Republicans are a bit upset over comments Stark made, like,
"You don't have money to fund the war or children," he said. "But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people — if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
"Stark ought to be condemned. He ought to be turned out of office. Someone should inquire if he were under the influence of something at the time he uttered this horrible charge. Maybe it's time to think about afternoons at the dog track for Stark.
Americans getting killed for the president's amusement? And you wonder why political discussion has become so rancorous in this country?
The problem is that Stark isn't the only one who feels that way. It's just that his saying what he said where he said it gives the go-ahead to otherwise marginalized loony Americans to take center stage with the same such garbage
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio said Stark should apologize, saying,
"Pete Stark's statements on the House floor this afternoon crossed all lines of decency and decorum. As a member of Congress, he should be ashamed. But as a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee - and the current chairman of its Health subcommittee - the Democratic leadership ought to be ashamed as well.
"To claim our men and women in Iraq are serving there for the president's own personal enjoyment - and worse, to suggest he's actually 'amused' by the image of soldiers being killed - represents a crass appeal to the worst, most base elements of our population. It dishonors the continued sacrifice of our troops in the field, and disrespects their family and friends at home who pray for their safe return. The Democratic leadership should denounce these comments immediately, and Mr. Stark should apologize for making them as well."
Associated Press, being a bit less than unbiased, mentioned that Stark was the first member of congress to declare himself an atheist.
Politico reports that, responding quickly, the National Republican Congressional Committee declared he had "trampled on the sacrifice of our troops."
Breitbart.com, associated with thedrudgereport.com, called Stark "Stark Raving Mad."
Left wingers reportedly clapped their hands and smiled. DLC democrats are believed to be smugly whispering about driving progressives out of the Democratic party. (this paragraph is satire.)
Rob Kall is executive editor and publisher of OpEdNews.com, President of Futurehealth, Inc, inventor . He is also published regularly on the Huffingtonpost.com. He is a frequent Speaker on Politics, Impeachment, The art, science and power of story, heroes and the hero's journey, Positive Psychology, Stress, Biofeedback and a wide range of subjects. He is a campaign consultant specializing in tapping the power of stories for issue positioning, stump speeches and debates. He recently retired as organizer of several conferences, including StoryCon, the Summit Meeting on the Art, Science and Application of Story and The Winter Brain Meeting on neurofeedback, biofeedback, Optimal Functioning and Positive Psychology. See more of his articles here and, older ones, here.
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than two dump trucks of "Bravos!!" for breaking the silence of the Right Wing Cover-up................. It's amazing how well the propaganda machines have brain washed the people into believing that the _hit kicker and Co. have the troops in Irac for any thing else other than back-pocket benefit.
Comments, like John Gibson's and John Boehner's, are living proof of how well they are trained to hide the truth................................Now that the majority of the American Public is aware of the lies regarding our occupation, it's really difficult for Dubya and Company to find a way to gracefully back out of Irac.
by
Ernest (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 132 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 3:54:19 AM
This is Stark breaking eggs by slamming them into the bowl -which is what's needed to get the LSM to pay attention to you unless, of course, you are one of our 'patriotic' republicans...
Pull out all stops and say what hurts until it hurts 'em all...
by
C.Bid (0 articles, 7 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 677 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 6:15:40 AM
I wrote to Rep. Stark and thanked him for his comments and told him I understood if he is forced to give an apology. Some people are saying his comment about Bush enjoying it was the over the top part, I don't think so. Obviously, the guy gets off on torture, he and Gonzo executed many people in Texas without the proper review, he mocked Karla Faye Tucker for begging him for her life. The Decider is a mental case and people think he's a great President. Grow up people, besides his Uncle Dick, this is the last guy in this country that should President. So once again, thank you Pete Stark and I feel for you for the attacks you will now have to endure. Bravo, if only all the other congresscritters had half the balls you have. The Republicans and their vile hate and that of the leaders needs to be called out on a daily basis until this nightmare is ended.
by
Eckfan (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 9:23:41 AM
To these phoney statements of phoney outrage at Stark (for speaking the truth just once) I'd like to simply repeat what the Republicans were so fond of saying after the coup d'etat that put the Bushite Junta in power in December 2000.
"Get OVER it!"
"Get effing OVER it!"
by
mrk * (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 295 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 9:28:34 AM
Thanks to Rep. Stark for having the guts to actually speak the truth. Loved the admonition by the Speaker not to get "personal" about the President. I guess that is some sort of Debate Rule they've put in place in order to protect his feelings. If all debate has to remain on a theortical level, there can be no passion. The comments by the Rightwingers are the ones that are really over the top. And by the way, who cares if Stark is an atheist or a Buddhist or a Christian. Has nothing to do with speaking the truth about Bush and his gang of thieves.
by
paz love (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 70 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 10:27:32 AM
I too applaud his making the point about theis president's priorities. But I do agree with the speaker 'make your point attack the policies but personal attack is out of line.
That personal attack is a world wide rule of debate note I said debate not berrating.
Those of the left of centre used that argument against Rush L and rightly so . Unless we set rules for debate we degenerate into name calling purility and that helps no one.
by
Andris (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 531 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 4:53:11 PM
Re: Rep Pete Stark on Youtube, Speaking Truth to Power
You know it's a shame Rob, that we live in a time when the corporate owned media in what was once the greatest country on the face of the planet, allows it's president, a usurping, bellicose, cardboard cowboy to come onto it's airwaves and "mock" the very same weapons of mass destruction which he, and his pernicious cabal used to start an illegal and horrific war in Iraq, but yet when Rep. Stark comes out speaking the truth to denounce this unjust war he is
castigated by this very same media!
If we are to save this once great Republic of ours, then this type of media bias has to stop!
by
Munich (0 articles, 64 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 805 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 1:23:28 PM
Stark put candidates running for office in the same position MoveOn's ad did - if you don't condemn over the top remarks you support them. How can Democratic candidates run for office with crap like this hitting the news every other day? GWB will be out of office in a year and there is no need to say absolutely stupid things like this. Some of these people and the people who enjoy this cheap shot crap really need to get some serious counseling about their mental problems. They are not being politically helpful at all. They, who clap their hands, only make up a small percentage of the population and that small percentage is not big enough to elect a president. All this dumb stuff will find its way into campaign ads and it won't be pretty.
by
Mad Jayhawk (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 305 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 2:39:51 PM
Maybe someone will even speak out against Israel which will save another 3 Billion Dollars, and help with peace in the Middle East.
Members of Congress and the Executive Branch like to state that "We are a Nation of Laws". This is true, but it is meaningless lip service until "We are a Nation of Laws ENFORCED equally on all people".
1. It should be easy to stop ALL funding of Israel until they abide by ALL International Laws.
2. It should be easy to stop ALL funding of Israel until they abide by ALL United Nations Resolutions, especially the one which took land from the Palestine People to create the Rouge State of Israel.
3. It should be easy to stop ALL funding of Israel until they sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and are verified to no longer have unregulated non-conventional weapons.
4. It should be easy to stop ALL funding of Israel until they stop treating the Palestine people inhumanly and allow them to return to their land, their homes, and their livelihood like the Germans are allowing of the Jews.
Why is the United States and its people supporting the punishment of the Palestine People for the Crimes of the Europeans?
When the Nazis Terrorists continued to violate International Law after Land was taken from Czechoslovakia and given to them, they were forced to accept unconditional surrender. Nothing less must be accepted from Israel.
Will we become a Nation of Laws enforced equally on all people or will we remain a Nation of Hypocrites?
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Anton Grambihler (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 283 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 4:06:53 PM
I have longed for it...finally the truth, out in the open..just like MoveOn.org, just like Jimmy Carter, just like General Sanchez and Abizaid..its wonderful.. truth is power...are our weak-kneed Democratic party finally reaching critical mass..enough to fight back..pinch me, I must be dreaming
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Susan Nelsen (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 265 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 5:52:44 PM
Hamilton Dueled Adams and Monroe. But Stark Is Dissing Bush?
I think Rep. Pete Stark can say whatever he chooses. Anyone who doesn't think so doesn't know politics or history - I don't care whether polls show 99% that Stark was wrong.
Somebody has to stop this character assassination of the Loyal Opposition. Are these numbnuts saying and thinking Bush is our dictator and some kind of feloneous act has been committed against or his office. Don't believe that horsecrap.
What should be asked, in my opinion, is not whether perhaps he "stepped over the line." That would only apply if he assaulted or killed the president. We should be asking why the Loyal Opposition - in the majority - is not all talking like Stark all the time.
Force the president to say why he's not "amused." Because if Liberal get pushed into saying "I'm sorry" again after just a few days since MoveOn was castigated for speaking out against General Betray-us then it will begin to appear that being in opposition of this chaotic lunacy is out of order.
Rally around this: Many people believed we should "rally around the president" after September 11, and that was as wrong as apologizing now. And it's what got us in trouble with this president by pretending "this is war" so whatever he does is OK.
This is NOT King George. This is G.W. Bush, friend of billionaires, and reckless leader of an army killing Iraqi civilians. Bush has no ownership rights over the USA or the White House.
If after "Mission Accomplished" and 4,000 deaths in addition to trillions in cost you conclude that Bush is an idiot then speak up show "action," like Rep. Stark.
That's what Stark did, so let's not let him get castigated by Brillo-the-Sexist, Coulter-the-Racist, Limbaugh-the-Dope Addict and the large outcasts of Texas' John Birch Society.
Stark needs to be saluted or they will do another Moveon-Betrayus vote if the Loyal Opposition continues their senseless weakness.
Finally, Alexander Hamilton was in 10 duels prior to getting shot and killed by vice-president Aaron Burr. But what kind of person would be so uncivilized? Two of those dueling partners were John Adams (1800) and James Monroe (1797).
- Dusty Nathan
by
Dusty Nathan (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 51 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 5:58:24 PM
Finally. A Dem that will actually tell the world that Bush doesn't have the best interests of American troops in mind. "Don't see any WMD's under here."
by
Rufus2 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 9:28:11 PM
Disgusting, disgraceful comments from Stark. But this is no surprise. He has a history of saying profane, angry, stupid things about people he disagrees with.
by
Scott (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 477 comments)
on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 11:11:03 PM
You don't have money to fund the war or children, but you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people - if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement.
For the president's amusement...could that not be twisted slightly to the overused "pleasure of the president" talking point we heard? When we see DUBYA talking about death and war with a continuous smirk, he sure as hell looks amused to me.
Sometimes a spade must be called a spade. Considering all the other things that Rep. Stark could have said, I think an intimation that the president is a sick, sadistic fuck is fully applicable! He could have really gone overboard and called DUBYA a slime-sucking, draft-dodging, closet case, murderous war criminal...and I would still be applauding! Oh, it would make typing difficult, but sometimes one has to suffer for one's art. Of course, the fact that I just called DUBYA all those things is worthy of self praise |Giving myself a high-five!!!|.
Seriously, it is about time that someone in this group of pussified excuses for legislators at least tried to grow a set of testes. DUBYA is evil, and someone, many someones, need to call him on his shit...and keep calling him!
Besides all that, considering the hell that the Republi-fuckheads gave to Graeme Frost, Bethany Wilkerson, and their parents, I'd say asshole DUBYA got off pretty easy! I mean! Picking on kids...do the Republi-fuckheads not know that we the people are watching?
Anyway, a big AMEN and halitosis...er, jalepeno...er, hallelujah to Pete Stark!
Blessed be! Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 860 comments)
on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 2:58:46 AM
Disgusting, disgraceful comments from Stark. But this is no surprise. He has a history of saying profane, angry, stupid things about people he disagrees with.
What? Surely you jest!
Disgusting? Is that more or less disgusting than killing innocent Iraqis, soldiers, residents of New Orleans, and three thousand on 9/11?
Disgraceful? Is that more or less disgraceful than sliming a twelve year old and a two year old?
Profane? Can you point out in his statement what is profane?
Angry? Is that more or less angry than the terrorists we have generated in a country that had none until we deposed their ruler...seemingly the only man who could keep the country from falling apart at the seams?
Stupid? Is that more or less stupid than the brain dead MORON that currently inhabits the White House?
All I can say is, "what the fuck ever, whoever you are!" It seems the truth hurts, even if you aren't the focus of said truth!
Blessed be! Pappy
PS, FYI, the word is spelled, "impotence".
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 860 comments)
on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 3:18:37 AM
Are you aware you gave a lot of "Doubters '' out here Some HOPE that There Still are Some in Congress who are not afraid to Tell THE Unvarnished Truth To those idiots who Think they are going to 'rule the Roost From NOW ON. YOU are My hero. I would like to see N. Pelosi Grow some balls, as well. But I suppose she will Simper her way all thru to 2008 , Following her leader who Put her in that Position of Speaker Of the House...All the Way out the Door..bringing up his rear. Every move she has made, thus far, has only amounted to 'lip service, and nothing more. Everyone is beginning to recognize it as 'just more bush.' There really is nothing any one of these misguided right-wingers can say in retaliation to the Stark Truth..that will do them one bit of good ! How can anyone dispute the Obvious ? Facts do speak clearly for themselves. bush is not even close to operating on all cylinders.. so how can anyone dispute it ? Pete Stark, ' Stay the Course.' 'Onward'.. 'Way forward'. ( bushs' quirky expressions...) But YOU really could Mean them !! But please, for our sakes, don't use them ! He has used the starch clean out of them ! I still see how Foolish this self-proclaimed C.in-chief Looked.. with his waterworks harnessed up to full attention .. dressed in his spanking new Flight jump suit..on that ship .. with his ''mission accomplished ' banner flying behind him. (( Only 4000 more American military yet ( as of Friday..3,832 and counting )..to die...and almost 800,000 Iraqis murdered... who did nothing to deserve this war bush foisted onto them. So.. Continue Speaking the Truth To That Bunch.. and I do Believe Some of your CHutzpah Will Rub off on More Who Want to be like you. We will all be watching and Counting.YOU are Definitely NOT Alone in your SO-Honest assessment of The Circumstances !! An Athiest !!! I hardly Think SO ! God Bless And Keep you Under His Protection at all Times. Thank you Again .... VGF
by
VGF (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 39 comments)
on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 6:20:52 PM
I said that Stark's previous comments to people were profane. Stark called Bill Thomas (R-CA) a "c###sucker" back in 2003. He also called Bill Thomas (R-CO) a "little fruitcake".
"...murdered people in New Orleans..." - Gonna say that as well about Ray Nagin and Kathleen Blanco? Bush was 48 to 72 hours late in responding to Katrina, no question. But local officials are the first responders. Remember the submerged school buses? Remember the intergovernmental squabbling coming from Blanco's office?
"...murdered 3,000 on 9/11..." - This inside-job lunacy is the most vile, evil lying crap to have vomited continuously onto the net. Disgraceful.
"...no terrorists in Iraq..." - Total lie. Does the name Abu Nidal ring a bell? How about Abu Abbas? Al Qaeda wasn't active in Iraq before the war, but Iraq was a conduit that had Al Qaeda passing through whenever they needed to.
"...MORON..." - President Bush is a thousand times smarter than you will ever hope to be. A thousand times smarter than Pete Stark could ever hope to be, too.
by
Scott (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 477 comments)
on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 10:12:24 PM
