Atlantic Eye: Defending Gen. Wesley Clark from Britain
Submitted by andym on July 3, 2008 - 10:45pm.
A great article from across the pond:
Atlantic Eye: Defending Gen. Wesley Clark
By MARC S. ELLENBOGEN, UPI International l Columnist | Published: July 3, 2008 at 7:20 PM
...Had the Bush administration had more men with character; had those who have it not been afraid to use it; and those who received the information not been terrified to stand by it; the United States would not be in the disastrous muddle it's in today. A Democratic president -- any new president -- needs men and women around him who will tell the God's honest truth -- blunt, unfiltered and accurate....
Europeans are startled that a man of such great distinction, who they know and worked with, would be left in the lurch by those who should be standing behind him. They see it as a character weakness on the part of Democrats that he is not being publicly supported, especially by those who aspire to positions of high leadership. "I find it a distressing sign of weakness that he was not supported by Senators Obama and Clinton, or by any leading Democrat for that matter," a European foreign minister said to me.
An appropriate response to his comments on McCain would have been: Clark has served our country for 45 years. He is a man with experience, with great character. Clark called McCain a great war hero -- a man to whom he and millions of soldiers look up to. I agree with Clark that McCain is a great war hero. I also agree that he does not have executive experience. Questioning McCain's executive experience does not diminish his war record. It is an appropriate question that should be asked. I stand by Clark, who has served our country with distinction............"
......
"Well done, General Clark. The United States needs men and women like you.
Presidents need advisers who will tell them what they must know, not what they want to hear."
More here: UPI International
No leading Democrat has supported him in the way that is required. From Obama all the way down. What about prominent Democrats with military credentials. Where is John Kerry? Wes had his back in 2004.
What about Al Gore (who was painted black and blue by misquotes and out-of-context remarks)? What about Bill Clinton, who was Wes' boss? What about the rest of the current Democratic leadership like Pelosi or Reid? (I do give Hillary a pass, because she probably wants to not appear to be interfering in the campaign, although I was hoping she would say something out of principle and loyalty.)
It is just so discouraging. And supporting Clark is not just for Clark's sake, nor Obama's campaign's sake (even if they don't realize it), but for the sake of the party itself and the issues dear to the party that are dependent on a Democratic victory this year. So it is in the party's own best interest for the leadership to support Clark, besides the obvious principles involved.
I did a bit of formatting so I could put it on the CCN front page.
One of my golf "cronies" and I were discussing this today. He is retired Air Force. A helicopter mechanic. He was very angry regarding all that happened. He said "Wesley", as he calls Wes, was just telling the truth. We pondered how wonderful it might be to have a President who tells the American people the truth, stands by his word and accepts responsibility. Truth and trust is what this country needed this time around. Truth and trust. If only.
Excellent article. Thank you for posting this, andym.
"if only," "how wonderful it might be," are just dreams in the political arena. I'm not a Michael Moore fan, but when Clark got out of the 2004 race, Moore said that it was because Clark didn't know how to lie. That's a great line, and one that has far too much truth in it for me. In the show, Charle Wilson's War, Julia Roberts asked Tom Hanks, playing a Congressman, why Congress is talking one way and doing something else. He answered, "tradition, mainly."
Your friend said that Clark was "just telling the truth." Look what happened when he did. I don't want him to change, and of course he won't. But when the fancy footwork political people prevail over the truthtellers, it is nauseating.
And Wes had no problems defending Michael Moore, either. Being a stand up person in a world where far too many lay down has it's own set of problems, I'm sure.
How long ago was The Emperor's Nrew clothes written?
"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants."
Gen. Omar Bradley
You didn't by chance grow up in Oklahoma City and now live in Hawaii, did/do you?
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Make America All It Can Be!
I am just glad that someone out there gets it. A wimpish form of political correctness prevails in these national elections, and it causes politicians to avoid the truth if the truth can be twisted to their political detriment. Particularly with John McCain, the media has too long dwelled on his honorable military service as something which should preclude him from the same criticism that the media is ready to pour out effusively on other news figures, political or otherwise, even at the expense of the truth. Now that McCain is the nominee, maybe the media will change. They should certainly be encouraged to do so, rather than riding merrily along with McCain on the so-called "Straight Talk Express." Clark has taken a good step to expose McCain's flaws in judgment, despite a military career. Of course, the MSM media was astonished that anyone would do that. Whether that which Clark said was true was irrelevant to the media, who is supposed to be the watchdog of the people.
McCain cannot take legitimate criticism which implies that his military service is not the overriding reason why he should be president. After the Clark comments, McCain bristled when a reporter asked him why his service qualifies him to be president, and Lieberman and/or Lindsay Graham had to come to his rescue. It's as if he truly believes that his service immunes him from any such attacks, whether legitimate or not. If Obama makes this type of criticism out of bounds, and I don't think he will eventually once he questions McCain's judgment in authorizing the Iraq war, the Democrats will effectively dispense with the best weapon they have against McCain.
Straight talkers like Clark and Jim Webb understand McCain's vulnerablility. If they, and others like them, are muzzled by the Democratic "machine," they risk defeat in November.
"It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear." - Henry David Thoreau
When will the elite of the party learn......
"The American people will trust the Democratic Party to defend America when they believe that Democrats will defend other Democrats"
An entrepreneur and philanthropist, Marc Ellenbogen has advised many political personalities. A member of several corporate boards, he is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance and Business Ventures. A Senior Advisor to the Oxford University European Affairs Society, he is considered an expert on economic and security questions for Central Europe and has collaborated on several publications and articles. He is one of the few U.S. members of the von Clausewitz-Gesellschaft.
Ellenbogen is a Senior Associate at the Global Affairs Institute of the Maxwell School, Syracuse; and Associate Fellow and Professor, the International Institute for Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics, Windsor, Canada. His previous appointments include Visiting Fellow, Magdalen College, Oxford and Graduate Scholar for the New York State Legislature.
His next book title is As Down to Earth as Arrogance Gets – The Politics of the 90s. A United States citizen with residence in Prague, Marc Ellenbogen was born and raised in Heidelberg, Germany. He attended Syracuse on a military scholarship.
Mr. Ellenbogen also sits on the National Advisory Board of the US Democratic Party and is Vice Chairman of the Democratic ExPat Leadership Council.
he's not just some dip-s*** journalist looking for a "story" on a slow news day. Let's see......who's opinion should hold more weight within the US Democratic Party, Marc Ellenbogen's or Andrea Mitchell's? I sure hope they feel properly chastised for the way they handled this episode.
that they (dem party) read........thus the conundrum. We have become a "soundbite" society. Make it quick and fast and hang the original intent or facts for that matter. I'm sure they (media) heard one small piece, the piece that they could use to inflame and outrage and bury the substance. That's how we ended up in war. Folks didn't do their jobs, ask the hard questions, or any questions for that matter. Heaven forbid they (senators/congresscritters) read or research what they're even voting on.
I think I'll purchase his book when it comes out....As Down to Earth as Arrogance Gets – The Politics of the 90s. Might make for some interesting reading....or not.
At least he calls tripe when tripe is served. I think we should send him a box of STARCH.........
for me to become disengaged from politics, once again. It seems like the minute I raise my eyes and open my ears, I am let down by the American process. 'Tis a shame......
I know, I feel the same, but then who is going to FIGHT THESE BA$TARDS? I have grandkids with NO future, the earth is imploding due to global warming, etc.......We few have to do what the many aren't. We must hold THEM accountable for their actions and deeds. WE CAN NOT GIVE UP WITH OUT A FIGHT. Wes isn't giving up, tho many of us felt like he should live what remains of his life in peace and enjoy his family after serving his country, honorably, for most of his life. There is no quick answer or fix. It's hard to open minds to accept facts when they are disengaged from the process. Unless one is invested, they don't care. So, find what is common to all and build from there..........please stay strong! We need you!!! We need all who will FIGHT.
,,,the ba$tards are not just Republicans any more.
“No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her self.” - Susan B. Anthony, 1872
And how nice to wake up and see this on the front page of CCN this 4th of July morning.
Great "get" Andym......thanks so much for posting this. :)
I'm reminded of the "Dean Scream". Remember? Played over and over and over by the media, orchestrated by the medias republican owners (and maybe a dem candidate or two) to bring him down. I say this because somewhere on this overloaded PC I have two copies of the "scream". The one the media used and the one the crowd heard from the floor. The media used the audio from his mike, not what his supporters heard. It was used to destroy him. No matter how you felt or feel about him, it was an assasination by the corporate controlled media (at the direction of ..fill in the blank) and they committed the perfect murder. Noone was tried or convicted for this. Noone stood up for him and he had to defend, respond, etc, to the incident for the remainder of his campaign.
This my friends is Wes' "Dean Scream". The corporate controlled media, the repug machine, and I believe many of the higher echilons of the dem party didn't want to see THE BEST DAMN PRESIDENT THIS COUNTRY COULD HAVE HAD in office, any office, be it VP or some cabinet appointment. Why would they want a man who is honest, possess character and integrity and serve country first over party? Why would they want a man that would only resort to force as a last resort? Why would they want a man that believes in dialog, even with the perceived enemy? Why would they want a man who is intellegent and thinks outside the box and can go toe to toe with anyone on ANY subject? That's how I see it. The dems do not want our beloved General in politics, period.
Gert was right. All he has is his integrity and if they take that from him, what does he have left.
Wes will always be my knight on a white horse. He will always stand for what our country could have been. He will always inspire me to do good, when I can. He will always give me hope, hope that someday we as a nation will survive to fight another day, hope that the disengaged public will take to the streets and really demand our elected officials DO THEIR JOBS.
What I no longer hope for tho is that he will ever hold elected office or participate in a democratic administration. Noone wants to have a watch dog at their heels and be held accountable to our once great republic.
They can take his reputation, but he'll always have his integrity. Wes will always be able to look at himself in the mirror and sleep well at night.
We learn. We change. That's progress. If we don't do that, well, we're GWB.
Should be sent to the Obama campaign. Should be posted around the blogs. The latest I heard re WKC was the Politifact guy saying the General's statements were not true because McCain was xo of a squadron and did a good job. Of course this totally missed the point that WKC was making about wartime decisions.
It's good to know that somebody gets it. Thanks so much for this 4th of July gift!!
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
"If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin."
Samuel Adams
John 11:35
I believe they're a conservative leaning site. At least there is a site recording the truth for all to see.
http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/search_results?qstring=wesley+clark
I googled a bit and it is. I read something awhile back that lead me to believe it wasn't - so I removed the site from my favorites lists. I'll have to visit the site more often. Thanks.
the major debunking pieces right on the home page of Securing America!! Excellent job!!
Thank you, Kat!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
when the Obamaniacs took over. This guy will not change. Wes would have taken a bullet for him. Obama is happy to quickly take off Gen. Clark's name off his VP list. Like what they say, "no core value." Sorry I couldn't help myself. I will not interfere again.
I particularly appreciate this bit - as it is what has pissed me off most about this whole episode:
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers