Listened to Amb Wilson lecture last night in Worcester MA (photos)

[merbex]

I traveled to Clark Univ. and heard Amb Wilson give a lecture about US foreign policy in the Mid East and he addressed the status of the investigation into the outing of his wife as a CIA operative.

I also met paininthearse and unhappycamper which was a nice bonus to a terrific evening!

First let me say that we should all be proud that this man represented our country to the rest of the world. What a pleasure it was to listen to someone who is able to give a serious discussion about a serious issue without notes for an hour and without silly "talking point"phrases that we are usually subjected to by the current administration.

He has a self deprecating wit that is very sharp and which delighted the students who comprised most of the audience although the Hall was filled to capacity with many past the student phase.

Basically he said the big winner in this "adventure" was Iran and that Iraq is in or about to enter a civil war. He said that we should stop meddling in Syria and make that country part of the solution and not another problem.

He specifically mentioned The Project for the New American Century and referenced the page which talks about an event "like Pearl Harbor" and that the authors want/are turning our country from a Republic to an Empire.

When he started discussing why he personally is involved he said he is no hero but that it was his CIVIC DUTY to hold his government ACCOUNTABLE. He kept returning to this point: that the Constitution says that citizens can petition the gov't for a redress of grievances and that he had one - THEY LIED IN THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS and every time they talked about a mushroom cloud.

He said that he has no intentions of ever running for political office UNLESS Condi Rice does and then he will run against her. He seems to truly loathe her.

He said that Novak is beneath contempt and repeated what Jon Stewart calls him: a douchebag, although that his wife really dislikes that term.

Afterwards, my friends and I went to have him sign his book and that is where I met fellow DUers. When it came time to sign my book Wilson noticed the button I was wearing which was- Jan.20.2009 Hang in there America - He read it outloud and said "Hang in There America -you can say that again" and then talked about a button someone had given him which compared him to Dennis the Menace in a nice way;I guess he like that button



this is me in blue



this is when he was talking about the button he was given



signing my friend's book



during the lecture

[mmonk]

1. Sounds like it was a fun evening

I have his book and hope he'll make the rounds somewhere close to where I live.

[Fridays Child]

2. What a treat!

I would love to hear him speak.

[MaineDem]

3. Isn't he wonderful!

I had a very enjoyable conversation with him a year ago and I was so impressed! He is a true diplomat; one the US should be proud to have representing us abroad.

He is very intelligent but we chuckled over his lack of computer savvy. He said he wrote his book on a regular typewriter to the consternation of his publisher.

I'm glad you got to hear him! Thanks for posting about your evening.

[babylonsister]

4. Thanks, merbex! It's due to Mr. Wilson that we are all on

pins and needles, and that's a good thing! I'm glad you got to see and hear a good, intelligent man and listen to his side of this saga. BTW, have you read his book, and what did you think?

[merbex]

5. I've skipped around chapters - but I think his writing style is great

and I'm looking forward to sitting down and reading it cover to cover

[Lugnut]

21. I'm re-reading his book now

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Ambassador Wilson.

[annabanana]

6. Did he take questions?

Did anyone ask about Brewster Jennings?

[merbex]

7. Yes, he took questions. But no -one specifically asked about

Brewster Jennings

He said his wife was very concerned about three things: her colleagues,her friends' reaction to revelation and her job - as in now what can she do

It was very clear that he despises the neo con group

[blm]

8. All the more shame that the media spun him into just a campaign operative

for Kerry last year attacking poor Bush, and all the while most of DC media KNEW that Rove outed his wife and was lying about it. Yet they protected Rove while attacking Wilson.

[Seansky]

9. OK, how come we keep saying we don't see any leaders around when

when we post about wanting a voice/leadership to guide us?

Seems to me we should look at him and see if he has what we are looking for.. I'll post the question and see what I get.

[unhappycamper]

10. It was a really wonderful evening.

(Nice to meet cha!)

I expected to see a very educated and polished speaker, and Mr. Wilson did not disappoint. What surprised me was his wit. paineinthearse posted a thread earlier:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2163972

Here's a few of the pics I took.

The event



The house was full



and Mr. Wilson was up to the task





There was a reception afterward



with the obligatory book signing




on edit: note to self - USE SPELL CHECK!!!! duh

[babylonsister]

11. It's also nice to see curious people who want

to be informed-no apathy there! Thanks for the pix, uhc!

[lonestarnot]

12. Wow! I really thank you for sharing this. What an exciting evening!

Wilson, paininthehearse and unhappycamper all in the same night! I'm jealous!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

13. Condi '08!

Please Condi Run!

[paineinthearse]

14. "...where I met fellow DUers..."

The man is clairvoyant. When he said "...(so n so) is a real paininthearse (to the bushco regeim)...today he is an unhappycamper..." it was surreal.

He looked at Unhappycamper and me and winked!

The Gods are smiling on us!

See my "who said" post from last night - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2163972&mesg_id=2163972

...and prior thread in the Massachusetts forum - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=158x5829

[merbex]

17. It was great meeting you guys - Did you notice that Wilson DELIBERATELY

signed his book under to quote by Dante "The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who,in great moral crisis,maintain their neutrality"

He did that with every book - he didn't just sign on the first page or cover - he had to flip the book open and deliberately find the page he wanted

[paineinthearse]

19. Yes, that is very cool.

I just can't wait for the shit to hit the fan!

p.s. I'll have streaming video in a day or two.

[glitch]

24. Hey, welcome back! nt

[never cry wolf]

26. Wilson said that?

If so did he overhear you talking to each other using DU nicks? If not, where did he get those terms, it can't be a coincidense, that would mean he saw your thread from above and at least lurks here at DU.

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Very cool!

[Generator]

16. Super damn cool!

In these times of crisis,the good guys make it bearable. That's what Wilson is, not a hero-but a good guy. (Like your button too..hanging on here..)

[texpatriot2004]

18. kick nm

[unhappycamper]

20. kick

:kick:

[AnotherMother4Peace]

22. Might be shallow - but boy, he's a distinguished looking gentleman

[Richard Steele]

23. D'oh! I missed this thread yesterday!

I ignored it because I didn't know who "Amb Wilson" was! LOL!

Thankfully, I have some friends who look out for me;
I got a heads-up via eMail.

Thanks for your report on Wilson's talk;
he really sounds like "the real deal".

As far as his lack of interest in public office,
I say "Screw that"!
Sometimes the NEEDS of the MANY outweigh the DESIRES of the ONE.
(Translation: I say we elect him against his will.
We NEED public servants like him SOOOO badly!)

[wryter2000]

25. Oh, gawd

He said that he has no intentions of ever running for political office UNLESS Condi Rice does and then he will run against her. He seems to truly loathe her.

I'd pay to watch that.

What an amazing man. :loveya: