Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
As the Obama administration's foreign policy yields the predicted results with jihadist radicals on the ascendancy and American influence waning, we are now admonished by partisans on the left and the professionally timid on the right that it is unseemly in the extreme for the Republican Presidential nominee to openly distinguish his prescriptions from the President's. "We are shocked that, at a time when the United States of America is confronting the tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya, Gov. Romney would choose to launch a political attack," laments the Obama campaign. Yes, well, we on the right are not shocked, but we are appalled at the wholesale dismantling of American strength and the Presidential appeasement that led inexorably to the attacks that claimed the lives of four dedicated and good men last week. We aren't shocked because we predicted it. We are appalled because it was preventable.
Our critics reprovingly call us back to a time when "politics stopped at the water's edge," when we united behind a common national objective. A time like, say, the Spring of 1980, when Senator Ted Kennedy made overtures toward the KGB. In KGB papers that Soviet defector (now deceased) Vasiliy Mitrokhin, copied, we learn of Kennedy's general approval of Soviet General Secretary Brezhnev, and his opinion that the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was the result of Jimmy Carter's belligerence. Yes, you read that correctly. According to Kennedy, "The atmosphere of tension and hostility towards the whole Soviet people was being fueled by Carter." Thus did Senator Kennedy not just confine himself to criticizing American foreign policy. He contacted the Soviets in an effort to undercut it.
According to a May 14, 1983 letter from KGB head Yiktor Chebrikov to General Secretary Andropov, Kennedy sought to undercut Ronald Reagan's re-election by helping the Soviets with a PR offensive in which, "representatives of the largest television companies in the US contact Y.V. Andropov for an invitation to Moscow for the interview." In furtherance of world peace and a coca-cola for everyone, Kennedy sought to, "counter the militaristic politics of Reagan and his campaign to psychologically burden the American people." Ah, what heady days of bipartisan cooperation they were.
Or perhaps I'm dwelling on ancient history, no? And besides, Governor Romney is being accused of merely criticizing US foreign policy in real time, as opposed to colluding with the enemy. Herewith, a few items from another golden era, back before Governor Romney's ostensibly partisan outburst:
"Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood." Representative John Murtha, 2006
"Tonight we heard President Bush say that the surge in Iraq is working, when we know that's just not true." Senator Barack Obama, 2008
"This whole notion that the surge is working is fantasy." Senator Joe Biden, 2007
"The surge has failed. The surge was designed to give the Iraqi government time to stake steps to ensure a political solution. It has failed." Senator Hillary Clinton,2007
"This war is lost and … the surge is not accomplishing anything." Senator Harry Reid, 2007
"The most important conclusion that you've drawn is that, thus far at least, the surge and purpose of it, which was to provide breathing space for political reconciliation, has failed." Senator John Kerry, 2007
"And there's no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of the night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the …of …the historical customs, religious customs." Senator John Kerry, 2005
And now these exact same voices rise in majestic indignation that the Republican nominee dares point to the glaring fact that weakness, vacillation, and spineless apologies are a poor substitute for American strength and resolve, now as in 1979. That they are joined by Democratic stenographers in the media like Joe Scarborough is no surprise. That Republicans themselves should join the chorus is reprehensible.
It is no more inappropriate to illuminate a superior path now than it was for Ronald Reagan to do so when Jimmy Carter's policies of appeasement yielded very similar results in 1979. Lest those on either side of the aisle forget, the whole point of the exercise is to present to the American citizen authentic alternatives to the implosion he sees unfolding. As images of our ambassador's body being carried through the streets seared our screens, with our embassies under siege, there was but one voice of strength and resolve that could give our enemies a reason to hesitate in their war on the west, and it wasn't Barack Obama's. Which ultimately is the reason behind the uproar over Governor Romney's remarks.
- Comment (25)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (11)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Well said, Dave.
Chickens coming home to roost, I'm afraid.
Sep '12
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Please forward to the Romney campaign, and Peggy Noonan, and all the other Beltway Republicans who did not stand by Gov. Romney. Republican always trash their own. You will never hear a Democrat criticize their guy. I am sick of it. Gov. Romney said the exact same thing I thought when I first heard the infamous tweet.
May '11
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Once again you've given me my best laugh in a week. . . . "Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was the result of Jimmy Carter's belligerence." Don't read that line while drinking coffee, folks.
As for the rest of it, I was already boiling mad. I expect to remain that way until BHO has left office.
I hope that your dad is hanging in there, and that your innards are treating you well.
Aug '12
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Bravo. Excellent analysis supported by specific facts. I think Romney needs to make a major Foreign Policy address and soon. He needs to do within the context of the presidential election what you did here. I think the venue would be important--been thinking of what would serve. But the message and its tone would be crucial. One key point ought to be about Energy--much of our problem with the ME is related to our dependence on foreign oil and the flow of our money to the ME. Romney has to speak over the heads of the media directly to the American People--not an easy thing to do, but a vital one.
Feb '12
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Leftists in America define history as anything dating back until just before the first inconvenient fact is encountered. The MSM has become very adept at introducing issue-specific amnesia into the hive mind and that is where the real battle against progressives must be fought.
Apr '11
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
To the left it is always inappropriate to criticize the left, but to tell the truth, it is not only appropriate it is our duty hence our 1st amendment right. Don't take my word for it ask Hillary.
Jun '10
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Given the ethnic cleansing of Christians throughout the Islamic world in the last decade we can pretty well anticipate what's in store for the Coptic Christians of Egypt. The bloodletting has only begun. This is the kind of folly that can lead to the death of millions.
Jun '10
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Thank you for getting this information out to the world in a form people can understand.
Apr '11
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
It is an implosion brought on by a foundation of no substance, but on sand. The winds blow and there is nothing to protect anyone from being scattered into the winds.
And when you mention the professional timidity on the right, it sort of sums it up. Funny that these were the same folks on the right that pushed for Romney to be the candidate and now they dismiss him as putting his mouth in motion before taking in consideration political correctness...or more likely, their point of view.
It would seem that Romey not only needed to introduce himself to the Democrats and the Independents at the convention...the Republicans don't have a good measure of the man either. They want power, he wants to fix things...what could go wrong?
(hope you Dad is comfortable)
Oct '10
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Brilliant piece ... another one Team Romney should have commissioned. Much as I want Obama's ship sunk, I can't bring myself to send money to the Republican Ship of Fools. Romney/Ryan might just win because the American people are not afflicted with the Republican leadership's death wish.
But this national security fiasco is a gift they seem unable to fully exploit. Republicans have learned too little from four years on the outside, too little from the Tea Parties. Hell, they've learned too little from the Democrats! It's as though Team Romney never anticipates the response of Obama's hustlers and liars, let alone his "Democratic stenographers in the media." How can that be? They've had four years to figure this out!?! They can't think three moves down the chess board. Did they really believe they could win this without figuratively clawing Obama’s eyes out every single day? How hideously naive is that?
Aug '11
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
I didn't know that about Ted Kennedy writing to the Soviets to undercut American foreign policy for a Kennedy sponsored deal. What a Dem cad. I do recall the Dem chorus that was against the surge. It seemed to me the Dems did all they could to roadblock any possible success, each and every time. They do not have my respect.
Great piece and super title, hah! Quiet, please, idiots at work.
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Mole-eye: I hope that your dad is hanging in there, and that your innards are treating you well.
· 1 hour ago
He's doing much better, thanks. He's home now and resting.
May '11
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Dave Carter
Our critics reprovingly call us back to a time when "politics stopped at the water's edge," when we united behind a common national objective... And besides, Governor Romney is being accused of merely criticizing US foreign policy in real time, as opposed to colluding with the enemy.
Abuse of platitude is a common disinformation tactic. The "politics stopping at the water's edge" platitude can't mean that one is prohibited from debating foreign policy. It means don't undercut the President's position. The problem is that when the President is being weak, pointing that out is not clearly undercutting. It actually tends to strengthen the President's bargaining position: "Listen Mr. Prime Minister, coming to an agreement with me to hunt down these terrorists is the only thing that's going to stop these crazy Republicans from bombing you."
That's why Kennedy et al. went over the line. Had he said: "Listen, Yuri, this Reagan is a crazy cowboy, you better settle with him..." he'd be a patriot. Instead his approach was more: "Listen, Yuri, this Reagan is a crazy cowboy. Please help me get rid of him..."
Apr '11
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
In my adult life . . I have never heard so much anger and frustration among average citizens as during this election run-up. You're not alone.
And yes - why don't the conservative PACs and the Romney/Ryan campaign use the points that Dave has culled from history to reveal the hypocrisy and slander of the left? Why?
Aug '10
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
If Romney loses the Tea Party will be blamed, substantially if not entirely ("Extremists Scare Off Moderates"). Is there an element in the Republican Party that thinks that would be a good thing?
Dec '10
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
Oldschool
... One key point ought to be about Energy--much of our problem with the ME is related to our dependence on foreign oil and the flow of our money to the ME....."
Nope. The U.S. is exporting natural resources, at this time, and doing so because we are flat on our backs, economically. That's the truth. We can't hold down our productive sectors.
The Middle East is a problem for Europe. Russia tries to strangle Europe by instigating unrest in the Middle East and attempting to choke-off competition that might feed the European furnaces. China buys rights to resources.
Meanwhile, I think Americans will replace Obama, but this is the last time that Americans will back the Republicans. No more Trent Lott, Denny Hastert, Mitch McConnell, or John Boehner.
This American is fed up with apologists and those that cannot mount an offense to the leftists' clear attempt to run for the goal line.
If the Department of Justice has decided that it is now just fine to carry billy-clubs to polling places and there is even a chance that their candidate may prevail, we are through with the apologists and also rans.
May '11
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
If we win this thing in November, it will not be because of the elite Republicans who are comfortably ensconced in Washington. They are hoping to see Michelle Bachmann, Allen West, etc. go down in defeat this cycle because, without those great conservative voices, they think that their go along to get along policies can continue. They do not understand what 2010 was all about. They won the House with the help of the Tea Party and now they seem to think that they can go back to business as usual . They had better think again.
P.S. I am a Tea Party person and I'm fired up and ready to go!
Aug '12
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
During the next 50 days, when drawing the distinction between himself and The One, Mitt needs to invoke Ronaldus Magnus as much as possible. When commenting upon foreign policy, quoting Reagan's comments about Carter's foreign policy will be tough for the Left to counter.
Apr '12
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
When the history of the Iraq war is written from a distance, I hope a nonleftist historian will look at these comments like we view the Copperheads of the civil war or the America first group before WW II
Jul '11
Re: Memo to Republicans: Quiet Please, Idiots At Work
I've been saying that Romney might well be letting the Barry Campaign continue to punch itself in the face, so it can collect the aggregate stupid for just the kinds of ads that Dave's quotes above encapsulate so well. "Water's edge" meant quite literally nothing when Bush was in office. They were practically throwing spears at the guy for foreign policy, but suddenly, now, we must shut up?
Hulk smash. This is so nauseatingly two-faced that I am unsure if we are now approaching The Singularity, the point at which all laws of physics reverse and Pelosi turns into a rational, articulate, and personable woman. Be warned: Here There Be Tygers