I was on the road yesterday morning and had an NPR show on the radio with Wesley Clark and John Abizaid talking about Iraq and Iran. I think they agree that Iran is our biggest problem over there, but they disagreed to some extent on what to do about it. Clark says that we should open up diplomatic relations with Iran yesterday. I can't state his argument nearly as well as he can, but the point I took from his comments is that we should not be surprised by Iran's recalcitrance and general bad behavior given: (a) our history over the last 50-60 years; (b) W's having placed them in that ridiculous Axis of Evil; and (c) our general belligerence on all matters of foreign policy. He is not saying that Iran is run by good people, but it is crazy not to try diplomacy with them. As he stated his argument, he seemed to me to be undeniably correct and sensible.

He also stated a completely logical argument why partitioning Iraq into 3 countries would be a disaster that would haunt us for generations. While the 3-country solution seems nice on the surface, it would lead to ethnic cleansing and disrupt too many families. Generations of Iraqis would blame America. Again, the way he stated it, he just seemed to be absolutely correct, which is more than I can for most people talking about Iraq.

The other thing I took from his comments is that he would make a great running mate for Hillary Clinton. He is extremely articulate and would help bring along some voters who are uncomfortable having a woman as Commander in Chief.

Does he have any skeletons in his closet that I am forgetting about?

You mean other than ALWAYS siding with Americas enemies?

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Wesley Clark is a desperate political hack who almost always sides with the enemies of America. He is a Jimmy Carter type and would be bad for America.

No, I wasn't referring to that whole "Blame America First Crowd" that Sean Hannity likes to talk about, I was talking about something that actually exists here in the real world.

What are you guys talking about?

std. procedure since the 2000 campaign. Attack their strengths. Respect for the military only goes so far.

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1984 300TD

My apologies to Mr. Clark.

I momentarily had him confused with Ramsay Clark. (One of the Klinton's buddies, BTW).

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Big difference there. I saw Ramsey Clark give a speech in the late 80s. That guy's out on the edge for sure. It's incredible to imagine that he was once our Attorney General. When I saw him he was railing about the illegality of Reagan's bombing on downtown Tripoli.

I don't think Hillary will be tapping Ramsey Clark as her VP.

Yeah...Ramsay = Ramsey; Klinton = Clinton, no biggie, people can make honest mistakes.

Someone else EXCEEDINGLY important the other day said

OPEC not APEC; and thanked the Austrians, not the Australians, that were in Iraq. I hope that he doesn't mistake Iran for Iraq when undertaking future endeavors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPC9QnwFlRQ

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

^^^ Nicely done.

B

Today that same important man seemed to say that Saddam killed Nelson Madela, although it is hard to decipher exactly what he said. Here's a quote, you tell me what it means:http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/20/bush-mandela/

Again, it's hard to know exactly what he is saying, but someone better call Nelson, just in case. He is apparently under the impression that he is still alive.

I heard the comment on the radio this morning as well. I had no problem understanding what he said. If you understand the context in which it was said you shouldn't either, unless you willingly suspend reason.

As to the veracity of the comment, I don't know for sure. But it is consistent with how Saddam and his sons ran Iraq.

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-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

You don't know for sure? I have never heard any suggestion that Saddam ever gave South Africa a second thought, so I don't know why he would kill the Mandelas. Probably more to the point, though, Nelson Mandela is still alive, a fact that severely weakens any claim that Saddam killed him.

By context, should I assume you mean that Saddam killed "the Mandelas" meaning that he killed anyone who agitated against his government? If so, then I have no problem with that.

I guess the ethnic cleansing under Saddam was okay?

And what on earth makes you think you could force a 3-way partition if the three parties didn't want to do it? The very FACT they hate each other is the reason this is even discussed. Its not because someone sits around and says " hey lets break it in 3 just for kicks"

dense-ness of certain brains amazes me constantly.

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MB-less

I know it is difficult to imagine that W was using a literary device (whould that be called a metaphor? or simply symbolism).

I always had trouble with them myself. I am very literal minded.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.