Former CIA Chief: Republicans Are Worse than ISIS

 

A journalist tweeted this out.

I’ve covered extremism and violent ideologies around the world over my career. Have never come across a political force more nihilistic, dangerous & contemptible than today’s Republicans. Nothing close.

So, this professional media operative must be aware of ISIS, the Taliban, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, Janjaweed, Al Qaida (remember them?), the Shining Path… Pick any terror group in this twerp’s lifetimes; and American Republicans are worse.  Heck, this means Republicans are worse than Vladimir Putin.

Is it bad that General Michael Hayden, the Director of the CIA under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, agrees.

I agree. And I was the CIA Director.

This guy just said a third of his countrymen were “nihilistic, dangerous & contemptible.” Still think the Deep State doesn’t hate you?

Mike Pence reaffirmed his support for the Deep State. David A. French thinks this makes him a most excellent presidential prospect. (Because that Ron DeSantis person is just plain too Trumpy.)

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  1. Douglas Pratt Coolidge
    Douglas Pratt
    @DouglasPratt

    navyjag (View Comment):

    TBA (View Comment):

    Dave of Barsham (View Comment):

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Dave of Barsham (View Comment):

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Whoa! So wanting to have lower taxes, less regulation and energy independence now has

    Real men go hand-to-hand.

    Not me. Too old. Too fat.

    My favorite (xxxl) T-shirt says, “Just because I’m old doesn’t mean you’re out of range.”

    Don’t start out with a .45. Get a nice used Beretta 9mm. You will enjoy shooting it, since it doesn’t require a hydraulic grip to control. Your Marine friends will recognize it and respect it. The Beretta is the Toyota Corolla of handguns; readily available, tons of aftermarket parts, easily maintained, not flashy but absolutely reliable.

    • #31
  2. Bishop Wash Member
    Bishop Wash
    @BishopWash

    navyjag (View Comment):
    I was not that good a shot. Why I changed to Navy ROTC. Thought the Marines would cover my ass. 

    Well, you were giving them a ride. The least they could do. My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment. 

    • #32
  3. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Whoa! So wanting to have lower taxes, less regulation and energy independence now has me in the ISIS class? I don’t know how to shoot an AR-15. Could manage a .45 thanks to my ship’s Marines. But none in the house.

    A child can shoot an AR..

    • #33
  4. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    And the donkey they rode in on.

    Convincing everyone the other side is worse than ISIS helps ensure they will pull the trigger on their fellow Americans later. Did you see how easy it was to convince some of one race to be angry enough to start executing cops. Several are attacked each week now.

    • #34
  5. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Sisyphus (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Every person mentioned in your post needs to be removed from public life.

    You have a beef with De Santis?

    Okay, everyone else. ; )

    • #35
  6. Hang On Member
    Hang On
    @HangOn

    Considering the CIA is funding Islamic extremists in Syria, I guess CIA goons like Hayden would see Republicans as being worse.

    • #36
  7. EDISONPARKS Member
    EDISONPARKS
    @user_54742

    In todays Lefty (D) Party Biden Admin wokey nuttery Michael Hayden has just successfully completed his job interview  and positioned himself as the next CIA Director when William Burns decides to cash in and take a job in the defense industry.

    • #37
  8. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    • #38
  9. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Quite the thread . . .

    • #39
  10. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Republicans are evil and stupid. Democrats care about you. That’s the message, and they hammer it constantly. Or as Roger Zelazny said, “So they play that on their fascist banjos, eh?”

    Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny, 1967. A fine novel. From a dialogue between the protagonist and the hit man sent to (unsuccessfully) assassinate him.

    • #40
  11. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Whoa! So wanting to have lower taxes, less regulation and energy independence now has me in the ISIS class? I don’t know how to shoot an AR-15. Could manage a .45 thanks to my ship’s Marines. But none in the house.

    That is indeed the view of most people on the left. I’ve lost track of the number who have demonstrated that.

    Of course, one should make a distinction between the educated Marxists who know such accusations to be nonsense (but useful nonsense) and the majority of liberals who know virtually nothing and largely get their opinions third-hand from the radical left.

    “The word Fascism has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies ‘something not desirable’.”
    –George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language”, 1946, Horizon, collected in the four-volume The Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell which is still in print

    • #41
  12. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    I wonder if Hayden would duck invites to go on any of the Fox shows, as he shouldn’t.

    I wonder if any of the Fox shows would try to get him on, as they should.

    • #42
  13. Douglas Pratt Coolidge
    Douglas Pratt
    @DouglasPratt

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Republicans are evil and stupid. Democrats care about you. That’s the message, and they hammer it constantly. Or as Roger Zelazny said, “So they play that on their fascist banjos, eh?”

    Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny, 1967. A fine novel. From a dialogue between the protagonist and the hit man sent to (unsuccessfully) assassinate him.

    One of the authors on my obsession list. I dearly love his insidious puns. “You came to Heaven without a fortune? Unfortunate.” “I stuck my hand in the niche, hoping offhandedly it wasn’t booby-trapped.” And of course, spending half a chapter setting up a minor character so he could write, “Then the fit hit the Shan.”

    • #43
  14. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Every person mentioned in your post needs to be removed from public life.

    You mean impeach, remove, and ban from holding office?

    • #44
  15. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Every person mentioned in your post needs to be removed from public life.

    You mean impeach, remove, and ban from holding office?

    Yes. Except DeSantis, who I didn’t see in there at first. ; )

    • #45
  16. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Django (View Comment):

    David A. French is self-righteous prig. Michael Hayden is an incompetent lunatic. Pence is probably a nice man and I’m ready to believe his dog runs out to greet him when he comes home, but he’s not presidential material. That is all.

    Nice isn’t going to cut it in the current state of decay and dissolution.

    • #46
  17. Stina Member
    Stina
    @CM

    Bottom line is that all those that hate or are suspicious or are in any way willing to stand up against the central government caucus with Republicans.

    We are the biggest threat in this country – to THEM. And they know it and are fomenting their foot soldiers to not view us as humans and neighbors, but as monsters and enemies. And being nearly completely devoid of Christian ethic, perfectly primed to support our destruction.

    • #47
  18. Mad Gerald Coolidge
    Mad Gerald
    @Jose

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Republicans are evil and stupid. Democrats care about you. That’s the message, and they hammer it constantly. Or as Roger Zelazny said, “So they play that on their fascist banjos, eh?”

    Great Reference.  I had to do a web search to locate it in Lord of Light.  Which I will reread before too long.

    • #48
  19. Mad Gerald Coolidge
    Mad Gerald
    @Jose

    Lest we forget, General Hayden is best known for conducting warrantless surveillance of US citizens while running the NSA.

    Even wikipedia remembers:

    Numerous commentators have accused Hayden of lying to congress, and breaking the law.[40] According ThinkProgress, Hayden misled Congress in a 2002 testimony, where he testified that any surveillance of persons in the United States was consistent with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. ThinkProgress stated that “at the time of his statements, Hayden was fully aware of the presidential order to conduct warrantless domestic spying issued the previous year. But Hayden didn’t feel as though he needed to share that with Congress. Apparently, Hayden believed that he had been legally authorized to conduct the surveillance, but told Congress that he had no authority to do exactly what he was doing.

    Hayden was nominated to head the NSA in 2006.  The Washington Times reported then:

    The general’s commitment to the rule of law is likewise dubious. Even in the military, a soldier is obligated to disobey a clearly illegal order. Gen. Hayden insists NSA’s circumvention of FISA is legal, but he has stubbornly refused to reveal the legal advice underwriting that conclusion, and preposterously asserts discussing the law would threaten national security. Unknown to Congress is who provided the advice, when it was provided, whether opinions were conflicting, or how the nominee determined if the advice had solid constitutional grounds.

    Rules are for other (non-elite) people.

    • #49
  20. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Mad Gerald (View Comment):

    Lest we forget, General Hayden is best known for conducting warrantless surveillance of US citizens while running the NSA.

    Even wikipedia remembers:

    Numerous commentators have accused Hayden of lying to congress, and breaking the law.[40] According ThinkProgress, Hayden misled Congress in a 2002 testimony, where he testified that any surveillance of persons in the United States was consistent with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. ThinkProgress stated that “at the time of his statements, Hayden was fully aware of the presidential order to conduct warrantless domestic spying issued the previous year. But Hayden didn’t feel as though he needed to share that with Congress. Apparently, Hayden believed that he had been legally authorized to conduct the surveillance, but told Congress that he had no authority to do exactly what he was doing.

    Hayden was nominated to head the NSA in 2006. The Washington Times reported then:

    The general’s commitment to the rule of law is likewise dubious. Even in the military, a soldier is obligated to disobey a clearly illegal order. Gen. Hayden insists NSA’s circumvention of FISA is legal, but he has stubbornly refused to reveal the legal advice underwriting that conclusion, and preposterously asserts discussing the law would threaten national security. Unknown to Congress is who provided the advice, when it was provided, whether opinions were conflicting, or how the nominee determined if the advice had solid constitutional grounds.

    Rules are for other (non-elite) people.

    He’s also a principal in the Chertoff Group, an “ intelligence advisory” firm that likely profits mightily by being on the “right side” of group think.  Follow the money.

    • #50
  21. Mad Gerald Coolidge
    Mad Gerald
    @Jose

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    And of course, spending half a chapter setting up a minor character so he could write, “Then the fit hit the Shan.”

    Ha! That line I do remember!

     

    • #51
  22. Sisyphus Member
    Sisyphus
    @Sisyphus

    Hang On (View Comment):

    Considering the CIA is funding Islamic extremists in Syria, I guess CIA goons like Hayden would see Republicans as being worse.

    Which is funny because I reciprocate the sentiment.

    • #52
  23. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Republicans are evil and stupid. Democrats care about you. That’s the message, and they hammer it constantly. Or as Roger Zelazny said, “So they play that on their fascist banjos, eh?”

    Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny, 1967. A fine novel. From a dialogue between the protagonist and the hit man sent to (unsuccessfully) assassinate him.

    One of the authors on my obsession list. I dearly love his insidious puns. “You came to Heaven without a fortune? Unfortunate.” “I stuck my hand in the niche, hoping offhandedly it wasn’t booby-trapped.” And of course, spending half a chapter setting up a minor character so he could write, “Then the fit hit the Shan.”

    I’m indifferent to his puns, but on the other hand his exquisitely crafted prose, often lyrical and full of allusions…

    • #53
  24. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Republicans are evil and stupid. Democrats care about you. That’s the message, and they hammer it constantly. Or as Roger Zelazny said, “So they play that on their fascist banjos, eh?”

    Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny, 1967. A fine novel. From a dialogue between the protagonist and the hit man sent to (unsuccessfully) assassinate him.

    One of the authors on my obsession list. I dearly love his insidious puns. “You came to Heaven without a fortune? Unfortunate.” “I stuck my hand in the niche, hoping offhandedly it wasn’t booby-trapped.” And of course, spending half a chapter setting up a minor character so he could write, “Then the fit hit the Shan.”

    I’m indifferent to his puns, but on the other hand his exquisitely crafted prose, often lyrical and full of allusions…

    I’ll lead the prisoner down the stairs the warden said condescendingly. 

    • #54
  25. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Django (View Comment):

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Django (View Comment):

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Dave of Barsham (View Comment):

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Whoa! So wanting to have lower taxes, less regulation and energy independence now has me in the ISIS class? I don’t know how to shoot an AR-15. Could manage a .45 thanks to my ship’s Marines. But none in the house.

    Yeah, I was surprised myself that my opinions put me even beyond ISIS beheadings and Taliban rule. As a born and bred Tennessean, however, I do know how to shoot.

    Just like the Cole cousins in the great WWII sniper stories. So what did you shoot first? Squirrels? Wolves? Bears? Curious. One reason I will never hike in the Tennessee woods. Assume my WD-40 spray I have handy for the S.Fran coyotes would not work there.

    Why WD-40? So you slide down their throats easier?

    Anyone carrying that stuff probably has a roll of duct tape on him as well and is ready for anything the world can throw at him.

    Actually not that creative. But a good idea. So will put the duct tape in my pocket this weekend when the dog and I explore the Presidio again.

    If it moves and shouldn’t: Duct tape. If it won’t move and should: WD-40.

    Everything else is detail.

    And if it’s missing: coat hangers and cardboard.

    • #55
  26. GlennAmurgis Coolidge
    GlennAmurgis
    @GlennAmurgis

    this clown says nothing about open borders, the mostly peaceful protests, the CRT and ESG brain washing that is occurring at every institution and of course, declaring Hunter’s laptop was Russian Disinformation. 

    He was made for corporate media

     

    • #56
  27. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Republicans are evil and stupid. Democrats care about you. That’s the message, and they hammer it constantly. Or as Roger Zelazny said, “So they play that on their fascist banjos, eh?”

    Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny, 1967. A fine novel. From a dialogue between the protagonist and the hit man sent to (unsuccessfully) assassinate him.

    One of the authors on my obsession list. I dearly love his insidious puns. “You came to Heaven without a fortune? Unfortunate.” “I stuck my hand in the niche, hoping offhandedly it wasn’t booby-trapped.” And of course, spending half a chapter setting up a minor character so he could write, “Then the fit hit the Shan.”

    Now I remember why I don’t read Zelazny.

    • #57
  28. Douglas Pratt Coolidge
    Douglas Pratt
    @DouglasPratt

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Republicans are evil and stupid. Democrats care about you. That’s the message, and they hammer it constantly. Or as Roger Zelazny said, “So they play that on their fascist banjos, eh?”

    Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny, 1967. A fine novel. From a dialogue between the protagonist and the hit man sent to (unsuccessfully) assassinate him.

    One of the authors on my obsession list. I dearly love his insidious puns. “You came to Heaven without a fortune? Unfortunate.” “I stuck my hand in the niche, hoping offhandedly it wasn’t booby-trapped.” And of course, spending half a chapter setting up a minor character so he could write, “Then the fit hit the Shan.”

    Now I remember why I don’t read Zelazny.

    I can forgive your literary taste since you like cats.

    • #58
  29. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    Republicans are evil and stupid. Democrats care about you. That’s the message, and they hammer it constantly. Or as Roger Zelazny said, “So they play that on their fascist banjos, eh?”

    Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny, 1967. A fine novel. From a dialogue between the protagonist and the hit man sent to (unsuccessfully) assassinate him.

    One of the authors on my obsession list. I dearly love his insidious puns. “You came to Heaven without a fortune? Unfortunate.” “I stuck my hand in the niche, hoping offhandedly it wasn’t booby-trapped.” And of course, spending half a chapter setting up a minor character so he could write, “Then the fit hit the Shan.”

    Now I remember why I don’t read Zelazny.

    I can forgive your literary taste since you like cats.

    I’m fine.  How much A. Bertram Chandler have you read?

    • #59
  30. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    This is why I don’t feel safe in my own country. I wonder if Hayden does. /not really

    • #60
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