Open Thread: Big Talk Butters No Parsnips
3 days ago
Showing posts with label Foreign Policy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Foreign Policy. Show all posts
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hatch: Rest of World is Just Jealous of Us
Making what I believe to be one of the most indefensibly inane arguments of this election cycle, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch recently made the ludicrous claim that America's standing in the world hasn't suffered under Premier Bush's eight-year reign of terror. He goes on to dismiss countries who criticize us as "jealous".
HATCH: There’s a lot of jealousy of the United States, especially in Europe, and France in particular and some of the other nations as well. So naturally they’re constantly poking holes at the United States. … Yeah there’s some irritation with the United States but mainly it’s because we’re so powerful and strong militarily and economically and otherwise.
Doesn't this remind any of you who've watched Jerry Springer of a typically toothless 300-lb. meth-addicted female paramour exclaiming to the long-time girlfriend of the randy cheating boyfriend: "You just jealous!! I look good!!!"ThinkProgress just so happens to have a handy graph that definitively disproves Hatch's fact-free head-in-the-sand bullshit:
Monday, October 20, 2008
Conservative Ken Adelman Endorses Obama
Conservative foreign policy hawk Ken Adelman joins the ranks of the Obamacons.
A brief bio from the New Yorker:
Ken Adelman is a lifelong conservative Republican. Campaigned for Goldwater, was hired by Rumsfeld at the Office of Economic Opportunity under Nixon, was assistant to Defense Secretary Rumsfeld under Ford, served as Reagan’s director of arms control, and joined the Defense Policy Board for Rumsfeld’s second go-round at the Pentagon, in 2001. Adelman’s friendship with Rumsfeld, Cheney, and their wives goes back to the sixties, and he introduced Cheney to Paul Wolfowitz at a Washington brunch the day Reagan was sworn in.
In recent years, Adelman and his friends Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Wolfowitz fell out over his criticisms of the botching of the Iraq War. Still, he remains a bona-fide hawk (“not really a neo-con but a con-con”) who has never supported a Democrat for President in his life.
Here's an excerpt from his endorsement:
Why so, since my views align a lot more with McCain’s than with Obama’s? And since I truly dread the notion of a Democratic president, Democratic House, and hugely Democratic Senate?
Primarily for two reasons, those of temperament and of judgment.
When the economic crisis broke, I found John McCain bouncing all over the place. In those first few crisis days, he was impetuous, inconsistent, and imprudent; ending up just plain weird. Having worked with Ronald Reagan for seven years, and been with him in his critical three summits with Gorbachev, I’ve concluded that that’s no way a president can act under pressure.
Second is judgment. The most important decision John McCain made in his long campaign was deciding on a running mate.
That decision showed appalling lack of judgment. Not only is Sarah Palin not close to being acceptable in high office—I would not have hired her for even a mid-level post in the arms-control agency. But that selection contradicted McCain’s main two, and best two, themes for his campaign—Country First, and experience counts. Neither can he credibly claim, post-Palin pick.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
McCain Turns to Palin for Foreign Policy Advice
I really think the McCain campaign going to kill the parody industry. After all, how can you make this sh*t up?
During an interview with NPR, McCain claimed that he has turned to Sarah Palin for advice on foreign policy matters "many times in the past":
Seriously, I'm not making this up.NPR: Given what you've said, senator, is there an occasion where you could imagine turning to Gov. Palin for advice in a foreign policy crisis?
McCain: I've turned to her advice many times in the past. I can't imagine turning to Senator Obama or Senator Biden because they've been wrong. They were wrong about Iraq, wrong about Russia.
There are only two conclusions to draw from this exchange:
1. McCain doesn't give two figs about the truth. He just makes sh*t up on the fly.
or
2. McCain actually does consult Sarah Palin on foreign policy issues. Which should frighten the f*ck out of you.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Palin's Performance 'Frightening', 'Pity-Inducing'
Salon's Glenn Greenwald (finally) sees the light:
Sarah Palin's performance in the tiny vignettes of unscripted dialogue in which we've been allowed to see her has been nothing short of frightening -- really, as I said, pity-inducing. And I say that as someone who has thought from the start that the criticisms of her abilities -- as opposed to her ideology -- were much too extreme. One of two things is absolutely clear at this point: she is either (a) completely ignorant about the most basic political issues -- a vacant, ill-informed, incurious know-nothing, or (b) aggressively concealing her actual beliefs about these matters because she's petrified of deviating from the simple-minded campaign talking points she's been fed and/or because her actual beliefs are so politically unpalatable, even when taking into account the right-wing extremism that is permitted, even rewarded, in our mainstream. I'm not really sure which is worse, but it doesn't really matter, because with 40 days left before the election, both options are heinous.
Judge for yourself in this video of her on Katie Couric. If the thought of this unprepared neophyte as President of the United States doesn't chill you to your bones, you're an ignorant buffoon:
Thursday, September 18, 2008
CNN Explores McCain's Spain Gaffe
McCain's jaw-droppingly strange gaffe yesterday when talking to a radio station about whether he'd meet with Prime Minister Zapatero of Spain has made its way onto CNN:
Earlier: McCain Thinks Spanish PM is Leftist Latin American Commie
Chuck Hagel Calls Palin Claims 'Insulting'
Here's my favorite quote of the moment. Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, when asked about Sarah Palin's foreign policy credentials, has this to say:
“I think they ought to be just honest about it and stop the nonsense about, ‘I look out my window and I see Russia and so therefore I know something about Russia,’” he said. “That kind of thing is insulting to the American people.”
McCain Thinks Spanish PM is Leftist Latin American Commie
[Ask yourself when reading this (as always): "What kind of feeding frenzy would this spark if OBAMA had done this?"]
Yesterday John McCain was interviewed on the Florida affiliate of Spanish radio network Union Radio. And in the interview McCain appeared not to know who the Prime Minister of Spain was and assumed he was some anti-American leftist leader from South America.
In the interview, McCain was asked about Prime Minister Zapatero and, in response, McCain started rambling some nonsense about Mexico:
After the interviewer presses him a couple times on the point and tries to focus him on the fact that Prime Minister Zapatero isn't from Mexico and isn't a drug lord either McCain comes back at her saying, "All I can tell you is that I have a clear record of working with leaders in the Hemisphere that are friends with us and standing up to those who are not. And that's judged on the basis of the importance of our relationship with Latin America and the entire region."
Then there's a moment of awkward pause before she says. "But what about Europe? I'm talking about the President of Spain."
McCain: "What about me, what?
Interviewer: "Are you willing to meet with him if you're elected president?"
McCain: "I am wiling to meet with any leader who is dedicated to the same principles and philosophy that we are for humans rights, democracy and freedom. And I will stand up to those who do not."
At this point, the interviewer gets tongue-tied presumably because she can't get over McCain not knowing what Spain is.
Here is the original interview (in English). The relevant remarks start at around the 2:58 mark:
Update: Here's the Washington Post's coverage of El Gaffe:
So, was McCain purposely trying to diss the Spanish leader? Questions about whether McCain forgot which country Zapatero leads, got confused about Spain's geographic relationship to Latin America, or confused Zapatero with the Zapatista rebels from Mexico have exploded on blogs since reports of the interview first surfaced.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Looking at the Moon Doesn't Make You an Astronaut
This quote-and-response regarding the Palin interview is just too awesome not to point out. From Balloon Juice:
Pressed about what insights into recent Russian actions she gained by living in Alaska, Palin answered: “They’re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.”
Our very own Krista, in the comments, responds:And when I look out my window I can see the moon. Doesn’t make me a f*cking astronaut now, does it?
Sarah Palin: No Idea What Bush Doctrine Is
First, I'll grant you that people that don't generally follow politics wouldn't know this either. Ultimately, however, shouldn't the person running for Vice President of the United States?
When asked in her break from complete media blockade interview on ABC News last night what the 'Bush Doctrine' was, this was her stumbling, uninformed answer:
Watch It:Gibson: Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine?
Palin: In what respect, Charlie?
Gibson: What do you interpret it to be?
Palin: His worldview.
Gibson: No, No, the Bush Doctrine. He enunciated it in September 2002, before the Iraq War.
Palin: I believe that what President Bush has attempted to do is to rid this world of Islamic extremism, terrorists who are hellbent on destroying our nation. There have been blunders along the way, though. There have been mistakes made. And with new leadership--and that's the beauty of American elections and democracy--with new leadership comes the opportunity to do things better.
Gibson: The Bush Doctrine, as I understand it, is that we have the right of anticipatory defense. We have the right to preemptively strike any other country that we believe is going to attack us.
Palin: I agree that a president's job, when they swear in their oath to uphold our Constitution, their top priority is to defend the United States of America.
I know that John McCain will do that and I, as his vice president, families we are blessed with that vote of the American people and are elected to serve and are sworn in on January 20, that will be our top priority is to defend the American people.
I repeat, this is the person running for Vice President of the United States, who is completely uninformed on what most would argue is the most important foreign policy pronouncement in the years since 9/11.
The mind reels.
Here's Andrew Sullivan:
Actually, [a President's] first priority is to defend the constitution of the United States. Palin doesn't even know the oath she is supposed to swear. And any serious person who has followed the debates about US foreign policy knows what the Bush doctrine is. But we do not have a serious pick for the vice-presidency in the GOP, do we? We have an absurdity. And a joke.
Sarah Palin Lies Twice More on ABC News
Well, add to the list of Sarah Palin lies that (a) it's common for VP candidates to have never met a foreign leader and (b) she never denied that humans have a hand in global warming:
The woman is pathological:
A fact-check report agreed that a part of Russia is visible from Alaska, as Palin stated. But it labeled “false” two other claims– that it’s common for VP candidates to have never met a foreign leader, and that she has not previously denied that humans play a role in global warming. Report said every living VP had met numerous foreign leaders before taking office, and quoted Palin recently saying she’s not one “blaming the changes in our climate on human activity.”
SO when confronted with a decision to own a previous public statement or to lie about it, Palin has lied twice on national television, with documentary proof that she is lying. Josh Marshall has to add two more to his seven demonstrable public lies.
What else is she lying about?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
ABC News Interview: Palin on Foreign Policy
I just read some excepts from Sarah Palin's interview tonight with ABC News. I am chilled to the bone to think that a candidate for President would decide that this simplistic, uninformed neophyte should be one heartbeat away from the Presidency.
Just a sample of her jejune thinking (bear in mind that what she came up with was the product of hundreds of hours of rigorous preparation by the McCain team):
GIBSON: Would you favor putting Georgia and Ukraine in NATO?
PALIN: Ukraine, definitely, yes. Yes, and Georgia. [snip]
GIBSON: And under the NATO treaty, wouldn't we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?
PALIN: Perhaps so.
Um, no. Definitely so -- no wiggle room allowed. If Georgia successfully enters NATO, we will be 100% treaty-bound to immediately come to Georgia's defense if Russia invades Georgian territory.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
McCain on Iraq; Irony Much?
I missed this quote from John McCain's acceptance speech but does anyone find it just a tad tone-deaf and ironic?
Russia’s leaders, rich with oil wealth and corrupt with power, have rejected democratic ideals and the obligations of a responsible power. They invaded a small, democratic neighbor to gain more control over the world’s oil supply, intimidate other neighbors and further their ambitions of reassembling the Russian empire.
Change just a few words and you get this:
[America]’s leaders, rich with oil wealth and corrupt with power, have rejected democratic ideals and the obligations of a responsible power. They invaded a small [Muslim country] to gain more control over the world’s oil supply, intimidate other neighbors and further their ambitions of [strengthening] the [American hegemony].
Joe Biden on Meet the Press
Watching Joe Biden just now talk in detailed and nuanced terms about the domestic and geopolitical realities of Iraq and its impact on the region just blows my mind when thinking about the potential contrast with what the same interview would look like if the interviewee were Sarah Palin. Will the media ask her the hard questions if she ever deigns to emerge from her fortress of solitude and do an interview? Will they get into the hard details and ask her anything more than "Do you think the surge worked"? I wonder...
Here's the video of part of his interview. See the rest of his interview by clicking here.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
McCain To Punish Any Media That Questions Campaign
Sigh. Not much else to sat than that. After the past few days of being in high dudgeon over the reckless and irresponsible trainwreck-to-be Sarah Palin, I don't have enough indignation left to fully scream to the mountaintops about this. But it's really shameful.
In essence, the McCain campaign has decided to aggressively punish and malign any news organization that - gasp - does its job and asks tough questions of any McCain surrogate. That is to say, any media outlet that doesn't allow a surrogate to just recite unchallenged talking points.
Yesterday, Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds appeared on CNN for an interview with Campbell Brown. Brown was tough on Bounds, refusing to let him spout typical campaign talking points. She repeatedly pressed him on Palin’s foreign policy experience and qualifications, asking him to name one decision that she made as commander-in-chief of the Alaskan National Guard. Bounds was unable to do so.Today, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer revealed that because of that tough interview, the McCain campaign has canceled the senator’s appearance on Larry King Live tonight:
The McCain campaign said it believed that exchange was over the line and as a result the interview scheduled for Larry King Live with Sen. McCain was pulled. CNN does not believe that Campbell’s interview was over the line. We are committed to fair coverage of both sides of this historic election.
Here's the video in question:
Monday, September 1, 2008
Buchanan and Scarborough Mock Palin Pick
Conservative commentators Pat Buchanan and Joe Scarborough in the below video openly mocked McCain's pick of Sarah Palin, highlighting how profoundly inexperienced she is.
What's more, they go on to dismiss the idea that her qualifications are anywhere near Obama's as Obama has been on the national stage a long time and running and excellent campaign who "validated himself with 18 million votes." And beating everyone, including knocking out Hillary.
They also blast the idea of Palin as a Hillary substitute as silly and state it would be seen as "condescending" to women.
CNN's Campbell Brown Destroys McCain Spokesman
CNN's Campbell Brown took McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds to task today. Talking about Sarah Palin, he was repeatedly unable to point to any foreign policy experience and couldn't name a single instance where she's made a decision as head of Alaska's National Guard. Ouch!
Video:
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
British Foreign Secretary Calls BS on McCain
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, the top diplomat of one of our closest allies, derided John McCain's bellicose rhetoric, calling his excessively provocative proposal to kick Russia out of the G8 "knee-jerk":
In a tough speech delivered in Kiev, Ukraine, Miliband said Russia will face consequences for its actions in Georgia. But he added: "In all international institutions, we need to review our relations with Russia. I do not apologize for rejecting knee-jerk calls for Russia to be expelled from the G8, or for EU-Russia or NATO-Russia relations to be broken. But we do need to examine the nature, depth and breadth of relations with Russia."
Monday, August 25, 2008
Europeans Nonplussed By McCain's Viability
My thoughts exactly from the Glasgow Herald:
It seems incredible, but as the Democrats gather in Denver to anoint Barack Obama, America could be on course to re-elect a Republican as their President. Not just any Republican either, but a belligerent 71-year-old who can’t remember how many houses he owns, would happily nuke Iran and whose answer to global warming is to drill for oil in environmentally sensitive areas off the coast of America which don’t even have much oil. But according to the polls, John McCain is drawing level with Barack Obama, and even pulling ahead.
Really, America is a strange, strange country. After a disastrous and illegal war, in which 4000 American soldiers have died, in the middle of an economic crisis largely caused by the investment houses that finance the Republican party, you would have thought it almost inconceivable that the Republicans could be re-elected. Could any political brand be more toxic? Has any party in history deserved to be thrown out at an election more than the Republicans in 2008?
… Yet enough American voters believe that John McCain might have the answers for him to become a serious contender. Which is scary. McCain is not an unknown quantity - he is a highly excitable politician with a notoriously short temper, who would bring his impetuous and confrontational style into American foreign policy. With the world entering a global economic slump, and old enmities raging in Europe, John McCain as President would be like a flamethrower in a fireworks factory.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Reason to Be Scared of McCain: Religious Rhetoric
This is a truly alarming McCain statement, especially in the context of geopolitical diplomacy in the Muslim world and what appears to be an alarming trend:
On a frozen winter evening at a Town Hall meeting in a school in the Manchester, N.H., suburbs, John McCain expressed surprise and irritation with an intelligence report downplaying the threat of Iran's nuclear program... At the end of a long list of reasons to be suspicious of the Iranians, McCain declared: "And they sure don't share our Judeo-Christian values."
This is absolutely inflammatory and indefensible. McCain may think that he is simply scoring some cheap points with religious-values voters but the subtext to what he's saying is disturbing.
Remember how even President Bush took great pains after 9/11 to stress that a war against terrorism didn't equate to a war against Islam? By painting our tensions with Iran as tensions with a country that doesn't "share our Judeo-Christian values", he is starkly calling out to the people of Iran and other Muslim countries that he sees this as, at least partially, a struggle of religions and the values underpinning them. This is scary, undiplomatic and unworthy of a candidate for the office of President of the United States.
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