Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

hoo wooed first?

if mr O doesnt get the healf care bill passed with the right stuff, I dont think the anti-war stance will be worth much, especially if the war is still warring about the same as now......

With more than half of the people in the war zone being supplied by contractors rather than the miliary, and the military stretched thin with falling enlistments kept increasing only by the recession, how can he pull anyone out now? There just aren't that many people willing to volunteer to be cannon fodder for a lost cause.

If Obama wimps out on us he won't ever have the chance to string us along another four years with promises & change. Our faith will have to go elsewhere.

Salon Article on The Subject: Afghanistan By The Numbers

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/09/14/afghanistan/index.html

Patd: wins the woo woo award for today. You get to spend a night in the Lincoln bedroom.

re: Afghanistan. So far, Obama has no strategy except "send more troops." This is how the Vietnam War began.

"re: Afghanistan. So far, Obama has no strategy except "send more troops." This is how the Vietnam War began." Nash

How JFK of him.

mornin'

Yes, Craig, anti-war president - almost a contradiction in terms. Of course there are those war loving ones like Reagan - who can forget the war in Grenada? What was that about again? The right of American students who can't get into real American medical schools in America to become MDs - in loud shirts? Weird, no? And then there was GHWB - at least there was a reason to go to Kuait, then Iraq - to prevent destabilization of global oil markets or something like that. And GWB - well...

pogo: I admire GHW Bush's restraint. He didn't try to occupy Iraq. Unlike his dimwit son and now Obama, he realized that trying to "occupy and pacify" a thrid world nation is a lot harder than it looks.

As I've noted before, why can't we give the military a break and invade a "fun" country, like Jamaica? Our troops would be welcomed, not with flowers, but with cigar-sized joints and bottles of Rum. Instead of going out on patrols and facing IEDs, they could lie on the beach all day. The worst problems they'd have to deal with would be sunburns and STDs.

"Hey, mon. We surrender, don't you know."

wrong war...we need him on the front lines of health care.

Personally, I am done with debating...my bag of loss is too heavy (although I think I could muster the strength to hit Cheney over the head with it!). I am formulating my own plan to get out of thie personal quagmire with the insurance industry. I have asked for help from my representatives and my Senator (one of the six) took money from the health/pharma industry and sent form letters touting public option. He gets it both ways and I get nothing. Time to move on to something else...these guys just keep asking for donations.

If we were to pull our forces back from the middle east & stop supporting certain countries would that truly return us to peace time? I doubt it I don't think these people believe we can coexist.

Nash, you get the pres to adopt that appraoch and I may just enlist.

Once we are in a war I think Presidents should stay away from tactical decisions, other than to approve them if they fit into the strategic planning he has developed. IOW, shut up, listen, decide whether the tactical decisions advance the strategic aims and either approve or reject the proposal. And there are about 3 choices for those strategic decisions - ramp up, cut back or get out. And for god's sake don't occupy the other country.

50 Richest Congress Critters

http://innovation.cqpolitics.com/cq-rollcall/richest_members_of_congress_2008

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/09/beware-antiwar-presidents.html#comment-260019

Which of course justifies our "anticipatory defense initiatives" throughout the middle east and southeast asia for the past 60 years.

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/decriminalizing-drugs-in-mexico/

Now how did they get that picture of my old beetle? Nash, maybe Mexico should be on the short list of countries to invade and make an expansion of US territory - we could accomplish so many goals by doing that - Mexican Stratocasters would be made in USA, we could forget the southern border - it wouldn't exist any more, and there's that pot thing.

Is it something I said? Is there a new thread? Helloooooo out there....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/12/tea-party-protester-we-th_n_284701.html

The new face of the Repugs. You guys should be proud.

Radiohead- Paranoid Android
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF8khJ7P4Wg

...sorry. Your generation got the Beatles, mine got Radiohead.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/09/beware-antiwar-presidents.html#comment-260015

Oh yeah NewPogo. Reagan who negotiated the end of the Cold War is a war President because of Grenada. Good one.

Can't tell from your remarks if you even advocated for the first Gulf War. And I suppose you were against routing the Taliban and AQ after 9/11? Did you object to the 2500 American troops that did that with Northern Alliance help, or did you advocate sending many more to the "central front for the war on man-made disasters?

It should be clear that I was on the right predictive path when I claimed last summer:

1. Obama's Afghanistan strategy was political opportunitism to show toughness against Hillary and not well thought-out policy.

2. Obama was just kidding when he threatened Iran from Iowa during the primary the day Iran launched a few test missiles. This was yet another example of Obama talking tough while pulling the rug from sanctions which a year ago would have been more effective than lame attempts now. He has hardly been honest to Americans about what he knows of Iranian nuclear program.

3. Gestures to Syria would fail as Syria now is being accused by Iraq from aiding attackers and in Lebanon aiding Hizb'Allah to rearm.

4. Gestures to SA would fail on deaf ears as Chavez plans 2 billion in new Russian arms including s-300 defense systems and missiles which can easily move to other countries. Chavez also openly declares he will build a nuclear program with Iranaian and Russian help.

5. I predicted Obama would cut defense and limit missile defense despite the magic trick of making it appear he was increasing funding because of the addition of Iran and Afghanistan campaigns to totals.

6. Best friend of Israel? He still enjoysd below 10% favorablity in Israel.

7. I do note Obama's sensitivity about the "liar" claim, but given his policies now and what he implied about Hillary during the primary, I can't understand his double standard. I gues Obama feels the claim of "liar" needs to be a bit indirect, like, "not telling the truth", or "we need a leader who is honest with the American people". Gee a Presdient with a feel for nuance..........

And the "new" face of the Democrats? Rangel, Duval, Pelosi, Reid.......

And let's not forget a
liberal" shot and killed an antiabortion protester. Seems the new face of Congress doesn't earn more than 35% praise.

We got Beetles and the Beatles, to say nothing of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan ..... And thanks to our kids, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Michael Angelo Batia, Buckethead .... and Radiohead. I think we did OK.

"And let's not forget a
liberal" shot and killed an antiabortion protester."

Posted by: maxtrue Author Profile Page | September 14, 2009 10:06 AM

Do you have any quotes from the shooter to back that up, Max? I've seen or heard none that would support your assertion.

Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com Author Profile Page | September 14, 2009 10:07 AM

Really? You can actually sit down and listen to Satriani and Vai? To me they are like elevator music with electric guitars.

Reagan, the man whose reputation for negoitiating the end of the cold war has been aggrandized by conservatives who fail to understand that the economic forces in the Soviet Union led to its demise much moreso than its fear of our military buildup. Did I advocte for the first Gulf war? Nope, but I did accept it as a legitimate exercise of military power, unlike the vast majority of the second one. As to AQ & the Taliban, I supported that right up to the point that we left that war to go on a crusade against Sadam. Now it's just stupid and pointless.

And don't expect me to get into your personal obsession with Iran and Venezuela.

Comparing 30,000 nearly absolutely ignorant astroturfers to Congress is just ridiculous. And I ain't defending Congress. Oh, I forgot Wilson, sorry.

Gotta run to the doc. later.

Listening to Craig right now on the replay, It states Friday September 11th but it's today's show.

http://www.imus.com/home/home_2009_1_14.guest.html

NewPogo, had Democrats been in charge are you really saying their defense Bills and pressure would have made Russia blink. Your reasoning for the collapse of the Soviet Empire is typical of those who just say Communism Fell to the Strength of Capitalism........and even that says something loud and clear to the new Left. And I rather doubt you would say that Afghanistan had nothing to do with it.

As for Afghanistan you did not answer the question about troop strength. If you did not advocate more soldiers you can hardly make the claim now that Bush dropped the ball. You want security, but I have yet to read many liberals who advocated for more troops in Afghanistan or Iraq during the Bush years. In fact, Bush did increase numbers in Afghanistan so ny your track record you haven't begun to explain how Bush dropped the ball. Typical new Liberal "wanting it both ways".

Yeah, Iran and Chavez are just my obsessions. I guess your reaction time is based on what is happening in your backyard. Seems we have gotten into a few world wars because of our indifference. You completely ignore my point, but then you seem to have no problem with Obama's campaign promises as opposed to the truth. Obama has done aboslutely nothing to decrease the chance of an Iranian bomb or counter Chavez's influence in Latin America.

Huffpo says Pelosi is taking money from health insurance lobbyists and is now saying that the "public option" is not essential.

Change the party's name to "Democ-RATS."

"Following the Nixon example, will we see Obama run for reelection on the promise of getting our troops out of Iraq?"

Craig, I'm not sure what to take away with me on today's post. Are you thinking what I'm thinking: That we believe whatever we want to hear. Or is it, we just have short memories.

It's a sad state in politics, when we justify our vote by saying anythings better than the 'other guy'. I guess the ol' 'take what you can get' holds true. (hey, I guess I should add that to the list in my first paragraph)

Now I'm not quite sure why we need a poll to tell us this:
AP Poll: A year later, worries linger on economy http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090914/ap_on_bi_ge/us_meltdown_ap_poll

and I didn't quite realize this guy was still in jail:
Iraqi shoe thrower's release from jail delayed http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090914/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_shoe_thrower

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/09/prosecutor_antiabortion_protes.asp

I have heard several reports that the murderer did not like the protester's "political" views. It is not a stretch to infer the killer was pro-abortion and thus not likely a Republican, yes?

Pelosi is a liar and I don't have to be in Congress to say this. Want to see some sordid facts? Go to Judicial watch and review Fienstein and Boxer....

Pelosi said once that she didn't care if Americans want more drilling. Not on her watch. And she knew damn well about what the CIA was up to. Her incompetence is quite obvious......

New Demcratic Party fund raising TV ad...

"Hi. We're the Democrats. We need your help because we only get 90% of our money from lobbyists."

"The Democratic party has always been there for working families. Whatever you need, we always have a speech ready to promise it to you. Of course, politics is COMPLICATED so we have to make pragmatic deals to get anything done."

"This means that we sell you out to corporate interests every chance we get, but, unlike the Republicans, we feel GUILTY about it."

"So send us your cash and don't forget to vote for us, because we need to pretend that elections still matter. (If they didn't, we'd all be replaced by mid-level corporate managers.)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/09/beware-antiwar-presidents.html#comment-260039

Nash, Do you happen to have a link to that. It seems like an awfully important story, if it's true. (you're not kidding, are you?)

"This means that we sell you out to corporate interests every chance we get, but, unlike the Republicans, we feel GUILTY about it."

LOL Nash. Well, at least their hearts in the right place.

Nixon vs Obama? Actually, Obama is Lyndon Johnson.

Attacked from the left wing of his own party, facing a primary challenge, he says he will not run for re-election in 2012. His loser suck-up VP (Humphrey) runs and is defeated by Nixon.

So, in 2012 Biden gets defeated by the Republican challenger who promises peace but keeps the Iraq & Afgahanistan wars going for 6 more years, until he or she resigns in the face of impeachment for trying to subvert the constitution.

Deja vu all over again.

"Her incompetence is quite obvious......"

Are you sure it's incompetence Max? Maybe she does accomplishe what 'she' (or someone else) wants to accomplish. I'm starting to see that these politicians lead double lives. The one they show us, and the one that includes what they really think and do, all behind close doors. If we had that transparency that Obama promised us, that wouldn't be happening. Maybe it would be better if they argued in the open like the UK does. You know those fights and name calling goes on all the time. If we don't hear everything that's going on then we're always left in the dark.

chloe: I wasn't kidding.

Pelosi sells out ot the health insurance lobbyists.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/unitedhealth-lobbyist-ann_b_284442.html

It is not a stretch to infer the killer was pro-abortion and thus not likely a Republican, yes?

Posted by: maxtrue http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/09/beware-antiwar-presidents.html#comment-260042

An assumption by any other name is still an assumption.

Thanks Nash, a very description of the sequence of events, too:

"The sequencing here is important: Pelosi makes her announcement and then just hours later, the fundraising invitation goes out. Coincidental? I'm guessing no -- these things rarely ever are.

I wrote a book a few years ago called Hostile Takeover whose premise was that corruption and legalized bribery has become so widespread that nobody in Washington even tries to hide it. This is about as good an example of that truism as I've ever seen."

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/09/beware-antiwar-presidents.html#comment-260041

Actually that's the comment to which I was responding... just followin' orders.

Pelosi will change her mind about the Afghan war also, as soon as she gets enough cash from defense contractors.

"...and there's a lot of good money to be made,
supplying the Army with the tools of the trade..."
-Country Joe & The Fish, at Woodstock ('68)
(Some things never change.)

Thought for the day :
" Show affection, it will probably meet with pleasant response. "

Anti-abortionists blow up abortion clinics and kill doctors, nurses, and patients.

Why should they be exempt from the mayhem?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/09/beware-antiwar-presidents.html#comment-260054

Well then, we're right back where we started. Solar is right, when he says big business owns us. If they own our most powerful politicians, then they own us too.

Then there's this:
Banking problems worse worse than before Lehman Crash.
Economist Joseph Stiglitz: The too-big-to-fail Banks have become even bigger...“The problems are worse than they were in 2007 before the crisis.” http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a7UTn7JFw1qk

1849 Ivan Pavlov Russia, physiologist/pioneer in psychology
1867 Charles Dana Gibson illustrator, drew "Gibson Girl"
1879 Margaret Sanger feminist/nurse/birth control proponent
1908 Clayton Moore Chicago Ill, actor (Lone Ranger)
1938 Walter Koenig Chicago Ill, actor (Checkov-Star Trek)
1944 Joey Heatherton Rockville Center NY, dancer/actress (Bluebeard)
1947 Jon "Bowser" Bauman Queens NY, singer (Sha Na Na)

1812 Napoleon occupies Moscow
1814 Francis Scott Key inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner"
1847 US troops under General Scott enter Mexico City
1886 George K Anderson of Memphis, Tennessee patents typewriter ribbon
1899 Henry Bliss becomes 1st automobile fatality (NY)
1938 Graf Zeppelin II, world's largest airship, makes maiden flight
1940 Congress passes 1st peace-time conscription bill (draft law)
1965 "F-Troop" premiers

If you thought Bush was bad, wait until you see what kind of paranoid, racist, loonie we nominate for president in 2012.
-The Republican Base
(50/50 shot they'll win, too.)

Craig,

The Iraq war will be a non story...

If the current racial climate continues, he will try to curry favor with the Right Wing by working to have the Roberts court to restore Plessy vs. Ferguson and the Dred Scot decisions and getting Brown vs. Board of Education tossed.

c-bob:
* Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
* Henry Bliss, first auto fatality, was probably not
wearing a seatbelt.
* Graf Zepplin II was definitely their best album.

Posted by: Nash2.0 Author Profile Page | September 14, 2009 12:08 PM

Well, you know shit's going the wrong way when even the Liberals are blood-thirsty. I'm going to look into cryogenics and ride it out.

...there are going to be some great deals on real-estate in post-apocalyptic America.

My greatest fear is that there will be an attempt at this president's life. This anger from the right and their lack of respect for a president in his first year without any regards to what he inherited are laughable.

Can you imagine what 2001 would have been like had the left treated Bush like this? I'd hate to see what would have happened after 9/11 in this current climate.

All I know is if an assassin has any ties to a 9/12 group, the civil war that the Russian Analyst predicted last year will happen and it will happen fast...I don't think the right wing wackos realize that liberals love guns too...

This undated booking photo released by the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office via the Argus-Press shows Harlan Drake. A Michigan prosecutor says Drake has been charged in the shooting deaths of an anti-abortion activist and a business owner and that he planned to kill a third man.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gs85ZcvkuS2Kgd4tuOwBy6YFaQBAD9ALTRUG0

Joke going around the inet :

The American Medical Association has weighed in on National Health Insurance. The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves. The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve. The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception. Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted. Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Pediatricians said, 'Oh, Grow up!' The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it. Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing. The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter." The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea. The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no. In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the a--holes in Washington

Napalming the poppy fields to get rid of their cash crop? We didn't learn anything from the Soviet debacle in Afghanistan, so why not repeat Viet Nam, too?

Gov. Rick Perry isn't the only successionist noise machine. Medina is running against him in the primary, hoping to use the tea parties to boost her over Rick and KB Hutichinson...but making the same over-the-top remarks. Only Dem with any cache is Kinky F.

Kanye & Joe Wilson should go get a room.

"In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the a--holes in Washington "

Great!!, XRepub! LOL (very clever)

Sept 21st (next Monday)

http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/welcome

From maxtrue @ 10:03 : "Reagan who negotiated the end of the Cold War is a war President because of Grenada. Good one."

Grenada, a country w/o an army, whose Minister of Xchecker had just assasinated the Prime Minister & the rest of the cabinet. A country the size and pop of Duluth, MN. We could have sent in the NYPD.

No, reagan was a war president on the basis of his invasion of, and military defeat in Lebanon. Idiot General F. X. Kelly, commanding.

NEW THREAD

Beware anti-war presidents. Germans blew up buildings on the East Coast and sank American ships during Wilson's Administration. Still, he was the peace president - although the army was in Mexico, looking to battle Pancho Villa. Wisely, Villa eluded the US Army, and we got into a fire fight with the soldiers of our ally, Venustiano Caranza.

In 1917 the British intercepted and decoded the Zimmermann telegram, a telegram regarding Germany's intention to ally with Mexico and attack the US. The British government gave that information to the US, and only then did Wilson request a declaration of war from Congress. Thus the Great War in Europe came to a peaceable Dem Administration through the back door of Mexico.

WWII also came to a peaceable Dem Aministration through the back door.