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Buzz — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:27:34 GMT

Chuck, Mark, et.al.- "Will McCain be uttering the name "Bush" in frustration for years to come?" Won't we ALL?

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GONZO-GATE — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:28:16 GMT

WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY ALL TALKING ABOUT ?

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Desmond — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:34:22 GMT

When the President enede his speech in Ohio yesterday he used the phrase "I gotta hop". After the November ')6 elections, he said his party got a thumpin'. Maybe he has been reading the fable about the Tortoise and the Hare.

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GONZO-GATE — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:36:42 GMT

558 more days left of the Bush "disaster" or "impeach" him ? All in favor of "immediate" impeachment proceedings, please say "I". My garage is still available to hold the hearings, if they have no room left in D.C.. I just have to move the lawnmower out and a few other items.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:39:24 GMT

LOL I imagine McCain will turn jokeresque and say "My pain has a name, it's (whomever he is mad at). He has plenty to be mad at but he has only himself to blame. Out of all the people who have had an affair lately, I still think the mayor of los angeles got the best deal. Some people you just watch them take a political career (Clinton, Haslett, Hart, Foley, Rostinkowski,Newt) and flush it down the toilet due to scandal. I don't see how any republican can win in Louisiana anyway, the democrats are pretty much entrenched and people don't care if they screwed up new Orleans or not(or all of Louisiana for that matter).

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matt — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:40:44 GMT

McCain likes the role of scrappy underdog, so maybe his current position is just where he wants his campaign. It's a thought.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

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H P Boston — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:48:47 GMT

Rudy and McJohnny do not have a snowballs chance in hell!
Rudy is dirty, dirty, dirty, and McJohnny is past his time for the presidency.
The shrubbery is infested with bush fungus.

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GONZO-GATE JUST WILL NOT GO AWAY — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:53:09 GMT

I EVOKE "EXECUTIVE PRIVILAGES" NOT TO TAKE OUT MY GARBAGE, NOT TO RETURN PHONE CALLS, NOT TO EAT AT MC DONALDS, NOT TO LISTEN TO ANYMORE OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION CRAP ! I DO!

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John B, Des Moines, IA — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:59:31 GMT

Why wouldn't reaction to Vitter be "ick"? His whole political career is based on being a "family values" candidate. When his wife was asked how she would respond to infidelity she thought Lorena Bobbitt had the right idea. He's not what he presents himself to be.

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Ravine Force, Kissimmee, FL — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:10:34 GMT

What bothers me the most of all of the news reported today is that Rudy is being "swift boated" by the firefighters. To make myself perfectly clear, the firefighters have every right to express their thoughts against Rudy, it bothers me that swift boats have become a negative connotation. The Ravine Force was swift and deadly. We had a few bad apples that attacked Kerry unjustly, that's their shame. All of us shouldn't have to carry it for them.

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KARL ROVE...Gonzo Gate — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:12:28 GMT

WHERE DID I LEAVE THEM 5,000,000 E-MAILS ?

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leon — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:14:01 GMT

Hey Jerry, you're behind the times. La. has become staunch republican state with Landreau in deep trouble of not being re-elected.Almost as republican as Texas.I do not know how the Vitter situation will play out. He should resign because prostitution is a crime but in La. anything is possible.
By the way, bush has crippled our military(the greatest in the history of the world) and it will take more than a generation to recover. Maybe Guilani or Mccain(I know he has his troubles) can rebuild it but its bush's ignorance that I loathe.

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Ollie frenchburg ky — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:26:51 GMT

McCain lost when he joined the 29%. He was not smart enough to distance himself from bush. He is not smart enough to run for president.

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George, Karl,Alberto,Harriett and the "Gang" — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:30:05 GMT

Yes they call it stonewalling. Gonzo-gate.

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Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:33:18 GMT

First Read guys--Common usage of the "swift boat" metaphor infers
"a strong pejorative description of some kind of attack that the speaker considers unfair--for example, an ad hominem attack or a smear campaign." (Wikipedia)
So are you reporting that he is in fact being lied about by the fire fighters or are you reporting that his position is that he is being lied about. Not trying to be over sensitive here but the press has an obligation to be precise if it is striving to be impartial. The way you guys say things is very important because when repeated again and again the perception becomes the "fact". Ask Karl Rove or BillO.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:34:31 GMT

I can imagine them being Republican after what Ray nagin did to the City of New Orleans....

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Jeff Mann, Calera, AL. — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:38:37 GMT

It's obvious that John McCain's "base" was never the religious right, but rather the more secular side of the Republican party, whose priorities are sound economics, a strong military and straight talk. He ditched this base to pander to the religious right to no avail.
He made me scratch my head over tax cuts, lost me over Jerry Falwell, who could not help him now anyway, and the Terry Schiavo case, and confirmed with his immigration stance that we can't afford to elect him.
I doubt he can be reelected to another Arizona senate term.
We are grateful for his service, but his time is past.

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Gonzo Rove — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:40:17 GMT

It amazes me to see the pathetic state of things in the Federal govt. I hope the mess the monkey has made will be buried with haste. But he did get his cowboys in Dallas the dollars for oil they need for the dollies. We'll just have to wait out this Texan Tazmanian Devil. Hide your Ass sets the best you can. I know my sons will never be chumps for the gambling chimp.

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Gonzo Rove, New Orleans, La. — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:41:46 GMT

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John B, Des Moines, IA — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:43:40 GMT

Gary Schear, that's an excellent point. It's only correct to call it "Swift Boating" if it isn't true. Ravine Force, so true that it was a few bad apples that went on the partisan attack. I think the vast majority of Americans understand that, particularly in that Kerry and all those with him on the day in question are genuine military heroes.

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Your buddies George and Karl — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:47:40 GMT

HELLO, FROM "GONZO GATE". YES WE HAVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOOLED. THEY ARE TO BUSY WORKING TO PAYING FOR THAT HUGE GASOLINE PRICE INCREASE, THAT THEY WILL FORGET ALL ABOUT US.WAY TO GO DICKIE BOY !

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View from TX, Fort Worth — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:48:22 GMT

Some how I do not believe that the our Forming Fathers met that executive privilege for the President could reach out into the private sector and stop our Congress from asking questions from a person not employed by the White House.
This is nothing more than that the ego of a man trying to protect his friends of wrong doing or even himself.
How can this Congress allow this to be done to our System?
How can the Republican Party be part of such doings?
How can the American People put up with this?

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HOT DAM — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:49:15 GMT

jerry/cc "I can imagine"
YOU have no imagination! You are simply delusional!

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Scott in South Texas — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:52:20 GMT

I know what you mean, Ravine. While the misguided malevolence of a few unfairly reflect on the majority of Ravine Force veterens, every now and then another Texan will say or do something resulting in unfair generalization about many other Texans.

leon, I don't think Vitter has to worry, maybe the evidence won't stand up in court.

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H P Boston — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:54:30 GMT

Glad you caught that John B and Gary...It is an error to say the firefighters are lying.
Bet it gets the rebugs all in a sweat..take them time to figure it out. Will more than likly work to our advantage as they try to spin it.

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CJ — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:56:14 GMT

John that's true but the smear did work at the time..I think the electorate is gullable enough to fall for the same tactics again(GW re-election as proof). IMO McCain is dead in the water...he should've followed his political instincts but he decided to cow-tow to the establishment instead. I'm not saying it to be snide, but it was a real bonafide mistake for him to make. The GOP establishment has quickly crumbled in the public eye and it is peculiar that anyone advising him didn't see the trends sooner. Esp after the 2006 elections. Right now both parties are searching for a message and rebuilding and McCain prior to 2005 would have been the right candidate to fill that void.

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View From TX, Fort Worth — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:57:48 GMT

Back in January of ‘06, when McCain was standing on his own two feet, he looked very good as possible President. But in November, when he started working for Mr. Bush to help in the mid term elections, he fell off the screen. And now when he still wants to play the Iraq card to try and win the elections in ‘08 the screen is not even on.
Mr. McCain has killed himself for Presidency and maybe even to try and get himself re-elected in his home state.
Mr. McCain, you might have been a good President.

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:58:47 GMT

Kerry was toast from the beginning. The left wing of the democratic tried to bring down President Bush so hard that it cost a good newsman his career (Rather), and people got tired of all the attacking and voted for President Bush. And i still have a picture on my computer of John Kerry at NASA, dressed like a giant ooompa-loompa in all white and I thought to myself" nah, not this guy". That and kerry had a hell of a time trying to explain what he did in Vietnam and throwing his medals over the whitehouse fence (later found to be fake, but the liberal press ate it up). I think the subject today is 2007. Kerry was the wrong person at the wrong time for the libs.

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Jenny Malay, Red Wing MN — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:20:30 GMT

McCains support among Reps was fragile before he supported the Immigration reform bill. That coupled with, Campaign Finance reform, playing footsy with Kerry for the VP position last time around, and being the maverick Senator were just too much to put up with.

leon writes: "By the way, bush has crippled our military(the greatest in the history of the world) and it will take more than a generation to recover."

Really? A generation? Why do you think that?

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Desmond — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:35:00 GMT

So let me understand this latest terror news. When Great Britian had a terror threat on June 29th, we were told not to worry, no al-Queda, fly away. Now that 4th of July is over, we are told start worrying, may be another attack. Just in time. Congress and the President wil be out of town next month.Sounds eeeriely familiar to me. Did we get bin Laden yet? I thought the war in Iraq was suppose to make us safer.What a bunch of horse manure.

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Frank "Grimey" Grimes, Springfield, USA — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:37:13 GMT

Let me preface this by saying that I haven't made up my mind on who I'll be voting for next year. So I'm not a plant for anyone's campaign. But, why is it that several people have basically made the comment that Swift Boat Veterans for Truth were liars when they attacked a Dem, but the Firefighters are obviously telling the truth since they are attacking a Rep? Both groups had political motivations. The firefighters union was one of the first to endorse Kerry in 2004. It is clearly a Dem leaning group, as are most unions. Nothing wrong with that. But, like the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (I think that was their name), they seem politically motivated.

I do agree that the SBVFT group was certainly not representative of all swift boat operators.

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Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:53:43 GMT

Ravine Force - and the Watergate is a really nice hotel, too. I'm sure there are lots of Monica's out there a little irritated their name is synonamous with oral sex. I feel for ya, but what can anybody do?

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Gary Schear, bozeman Montana — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:58:36 GMT

Frank--I agree. I think that the reporters should check facts and report on the veracity of the Fire fighters claims. Instead they chose to label the firefighters "swift boaters" which carries the connotation that they are lying to hurt Rudy. The SBVFT claims have been fact checked and found wanting. Do it yourself. WWW.factcheck.org
The Pentagon has refuted SBVFT and stands by the original action reports. The men under his command refuted SBVFT and the Green Beret he went back for and pulled out of the water SBVFT them. It doesn't matter though because people who want to believe it will. That's what Rove has taught us.

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Bob. Lipsett Sr North Attlebotro, MA.02760-4388 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:15:01 GMT

What War are we talking about? If illegally invading a sovereign nation which is poorest, weakest, defenseless and the most contained nation in the Middle East and call it a war only to occupy the Middle East. Germany tried this in Europe in '39.

I fail to see just why the Judy Miller Stories in the NYTimes legitimized this illegal invasion on unsubstantuated information by the chief "Mole" as Ahamd Chalibi was to be the next leader of Iraq according to the Pentagon. In the Election he, Chalibi, only drew .001% of the votes for the government. George Tenent and Colin Powell turned their backs on him as they found out about the fradulant documents he sent around the world to promote this illegal invasion.

Saddam Hussein needed to be replaced, but this nation had no one to replace him with except the fraud dealer Ahmad Chalibi who sent information around the world about WMDs stocpiles of WMD. Judy Miller has been a embedded reporter for 12 years with the Pentagon and it was her duty, directed by the Pentagon. to write these false stories about the Saddam Hussein arsonal.

Then to cover the trail of lies this administration swung the subject of a CIA leak for 3 1/2 years that was only a coverup of the original failure of not taking seriously the Jul.10, & Aug.6, 2001 PDB that indicated that a attack on American soil was imminite.

Much to late the report by the 15 whistleblowers and the "Able Danger" report that Rep R-PA Curt Weldon supported was side tracked as Patrick Fitzgeral had bigger fish to fry. We are back to square one as to "WHO and WHY" did this event ever have happened in New York City, The Financial Capital of the World. Bin Laden showed just how scared our timid citizens felt when they were hit in the Financial pocketbook.

New hearing and videos are coming in Aug 3 thru Aug. 12 to show just how this country and it's leaders reacted during the first hours of the destruction of the World Trade Center. It is my hope that Dennis Kinish will finally open our eyes as to our illegal invasion of Iraq and what leads to the Saudi national from egypt, Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia has never helped in these invasion with the exception of Afghanistan.

Just think 3,609 brave military sent to their graves early on orders to illegally invade another country, it has now been 1,532 days since the "blunder head" declared "Mission Accomplished" now with nearly 27,000 wounded and might never have the chance of a better life, now says we must stay the course that is like steering and hitting the iceberg as did the "Titanic". What jobs will they come home to as this government for the last 12 out of 14 years has destroyed the American Work force, pension, very little, good jobs at a liveable wage, nome, healthcare, substandard; housing. prices way beyound most citizens reach, maybe that is why the armed services are give thousands of dollars to our "all Volunteer Military and Citizen Soldiers" as they seem to think highly paid killers are to protect "AMERICA", the list goes on and on.

George W. Bush and Condoleezza Rice failed their first test to keep America" safe from harm. They allowed the PDB of Jul. 10 and Aug. 6, 2001 to be ignored and that was "DERILICTION OF DUTY" was a capital crime that is punishedable by law. This time Excutive Priviledge can't be excepted. It was their duty to alert the Civil Avaition Agency, FAA, NORAD, MILITARY, and to tell the Airline to double airport security. What a "Colossal failure to build a "Colossal Embassy in the Middle of a "Civil War" zone where you are not wanted. Would those insurgents come help America in her time of need. "We will help you out." What do you have worth stealing and then ask you for direction to the way out" "while they leave you leave you to die"

Bring our troops home from this illegal invasion, I don't care about the fradulant UN resloution that was based on lies" BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW, That country is going to burn no matter whether we stay or leave. Should we leave maybe something of a country will rebuild it self. "We Are Not A Nation Builder" Jan. 20, 2001 by this failed and lying commander-in- chief.

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JJ in NJ — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:17:30 GMT

Do you guys who write these posts have any brains at all? "Swiftboating" is telling LIES about someone. What the New York City firefighters are trying to do is get the TRUTH about Rudy Giuliani out there. Giuliani is the self-proclaimed Saint of 9/11. There is plenty of DOCUMENTED PROOF out there that HE is the one who put the firefighters in danger by NOT getting them the radios they needed in the seven years following the 1993 attack. This isn't a bunch of guys with an axe to grind, these are guys who were THERE and who are paying the physical price of Giuliani's incompetence.

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Ravine Force, Kissimmee, FL — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:52:49 GMT

All of you who have come out in our defense, us River Rats are grateful. There should be a difference noted between what was truth and what was a lie. Swift Boat crews should not be grouped to represent a lie. It had nothing with it being launched by Republicans versus Democrats or vice versa, it has to do with being truthful in your accusations. The so called Swiftboaters lied.

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J.D. in California — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:54:42 GMT

Yesterday he was dreaming of being VP on the Gulliani ticket--a perfect pairing of Northerner and Southerner. With his strong morality platform he would counter Rudy's family sleeze factor.

So, "Icky" Vitters finally gets his comeuppance. Funny how the family values republicans turn out to out-sleeze the rest of us. This explains the plastic knives in the Vitters' kitchen. I wonder if his wife "Bobbity" Vitters is daydreaming about fine carbon steel cuttlery today.

But, all politics aside, it is sad to think how this news is affecting his four children. I truly feel sorry for them, the true innocent victims of a disfunctional family. He should resign from the Senate and take care of his family.

On another point relating to Louisiana: to Jerry: Ray Nagin is basically a republican. He was registered as such until just before he first ran for mayor of N.O. In last year's reelection he won because of near total support from the city's white republican community. He's just a republican in sheeps clothing.

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Jim, Santa Cruz — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:08:12 GMT

A more appropriate vessel for Rudy would be the garbage scow.

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Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:10:17 GMT

Jenny - I don't know about the "generation" estimate, but there's more truth to Leon's statement than you might realize.

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Jenny Malay, Red Wing MN — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:31:07 GMT

Paul Miller writes: "Jenny - I don't know about the "generation" estimate, but there's more truth to Leon's statement than you might realize."

Again, details. What are looking at, number of officers, number of enlisted, equipment, recruiting? And a generation? 20-30 years?

Or, is this one of those "Some General said" things?

Come on guys, rather then sucking down the liberal kool-aid all the time, at least throw something up on the wall and see if it sticks.

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HMT — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:45:41 GMT

The firefighters have not admired Rudy since before 9/11.He is no different than the rest of the whores in DC and no doubt would fit in well.For myself when he utterred"Thank God George Bush is the President"while wtching people jump from the burning towers that showed me the guy does not hasve a good judgment of people.Too busy changin musical mistresses to be depended upon.Vitter would have been a good fit for him-----

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J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:52:16 GMT

Domenico.....why did you christen Bobby Jindal as "Louisiana's Republican Governor-in-waiting?"
My GOD.....talk about MEDIA BIAS!

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Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:34:47 GMT

Jenny, why should anyone bother typing details? You don't seem to read them.

Okay, what the heck...

We'll be replacing vehicles and other spare parts for at least a decade. The cost of this is already being seen as money is diverted away from other development efforts. Development and fielding of numerous systems has slowed or been delayed, for instance, to ramp up money for the MRAP program.

Life expectancy of many other types of systems have been shortened because of the harsh deployment conditions. This will require refurb/replacement of items faster than programmed, with less available money because of the immediate need to deal with the vehicles shortage.

We'll be dealing with a lot of individual internal trauma that thus far hasn't been diagnosed as combat injury. This from public news accounts, some even printed in Army Times, etc. Spend a little time Googling if you want specific quotes, publications, etc. Some of this is emotional and some of this is physical - the effects of having brains rattled in explosions. Military doctors are citing an alarming occurrence of trauma symptoms - basically equivalent to what a punch-drunk boxer experiences. Loss of balance, diminished memory, shakes, etc.

Because of recruiting difficulties, all Services have upped their recruiting ages (the Army is allowing new recruits as old as 42 to enlist, I believe) and lowered other standards, such as allowing drug waivers and not requiring high school diplomas. Effects of this yet to be seen.

A lot of experienced troops remain in service because of stop-gaps that prevent them from getting out at the end of a contract or upon retirement age. When Iraq operations end, those stop-gaps will be lifted and we'll see an exodus, placing more strains on recruiting. Plus we'll lose a lot of our combat experience when they do leave.

Divorce rates among military families are up, as anyone would expect. And we all know some of these family pressures will lead to other problems down the road.

My guess is we'll end up with a demoralized military, dealing with another "loss." Of course, that's only because everyone will be calling it a loss. I wonder how many will even bother to ask how we can "win" when no one can picture an enemy representative ever signing a surrender document... but that just goes to more of the illogic of this adventure. Anyway, I missed experiencing the demoralized period in the late 1970s, but came in with a lot of Marines who had been through that. From everything I heard, it wasn't fun.

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G.W.GATE — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:52:51 GMT

GONZO-GATE,GONZO-GATE,GONZO-GATE,GONZO-GATE,GONZO-GATE...IMPEACH GEORGE, GONZO-GATE,GONZO-GATE.

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Mark Thieme — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:56:19 GMT

Grimey: welcome back.

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bobf — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:08:30 GMT

Jenny, I would answer your question but you seem more intent on demonizing liberals. Why did you make that statement. What the hell does it serve. I was more than willing to explain why it would take a generation but you do not care. You are just trying to load up some type of republican backlash at liberals. The truely sad part is you are from my home state. I thought we were better than southern rednecks, then I see Jenny act and emulate redneck traits and thoughts. Jenny, move south and be around your redneck brethern, we do not need haters like you in my home state. By the way it takes around 10 -12 years to fully train officers. Do the math, wait you are a redneck. Let me explain it in redneck terms. Y'all take dem officerses, they needs lots of moons to be smart. They is leaders. They killed or leave, take long time to replace. Need good/smart people to officer. We accept all people , even dumb ones can be occifer. Jenny, do I need to dumb it down more?

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Mark Thieme — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:15:58 GMT

Paul Miller: Your 2:34 post nails it. Spot on. It ought to be on billboards, public service announcements... it ought to preempt every mention of the Beckham Rapture the media is selling to keep us pacified.

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Frank "Grimey" Grimes, Springfield, USA — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:27:15 GMT

Mark T.: Never left my friend. By the way...I'm curious...what is the "Beckham Rapture"? Are you referring to the recently transplanted English footballer?

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Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:03:17 GMT

Grimey, Mark is referring to that. I was going to respond that I actually like reading about Beckham (and have tickets to see his first game against United at RFK). But then Mark was so complimentary of my post...

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Steve Althouse Jonesboro IN — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:18:32 GMT

I just can't figure out who gasbag mccain is supposed to be. Supposed to be John Mccain-but says he is the reincarnation of Reagan (another LOUSY repub president), when he speaks you can't tell the differnce between him and the ignorant cowboy. Oh, and lets not forget he's a "maverick"-at least as long as the spotlight is on him, then rolls over and kisses ignorant cowboys butt. I think he's just a cheap immitation of what is wrong with America.

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Jenny Malay, Red Wing MN — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:22:23 GMT

bobf writes: "Jenny, I would answer your question . . " - and writes a lot of other things

While bobf, where do we start with this? Apparently, rather then answer a simple question, you choose to put out a slew of personal attacks. Hey, just asking a question. You want to throw the personal attacks around, that's your business. Just challenging when somebody makes a statement like leon did. I'm not attacking leon on a personal level, who he is, or where he is from. I'm certain leon is a fine and respectable person. I just want to know why he makes a statement, and if he has some details to back it up. Is that so hard?

Paul at least gave it go - with some snarky comments - but I'm a big girl - I'll deal with it. You though thought spewing rhetoric was the way to go.

And Paul, yes those are some elements that will have to be dealt with after a war. But Paul, a generation? You are saying that it will be 2027-2037 before we recover? Please, give the military a little more credit then that.

bobf writes: "but you seem more intent on demonizing liberals."

Yeah, wouldn't want that. You libs are pure as the driven snow when is comes to the demonization game. Libs wouldn't know anything about demonization even if it slapped you on the a**, right?

bobf continues to write: "We accept all people"

No you don't. It's doubtful you can stand anyone that has a differing opinion from you.

bobf continues to write: "Jenny, do I need to dumb it down more?"

No, bobf, that will do. It looks like you were maxed out on your brain power to get that far. You have a helper-monkey or something that keys this tripe in for you?

Sorry about that last one bobf.

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Desmond — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:43:11 GMT

Mama Mia! Lots of shape-shifters on this site today.

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Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:44:42 GMT

Jenny, I suggest you go back up and read who wrote what.

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Jenny Malay, Red Wing MN — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:35:13 GMT

Paul, leon stated it would take a generation to rebuild the military back to where it is today. leon as of yet has elected not to answer the question I put forth (hey, people are busy). You elected to answer the question, and you mostly seemed to agree with what leon wrote, but apparently you're not really clear if you are nailed down on it taking a generation to rebuild either. Then you go into great detail why you think it will be a generation? So, where are you exactly on this issue? It seems like you want it both ways.

You also seem to mix a lot of personal items, like 'divorce rates' and 'individual internal trauma'. Certainly there is a human factor as families that have had someone that was injured or killed will have to deal with that for generations. The subject though was the military being rebuilt, not the effects the conflict has had on the current combatants. These are not items that will prevent the military from being built to pre-war levels in a timely fashion.

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Lisa - Fort Worth TX — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:50:57 GMT

Paul Miller, great explanation of the long-term effects of this debacle on our soldiers and their families. Politicians who have no problem imagining us in the ME for decades don't seem to have the forsight to realize what they are doing to our troops.

Bobf, your post had me laughing so hard I thought I would choke! Texas really does not need any more rednecks, though. With such "fine" representatives as cockroach delay, flyboy bush and can't remember diddly gonzales, we are up to our eyeballs in fools!

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Scott in South Texas — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:01:42 GMT

Paul did a great job of providing a comprehensive examination of all of the related factors involved in the harm being done to the military by this war. Jenny rejects out of hand, or does not understand, the relationship between the "effects the conflict has had on the current combatants" and the overall state of the military as an institution, most likely because she does not want to accept that it will take a generation for the military to recover. That's just not the kind of happy news bush devotees are wanting to hear. There, no personal attacks or insults, and I hope it wasn't "snarky".

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Nuanced — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:02:14 GMT

A truth squad is not a swift boat. There is a difference between an attack ad that is truthful and one that is not.

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Nick - Huntsville, AL — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:07:09 GMT

It's about time McCain got out of the way so a conservative can win the nomination. Go Fred

http://www.toughfred.com

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Not-Cindy Sheehan, Omaha — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:08:38 GMT

Jenny, it is about time someone points out a few facts about people around here. The extreme left wing is well represented here, and it takes courage to stand up against these people. This bunch blames Bush if they get lumps in their malt-t-meal.

Helper Monkeys; please, I thought I was going to bust a rib laughing at that one.

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Paul Bailey, OKlahoma — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:18:18 GMT

Voice-of-reason Jenny, thanks for replying to PaulM. It is really doubtful that these people much care about the military, they mostly wish it to be gone. Unless its handing out food for the UN, they have no use for it. Their crocodile tears are so fake. What they really care about is using every means necessary to attack the president. Don't get too discouraged that your message is not getting through to them, they really don't care to hear it, and will demonize anyone that tries.

Keep up the good work.

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Frank "Grimey" Grimes, Springfield, USA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 01:10:31 GMT

Paul M...That's what I figured. I don't hear too much about the Beckhams down here in FL, so not much of a Beckham Rapture. :) However, I used to live in MD, and took in many a DC United game.

First thoughts

Desmond — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 01:37:15 GMT

Well , shiver me timbers,that 6:18 post assumed alot about me.And so it goes.

First thoughts

mad in Madtown, Madison,WI — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 02:59:51 GMT

Jenny, It must just snark you off that Al Franken is going to be your new senator in '08. Your neighbors across the river are looking on with great amusement. Franken in '08!