maybe he should give that money to the soldiers; as it stands the Air Force may be shorting pay in the not too distant future as one of their stop gap measures.

cw2gator at 2:02AM on May 15th 2007

200. To Charley (or Charlie) -
Please point out exactly where I compared Clark to Patton - I'd like to know. I have no personal dislike for the President - he seems like he's a nice enough fellow. What I don't like is wasteful, corrupt, and incompetent government that uses Americas precious resources to promote their own personal agenda. If you still believe that Iraq was involved with 9/11, the Saudis are our friends, and Colonel Gaddafi of Libya is "cured" of his terrorist ways as the administration claims there's not much I can say to you. But you might want to take a look at our governments history of support for Saddam Hussein before going off on how Clinton messed everything up. No one is saying he did everything right but at least he had enough sense not to take Saddam OFF the enemies list and then arm and fund him. Do you think the Saddam we removed was a whole lot different than the Saddam we proppped up and supported while he raised hell in the 80s ? He didn't change - we did. Some of the very same people who were FOR Saddam later were AGAINST him. Now we are in a real first class mess over there and all some of those responsible want to do is try to lay the blame everywhere but on themselves. Sorry but it's not going to work.
Sometimes the buck actually does still stop here.

max at 11:19AM on May 15th 2007

201. Dear #198 cw2gator, rant? Passionate I can buy, but rant.... really?? You know of the asumptions you made about me, I have to say that you got a few correct. I am opinionated and my heart is most defenetly in the right place. However, I never suggested that we left Afghanistan. However, I do believe that I am correct when I say to you now that a large number of the troops sent there were then sent to Iraq. Am I wrong??? After all Osama was and most likely still is in Afghanistan and he was the one responsible for 9/11. Right?? So, can you please tell me why we went to Iraq?? And what the hell kind of "Miison Accoplish" did we really accomplished and if we did accomplish it, why are we there still???

No, I am no fan of Bush (you got that one right) As far as I am concern 2008 cannot get here fast enought!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill Clinton did cut the military and when he did we were living in Peace times, and the mayority GOP Congress did not seem to mind that at the time. Am I wrong again?? Bill Clinton is not the president now, and he is not the one who told a soldier, "you fight with the army you have not the one you want" Am I wrong on this one as well?? I'm certain Rumsfeld was the one with that brillinat answer to the solier.

I have met some Veterans that have come back and they are all good soldiers and believe in the life they have chosen. However, they do not agree with what Bush and his Adminstration have done and how they have handled Iraq. Furthermore they DO NOT BELIVE in this war and they do not believe for a moment that we should be there. Now, as far as visiting on of the hospitals, which one would you suggest??? Walter Reed, perhaps??? Who do we blame for that crime??? As I stated before a bumper sticker on a car does not make for a troop supporter.

Oh yes... I do think before I speak. You and I may not agree, your idias are different than mine, but one thing I am sure of. It is obvious to me that you love this country. Well, so do I!! So, see we do agree on some things.

Have a great day cw2gator!

PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LB at 5:25PM on May 15th 2007

202. To 199 Max, I love the way you continue to express yourself with your comments!! I did try to tell Charlie, I don't believe he cares much for what we have to say. You are great, keep up the good work!!

LB at 5:36PM on May 15th 2007

203. To cw2gator, I almost forgot... I am extremely proud of the men and women of our arm forces!!! I believe you mentioned your son is there and you have served. Well, I admire and respect you very much for that all of those who have and are serving. That's one of the reasons why I wish we were out of there. So many young lives gone, ruined!! For what?? I do not believe that we should have invaded Iraq. I cannot stomach Bush, but when he went to Afghanistan, I supported him along with the rest of us. And it is my opinion that what Bush is doing and has done in the name of "WAR ON TERROR" that's the disgrace. I do not believe that Congress is doing anything against the troops, I think they want this farce to end and they want the troops home!!!

I'll say it one more time. 2008 cannot get here soon enough!!!!

Oh yes, now I may have my facts a bit confused, but.... Hmmm, who was it exactely that help Sadam to Power??? Who sold him weapons to fight against Iran??? Who was it that we sew vidio of shaking hands with Sadam back in the 80's?? Who??? I do not believe that it was Clinton, I could be wrong. After all he is "THE AXIS OF EVIL" and all he ever did was wrong. Hmmm.... who could have helped Sadam back in the 80's.

PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LB at 5:57PM on May 15th 2007

204. LB, I seem to have touched a nerve (sorry for accusing you of a “rant”), and I seem to have you in the belief that I am a GOP supporter of some sort. I grew up the son of a fighter pilot, and have had a long and distinguished carrier in the Army myself. I don’t have the luxury of such open and blatant venom in my regard for my sitting Commander in Chief. I am independent (not independent party) in my views, but generally conservative. As far as they go, I have served under Reagan, G. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush (combat operations under all but Reagan), and the only one that has EVER hung me out without support is Clinton in Somalia. His actions there were directly responsible for the deaths of several of my friends and fellow soldiers and yet he denied it was even happening for 3 days. He also was in office for my time in Bosnia and Kosovo, so I think that pretty much disproves your statement of peace during his administration. Every other president has done everything in their powers to give me all that was asked for or make viable substitutions.

As far as objections to the cuts that Clinton made, they were screamed from the mountain tops and that is one of the reasons that the Congress went back to the Republicans at Clinton’s 4 year mark. Both Clintons, Hillary and Bill, have/had an open disdain for the military and Bill did one heck of a job in bleeding it dry during his terms in office. The prospect of Hillary getting in office and finishing the job at such at time as we might need it is frightening.

You obviously don’t know too many soldiers and I don’t hold that against you. The majority of them are proud of their service over there and don’t want to leave until the mission is done. It isn’t in everyone to serve, and they volunteered and most of them volunteer AGAIN. As far as hospitals to visit, Walter Reed would be a great one to visit. Sorry, but the “shock value” there just doesn’t cut it anymore and you’d find some great people there. When something is found to be wrong, we adapt and overcome.

Basically when it comes down to it, whether you believe in this war or not, it is going on. Iraq is not the war; it is just one of the battlefields. The more successful we are on that battlefield, the less likely we are to have to fight on as many others, and it also lessens the chances of it following us home. I am far more willing to go spend months and years of my life fighting outside of my country to keep terrorism and evil out of my country for people even as ungrateful as so many seem to be if it keeps them and my family safer in the future. All I need is a little support. Sometimes it takes a willingness to make war in order to keep and hold peace.

cw2gator at 8:57PM on May 15th 2007

205. To cw2gator, there you go again with your assumtions regarding me and my believes. Funny I could have said you were the one ranting. Anyway, it is obvious we are never going to see eye to eye on most things. But of all the things you have expresses here, there is one that does bother me (if I'm wrong let me know). It bothers me to take away from your writing that you do not think that I am a great supporter of our troops. I truly am and I appreciate everything these young men and women are doing for our country. I have a very deep respect for the troops!! I also do not see how it is obvious to you who I know or how many soldiers I know or not know. Please, just because we have exchange some words don't think you know me or who I am. I do find it interesting how you choose your responces which one to correct me on and which ones to ignore all together.

Anyway, believe it or not I do support our troops and have tremendous respect. And for you as well.

I never assumend which party you belong to, like or dislike. I only expressed how I feel. I don't care which party you belong to, that is your business. Again one thing I do know as that where we do agree,is how we feel about our country. We only have different ways of displaying that love.

PEACE!!!!

LB at 11:30PM on May 15th 2007

206. LB, assumptions can be very wrong, and I apologize for anything that I have assumed wrong about you and your statements. I corrected the parts that needed correcting and the parts that didn’t, I didn’t. You aren’t entirely wrong and I am sorry if that is the impression I gave you.

Back to the original, beware of Clark, he is untrustworthy. Verify the news from multiple RELIABLE sources. Love this country, and vote your conscience for the consequences have life altering effects.

cw2gator at 1:04AM on May 16th 2007

207. rOCCOcAPUTO, I flew G.W. just before he was President, and coordinated his first European visit when he was President. Compared to most of the people that ever attain that level, he is one the most personable, friendly, and down to earth people I have ever met. Given that I flew Kerry and several other Senators and such, Bush was the only one to ever introduce himself to the crew (officers and enlisted) and thank us for the ride. The other Senators and such couldn't be bothered to even give a greeting.

I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have any problems whatsoever there. It still puzzles me how so many things have become his fault and that he is the only one to blame when so much more fault could be placed where it actually belongs. Not that he hasn't made some serious mistakes, but he has done some great things as well. He just seems a convenient scapegoat for whatever irks the nations.

cw2gator at 11:23AM on May 16th 2007

208. Dear cw2gator,
Well... I'm glad to find out that I am not entirely wrong about everything. What a relief, I feel a burden lifted from my shoulders. Thank you and I do accept your appology. I agree we kind of got off the main subject. I really do not know much about Clark. I will try to get more information on him.

The point is that, I saw the video with Bill O'Reily, and in my opinion Clark did a better job holding his end of the conversation. I thought he looked and sounded far more inteligent than Mr. O'Reily, of course that's probably not saying much. It doesn't help that I find Bill to be a liar, hypocrit and all around dispicable person (wow here I go again with my opinionated self..) Anyway, Bill was the reason I even expressed my thoughts on this blog.

I do try to get information and news from various sources, not just one. I watch the news, I like to read and I love to talk to people on all manner of things. When ever possible I try to listen to different points of view. Or from the two sides of an argument. However, if there is an organization that I refuse to watch is Fox. The times I have watch them, I feel like kicking my TV set, I actually find myself yelling at the poor set. In my opinion,not only are they not fair and balance. They are nothing but little robots for the current administration. I don't think they report the news. When Scooter Libby was found guilty on 4 out of 5 counts, all news organizations reported as such. Fox's report read "Libby innocent on one count". When the scandal with Foley broke out, Fox news reported the story with his picture, name and a "D" next to it. He is a Republican not a Democrat. But Fox felt they needed to report it this way,not once not even twice. They never corrected the "MISTAKE".... ANY and ALL reputable news organization, always correct themselves when they make a mistake. I believe that with the Gonzalez scandal, they reported All NICOLE all the time.

Do you think they made a mistake???? I think they are insulting to their viewers. But, that's only my opinion.

As for voting. I have not made up my mind yet. I need to see, hear, and learn more about the candidates. I have tried to keep up with all the candidates, D and R's. Voting is something I take very seriously!! I know who I don't care for, and could not in good conscience ever vote for those individuals. But, I still have a lot to learn from the rest.

It's been interesting cw2gator. I hope and pray your son comes home to you real soon!!!!!!!!!!!

PEACE!!!

LB at 2:39PM on May 16th 2007

209. You nerds love to invoke the McCarthyism fact as if you know what you are talking about. When the KGB opened their files after the Cold War, did you learn that the Hollywood jews were, in fact, getting their orders from the Kremlin.And you clowns love to also remind people of Watergate. When actually beyond the term Watergate,most of you clowns don't even know what happened. The Democratic party admitted they bugged the Republicans for years. Is that as bad as Sandy Berger stuffing classified papers in his shorts and socks? Or tyhe massacre at Waco? That was a Wesley command ,slaughtering innocent women and children. The lesbian Attorney General was handpicked by the bisexual Hillary. All we know is she had sex with Clinton once. Chelsea could only be the product of those two clowns. Where the hell were you liberals hiding when I was in the Marine Corps. Probably student deferred, as all you jerks know how to use a computer,while the men were learning how to use the M-I rifle. You disgust me. Semper Fi.

bigmac at 7:24PM on May 16th 2007

210. #209, I think you need a chill pill!!! Student deferred that is not probably but fact are, Rove, Cheney and most of the nuts that wanted this war.
Take a chill pill or better yet you should make it two or three.
Dude man you are a little bit out there. Not to mentioned that you are rather rude not to mentioned crude. I bet if you smiled a little bit you would calm down some.

ARG at 8:39PM on May 16th 2007