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The magazine cover jogged my memory of a conversation I had with my father in law on the way back from the Chiefs game on Sunday. He is a staunch Christian and a classic Republican, but even *he* was complaining about how the current administration has allowed itself to be co-opted by the Right, be they Christian or other special interests.
I would have bet my left nut that he was totally cool with Dubya and company, so it was quite the awakening when I found out that he is as leery of their pandering as I am. |
Here's an interesting Daily Kos diary on what the Miers nomination is doing to Bush's base.
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From that link;
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I agree. Some would say that he cares about his legacy, and dissention from his ranks could certainly hurt even his perception of his legacy - becoming a lame duck just one year into his second term - but I'm not sure he even cares about that anymore.
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Call me a whacko liberal! Actually, come to think of it, some of you do already, so I may as well post the following:
I have made quite the study of so-called "socialized psychopaths" since my encounter with the ax murderer. It is my firm belief that Jr. is a member of their ranks. I posted this idea of mine before Katrina ever happened, and with the passing of each day, it seems that Jr's actions only lend more credance to my theory. Watch Jr. answer questions that haven't been scripted for him ahead of time like in the last presidential debates. Those wierd split second pauses were not because Jr. was wired for sound, but rather because he was during a rapid mental inventory of what would be the appropriate human response before making his reply. The legendary lag times between when Jr. is notified of a situation and when he actually responds to it, is not due to stupidity on his part - at least not the kind of stupidity that most people mean. "Mr. President, an airliner just flew into the WTC!" Jr. (thinking to himself): "Yeah, and so? All my money is in Swiss accounts and offshore banks. None of my money laundering people have offices in the WTC, they're all back in Texas. No one that I have any use for or who can't be easily replaced was flying anywhere today, so why are they bothering me about some idiotic plane wreck?" (Goes back to reading children's story) "Mr. President, the levees just broke in New Orleans!" Jr. (thinking to himself): Hmmm... I wonder what's on for dinner tonight. I hope that Laura told that idiot chef that I like my steaks medium rare NOT medium! I wonder if he'll fix that wild rice stuff, too? New Orleans, let's see oil refineries, shipping... Hey! Bet oil prices will go up! That ought to make for a nice little unexpected bundle this year! Wonder which account I should hide my profits in? Better give old Dick a call and see what he suggests..." |
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Do you remember the old saying "loose lips sink ships"? maybe the posters? the reality is that we are fighting an intelligent adaptable enemy. they know which US military units are designed for what type of mission. If they know when a specific unit is leaving a specific area they can make plans around that information. what the military has found in recent years is that sometimes the most sensitive info that can assist the enemy is sitting right out in the open. a flurry of phone calls, conversations in a city about the upcoming deployment, mentions of units and departures on bulletin boards... savvy? |
I'm one step ahead of you, Lookout! That's why I didn't really push the issue on the Army Times Board. If I were still connected with a member of the active duty military or on active duty myself, and someone came along asking all kinds of wierd questions about troop deployments, I'd be extremely cautious. Beyond a doubt, not making the times of troop deployments known is a good way of confusing the enemy. Whether it also serves to confuse a significant percentage of soldiers who would rather not go remains an open question. The lock down bit is what really gets me. Both times a million years ago when my Dad got sent to 'Nam, my Mom and I saw his plane off out of Peterson Airfield. I can remember being a little kid and crying buckets of tears and forlornly waving at the departing plane as if my Dad could still see me. The one reservist's wife confirmed that the men really do get put on lock down. What on earth for?
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most likely because they are not told for certain where they are going or exactly when until after the lock down period begins.
also, having a bit of time to wind yourself up while you are still in the US is a good idea. if you are still able to see the wife and kids you're mind is still in that mode. once they are separated one can get down to the business at hand. |
Lookout, the first part of your reply is the best answer I've heard yet. I have been honestly puzzled by the lockdown thing every since Lisa told me about it, since it is completely foreign to what I experienced with my Dad growing up as an Army brat, lo those many years ago.
Lisa is very vehement about it being done to prevent troops from wriggling out of going over at the last minute. In reading the discussions over at Army Times and considering what you have said, my feeling at this point is that lockdown probably was set up to serve a variety of purposes. It keeps troop movements at least somewhat under wraps and may also serve to keep down pre-deployment attrition in the ranks. How serious a problem this attrition actually is remains an open question in my mind at this point. There seems to be no definitive answer, either way. Never having served in the military, much less gone into a combat situation, I don't have the faintest idea about the second part of your response. You've been there, so I'll take your word on it. |
"Call me a whacko liberal! Actually, come to think of it, some of you do already, so I may as well post the following: "
Ha! You wacko liberal you :PP Thank God for wacko liberals, and save us from the Right. |
It also prevents protesters from gathering at deployments.
In this day and age the troops are home one day and in danger the next day. Having a day or two to put on their war face ( :rar: ), makes sense. |
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My other theory is that he's a psychopath who has started secretly drinking again. His complexion has taken on a suspiciously ruddy hue, of late. By the way, I've been meaning to ask. What's "snarky" exactly? |
cheap shot, mean, smart-ass, uncharitable
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