General Political Thread

[Mr. Heartbreak]

I'll say it: 9/11 was Bush's fault.

[ih8music]

The inability to act on intelligence leading up to 9/11 was the fault of the Bush administration. But it's just speculation that by the time the intelligence was available whether any action could have prevented 9/11 from happening anyway. I suspect it could have been prevented, but hindsight is always 20/20.

[Hixter]

I'll say it: 9/11 was Bush's fault.

Despite the fact that the planning and training took place on President Clinton's watch? Despite the fact that the Clinton administration knew that al Qaeda planned to use commercial aircraft to attack the United States, yet it allowed the hijackers to enter the United States and obtain flight training? Ok, if preexisting conditions can be ignored in favor of a 'the buck stops here' attitude, then I guess you can say that '9/11 was Bush's fault.'

 

Therefor: 

 

The devastating recession is Obama's fault.

 

Benghazi was Obama's fault.

 

Newtown was Obama's fault.

 

The Iranian nuclear weapons program is Obama's fault.

 

Aurora was Obama's fault.

 

Gabby Giffords' shooting was Obama's fault.

 

Afghanistan was Obama's fault.

 

Iraq was Obama's fault.

 

Gitmo is Obama's fault.

 

The Boston bombings were Obama's fault.

 

Hurricane Sandy was Obama's fault.

 

Syria was Obama's fault.

 

The sequester was Obama's fault.

 

The Fort Hood massacre was Obama's fault.

[KevinG]

Despite the fact that the planning and training took place on President Clinton's watch? Despite the fact that the Clinton administration knew that al Qaeda planned to use commercial aircraft to attack the United States, yet it allowed the hijackers to enter the United States and obtain flight training? Ok, if preexisting conditions can be ignored in favor of a 'the buck stops here' attitude, then I guess you can say that '9/11 was Bush's fault.'

 

Therefor: 

 

The devastating recession is Obama's fault.

 

Benghazi was Obama's fault.

 

Newtown was Obama's fault.

 

The Iranian nuclear weapons program is Obama's fault.

 

Aurora was Obama's fault.

 

Gabby Giffords' shooting was Obama's fault.

 

Afghanistan was Obama's fault.

 

Iraq was Obama's fault.

 

Gitmo is Obama's fault.

 

The Boston bombings were Obama's fault.

 

Hurricane Sandy was Obama's fault.

 

Syria was Obama's fault.

 

The sequester was Obama's fault.

 

The Fort Hood massacre was Obama's fault.

 

I am certainly glad we are busy trying to find blame for things, instead of trying fix what is wrong (note: this is pointed towards LouieB as well and Mr. Heartbreak).  You all sound like my kids.  It drives me nuts when they do it and more so when adults do it.  

 

This is exactly what is wrong with our country.  One person blames someone for something, then another blames the other guy.  It is political one upsmanship that is ridiculous.  It is all about keeping score, rather then fixing things. It is madding, and ridiculous.  

 

Bad shit happens, it always will.  After shit happens why do we need to lay blame?  Let's spend out time learning and fixing it is much better use of our time.

 

Point a finger and you got three pointing back at you.  

[Hixter]

I am certainly glad we are busy trying to find blame for things, instead of trying fix what is wrong (note: this is pointed towards LouieB as well and Mr. Heartbreak).

My blaming was tongue-in-cheek; I don't believe any of the things I just typed. I was pointing out how ridiculous it was to blame Bush for what happened on September 11th.

[Mr. Heartbreak]

My blaming was only partially tongue-in-cheek. After all, the classic modus operandi of the GOP is to blame Obama for everything, from the financial crisis to high gas prices, but there's never any accountability for the previous administration.

Glad to know you don't believe all those things. I was really concerned about you having access to firearms after such an epic rant.

[ripthisjoint908]

I told myself I would never join this thread because I know how I sometimes get with politics..but reading this everyday is about to toss me over the edge. Its entertaining nonetheless.

[lost highway]

If by "not going after bin Laden" you mean Clinton ordered 60 odd cruise missiles be fired upon his training camp then you're right.  He was criticized as being obsessed with bin Laden.

[Hixter]

If by "not going after bin Laden"

Who said that?

[Tweedling]

Who said that?

Hahahaha

 

[lost highway]

No one said that.  I mistook it for being implied somewhere between a real argument and a satirical one.  My fault.

 

It is fair to say that as far as the pre 09/11 world is concerned, Clinton was more focused on bin Laden than Bush ever was.

[Hixter]

It is fair to say that as far as the pre 09/11 world is concerned, Clinton was more focused on bin Laden than Bush ever was.

Clinton had 8 years and 4 major al Qaida attacks against America under his belt by the time he left office. Bush had been in office less than 8 months when the September 11th attacks were carried out.

 

I am confident that both presidents did whatever they thought was necessary to protect the nation and its citizens while they were in office. Any chatter to the contrary is just politically motivated background noise.

[Mr. Heartbreak]

I am confident that both presidents did whatever they thought was necessary to protect the nation and its citizens while they were in office. Any chatter to the contrary is just politically motivated background noise.

You may be right. But apparently, Bush was wrong.

 

http://moderateleft.com/?p=5224

 

http://www.buzzflash.com/editorial/04/08/edi04058.html

[KevinG]

Hey whatcha all think about Ted Cruz exploring a presidential bid in 2016?  http://www.nationalreview.com/article/347052/cruz-2016

 

The way he has conducted himself in the senate is an embarrassment, IMHO.  But then again I have only seen clips of him from the recent months (notably his exchange with Diane Feinstein).  He seems to be hated by the old guard of his party and not surprisingly many on the left.  And of course there is the Canada thing.  There was such an uproar over Obama wonders if this will rear its ugly head as well (but of course it shouldn't but it will because the media is stupid and the left will look to settle a score).  

 

Anyway, I don't live in Texas, but I know some of you do.  Wondering what you thought of him as a public servant and his presidential hopes.  If he is the nominee does he have a chance to beat either Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton?  

[Hixter]

You may be right. But apparently, Bush was wrong.

 

http://moderateleft.com/?p=5224

 

http://www.buzzflash.com/editorial/04/08/edi04058.html

“Bin Ladin determined to strike in U.S.”

 

What a revelation! Bin Laden wanted to attack America! Clear evidence that Bush could have stopped the attack!

 

President Clinton received a similar briefing in 1998 which warned that al Qaeda planned to hijack American aircraft. A few months later the September 11th hijackers began to arrive in the United States and underwent flight training and preparation for their successful attack, despite Clinton having been warned ahead of time.

 

Was 9/11 Bill Clinton's fault? No.

 

Was it George Bush's fault? No.

 

Presidents are presented with a dizzying array of vague intelligence reports on a daily basis. Blaming them when an attack is successful serves no purpose other than to fan the flames of partisan politics. The only finger pointing should be in the direction of the nation's security apparatus.

[Hixter]

And of course there is the Canada thing.  There was such an uproar over Obama wonders if this will rear its ugly head as well (but of course it shouldn't but it will because the media is stupid and the left will look to settle a score).  

They tried (and failed) when John McCain ran for president. He was born in Panama.

 

Anyway, I don't live in Texas, but I know some of you do.  Wondering what you thought of him as a public servant and his presidential hopes.  If he is the nominee does he have a chance to beat either Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton?

Anyone can beat Joe Biden. I like Ted Cruz, but what chance of winning the presidency does a minority senator with only 3 years in office really have?

[Winston Legthigh]

Hey whatcha all think about Ted Cruz exploring a presidential bid in 2016?  http://www.nationalreview.com/article/347052/cruz-2016

 

The way he has conducted himself in the senate is an embarrassment, IMHO.  But then again I have only seen clips of him from the recent months (notably his exchange with Diane Feinstein).  He seems to be hated by the old guard of his party and not surprisingly many on the left.  And of course there is the Canada thing.  There was such an uproar over Obama wonders if this will rear its ugly head as well (but of course it shouldn't but it will because the media is stupid and the left will look to settle a score).  

 

Anyway, I don't live in Texas, but I know some of you do.  Wondering what you thought of him as a public servant and his presidential hopes.  If he is the nominee does he have a chance to beat either Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton?  

 

Good lord, if Biden is the Dem nominee in 2016, they have serious problems.

[NoJ]

23 people shot yesterday in Chicago.

 

It was the first warm day (finally!) so naturally some gun play was the order of the day.

[ction]

How about them fascists?  Those guys aren't very cool!

[Mr. Heartbreak]

Presidents are presented with a dizzying array of vague intelligence reports on a daily basis. Blaming them when an attack is successful serves no purpose other than to fan the flames of partisan politics. The only finger pointing should be in the direction of the nation's security apparatus.

This is one of the funniest things you have posted yet. Love it! And of course, it reminds me of something I wanted to bring up, but had forgotten: the Department of Homeland Security!

 

First of all, the name is absolutely ridiculous. Since when does anyone refer to our beloved country as our "homeland?" What are we, Uzbekistan? But okay, I'll let that one go for now...

 

How is it that those on the far right are constantly harping on the ineffectiveness of government, how terrible it is, how it's too big, etc., etc., ad nauseum...but then after 9/11, the first thing old Cheney and Rumsfeld and all these other hacks do is they create the biggest, most expensive clusterfuck of a governmental bureaucracy of all time by creating something called the Dept. of Homeland Security? Yes, and to make it really work, it will absorb the INS, border patrol, customs. Perfect!

 

It is like a scene out of Dr. Strangelove. So which is it, Republicans? Is government too bloated and inefficient? Or will it work really, really well this time, if we only create the biggest boondoggle in the history of the military-industrial complex? Come on, it's only got 200,000 employees...Tick tock.

[Hixter]

This is one of the funniest things you have posted yet. Love it! And of course, it reminds me of something I wanted to bring up, but had forgotten: the Department of Homeland Security!

I was referring to the CIA, NSA, FBI, NRO, etc., not the ridiculous monstrosity that is the DHS. As far as I'm concerned, it should be dissolved.

[KevinG]

Good lord, if Biden is the Dem nominee in 2016, they have serious problems.

 

I like Joe Biden, under his folkise charm and missteps there is a a very shrewd politician.  Never underestimate Joe Biden  

 

 

 

I like Ted Cruz

 

Why do you like him?  

 

 

 

...but what chance of winning the presidency does a minority senator with only 3 years in office really have?

 

Ha! But in 2004 Obama was the darling of the party establishment.  Ted Cruz is only liked by the TEA party wing of party.  

[Hixter]

I like Joe Biden, under his folkise charm and missteps there is a a very shrewd politician.  Never underestimate Joe Biden  

He'd be almost 80 at the end of his first term. The chances of Biden winning the nomination are slim, but it would be a good thing for the Republican party.

 

Why do you like him? 

Hell, I like anyone who can throw Senator Feinstein into a tizzy.

 

Ha! But in 2004 Obama was the darling of the party establishment.  Ted Cruz is only liked by the TEA party wing of party.

Hillary Clinton was the darling of the party. Ted Cruz would resonate with voters who are tired of the status quo of Washington politics. And let's not forget that he's Latino: if he could grab 95% of the Latino vote like Obama did the African-American vote then it's "Hola, Casa Blanca."

[Sweet Papa Crimbo]

He'd be almost 80 at the end of his first term. The chances of Biden winning the nomination are slim, but it would be a good thing for the Republican party.

 

Hell, I like anyone who can throw Senator Feinstein into a tizzy.

 

Hillary Clinton was the darling of the party. Ted Cruz would resonate with voters who are tired of the status quo of Washington politics. And let's not forget that he's Latino: if he could grab 95% of the Latino vote like Obama did the African-American vote then it's "Hola, Casa Blanca."

Ted Cruz is Cuban-American (as is Marco Rubio). From what I hear from my Mexican friends, one shouldn't assume that simply because he speaks Spanish that he is considered 'hispanic'.

 

While there does seem to be an interesting adoption of Mr. Obama as an African-American, he is actually an AFRICAN-American...with a caucasian mom. 

Racial politics is dicey, unsavory and ugly. But it seems to be the way we are heading.

[KevinG]

Hillary Clinton was the darling of the party. Ted Cruz would resonate with voters who are tired of the status quo of Washington politics. And let's not forget that he's Latino: if he could grab 95% of the Latino vote like Obama did the African-American vote then it's "Hola, Casa Blanca."

 

I think the 95% of the Latino vote is a huge stretch.  Considering Obama won the Latino vote with 70% and the African American vote by 93%.  Yes more Latinos will probably vote for a fellow Latino, but 95% is a huge number.  It is bordering on offense to suggest that the reason someone will vote for someone else based upon race.  

 

Minorities have been voting Democratic for decades and now it is gonna change because of the color of candidate's skin, ridiculous.  Maybe if the GOP embraced policies that are close to the heart's of minorities they will have a chance, but for all their outreach they have nothing more than talk.  

 

 

 

Hillary Clinton was the darling of the party. 

 

Apparently you forgot the speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention.  

 

 

 

Ted Cruz would resonate with voters who are tired of the status quo of Washington politics. 

 

I am sure he would, however in 2012 there were a lot of candidates who did that very thing (remember the rotating cavalcade of front runners).  None of them stuck, and the GOP establishment end up picking the most boring candidate ever.  He really doesn't have a chance, especially if he keeps pissing everyone off.