Update on Activities
Submitted by Wes Clark on October 11, 2006 - 5:44pm.
Well, I just got back to the States from Europe, stranded in Chicago en route to Little Rock, and wanted to give a little update on how things stand
Hope you aren't stranded for long. I was just telling the bloggers what an honor it was to photograph your trip to Iowa.
I hope you can make it back soon.
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
...fascist is, as fascist does, mr. preznit
General Shoomaker is apparently planning on force levels remaining static (at 15 combat brigades) till at least 2010.
Any thoughts about that.... is it a based on Bush's failed strategy? or is it a must regardless of any changes to the strategy.
General-
Welcome home! We all thank you for what you have been doing across the country for democrats. I am especially interested in your recent trip to Iowa. Please tell us what it was like to be on the ground attending so many great events!
-lil piggie
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
So, to recap, I've been to Kentucky, Texas, Arizona, Montana, Pennsylvania, Iowa (twice), California, Connecticut, and London.
I'm impressed with our candidates and their chances. No one is out of it - but the biggest problem is money. Everyone is way behind.
The election will rest on whether Democrats can tie local Republicans into the failures and incompetence of the White House and Congressional leadership.
I've been explaining that our base is different than the Republican base, and that the election tactics of Karl Rove, to excite his base and repress ours, don't work for us. Dems always have to work to the middle, because, across America, there are simply more people who identify themselves as conservative than as liberal....and because there is one set of issues that the Republicans use that cause us trouble: national security. When Republicans talk "threat," we have, historically, ducked this issue. As a party we have been much more comfortable with treating people fairly, education, health care, compassion, and strengthening America at home.
Now we have to engage on the national security issue, and this is what I've been trying to structure: that Dems have a strong national security record, that President Clinton did a good job as Commander-in-Chief, and passed on strong warnings to President Bush, to no avail.
Democrats have to speak up with their friends and neighbors, because this election has to be won at the personal level, not just by paid media.
...and restore the Geneva Conventions. Seriously Wes, eveyone (across the board), that I've talked to is appalled.
...fascist is, as fascist does, mr. preznit
Preznit had a whole hour to go on and on about how weak Dems are on NS and terra, etc this AM. Push only his side of this sad state of affairs. Dems had zero time to rebutt it. What the heck can we do about that? We have no time on a national scale to reach as many people.
I keep telling people, "Cut and run from WHAT?" "Stay WHAT course?" They have no course, no design for success, no exit strategy.
When what you're doing isn't working, do ANYTHING else, I was told. The Democrats are the something else the country needs.
It's a form of insanity to keep doing what you're doing and expect different results.
By the way, we'd love to see you in Colorado before the election. We've got great candidates in Ed Perlmutter, Angie Paccione, Bill Winter, Jay Fawcett, John Salazar, and Bill Ritter for Governor. A clean sweep isn't out of the question.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
I think one of the best things you've done is to convince DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES that Democrats are the right party for National Security. I can hear what you've been saying in the words of candidates all over the United States.
Once Democratic candidates believe it, they can be convincing to voters.
YOU are having a major impact!
The new ABC/WaPo poll shows:
Sixty-four percent disapprove of his handling of the war in Iraq, and a record 63 percent now say it was not worth fighting.
For just the second time in ABC/Post polls, moreover, most – a new high of 53 percent –disapprove of how Bush is handling the broader U.S. campaign against terrorism, a blow to his biggest strength. Just half say the country is safer now than it was before 9/11, down from what’s usually been a clear majority. Indeed such are his woes that fewer than half, 44 percent, now give Bush credit for the fact that another major terrorist attack hasn’t occurred in this country since 9/11. And while 51 percent still see the war in Iraq as part of the war on terrorism, that’s a new low.
I think one of the best things you've done is to convince DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES that Democrats are the right party for National Security. I can hear what you've been saying in the words of candidates all over the United States.
Example: Last night, the president of the Dem party here spoke about Iraq and national security, giving several points on what we should be doing. When the meeting was over I approached him and told him how everything he said were things General Clark has been saying for the past 3 - 4 years. He smiled and said, yes I know. :D
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
"I think one of the best things you've done is to convince DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES that Democrats are the right party for National Security. I can hear what you've been saying in the words of candidates all over the United States."
Whenever I hear one of the candidates speak forcefully about the Democratic Party being strong on national security & defense, I also hear your voice whispering in their ear. :)
"COUNTRY before Party!" -- Wes Clark
I still don’t consider myself 100% involved in politics, but I do want to thank you for doing everything you can to inform people across America that we have been blinded by this Administration and where it might be going.
I have my ups and downs when I try to follow politics because it has never been my greatest concern, and the only reason I started to get a bit involved is because I started reading the blogs here and your vision…. Thank you General. I think you are a great example for many of us and for the leaders out there.
Sorry you're stranded, but I'm glad you're here. I hope you're getting enough to eat. From watching you dart around, eating seems to be something you never have time for.
Looking forward to seeing you in Santa Barbara in 16 days.
Gotta run...time for supper. Travel safely.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
on the possibility that you were dealing with a sore throat in England. The suggestion was made that you should invest in a good professional voice coach - not to change your voice, which is great - but to help it cope with the strain of a heavy speaking schedule. I commented that no one seemed to pass this on to Wes, so here it is. Have you given any thought to this?
Question: do the other people you were meeting with in England give US much hope for getting out of the mess created by Bushco?
Why?
James Mitchem wants to know if you think Kim Jong Il is bluffing?
Of course, I would like to know what you think also.
...fascist is, as fascist does, mr. preznit
I think Pete Schoomaker is just doing what a good soldier has to do...but of course, this is a response to a failing mission in Iraq.
I do feel like most of the generals kind of know what to do, but they've never had the full support of the Administration. There's just no backing them up in DC. Part of it is Rumsfeld, but it's more than that. And it gets harder with each passing month to correct early mistakes.
I am very concerned about the Administration's response to North Korea. Their policy has demonstrably failed. You can't get brittle with the NK's...they don't respond to that...you sort of have to work them around...we did that in 1994 to get the Framework Agreement, but it wasn't enough....I am very uneasy with the military options I hear talked about...I don't know how good their military is, but as a matter of principle I wouldn't believe they won't fight, and fight hard, and they have had a formidable arsenal. And NK is running out of options, meaning they may think they have less to lose. We are in a situation of rising danger, which I hope the Administration understands.
Appreciate people's concern for my voice. I think I really damaged it three years ago. You know, the vocal cords are basically cartilage, like knees, and if you "over-torque" them, they just don't really ever recover. So, today my voice seems to be ok - I only gave two talks yesterday - and I think I am over the worst of it...I just have to be careful not to blow out my voice by talking on airplanes, or too much in cars. Incidentally, I know all about speaking from the gut - what we learned as "command voice" but that isn't really the issue, I fear, at this point.
canned air on airplanes is a voice killer. Usually, after I fly I can barely speak for 2 days afterwards - which probably is a blessing in disguise. I can understand how it must affect someone who seems to be on planes more than any stewardi I know.
Why?
I was concerned about what you said responding to Donjo about throat or vocal cord damage. I read some articles on the internet including one about the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary which is a teaching hospital of Harvard medical School and the facility that Julie Andrews gave $2,000,000 to when she had voice problems. At the time the article was written (4 years ago) it was perhaps one of 5 facilities in the country that could offer a high quality of help to people with vocal cord strain. The person who wrote it developed vocal cord strain from singing. She said like Donjo said that most problems can be solved through speech technique that teaches someone how to relax the apparatus we talk with and that helpd avoid strain and damage.
I know nothing about this so I apologize for interfering but I am also concerned for your well-being because you are such an extremely well-meaning, very nice person who is trying so hard to do what's right and I so appreciate your efforts on behalf of all of us.
This lady said that:
"Voice therapy, in which a person learns to take the strain off vocal cords by improving breathing and reducing tension on vocal muscles can work wonders for run-of-the-mill vocal cord damage like mine."
"Once a week, I went in for therapy – learning how to control my breathing, get better resonance from my throat and mouth and relax all the muscles needed to vocalize without strain."
I have reached a point where I feel that there are some people in this country who for some reason will stubbornly believe the blatant lies that the senior members of the Bush Administration tell every day. These people stubbornly cling to these lies and vote accordingly.
They don't want to hear the truth.
And our side would lose our souls if we resorted to lies to bring these foolish people around to voting in what is their real best interest. It's discouraging.
At the end of the day, it's important for your health that you have access to this if it will help you recover what happened 3 years ago.
Best wishes to you Gert and your family. And no matter what happens in November, I will always believe that no person tried harder than you to get this country back on the right track.
Best wishes.
On the off change you go back and read this, I second the recommendation for a voice coach - learning how to breathe properly can be really helpful for public speaking.
Also, staying hydrated is very important - even having a humidifier in your hotel room can make a big difference.
Boy- the front page looks so marvelous with all your recent activities! Thank you so much for everything you're doing & for how authentically engaged you are! We've appreciated a lot of the YouTube gems too!
Bruce Bayley did great in his debate on C-Span the other night
p.s.
John Edwards is over blogging at kos I think for the first time- why don't you go scare the crap out of him & drop in? hahahaaaaa
actions in a round about away against Iran. I've heard he's already mentioned that the North Korean's might "share the wealth" so to speak with other "terrist nations".
It's just the kind of thing it seems he and his cohorts love to do.
Given what we know about the limitations of this administration, do you still believe we can pull a D- in Iraq?
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
the world, these days, General Clark! Welcome back to the good ol' US of A.....Land of the brave and home of the free!
"COUNTRY before Party!" -- Wes Clark
I am very concerned about the Administration's plans about Iran. And clearly there is a risk that two threatened nations may cooperate to frustrate what they see as US intent. We could have truly created an Axis of Evil.
I do believe there are still those within the national security apparatus advocating a strike against Iran. I suppose it is possible before November, but I believe that this will be politically difficult for the Administration to focus on with the NK crisis and the election problems. So sometime in the spring is more likely the target window.
Airstrikes on Iran will be a disaster on America's and the World's economy.
Is there any contraviening voice of reason left?
This is very, very serious.
...my biggest fear is us attacking Iran.
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
You have so often been spot on in foretelling things to come, that we find ourselves saying, "right again, sir."
I'm hoping against hope that we keep our cotten pickin' hands off Iran militarily.
in England, do they address you are Sir Wesley?
:)
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
I met a lot of good and very concerned Democrats in London. When you live abroad, the actions of the US are so clear, and are now seen to be so clearly counterproductive in the war against the extremists. So there's a lot of passion over there.
Perhaps more than Dems at home, those abroad clearly "get it" on national security...they know the lingo and are far more outspoken.
I do believe it's possible to pull out a D- on Iraq. Just barely, but still possible. I fear, though, that it's unlikely...that what we're headed toward is something like a more catastrophic failure, such as the Iraqis just asking us to leave, and then a further breakdown in their government.
It's pretty much what I feared. The people in charge appear to care more about themselves than getting it right.
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
if all American's lived abroad for a period of time we would be better off....probably be more Democrats too.
I do business in the Mid-East and the Bush Admin. is killing me.
Why don't Americans "get it" on national security as well as those abroad General? Is it our vacuous media?
...fascist is, as fascist does, mr. preznit
Catastro_uck
Sez more than Snafu, fubar and cluster_uck, those timeless military terms.
"One of the embarrassing problems for the early nineteenth-century champions of the Christian faith was that not one of the first six Presidents of the United States was an orthodox Christian."--The Encyclopedia Britannica
Other than replacing the present cabal, is there anything constructive you (or we) can do to reverse the draconian cuts in funds for returning wounded vets and, especially the cuts in the brain-damage research studies?
Why?
It has been discussed here today, and I am wondering, do you believe that there is a danger that Kim Jong Il will sell nuclear weapons to terrorists? And if you do, how do we prevent it?
Thank you! Be well, safe and rest!
Ha! no one has ever called me sir in that sense. Not with KBE. They know that when Americans receive these awards they are honorary...not like the Brits. Many of the British generals, for example, are knighted when they are three star, and certainly if they make full general..And they are addressed as "General Sir..." But remember we're Americans, and proud of it, and we don't believe in nobility in this country.
Andrew Jackson - look at his record. There was a great leader - though clearly a man of his times - who was really connected to the people. He was a strong and tough leader!
And as far as nobility goes, let me just recall what my stepfather told me once when I said something about family trees: "Kid, everyone has one, and in most of them, there's a horse thief or two if you go back far enough." In other words, live your own life and be judged on it - not on who your ancestors were! So I'm not looking for anyone to call me Sir, thanks. Not in a Knighthood sense.
"And as far as nobility goes, let me just recall what my stepfather told me once when I said something about family trees: "Kid, everyone has one, and in most of them, there's a horse thief or two if you go back far enough." In other words, live your own life and be judged on it - not on who your ancestors were!"
Your stepfather sounds like he was a wonderful person to grow up with.
Thanks for all you're doing General Clark and I agree with others here who posted that one can now hear your ideas emanating from Democrats. Thank you for helping the Democratic candidates find the confidence they needed to articulate a credible position on national security to beat back the Rovian attacks.
create a logjam in Washington that will effectively cripple our ability to do anything constructive in 2007-2008?
Will Mr. Bush and Co learn to "speak" to their opponents or will they hamstring the entire country unless they get their way on things?
"It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear." - Henry David Thoreau
as I am of my own government these days. It was frightening listening to Bush's news conference today. He's apparently decided that Democrats are the enemy and worse than terrorists. I don't remember ever seeing a President so intent on dividing the nation, Americans against other Americans.
Glad you're back in the states, sir. The news from here in Illinois is very promising for the re-election of Melissa Bean and the election of Tammy Duckworth.
Proud to be an American.
We have to get Democrats into the Congress and keep pouring the money into the VA. And we have to keep encouraging people to volunteer for military service. If we don't have volunteers, the armed forces will dissolve, and then where will we be? Not liking the President or his policy is NOT a reason for not serving...We have to encourage young people to serve. That's why I'm speaking at Fort Benning tomorrow.
Regarding NK sales to terrorists, yep, they probably could be driven to this. That's why our policies of simply hammer, hammer, hammer are self defeating. I guess they could put stuff onto submarines and smuggle it out to ships at sea, and so forth. Blockades are pretty tough to maintain. But that's a few years down the road. We still have time to work this, if we get the right people in office.
And I have a young friend who is new to Airborne and I believe he's at Ft. Benning (I'm sorry, I get the forts confused, but almost sure) and he SUPPORTED YOU in '04! So I truly hope he gets to hear you! :)
but I don't think the way our troops are being misused is right. I want to know what the plan is for bringing our troops home. We're squandering one of our most valuable resources. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be an Army mom. But I would have a hard time encouraging anyone to volunteer under these circumstances. And I want my son back. I don't want him to be sacrificed.
Yes, General, it's heartbreaking to see an increase in injuries among our troops in Iraq. And so many of the IED injuries are truly catastrophic and life-changing. I'm not sure the public is aware of the nature and extent of some of the injuries. And how the families are affected as well as the troops. The numbers alone don't tell the whole story.
It's unconscionable to think we don't provide adequate funding for the care we owe these troops and their families. This must change.
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas
Well, I did take four hours to play golf in DC on Monday. Just awful...real "jet-lag" golf, where you lose your short game! Sorry to report that!
As for logjams, well, if we take control of Congress, it's going to get very shrill over the next couple of years, and political commentators will love it. The American people won't. They still don't understand how truly awful this Administration has been and what has to be done to get us back on course, and so a principal problem for Dems will be to deflect Republican charges of obstructionism and investigationism ( to create a Repub-sounding word) and get the people to focus on the issues and the necessary solutions.
Not too bad off the tee, probably because you are tired enough to not over-swing (one of my problems) but no touch around the greens and as far as putting...fuggedaboudit! Nobody can put when they are jet-lagged.
I'm following your example (though envious of your stamina) and working hard to elect Democrats.
Thanks to all of you for what you do, and for caring about our country. I've got to break off now, will be back next week if not before.
Thank you so much for taking the time to "speak" with us.
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
Thank you for everything you do!
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
...for posterity.
How awesome was that!!!!
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
Just stopping by for a chat while waiting for a plane.
Welcome back to the states, Wes. Hope you aren't stranded in Chicago very long. Say hello to Gert for us when you get to Little Rock!
I found two more in Alabama for this total (three there now). They have come out of the woodwork. I have tried to follow your command to help vets and these guys and gals are the best. More will get elected than I had thought previously with the huge recent turnaround that will put some om them over the top, but many are just building the Dem Party from the ground up and it will tak '08 for their districts to turn blue. Half a dozen to a dozen will win this time round.
Noel Schutz
"Uncle Noel"
http://www.fighting-dems.com
I was out phonebanking....But this was a great blog to read!
Thanks, General, for stopping by and thanks, CCN community, for all of the great questions....
is becoming my middle name....
How cool indeed to have Wes blogging from the airport! I was just stuck at O'Hare last week due to weather and ended up having to spend the night-- they closed the airport.
Ain't WiFi grand? Wish I'd have been here to join in the conversation.
Thank You General Clark-- for EVERYTHING!
Thanks!
I'm so sorry I missed all the fun--
This was the first real "chat" blogging I think he's done here.
Maybe next time.
I'm working too many hours these days to have any good joy mongering time.
to be stranded at an airport and find Wes was stranded there with you...I'd be hoping our planes didn't get off the ground for a LONG time...haha!
"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
was not at all fun.
Lightning, thunder, huge hailstones pounding the roof. All flights cancelled so the airport was teaming with people. It was like Calcutta! People sleeping on the floor and pushing to get into any chairs they could. The booming voice over the PA announcing every 15 minutes "The Department of Homeland Security has raised the security threat to ORANGE!"
My hubby called from L.A. and booked me into a nice hotel room near O'Hare --so I was lucky and got to sleep in a bed!
This trip though I was selected for "special security searches" on almost every flight! The full pat down. Argh. That'll teach you to push for election integrity.
but don't you think you'd be able to withstand all of that a little better if it meant a half an hour or so with the General's ear? It would certainly help me get through the pain...
Unfortunately, I take it you didn't run into Wes there so I'm sorry you had to go through it. :(
The First Navy Jack (1775)
The First Navy Jack (1775): One of the first flags flown by our U.S. Navy may have been an adaptation of the "Rebellious Stripes" created at the time of the Stamp Act Congress. It featured thirteen red and white stripes. Stretched across them was the rippling form of a rattlesnake, and the words, "DON'T TREAD ON ME"- a striking indication of the colonists' courage and fierce desire for independence.
The flag we know today as the first Navy Jack (sometimes known as the "Culpepper Flag) is believed to have flown aboard the Alfred, flagship of the newly commissioned Continental fleet, in January, 1776. American ships used this flag, or one of its variations, throughout the Revolutionary War.
http://www.angelfire.com/wa/redwoodsigns/usflag.html
2006
1775
231 :)
but I think that we're just realising how old we're getting :/
I just promised to make calls at our local Dem HQ to GOTV and of course on election day. We all have to be doing something. I just wish we all could do more.
Blogging to pass the time.
Well if you go back and read more comments; praying for a peaceful and safe flight.
See you on Friday in B'ham and U. of Alabama. :)
Clark is DA MAN
Clark2008
Thank you for all you do, General!
Still, even with that handicap, I'm certain that your jet-lag golf score in DC was MUCH better than my mini-golf scores off the Seaside Heights Boardwalk in Joisey.
And when in DC, I recommend kayaking off the Potomac,.. it's pretty much like swimming, but you'll get to BREATHE more, cover longer distances on each stroke and stay relatively dry.
I was in a pre-scheduled conference and stopped by to blog a bit,and see if anyone had heard where you were today ----- and wow. All of those wonderful messages from you General Wes.
Great conhversation.
Earlier today, some of us were much like Charlie Rangel (Where's my General?).
The plane thing this morning stirred that and I was actually hoping that you'd check in.
Thanks for being thoughtful enough of us to stop in awhile.
Plus: Chat and wise words all at once. Great conversation.
Glad to see your comment on General Schoonmaker. Had someone ask me about that today. I didn't know what to think.
"Rising danger"
You sure knew what you were doing way back when when you named this website.
Glad to see you'll be back down here in the South this week.
Lots of military and military families and friends --- as you know so well. It's a time for us to have a leader, a 4-star, that is trusted, tried and true, somewhere close to home. A smart and caring one.
Clearsky
in Louisiana
I am out in the heavily Republican Chicago Western Suburbs in Henry Hyde's district, looking forward to a victory by Tammy Duckworth, and hoping for a big surprise by John Laesch in the neighboring district over "the coach" (there are Hastert signs on my block! eeeeewwww!)
Sir, I just watched the speech you gave to the Warren County Ohio Democrats.
I was stunned.
Stunned not just at the content, much of which was new to me at least in its detail, but none of which was surprising in the least.
But stunned at the delivery. I have been lamenting of late the fact we no longer seem to have orators. Lincoln, Frederick Douglas, Daniel Webster, John Kennedy, Martin Luther King - these were people who could inspire, could convince, through oratory. Not just the words, but through the stirring delivery. Of late I have started to think Keith Olbermann may be getting there.
But you, sir, are an orator.
and so true.
Welcome to Clark Community dbciii!
Sorry about your being in Henry Hideous's district...
What a cool thread!!!
Wish I'd been here when it was happening LIVE.
And blogging from the airport. As I found travelling 'round the US last year, is the best way to fill in flight-delay time.
You'd be taking them to the Better Business Bureau if you bought a washing machine the way we went into the war in Iraq. Wes Clark, CNN Aug 17 2003
Well, it's not a pleasure that we have to deal with such manifold crises right now, but it does help to consider them rationally. You are truly an inspiration, SIR.
(Makes me think of To Sir, With Love...!)
Leadership means lifting people up. --Wes Clark
Nice to have to stop in on your whirlwind schedule.