Stark apologizes

jt, okc — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:18:25 GMT

Thank you Rep. Stark for the apology, it was well put.

Stark apologizes

F StLouis — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:18:42 GMT

Hmmm..apologize? This guy is the only one telling it like it is. The truth is that Bush and Cheney are certifiably crazy, dangerous, despicable human beings. Apologize for telling the truth?

Stark apologizes

H P Boston — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:20:04 GMT

Hey Stark when the idiot in chief apologizes to me and the rest of the Country he can return to his insignificant garbage heap.
No need for an apology, we are still waiting , so past due as to warrant an arrest! IMPEACH BUSH!

Stark apologizes

pat, huntington, ny — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:21:05 GMT

whatever...this is all distraction from the real debate.

Stark apologizes

Amy B Portland ME — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:21:24 GMT

Oh for Chirst's sake. Bush is responsible for the biggest catastrophe in American foreign policy history and Stark is apologising for insulting him? What part of rock bottom approval ratings for Congress don't the Democrats get? We want Congress to lead us away from, not grovel to, George Bush. Makes me want to join the Libertaian Party and back Ron Paul. At least those guys have balls.

Stark apologizes

IntheMiddle, TX — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:24:45 GMT

He should learn to keep his mouth shut when he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.

Stark apologizes

American Voter — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:25:59 GMT

Crackpot. Please retire.

Stark apologizes

Gregg, Georgia — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:28:01 GMT

Join on Amy...ROFLMAO...Just like the rest of your Liberal buddies. Always whining about Bush. Bush is not running for POTUS again. Do you honestly believe he gives a rats behind about what you and the rest in your party think of him? I wouldn't if I was him.

Stark apologizes

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:29:00 GMT

about time he came around to his senses. His phone banks must keep breaking down and his E-mail crashing due to a lot of people complaining. he had no choice but to apologize, probably on orders.

Stark apologizes

jj, Ramsey, NJ — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:30:49 GMT

Wow a Democrat who will admit he was wrong rather than stick with the Party BS. I guess there is hope.

Stark apologizes

Lisa, Fort Worth TX — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:37:07 GMT

Amy, I got a good laugh out of that! I'm seriously considering Paul because I would like our government to adhere to the Constitution as much as possible.

Stark apologizes

BS Detector — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:39:21 GMT

Hmmm..apologize? This guy is the only one telling it like it is. The truth is that Bush and Cheney are certifiably crazy, dangerous, despicable human beings. Apologize for telling the truth?
F StLouis (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 11:18 AM)

Hey Stark when the idiot in chief apologizes to me and the rest of the Country he can return to his insignificant garbage heap.
No need for an apology, we are still waiting , so past due as to warrant an arrest! IMPEACH BUSH!
H P Boston (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 11:20 AM)

whatever...this is all distraction from the real debate.
pat, huntington, ny (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 11:21 AM)

Oh for Chirst's sake. Bush is responsible for the biggest catastrophe in American foreign policy history and Stark is apologising for insulting him? What part of rock bottom approval ratings for Congress don't the Democrats get? We want Congress to lead us away from, not grovel to, George Bush. Makes me want to join the Libertaian Party and back Ron Paul. At least those guys have balls.
Amy B Portland ME (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 11:21 AM)

A collage of BS from the “Better than You” / “My S**t don’t Stick” group.

Stark apologizes

Sierra, SF — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:40:41 GMT

No need to apologize, Pete !
You told the truth.

Why don't you ask chicken liver Bush to apolkogize for an illegal war ?
for torture ?
for violating the Geneva convention ?
for politicizing the DoJ ?
for voter suppression of minorities ?
for exposing a CIA agent ?
for appointing incompetents bozos ?
for only appointing draft dodgers to lead the Defense Department ?
....

Stark apologizes

Diane, Grand Blanc, MI — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:44:58 GMT

Rep. Stark apologizing for speaking the truth is absolutely ridiculous. It should be the other way around. Bush owes America, Iraq, and the world an apology for the largest misstep in US history. Rep. Stark, I applaud you and regret that you were brought to the point of apologizing.

Stark apologizes

Deb, Sarasota, FL — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:46:09 GMT

You people are idiots. Bush is a great leader, you are just obsessed with hatred and hungry for power. Stop your lies and shut up!

Stark apologizes

mariam Whittier, CA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:47:37 GMT

Let's see...We give a medal to the Dali Lama, but we don't care about having relations with China, one of the worst countries as far as human rights goes; we do not recognize the Genocide against the Armenians, a documented fact, because we do not want to alienate Turkey, another poor record as far as human rights issues, and who did not allow us to use their air space when the war in Iraq initially began.
And now someone has to apologize for speaking the truth. Wake up, America. You are being brainwashed and manipulated by the best cronies money can buy.
Iron Maiden

Stark apologizes

Ron, St. Louis, Mo. — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:48:53 GMT

Pete Stark was just stating what a LOT of americans would like to say to our so called great president.

Hey Pete, In my book no apology is needed. I think Bushy and most of the congress are upset because they know what you said is true.

LETS BRING OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN HOME NOW!!!!

Stark apologizes

Bten ny ny — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:52:59 GMT

This country is so bad right now that you have to apologize for telling the truth

Stark apologizes

nuanced — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:53:44 GMT

His only mistake was to use the word "amusement" instead of something probably more accurate like "benefit". Although the president did seem overly and inappropriately amused and smiling in his news conference over the prospect of sacrificing more Americans for another excellent adventure in Iran or in a world war III.

Bush is insane and it is entirely possible that he looks upon all of his imperial fiascos with amusement. He certainly shows no understanding, sorrow or regret for his crimes.

Stark apologizes

nuanced — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:57:27 GMT

he had no choice but to apologize, probably on orders. jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 11:29 AM)
--- sadly, you are probably right. I think most of the government and the media has been intimidated by threats and orders from this elected dictatorship.

Stark apologizes

Gary Illmenim, Hayward WI — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:05:10 GMT

Looks like the left wing loons are checking in for their support of Starks comments. Stark is just as nutty as you guys say Bush is. Who keeps electing wack jobs like Stark?

Stark apologizes

--NSMSNBC — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:05:21 GMT

Sadly, his apology won't stop the right from changing the topic from the war and focusing on his statements--however ill-conceived they were. He should not have apologized, and if he did so chose, he should have apologized in advance for Congress to fully fund this war again. It's like our politicians cannot win a PR battle, a funding battle, nor a war at the rate we are going. And what's with the passive-aggressive "I hope that with this apology, I return to being as insignificant as I should be."

IntheMiddle, TX--
Your responses are so predictable. I'd bet you'd be on the front lines cheering Bush on if he said quote: "heads blown off for my [the president's] amusement." Because he basically is every time he requests more funding for this war and you are every time you support him.

It is important that Congress support our troops by funding them, but the President needs to support our troops by bringing them home. How can you support our troops by putting them in danger for no gain, great cost and no reason--it befuddles the mind? That is the message that needs to be gotten out. But since our President clearly does not support our troops, Congress is put in a bit of a predicament.

Stark apologizes

full Moon — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:11:04 GMT

THE MOUTH THAT ROARED. And how much pressure did it take to FINALLY get Pete Stark to apologize? Because we all know he still means what he said.

Stark apologizes

Wayne — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:16:24 GMT

I've never seen Bush Derangement Syndrome expressed so intensely. It certainly shows how some people are extremely affected by liberal news media propaganda.

Stark apologizes

Paw Paw, NC — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:17:19 GMT

John Boehner, How in the world do you get "Bayner" out of his name he's a "Boner" if there ever was one. When will these Democrats grow some nads they should have all given Pete a standing ovation when he made the statement on the floor. Let's see we have the Democrats bowing down to Bush on every turn and showing the lowest rating in history, "WAKE UP YOU IDIOTS" that rating is because you have not enforced the will of the people who put you in office. The Democrats should refuse to vote on the additional appropriations for the Iraq Conflict "TELL HIM NO! Do they actually think that the Pentagon will leave our troops in harms way with no equipment, no food, no weapons, come on people get real they will have to pull funds from other sources or pull the troops "OUT". Every time Congress has come to a political confrontation with the President they have tucked their tails between their legs and beg for forgiveness from their master.

Stark apologizes

CitizenJ — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:19:18 GMT

I am worried for this country when a man has to apologize for saying exactly what 70% of the country is thinking. If our leaders aren't able to say it, who will?

And Bush deserves an apology from NO ONE. EVER. He has done more damage to this country than anyone would have ever imagined 8 years ago. I don't care if someone shoots his dog. I will never feel sorry for him.

Stark apologizes

Harry Potter — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:21:40 GMT

I see this is more important to the average MSNBC viewer than the fact that Osama's just issued another communique acknowledging Al Quaeda's failures in Iraq, something the tinfoil hat crowd can't bring themselves to acknowledge.

Stark apologizes

Gary, Franklin, WI — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:21:53 GMT

To: American Voter

I assume the "crackpot" you are refering to is George W. Bush . . .

No one in these blogs every gets emotional! No one in these blogs ever uses hyperbole! No one in these blogs ever expresses BS!

Why does the right to free expression not apply in the House chambers? Rep. Stark was not screaming "FIRE" in a crowded theater.

It is fine to apologize if you are concerned you offended others, but never, ever apologize for your right to free expression! To many have died to protect that freedom and to assure it belongs to ever American, regardless of backgroud or circumstance.

Stark apologizes

Bill, baltimore, MD — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:25:31 GMT

As a soldier, I find Bush's hunt for WMD video a way of using our deaths for his amusement.

Stark apologizes

CitizenJ — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:25:48 GMT

"A collage of BS from the “Better than You” / “My S**t don’t Stick” group."

BS Detector (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 11:39 AM)

No one here has claimed that their "S**t don't Stick". It's just that our "S**t" doesn't embroil us in an endless war in a place that we never should have been. When your "S**t" stinks so bad that it costs 4,000 troops their lives, and countless others their limbs, sanity, etc., there needs to be hell to pay. But one thing there doesn't need to be is an apology to his family for stating the blatantly obvious.

So why don't you crawl back into your Republican hole and keep sniffing Bush's "S**t" and tell yourself it smells like roses.

Stark apologizes

Not shutting up — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:26:52 GMT

"Do you honestly believe he gives a rats behind about what you and the rest in your party think of him? I wouldn't if I was him. "

He doesn't care, that's obvious, and we don't care what you think.

"You people are idiots. Bush is a great leader, you are just obsessed with hatred and hungry for power. Stop your lies and shut up! "

You'd know idiots - you see one every morning when you shave. "Lies" you seem pretty confused about, though. I know! Why don't you "shut me up"?

P.S. Bush is a psychotic.

Stark apologizes

Rice Grad, San Diego — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:29:23 GMT

I agree, the truth REALLY REALLY hurts.....Bush and Cheney are both criminally insane, and the Republicans wont' admit it. B&C do seem to be getting their jollies with this war.....

Stark apologizes

John O'Connor — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:30:41 GMT

Representative Stark may have expressed himself hastefully, but he should not be abject in apologizing. Does any person in the world actually believe some words slip into thoughts occasionally,
and are not spoken aloud? President Bush certainly does not wish to have our service people killed, but he and many Democrats have allowed policies which continue this debacle unto this day. Tragedies continue.

Stark apologizes

Rodney Lamprey, jr., SLC, Utah — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:31:42 GMT

Pete Stark shouldn't apologize, except maybe to say that he meant "the President's oil buddies" instead of "the President's amusement". This is supposed to be a democracy, so he should be able to speak against the President.

Stark apologizes

Kevin, St. Louis, MO — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:31:52 GMT

Boy oh boy the leftist moonbats are all out in force today with their rants. If their rhetoric on sites like this and tactics used against Governor-elect Jindal of Lousiana this year are any indication for 2008, even with GOP in disarray, next year will be interesting.

Stark apologizes

Dave, Tn — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:31:57 GMT

Worst Congress in history, and the last congress left the bar pretty low :-)

Stark apologizes

joe topeka, ks — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:32:21 GMT

I love it when politicians who say stupid things are forced by other politicians who have said stupid things apologize. Round and round we go.

Starting with Bush himself, our so-called leaders continue to act like a bunch of nanna-nanna-boo-boo juveniles. They think that 'telling it like it is' justifies the ridiculous way in which they say it.

Leave these comments to the talk show pundits who get paid to be stupid and hence not have to apologize for acting like idiots. The one's who actually get paid by us to run this country need to do more doing and less talking. We have enough fodder for the media with just Bush himself, yet congress continues to give them a buffet of material so we can argue over their lack of leadership.

Stark apologizes

Tuck,Realityville, KS — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:34:38 GMT

Deb, Lisa.. how come your writing style is idenical to each other? lol

Stark apologizes

Coy Reese, Shady Spring, West Virginia — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:35:01 GMT

It is apparent George W. Bush and his regime are fatally flawed and bordering on sheer insanity. Although, many would have chosen other words, Rep. Stark is at the heart of his criticsm undeniably correct. Bush doesn't give a damn about our Nation, the Troops, or the Constitution. The day for this national nightmare to end cannot come soon enough.

Stark apologizes

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:37:20 GMT

Harry Reid goes up against Rush Limbaugh:
He gets whipped by Limbaugh

Pete Stark goes up against President Bush:
He gets whipped by the republicans

Who's next to put their career on the line?

Stark apologizes

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:39:41 GMT

I think most of the government and the media has been intimidated by threats and orders from this elected dictatorship.

Dictatorship Nuanced?
LOL, still waiting for proof on that one.

You don't know what a dictatorship is until Hillary Clinton gets elected......

Stark apologizes

John B, Des Moines, IA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:40:07 GMT

Nuanced, very insightful as usual in your post of 11:53am. Unfortunately he like a lot of people are probably just so fed up with this whole disaster it's sometimes hard to state your anger in a way that is entirely polite. It's also ironic that Stark is being pilloried by the same people who complain most vocally about "political correctness." Also note that his apology is not being accepted by conservatives. I predict that for the rest of his career conservatives will ignore the apology as well as the inherent truth in his statement, focusing only on the alleged slight...even though it was actually focused on the chickenhawk in the White House and not the soldiers.

Stark apologizes

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:40:53 GMT

Stark- quit crying!
A censure from the likes of these cowards on both sides of the aisle would have been a badge of honor. Respect is earned not owed.
You did speak clumsily though.
It is not for amusement that this administration spills blood needlessly and well after everyone knows the extent of the administrative incompetence and intellectual bankruptcy of this criminal neocon boondoggle. This administration seeks, at horrendous cost, to sooth it's own ego, to spin it's place in history, and some how fool people into believing it's Churchillian fantasy. Sadly, everyone sees, everyone knows, rather they admit it or not, everyone can see this failure for what it is. For that crime of ego, this President should feel these harsh verbal judgements like the lash. Because sadly, it will be the only retribution he will see.

Stark apologizes

TMcA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:41:32 GMT

"CLINTON: Good evening.

Earlier today, I ordered America's armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. They are joined by British forces. Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors.

The hard fact is that so long as Saddam remains in power, he threatens the well-being of his people, the peace of his region, the security of the world.

The best way to end that threat once and for all is with a new Iraqi government -- a government ready to live in peace with its neighbors, a government that respects the rights of its people."

President Clinton
Oval Office Address to the American People
December 16, 1998
http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1998/12/16/transcripts/clinton.html

Stark apologizes

ki houston — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:47:31 GMT

stark apologize , but bush will keep doing exactly what stark said he was doing . what a country

Stark apologizes

Toby Hill — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:48:36 GMT

Stark. “But I respect neither the Commander-in-Chief who keeps them in harms way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children health care.”

Go to hell traitor Stark!

Stark apologizes

Johnny — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:50:16 GMT

nuanced is right. The whole thing was perfect but for one word: "amusement". Better luck next time Stark.

Stark apologizes

John S. Alexander, Edinboro, PA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:50:20 GMT

Stark was at least a gentleman about it, most of you hate filled war mongers are supporting the poisoning of our troops by bio-tainted food and ice by the corporate bigwigs at KBR. You should be ashamed of yourself for hiding from this fact. How many troops will come home with AIDS and other diseases so that you can all feel good about your political choice. These are the stories we should hear about. Are our wounded troops being taken care of, no, but all you babysh*t eaters don't want the truth, you want to sit on the couch and pretend the surge is working. It will only be working till Bush leaves and then your boys in the repuke party wil be hounding the next (democrat) president to hurry up and do something about this fiasco.

Stark apologizes

TMcA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:50:53 GMT

Republicans Destroyed Democrats' Most Cherished Institution: SLAVERY! But the liberals are rapidly building back the Liberal Plantation with narcotic welfare. Liberals create permanent under classes with other peoples' money.

Truth to Power! Baby!

Stark apologizes

Tim M, Ithaca NY — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:52:18 GMT

How come every time a Democrat says something remotely offensive or exaggerated, they are forced to apologize and yet the Dems let Republicans continually smear anyone who is anti-war? These Democrats are proving to be the most spineless losers we have ever had in Congress!

Stark apologizes

juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:55:08 GMT

Deb- You shut up with your idiotic name calling and defending Bush. You neo nuts fascists sheep have the audacity to talk about hate considering what the whole 2004 election was about. Face it 2006 elections is all the proof I need to see that 2008 election will be an even more of "whooping" as your idiot boy king stated is awaiting morons like your self. Go into the corner, under the rock, drink your koolaid and refrain from calling 60 to 70% of the population your childish names. I am sure that you will come back and resort to typical name calling like "if you do not like it here go back to Cuba...." which I get all the time from xenophobic(look it up) ignoramous people like yourself.

Stark apologizes

terry — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:55:33 GMT

Deb, Sarasota, FL - No! You shut up or I'm gonna tell on you!

Stark apologizes

Class Warrior, D.C. — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:00:00 GMT

DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH!! Stark should never have backed down...it's weak-kneed moves like this that have kept our kids fighting forever for Bush's Folly.

Stark apologizes

Jim — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:03:05 GMT

I am a Soldier who has been taught to hate by the back stabbing Democratic party.

Stark apologizes

democrat — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:03:10 GMT

GEORGE BUSH----3856 AND COUNTING
Pete Stark-----0

Bush will start World War 3

Stark apologizes

Abigail Quart, NY NY (32 blocks from Ground Zero) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:05:23 GMT

THIS is how our Congress is spending its time??? On petty imagined insults? (You cannot insult Bush. Nothing is too bad to say about him.)

California is burning and our Congress hasn't bothered to explain WHY THE CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD AND ITS EQUIPMENT WERE NOT PRESENT TO HALT THE SPREAD OF THE FIRES. Because we all know they're in Iraq. Because we know they were NOT rotated home for the start of fire season. If the Republicans can't steal a state, they will let it burn or drown. They forced Stark to apologize because they can't stand the truth.

Stark apologizes

Kevin, St.Louis, MO — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:08:47 GMT

So why don't you crawl back into your Republican hole and keep sniffing Bush's "S**t" and tell yourself it smells like roses.

CitizenJ (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 12:25 PM)

Bush Derangement Syndrome on clear display and also showing their belief that 'people have the right to speak out' yep if they preech leftwing tripe.

Stark apologizes

jf — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:11:28 GMT

"...he concluded though a voice cracking with emotion"

booze, you mean. his voice crackled with booze induced sentimentality.

the man is a drunk.

Stark apologizes

student of history - past and present — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:16:13 GMT

Oh, I think this administration might be able to be deemed "Churchillian" in history. Unfortunately for them it just might be Randoloph, however, not Winston. Randolph Churchill was Winston's father and after a promising start in politics, died relatively young, after syphillis ate away his brain and made all his speeches and acts in govt that of a madman.

Stark apologizes

Jack Smart, Rochester, NY — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:16:27 GMT

it was a terrible thing which Mr Stark said and I am glad he did apologize. However his apology does not hide the truth that President Bush has very little regard of the soldiers who are fighting this war and the children in this country who are without health care. It amazes me the selfishnes which exist in this country today. It is far better to use our money to kill others and have others to be kill than to use it to help those here in this country. It is hypocrisy in the highest order to proclaim yourself prolife but yet support war and put a price on who should get healthcare. I am praying for mercy for our President and this country.

Stark apologizes

Haus San Antonio, TX — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:16:33 GMT

George Bush goes up against his own party and whips his own party.....multiple retirements in congress. Good job W.

Limbaugh went up against the draft, and whipped the armed forces with a deferment.

Cheney whipped the armed forces five times as much as Limbaugh.

Profiles in courage.

Stark apologizes

Sierra, SF — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:16:59 GMT

IntheMiddle, TX: '...He should learn to keep his mouth shut when he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about...'

Why don't you take your own advice, IntheMiddle ?
You usually don't know what YOU'RE talking about.

When I was in the Army, we used to say the Army was just like the Boy Scouts.......
except the Scouts had ADULT LEADERSHIP

I think you've proven our point.....

Stark apologizes

David, Port Sanilac, Mi — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:19:51 GMT

Well, it's good he apologized for a very inappropriate comment. It is understandable to disagree with your opponents policies but accusing the President of putting troops in harms way shows a certain lack of intelligence. I would have hoped that the leaders of this country were beyond such hateful and hurtful statements. I assume he will now resign.

Stark apologizes

jf — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:20:45 GMT

tim in ithica:

"...and yet the Dems let Republicans continually smear anyone who is anti-war?"

when?

Stark apologizes

Nate Portland, OR — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:22:17 GMT

Jim.......... if the Dems taught you that, then you must have been willing to learn buddy. Even learning how to hate is the Dems fault. Your in good company. They taught Hannity and Coulter too. They seem like very happy people.

Stark apologizes

Dave C Cave Creek Arizona — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:24:00 GMT

The democrats have done nothing but lie and propagandize now for quite a few years. Their ridiculous lies and self serving propaganda are now finally being exposed, even their partners the liberal liar mainstream media cannot cover for them. Iraq is heading toward success, despite all the best efforts of far left kooks and self serving democrats to FORCE failure, and lie their way into office.

Frankly, I am surprised the american people did not catch onto this sooner, the current democrat party is nothing but a bunch of despicable, hypocritical liars, and it is about time for their lies and far left pandering to be called out.

Stark apologizes

Lee Holmes — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:27:15 GMT

This of course is another lie.[What I find strange about liberals is that they are so quick to dispense lies and untruths while condemning these crummy qualities in others]. What we find through the offices of the Washington Post,TIME,NEWSWEEK, MSNBC,the New York Times,none of these, sources of ''rightwinged'' news,[liberal Richard Cohen wrote at some length on this phenomenon in the WaPo],is that the president,when meeting with 9/11 family members or Iraq widows/family, ''feels and shares genuine sorrow'',''cries'',''feels anger'', ''reaches out'',indeed,is possibly one of the 20th centuries more emotional chief executives. Even his detractors readily admit this. This may not win any accolades from the usual suspects in the peanut gallery nor is it meant to. It is rather,to observe that they are lying,in supporting another liar,who has ''emotionally''apologized for these lies,generating more lies from this mans supporters,in an circular orbit of untruths leading to more lies.

Also see:NEWSWEEK[Evan Thomas,Holly Baily] Aug.22,2005:''How Bush Deals With Grieving Military Families''.

Stark apologizes

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:30:35 GMT

IT'S BUSH'S WAR AND AMERICA'S DISASTER AND IT CONTINUES BECAUSE OF THE REPUBLICANS DO NOT HAVE THE GUTS TO END IT. THEY ARE THE COWARDS.

Stark apologizes

tired of the BS — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:30:53 GMT

People he broke the rules of the house. One reason that our country has been able to over come is because of the civility of the debate. The rules state that personal attacks aginst each other or the President are forbidden. I know that this has not been apparent since the Bork hearings. Our great institutions have been cheapened to side show theatrics. He has disgraced his office. Most people in the blog world love to take cheap shots, call names etc. He is in the House of Reps in the US govt. He is and should be held to a higher standard than others. With this kind of behavior do you wonder why nothing can be acomplished? People on both side are so full of hate, That some one would think much less say thaat the President of the US is happy when a soldier dies is just crazy. If we disagree thats great but as strongly as you dissagree with some ones point of view do you automatically doubt their humanity? Remember when the left was called unpatriotic? How you screamed that that was not the case. Now you think it is popular to be against the war, so any one that supports it is a war mongering idiot. Lets stop the name calling it only distracts from the issue. BOTH SIDES! The answer is probably in the middle some where, like always. Why make each other enemies? Work together, respect each others views, debate and solve the problem. Dont question each others love of their country. Be civilized or at least act that way!

Stark apologizes

TOM TYSKIEWICZ — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:31:03 GMT

THANK YOU PETE STARK, NOW WE VOTERS CAN AWAIT THE AVALANCHE OF "MEA CULPAE" FROM THE RIGHT-WING SLIME MACHINE, THAT BEGAN WITH REAGAN, AND INTENSIFIED UNDER THIS CURRENT CROP OF ZEALOTS, THAT WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT AMERICA FOR A LEAST A GENERATION, UNTIL WE CAN EXPURGE THEIR POLITICAL E-COLI!!!!!!!!!

Stark apologizes

juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:31:10 GMT

Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Right on Abigail!

Stark apologizes

Mr. T — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:32:43 GMT

What pathetic liberal nitwits we have polluting the dialog.

Had enough yet? Whack a demorat.

Stark apologizes

juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:33:24 GMT

TMcA- The koolaid has rotted your brain!

Stark apologizes

Lumos! — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:37:17 GMT

harry Potter, it is now revealed for the first time that Dumbledore is gay!

Stark apologizes

CJ — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:38:15 GMT

"I love it when politicians who say stupid things are forced by other politicians who have said stupid things apologize. Round and round we go."

That sums it up right there....I would like to add loudmouth radio pundits as well.

Stark apologizes

Dave — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:38:18 GMT

This seems to be yet another unfortunate misstep by Democrats who seem more anxious to berate the President and quiet those who support him rather than going on with the business of governing our country during this difficult time.

This remark, the ill-timed Turkey resolution, the hush-Rush letter, the silence over the Betray-us flap, falling for the continued politicization of a war rather than winning it...I'm pretty certain these aren't the reasons that Democrats were given majorities last November.

Stark apologizes

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:45:53 GMT

IT'S JUST A PROVEN FACT...BUSH SUCKS ! IMPEACH THE IDIOT !

Stark apologizes

Rufus Gibbons, DC — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:47:08 GMT

Bush may not be running for POTUS again but there are at least five BUSH CLONES running. I think that was Senator Starks finest hour we should have more people getting mad. Stark made just one mistake he should have said ego rather than amusement.

Stark apologizes

TomD — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:48:55 GMT

If a republican had said the same, the DBM and the kook left would have had a cow!

Any lib that has said we need a bi-partisan to lead this country has just been exposed...losers!

This is the greatest country on the planet even with Hitlery in the Senate...LOL!

Stark apologizes

Sue Lawson, Canton Ohio — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:51:30 GMT

"I hope that with this apology, I return to being as insignificant as I should be,"

Can't happen Pete. This implies you were significant at some point.

Stark apologizes

jf — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:51:30 GMT

can we deflate this myth that the s-chip bill was supposedly to help poor children? bush wants to expand funding for poor children. the republicans just didn't want to expand the definition of "poor children" to include priveleged white kids from $400k homes who are already privately insured.

the bill which was smacked down was to expand a bill which was helping poor children to encompass the children of the upper middle class and their parents. the idea was to get people who were insured privately to dump their insurance and get on and get used to the dole.

stark is a liar

Stark apologizes

Kelly Smith — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:54:03 GMT

juan babbles --> Deb- You shut up with your idiotic name calling and defending Bush.

Fair enough. Name calling is never good. But then juan starts in with:

--> You neo nuts fascists sheep have the audacity . . .

This is too funny.

Stark apologizes

Sarah Miles — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:54:54 GMT

Stark IS insignificant and will quickly fade from the scene, having demonstrated his stupidity, just as Bush will. Would you look an American soldier in the face and tell him that his sacrifice is a joke? If not, then you cannot condone Mr. Stark's vile comments. Stark should be sent to Iraq to repeat his remarks for the benefit of the fighting men he insulted, but the milk-blooded coward would never set foot there.

Stark apologizes

A. Taxpayer — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:55:03 GMT

juan,ft lauderdale,fl, says: "Deb- You shut up with your idiotic name calling and defending Bush."

He then says: "You neo nuts fascists sheep have the audacity to talk about hate considering what the whole 2004 election was about. ..."Go into the corner, under the rock, drink your koolaid and refrain from calling 60 to 70% of the population your childish names. I am sure that you will come back and resort to typical name calling like "if you do not like it here go back to Cuba...." which I get all the time from xenophobic(look it up) ignoramous people like yourself.

Juan; Do you not see the hypocrisy? No one takes you seriously.

Stark apologizes

sam Orlando, FL — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:55:44 GMT

Hey Repubs doesn't FOX have an open forum form public debate on the issues?

Stark apologizes

Houston — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:00:19 GMT

Stark should have read this article before Pelosi forced him to apologize:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-slansky-/what-if-pete-stark-is-rig_b_69375.html

Bush does seem to be a sadist. One of his "hobbies" as a child was blowing up frogs with fire crackers. Bush was once asked what he thought a woman whom he, as Texas governor, had sent to death row would ask him. His infamous response was to mock her, saying "please don't kill me."

However, Bush probably doesn't enjoy the unvarnished mayhem he creates in Iraq: babies blown to pieces, people being crushed to a pulp under the treads of his tanks or burned to a crisp in their cars by his trigger-happy private armies. Like most Repubs, he mainly enjoys the sanitized violence: shock&awe video of buildings being blown to pieces rather than the children inside of them, statistics about the number of "bad guys" killed in raids, never mind that some of the "bad guys" turn out to be old women and children.

To Bush and his blood-thirsty "base," war is just a fun video game to be enjoyed on TV.

Stark apologizes

David Connley — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:04:26 GMT

George Bush goes up against his own party and whips his own party.....multiple retirements in congress. Good job W.

Republicans aren't retiring. They are reloading.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:07:49 GMT

TMcA [[Republicans Destroyed Democrats' Most Cherished Institution: SLAVERY! But the liberals are rapidly building back the Liberal Plantation with narcotic welfare. Liberals create permanent under classes with other peoples' money. ]]

What a crock. When LBJ signed the civil rights act, the white southern racists all left the Democratic Party and became Repubs. They made the Republican Party what it is today. Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Dwight Eisenhower couldn't get nominated for dog catcher in the modern Republican Party. That's the truth to power. Baby.

Stark apologizes

tim Pittsburg PA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:10:27 GMT

At least Pete admitted and took responsiblility unlike a certain Repub congresswoman from Ohio who continued to blame the comment on a soldier who denied saying it to begin with. Did they censure her? She finally had to apologize for putting her words into someone else's mouth.

Stark apologizes

Andre — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:13:02 GMT

LOL...we certainly couldn't scroll down the blog responses without some mindless right winger exhuming something about Clinton. As if their obsession with Clinton alleviates any malfeasance by the current administration. Yep, just another day for the crime syndicate Neoconartists & Repudlickins.

Stark apologizes

Andre — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:18:58 GMT

Some see Bush as the "Commander-in-Chief"
I see him as the "Commander-in-Grief"

If anyone should be apologizing to the American people it should be George W Bush, Dick Cheney and the rest of their obsequious entourage.

Stark apologizes

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:20:04 GMT

BUSH SUCKS AND I "DO NOT APOLIGIZE" FOR HIM BEING SUCH A BIG IDIOT. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IF HE HAS AN I.Q. BETTER THAN A SECOND GRADER ?

Stark apologizes

kenn — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:21:58 GMT

WHO SAYS THIER SORRY TO THE THOUSANDS DEAD WHEN BUSH PULLS OUT AND DECLARES A SECOND TIME MISSION ACCOMPLISED>I am not sorry about blaming LBJ how many kids have you killed today and im not sorry for Rush limbaughs Phoney soldiers or any other free exspression its up to me what i listen to not your facist goverment.I dont need your filter I am a big boy.AND george bush hates black people and poor people and people who are not like him,he just hates. See how far you get smearing dems then asking them to fight along side the people you conned into this war.

Stark apologizes

LMBaker — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:23:33 GMT

Stark apologized because his remarks were extremely unpopular with the vast majority of the American public. Obviously there's a small percentage of citizens that are as psychotic as Pete, as witnessed by this thread itself. Think about it. One of two things is true.

1. If his apology is truly heart felt, then those of you in here against his action don't even have the dignity of this man, who has a reputation of saying stupid bombastic comments.

2. The opposite is true and he was forced to apologize. If this is the case then the Democratic leadership must be totally incompetent for coming to the conclusion that he grovel.

I can live with either of these aphorisms and just giggle at the reactions of the truly insane in this thread.

Stark apologizes

kenn — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:27:54 GMT

Bill from Baltimore is correct If laughing it up anbout not finding WMDS isnt amusing then why poke fun at it,4000 deaths and no WMDs FUNNY isnt it funny weird funny ha ha?

Stark apologizes

GaryS — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:30:03 GMT

Thanks again to Pete Stark.
He got too close to the truth (that Dubya is insane).
Read "Bush on the Couch" if you think I exaggerate.

The President should undergo brain scans and psychological tests after he retires.

Then, as our new "American century" unfolds, at least we can claim that "We didn't know our leader was insane".

Stark apologizes

Stephanie H. — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:30:42 GMT

It'a shame that anyone has to feel compelled to apologize for saying what 70% of the American people are thinking about this president. When did Bush become Emperor? Stark, we forgive you for not sticking to your guns and appreciate the courage you briefly portrayed to "tell it like it is". Keep your chin up.

Stark apologizes

juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:31:02 GMT

A. Taxpayer- It is my anger coming out when the right wing of the Republican party uses hate mongering to deny civil liberties to others like gays who pay taxes but do not have equal protection under the law, wrap themselves around the flag, use the bible, and call themselves moral....Now that is what I call hypocrisy. Whether or not you or anyone else takes me seriously; I could care less; You must be confusing me with Jerry, In the middle, and Dave.

Stark apologizes

Marjorie — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:31:40 GMT

Congressman Stark spoke the truth! His comments were completely accurate and appropriate!
He must have been coerced to have apologized.
I fear for his family!
I fear for my family!

Stark apologizes

Houston — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:38:22 GMT

Tired BS sez [[People he broke the rules of the house. One reason that our country has been able to over come is because of the civility of the debate. The rules state that personal attacks aginst each other or the President are forbidden. ]]

Do the rules state that it's OK for the Vice President of the United States to tell a Senator to "go f*** yourself" on the floor of the Senate? Cheney's refusal to apologize for his piggish behavior makes him even more loathesome, but the pubs, being kind of piggish themselves, all backed him up 100%.

You've gotta give the pubs credit for one thing, they do have the courage of their hypocrisy. Normal people would be ashamed of the double standards that the pubs are obviously so proud of getting the Democratic "leadership" and the lamestream media to accept.

Stark apologizes

John B, Des Moines, IA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:48:44 GMT

Go to hell traitor Stark!

Toby Hill (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 12:48 PM)

Go to hell yourself, Toby, and with you all of your fascist ilk that considers anyone with an opinion opposed to the esteemed leader to be a traitor. I gladly stand as a traitor in the eyes of those who seek to impose their authoritarian, theocratic agenda on America, because I stand proudly as an American.

Stark apologizes

Richard, Washington State — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:51:23 GMT

An appropriate apology.

Stark apologizes

Robbo the Yobbo — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:52:02 GMT

Nuanced is right: The only thing wrong with Stark's assessment was the attributing our quagmire to sating Bush's "amusement." Is the quagmire about Bush's arrogance? Oh yeah! His apocolyptic and insane vision of our future? Ain't no doubt! But I think Bush is only *amused* at small stuff like nicknaming his associates by way of belittling them. What a brittle and mediocre creep we have for a president.

Stark apologizes

Bill, Baltimore, MD — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:01:28 GMT

When will Bush apologize for using the death of troops to help his WMD hunt video?

Why did Boehner never fix the bad back that washed him out of boot camp?

Stark apologizes

John B, Des Moines, IA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:04:30 GMT

I hereby apologize to all conservatives for anything hateful I may have said. My liberal leanings obviously have made me prone to saying horrible, awful things. Henceforth I promise to model my postings more after this
I am a Soldier who has been taught to hate by the back stabbing Democratic party.
Jim (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 1:03 PM)
or this
Bush Derangement Syndrome on clear display and also showing their belief that 'people have the right to speak out' yep if they preech leftwing tripe.
Kevin, St.Louis, MO (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 1:08 PM)
"...he concluded though a voice cracking with emotion" booze, you mean. his voice crackled with booze induced sentimentality. the man is a drunk.
jf (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 1:11 PM)
or maybe this guy http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=757_1187963465&p=1 I realize now that If I were not polluted by liberal thinking I would never say anything hateful.

Stark apologizes

bb — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:09:33 GMT

Juan you are cool, keep it up.

Stark apologizes

jf — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:17:25 GMT

houston, cheney didn't go to the floor to tell lehey to f*** himself on the record. lehey had spent the day calling cheney a war proffiteer on the floor. later while posing for a photo, lehey attempted to feign collegiality with cheney, so cheney told him to "go f*** himself". quite appropriate i think.

your attempt to spin these two incidents as paralell is risable. in fact, in a hypothetical future in which stark stumbles up to bush looking to share a photo-op and is dismissed with a simple and honest "go f*** yourself", i would support the utterance in that instance as well.

Stark apologizes

fred, washington dc — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:29:13 GMT

i dont know why stark apologized. i think he speaks for a lot of americans. a lot (most?) of democrats. i think they should all scream a little louder like that. repeatedly. to seal their solid 35% lock on the kook demographic. and pave the way for the national 08 elections. where a whole lot of SANE people vote. and of course we all know why he apologized. there just aint enough kooks in the country to vote for hillary. dems da facts folks. scream all you want. its funny to watch. and ask anyone whose been to iraq, almost anyone, and they'll tell you who supports them and who doesnt. why scream about it. pull them aside and ask them. i have. the dems i guess would be surprised. but maybe not. they'll just attempt to get THOSE votes excluded in the recounts. and all you screamers can say i have no idea what i am talking about, if that makes you feel better. but deep down, as you scream, you'll know the truth...you'll know....

Stark apologizes

jf chicago — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:36:12 GMT

nice cherry pick, john b. lets just look at the first three comments in order:

"Thank you Rep. Stark for the apology, it was well put." - jt

"Hmmm..apologize? This guy is the only one telling it like it is. The truth is that Bush and Cheney are certifiably crazy, dangerous, despicable human beings. Apologize for telling the truth?" - F

"Hey Stark when the idiot in chief apologizes to me and the rest of the Country he can return to his insignificant garbage heap.
"No need for an apology, we are still waiting , so past due as to warrant an arrest! IMPEACH BUSH!" - H P Boston

btw, how's randy rhodes healing up? you know, from last week when progressives were seriously talking about how now was the time to pre-emptively start killing republicans because an air america host said that she was assaulted by republicans. that turned out to be a lie. in fact rhodes overdrank and blacked out on the sidewalk. but the air america host saw it as an opportunity to inspire some more andrew mickels and matthew j. marrens towards "direct action" for "social justice".

Stark apologizes

Houston — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:41:04 GMT

jf [[cheney didn't go to the floor to tell lehey to f*** himself on the record.]]

But of course, if a Democrat had told Chicken Dick Cheney to go f*** himself -- even it was "off the record" -- the pubs and their mouthpieces on hate radio would be squealing in outrage about how the sacred dignity of the Senate chamber and the Majestic Personnage of the Vice President had been defiled. Nice try at an excuse for Cheney's disgusting behavior, but no cigar.

Stark apologizes

jf chicago — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:46:45 GMT

houston, re: this mythology that the old southern segregationist democrats all became republicans when lbj signed the 64 civil rights act.

two. that's the number of democrat senators who switched parties. two. the dozens of others stayed democrat untill their retirements in the 70's, 80's and 90's. fritz hollings retired a democrat in 2005. ten years after this supposed mass party switch which never happened, the south went solidly for carter. during the period before this supposed mass party switch which never happened, the southern segregationists adhered to the democrat party because they were democrats. in other words, new dealers. progressives. please reconcile this. reconcile the fact that you support a party which still counts kk members amongst its ranks.

Stark apologizes

Charlie C, NY NY — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:54:22 GMT

Someone else said it well- This mighty country has slipped and fallen face first in the gutter when someone has to apologize for telling the truth. It's obvious to me that the folks that still support Bush are doing so not because it benefits our nation, but because it benefits the special intrest groups to which they belong.

Stark apologizes

IMPEACH BUSH — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:15:59 GMT

jf chicago thanks so much I really am proud when we Dem's can get under your skin.. We have learned so much from the scum repukes, how to scream and call names. Gee it works well, I can see we have progressed. No sense playing nice and "try to get along", it hardly works with the smear repukes.
I am a graduate of the school of down and dirty scum sucking repuke lying war mongers hate spewers and baddddddddd people! So many teachers and despicable war lovers! Let me show you my diploma from the school of how to spread hate and fear of liberals by bush /cheney school of terror. Professors of Hate!

Stark apologizes

Peter, Pittsburgh, PA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:28:08 GMT

Lee Holmes wrote, "This of course is another lie.[What I find strange about liberals is that they are so quick to dispense lies and untruths while condemning these crummy qualities in others]."

Look in the mirror Lee.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:32:11 GMT

jf [[this mythology that the old southern segregationist democrats all became republicans when lbj signed the 64 civil rights act.]]

Nixon's "Southern Strategy" was a myth? That's news to me. Carter's election was an aberration. It was the first presidential election after the Watergate scandal, Carter was a Southerner, and Jerry Ford didn't pander to white racists like Nixon had. (Ford, being a decent human being, wouldn't get nominated for dog catcher in the modern Republican Party, either).

But then came Ronnie Reagan who won the South with Nixon-style pandering. He started his campaign by going to Philadelphia Mississipi, scene of some of the worst racist violence during the civil rights era, where he blathered about "states' rights" (like the states' right to segregate schools maybe?).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39345-2004Jun13.html

Of course, Reagan's pandering to states' rights enthusiasts also had great appeal for those "Reagan Democrats" in the North like the ones in Boston who rioted over school integration.

Stark apologizes

Ryan Gandy, Knoxville TN — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:35:13 GMT

Stark got ONE thing right. He is an insignificant piece of garbage that stands ready to smear anything and anyone he sees fit. No one is "amused" by death and to think that you'd have to be incredibly twisted to begin with. But from the replies cluttering these pages, I'm convinced that the overwhelming majority of liberals here have broken out of the local nut house and are truly rabid creatures.

This is BDS at its finest.

It truly wouldn't surprise me if Stark is simply kissing up to his MoveOn puppet masters.

Just ... Wow.

Stark apologizes

John B, Des Moines, IA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:39:39 GMT

jf, Randi Rhodes is just fine, every time someone runs down Air America Radio I go straight to their webcast and log on immediately. She's on right now as a matter of fact. FYI the "RR was beat up by a gang of conservatives" story was an ill-advised joke for which an apology was issued almost immediately. When was the last time Rush apologized for anything? Like the "phony soldiers" slur for example? No, instead he and all his talk radio ilk just fall back on the bully's constant defense; "You have no sense of humor, you can't take a joke." The next time you complain about the lack of civility consider who are the bullies and who is willing to apologize when they step over the line.

Stark apologizes

notforbushjustamusement — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:39:59 GMT

I apologize to no one who supports this little dictator and his puppet master cheney. They are both out to destroy our country for the misguided ideas of PNAC. They deserve to be put on trial for high treason and put behind bars or shot, whichever the courts decide. Myself, I would enjoy watching the looks on their faces when they realize they not only sh*t on America but just put a load in their pants because they know they are 10 seconds away from death. To all you bush supporters...kiss my a$$

Stark apologizes

Ryan Gandy, Knoxville TN — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:41:14 GMT

@IMPEACH BUSH: Look up the meaning of the word "loser" in the dictionary and you'll find your picture. I'm surprised they've allowed your hate-filled, insult-laden posts to appear on this.

Why don't you just go away?

Stark apologizes

jf chicago — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:59:16 GMT

"...This mighty country has slipped and fallen face first in the gutter when someone has to apologize for telling the truth." - Charlie C, NY NY

sort of like randy rhodes.

Stark apologizes

Lisa, Fort Worth TX — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:59:50 GMT

Tuck, I had to go back and read Deb's comment. Maybe Deb was using satire?
You made a darn funny comment today but now I forget the topic to which it referred. I just remembered that quite a few of your posts have humor--I like that!
PS: is realityville the actual name of your town?

Stark apologizes

aa — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:04:42 GMT

|| Juan you are cool,

Room temperature?

|| keep it up.

And try to move around a bit, you know, so no one buries you.

Stark apologizes

jf chicago — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:34:30 GMT

john b

"the "RR was beat up by a gang of conservatives" story was an ill-advised joke"

ok

"(rush) and all his talk radio ilk just fall back on the bully's constant defense; 'You have no sense of humor, you can't take a joke.'"

that would make a funny loop.

two things though.

1) the rhodes incitement was not a joke and the apology came three days later, a day after it was known to be false.

2) rush didn't use the "it's just a joke" defence because what in fact happened was that his words, referring to former ivaw spokesman, jesse macbeth, were malliciously distorted and misrepresented as a swipe at all soldiers. it was on that basis which he defended himself. oddly enough, the combat vet he was talking to at the time agreed and reasserted the "phony soldiers" label against, to throw another out there, tom harkin or executive secretary of ivaw's predecessor, vvaw, al hubbard.

Stark apologizes

jf chicago — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:35:01 GMT

houston, you are incorrect.

nixon, between 1969 and 1974: raised the civil rights enforcement budget 800 percent; doubled the budget for black colleges; appointed more blacks to federal posts and high positions than any president, including lbj; adopted the "philadelphia plan" mandating quotas for blacks in unions, and for black scholars in colleges and universities; and raised the share of Southern schools that were desegregated from 10 percent to 70 percent. nixon did have a southern strategy. it was to capture the votes of middleclass christians who opposed the radical bombthrowers of the new left who had increasingly asserted themselves in the democrat clown car, while leaving the "party of Maddox, Mahoney and Wallace to squeeze the last ounces of political juice out of the rotting fruit of racial injustice."

reagan started his campaign in new jersey. progressives, eager to project their guilt on the political "other", invented the myth that he kicked off in missisippi. ironicly, up to that time, missisippis senators were a couple of those democrats who were falsely said to have "switched parties" twenty years before.

please explain why you shill for a party which still maintains kkk members amongst its ranks.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:20:37 GMT

jf [[reagan started his campaign in new jersey. progressives, eager to project their guilt on the political "other", invented the myth that he kicked off in missisippi.]]

References to back up your assertions? Reagan was lots of places, so you can quibble about where he started his campaign. But the fact remains he chose the town where three civil rights workers were murdered to give his speech on states' "rights."

[[please explain why you shill for a party which still maintains kkk members amongst its ranks.]]

I'm not "shilling" for anyone, especially not the gutless wonders who are the alleged "leaders" of the Democratic Party. If you're claiming that Senator Byrd is a kkk members you need to get your facts straight. He disowned the klan decades before David Duke ran as the pub candidate for governor of Louisiana.

Of course, none of this has much to do with your unbelievably idiotic comment that slavery is a "cherished" Democratic institution. The Republican Party that ended slavery is dead. The modern party of the same name that fights affirmative action and gets the vote of every state that was in the old Confederacy has absolutely nothing to do with the party of Abraham Lincoln, who is still reviled in the South.

Stark apologizes

J Anderson Scottsdale AZ — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:43:18 GMT

Someone must have reminded the old wack job to take his meds on time. Either that or they threatened to let former Congressman JC Watts back in the room to beat him to a pulp (the as#hole Stark once said in the House that JC Watts' children were born out of wedlock; Watts had to be restrained from giving Stark the beating he so richly deserves) I guess Pelosi may have threatened Stark with cutting off his clitoris (Stark is a p#ssy; not a man)

Stark apologizes

nuanced — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:58:25 GMT

Upon his arrival in Sydney Wednesday, Deputy Australian Prime Minister Mark Vaile "inquired politely" about his stopover in the war-torn country.

"We're kicking ass," Bush said.

The remark was overheard by a reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald and caught by an Australian blog.

According to the paper, Bush arrived in Australia in a "chipper mood."
----------------------------
Real facts, real quotes after Bush's recent visit to Iraq.

Translations:
chipper mood -- amused
kicking ass -- blowing heads off

Which is worse, someone who enjoys hearing and seeing about people getting killed or someone who calls them on it.

Bush is an evil sociopath. Here is the medical definition. You decide if the shoe fits.

1) failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
2) deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
3) impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
4) irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
5) reckless disregard for safety of self or others
6) consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain steady work or honor financial obligations
7) lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another

Stark apologizes

Lee Holmes — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:04:15 GMT

Houston: Robert Byrd voted against the Civil Rights Act and he remains in Congress as a Democrat.Fritz Hollings,another Democrat who voted against it only recently retired.

Stark apologizes

Lee Holmes — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:13:58 GMT

I have and I see you with your pandering BS contrived to mollycoddle terrorists standing behind me. You are on the losing end of the law on this one Pete. Heh. Even the Democrats wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole when they had the chance,let alone The Supremes.[Pete,strangely believing that battlefield fighters operating under neither flag nor uniform get to tie up civil courts for decades as they should have legal rights that they would deny others at the point of a gun or a bombvest,that they should have the same rights as ordinary American citizens. In no writings whatever by Jefferson,Mason,Hamilton,Adams or anyone else concerned with this nations founding that included its legal protections have I found even one in agreement with your blighted position.[nor any by the USSC,for this matter,with only HAMDAN coming anywhere near this].

Stark apologizes

LT in MD — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:18:18 GMT

I too am saddened that Stark was bullied into apologizing. He only stated, rather emotionally, what the majority of sane Americans are thinking.

BTW, those of you who are quick to condemn "liberals" for underhanded tactics/lying etc., sure are suffering from a massive case of transference. Six and a half years of Rovinian smears and lies, and the pot is still harassing the kettle.

As far as I have observed, over and over again; neocons get their pre-approved talking points from their conservative, war-mongering, independent thought-bashing pundits, and then repeat these same talking points over and over and over again, until they become 'truth'.

Now that roughly 70% of the population has had enough of the neocon status quo, the dedicated wingnuts are becoming shriller and banging the drums harder and louder, in an attempt to overwhelm rational discourse.

2008 elections can't get here fast enough.

Stark apologizes

Vera Choipal — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:30:21 GMT

What a dick. Californians need to come together to defeat this guy in the primary next spring, or general election next fall.

Stark apologizes

s. katz — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:41:05 GMT

Bush is very amused.

He is a textbook case of a sociopath or a dry drunk, or a combination of the two. This is the guy who has his finger on the big red button.

Amused? We should all be so amused.

Stark was too polite in his initial assessment.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:18:04 GMT

Lee Holmes [[Robert Byrd voted against the Civil Rights Act and he remains in Congress as a Democrat.Fritz Hollings,another Democrat who voted against it only recently retired.]]

That was what? 40 years ago? How long has it been since Senator Maccaca slimed an American of Indian ancestry? About 11 months? You know what Senator I"m talking about: the Republican who kept a Confederate battle flag and a noose in his office. The Democratic Party USED to be the home of racists. Now the Republican Party is.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:23:10 GMT

[[the as#hole Stark once said in the House that JC Watts' children were born out of wedlock; ]]

As a matter of fact, Watts did have illegitimate children, but not all of them. Only two.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:32:00 GMT

[[ rush didn't use the "it's just a joke" defence because what in fact happened was that his words, referring to former ivaw spokesman, jesse macbeth, were malliciously distorted and misrepresented as a swipe at all soldiers.]]

Rush lied. And you're repeating his lie. He used the plural soldierS, He was attacking all of the troops who are against this insane war, which is about half of them, such as Pat Tillman. The pubs probably want to forget about him. He was the football player who signed up to fight in Afghanistan (where the enemy REALLY is) after 9/11 and who Bush used for propaganda, even though Tillman despised Bush and his foolish war in Iraq.

Stark apologizes

Zach, Reno, Nevada — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:39:52 GMT

The problem is that he just has No Class. This is not the first time either. Like he said the black Republican's (J.C. Watts) kids were all born out of wedlock.
It is pretty bad when the San Francisco Chronicle says:
Surely there must be someone along the shoreline between Alameda and Fremont who could represent the good citizens of the district with class and dignity. It's not the case now.
The guy does cry well after he apologizes.

Stark apologizes

BERT CONVY — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:51:55 GMT

*
This old pantload is a disgrace, but then so is the whole democratic party. He should be apologizing for that.

Stark apologizes

Mark Etplace — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:07:20 GMT

nuanced - Bush is an evil sociopath. Here is the medical definition. You decide if the shoe fits.

nuanced -

These definitions describe the more liberal posters on this board. They also seem to fit you exactly. All is not lost though, word is that Nancy Pelosi is praying for you.

Stark apologizes

John B, Des Moines, IA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:26:05 GMT

Keep lying to us jf. We enjoy it.

Stark apologizes

simple and honest — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:16:55 GMT

is dismissed with a simple and honest "go f*** yourself", i would support the utterance in that instance as well.
jf (Sent Tuesday, October 23, 2007 3:17 PM)

-- jf, consider yourself dismissed

Stark apologizes

eric,north miami,florida — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:10:04 GMT

Pat from Huntington,
What is this real debate that you are refering to my dear?You mean a real debate versus a false debate about hating gays and lesbians....listening to my phone calls in order to catch Osama>>>Sending billions of tax dollars to iraq so Haliburton can get rich right alongside Blackwater>>>>Keeping the idea of Osama alive in order to keep us scared......>I would love to debate these issues with you anytime,anywhere

Stark apologizes

Nate Redding — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:52:11 GMT

That was what? 40 years ago? How long has it been since Senator Maccaca slimed an American of Indian ancestry?

Oh now this is interesting. If it happened 40 years ago for a Democrat, nut job liberals aren't interested in it. If it happens 40 years ago for a Republican, take Bush's national guard records, then the loony-left are all ears.

Byrd was a racist then, he is one now, and he'll be one when he passes to the next world. He is also a current Democratic Senator. Racism is alive and doing well in the Democratic party.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:24:20 GMT

Nate Redding [[Oh now this is interesting. If it happened 40 years ago for a Democrat, nut job liberals aren't interested in it. If it happens 40 years ago for a Republican, take Bush's national guard records, then the loony-left are all ears.]]

Um, the Republican nutjob of which you speak is now the alleged "president" of the United States and never showed any remorse for his dereliction of duty during the Vietnam war.

And it's interesting how you won't even concede that EX-Senator Allen's attack on an Indian American was a disturbing sign of racism in the Republican Party. Apparently you condone it, like a lot of pubs secretly do, judging by their hateful behavior.

Stark apologizes

RMC, Marlin,Tx. — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:43:59 GMT

et tu John Murtha?
If old man Stark can apologize to President Bush for running off at the mouth,prove that you are old man enough to apologize to those marines you smeared on national TV.

Stark apologizes

Peter, Pittsburgh, PA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:05:41 GMT

Lee Holmes wrote, "Pete,strangely believing that battlefield fighters operating under neither flag nor uniform get to tie up civil courts for decades as they should have legal rights that they would deny others at the point of a gun or a bombvest,that they should have the same rights as ordinary American citizens."

How are battlefield fighters operating under neither flag nor uniform denying others at the point of a gun different from ordinary murderers also under neither flag nor uniform denying others at the point of a gun? Thieves don't carry flags or wear uniforms either and many of them deny people's rights at the point of a gun too. Come to think of it, most people who are accused of commiting crimes don't carry flags or wear uniforms and many deprive others of their rights at the point of a gun. On Oct. 18th you wrote, "Peter: You are being dishonest.[as well as obtuse.Why is this a recurring role with you people?]You know damned well that Habeas Corpus is a portion of this document. But one that is applied to CITIZENS. Not terrorists from a foreign nation representing no army and serving under no flag." First, I never wrote that habeas corpus isn't in the Constitution; you did. In fact I gave you the section of the Constitution where the right is proclaimed. Second, the word "citizen" does not appear in the section of the Constitution on habeas corpus, and the "terrorist" does not appear anywhere in the Constitution. Those that play fast and loose with the Constitution would deny the right of habeas corpus to everybody when clearly it's in the Constitution.

So, look in the mirror Lee.

Stark apologizes

Nate Redding — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:14:20 GMT

Um, the Republican nutjob of which you speak is now the alleged "president" of the United States and never showed any remorse for his dereliction of duty during the Vietnam war.

That's cause it didn't happen. And "alledged" President. You are a really out there. Let me guess, you've got a poster of Dan Rather in your bedroom?

Ex-Senator Allen, with the operative word being ex. The voters have spoken, right? Byrd-ie boy is still there, pouring out his hate on a daily basis. And that's just fine for loon left crowd that keeps voting him in. Racism is alive and doing well in the Democratic party.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:46:59 GMT

Nate Redding [[That's cause it didn't happen. ]]

Like most wingnuts, you're in denial. The nutjob in the Oval Office most certainly did shirk his duties, even though he was in the "Champaign Unit" of the Texas National Guard. This has nothing to do with the memo Rather got in trouble for. Official records show, among other things, that he even failed to show up for a mandatory medical exam (wonder why?) that waw required to be flight qualified. Rather than showing remorse, Bush and his stooges tried to covered up his disgraceful military record.

[[Ex-Senator Allen, with the operative word being ex. The voters have spoken, right?]]

What Senator Maccaca didn't count on was the changing demographics of Virginia, which now has a larger population of non-white voters. The pub base, stuck with Allan, just like the base in Tennessee stuck with the guy who ran the racist "Call me Harold" ad against Rep. Ford, who lost to the racist in that case.

Stark apologizes

Nate Redding — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:25:36 GMT

Houston - pure fantasy again on Bush's national guard duty. Proof? None? It's all in your mind. Wow, he missed a medical exam. I bet that's never happened before. He was late for lunch one time too. Maybe Rather can fabricate a story out of that too? Make sure not to use Microsoft Word when printing off the documents next time.

You just want to believe this stuff don't you? Ever fiber of your body tells you it has to be true. You must be so disappointed to find out it all comes from the make believe world in Rather's head.

Also, you just cannot deal with the fact that the Democrats have one of the biggest racists as their senior member of the Senate. Allen makes one slip, and he's gone. Byrd-ie boy could show up with whites on, hey no problem for the loon left crowd, lets elect him again, and again, and again. He's our guy.

Stark apologizes

Lee Holmes — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:05:02 GMT

Houston:You proferred the erroneous postion that these Civil Rights era Southern Democrats jumped ship and ''became Republicans''. Not I. I merely corrected you on your error.

Stark apologizes

IntheMiddle, TX — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:15:11 GMT

Houston: I'm a black man and your attempting in your childish rants to set us back 40 yrs. Your all out in left field and apparently have entered into a debate where you are not well informed or just plain ignorant to facts.
1. Your hatred of Bush has blinded you. During the Vietnam War everybody and their mother was trying to get out of going. Some did, some didn't. Thats life. Apparently you weren't around during that time. Bush reported to duty just about as much as any Natl Guardsman do nowadays. If your not called up to active duty, most Guardsmen and reservist just call-in and that will satisfy their weekend duty for the month. I know I was one before I went active.
2. Allen said something stupid. How many times have you said something stupid about white people? It goes both ways.
3. Byrd was a Grand Wizard....He is still wabboling around in the Senate. They elect him over and over. Do you think at his age, he has changed his view? Old people don't change. If he could utter the "N" word one last time in the Senate, he will.
4. You want respect, you have to earn it. By calling the POTUS out of his name, you and your compadres do not help your cause. I can call the Democrats some of the nastiest things you probably have ever heard, but I dont.
Ive talked enuff...BTW: There are blacks within the Republican Party, and we dont automatically vote Democrat because "momma in nem" do it. You need to check "yo" self.

Stark apologizes

Lee Holmes — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:23:01 GMT

Peter:You are being dishonest[again]. As a person who has taken the time to point out the HAMDI and HAMDAN rulings to you,Ex Parte Garland and KOREMATSU,Nuremberg and Tokyo,I damned well know where Habeas Corpus rests in the Document. Long before I entered into argument with your specious position. However,my stance ,shared by our Congress and our judiciary and our executive branches,is that it does not apply to those who take up arms against this nation fighting as irregular soldiers representing a specific organized sect[in this case,al Qaeda and/or the Taliban,or Aby Sayef or HAMAS or HEZBOLLAH for this matter]. This makes them not mere ''thieves''or stickup men,but armed fighters representing a foreign entity,picked up on foreign battlefields, that are in NO case liable to share the same protections given to ordinary Americans. As I heretofore observed,the words ''privacy''do not appear either. Nor does the ''collective''right to keep and bear arms. Nor does ''same sex marriage'' or rights based upon ''sexual orientation''.''Redress for past racism''does not appear as well. Yet these are inserted rights maintained as a percieved portion of this Document. You forget that in the history of this nation,NO HC rights have ever been extended to those deemed as this nations enemies,in their postion not as ''thieves''but in their capacity as armed fighters seeking the deaths of our troops and our citizens operating in an organized capacity under an entity that has officially declared war against the United States[see:bin Laden Fatwa''Declaration of War'',1998]. Pull your head out of it.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:18:18 GMT

IntheMiddle rants [[Houston: I'm a black man and your attempting in your childish rants to set us back 40 yrs]]

Of course, I'm attempting no such thing, which means you're lying. Typical of wingnuts that when they can't attack the message, they attack the messenger. BTW: We all know that Clarence Thomas is black. According to wingnut Political Correctness, nobody's supposed to criticize him for his deplorable record on the Surpreme Court.

[[ Bush reported to duty just about as much as any Natl Guardsman do nowadays.]]

Looks like your credulous adoration of Bush is blinding you to the fact that National Guardsmen in THIS century are risking their lives on year-long combat missions in Iraq. You're god Bush spent his military "career" campaigning for his daddy in Alabama and guarding various Houston bars from Viet Cong attacks. If he got any Purple Hearts, it would have been for falling off a bar stool.

[[Allen said something stupid. How many times have you said something stupid about white people? It goes both ways. ]]

Strange how a black man could be OK with Senator Maccaca, his Confederate flag, and his noose collection. But it takes all kinds, I guess.

[[By calling the POTUS out of his name, you and your compadres do not help your cause.]]

It's not name-calling to point out that Bush was a Vietnam war avoider whom official records prove was derelict in his duty when he was in the National Guard. Niether is noting that he has proven hilmself to be a serial liar and, as pointed out by someone else, a sociopath.

BTW: Getting back to the subject of Stark, he was incorrect to say the deaths of US troops amuse Bush. That would make him a psychopath. But he's a sociopath, which means he's just indifferent to death and suffering he has caused.

[[Byrd was a Grand Wizard....He is still wabboling around in the Senate. They elect him over and over. Do you think at his age, he has changed his view? Old people don't change. If he could utter the "N" word one last time in the Senate, he will. ]]

Are you a psychic to know what Byrd secretly believes? Or could it be that you're just spewing hate against an old guy for what he did 40 years ago because of his courageous opposition to Bush's foolish war in THIS century?

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:26:21 GMT

Lee Holmes [[However,my stance ,shared by our Congress and our judiciary and our executive branches,is that it does not apply to those who take up arms against this nation fighting as irregular soldiers representing a specific organized sect]]

The Constitution says that Habeus Corpus can be suspended only during times of rebelliion. It says nothing about "irregular soldiers." Lincoln (who wouldn't get elected dog catcher in the GOP today) followed the lawful process of suspending habeus corpus during the Civil War. Bush unlawfully suspended habeus corpus and violated his oath to uphold the Constitution. He would have already been impeached for this crime among many others if there weren't so many robot Republicans in the Congress who are blindly following their Dear Leader over a cliff.

BTW: The European resistance fighters during WWII were "irregular soldiers" who didn't wear uniforms. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the extremist pubs thought that the Nazis were within their rights to use "enhanced interrogation methods" on them.

Stark apologizes

Carol Krestos, Buffalo, New York — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:30:10 GMT

I was totally saddened by the fact that you apologized. Does the republican cult machine have something on you? Did they wiretape you and find out some juicy stuff? How is it that the Democrats are apologizing for everything and the republican cult machine continually lies, deceives, insults, manipulates and is condecending. Have all the Democrats turn into whimps? I am a true liberal/democrat and how this administration has been able to devastate our country debt "wise" and get away with it, how this administration has managed to lead us to an unjust war, excuse me, occupation, and get away with it, how this administration has been able to create all sorts of unnecessary fear, and get away with it, how this administration takes our right to privacy away and gets away with it and how this administration has been able to ignore our constitution and the bill of rights, and gets away with it and all of this tell me that the republican cult are Thugs, Evil Do'ers, Fascist Terrorists.......sounds familiar? Wake up US citizens and Democrats, no more apologies, no more war, lets get our country and right back.

Stark apologizes

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:55:59 GMT

Bush will go down as one of the greatest military presidents of our time. Much like Churchill.

This whole muslim thing has been festering since Abraham through Hagar out of the tent.

Stark apologizes

IntheMiddle, TX — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:03:52 GMT

Houston: I happen to have served for 24 yrs. I just retired 3 months ago. I have several combat tours, hence being I was a member of Special Forces for 17 yrs. I also received several awards, not to mention a Purple Heart. I also rose to the highest rank possible as an enlisted man + received a Master's degree. So I can be just as intellectual or just as "ghetto" as you want to be. You automatically dismiss any African American as being stupid because they don't adhere to Liberalism.
2. Clarence Thomas has achieved something that neither you nor I probably never will so you need not put your mouth on him. Your probably not even familiar with the mans record. Just spouting off something that you have heard on Keith Olberman or MSM. Research before you speak against the man. Read his book, you might learn something.
3. Have you served? I didnt think so. I explained earlier as to reporting for duty. rest my case.
4. What is Liar, stupid, ignorant, incompetent, etc. All opinions. Liberals think if they yell the loudest, then their message is true. I just shake it right off.
5. Did you see a noose in the mans office? Didnt think so. More he/say..
6. If Byrd's actions were ages ago, then why are Liberals speaking about something with Bush taht was ages ago.

Stark apologizes

Nate Redding — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:25:51 GMT

Are you a psychic to know what Byrd secretly believes?

Are you that dense Houston? Psychic? The man all but wears a poster board saying he's a racist. Byrd led his local kkk organization, he filibustered the civil rights act in the 60's, opposed the voting rights act, he uses the n-word on the Senate floor. Most people don't need to be whacked on the side of the head to figure out what Byrd believes. Although it certainly looks like that is what it would take for you to get the message. You excuse this piece of walking debris of a man, but you're all over Allen for the "Maccaca" reference? You truly are a charter member of the left wing loon club.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:28:19 GMT

One final comment: I guess IntheMiddle said he was black as some sort of proof of how, um, liberal the pubs are when it comes to racial inclusion.

But the mere fact that there are blacks in the Republican has no relevance whatsoever to the question of whether or not the party exploits racial animosities. I know a woman of German Jewish descent whose parents voted for Hitler back in the 30s because they thought he was "strong on national security." That obviously has no relevance to the blatant anti-semitism of the Nazis. Voting against ones own self-interest is irrational, and no race or ethnic group is immune from irrationality.

Stark apologizes

Lee Holmes — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:46:59 GMT

Houston; It is suspended inwardly towards the citizens of this nation. It does not and has never taken into consideration those who represent a threatening foreign entity. Not the Tripolian pirates,nor Mexican raiders under Villa,nor German and Japanese POWs,nor Russian spies,nor jihadists captured on foreign battlefields. Lincoln followed no such ''lawful''means to suspend HC. It was performed unilaterally as an emergency edict and without either congressional advise and consent,nor with the consent of Taneys USSC.[Lincoln toyed with the idea of throwing the Chief Justice into prison]. Lastly,you forget that the resistance movements members were our allies,and that in each and every case where Axis-allied resistance movements arrayed themselves against the US,[the Balkans ''Arrow Cross'',the North African Vichyists and Arab Axis spies,the Dutch Quislings],they were DENIED Habeas Corpus rights and were treated summarily to military,not civil,justice. Not in one single subsequent USSC decision did it ever render verdict regarding these military treatments aimed at foreign enemy resistance movements of fighters who had been either imprisoned,or summarily shot or hung. The formula to try these jihadist fighters rests in military tribunals,as it always has.

Also see:

''Lincoln:The War Years''. Sandberg,Carl. Library of Congress Reprnt.2001.

''Mr.Lincolns Army'' Catton,Bruce. Penguin Books,1955

''An Army At Dawn'',Atkinson,Rick. Henry Holt & Co.2002.

''A Soldiers Story'' Bradley,Omar. General of the United States Army. Modern Library, Reprnt.1999

Stark apologizes

Peter, Pittsburgh, PA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:06:11 GMT

Lee Holmes wrote, "Peter:You are being dishonest[again]. As a person who has taken the time to point out the HAMDI and HAMDAN rulings to you,Ex Parte Garland and KOREMATSU,Nuremberg and Tokyo,I damned well know where Habeas Corpus rests in the Document."

For a very educated person you aren't arguing very effectively Lee. Let me break this down for you.
Initially you wrote, "First,you cry crocodile tears over the ''dismantling''of the Constitution when it comes to granting foreign enemy combatants Habeas Corpus rights which appears nowhere in the Document."
I responded with, "Read Article 1, Section 9, Lee." Note that the Constitution does not qualify Habeas Corpus with respect to citizenship nor foreign enemy combatants. Those qualifications are external to the document. Also note, that I did not accuse you of lying in my six word reply.

You then responded with, "I saw that coming down the pike and was ready for it," and a bunch of citations to items not in the Constitution.

To me "I saw that coming down the pike and was ready for it" means you lied to set a trap. If you had said that I had misunderstood your original claim and that Habeas Corpus for enemy combatants is not in accordance with our laws not just the Constitution, I would have let it go at that.

Since then you have written, "Peter: You are being dishonest.[as well as obtuse.Why is this a recurring role with you people?]You know damned well that Habeas Corpus is a portion of this document." You're the one who wrote that it's not in the Constitution; I gave you the reference. How is that being dishonest?

Look not, all investigations, arrests, and captures are perfect. Mistakes are made (I won't go into political retaliation here). Habeas Corpus gives the accused a chance to defend themselves. As an example, Jose Pedilla, a US citizen and a low life, was accused of conspiring to blow up a dirty bomb here. He was imprisoned and denied Habeas Corpus. He was never charged with conspiring to blow up a dirty bomb here. After a considerable amount of pressure was put on this administration by the courts, lawyers and various other individuals, he was finally tried and found guilty of other crimes. Absent the pressure he would have sat in jail innocent of the crimes of which he was accused. To show you how this mentality can affect you and me, even though we haven't committed any crimes or even been accused of committing any crimes, let me give you the example of a friend of mine. This friend is hassled and delayed every time he tries to fly. His wife can get tickets printed out over the internet but he can't. He asked, but nobody will tell him why. He can't seem to get off of whatever watch list he is on. Recently I noted an article about an IRA member being imprisoned for a bombing. His name was the same as my friends. The guy who we want to keep off the planes is now in jail but my friend's name is still on the list. I read today that there are now over 700,000 people on the government's watch list. Either most of these people are innocent victims of the process, like my friend, or there has been a huge increase in the number of terrorists under Bush's watch. If Habeas Corpus results in tying up the civil courts, why don't we hire more judges and lawyers? You know, the nice high paying jobs we were promised by both Democrats and Republicans.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:42:42 GMT

Lee Holmes [[It (habeus corpus) is suspended inwardly towards the citizens of this nation. It does not and has never taken into consideration those who represent a threatening foreign entity.]]

Jose Padilla was held in secret and tortured for several years. He is an AMERICAN citizen. He is probably a very bad guy, but he is still entitled to the due process that he was unlawfully denied by the Bush administration.

[[Lincoln followed no such ''lawful''means to suspend HC.]]

The US Constitution Article 1 Section 9: "The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it."

The books on Lincoln that you cited might have mentioned that he was president during the Civil War which was, as you might be aware, a REBELLION.

Stark apologizes

Always Entertained by the Left — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:56:51 GMT

LMAO - I love it when liberals get beat down....they are funny when their angry...heee heeee....You couldn't lie and destroy George Bush, you couldn't lie and destroy Gen. Petraeus, you couldn't lie and destroy Rush Limbaugh, and frankly it is evident by the 11% approval rating of the Congress that you can really do anything at all. Your all best to continue to whine about what your entitled to, and let Republicans take care of you!

Stark apologizes

juan,ft lauderdale,fl — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:11:32 GMT

Always Entertained by the left- Take your medications you are getting delusional. The so called 11% approval of congress is because of partisan hacks who put party loyalty first just like the NAZI PARTY.You can say always repulsed by the right wingers.

Stark apologizes

Houston — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:50:48 GMT

Nate Redding [[You truly are a charter member of the left wing loon club. ]]

It's interesting how wingnuts are always the first to attack other people writing to this blog. A good indication of how poor their reasoning skills are. Everyone knows about Byrd's past. Nothing he's done in recent years indicates he's exploiting racism, like his fellow ex-Dixiecrat the late Jesse Helms did with his infamous "white hand" commercial ("You NEEDED that job but they had to give it to a minority").

InTheMiddle [[What is Liar, stupid, ignorant, incompetent, etc. All opinions. ]]

No they aren't. Lying is knowingly saying something that is false such as Bush claiming that Hussein kicked the weapons inspectors out of Iraq -- an especially egregious bald-faced lie, unless you want to argue it was stupdity or insanity. Incompetence is when a war against a fourth-rate military power turns into a 5-year long nightmare that's cost half a trillion dollars already and has destabilized the entire Middle East from Turkey on the north to Iran on the south and Jordan to the west, where hundreds of thousands Iraqi refugees are causing a crisis in that small country already dealing with thousands of Palestinian refugees. These are facts, not opinions.

Stark apologizes

Lee Holmes — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:34:09 GMT

Houston:The determining body for this supension is the United States Supreme Court. NOT the executive branch acting solely.[if Bush tried such a manouvre,even under a national emergency such as the detonation of a nuclear weapon,you people would be calling for his head on a platter and demanding congressional and judicial intervention. As it is, Habeas Corpus has NEVER been suspended under a Bush watch regarding its citizens]. The president must answer to other branches of government acting co-equally to suspend this right. Even FDR garnered congressional approval for his roundup of Japanese and for a time,European-Americans denying these Habeas Corpus. You have no evidence whatever that Padilla,was ever ''tortured''.[indeed,no such evidence was ever sustained at his trial]. Further,you forget that the administration sought legal guidence from the judicial branch in coming to a final determination of Padillas fate,which was so given this year. Padilla now becomes precedent,in offering himself as a blueprint for any further legal actions aimed at US citizens who take up arms against their own country or plot the mass murder of its citizens on behalf of a entity that is in declared war against us.

Peter: The protection of enemy combatants under Habeas Corpus does not appear in this Document. This is the very thrust of my argument since its beginnings and it has been sustained for over 200 years,in all of Americas wars. My arguments were most certainly,[as in my offering of the HAMDAN and HAMDI USSC decisions],based in constitutional scrutiny by all of the justices. In HAMDAN,they punted back to the legislative branch,which upheld the right of the administration to try these individuals before military tribunals.[ when Republicans,seeking to draw Democrats out in a Sept.2006 vote by inserting a bill which would allow QTMO to be shut down and prisoners moved to the US,it was overwhelmingly gunned down. Even leftists such as Kucinich knew that his political career would not have survived sunset with an affirmative vote].
The vehicle used to try these individuals who, unlike Padilla, are NOT citizens of this nation offers the judiciaries, interpretation of minimal legal rights that do not include Habeas Corpus protection,and yet abide by international treaties that the US committed itself to.[Chief among these,the Geneva Conventions]. You must bear in mind that your ''friends''and these ''700,000''are, as citizens ,residents,or naturalized persons, fully covered under the protections of Habeas Corpus. To date,none have been permanently removed including those of Richard Reid,the ''shoebomber'',John ''Jihad Johnny''Walker,or Jose Padilla. All have had their trials and have recieved their sentances with full defense,prosecution,witness and judicial participation. The system,as it stands,works. Again,the differance must be made between American citizens acting as agents of foreign terrorist entities that are in declared war against this nation,and those who are not only not citizens,but have been picked up on foreign battlefields with no ties whatever to this country except their desire to destroy it.

Stark apologizes

mia, scottsdale az — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:15:49 GMT

No the 11% approval for congress is because of piss poor leadership. Reid and Pelosi should be recalled for the job they have done this year. They are an embarrassment to institution.

Stark apologizes

Always Entertained by the Left — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:44:47 GMT

Yes, its always someone else's fault isn't it Juan?
Maybe if your liberal leadership actually stepped up and took responsibility for their lack of work, people might take them serious. Until then the left will continue to try to divert attention with their hate, and lies, but the American people aren't buying it. It is this behaviour which will ultimately be their demise. Its a beautiful & entertaining thing to watch; whenever there is a swing in power to the left, republicans sit back and watch the left lie, smear, and lack of production themselves right back out of power. All bark, and no bite as the saying goes!
Oh and your so-called party hacks, these are the intelligent non-partisans who can think for themselves, maybe you should try it, its very liberating!

Stark apologizes

Peter, Pittsburgh, PA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:07:54 GMT

Lee Holmes wrote, "To date,none have been permanently removed including those of Richard Reid, the ''shoebomber'',John ''Jihad Johnny''Walker,or Jose Padilla. All have had their trials and have recieved their sentances with full defense,prosecution,witness and judicial participation. The system,as it stands,works."

So temporary loss of rights is OK, by you. Just how long is temporary anyway? Is it one month? Is it one year? Is it four years as in the case of Jose Padilla? Is ten years OK? How about 20 years, is that OK? Everybody is entitled to a prompt trial. Somehow four years doesn't seem to be prompt to me.
What about the presumption of innocense until proven guilty? Padilla spent more time in jail before being charged with anything than many people do after they are tried and convicted of crimes. And, the system works. That's a joke. We have four times as many people in jail per thousand than does China.
They don't have the rights and protections that we do. And, if you look at the racial composition of the jailhouse population, Blacks are four times as likely (per thousand) to be incarcerated than Whites. This doesn't take into consideration the hundreds that were found guilty only to exhonerated years later by DNA evidence. At the same time the crime rate is starting to go back up. And, for those unfortunate individuals deprived of their rights because they are stuck on watch lists without a way of getting off, how long is temporary? If you travel a lot on business this "inconvenience" could destroy your career. I guess that's all right by you since this is only "temporary." You may call this a working system; I don't.

You then wrote, "Again,the differance must be made between American citizens acting as agents of foreign terrorist entities that are in declared war against this nation,and those who are not only not citizens,but have been picked up on foreign battlefields with no ties whatever to this country except their desire to destroy it."

So what about the Canadian, Mr. Arar? He didn't come to this country to destroy it. He was going home to Canada when his plane had a stopover in the USA. He wasn't holding a flag, he wasn't wearing a uniform, he had no weapon, and he wasn't on any battlefield. He was on a list (by mistake) that the Canadian government gave to our authorities. He wasn't sent to Canada where the mistake could be corrected; no he was sent to Syria (where he was tortured). Yesterday Secretary Rice admitted basically that mistakes were made. You can't deny him rights as an illegal immigrant; he was just passing through. I guess
all of this is OK by you since, as a non-citizen, he has no rights.

Stark apologizes

Always Entertained by the Left — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:14:48 GMT

Lee Holmes - May I say that you have my support!
Let me give you simple loigc from a simple guy.
Terrorist: trained to KILL Americans; you, me, and Houston regardless of whether he/she wants to believe it or not! Now then. We argue over their (terrorist) rights? Seriously? Do you understand how absurd this sounds? I don't care if you are technically a US Citizen or not! While I know that the Geneva Convention protects terrorist from other countries, I'll never quite understand it. We as Americans can kill an unborn baby without even so much as a passing fancy, yet we are willing to go to blows with people, our own fellow Americans, because they don't believe that we should defend terroist. These are the same terrorist who capture and behead our country men on video tape and blast such vicious and animalistic acts across the world wide web for all to see,including the beheaded's family, and I quote "for THEIR (terrorist) entertainment"!
Houston is obviously intelligent, and might I say articulate as are you, if this energy were focused on denoucing terrorist, instead of fighting for their rights, we might actually get somewhere. This is America, and I wish liberals would start acting like Americans. Defending terrorist borders on treason in my book, and frankly in my simple opinion makes you guilty by association, and no better than they! Americans need to stick up for Americans, and stop sticking up for people who would have you free them because of our laws, and kill you and hour later because of their beliefs.

Stark apologizes

Always Entertained by the Left — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:44:17 GMT

Peter? - On April 11, 2002, Al-Qaida terrorists used a truck bomb to attack a synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba and a number of Western tourists were killed. I am no expert, but so far I have not seen proof that Mr Arar was not a member of Al-Qaida. My Dad used to say....where theres smoke theres fire!

Stark apologizes

Peter, Pittsburgh, PA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:34:02 GMT

Always entertained wrote, "On April 11, 2002, Al-Qaida terrorists used a truck bomb to attack a synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba and a number of Western tourists were killed. I am no expert, but so far I have not seen proof that Mr Arar was not a member of Al-Qaida. My Dad used to say....where theres smoke theres fire!"

If Mr. Arar is indeed a member of Al-Qaida why did the Canadian government apologize to him and compensate him for their part in this injustice? And why did Rice admit that mistakes were made? And, what does the Djerba attack have to do with Mr. Arar? You might as well have said, "Washington was the first President of the United States (a true statement); I don't know of any evidence that Arar is not a terrorist; therefor Arar is a terrorist." That bit about your daddy was a special touch.

Stark apologizes

Always Entertained by the Left — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:31:09 GMT

Terrorist before America, well at least we know what side your on, thanks for clearing that up.

How would I have any idea why the Canadian government does what they do?

By the way seeing as how you missed the connection let me spell it out for you. A man suspected of being an Al Qaida member returns from a trip to a country where there was just an attack by Al Qaida. Yes no reason for suspicion here. Move along!

Stark apologizes

Peter, Pittsburgh, PA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:51:45 GMT

Always entertained wrote, "Terrorist before America, well at least we know what side your on, thanks for clearing that up."

Just how do you draw the conclusion that I put terrorists before America? I don't. When we catch them, we should try them and if found guilty we should punish them.

How would I have any idea why the Canadian government does what they do?

Well, what about Rice?

Stark apologizes

Always Entertained by the Left — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:22:59 GMT

Allow me to elaberate on Tunisia.
Starting in March of this year according to experts at the Moshe Dayan Center - an orginization for middle-eastern and African studies there was growing speculation of a newly reconfigured Algerian based al-qaida organization trying to establish a foot-hold in the region, because of its geographical location between Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, hoping it would evolve into a theatre of operations for al-qaida, and other jihadist orientated groups. I hope you can once again come to your own conclusion as to why a person whom intelligence believed was a person of paticular interest in the war on terror would be detained. What mistakes were made? I really can't speak intelligently enough about Secretary Rice meant by "mistake were made" but I can say that I support my country and what they believe is the right thing to do to protect us.

Stark apologizes

Peter, Pittsburgh, PA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:40:55 GMT

Always entertained wrote, "I hope you can once again come to your own conclusion as to why a person whom intelligence believed was a person of paticular interest in the war on terror would be detained."

Detained? He, a Canadian citizen, was sent to Syria where he was tortured. They didn't charge him, try him, or find him guilty.

You then wrote, "I really can't speak intelligently enough about Secretary Rice meant by "mistake were made" but I can say that I support my country and what they believe is the right thing to do to protect us."

You don't know why Canada compensated him for their part in the screw up. You don't know why Rice would admit that mistakes were made. Do you think it may be that they don't consider him to be a terrorist? You don't know of any evidence proving his innocense. Are you willing to even entertain the idea that the man might be innocent? It seems to me that you jump to conclusions based on very little evidence.

As for your last comment, I'm concerned about what they aren't doing to protect us. You know protect our ports, our power plants, our chemical plants, our transportation system, our water treatment facilities, and our borders.

Stark apologizes

jf in chicago — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:18:18 GMT

er, david duke exhibits, what was it you said? "courageous opposition to Bush's foolish war in THIS century."

prior to his runs as "republican" against the national gop's recognized candidates and benefitting from the 30% of louisianna democrats who supported him in his previous runs, duke made several runs as a democrat. these culminated in his 1988 cadidacy for president as a democrat.

1988 is less than 40 years ago. it was around the time bill clinton was presiding over "confederate flag day", held each year on the arkansas state capitol grounds.

more recently, david duke promotes cindy shehan's cause both in his own writings and in the streets, with members of his antiwar organization, nowarforisrael.

more recently, a racist prosecutor charged six young african american males with "atempted murder" for participating in a schoolyard fistfight. that prosecutor, reed walters is a democrat. his racially biased prosecution is often contrasted with an incident involving the school board going light on a student who hung a noose on a tree in a racially intimidating manner. that school board was 7/2 democrat.

but you said 11 months ago. about 11 months ago democrat joe biden complained that "you can't even go into one of these dunkin donuts if you don't speak indian." todayish he noted that the reason that iowa has higher schoolastic acheivements than maryland is that iowa is free of minorities.

liberal "economist" steven leavet asserted in his best selling book, freakonomics (now the title of his new york times blog) that the reduction in violent crime in the 90's was due to higher abortion rates in the african american community. this is a view shared by progressives going back to the turn of the century with margeret sanger's eugenics movement, which targetted catholics and what she called the "black problem" and would later become planned parenthood.

leader of the hate group, "god hates f*gs", one fred phelps, is a democrat and was al gore's ....

do i have to continue with this?

Stark apologizes

Always Entertained by the Left — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:37:57 GMT

Peter, Pittsburgh, PA - Are you listening to your argument. Once again your asking me to give more thought to believing the man our intelligence suspects of being a terrorist, and telling our own country they are wrong. You don't know anymore about the the facts about this than I do, and you don't have any idea what led our intelligence to put this man on a suspected terrorsit list, and worst of all your adamantly attacking this country, and passionately, defending an accused suspected terrorist. Once again, I could care less about what Canada does! Once again I CANNOT tell you what Ms. Rice meant when she said we made mistakes; maybe she meant we shouldn't have sent him to Syria, maybe she meant we should have sent him to Canada first, I don't know, neither do you, but you are more willing to take the word of this man then that of your own country! Sorry but my patriotism, my faith, and my loyalty to this country won't allow me to take the word of a terrorist over that of our own countries intelligence.
Do I believe this country makes mistakes? YES! But Peter this is war, it's not pleasant, its not polite,, and you are passing judgment on people sworn to defend you, and now you want to tell them how to do their job! "I" will always back this country, and the men and woman who are fighting for "your" right to tell them their wrong; how about you?

Stark apologizes

Leandra, Trenton, Fl — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:43:16 GMT

Appology was needed. The remarks he made was childish and unnecessary. Our troops serve a purpose; my husband one of them. The appology was well deserved.