We Need Another Old Hickory by Mike Lyon
Submitted by Ruth on February 6, 2007 - 7:08pm.
Blog | Mike Lyon | Military | Wesley Clark
We Need Another Old Hickory
by Mike Lyon
I served in the Army. I love my Country. I have opposed this war from the beginning. I knew that Saddam was contained and I knew that the case for war was trumped up by the Bush Administration. I knew that Democrats voted for the Resolution in 2002 purely based on popular opinion, politics, and job security.
I despised them for it.
In 2004 I worked for General Clark but unfortunately, and incredibly, Iowa sealed his fate and John Kerry sprinted to the nomination. The remainder of the election cycle was a countdown to escalation in Iraq as we watched the candidates play bait and switch without ever really having a discussion about a resolution that would put an end to the war. John Kerry is a good man and may have been a great president but Bush was reelected because Kerry and the Democratic Party were not seen as trustworthy enough to lead our Country. Such a conflation is a tough pill to swallow.
In 2006, I started Band of Brothers and supported over 50 military veterans running for US Congress. I am proud to say that we helped frame the narrative for the midterm elections and ultimately had the privilege of seeing 5 of our candidates elected. I also had the pleasure of serving as Executive Director of the Patriot Project where we worked to expose and confront Right-wing front groups. 2006 was, indeed, a big win.
So, here we are almost 5 years since we invaded Iraq. Our presence has become decidedly unpopular with both the Iraqi people and with most of us here at home. There are no easy answers or quick fixes that will lead to a peaceful solution in Iraq. We must elect an experienced leader that has demonstrated the ability to shine in tough situations. We have control of the House and the Senate, popular opinion is on our side, but do we have anyone that is really capable of leading us out of this war and healing our wounds? Do we have anyone with the courage to lead us back to a real American Providence? Can we redefine a Manifest Destiny for the 21st Century that will correct the mistakes of the Bush Doctrine? Everything we do and say these days seem so nonbinding...
I watched the DNC Winter Meetings last week and came away with this impression. Most of our candidates' bloviate about grandiose plans that are short on strategy with unattainable goals, in fact, several speeches would have been better delivered by a high school delegate to a model UN; pie in the sky, apparently, still sells though and maybe success in 2006 clouds memories of the public perception that led to the defeat in 2004.
Let's look back at the election of 1828, "Old Hickory" Andrew Jackson lost on a populist platform, (our government was corrupt), in 1824 and the Country fell further into decline under John Quincy Adams. In 1828 General Jackson ran again and said "One man with courage makes a majority" Our Country responded to his populist message and he is, today, the Patriarch of our Party.
Today we find ourselves in another difficult position, specifically, in regards to how domestic politics gums up our foreign policy. We must have a President that understands that it is much more dangerous to avoid diplomacy and to ignore long term strategy than it is to fight what may seem like the right war at the right time or to retreat and leave the region in predicament much worse than how we found it. Wes Clark has spent his entire adult life serving our Country. He offers a very sober and professional prospective to a debate that, at times, seems sorely in need of adult supervision.
Like another General, a couple of centuries ago, I hope Wes will make the decision to give it another try; I believe that Americans will find that Wes Clark is worth another look.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-lyon/we-need-another-old-hicko_b_40588.html
I already thanked him but don't see any comments as yet.
Thanks for catching this Ruth. It's incredibly powerful.
Run Wes Run!
I'm zeph. Good job!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
Just to thank Mike for his post.
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
This and the NV Labor meeting (both posted by
you!) have made me feel a whole lot better.
Glad you blogged this... to good for just a few hourson the GD.
...when I hit "Login" nothing happens.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
If not now, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
Just click log in then go do something. Same with preview and post. That site is excruciatingly slow
Run Wes Run!
Strange. Yes, it took a long time after I hit log in for it to get to the comment box. But surprisingly, my post came up rather quickly.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
always seem to take forever to post comments? Or problems with logging in, etc?
Very strange... same comments have been there forever. :(
My comment on HP showed up very quickly. Last I looked there were still only 3...
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
I'm glad to be back, but came home very sick with a cold/flu bug. :( Too many coughing/sneezing travelers on the planes, and it was sooooo cold in Manhattan.
Well dernit..... where is my comment? LOL!
Kenzie is fine. I gave her all the remedies the week before and she cleared out her cold quickly. She just needs to rest.
And your Ferrum Phos???
Well, I'm sorry you got sick msbehavin. You know last time I flew (a long, long time ago) I wore a mask! LOL!! I really did!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
I had my airborn and all my homeop. remedies.
I still got the damn crud!
I had a woman in front coughing all through the flight, and a man behind me sneezing on my head the whole way.
I was doomed. :(
Also, it was very cold in NYC. I had a very warm coat and bundled up but still froze. I don't like NYC in the winter. LOL!
Thank you all for the kind words I am glad that you liked my article. Let's put some heat behind it and try to get it as a favorited article and it will appear on yahoo in the morning. Anyway, his candidacy is immenient IMO and I insist on winning this cycle - glad to be a part of the communtiy - let's kick some ass and show some organization.
I posted a reply on HP hours ago and it hasn't shown up yet. How else do we get it as a favorited article?
Thanks again for writing it.
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
So glad to have you here!
I, too, submitted a comment that has yet to appear. . .
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas
How do you "put some heat behind it"? I don't see a recommend button.
Still only three comments showing. Strange.
Run Wes Run!
We're trying, but for some reason comments aren't showing up! Mine did though -- I'm Zeph over there. Very, very nice article!
And yeah, we're ready, we're organized and we're going to kick some serious ass!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
Your post nailed it. Glad you're in the WKC corner.
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
It's tough to do but I had a few last year that were listed on Yahoo - it basically boils down to comments or hits. I have no idea how or when Hpost updates but I my guess is about 3 times a day. Maybe a kos diary would help -
n/t
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
good point, Markos was on my board for Band of Brothers and he has always been fair with me but don't you have to wait 24 hours on their site before you post? I'll check it out. I am happy to be back though regardless and do think when Wes gets in cages will be rattled. Thanks for the acceptance
Just give us a heads up and we'll send out a call to action.
I'm so glad you are back in the fight.
Run Wes Run!
I'm thinking you're going to take a lot of heat at kos for the Jackson quote. Just sayin'.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
Perhaps best not post at DK. A similar diary could be written later and posted at DK. What a shame.
Just afraid that MSM will pick up this one from HP. I'm not au fait with U.S.
Presidents, but most likely WKC would not appreciate being compared with this one.
That's a great piece on Huffington Post.
Thanks for all you did in the '06 cycle and for all you're doing now.
"The mark of leadership is not to standup when everybody is standing, but rather to actually stand up when no one else is standing" - Pulitzer Prize winning author Samantha Power, introducing Gen Clark
I wonder if it would help to e-mail the article?
Run Wes Run!
yes, I will take some heat but who cares... Look, the populist inflections on American politics is what I am referring to. Good lord, I am not suggesting that Clark become Jackson - this is the sort of arguement that makes people hate Dems; I welcome the opportunity to defend myself.
to you posting there. We have your back!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
I always think the pull for Gore is kind of a reality-avoidance thing--and this is a "fantasy" poll, after all. Thanks for the heads-up.
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
on second page now.
Would someone like to set out Wes' plan/approach for Iraq, to edify sarge ? at top of page 2?
Jackson was a jackass, and I don't want Clark tarnished by the comparison. There is too much at stake.
At least some of you blended pro-Clark and con-Jackson in your remarks at HuffPo.
And the post regarding Clark's standing with Native Americans was great. When Clark announces, I have to sell him in Wyoming, including on the Shoshone and Arapahoe Wind River Indian Reservation just a few miles from my place.
"Leadership means lifting people up." -Wes Clark
looking for a narrative for Wes - a few writers have tried Ike and done a fair job of sketching that out; he talked about Douglas McArthur but not agreeing with his politics or what he did so not him; somewhere in the spectrum of generals we might find a 'narrative' for Wes that is useful ;
it is something that has to be tried out see if the public likes it - narrative is a cultural bonding process; it is an imaginative logo you hope the public will like
( the Hillary contingent tried out Margaret Thacher as her narrative and the public didn't bite - Obama is searching for a narrative that is why you see the stories they probably started about Obama- Lincoln... they are looking for a narrative the public will accept)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> blog buzz
<blockquote>Unlike our current president, Clark isn't afraid of showing off his intelligence. He graduated valedictorian of his class at West Point and, like former President Bill Clinton, was a Rhodes Scholar. Clark is an articulate speaker who possesses the Reagan-esque gift of explaining detailed and complex policies in a coherent and simple fashion.
Why not pick a man like Wesley Clark, a war hero, a moderate and a man who can lead our country through these difficult times?
http://media.www.emorywheel.com/media/storage/paper919/news/2007/02/06/Editorials/A.General.In.The.Shadows-2699526.shtml? </blockquote>
as Wes moves further into the politcal process opposing attacks get strong crueler fiercer; they need to be answered...like the NH article .....
I'm no fan of Jackson's either. Many of my uncle's people walked the "Trail of Tears". The historical contrast between General Clark's battle against genocide and Andy Jackson's death march is a stark one indeed.
Watch and listen...
As a native of Oklahoma, the destination of the Trail of Tears, I hope that all of you whose heritage includes the Five Civilized Tribes (Creek, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Choctaw, and Seminole) and the tragic Trail, are very proud.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
If not now, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
Andrew Jackson - "the Indian killer" - warrior, and "man of the people" whose fierce hatred for the British monarchy stemmed from the blood of his border-Scot, Scotch-Irish roots, was considered a hero by most of his fellow Euro-bloods on this continent. What he did to this land's indigenous peoples wasn't viewed then (by Euro-bloods) with anything like the horror we view it today. Quite the opposite, really. So, while it's now both fashionable and morally correct to distance ourselves from "Old Hickory", we should not forget that (for those of us who had Euro-ancestors here at the time) General Jackson was doing pretty much what most of our own Euro-ancestors wanted done.
Now comes General Wesley Clark, a man of the people, and a great warrior for peace, that our indigenous peoples greatly respect, but whom most of the Euro-bloods on this continent have yet to get to know.
It would be nothing less than karmic justice for General Clark to repeat General Jackson's winning of the Presidency the second time around.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark will be the national security candidate.
But I really am intrigued by the Run Wes Run valentine heart candy!
Good idea~
Thanks for the wonderful piece and welcome to the sometimes crazy, always illuminating Clark Community! : )
Haven't a clue when the comment will appear, if at all.
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
It's nice to see that we're building a "netroot empire" all over the web. ;-)
Someone whose quiet efficiency would know how to efficiently use the military without giving in to their every whim, and what the limits of military force were. Someone who could get us out of the unwinnable war we were in. Someone who could unite the country and make us feel at peace and prosperity.
Jackson had too much baggage, especially on civil liberties, for someone like that to follow Bush.
Here's a historian's interesting take on why some generals get elected but others don't. The opening mentions Wesley Clark's bid from three years ago.
Bless Mr. Lyon for this beautiful piece!! Must go to HuffPo NOW to thank him!!
Thanks, Ruth! Your finding great stuff today!!