For those concerned about Wes Clark's position on Iraq, call him

[CarolNYC]

He'll be on C-Span's Washington Journal in a few, talking about US policy toward Iraq. You can call in. Now's your chance to confront him...He won't mind and you might learn a thing or two...

If I may be so bold as to pull a Clark post over here from Kos (after all, I've seen it done before), here's what one poster had to say about his recent appearance at Brown:

Yes! Saw this at my school (32+ / 0-)

He came to Brown yesterday to speak, and I was utterly amazed at the wealth of information he drew from in answering all of our questions. Never avoiding even the most loaded question from critical students, he gave us a well-supported, well-thought out response. It was a wonderful sign of respect to a group of students.

by aebudde on Tue Nov 28, 2006 at 04:27:57 PM PST

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/11/28/175036/65/135#c135

Have fun!

[CarolNYC]

1. Here's the number...

To make it easy for you, here's the number to call - 202 737 0002. That's the Dem supporter line...

Of course, another option is to just sit here and twist his words to fit whatever agenda you're pushing. :P

[napi21]

2. Do you realize he just said we are going to have to be in Iraq for a

VERY LONG TIME? Yes, he's been talking about negotiations, andthat you have to talk with ALL the different players, including Al Sader.but he also continues to say we can't leave until Iraq is stable.

[jefferson_dem]

3. Yes, he does. I think he's trying to stake out a "responsible approach" position on Iraq

...as a potential POTUS candidate.

[Tom Rinaldo]

8. I disagree

I don't think Clark's comments in any way revolve around wanting to stake out "a responsible approach" position on Iraq "as a potential POTUS candidate". I think they reflect him wanting to advocate "the best approach possible" for us as a nation and for the Middle East as a region, regarding Iraq. Clark is currently in politics because of his strong beliefs regarding the responsible role for the U.S. now in the world, he didn't develop a "responsible approach" position on Iraq because he is currently in politics.

[joanski0]

11. I totally agree with you.

I learned about Wes Clark when he was Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. It was making me absolutely that Milosevic was killing all those people. General Clark wanted to do the right think and stop it. And he did. With no US casualties.

I agree with you that Clark is currently in politics because of his strong beliefs regarding the RESPONSIBLE role for the US.

[jefferson_dem]

13. Those two are not mutually exclusive. I think his public position reflects his

best personal judgment and not one expressed for sheer political advantage. Neither do i think that his position is without merit. In fact, i've yet to hear any Dem articulate any better Iraq policy, given our options at this point.

Whatever the case, he certainly didn't toss out any positive signals regarding a WH run in 2008.

[Auntie Bush]

19. Good explanation Tom.

[sandnsea]

29. I agree with that

I think disengagement is a path to stability, and if they don't rise to the occasion, a path out. I disagree with Clark that we have to stay there until Iraq is stable, if we've tried everything else. But I also don't think he'd propose an Iraq strategy based on politics, he has way too much concern for the troops and just general integrity for that. That's why he and Kerry are really the only 2 people I'd like to see in the White House right now.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. I predict Clark will lose a lot of support on this

all the "we can't have Kerry again but need a military guy" primary boosters will need to recalibrate their primary calculators or risk crashing their drives.

[capi888]

5. This is what he said, word for word...

The US military is the best in the World. The problem is Iraq is not a war you can fight to WIN, its a political problem , its a political problem with a military demention, you can lose it militarily, you can't win it miltarily, there is going to be a long term presence in Iraq, in all probabity, UNLESS, we can get a GRIP on the political dementions of the conflict.That why the important aspic of the Baker group is the regional dialog I wish we wouldn't focus on the US troop levels. I know why we are doing it, but I wish we wouldn't, because the most important thing is to solve it as a POLITICAL problem.
He also said, that we should approach Iraq leaders with a time line in front, with political discussions with leaders in the region. He is not advocating staying in Iraq, but says we must do this politically to win the conflict.

[Eurobabe]

10. I think you meant military "dimension" but in this case yes

it's Bush's dementia.

[lillilbigone]

31. He doesn't want us to focus on troop levels because he knows he is out of step

with the majority of the US population. The only way he can increase his support it by fooling about his misguided "let's stay in Iraq till we achieve our aims" proposals.

[Donna Zen]

33. Oh I'm shocked!

You've appeared in a Clark discussion thread to spew ridiculous trash.

Surprise: All wars are political and thus have a political solution.

Okay, how about this: Please write an essay detailing how you would get the troops out of Iraq? I mean details: What divisions will be moved first? What will be the rules of engagement? What happens as the lines thin? I want your ever so brilliant foreign policy assessment.

[mike_c]

6. get out of Iraq now-- to hell with "a political solution...."

The war against Iraq is a crime against humanity. How many times do people have to hear that before they get it? We cannot undo it. We cannot fix it. All we can do is stop committing it.

[capi888]

12. OK you say just leave......

Ok, so you say we just leave...how long do you think it would take up to airlift all our soldiers out of Iraq? How many of them will be slaughtered?...how many Iraqies that supported our troops would be killed? There are over 150,000 soldiers, plus equipment, can we airlift all overnight...think about it..we went in without a plan, and surely this lot in the WH, don't have one for turning tail and run, without horrendous caaualties and US ramifications.
NONE of us want to be in Iraq...but we are there, now to get out with the least amount of death and distruction....that will take a political and diplomatic agenda. Whether you agree or disgree with ANY potential candidate, isn't the question, its WHAT is the best course of action with the least amount of catestrophic results. Then we punish the people who committed the Iraq Crime Catastrophy in the first place!!!

[mike_c]

14. I disagree-- a withdrawal could certainly be accomplished...

...without the need for any "political solution" to the war against Iraq. I realize it could not be accomplished overnight, but it could certainly be completed within a couple of months. The war against Iraq IS A CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE. That's the part no one who proposes "solutions" seems to recognize. Any solution that involves U.S. forces remaining in Iraq one day longer than necessary to effect an orderly withdrawal simply compounds the crime.

[CarolNYC]

15. So, you called....

and discussed this with him? Or you tried and couldn't get through? If you got through, how did they identify you so that I can watch out for your call when I see the program?

Thanks!

[mike_c]

16. no-- I don't own a television or pay much attention to TV programming....

eom

[CarolNYC]

18. It was on C-Span radio too....

which you can listen to on the internet, I believe...You obviously have access to the internet.

Considering it's such an importnat issue to you, I thought you'd jump at the chance to discuss it...Guess not...

Thanks for the response.

[mike_c]

21. I'm sorry, I'm snatching moments here and there at work....

I'm teaching in about five minutes and have been prepping since about 6:00 this AM. So no, getting on the radio or TV has not been on the front burner.

[CarolNYC]

22. Heh, me too...

I'm not teaching...but am snatching moments here and there at work...

Good luck with the class.

Oh, and hopefully you do one day get a chance to discuss this with Wes. No doubt, he'd love to hear what you have to say and have a chance to respond to it.

[capi888]

17. I suggest you write a comprehensive plan to those in power!

Maybe you have all the answers, and every voice should be heard...we live in a democracy. I would like to hear your plan of exit in detail. Or better yet, why not run for office so you can really let your voice be heard! Personally, (and I have been around for many years) I have never seen a war end without diplomacy or political issues being discussed or instituted at great length...other than VN, which was limited.

[mike_c]

20. I don't "have all the answers," nor is that a reasonable expectation...

...or prerequisite for citizen participation in government. I have expectations-- in this instance I expect my government to respect international law and cease the commission of crimes against humanity with all possible dispatch. I elect representatives and executives and charge them with safeguarding and executing my interests-- those who fail to measure up to that standard don't receive my support.

The response "if you don't like Clark's plan then submit your own" is ludicrous and childish. I don not like Clark's "plan." I expect better from my government than the continuance of war crimes. The proper response and the realistic response is to throw my support to candidates or potential candidates who better represent my interests, and to work for the defeat of those who do not represent what I regard as the best interests of my country.

[capi888]

24. I didn't say....

"if you don't like Clark's plan then submit your own" I said, I would like to hear your plans, if its better and you have experience in such matters, it is your DUTY to express them, without being so devisive. We surely understand you are not a supporter of WKC, as it is repeated time and time again. However, I don't understand why you don't listen to other candidates other than the one you support. I do!! and I don't constantly demean them, when I disagree. I don't have to defend Clark, as he is expressing his experience in solving such wars, and is respected internationally.
It is time we stop all this back biting, and be open to others views. No one knows if he is going to run or not...so why not just listen with an open mind.
ONE MORE THING: If you don't think WKC doesn't love his country, and is working in the best interest of OUR country, you are REALLY mistaken!!!!
OH and lets stop the name calling, as I certainly have not done so to you....guess that was two things....have a good day Mike!

[Auntie Bush]

28. Agreed...Bush* got us into this mess and now the Democrats have to

find the best possible way to get us out of that hell hole.
No matter what we do...it's going to be very, very messy and many of our soldiers ARE GOING to be killed and I can't even imagine how many Iraqi's
will die or be killed and horribly tortured. Thanks to all those blundering fools in the White house that should have one way tickets to the Hague in their pockets.

Now it's up to the Democrats to find the best way out of this mess and it must be political and take many meetings with EVERY country in the area...no matter much we detest or disagree with them. Everyone is going to have to give in a little or even a lot including the US...even if we lose control of the OIL and Iran gets a chunk of Iraq. They have got to settle this POLITICALLY!
That will take time... and more of our brave soldiers are definitely going to be killed! :cry: We just can't pull our troops out and let the whole Middle East go up in flames. Don't forget, that will have a serious negative effect on us and our way of life too. Of course it's much easier to say...let's pull out NOW! I only wish we could! However, that really isn't possible and it makes me sick to even say it or even think about it! :puke: There is NO good answer and I sure hope the Democratic party doesn't explode into a thousand pieces/factions trying to figure out the best way to get the hell out! Thank you George Bush for your service to our country! Not!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

32. I'd say about a week.

No need to airlift everybody. Kuwait's a few hours drive to Kuwait.

[FrenchieCat]

25. I consider you as having an irresponsible stance on Iraq.

You keep saying get out....but that's all you say. There is no real substance to any of your dialogue beyond a very short outlook on the issue without care to any further consequences.

As much as I detest those who hide behind the flag and our troops as a way of justifying attacks on countries that do not represent an imminent threat, I find it just as repugnant to witness those who hide behind a "caring" for our troops' safety in order to extol the virtues of isolationism by disregarding the notion that we have caused potential long term damage. As much as it may pain us, I do believe that we have a moral obligation not to run back to our country and hide and watch from a computer as all that we caused continues to create mayhem and suffering for those left to deal with our great big fuck up. It would be like having dropped the atomic bomb on Japan and then never looking back or giving a fuck about the victims that we created. Two wrongs don't make a right. We should'nt have gone in, and cutting and running (which is clearly what you advocate) by acting like our behavior for the last 4 years won't have any further negative consequences to the region is absolutely unrealistic, immoral and simply wrong.

[mike_c]

26. ahh, so now we're back to "cutting and running," are we...?

Yes, for the record I advocate what you refer to as "cutting and running." Every rationale you've presented for remaining in Iraq is rationalization for continuing to commit war crimes. Why won't ya'll who support continuing the war against Iraq respond to that issue? It is a crime against humanity-- defined as such by the Nuremburg Principles and the U.N. Charter. What POSSIBLE rationale could there be for continuing such a crime in our names? You call it "walking away from our responsibility." I call it "stopping criminal activity."

[FrenchieCat]

34. Why don't you come over to this thread and participate....

thus far it has been a thoughful conversation. Why don't you add your intelligent and cogent articulate comments to it? I encourage you!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2993687

[mike_c]

36. thanks-- posted a brief reply...

...now I've got to run to class!

[CarolNYC]

7. So, did you guys call him?

I was on the train coming to work and I didn't see it....I'll have to catch a video later.

I imagine some of you who have concerns MUST have at least tried to get through, right? It only makes sense that you would, right?

[Cameron27]

23. No Carol

I worked last night & completely forgot to turn it on. I hope someone posts a link to any videos that turn up.

So many disagree with Wes Clark's plan, but at least he's put one out there. Iraq is in turmoil, and every plan is going to have to be modified & adjusted and I'm absolutely certain that Clark has that in mind.

Right now no Democrat is in the position of implementing any plan, and we need to keep in mind that the very landscape we're arguing about may be significantly changed by 2008.

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. Testing: One Two Three

That's odd, though I made a post here a couple of minutes ago by now, this thread does not seem to appear on the front page of GD-P, at least I didn't see it anywhere near the top of that page.

This is just a test to see what happens if I post here again. Maybe it's just my computer not refreshing right or something.

[More Than A Feeling]

27. I wish I could have, I would have asked the following question:

If a condition of beginning negotiations to a political solution to the civil war in Iraq was the immediate redeployment or the withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Iraq, would you agree to that? What if a condition was the deployment of more troops?

[lillilbigone]

30. What, I'm gonna change his mind? LOL

[CarolNYC]

35. I guess that means you didn't call

You're going for the sit here and twist his words option....Not surprising.