Pete Stark came out last week and made a strong statement against the Iraq War, the President and the Republicans in Congress (you can watch that here). So, immediately the Republicans attacked -- because that's what they do. And immediately the Democrats caved in -- because that's what they do. Nancy Pelosi, instead of rebuking the president for getting our kids killed in Iraq, rebuked her own party member for having the courage to stand up to the president.
So, what happened this week? Rep. Stark came out and ... apologized! It's pathetic. The Democrats wouldn't recognize a spine if they got smacked upside the head with one. Here is the sad unmanning of poor Pete Stark:
When the Democrats tried a similar rhetorical trick on the Republicans and tried to get them to condemn Rush Limbaugh for calling troops who disagreed with him "phony soldiers," you know how Republicans reacted? Instead of voting to condemn Limbaugh, they tried to introduce a resolution commending him. That's how you fight back.
I think the current Republicans are radicals, extremists and warmongers. They are a danger to this country and to this world. But at least I respect them. I give the devil his due. On the other hand, it is impossible to rally around the stomach-churning weakness of the Democrats.
Our founders have set up an excellent democratic system. This is what primaries are for. I wouldn't vote for a Republican on the national level now if you put a gun to my head. But I can't stomach voting for these wavering, vacillating, weaklings that are the current Democrats. But that's why we have primaries! Nearly every one of these Democrats in Congress should have primary fights on their hands. We should have a citizen rebellion. Enough is enough. We have to replace them all.
I don't need the primary candidates to be more liberal or more progressive. I am a centrist, with fairly conservative economic beliefs. I just need the candidates to be STRONGER. Please give us some people who will not cower in the face of petty tyranny and schoolyard intimidation tactics. I just want someone to represent me that has a brain AND a spine. That shouldn't be too much to ask for.
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Another Pathetic Democratic Apology
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 5)
1. Absolutely Chickenshit.
In case the chickenhearts at the DNC missed it - Obama's fall from competitiveness exactly coincides with his chickening out on the Petreus resolution and mumble words about "bipartisanship".
You don't make peace with a rabid dog - you kill it.
And any elected Dem who doesn't understand that better start making a reservation for post political life in the Peace Corps...
Because having Rethuglys in charge is a lot less revoling than the pathetic scenario of Dems kissing Rethugly ass and stabbing the voters in the back.
BT at 12:37PM on Oct 24th 2007
2. When I saw Rep. Pete Stark apologize, I was sick. I know he was browbeaten and along with veiled threats caved.
My Rep., Rep. Patrick Murphy, although his votes are always true to his citizens wishes, he never said anything. I received an email yesterday with a video from the floor of the House with him telling the Administration, this war must end and it must end, NOW. If he even thinks about friggin'apologizing, I will never vote for him again, I will still call and email him as I do everyday, I hound these Reps., Senator's and the Administration(yeah, they got the message), I will continue to protest in a peaceful manner albeit white supremicists, racists, and down right disturbed individuals are screaming in our faces, but I am able to speak quietly in Turkish or French, Spanish, all the while I am vilifying them, it still sounds sweet, though. I will continue to sign and circulate petitions, I will continue to hound recruitment offices until they tell possible new victims of the military are told the truth about what is going to happen to them after they join. I will not stop, I refuse to stop, I REFUSE. As a citizen these are my rights an dno one can have them, reason is, I am still using them.
People better open their eyes and take a look at what is happening here and in the world, truly understand the ramifications of the turmoil and open their mouths.
On a computer they have alot to say, take it to the people and places where you have a RIGHT AS A CITIZEN to say what you think.
If we keep acting like drones it will all be gone, and when that happens, those of you who have done nothing deserve whatever havoc is wrought.
rhodalee at 12:49PM on Oct 24th 2007
3. Too bad he caved instead of following your advice and rephrasing the last few word from Bush's amusement to Bush's legacy
alan at 1:09PM on Oct 24th 2007
4. ""Pete Stark came out last week and made a strong statement against the Iraq War..""
Pete Stark aplogized for suggesting President Bush was sending troops to Iraq to get their "heads blown off for his amusement."
US troops heads blown off for his (Bush's) amusement...
I can see you saying that, Moveon.Org and Media Matters, but a person who freely walks the halls of the United States Congress?
Hopefully, Pete Stark will be out of a job soon. This will give Air America the opportunity to add yet another knucklehead to their staff.
willet at 1:37PM on Oct 24th 2007
5. It was wrong for him to say what he said and he knows it because he apologised. I am a Republician and support our President but I, as I'm sure the President has, accept this mans apology be it sincere or not.
Mary at 1:37PM on Oct 24th 2007
6. Thank you rhodalee for including a moment of self-description in your long obnoxious rant.
"down right disturbed individual"
jrae at 1:38PM on Oct 24th 2007
7. I demand that Fortney Stark retract his apology...It's only when they're popping off that the publc can see what these jackasses truly think before they are fettered by their leaders who know it drives decent, reasonable people away from them in droves.
By the way...who is Chink and how did he get a blog on AOL? Never heard of 'im.
twann9852 at 1:47PM on Oct 24th 2007
8. Fortney Stark has much to apologize for in his despicable career....in addition to this crap he should kneel down and apologize for:
October 2004: In favor of Charlie Rangel's proposal to reinstate the draft (a proposal so preposterous that Rangel himself voted against it.)
July 2006: Against a nonbinding resolution condemning terrorist attacks against Israel.
December 2006: Against a nonbinding resolution criticizing a French city for naming a street in honor of the man who murdered Philadelphia policeman Danny Faulkner.
Who keeps returning this despicable cretin to Congress? Who is Cink and how did he get a blog on AOL? The world wants to know.
twann9852 at 1:50PM on Oct 24th 2007
9. Hi twann9852, No one has ever heard of Cenk because he is on Air America.
jrae at 1:51PM on Oct 24th 2007
10. No democrat needs to apologize for anything until Bush & Cheney apologize for lying to Congress & the American people about WMD in Iraq.
for political commentary, check out my blog:
http://www.politidose.com/
Patrick at 2:05PM on Oct 24th 2007
11. Forget this "never heard of him before" no body...I'm waiting for the fires in California to be called "Bushs fault"...the fires wouldnt be happening if the troops werent in Iraq! (Even tho there are thousands of troops right there at Camp Pendelton to help out if need be and the winds cooperate) Oh no, its "global warming" that caused the fires and the floods to come!! (even tho the enviromental wackos wont allow for the underbrush, a lethal tinder box, to be cleared out, which causes the fires to be bigger and more deadly) The Dems will politize this "natural disaster" to these meet their adgendas...Just watch...and listen...
Max at 2:07PM on Oct 24th 2007
12. Pete Stark has had a distinguished career in Congress, particularly with reference to health issues. He does not walk on water by any means, and his intemperate comment about the President having troops killed "for his entertainment" was totally out of bounds, unfair, and undoubtedly without any basis in fact. For that, as any decent person would, he has apologized. I am quite sure that, when he recovered his composure, he truly regretted such an intemperate comment - but he, like 99% of the rest of us, is not immune from making mistakes. He did not apologize for his call to withdraw from Iraq, which he had a perfect right to advocate; he just apologized for his intemperate remarks. That does not make him a coward, or a wimp. Sincere apology for one's own mistake is to be applauded, not condemned. David K. Leavitt
David Keene Leavitt at 2:12PM on Oct 24th 2007
13. This really pisses me off. An apology is a sign of weakness. It says that you lack the conviction of your words. Has Bush ever apologized for taking us to war to begin with? No, and he won't because it would be admitting he was wrong and then people will look at all the decisions he has made and say he must have been wrong then too. Going to Iraq= big mistake. Going into Afganistan= good idea. At least that is what I think.
Bottom line, Stark's comment was a little over the top but he was only saying what most of America is thinking and he shouldn't have apologized for representing us. Period.
Brad at 2:15PM on Oct 24th 2007
14. Probably the only thing I agree with is your feelings that no one in either party is worth 2 cents. That said, Stark is an embarrassment and should resign immediately. I don't have a problem from anyone of either party arguing their position but when debate is reduced to insults and name calling it crosses the line and reflects poorly on the intelligence of the person. Stark has done this sort of thing several times in the past as have other liberals when it comes to their republican conterparts. Statesmanship in this country is truly dead.
Don at 3:11PM on Oct 24th 2007
15. I see the spineless piles of democrap just confirmed another Dimwit Judicial appointee - Southwick.
And they want my vote and money?
Screw 'em!
BT at 3:15PM on Oct 24th 2007