Clark: "We will never succeed in protecting this country if we become what they are."

[calteacherguy]

Toward that end, Clark recommended America move past its fear from the 9/11 attacks and talk without condition to every nation in the Middle East; renounce permanent American bases in Iraq; fully comply with all standards of the Geneva Convention; and do not torture detainees.

"We will never succeed in protecting this country if we become what they are," Clark told an audience of about 900.

Clark retired from the military in 2000, after 34 years of service, and earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Silver Star, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

But success in this new age of warfare requires winning battles of ideas, holding alliances together, respecting international law and removing the humiliation and outrage many Arabs feel in the face of American occupation, Clark said.

Incidents like Abu Graib only feed recruitment for al-Qaida, and Iraq has become the overriding political issue across America, he said.

Regaining American legitimacy can't be achieved "until we can clear the decks of Iraq and the mistaken idea that the global war on terrorism can be won by military force," Clark said.

Not pursuing Osama bin Laden in Tora Bora, Afghanistan, and entering Iraq was a tragic blunder, Clark said. He called Iraq "a consuming national tragedy."

"The major threat to the United States is not Iraq, and it never has been," Clark said.

Clark graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1966, he was awarded a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University, where he earned a master's degree.

Reports of American torture breaks his heart, he said.

"It can't be this way and have us win."

http://www.timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?StoryID=587838&Category=REGION&LinkFrom=RSS

[bonito]

1. I wish he'd run ,he knows the truth

And he's not afraid to tell it like it is.:argh:

[Ilsa]

2. Run, Clark, Run!!! Please!!!

He has great personal and public values. He's brilliant, has travelled the world, understands the US's place and responsibility on the planet. He'd be a wonderful, well-respected president.

And I'd work on his campaign from home again. I'm not sure I'm willing to do that for ay of the others yet.

[Tinksrival]

3. I love me some General Clark

This country could stand tall again with President Clark.

[Cameron27]

4. Thanks for posting.

I didn't know anything about this. :-(

I trust him.

"Toward that end, Clark recommended America move past its fear from the 9/11 attacks and talk without condition to every nation in the Middle East; renounce permanent American bases in Iraq; fully comply with all standards of the Geneva Convention; and do not torture detainees."

[capi888]

5. Hang tight .....ALL!!

Patience is a virtue! Wes is a strategist!! He is doing all he can do to stop this corrupted Gov't war plans.
Did any of you watch KO tonight. Gen. John Baptiste was on. HE GOT FIRED from CBS for doing the votevets ad! If you haven't seen it watch the replay! Gen said, that he is going to continue to speak out against this administrations war plans that are failing out troops efforts. Also, KO mentioned Wes Clark, as one of the Generals.
Last night O'Reilly said, " Gen. I know you are going abroad, but I am going to fed x you info on Soro's. So I think Wes Clark is working the strategy.
He also said at the last speech in NY, that he hasn't said he won't run. He has to do it in his own time frame!!

[shadowknows69]

6. Props to the Times Union for running this story

Northern New York represent!!!

[TacticalPeek]

7. Indeed. K&R

:kick:

[eridani]

8. Good for him on the permanent bases issue n/t

[The Inquisitive]

9. I was there!

I've joined and cut myself off from DU a few times now, but even when I get rid of my account I just lurk. Anyway, I was quite surprised he came to campus, we've gotten Nader and Hillary before, I think we'll see Hillary again next year but I intend on transfering. A minority of students came on their own free will, most were there because professors demanded it of them. Fuck a lot of people didn't even know who he was.

Anyway it was a good time, wish I had the balls to get up and ask a question but I didn't really have anything legitimate to ask and wasn't going to ask a question for the sake of asking. I found myself nodding in agreement with most of what he was saying.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi The Inquisitive!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Adelante]

13. I believe he has spoken at Union College in the past

I don't know if you've seen this by a student:

http://scienceblogs.com/principles/2007/05/wesley_clark_vs_rote_protester.php

[Forkboy]

10. Excellent logical words from the General.

[truebrit71]

12. General your presence is required as a Democratic candidate...please report for duty...

Your country NEEDS YOU...