BlueGrassRoots

The Draft Horne Movement Keeps Building Steam

This is old news, but better late than never, eh? Bluegrass Report had a big survey in which 500 of its readers responded to a bunch of KY politics questions. This is the BIG NEWS within:

Also noteworthy about this group, only 38% said that U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler (D) should challenge Senator McConnell (R) next year (62% said no). Meanwhile, Andrew Horne (D) bests the group of possible McConnell opponents:

2008 Senate Challenger Preference (Democratic respondents only)
Andrew Horne -- 37%
Greg Stumbo -- 33%
Charlie Owen -- 19%
Bruce Lunsford -- 11%

That's right, the most insider political blog in the state just put Lt. Col. Andrew Horne in 1st place among all potential challengers to McConnell in 2008. This is despite the fact that he hasn't been campaigning or even set up an exploratory committee to run, not to mention the fact that he's never run for a state office.

There is some definite buzz happening with the Draft Horne movement in Kentucky. First of all, Horne has been an incredible ambassador for our state and our troops, as he has loudly and publicly criticized McConnell for his shameless rubberstamping of Bush's failed Iraq policy and his truly disgusting filibuster of the Webb amendment to restore proper rest and rotation between tours for our troops. This is someone who has the courage to stand up for what is right and speak truth to power, no matter what taunting he may endure from the right as a result. And quite frankly, the silence of our other Democrats in KY on this issue has been deafening. That is, when they aren't giving more unchecked warrantless spying powers to Dick Cheney and Alberto Gonzales.

Secondly, Horne matches up ideally against McConnell. McConnell won't be able to smear him for standing up to Bush on Iraq, at least not successfully. If McConnell tries to call a 27 year Marine and Iraq veteran a wimpy cut-and-runner terrorist appeasing Defeatocrat for opposing a very unpopular war, it will be suicide. He would LOSE, make no mistake about that. Not have a close race... LOSE. However, McConnell would bash every other candidate with these labels (though its effectiveness might not be overwhelming or even successful if things continue like they are in Iraq).

Horne also doesn't have many of the flaws that other candidates have, particularly with past scandals or social standing/perception. I won't get into those (you know what they are) because I will strongly support whichever candidate gets the nomination, and I'm not going to get into smearing here. But McConnell will probably end up spending somewhere around $20 million dollars on attack ads alone in this race. The slightest chink in someone's armor could be fatally amplified with this kind of money. But what are Horne's weaknesses in this area? I can't think of many. I've never met the guy, and maybe I'm off base here, but he seams like a guy with outstanding character and dedication to his country, whether you are conservative or liberal (of course I'm not talking about the 25%'ers, I'm sure they'll despise him). McConnell will definitely try to smear him, as he has ruthlessly with all of his opponents, but I think he'd have a hard time making them stick on Horne.

Anyway, if you're one of those Kentuckians that would like to see Lt. Col. Andrew Horne at least enter the 2008 Senate race against Mitch McConnell, I implore you to GO HERE and SIGN THE PETITION TO DRAFT HORNE into the race!

Next Week: Big Iraq Summer Protests in KY

Next week, Louisville, Lexington and Newport will be holding the biggest Iraq Summer events of the month. The "Take a Stand Campaign" will hold large rallies on the 27th and 28th, the climax of the month-long effort to bring our troops home safe and hold Mitch McConnell accountable for his shameful rubber-stamping of Bush's failed Iraq policy.

The Lexington rally will be held downtown in Phoenix Park, from 5 to 8 each night. The Louisville rally will be held at Bellermine University at Frazier Hall, same time. Some great speakers will be at both events, and we should get some bigtime media coverage. There will also be a rally at Newport on the Levee, so check that out in Northern KY.

From their website:

The "Take a Stand Campaign" is a nation-wide organizing drive to demand that members of Congress and the Senate take a stand with the vast majority of Americans who want a safe and responsible redeployment of American Forces from Iraq.

Across America, over 100 "Iraq Summer" organizers are working to involve thousands of ordinary Americans in an effort to pressure targeted members of Congress to vote to bring a safe end to the war.  This "Take A Stand Campaign" will culminate with "Take A Stand" town meetings to be held on August 28th, immediately before congress reconvenes.

There are lots of ways to get involved -- from attending a Take a Stand town hall in your area to helping organize and spreading the word about the event. To sign up for an event near you, CLICK HERE. For more information about getting involved, contact Cammie Croft at cammie@iraqcampaign.org.

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

Democrats? Where are you?

If the Democrats weren't so woefully pathetic at messaging, this story would be plastered everywhere in print and television news for the next week. Sadly, it probably won't. As Republicans continue to spread the "Wait for General Petreus' Report" and "War critics say the surge is working!" false memes, the Democrats continue to sit with there collective thumbs up their ass.

Once again, the only ones on the left doing their homework and working their ass of is the blogosphere.

But maybe Chandler and Yarmuth will hold a press conference tomorrow with local media, highlighting the other officers on the ground who aren't as glowing about the surge? Or that the White House is going to write up the entire "Petraeus Report"?

HAHAHA! Yea right. We can only dream, eh?

Horne on MSNBC, Standing up for Troops

Lt. Col. Andrew Horne was on MSNBC last night, speaking about the 26-year high in suicides rates among soldiers. It is an absolute tragedy the way our government has treated our soldiers, those willing to give their lives in order to protect our country. From a government that started the war on political calculation and deception, to the abysmal planning and comprehension of the type of warfare our troops would be faced with, to the stubbornness of our president and Congress to admit their errors and set up an exit strategy, to the continual deployment of soldiers for their FOURTH tour of duty already. They deserved better.

And Mitch McConnell has been there rubber-stamping Bush's folly the entire way. Filibustering timetables, and even worse, filibustering the Webb Amendment to give our troops the proper rest and rotation between tours of duty that they deserve. This is what is causing so much strain on our troops. They are continually torn away from their families in order to be thrown into the middle of a religious civil war in intense and confusing urban warfare. The stress this has caused is just staggering. Last year 99 active duty soldiers in the Army killed themselves and over 900 tried to kill themselves.

But Mitch McConnell would rather filibuster legislation to restore proper troop rotation. Sick.

And once again, it's great to see a prominent KY public figure standing up for our troops. Kudos to Horne. I really wish he would have some more help from our public officials.

UPDATE: mikebaily2000 has a diary up on dailykos about Horne, go recommend it!!!

 

UPDATE #2: here's the YouTube link of his MSNBC appearance

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

Mitch McConnell Reads DitchMitchKY

Well, it looks like we've really gotten under someone's skin.

Mitch McConnell is sending out fundraising letters to supporters in which he whines about the "liberals, radicals, far-left, unions, Hillary, Schumer, etc..." who are hounding him about his pathetic record and his obedience to corporate contributers and George W. Bush rather than his constituents in Kentucky. In fact, we are "the 60's anti-war movement on steroids!". That's probably the greatest unintentional complement I've ever received. I think I'll have that put on my gravestone/obituary: "one of the leaders of the 60's anti-war movement on steroids".

Anyway, Mitchy even gives a big shout out to the good folks at Ditch Mitch!

"Liberals on the internet have already created a website called "Ditch Mitch," and 6,000 radicals from across the nation have already signed up."

Hey, Mitchy, glad to see you're reading the site! We feel humbled by your presence.

And as far as being a "radical", I wish. I don't think you can have an 8-5 Mon-Fri non-political office job and be defined as "radical". But I aspire to prove you right someday, Mitchy. And we're FAR more than 6,000, I can guarantee you that.

On second thought, maybe I'll have "the leader of 6,000 liberal radicals" on my gravestone/obituary, that's even better. (Though that honor technically should go to Matt Gunterman or Aniello, amongst a few others.)

And look what we have here. Why it's Mitchy's full fundraising letter, in all of its paranoid glory. It's funny, you can almost smell the desperation in here. For Christ's sake, have a little more dignity Mitchy.

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

Draft Horne for US Senate

There is a new site up devoted to drafting Andrew Horne into the 2008 Senate Race against MItch McConnell. The old petition that I set up to persuade him to run has been incorporated into that site, so if you want to get involved, go to the new site. It's quite spiffy, and should be fully operation very soon.

In addition, Bluegrass Report has a survey up on their site, and one of the questions asks who is your preferred candidate to run against against McConnell. If you're so inclined, go vote for Horne. His name recognition is still low, so this would help give him so mojo.

Chandler Doesn't Rule out Run Against McConnell

"Mr. Give More Spying Power to Cheney and Gonzo Without any Judicial Oversight" is apparently not ruling out a run against McConnell next Fall. WKYT's Bill Bryant brings home the goods.

Very interesting. I'd love to see a poll showing a head to head race of Chandler vs. McConnell. He definitely is in the best position to take him on right now. I bet that poll would be damn close.

I'd also love to see Chandler stand up to Bush's shredding of our Constitution and reckless Iraq policy. The vote on the former (FISA) was just shameless, and his leadership on the latter has been lacking. He had one good vote this spring, but has been virtually silent in terms of calling for a timetable on pulling out of Iraq. If he wanted to draw a contrast of himself with McConnell, who continues to rubber stamp the overwhelmingly unpopular Iraq policy, he'd forcefully advocate a timetable for withdrawal this September.

I'm not going to hold my breath, though.

Groups That Will be Unintentionally Humorous a Year From Now

Here's one.

Draft Lt. Col. Andrew Horne for US Senate!

Sign the Petition Here

Check out the links on the right of that page to find out more about Horne.

Mitch is too scared to face Iraq Summer protest

As Jim shows in his great video below, protesters made a little visit to the Louisville home of Mitch McConnell yesterday. In fact, Mitch himself was home and able to witness this himself.

Additionally, Mitch would not leave his apartment because he was too much of a coward to even be seen by these protesters. The protesters stayed in front of his apartment from 11am to 11pm, and Mitch chose to hide there all day and night. Here are some of the details from an Iraq Summer press release yesterday below.

UPDATE: Iraq Summer is still there today but there are now counter-protesters. Yes, Mitch has called in the last few people that aren't ashamed of him, because he's so afraid of Iraq Summer. So if you're in Louisville right now and want to be heard, go to the 2300 block of Dundee and join the fun.

UPDATE #2: The "counterprotesters" showed up 5 minutes before the news crews got there, and left immediately after the news crews left. But Iraq Summer has been there non-stop for McConnell's entire weekend stay in Louisville. A righty site is reporting that Mitch supporters "drowned out" his supporters this weekend, which is laughable and typically dishonest. Jim will have a video up later showing the overwhelming support that the protesters had from those passing by. And unlike the fake counterprotesters, Iraq Summer will not let up on Mitch in August.

Kentuckians Picket at Mitch McConnell's Doorstep Calling for an End to the War in Iraq

Anger has Reached a Boiling Point in Kentucky as Sen. McConnell Continues to Support the President's Reckless War Policy; Sen. McConnell's Solution – Stay Inside

Louisville, KY – In a preview of the anti-Iraq war fervor Senate Republicans will face over August recess, Kentuckians went door-to-door in Sen. Mitch McConnell's Louisville neighborhood today, distributing yard signs urging Sen. McConnell to stand up to President Bush and bring an end to the reckless war in Iraq.  As part of the Iraq Summer campaign, constituents also stood outside Sen. McConnell's home, holding up signs and greeting passersby.  The Kentuckians first arrived at McConnell's house at 11 am Saturday morning and found Capitol Police standing guard outside the home. Nine hours later, Sen. McConnell has yet to come out from his home, apparently preferring to duck his constituents than address their concerns about his continued support for the President's unending Iraq war policy.

Many of Sen. McConnell's own neighbors came out to express their support for the Iraq Summer campaign and collect yard signs calling on the Senator to end the war in Iraq.  Cars driving by have been honking all afternoon to urge Sen. McConnell to bring our troops home.

"As Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell has led Republicans in blocking an end to President Bush's failed Iraq war, so we came to him to show just how much anger there is in Kentucky over his continued support for an unending war in Iraq," said Aniello Alioto, Kentucky Field Director for the Iraq Summer campaign, who was at Sen. McConnell's house.  "The Iraq war has cost too much – in money, in resources, in lives.   After more than four years, over $400 billion spent, and the deaths of more than 3,600 American troops, it's time for Sen. McConnell to bring our troops home.  Kentuckians are fed up with the President's failed Iraq policy, and they're fed up with Sen. McConnell failed leadership."

Sen. McConnell's continued support for the President's Iraq policy and his obstruction of an end to the war have hurt his standing with voters back home.  A Survey USA poll released this week shows that Sen. McConnell's approval has dropped below 50 percent for the third time this year.  Only 48 percent of Kentuckians approve of the way the senator is handling his job, while 44 percent disapprove, according the poll.  The Senator's approval rating is now at its lowest point in two years of Survey USA polls.

"Sen. McConnell may think that if he just hides inside long enough, his constituents will just go away, but that's not going to happen," added Alioto.  "Opposition to Sen. McConnell's support for this war is too high – anger has reached a boiling point in Kentucky, and across this state, people are demanding Sen. McConnell take a stand and end the President's reckless war.  We'll be rallying, holding events, writing letters and dogging Sen. McConnell all summer long, urging him to bring the troops home.  Sen. McConnell isn't going to be able to duck his constituents forever.  If this is how he planned to deal with opposition to the war, he's in for a long summer."

"Senate Republicans should be quaking in their boots. The anti-Iraq war fervor is not unique to Kentucky. All across the country Senators who blocked an end to the war will be forced to face the consequences of their spineless votes during August recess. The only homecoming parade greeting these Republican Senators will be the parade of constituents demanding an end to the war in Iraq," said Moira Mack, national spokeswoman for Americans Against Escalation in Iraq.

-----

"Iraq Summer" is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on Republican members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national "Take a Stand" day on August 28th, when members will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

SUSA Poll: Very Bad News for Mitch

The new Survey USA poll is out, and it's very bad news for Mitch McConnell.

Mitch has a record low approval rating of 48% and a record high disapproval rating of 44%.

Mitch thought that he would actually get bonus points for his oh-so-clever filibustering of any change to Bush's failed Iraq policy. The Webb amendment to give our troops the proper rest and rotation between tours passed easily, but Mitch voted against it and organized the filibuster. The Levin amendment passed, but Mitch again stood in the way, enabling Bush and obstructing any real progress in our Iraq policy.

Mitch lost the most ground among independents, free falling from 67/30 approval/disapproval, to 39/53. Considering that KY's independents are overwhelmingly against the war, this shows that Mitch has firmly put the Iraq anchor around his own neck by standing in the way of any progress. The right isn't happy either, as he  dropped 6 points amongst Republicans and 12 points amongst Conservatives. Women also don't like the war, and they don't like Mitch either (it's mutual, I'm sure): he dropped 11% amongst women.

This poll shows that Mitch's attempts to portray the Democrat's attempt to push reform on Iraq as a "publicity stunt" is an absolute failure. KY voters are able to see through Mitch's spin, and they will continue to in bigger numbers the more that Mitch enables Bush and obstructs real progress that Democrats are pushing for and KY wants.

Mitch continues to have Iraq veterans and protesters hounding him wherever he goes in Kentucky. That will only heat up. He also has his first possible opponent, Greg Stumbo, forming an exploratory committee for a run against him in 2008. There is also a growing movement to draft Marine vet Lt. Col. Andrew Horne into the race. Having to run against an honored Vet who is active with VoteVets and consistently for changing course in Iraq would be a nightmare scenario for Mitch, imo.

But what about Mitch's bottomless war chest? Remember that Tom Daschle spent $19 million on his race and lost. People don't like Mitch, and there's no amount of money that's going to change that.

So don't let anyone tell you that this race is out of play, because we have a legitimate shot of ditching Mitch.

Mitch McConnell = Full of Shit

Here's a quote from Bullshit Mitch: (h/t Carpetbagger, Atrios)

“I think we do agree this is the last chance for the Iraqis to get it right. But we ought to give one of our finest, if not our very finest, general a chance to see if he can succeed in the next few months.”

Oh, btw, he made this quote exactly six months ago today.

And Kentuckians continue to be fed this nonsense from Itchy Eye Mitch, as he blocks any adjustment to Bush's failed Iraq policy and also Webb's effort to give our troops the proper rest and rotation between tours that they need. I’m sure Mitch thinks he’s being clever with this little run-out-the-clock/ move back the goalposts/ filibuster game, but I assure you, this will come back to bite him.

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

Mitch McConnell Continues to Lose Military Support Back Home

This morning the Lexington Herald-Leader ran a story about the immense strain that the Iraq War has had on the Ft. Campbell community. Once an area of uniform support for Bush and McConnell, military families are now beginning to question the nonsensical policies of Bush/McConnell. The 101st Airborne is now preparing for its 3rd deployment to Iraq, a rather remarkable fact, considering the war has only lasted a little over 4 years. And now these military families, that have sacrificed so much, have their Senator, Mitch McConnell, veto against and organize the filibuster of the Webb amendment, which would finally give our soldiers the proper rest and rotation they deserve before they are sent to Iraq. Scores of wounded soldiers all around the country, including Ft. Campbell, are getting injured in Iraq, coming home, and then finding out that they're going right back to Iraq. It's shameful what Mitch McConnell is doing, and the Ft. Campbell community is beginning to speak up against it. From the article:

A few days after the Sept. 11 attacks, Bo Ward put these words on the sign at his 12-chair barbershop near the main gate at Fort Campbell: "President Bush, show no mercy. Kick their ass!"

But almost six years later, and after more than four years of war in Iraq, Ward's no longer so sure.

"Soldiers are tired; wives are tired; families are getting worn down," Ward said. "I know these boys can't just pick up and come home from Iraq, but we need some kind of exit plan."

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell's recent visit to Fort Campbell highlighted the emotional strain and frustration this southwestern Kentucky military town is feeling as the 101st Airborne Division prepares for its third deployment since the Iraq war began.

...

Pressure back home

McConnell, who is up for re-election next year, also faces increasing pressure in Kentucky from Democrats. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a national group, launched commercials this week that are highly critical of the senator's leadership on the war and are aimed at eroding support in his home state.

Kentucky has given heavily to the war effort. Fort Campbell's latest round of deployments will push to 23,000 the number of soldiers from the post serving in the Middle East conflict.

At Fort Campbell, the place Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, once called home, feelings about ongoing efforts in the Middle East and Republican leadership during the war are mixed.

On any given weekday, Ward's barbershop, the fort's largest, is a place where privates and senior officers sit side by side waiting for a trim. Ward chats with these soldiers as he snips away. And he says he thinks many of them now would be happy to see Washington set a date for leaving Iraq.

"Right now, you've got first sergeants and sergeant majors and E-7s and E-8s that are getting out of the army right and left," Ward said. "They're saying 'I've been deployed three times, I'm pressing my luck, I'm not going to give up my life and my family for something where there's no end to it.'"

Karla Tucker works at a furniture store just down the street where many military families shop. She also says that many soldiers, exhausted by repeated deployments, are deciding not to "re-up" as their enlistments end.

"These young men and women are coming back with all kinds of problems; some of them are on anti-depressants; their marriages are in trouble," Tucker said. "There are families right and left that are deciding not to hang around; they're leaving here and going home. I personally have not heard anyone say they're going to re-enlist. It's sad."

...

"Mitch McConnell is on the floor of the U.S. Senate every day standing in the way of changing policy in Iraq," said DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller. "He is the face of the party. When the party marches lock-step with the president's policies, then in 2008 the voters will hold them accountable."

Mitch, who displayed how remarkably out of touch he is with his constituents on CNN last week, is going to hear this discontent more and more this summer, especially from Iraq Summer and VoteVets, as Kentucky veterans follow his every move.

Meanwhile, Marine vet Jim Webb shows how you deal with a repetitive talking point regurgitator and Bush enabler on Meet the Press.

Can you imagine Mitch McConnell having to debate a tough Marine veteran like this in his Senate race next year? Someone that actually has a DISTINGUISHED military record and can speak for the veterans and their families that have paid such a heavy price for their sacrifice to their country in Iraq?

Perhaps we can make that happen, eh?

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

Jim Webb Andrew Horne Slams McConnell on Military Readiness Vote

Today, Kentucky Marine Andrew Horne showed how you fight back against chickenhawks like Mitch McConnell. Here's today's press release by VoteVets.org:

July 11 2007

MARINE LT. COL. (RET.) ANDREW HORNE, IRAQ VETERANS NATIONWIDE SLAM

KENTUCKY'S SEN. McCONNELL FOR VOTE AGAINST MILITARY READINESS

NEW YORK - The largest political group of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, VoteVets.org, today slammed Kentucky's U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell for voting against a bipartisan measure offered by U.S. senators Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) that would have helped guarantee American troop readiness. The amendment to the annual defense authorization bill in the Senate, would have guaranteed that our troops received as much time at home as the length of their deployment, and that National Guard and Reserves received three years at home following one-year deployments.

The GOP Senate minority, led by McConnell, held the bipartisan amendment hostage via filibuster, and McConnell voted against breaking the filibuster, thereby disallowing consideration of the amendment on the floor.

"Senator McConnell is a disgrace to those of us in uniform," said Iraq war veteran Andrew Horne, a Kentuckian and senior adviser to VoteVets.org. "The amendment he shot down was pro-troop, pro-military and pro-national security. It would've helped ensure that we ease the burden on our men and women in uniform, at a time when our military is breaking. It would've helped rebuild our forces, which have far too many units that are not combat ready. And it would've allowed us to retain more National Guard units here at home, to deal with the next Katrina or tornadoes in Kentucky, or a terror attack.

"Those troops with extended deployments who are turning right around to go back overseas know that today, Senator McConnell laughed in their faces," Horne added.

VoteVets.org is a pro-military organization committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world, with force when necessary. It represents the Voice of America's 21 Century Patriots - those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. It primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf of troops, veterans and their families.

Does Andrew Horne sound like a current kick-ass Senator from the demographically similar Southern State of Virginia?

Have we found our challenger to Mitch McConnell next year?

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

Liar-in-Chief

I just heard Bush say in his press conference that he had no choice but to invade Iraq because Saddam refused to disclose and disarm.

Sooo... what about the inspectors that were all over Iraq a full month before he invaded that were finding absolutely nothing? What about the tons of documents that Iraq released beforehand? What about you pulling those inspectors out and deciding to invade this toothless dictator with international inspectors probing ever inch of his country?

liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar......

McConnell vows to Filibuster any Iraq Legislation

Remember all of that talk from McConnell about "changing strategies" in Iraq this Fall? About the magical month of September marking this "change of course"? Well, surprise, surprise, the Senate Minority leader is already letting it be known that such legislation forcing Bush's hand will made as difficult as possible to pass.

Yes, Mitch McConnell has now vowed to filibuster any amendment dealing with Iraq this Fall. The party of the "nuclear option" is now the party of filibustering any legislation that challenges Bush's failed Iraq policy.

And why, might you ask, does this play into the hands of McConnell, Smith, Coleman and Collins? Well, with the 60 votes required to pass, such Senators in close '08 elections can vote for this legislation, knowing that it might get, say 58 votes. Or, if the vote passes, they can vote to override knowing that the 67 votes are impossible. So it basically will provide an avenue for these cowards to vote for the legislation, knowing full well that it won't pass and Bush will continue to get his way. Meanwhile, they can tell voters in their state that they stood up to Mr. 26% and distance themselves from the Iraq clusterfuck.

The only way to stop this strategy from working is to get enough Republicans with a conscience to vote for changing course in Iraq and getting our troops home. If not enough to override Bush's veto, at least enough to get past McConnell's obstructionist filibuster policy.

Oh, and as John Aravosis notes, requiring 60 votes is called a "filibuster". Mainstream media: start using the damn word, not whatever semantic contortion the Republicans are feeding you.

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

Mitch is Feeling the Heat- Big USA Today Profile on His Vulnerability in '08

USA Today followed Mitch McConnell down to Hopkinsville for his little speech before 130 supporters. But what USA Today found is that not everyone is so keen on the Iraq War these days. And Mitch will have to contort himself into a pretzel, as he did on the immigration bill, to avoid the ramifications of being Bush's biggest enabler in the Senate. Here's some of the grumbling they found:

Ken Ashby, a local farmer and McConnell supporter, expressed both points of view as he took a break from judging 4-H club members' smoked ham entries at the Western Kentucky State Fair a few miles from where the senator spoke.

Ashby said he doesn't like the idea of withdrawing, but "if it's impossible to be successful, there's no point in putting people in harm's way."

......

Residents are beginning to debate the war strategy openly. "I think they should go on and finish up what they have to do," said James Loden, retired from the Army after a career that included two tours in Vietnam.

Sitting on a folding chair in front of him as they waited for a Farm Bureau meeting to begin, Wayne Young shook his head. "We're going to get more people killed," he said. "The sooner they come home, the better."

Right on Wayne. Just another one of the rural Kentuckians who are not going to put up with their senior Senator enabling Bush and his failed Iraq policy.

What we have is a real race next year, and McConnell knows it. And hey there, national media! Feel free to come down to the Bluegrass state and see Mitch squirm in person anytime. I'm sure that next time there will be lots of Kentuckians there to greet him, and I'm sure they'll give you a good quote.

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

"Iraq Summer" Demonstration in Lexington

This afternoon, a group of Lexington patriots came out to Triangle Park to voice their disapproval of Bush's escalation of the Iraq War, and those who enable them (that's you Mitch). There were even a few Iraq veterans there to show their support for the protest.

The group that organized the protest was the Kentucky wing of Iraq Summer. Iraq Summer is an organization stemming from Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, and its mission is to put pressure on those in Congress who continue to enable George W. Bush and his failed Iraq policy. With September being the big month that Petraeus's report comes out and Congress will debate Iraq funding, Iraq Summer knows that this summer is immensely important in terms of grabbing a hold of these Congressmen and showing them the light: that our Iraq policy has to change. The American public is already there, but we need to grab more Senators and Representatives if we're going to force Bush's hand. Some local Kentucky veterans of the Iraq War are lending their time to the effort.

I grabbed a copy of one of their press releases and even a letter that they hand delivered to Mitch McConnell's office (which is quite zesty). Below is the full text of both.

Elizabeth Edwards Rocks Lexington (and chats with me for 10 minutes!)

I’m not really sure how many supporters John Edwards had in Lexington on Friday morning, but I know that he has a lot more now. The line on John Edwards that is making the rounds is that his best asset in the campaign to win the presidency is not his humble Southern background, health-care platform or charm, but his wife, Elizabeth Edwards. After watching her performance during Friday’s Small Change for Big Change event in Lexington, I think that statement isn’t too far off base.

Elizabeth Edwards performed a rather spectacular hour+ Q & A session with over 200 contributors, fans, and potential voters. And due to the online outreach efforts of the Edwards campaign (thanks to Tracy and Amy, via DMKY’s Shawn Dixon) and the southern charm of DMKY’s own Jim Pence, Jim and I were able speak with Elizabeth face to face for roughly 10 minutes before her public Q & A session.

Though the Edwards staff thought we had a decent chance of chatting with her for a couple of minutes, shortly after we entered the venue and set up our cameras (Jim and fellow film guru Erica), we were told that there was no time for an interview. After Jim disappeared for a few minutes to chat up the Edwards folks, he came back saying that she might be doing a short “meet and greet” with some people.

“What’s a meet and greet?”

“I’m not sure”

“I’ve never been to a meet and greet”

“Yea, me neither”

Ten minutes later, Jim pulled me backstage and one of the staff stopped us and asked if we were the guys from DitchMitchKY and told us that we could speak with Mrs. Edwards in a few minutes, but not on camera or on tape. So while all of the slick, dolled up TV reporters waited for Elizabeth to come out for the Q & A, the blogger in ratty Chuck Taylors and ripped pants, and the hillbilly with the Acapulco shirt were whisked upstairs to meet her.

McConnell Blowing More Smoke on Iraq

Mitch McConnell was talking a big game yesterday on Face The Nation, saying that September would bring about a "new strategy" in Iraq. "I find growing support in the Senate among Republicans, and for that matter, some Democrats as well, for the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group."  He further said that he expects to see troops withdrawals by this Fall.

Pardon me Mitch, but I have to call bullshit on you.

As General Petreus said on Fox News yesterday (gee, how'd they get that scoop?), the surge will not be completed by September, when he is scheduled to report the progress of the surge in Iraq. In fact, he said that a proper counter-insurgency strategy takes 9-10 years, echoing the White House's absurd South Korea example. This will be Bush's line as well, saying that we need to give the strategy more time and listen to his (hand-picked to agree with him) Generals on the ground. Those who disagree will be the "cut-and-run-surrender-monkeys-terrorist-appeasers".

And what will Mitch do in the face of this pressure from Bush? Just what he always does: "yes sir, Mr. President". While Mitch backtracks over these quotes from yesterday, he'll say, "it just needs a little more time", probably throwing another Friedman Unit out there, where "the next six months will be critical". Shameful.

A big question will be how many Republican Senators break from Bush/McConnell once this happens. Senators like Gordon Smith talk a big game about changing course in Iraq, but when it comes time to vote, they fall right in line. I'd love to see Republicans break ranks, but I won't hold my breath.

The Democrats can't make the mistake of believing this line being pitched by Republicans, that September is some seminal month for their Iraq strategy. If they sit back and assume that Republicans will force Bush to change policies this Fall, I think they will be sadly disappointed. Democrats need to realize that the only way to change course in Iraq is to stand united against Bush and not wait for Republicans to come around. If they keep waiting for Republicans to have a change of heart, they'll be waiting until January of 2009, and it will be too late for many hundreds of our soldiers in Iraq.

Mitch McConnell certainly won't be leading the way.

(crossposted at DitchMitchKY)

The (Sort of) Free Press

(Here's my July column for Nougat Magazine)

"The greatest triumphs of propaganda have been accomplished, not by doing something, but by refraining from doing. Great is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view, is silence about truth."

-Aldous Huxley

For the past year in this column, I have attempted to highlight and refute some of the most egregious falsehoods spreading throughout the media. Deliberate misinformation, hypocrisy, and vile hate speech are all too common, and such examples should be drug out and exposed so that everyone can see them. But what is just as important is what you won’t find in the media.

Despite our constitutionally protected freedom of speech and press, self-imposed censorship is all too prevalent in the American media. While journalists do not fear criminal penalties for their work, there are a number of factors that may persuade them to ‘water down’ their product. Wanting to avoid negative publicity for themselves or their advertisers, media outlets may attempt to banish stories which address contentious issues or viewpoints, and instead focus on safer ones.

As recent years have shown, such self-censorship can have chilling results. Clearly, dilution of coverage and commentary can lead to the suppression of community thought on controversial subjects or viewpoints. The media’s fear of reporting unpopular stories or opinions leads to a public that is grossly misinformed on serious matters. The most egregious example of this was found in American media coverage of the lead up to the Iraq invasion.

*****************************

Sounds Like a Wonderful Idea

The New York Times is reporting that our military has been arming Sunni death squads. And in return, the death squads have apparently "promised" not to attack American troops and start fighting "al-Qaeda".

Unfortunately, I've come to the point where I'm no longer shocked by any absurdly stupid decision this administration makes anymore. It has become the NeoCon Murphy's Law: Any stupid decision that can be made, will be made.

Some non-believers are actually voicing skepticism:

But critics of the strategy, including some American officers, say it could amount to the Americans’ arming both sides in a future civil war. The United States has spent more than $15 billion in building up Iraq’s army and police force, whose manpower of 350,000 is heavily Shiite. With an American troop drawdown increasingly likely in the next year, and little sign of a political accommodation between Shiite and Sunni politicians in Baghdad, the critics say, there is a risk that any weapons given to Sunni groups will eventually be used against Shiites. There is also the possibility the weapons could be used against the Americans themselves.

Whatever! How could it possibly go wrong? Would Bush ever lead us astray? After all, more guns, less crime, right?

Mitt Romney Admits Iraq Invasion Was a Mistake

Mitt Romney, in no uncertain terms, admitted in last night's debate that the invasion of Iraq was a mistake.

"[I[f you're saying let's turn back the clock and Saddam Hussein had opening up his country to IAEA inspectors and they'd come in and they'd found that there were no weapons of mass destruction, had Saddam Hussein therefore not violated United Nations resolutions, we wouldn't be in the conflict we're in.

But he didn't do those things, and we knew what we knew at the point we made the decision to get in."

It is, of course, a 100% fact that inspectors were on the ground freely inspecting Iraq, they found nothing, and we kicked them out so we could invade them. So Romney is admitting that he is a "new-Hitler" appeaser. Mitt, if you love Sadam so much, why don't you marry him?

...and I'm sure the media will be ALL OVER this story today .....(bwahahahaha!)

Heckuva Job Rahm

This diary over at DailyKos details how recent polling shows that not only was the Iraq Capitulation Vote morally wrong, it was also politically foolish. The Democrats once again snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory.

Bush falls into McConnell's hole

Bush just stated in his press conference that if the Iraqi government wants us to leave, we will leave. This echoes Sen. McConnell's previous comment I spoke of earlier that we'll gladly pull out if that is what Iraq wants.

This is coming from someone who has long said that no other country or international organization will have a veto over our policy. He has also said that pulling out of Iraq will be the "worstest thing evah" and make those damn Iraqis follow us home over the ocean in their canoes to kill us.

So basically, staying in Iraq is of the most vital importance to our security, but if their government doesn't want us there, we will cower and endanger our country by acquiescing to their demands.

He is, of course, full of crap on both accounts, because there is absolutely nothing on earth that would cause him to pull out, whether that be the American people, our legislature, or the Iraqi legislature. Such a vote by the Iraqi legislature and defiance of it will just further destroy his credibility, yet those Republicans that still support him are likely to stay in their world of delusion no matter what evidence they are presented with.

.........apparently, the AP, CBS, ABC and CNN did not find this detail important enough to put into their coverage of the press conference.

Call Ben Chandler

Well, the Democrats have apparently reverted back to their spineless jellyfish form, completely giving in to Bush and giving him the blank check go ahead that he wanted on Iraq. Its truly disgraceful.

Chandler apparently has not made up his mind yet. I suggest you call him and let him know how you feel. 202-225-4706.

We'll see if this will change from Mitch McConnell's war to Ben Chandler's war.

A Blueprint for Failure in Iraq

Tom Tomorrow got his hands on a declassified slide presentation given to Bush and Rumsfled by the US Central Command in the Fall of 2002.

Some notable excerpts:

-By Spring of 2005, they expected to have 25,000 troops left in Iraq.

-By the end of 2006, they expected only 5,000 troops to be left in Iraq.

-Oppositional groups will work with us

-DoS will promote creation of a broad-based, credible provisional government- prior to D-Day

-Operations in Afghanistan transition to Phase III (minimal air support over Afghanistan)

In other words: greeted as liberators, small troop force, long-live President Chalabi, and forget about Afghanistan.

In all honesty, I think the problems we have run into in Iraq were inevitable, however the supreme arrogance and stupidity with which this war was fought greatly exaserbated the chaos.

Much more at the National Security Archive

Oh, Mitch...

As Markos points out, our esteemed Senator from the Bluegrass State has made what could be a major foot-in-mouth statement.

"I want to assure you, if they vote to ask us to leave, we'll be glad to comply with their request," he said.

That would be the Iraqi Parliament that he is referring to. The same Iraqi Parliament that has reportedly built a majority in favor of a bill to demand a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops.

So what happens if this actually passes? Does McConnell stick by his words? Do Republicans break ranks in numbers sufficient to build a veto-proof majority for withdrawal or timetables?

There will certainly be Republicans that break ranks, but not nearly enough for veto-proof majorities. I would have to think that the likely outcome would be the disbanding of the Iraqi Parliament for reasons of "incompetence" or some other charge, followed by new elections. Then the Republicans, media and Liebercrats will insist that we must stay in order for the elections to proceed safely and fairly. And once that happens, the pictures of smiling Iraqis with purple thumbs will flood the media along with cheerful cries that we have now, finally, "turned the corner".

Why does this sound familiar?

But then again, maybe more of those pallets with billions of dollars will go missing and Iraqi legislators will suddenly change their minds and vote against American withdrawal.

Smell the sovereignty....

Why Are We In Iraq?

Josh has a great post about what our perpetual presence in Iraq is about and it's worth a read.  It still begs the question though, what exactly are we really fighting in Iraq for?  The war is long over, at least in terms of our 'objectives' from the outset.  The question of whether invading to secure and eliminate (nonexistent) WMDs was foolish or a genuinely rational precautionary measure is largely academic at this point, and one whose answer will largely define President Bush's legacy.  I opposed the war from the outset for a number of reasons, none of which are worth repeating at this particular juncture.

The point is that the 'war' is over at least in terms of what we were told was the original purpose (if you buy that WMDs were the 'original' purpose, a premise I reject).  There are no WMDs.  Yeehaw.  We won.  So what the hell are we still doing there?  No one can really say, so in that respect Josh sees what pundits and commentators do not - we cannot win a 'war' that we cannot define (and which is not really a 'war' at all).  We are no longer at war with a country or a government or an individual.  We are at war with a void of coherency.  Iraq is devoid of structure and stability that a recognized government would provide, so it is impossible to define a military mission.

We can't lose a war that lacks definition and is based solely in conceptual reality.  But we can't win it either. 

Why do Americans hate America?

Gee, only 29% of us believe that we're about to find our magical Pony right around the next corner with those new troops.

Probably because the liberal media won't show us all of the Iraqis using cell phones, the globally accepted symbol of freedom.

Or....maybe they just use those because we completely destroyed their infrastructure and haven't bothered to reconstruct any of the landlines.

Or....they're just using them for this.

mmmmm....smell the freedom!