tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post28306245749961217..comments2024-03-28T14:52:13.218-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: The Second Coming Of Richard Milhous NixonJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-73806591384624906372015-04-04T20:23:53.111-05:002015-04-04T20:23:53.111-05:00First, let's get this clear: That quote sure ...First, let's get this clear: That quote sure didn't sound like FDR to me, so I checked. It is actually from Teddy Roosevelt, a very different kind of President. Those who are interested in what really happened in this incident might look here:<br /><br />http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h946.html<br /><br />where they will discover an interesting foreshadowing of how a (Republican) President was forced to act in the face of a recalcitrant and irresponsible Congress. Luckily for Roosevelt, that Congress was nowhere near as disloyal to the country as our current Republicans are, so the incident was resolved and has remained a minor incident in our history.<br /><br />Now, on to Obama. What I find amusing about Anonymous' remark is that the Roosevelt quote actually states very clearly that the President can do what the Constitution does not deny him the power to do- the exact opposite of Anonymous' interpretation that it is illegal for the President to do things that are not explicitly enumerated in the Constitution. I guess he thought nobody would notice that. In any event, Obama's behavior as President remains consistent with that of every President at least since Teddy Roosevelt. <br /><br />What Anonymous is really petrified about is that the Iran deal will work, denying him and his kind the chance to entangle the United States in another gigantic military blunder. So he threatens to have his insane war in a couple of years, if the American people are stupid enough to elect another Republican President, in the process destroying the ability of the United States to conduct any kind of diplomacy (another benefit in Republican eyes) and further reducing our status in the eyes of the world.Green Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13477132834757467690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-90167507897570607102015-03-22T14:10:08.510-05:002015-03-22T14:10:08.510-05:00Add my name to your letter!
Robert W. Terleski, HM...Add my name to your letter!<br />Robert W. Terleski, HMC(SS/FMF), USN-RET<br />Another PO'd Citizen of the United States of AmericaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01736196556439660481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-43353937132403643172015-03-22T13:32:14.576-05:002015-03-22T13:32:14.576-05:00Welladay, sir, I am posting a link everywhere I c...Welladay, sir, I am posting a link everywhere I can, notifying friends and family. Your piece needs to be read. bonefish (Nancy Tatum Wood)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-74877956971772460532015-03-21T00:38:02.148-05:002015-03-21T00:38:02.148-05:00The "forty years" was a general statemen...The "forty years" was a general statement. Like "Four decades ago" or "a half century ago." Given that I provided the exact date, the people involved, and the name of the event I thought a general statement was more than sufficient since you're obviously capable of doing the math and you have access to Google. <br /><br />May 15, 1969, Bloody Thursday, was the day that California governor, Ronald Reagan, ordered the the California Highway Patrol and Berkeley police officers into People's Park on the University of California, Berkeley, campus, to uproot the park, install a fence, and remove anti-war protesters, which sparked a protest, which led to police turning shotguns on the crowd. Fleeing protesters were pursued by police for several blocks and shot in the back with 00 buckshot. More than 130 civilians were injured, many by gunshot wounds or beaten by police. One student was killed by shotgun fire - and he wasn't a protester but rather a student watching from the roof of a building.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-60067803099725252162015-03-20T23:51:29.774-05:002015-03-20T23:51:29.774-05:00"Forty years ago, on May 15, 1969, Bloody Thu..."Forty years ago, on May 15, 1969, Bloody Thursday, these same sons of bitches under the command of none other than Ronald Reagan . . ."<br /><br />Forty years ago was 1975. Ronald Reagan was president from Jan 1981 to Jan 1989. So, are you mistakenly referring to Nixon instead of Reagan? I'm confused. I thought you were referring to the Kent State shootings which occurred on May4, 1970, but would like clarification.<br /><br />Other than the above, this was an excellent article and I have posted it on Facebook and another website. Keep up the good work. These SOBs need to be exposed for what they really are.<br /><br />My name is Linda. I was an adult during the Viet Nam War. Our nation is in more peril now than it has ever been in my adult life - and not from without, but from within. I really fear for the future of my grandchildren.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-63545087972542172292015-03-20T15:14:32.559-05:002015-03-20T15:14:32.559-05:00War with Iran is foolish under any circumstances. ...War with Iran is foolish under any circumstances. No, Iran's crazy Ayatollahs won't launch a holy war on Israel. Israel has 300 nukes. Iran would be a sea of glass. So let Iran have a bomb. The reason Iran wants a bomb is as a bargaining chip to keep the US from invading. It worked for North Korea. They talk crazy and threaten to nuke the South, so we have to give them space. They would never actually do it. Neither would Iran.<br /><br />Best foreign policy on Iran would be to let the huge <25 demographic that just wants to dance and wear hip clothes defang the hard-liners. They were on their way to doing just that when GW made that awful axis-of-evil speech and scared them into the arms of the hard-liners.<br /><br />As for the negotiations, any agreement Kerry negotiates and Obama signs without congressional approval will only be in effect until Obama's term is up in less than two years and, like Rand Paul said, Obama cannot remove sanctions applied by congress. Maybe the Iranians already knew this. Maybe not. <br /><br />FDR explained it like this: "The Constitution did not explicitly give me power to bring about the necessary agreement with Santo Domingo. But the Constitution did not forbid my doing what I did. I put the agreement into effect, and I continued its execution for two years before the Senate acted; and I would have continued it until the end of my term, if necessary, without any action by Congress. But it was far preferable that there should be action by Congress, so that we might be proceeding under a treaty which was the law of the land and not merely by a direction of the Chief Executive which would lapse when that particular executive left office. I therefore did my best to get the Senate to ratify what I had done."<br /><br />Typical Obama, he is going to ignore congress in violation of the Constitution and Supreme Court. Yes, I know congress isn't going to pass any agreements he signs as punishment for all the other times he gave them the finger. That's his own fault for being a dictator instead of a leader.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-1071967698013312322015-03-19T21:23:45.145-05:002015-03-19T21:23:45.145-05:00You're absolutely right you know. You really a...You're absolutely right you know. You really are. -- David Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-32722774279851516332015-03-19T18:42:07.394-05:002015-03-19T18:42:07.394-05:00Netanyahu was 18 years old in 1967, and really did...<i>Netanyahu was 18 years old in 1967, and really didn't have anything to do with the Vietnam war, </i><br /><br />Good point. I probably shouldn't have said that then ... oh, wait, I didn't. <br /><br />I've had people completely miss the point before, but you take fail to whole new level, Eagle. Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-39010678963443661932015-03-19T18:14:59.019-05:002015-03-19T18:14:59.019-05:00I just want to reinforce Jim Wright's remark, ...I just want to reinforce Jim Wright's remark, because "Anonymous" is spreading such a disingenuous tale about World War II that it cannot be left unanswered. The opposition to American involvement in World War II came almost entirely from Republicans and their friends in the business world. This is a fact that is so well known, that it is hard to credit Anonymous' comment as anything less than a piece of miserable propaganda.Green Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13477132834757467690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-83056041313348047142015-03-19T18:11:31.071-05:002015-03-19T18:11:31.071-05:00I was totally with you until you brought up Netany...I was totally with you until you brought up Netanyahu. You gave a wonderful summary of the American madness in Vietnam, and then all of a sudden it turns out that today's problems are not about what caused Vietnam at all, but about Israel. Netanyahu was 18 years old in 1967, and really didn't have anything to do with the Vietnam war, which was indeed the precursor of the Republicans' war madness today. <br /><br />In fact, you have things exactly backwards. It is a great mistake to forget that, after his Israeli military service, Netanyahu returned to the United States, where he worked with and formed lifelong relationships with Republican politicians- before he ever had any involvement in Israeli politics. In fact, the truth is, Netanyahu is not an Israeli who has infected Republicans with his craziness, he is a Republican who has infected Israel. That's why he is so much more transparent to us than he is to Israelis. If you want a real comparison to Netanyahu, you will not find it in Begin or Sharon or Shamir; you will find it in Newt Gingrich.Green Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13477132834757467690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-21183991725901339752015-03-19T16:08:51.363-05:002015-03-19T16:08:51.363-05:00Several other commenters have already called this ...Several other commenters have already called this post a "masterpiece". I heartily agree, it's one of your all-time best and I thank you for it. I also thank my fellow commenters for their collective observations- Jim, you clearly have some of the most educated, well-informed and politically savvy followers on the Internets and you damn well deserve them.<br /><br />Re: Nixon. I had been unaware of Nixon's Viet Nam treachery but don't find it surprising at all. I clearly remember the day I heard the first news report about the Watergate break-in over the radio while at work and my first thought was "It's about time they nailed that sonofabitch Nixon's hide to the wall". What a shame that it took another couple of years to remove him from the office he so disgraced.<br /><br />Someone far more clever than me once wrote that "Irony died the day that Kissinger was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize".<br /><br />I'll finish by reminding all those who don't vote why voting is so damned important. I can boil it down to four words: Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, Alito.South Jersey Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-68357047233843869062015-03-17T22:11:04.778-05:002015-03-17T22:11:04.778-05:00Thanks Jim. I really needed this, especially after...Thanks Jim. I really needed this, especially after reading Dick Cheney's rant published in Playboy. The man is a genuine sociopath and I find extremely discouraging that so many in this country still treat him as somehow worthy of attention. Regarding Vietnam, when I returned in 1972, I began reading all I could find about the history of that country and our involvement in that debacle. The more I read the angrier I became, especially the part about the Paris peace accords and Nixon's treasonous actions. Given the current state of our country, I cannot help but be saddened and discouraged that there doesn't seem to be anything we can do. Lessons were not learned, and we are allowing the very ones that have deftly avoided military service draw up the rules. I vote and I write. What else is there?dbtexashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10718727287640051133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-24898777861441635672015-03-17T22:10:46.307-05:002015-03-17T22:10:46.307-05:00Thanks Jim. I really needed this, especially after...Thanks Jim. I really needed this, especially after reading Dick Cheney's rant published in Playboy. The man is a genuine sociopath and I find extremely discouraging that so many in this country still treat him as somehow worthy of attention. Regarding Vietnam, when I returned in 1972, I began reading all I could find about the history of that country and our involvement in that debacle. The more I read the angrier I became, especially the part about the Paris peace accords and Nixon's treasonous actions. Given the current state of our country, I cannot help but be saddened and discouraged that there doesn't seem to be anything we can do. Lessons were not learned, and we are allowing the very ones that have deftly avoided military service draw up the rules. I vote and I write. What else is there?dbtexashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10718727287640051133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-13381472044004884802015-03-17T13:53:00.206-05:002015-03-17T13:53:00.206-05:00Jim,
Obviously, Anon. has never been reminded of ...Jim,<br /><br />Obviously, Anon. has never been reminded of the maxim:<br /><br />It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it. (Maurice Switzer, “Mrs. Goose, Her Book,” 1907)<br /><br />Either that or Anon. is just another tough talking pussy.<br /><br />Peace<br />Chris in S. Jersey<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-32396797335702386952015-03-17T11:28:24.917-05:002015-03-17T11:28:24.917-05:00So, nothing, eh? Just an another anonymous coward,...So, nothing, eh? Just an another anonymous coward, that's about what I figured.<br /><br />Speaking of naive and ignorant: <br /><br /><i>Naïve, lefty isolationists, such as the author of the above, were responsible for much of the carnage of WWII, thanks to their keeping the U.S. out of the war for so long.</i><br /><br />Might want to double-check that bit of history, Anonymous, it's as accurate as your assumptions regarding me. <br /><br />Specifically look up the Nye Commission: Senator Gerald P. Nye (Conservative Republican, ND), William Edgar Borah (Conservative Republican, ID), and Arthur H. Vandenberg (Conservative Republican, MI). The commission was responsible for what became the Neutrality Acts of 1935 and 1936 and kept the US out of WWII until Dec 7th, 1941. <br /><br />Also, while you're at it, look up Charles A. Lindbergh. American hero. Famed pilot. Staunch conservative. Republican. And loudly outspoken Isolationist, who vehemently opposed any involvement in WWII, including support to our allies of any kind. And who used his fame to effectively rally America against involvement in Europe or Asia - right up until the attack on Pearl Harbor. <br /><br />In fact, it was the President, "Lefty" Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who kept urging Americans to get involved as early as 1935 and who opposed the Neutrality Acts and isolationism because "it would prevent the United States from supporting its allies abroad." It was "lefties" who pushed through the Lend Lease Act - against stiff opposition from conservatives like Lindbergh. <br /><br />Jump forward 60 years. "Lefty" President Obama urged involvement in Libya and Syria. Remind me again who it was that opposed such action? <br /><br />Isolationism is a <i>conservative</i> trait, Anonymous. By definition. That's what "conservative" means. <br /><br />Some friendly advice, in the future, were I you, I'd be a lot more careful tossing around labels such as "naive" and "ignorant" ... and then demonstrating both. Pretty much makes you look like a fucking idiot. Just saying.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-86522398716867732622015-03-17T07:09:20.212-05:002015-03-17T07:09:20.212-05:00Thank you so much for writing about Nixon's tr...Thank you so much for writing about Nixon's treachery during the 1968 campaign. The Reagan campaign did something similar in the 1980 Presidential campaign (regarding the release of the hostages). Wasn't it coincidental that the hostages were released the same day as Reagan's inauguration? Robert Parry (www.consortiumnews.com) has reported at length about both of these incidents. But "both sides", dontcha you know, so "it doesn't matter who you vote for". Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08141640791663745884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-54912665320068391432015-03-17T06:26:09.985-05:002015-03-17T06:26:09.985-05:00"These fanatics have sent a message to not on..."These fanatics have sent a message to not only our enemies, but our strongest allies and largest economic trading partners (and rivals) that any agreement with the US is not to be taken seriously and could, in fact, dissolve at any moment based on the unpredictable whims of American partisan politics "<br /><br />I thought that ship had sailed long ago. Bush's decision to abandon the Kyoto Protocol is the example that immediately comes to mind, but I suspect there are other examples of the United States backing out of its commitments.<br /><br />What the senators did was foolish, unhelpful, and possibly illegal, but there's been ample evidence before this how unreliable America can be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-58889253260465136442015-03-17T01:47:34.754-05:002015-03-17T01:47:34.754-05:00"...it's a sad commentary on the republic..."...it's a sad commentary on the republican party that merely showing up and occasionally acting like an adult is somehow praiseworthy."<br /><br />I hope that is something that you included in your letter to him.Lucas Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-59800062752736409382015-03-17T01:38:59.901-05:002015-03-17T01:38:59.901-05:00Uh huh.
1. Quote the part where I support Iran. ...Uh huh. <br /><br />1. Quote the part where I support Iran. Verbatim, quote the part of my essay that supports Iran. <br /><br />2. Quote the part that makes me an Isolationist. Again verbatim. <br /><br />3. Since you brought up the WWII comparison, demonstrate that Iran is preparing to or already has conquered Poland and/or China or is currently marching across Europe. <br /><br />4. As a military intelligence officer, I spent a hell of a lot of time in the Middle East in close proximity to Iran. I happen to know a great deal about the area. However, since you refer to me as naive, how about you shuck the Anonymous label and the IP blocker and put your credentials on the table? If I'm naive and hopelessly ignorant of international politics, tell me specifically why you aren't via verifiable proof. Real name, profession, and experience. <br /><br />No moving the goalposts. No more personal attacks. Answer the questions. Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-64221304581474798932015-03-16T23:31:36.025-05:002015-03-16T23:31:36.025-05:00Naïve, lefty isolationists, such as the author of ...Naïve, lefty isolationists, such as the author of the above, were responsible for much of the carnage of WWII, thanks to their keeping the U.S. out of the war for so long. Their ilk is still alive and unwell, obviously. Those supporting Iran over Israel are hopelessly ignorant and naïve re international politics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-81238520920255370402015-03-16T18:10:37.957-05:002015-03-16T18:10:37.957-05:00I had planned to go to Yorba Linda the day of his ...I had planned to go to Yorba Linda the day of his funeral and get as close as I could to the festivities wearing Victorian garb, carrying a mallet and a stake. However, it rained like a motherfucker that day and I didn't want to sit several hours in a holding cell wearing wet wool.Pieter Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04355172124731633593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-58361223044836089692015-03-16T16:50:37.663-05:002015-03-16T16:50:37.663-05:00Bravo, Jim.Bravo, Jim.ebrkenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-46911695589727217392015-03-16T15:03:00.256-05:002015-03-16T15:03:00.256-05:00I always learn so much from reading your articles/...I always learn so much from reading your articles/essays!! Thank youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-53669162651561484412015-03-16T12:36:05.676-05:002015-03-16T12:36:05.676-05:00Really doubt Civics is still taught in high school...Really doubt Civics is still taught in high school; easier to control little minds that haven't been taught how our government really works.<br /><br />whitelillyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-54959353973613222822015-03-16T12:17:31.173-05:002015-03-16T12:17:31.173-05:00One cannot "have war beat out of 'em"...One cannot "have war beat out of 'em".<br />It is the pervassive everyday fear we must reject for ourselves and the children.<br />Help someone today - help them to realize we are joined at the heart and need not be fearful.<br />Stonekettle is fearless and Is therefore effective<br />Thankyou, Jim.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com