A 'Phony War'

Posted: Saturday, August 04, 2007 4:00 AM by Countdown

Guess who sure as hell aint buyin' one of those bald eagle 'war on terror' license plates?

In an 8/3 AJC article, Newt Gingrich continues to outline his split with the GOP status quo as he expresses his feelings on what he calls a 'phony war':

Washington — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Thursday the Bush administration is waging a "phony war" on terrorism, warning that the country is losing ground against the kind of Islamic radicals who attacked the country on Sept. 11, 2001.

A more effective approach, said Gingrich, would begin with a national energy strategy aimed at weaning the country from its reliance on imported oil and some of the regimes that petro-dollars support.

"None of you should believe we are winning this war. There is no evidence that we are winning this war," the ex-Georgian told a group of about 300 students attending a conference for collegiate conservatives.

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Comments

It's a strange world we live in when Newt Gingrich sounds like he's making sense. An effective energy strategy would be a good thing, definitely.

So too would be going after the bad guys like we had started to before Cow Boy George decided to divert our military and resources to go "gunnin' fer the guy that tried ta shoot his Paw." All we have to show for it is bin Laden and company still on the loose in Afghanistan and/or Pakistan; the Taliban making a comeback; Iran minus an old rival and feeling feisty; our military stressed to the breaking point; billions of dollars and thousands of lives thrown into a war with no "strategery"; and a government back home that, while claiming to export democracy, is riddled with corruption, cronyism and malfeasance, all straining to achieve an autocracy.

So Deadeye George got his varmint. He just had to shoot everything else to hell to do it. Yippee-friggin'-ki-yo. Get a rope!

Niels, down on Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 4:46 AM)

Newt the moderate? Cool!

kingsXrulz, San Diego, CA (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 4:48 AM)

Just goes to show you how deliusional and out of touch the Bush Administration is when someone as reviled during the "Clintion-era" like Newt Gingrich of the 1990's is actually making sense. I still wouldn't vote for the guy, but at least Newt gets it on this one. Guess it takes a few years of being away from the isolated, out of touch, inside the beltway club to actually think logically, and this goes for both parties. Who exactly does these people in office in Washington think they are? They American people have stood up and spoken, we are all light years ahead of the people in Washington who claim to serve upon our behalf.

Mike, New York (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 6:32 AM)

While I think it is great to have yet another voice saying these things (speaking these truths), I also think that Gingrich is like Giuliani; he'll say anything if it is advantageous to him. I don't think he has any core principles at all & I don't trust him. He is the worst kind of opportunist.

I would not be surprised if he used a bunch of polls to figure out what to say so he can try to jump into the presidential race.

DebbieG, NYC (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 7:00 AM)

The only thing I can say is I am shocked Newt said at least this much. Newts gonna be called a Dem now too LOL

Brenda Deltona FL (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:33 AM)

Sounds like what democrates have been saying for 3 years. I welcome Newt to the reality based communitee. As an optimist I hope he has changed his ways. Not holding my breath though.

jen,il (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:38 AM)

Yes, we should end our reliance on foreign oil (and oil in general). But it is US foreign policy that breeds resentment among people in the Islamic world. If there were no oil there, the US would have less interest in the Middle East. Supporting Isreal wouldn't be enough to cause this level of hatred. So what Newt sees as the chicken, I view as the egg.

Mike J, Appleton WI (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:12 AM)

If you had told me twenty years ago there'd be a day when I agreed with Pat Robertson and Newt Gingrich about a war, and not the President of the United States, I'd have dismissed that as crazy talk.

I'm still not ever going to vote for him though, don't forget ol' family values-lovin' Newt was the guy that served his wife with divorce papers while she was hospitalized with cancer so he could marry a younger co-worker.

Scott Copeland, Naples, Florida (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:14 AM)

From DebbieG

"While I think it is great to have yet another voice saying these things (speaking these truths), I also think that Gingrich is like Giuliani; he'll say anything if it is advantageous to him. I don't think he has any core principles at all & I don't trust him. He is the worst kind of opportunist.

I would not be surprised if he used a bunch of polls to figure out what to say so he can try to jump into the presidential race."

Nearly word for word what many think about Sen Clinton.

SL Chicago (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:16 AM)

DebbieG

BTW, I agree with you about Newt.

SL Chicago (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:17 AM)

Jen, don't confuse "optimist" with "opportunist". you are the first. Newt is the second. Sadly, he's a brilliant man who's politcal agenda is often only determined by his needs and the winds of change.

A Response, Greenville SC (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:35 AM)

Any one ever remember the War on Drugs? Heard Congressman Rangel talk about that one once and it wasn't a real war.If we would have spent half the money we have spent on this helping addicts recover instead of incarcerating them who knows?
Not much going on there except recycling criminals and perpetuating the justice system.
War on terror?What does that mean?Looks pretty terrifying in Dafur and other nations where many remain oppressed.
War on Communism ? How did we fare out on that one?Remember the old domino theory in South East Asia and the SEATO treaty that drew us in to Vietnam actually while "Ike" was President.But that doesn't matter or forgive the misgivings of LBJ and even the run up by JFK.
The we had the Korean war fighting more communist.
The war is here in our own backyard and we don't even see it.It's insane.We are arming Sunni's so they can shoot,we sell or give guns to the other side so they can shoot.
We allow a couple of guys to manufacture fear like cockroaches breeding to keep themselves in power and wealthy.
We had the Cold War?I can't really figure out who won that one yet?Seem like old Putin is doing pretty good.
But I can tell you a little bit about cockroaches.The first time I saw one was during the cold war.He must have been radioactive from the Bomb Nevada tests.He was huge.My father was stationed in West,TX (El Paso)
So maybe it is time we declare a war on Fear and Ignorance in our own head as well as the Country's
and get back to the well being of our citizens,so folks don't die because they don't have health care,
and stop "perpetuating the no new taxes lie phrase",
that ends up costing things like broken levies,broken bridges,and yes phony wars and thousands of broken hearts.

B.A. Buddusky (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:40 AM)

If Newt is saying that, be afraid. Be very afraid. This guy has two mouths.

JB Lodi, CA (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:49 AM)

Newt's office has been calling my home for days/weeks looking for my spouse to conduct a survey. As odd as it seems I am married to a registered republican. I know, I know, but what can say? Twenty six years of marriage, we must be doing something right. Anyway...I know he is looking for the publics opinion of him so he can jump in the fray. As others have said, I can never vote for him. However, with him at least we would know he was a snake before we picked him up.

MK Indianapolis (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 10:39 AM)

In the words of Stewie Griffin, "What the Deuce?!" I agree with most everyone here in believing that Newt will SAY ANYTHING to get elected. And, if "none of the above" continues to be the top choice among the current Republicans in the ring, Newt will absolutely jump in.

Heaven help us all...

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 11:16 AM)

A Response- I try to think the best of people even when they have done the terrible things Newt has. I think he can change that makes me an optimist. You look for someone to call names that makes you the opportunist. Serving his second wife with divorce papers while she was in the hospital recovering for cancer so he could marry his the woman he had been cheating on her with makes Newt an opportunist and completly unfit to represent the United States of America.

jen,il (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 11:54 AM)

From SL Chicago
"Nearly word for word what many think about Sen
Clinton."

True. But with Senator Clinton, that is not an accurate view. She has actually been more consistent than most & she has, certainly, never reached anywhere near the levels of hypocrisy of Gingrich or his cohorts. To Gingrich & his conservative cohorts, this is all a game about personal power and greed. That cannot be said about Clinton.

There is a difference between changing your mind due to learning new facts, and simply saying anything to appear to be following the winds of fashion & opportunism.

Hillary would be the former & Gingrich would be the latter.

DebbieG, NYC (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 11:55 AM)

Damn Commie librul! ;)

John, Atlanta, GA (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 12:01 PM)

Living on a ranch and raising goats for pasture maintenance gave me the opportunity to make a statement re my opinion of Mr. Gingrich.

We had the first buck born on the ranch, er, weathered (look it up). I named him Newt for both the resulting state of his, er, abilities and for the effect I wished on his namesake.

The "new" face of Mr. Gingrich hasn't changed my opinion or my wish.

Independent, Texas (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 12:27 PM)

Newt's going for the 'Hippie Chicks' this time around.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 1:02 PM)

We now know Newt plans to run for president. Nothing else could get him to say words like these. It's right up there with Fonzie saying "I was wrrrrrruuuuuuuh...I was wrrrrrrruuuhhhh..."

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 1:22 PM)

Let's not get too excited about Newt people. A broken clock is right twice a day.

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 1:27 PM)

Is it that hard to connect the dots or follow the money? About seven years ago Dick Cheney appointed himself to be GWB's running mate and confidant on international affairs. Upon entering office Bush-Cheney ignored the outgoing administrtion's warning about Afghanistan and Al-Quaida which they believed to be a "wag the dog" concoction to hide the real menace to American society, namely Monica Lewinsky. They instead chose to concentrate on Iraq and ignore
Al-Quaida. After nine months of inattention and secret meetings with energy people 9-11 happens. The initial understandable response is then replaced by an invasion and occupation of a neutral country, which can be considered a war crime. Meanwhile $2billion a week is being poured into trying to keep Iraq afloat. Where is the money going? I surmise a large proportion to Mr. Cheney's former company, Halliburton which has messed up the occupation royally. Was not Halliburton responsible with getting Iraq back on its feet with electricity and water supply? We reward their incompetence and corruption with more money and making its stock holders, like the VP richer. Is that why he is always smiling when talking about Iraq as he is making a fortune off the war. To really end the war, get Halliburton out of there and replace them with people who will restore vital services to the country. Watch how fast the occupation ends when the financial interests in keeping it going are curtailed.

Jack Salomon, West Bloomfield, Michigan (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 1:29 PM)

"To really end the war, get Halliburton out of there and replace them with people who will restore vital services to the country. Watch how fast the occupation ends when the financial interests in keeping it going are curtailed.

Jack Salomon, West Bloomfield, Michigan
"
Shilling for John Edwards' cronies at Slumbacher?

Wayne, TN (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 3:37 PM)

New Liberal mantra for those who haven't got the memo yet.
"Dick and George didn’t want more oil from Iraq, they wanted less. I know some of you, no matter what I write, insist that our President and his Veep are on the hunt for more crude so you can cheaply fill your family Hummer; that somehow, these two oil-patch babies are concerned that the price of gas in the USA is bumping up to $3 a gallon."

Anyone with any concept of just how the World Crude Oil market operates would have realized long ago that the "Blood for Oil" mantra was just more Marxist propaganda.
The US buys oil, theres no way we could slip an oil field under our jacket and walk away with it.
Iraq's oil revenues go to the Iraqi's, and the Kurds have already offered to share their oil revenues with the rest of the country, both Sunni and Shia.

The "Blood for Oil" mantra has been a major jihadist recruiting tool, just as the vastly exagerated Iraqi casualty figures, which never mention the true cause of those casualties, and exagerated as well as wholely ficticious atrocity claims like those of Scott Beauchamp and the Boston Globe's screen captures from porno films.

Wayne, TN (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 5:17 PM)

Buddusky,

I could not have said it better myself. Anytime anyone starts talking about a war on something (even when it is something as apparently benign as literacy), I must question their motives. Experience tells me that those who wage war do so with ulterior motives that remain largely unspoken and hidden until well after the fact.

Paula, Kansas (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 7:56 PM)

So, Independent, first syllable sounds like "Newt" . . . ? ;)

Give Goat Boy credit for getting one idea right. Still doesn't make him "presidential" though.

Niels, down on Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:21 PM)

Wayne...your posts are the only "wholely fictitious atrocity" here.

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 10:24 PM)

Newt,

You'd better stop talking like that or Sean Hannity won't let you on his show anymore!!

P.S. - Jump the fence, Newt!! We'll cover you!

Walter J. Murdock, Cincinnati OH (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 10:29 PM)

I'm telling you, there is one, guaranteed way to end the War in Iraq and begin the immediate withdrawal of our beloved troops ... strap a Taser-like devise around the chests of G.W., Bunkerman, Rove, Rice, et al ... as well as every member of Congress who gave Lil Georgie the power to annointed himself the War President.

Every time a member of our armed forces is killed ... Zappppp! 50,000 volts gets the attention of our ignoble leaders. Every time one of our troops are wounded ... Zappppp! 25,000 volts.

Guaranteed -in less than 72 hours the War in Iraq is history, our troops are on their way home, and Halliburton stock takes a plunge ... and yes, then life is good.

Michael, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 10:31 PM)

Niels, down on Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:21 PM)

Hmmm, Goat Boy, I like it.

What was that mythological character that was half goat/half man? Known for prurient and decadent behavior?

Sounds like this guy to me. What is interesting though is that I don't think he is a neocon. I'll have to check that out. Does anyone here know?

Independent, Texas (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:01 AM)

Wayne--I've offered here before to engage you in a debate of facts, with a method that goes far beyond your favorite "cut and paste" citation method, and you did not respond.

As for your assertion that the "blood for oil" mantra is some Marxist (?) claptrap, please use your seemingly vast knowledge of the global oil market to understand that those who control the market reap the bucks, pal. Your assertion assumes that the reason for being there is to guarantee cheap oil, which is nonsense. The reason for being there is to control the market, big boy, and become the brokers to the world. That we buy our oil now is both obvious and irrelevant. I know you can follow the money, Wayne. It's the only thing you neo-cons do well.

Christopher Courington (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:52 AM)

Oops--almost forgot:

As concerns the radically "liberal" Mr. Gingrich, please keep in mind this is the same guy who a few months previous said that a curtailing of civil liberties--that is, even more so than has already taken place--is inevitable if the U.S. is to win the "war on terror." Nuff said.

Christopher Courington (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:53 AM)

Another excellent NYT Piece: An OpEd by Frank Rich entitled "Patriots Who Love the Troop to Death."

Good reading.

http://select.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/opinion/05rich-1.html?th&emc=th

Independent, Texas (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 7:22 AM)

And with what he said, do you think he would in some way encourage those Republicans in Congress who vote against anything that makes sense, to do the right thing?
How bout pulling back combat troops and bringing in reconstruction personnel (get electricity going) and troop/police trainers? Or is that cost center for Halliburton not opened yet?

Howard, Manassas, VA (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:01 PM)

Independent, Texas:

The character from Greek mythology of which you speak is the Centaur. However, given the various "sexcapades" of the GOPs Christian chosen, perhaps what this mythological character symbolizes is the sublimated "other" of neoconservative identity. In other words, they flog themselves for having such feelings in the first place in order to suffer, and suffer so that they convince themselves that God is working out their destiny, so that they, and they alone, are the chosen. But, given that they are but flesh, and the flesh is weak, they eventually give in to temptation...only to crash, burn, and rise again like another mythological character, the Phoenix. Isn't it cozy how all that wraps up? The whole resurrection motif and everything! It's quite a shame, though, that such stanuch defenders of the Western Canon wouldn't be able to name the very characters from Greek culture that we have been talking about. I'm not sure that there is a specific god of hypocrisy in the Greek Pantheon, but that would be the character to fit the neo-cons with, to be sure.

Christopher Courington, Florence MA (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:27 PM)

Christopher Courington, Florence MA (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:27 PM)

Good going, Christopher!

Thanks for the info and the spot-on analysis!

Still haven't found out if Goat Boy is a neocon, though. I'm still looking.

Independent, Texas (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:46 PM)

well newt, as distastefull as it is to agree with you, i must - but i fear, our reasons are light-years apart. we must make oil insignifacant to our country. then, and only then can we look at the mideast objectively. then, maybe we can get rid of the organized crime ring running this country, both dems and repubs

michael aurand (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 2:47 PM)

"Sounds like what democrates have been saying for 3 years....
jen,il (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 8:38 AM)"

... don't confuse "optimist" with "opportunist". you are the first. Newt is the second. Sadly, he's a brilliant man who's politcal agenda is often only determined by his needs and the winds of change.
A Response, Greenville SC (Sent Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:35 AM)"

Newt would have whole-heartedly attacked anyone who said the same thing in the past, but he's a slick pol who realizes that the old Repugnikant BS isn't selling anymore. Slick politicians, with an eye on a presidential bid, test the market to see what will "sell".

He is well aware that the current crop of Repugs in the running, supportive of BushCo are losing (badly) to "none of the above" in current polls. So he'll pretend to be a moderate, state long-standing democratic positions, and hope that he can set himself apart from the competition and enter the presidential primaries as a top contender.

It's just the same old Newt using the same old bait and switch technique that worked so well for his buddy Dubya ("I'm a compassionate conservative", among many other lies). I'm not buying it.

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 3:20 PM)

"Shilling for John Edwards' cronies at Slumbacher?"

I assume you're speaking of a stock which the Edwards sold for $40,000, right? That company would be Schlumberger, (schlum-ber-zay) not Slumbacher. They sold some stock . . . last I checked Mr. Cheney is still receiving deferred funds from Halliburton. I guarantee if his stock in Halliburton were sold, it'd sell for one helluva lot more than $40,000.

Looks like somebody's been reading blogs again and not looking up actual information.

junebug (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 6:53 PM)

Wayne, you are also aware, aren't you, that Wolfowitz and the rest of the University of Chicago bred neo-conservatives subscribe to the theories of Trotsky- - - a MARXIST? You really do need to do more research on your heroes . . . they AIN'T what you think they are and they ARE what you think the "evil libruls" are.

Research, sir, research.

junebug (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 6:58 PM)

I put together a kind of generic letter, for all those who support this position to use as a means of E-Mailing, Snail Mailing, or telephoning our Congress.

Feel free to critique, suggest changes - add changes, and utilize as a common thread if you will, to let Congress know what we REALLY think! <g>

Thanks to all of you who help stimulate my mind.

RudeRo, So.CA (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 8:57 PM)

"Hmmm, Goat Boy, I like it.

What was that mythological character that was half goat/half man? Known for prurient and decadent behavior?
Independent Texas
"
"Independent, Texas:

The character from Greek mythology of which you speak is the Centaur."
"It's quite a shame, though, that such stanuch defenders of the Western Canon wouldn't be able to name the very characters from Greek culture that we have been talking about."
Christopher Courington, Florence MA
"
The half man half horse was the Centaur,
Half Man half Goat was the Satyr.

Half man half mutated talking lemur is the Liberalista non sapient. Best know for pretense of extensive knowledge of subjects of which they have only read about in comic books.

Wayne, TN (Sent Sunday, August 05, 2007 11:08 PM)

In Greek mythology the satyrs are deities of the woods and mountains. They are half human and half beast; they usually have a goat's tail, flanks and hooves ...

Richard Crossgrove (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:27 AM)

And the specific creature you might be thinking of, Independent, is the Greek god Pan, the prototype for all satyrs.

The Centaur, on the other hand, had the upper torso of a man joined to something resembling our favorite trolls here. . .

Niels, enjoying mythical Bayou DeGradeabelle, in Post-Katrina MS (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:47 AM)

BTW, there is a goddess of deceit, deception, fraud and guile in the Greek pantheon: Apate, daughter of Nyx (Night). Safe bet she'd cover hypocrisy as well.

Niels, sorting trivia on Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:32 AM)

BTW
hypokrites, the root word from which Hypocrite comes, is the ancient Greek word for Actor, which is why so many Hollywood and Media types are such hypocrits.

Examples of Hypocrisy:
Cheering on Obama , who never served,when he saber rattles while at the same time calling those you disagree with about Iraq "Chickenhawks" if they have not served.
The same can be said for support of any of the front runners of the Democratic party, since none have served yet they want to be Commander in chief during a time of armed conflict.
this
""It's quite a shame, though, that such stanuch defenders of the Western Canon wouldn't be able to name the very characters from Greek culture that we have been talking about."
Christopher Courington,"
Would not be hypocrisy since Christopher did not know that he was wrong about the Centaur. It would instead be an example of egotism coupled with ignorance.

Being a self professed psuedo-intellectual I can spot another a mile off.

Wayne, TN (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:34 AM)

Have you seen the movie called Zeitgeist? zeitgeistmovie.com. It attempts to explain the origins of the war. I'm not quite sure if I buy into the theories there just yet, but the evidence presented is certainly frightening.

P Shah, New York, NY (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 4:39 AM)

Niels, enjoying mythical Bayou DeGradeabelle, in Post-Katrina MS (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:47 AM)

Perfect!!

Thanks to all of you for teaching me something today.

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 8:19 AM)

Independent, thank you for the link to the Frank Rich article. It's been my argument for years. I hope more and more journalists speak up about this tragedy. We have a bunch of neo-cons all over the place who send our troops to war, yet they themselves never saw war. They don't know sh$t about anything. They ignore our Constitution and they ignore our troops.

I heard last night that even the Republican voters in New Hampshire despise President Bush. They're calling him a draft dodger and can't wait for him to pack his bags and get out of town for good.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 9:40 AM)

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