Edwards Rejects the "War on Terror"("a Bush-created political phrase." )

[rodeodance]

Source: time



(
Wednesday, May. 02, 2007
Edwards Rejects the "War on Terror"
By Mike Allen

Campaign-hardened Republicans used to treat the phrase "global war on terror" so casually, even affectionately, that they talked about "the G-WOT," after the four-letter abbreviation used in White House calendars to denote Iraq messaging meetings. Democrats embraced it, too, with John Kerry asserting during his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention: "We are a nation at war, a global war on terror."

But increasingly the phrase is being regarded with hostility by many Democrats, who view it as little more than propaganda, and with a degree of skepticism by some Republicans, who consider it tired and vague. The left lobe of the blogosphere roared its approval in March when the House Budget Committee directed its staff to eschew "global war on terror" and instead use more precise language like "the war in Iraq" and "ongoing military operations throughout the world." And last month the British government announced that it too had retired the phrase.

Now Kerry's former running mate is declaring his independence from a phrase that politicians have been brandishing with brio for more than five years. At last month's Democrat debate in South Carolina, moderator Brian Williams asked the eight candidates: "Show of hands question: Do you believe there is such a thing as a global war on terror?"

Senator Hillary Clinton's hand shot up. After hesitating noticeably, Senator Barack Obama joined her. Edwards did not, even though he has used the phrase himself and a policy paper on his Web site refers to "winning the war on terror." And now, in his first interview to explain his turnabout, Edwards tells TIME that he will no longer use what he views as "a Bush-created political phrase." ....

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1616724,00.html

[BattyDem]

1. He impresses me more and more as time goes on.

:applause:

A few months ago, Edwards wasn't high on my list "favorite" candidates. I don't really know why - I guess I just didn't know enough about him to trust him. :shrug:

However, he's proving that he gets it - he knows we've been manipulated by the GOP and the media and he's not afraid to say so. He's not afraid to stand up, speak up and and do the right thing ... even if it's not the traditional, more politically "comfortable" position to take.

Unless Gore jumps in, I think Edwards may be my guy. :)

[coalition_unwilling]

2. Kucinich??? He's been issuing pointed critiques of BFEE and GWOT

almost since Day 1.

[BattyDem]

4. Didn't mean to diss Dennis ... I LOVE the guy!

:hi:

[jakem]

6. that definitely scores a point with me.

he and obama would both be fine.

[L. Coyote]

3. REAGAN placed the term "terrorist" in the American political lexicon

L. Coyote Mon Mar-26-07 06:32 AM
Are the Sandinista terrorists on the Texas border yet? Rhetoric to haunt Freeepers.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x503712

Given ther current lies leading to war, an examination of past lies is in order. Please contribute past rhetoric that parallels the current propaganda effort.

One of my favorite whoppers is that the tiny nation of Nicaragua was an invasion threat to Texas. Reagan and George Bush deprived the nation and the world of sleep with rhetorical worries that the terrorist cabal controlling the government of Nicaraggua had to be militarily overthrown to prevent the invasion of Texas. REagan said Nicaragua, "is establishing a base camp for Cuban-Soviet aggression on the North American mainland."

Here is a speech quote of Ronald Reagan, the beloved former liar-in-chief:

"Believe me, the liberals in Washington know what's at stake in this election. They know that this may well be their last chance to steer American politics way over to the left. They know that if we Republicans do well this November it's going to permanently alter the political landscape. ...."

"You see, on holding down taxes and spending, on appointing tough judges, on keeping up our defenses and dealing firmly with the Soviets, the liberal Democrat leadership knows the fundamental differences between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party are beginning to sink in with the average voter. Take another issue that's come to the fore recently, an issue where partisan politics shouldn't even play a role. All of you know that a Communist government has taken over in Nicaragua. In addition to engaging in widespread repression of human rights, this government is establishing a base camp for Cuban-Soviet aggression on the North American mainland. But today there are about 20,000 freedom fighters who need our help in restoring democracy to that country. And a few weeks ago we won a crucial vote in the House of Representatives that will help them to do just that.is establishing a base camp for Cuban-Soviet aggression on the North American mainland.

"...I think you know I've mentioned in the past that Nicaragua is only a 2-day drive from the Texas border. And since I'm here now, I can explain: Don't mistake my reference to the Texas border. The Communist Sandinista regime in Nicaragua has made a lot of mistakes, but even they know better than to get themselves in a tangle with a bunch of Texans. Even with all the tanks and gunships from the Soviet Union, my guess is that the Sandinistas would make it about as far as the shopping center in Pecos before Roger Staubach came out of retirement -- -- teamed up with some off-duty Texas Rangers and the front four of the Dallas Cowboys, and pushed the Sandinistas down the river, out across the Gulf, and right back to Havana where they belong. Come to think of it, they don't even belong in Havana either, but don't get me started on that. But what's really at stake here is restoring our bipartisan consensus on national security issues. Believe me, you'll send that message to the liberals in Washington if you'll elect more Republican officeholders here in Texas. ..."

THANKFULLY, Reagan saved us from the commie, terrorist Sandinista invasion by killing lots of people in his illegal war. April 28 was the 20th anniversary of the murder of Portland OR native Ben Linder in Nicaragua. Linda Fraiser was killed over 21 years ago now in the La Penca bombing. There is no statute of limitations for murder!!

[ixion]

5. glad to hear him say this... those of us here in the 'reality-based' community

have been saying it for years now.

[BattyDem]

10. The Democrats know it, too ... but they've always been too afraid to say something

Let's face it, the Dem's have been spineless about a lot of things in recent years. Edwards seems to be letting go of that fear. Good for him! :-)

[The Stranger]

7. What the fuck took them so long?

[krkaufman]

9. Chuckle. Yeah, this would be noteworthy three years ago.

[The Stranger]

11. Kerry campaigned that "this President took his eye off the ball" by invading Iraq.

Why not say what he did -- he lied and fucked the nation into a murderous, torturing, illegal war?

He "took his eye off the ball"?

Are you kidding me? No wonder Kerry lost.

[krkaufman]

12. Most Dems were far too cautious in their criticism of Bush back then.

... but then the media wasn't exactly objective, so it was a tough call.

[Faygo Kid]

8. It's a war on the Constitution, not terror.

Terror is a tactic. And the Bushies have used it effectively, in terms of what jaw-dropping evil they will unleash next.

[olddad56]

13. How about we abandon the Global War on terrorism and focus on..

The terrorist (Bsuh Admin) war on the globe.

[texpatriot2004]

14. Exactly, I agree. nm

[pinkpops]

15. well duh -

C'mon Hillary, c'mon Barack

[0rganism]

16. whatever it is, it exists, just call it by it's real name: The War Against Terror....

aka TWAT for short. :D

It works well with TWADDLE (The War Against Drugs and Drug Legalization Efforts).