Politics: J'accuse!

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
The reason to fire rummy is because he didn't tell bush about the problem before it showed up on the front of the paper.

If these pictures would have circulated a day after 9/11 they would have been cheered in America (yes, I know Ty, no connection between Iraq and 9/11 - whatever). Have we all forgotten that quickly? I initially was horified, but the more and more I think of it, the more and more I say fuck it, war is hell (at least with regards to the foreign fighters).

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by sgtclub
I initially was horified, but the more and more I think of it, the more and more I say fuck it, war is hell (at least with regards to the foreign fighters).

What troubles me is that the outrage is coming from the same people that believed that destroying a regime that did far worse to its prisoners, many of whom were there for political reasons, rather than criminal reasons, was not worth the effort. We weren't putting them in Uday's Iron Maiden. And I'm pretty sure the voltage in the batteries was a lot higher when Saddam had them wired up.

We should not be treating prisoners like that, and certainly not photographing it as if it were a trophy. But on the ranking of indignties, it's pretty far down the list.

[PuriTY]

Originally posted by sgtclub
If these pictures would have circulated a day after 9/11 they would have been cheered in America (yes, I know Ty, no connection between Iraq and 9/11 - whatever). Have we all forgotten that quickly? I initially was horified, but the more and more I think of it, the more and more I say fuck it, war is hell (at least with regards to the foreign fighters).

No Club,

We should be above it, we should expect our troops to be above it. I think the harm is mostly to our impression of ourselves, not to how this will look to potential al quedas. If this were part of interrogation or crowd control I might say fuck it, but this was simply a goof for bored/scared kids.

What is silly is the hand-wringing- what do they want? pull out of Iraq? umm sorry no can do.

Simply, this should be the end of it
1 We are sorry- Bush has done this
2 We will investigate- in the works
3 We will punish as appropriate- in the works.

Next... ps this is Hank- i keep having this one-joke sock come up....

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by PuriTY



Next

How about the job report?

The nation's employment situation improved significantly in April for the second consecutive month with job gains in nearly every sector of the economy, the Labor Department reported today.


The addition of 288,000 jobs exceeded all forecasts.

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I don't think that was bilmore's point. Rather, he (and I tend to agree) is troubled by the use of this unfortunate, if not detestable, episode to advance a broader anti-war agenda.

Yes, those dastardly opponents of the war have sunk to a new low by citing these abuses as evidence that the occupation has gone horribly wrong. Of course these incidents have no connection to our stated aim of introducing Iraqis to the joys of democracy and freedom after their long national nightmare of torture and repression.

This is almost as bad as when the anti-war crowd rudely pointed out that there were no WMDs in Iraq in the first place. Troubling indeed. Have they no sense of decency at long last?

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
How about the job report?

Had a feeling it was going to be bigger than expected yesterday with the jobless claims down.

Prediction: DEMS will shortly begin talking about rising inflation, rather than job loss.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Had a feeling it was going to be bigger than expected yesterday with the jobless claims down.

Prediction: DEMS will shortly begin talking about rising inflation, rather than job loss.

We are only following in the footsteps of those who said "whaddaya mean, WMDs? We aren't here about no stinkin' WMDs! WMDs are not the point! We are here to free people from the torture and humiliations of this despicable regime!"

but I'm sure you just forgot to include the other side in your fair and balanced report.

ETA is it a coincidence that "blech" (a general expression of discontent and ickiness) is "belch" with two letters reversed? Or does "blech" derive from "belch"?

[Not Me]

Originally posted by PuriTY
No Club,

We should be above it, we should expect our troops to be above it. I think the harm is mostly to our impression of ourselves, not to how this will look to potential al quedas. If this were part of interrogation or crowd control I might say fuck it, but this was simply a goof for bored/scared kids.

What is silly is the hand-wringing- what do they want? pull out of Iraq? umm sorry no can do.

Simply, this should be the end of it
1 We are sorry- Bush has done this
2 We will investigate- in the works
3 We will punish as appropriate- in the works.

Next... ps this is Hank- i keep having this one-joke sock come up....

I think people in the US are starting to get tired of the outrage over this. Yes, it was wrong and shocking that it occurred, but it was not covered up and it is being investigated and steps are taken to prevent this and punish those who did it.

The deaths, well, that is different, but I am withholding judgment until I at least know the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

But I have to take issue with your characterization of this a goof for scared kids. It wasn't the scared kids on the front lines who did this. It was prison guards who weren't getting shot at. And they put the fucking pictures on a CD and circulated the CD to people. That is how they got busted.

Bored, yes, scared, no.

[Berry Hunter]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Prediction: DEMS will shortly begin talking about rising inflation, rather than job loss.

Why go with "OR" when you know the Dems will go with "AND"?

It's an election year, so why not play up both factors? Jobs are going to China and it's getting more expensive to live too -- things are so bad you should vote for us instead.

It's an old playbook used by both parties.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
We are only following in the footsteps of those who said "whaddaya mean, WMDs? We aren't here about no stinkin' WMDs! WMDs are not the point! We are here to free people from the torture and humiliations of this despicable regime!"

but I'm sure you just forgot to include the other side in your fair and balanced report.

When you get all fiery like this, I know its because you haven't eaten enough fiery food lately. You need to get you some curry for lunch. Then the internal fire you've taken in will counteract the fire internal and you'll become mellow- kind of the way thwe rilalin used to work for you.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Had a feeling it was going to be bigger than expected yesterday with the jobless claims down.

Prediction: DEMS will shortly begin talking about rising inflation, rather than job loss.

I predict deficit.

And they (we?) can and will continue to bring up net job loss under this admin. till the cows come home.

Of course, like I said before, a president (dem or repub) can't eliminate or create jobs in the short-run, but the rest of America doesn't know that.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
When you get all fiery like this, I know its because you haven't eaten enough fiery food lately. You need to get you some curry for lunch. Then the internal fire you've taken in will counteract the fire internal and you'll become mellow- kind of the way thwe rilalin used to work for you.

Can I just have a jar of jalepenos instead? Mmmmmm, jalepenos.

[Not Flinty]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
The reason to fire rummy is because he didn't tell bush about the problem before it showed up on the front of the paper.

I'm not saying this is a good reason to fire Rummy, but when you marginalize Congress for a long time, don't look for any favors from Congressmen when you're having a hard time.

[Not Flinty]

Originally posted by Not Me
I think people in the US are starting to get tired of the outrage over this. Yes, it was wrong and shocking that it occurred, but it was not covered up and it is being investigated and steps are taken to prevent this and punish those who did it.

The deaths, well, that is different, but I am withholding judgment until I at least know the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

But I have to take issue with your characterization of this a goof for scared kids. It wasn't the scared kids on the front lines who did this. It was prison guards who weren't getting shot at. And they put the fucking pictures on a CD and circulated the CD to people. That is how they got busted.

Bored, yes, scared, no.

You're a day early, but whatever.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Not Flinty
You're a day early, but whatever.

No I am not. The deal was May 1st to the 7th. That is one week (7 days) of no posting. If I didn't post today, that would be 8 days of no posting. If the deal was 8 days of no posting, he should have said May 1st through May 7th.