I admire Wesley Clark-- If you want to know why, Check-in Here

[FrenchieCat]

When someone who admires Wes Clark started an earlier thread, it was derailed from its original purpose. The original "good intention" poster had said.... "I believe those who don't trust Wesley Clark simply don't know enough about the guy. If they did they would be blown away with what we know. I would like to ask other Clark supporters to express why you believe in Wesley Clark so we can help others who have no idea how sincere and amazing this man is see his integrity. We are not zealots we just admire his integrity and he moves us in a way that no other candidate for President has. I hope someone will post the story about him rappelling down the hill in Bosnia to save those in a jeep accident."

I am starting this topic anew and including my post as to why I believe in Wesley Clark.....I would like others to do the same.
-------------------------
As a Black woman, a French immigrant, a mother, and someone who despises what is going on in my adopted country, I want what's best for my children who were born here and for their future...and in fact the future of all children all over the globe.

I was looking for a candidate to support back in mid 2003. I had marched twice in San Francisco against the war, and in fact I had marched against the stolen election of 2000...when the protestors only numbered in the low hundreds.

I was upset to see that elections could be stolen in this country; I was upset that the majority of the "free" press was not really free; I was upset that an individual like Bush could be passed off as the leader of the "supposed" Free World; I was upset that a tragedy such as 9/11 could be such a boon for our pResident; I was upset that no one was asking the hard questions about George Bush, his incompetency and his intentions. When you listen to Ray Taliaferro (Bay Area KGO radio host) like I did for the last 10 years, one doesn't suffer fools lightly.

I was looking for a candidate with integrity, guts, and strong intellect. I was looking for a candidate who had an established track record at having done good and achieved results while being selfless with his/her own life. Looking at the announced Democratic line-up, I didn't truly see someone fitting that category and that I thought could win.

Since I was no longer watching television, I started doing a lot of reading. I found a book by Samanta Power about Genocide. In this book, Ms. Power constantly referred to a General Wesley Clark has having been one of the very few who wanted to stop a lot of Black people from being murdered. This General Wesley Clark also wanted to stop the murders of a whole lot of minority Albania Muslims. He was also an internationalist who had negotiated peace.

I looked him up and I liked what I read about him. I never saw him commentating on the war on CNN because I wasn't into watching Teevee and "war". Instead I read about him on Russian, German and French Websites. I read articles that had been written back during Kosovo and Bosnia, and I liked what I read about this Man. It was very clear that he had stood up time and time again when everyone else was sitting. Not just once, or twice, but time and time again. He stood up for human lives.....which is the most valuable thing that I can think of.

Maybe BECAUSE I came from Europe, but am also a minority, I truly appreciate what the General Clark did for the Minority Albanian Muslims. Maybe BECAUSE I am Black and part of me originates from Africa, I appreciate what General Clark wanted to do in Rwanda. Maybe BECAUSE I know (from experience) that many politicians talk a good talk, but frankly don't really give a shit if it means inconveniencing themselves, i.e., taking a chance, even if lives are at stake.

My mother was raised during the 2nd World War in war-torn France. She remembered and has told me the stories of how long it took for the Americans to intervene in that war. Three of her siblings died during this war......they died of malnutrition as they were hiding from the Germans....who ended up taking 2 of my great uncles away to the concentration camps (I am bi-racial).

I wrote Wes Clark a letter begging him to run...because I was desperate. As a Black person, he was really the only candidate that I felt I could truly work for and who I felt could win. Why? Because he is the only candidate that ever ran for President that actually put his career on the line to save lives. To me, that's more important than how long one has been a Democrat, etc.,etc., etc. You see, I don't give a rat's ass about party loyalty, because like Al Sharpton said, Better a new Democrat that's a real Democrat than those who have always been Democrats but act like Republicans. Labels are for those who need them. I don't. People have attempted to label me all of my life, and so, I just don't give a shit what label one wears....cause it's actions that count.

Bottomline is that a great man isn't measured by his party affiliations, or how much money he may have in the bank...but by the content of his character, i.e, by what he has actually done and whether he has made a real difference. Because a President and Leader of the Free(?) World needs to be someone who really cares about everyone, no matter who they are or where they are from, I see Wesley Clark as the most prepared, based on his past actions.... for that task than any others yet.

[ooglymoogly]

1. one of the smartest kindest men in politics

after watching and hearing him. i would be honored to vote for him in any office he chooses to run for. he didn't roll over for tim pus-fart.
he turns into steel when he needs to.

[Quixote1818]

36. Can someone send this thread to Wes? It would be wonderful for him to

read all these nice things. I just don't know of a way to send it to him. I tried his Draft Clark e-mail and it was returned.

[ooglymoogly]

47. when i try to send an email outside my internet provider

it is always returned. i would like to send the thread to ws clark but it just keeps getting returned. i think i have the pop wrong on the address.

[lamp_shade]

2. Beautifully written, Frenchie

Thank you for that. I'm trying to remember what it was that Mario Cuomo said about him. Anybody remember?
Also.. Didn't Kris Kristofferson(sp)have something really neat to say about him?

[Sparkly]

3. Mario Cuomo quote

"Wes Clark is a man of whom you can ask a question, and he will look you directly in the eye, and give you the most truthful and complete answer you can imagine. You will know the absolute truth of the statement as well as the thought process behind the answer. You will have no doubt as to the intellect of the speaker and meaning of the answer to this question....

So you can see, as a politician, he has a lot to learn."

[cidliz2004]

6. And most of the time it won't take 5 minutes or so.

[lamp_shade]

7. Oooooooohhh

Sniff Sniff :cry:

[tishaLA]

12. I can't say it better than Mario Cuomo

So why even try? That's just beautiful.

[digno dave]

26. He was the last great hope for our country...New Hampshire dems screwed us

[FrenchieCat]

33. Well....

We will just have to keep hope alive! The kind of energy that he would generate during a General election would be sureal!

[Sparkly]

41. "keep hope alive"

That says it! :)

[lamp_shade]

15. Found it

When Kristofferson endorsed the General, he made this statement: "Just when the world is being dragged into the death spiral of an unending cycle of violence by a vision-less, coldblooded collection of think-tank warriors goose-stepping their way into the new millennium with a stunning lack of respect for human rights, the environment, or international law, along comes a man with the proven credentials of intelligence, integrity, and courage singularly equipped by his spirit and experience to lead us out of this mess. Don't listen to what the lying liars say about him; listen to what he says. Wesley Clark is a prayer answered."

[Dinger]

60. Lampshade & Frenchie, You Made Me Cry

Beautiful, just beautiful

[progressor]

66. An excellent quote...

that also makes me want to watch Blade again! :D

[Sparkly]

4. A powerful testimonial, Frenchie

Thanks for posting it! :thumbsup:

[FrenchieCat]

25. My pleasure....

but I need yours too....K?

[Sparkly]

52. Well, as I said in Quixote's thread

I am always fascinated at the core of people that reveals themselves early in their lives and keeps on revealing them as they make choices throughout their lives -- especially the ones they don't have to make, the ones they make when they have so many other, easier, more selfish options available to them.

I marvel at whatever it is that made this brilliant high school student decide to go to West Point, because he considered serving his country more important than going to a regular college and becoming a professional in another career. I admire whatever it is that made him, after being first in his class, go on to Oxford and then stick it out in the army when so many other choices were available to him. And I admire that he stayed in despite the continual lure of the private sector where he could have made much more money and lived far more comfortably.

Finally, I admire the simple "When you can do good, you should" and his courage and integrity in standing up to the Pentagon and the White House when he believed it was right. I admire his decision to run as a Democrat, and to campaign tirelessly for John Kerry. And I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with WesPAC!

In short, he's got an extraordinary mind, the strong courage of his convictions, and the heart to ask himself the right questions. He's a born leader, as well, and knows the importance of reaching out and working with other people, inspiring the best in others, and forming working relationships. His degrees in economics and politics, his knowledge of history and philosophy, his journey among religions, his actions on behalf of affirmative action and equal opportunity, his experience as a teacher and leader, his skills in the halls of diplomacy and the strategies of battle, his courage in the face of both dictators and DC neo-cons, his ability to form alliances among disparate people, his striking honesty about himself and others -- these aren't things we find among average politicans or people of any sort, anywhere. This is one extraordinary man who'd make a truly extraordinary president for our time.

[cidliz2004]

5. How true your opinions are Frenchie

Thanks for sharing your backround. I have read many of your posts and I know that you are as crazy for Wes Clark as I am. I don't have the backround that you do, I just know a gift from God when I see one. Wes was a gift to us and there were too many stupid people and too big of a machine for him to be truly known and acknowledged.

I was inspired by this man like I have been inspired by NO ONE else. We need him because with him we are truly the country that the U.S. started out being. The "Washington Insiders" are busy trying to keep Washington D.C. status quo, unfortunately Kerry is part of that mentality. I don't know what it is going to take for people to wake up and realize that Washington D.C. needs to be cleaned out Republicans and many Democrats alike. There is way too much "business as usual" going on from both sides of the aisle. If that were not true there would be yelling and screaming and fighting going on right now in Washington. People need to hear their leaders standing out in FRONT of the issues and LEADING the masses to protest the corruptness of our elections and everything else going on in Washington.

Wes Clark is a person that will put it ALL on the line and fight for what is right. He is brilliant and has a fair and wise way of approaching problems. There is no one that I know of that is his equal in leadership skills, international experience, character and bravery, NO ONE! Wes Clark was Rove's greatest fear and our greatest gift.

[FrenchieCat]

31. Your last sentence.....

Your last paragraph is how I see it. Damn it, we need a leader, quick!

[EC]

8. Those are the same reasons I liked him too,

I did the same thing you did, read up on him, grew a great respect for him. I even dragged my daughter and her girl friend to see him. They thanked me and got strongly behind him...An added plus, he's easy to look at...




on edit: I'll add just like Clinton, he earned his rank, was a Rhodes Scholar and wasn't given any entitlements not faught for...



On edit again: He was also the only candidate that Republicans I knew would have voted for...I hope he runs again...

[FrenchieCat]

42. Love that Sermon on the Mount.....

Fundies can't stand it unless it's edited. Had that conversation yesterday with my Husband who is a Deacon at our church.

PS. He just applied, was accepted and starts seminary school in March. He wants to become a minister....

[Mz Pip]

56. Congratulations!

:hi:
That's good news for you and your husband. Maybe in 4 years we'll be sitting on the plane together going to a Clark Inauguration!

We'll see have things go. I haven't heard anyone out there be able to articulate what needs to happen as well as Clark.

It will be a long four years, that's for sure.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[liberalnurse]

9. Okay....here we go again.....

Cat fight at the DU Corral. I'll be Doc. Holliday....French kitty; you can be ...you pick who you want to be, thats fair....

I'm packing with rhetoric Kitty.....lets go ..."I'm Your Huckleberry"


:loveya:

[pacalo]

10. Beautifully said, FrenchieCat!

I adore Wesley Clark & I want to see him try again for the presidency. Let's hope we can get some election reform before then! Let's work our tails off to make it happen. :)

[FrenchieCat]

22. Thank you for the kind words....

and certainly election reform has got to be priority one. Without it, we are screwed forever!

[Mz Pip]

11. One of the criticisms of Clark

I have always found puzzling, particularly on these boards, is how he is somehow not really pure enough since he admitted to voting for Reagan and Nixon - somehow that cancels out his later support for Clinton, Gore and Kerry. I had one acquaintance tell me he didn't trust Clark - like he was part of some bizarre conspiracy to further the PNAC cause.

Democrats need to get their priorities straight. Republicans manage to embrace those Dems who have crossed over to their side - Reagan is a prime example and more currently that nutjob Zell Miller. Democrats would be well served to embrace someone who has seen the world from both sides(even though Clark never was a registered Republican) and get over the fact he supported Reagan 25 years ago. He picked our side to support for the passed 12 years and would do a fine job leading our country.

Besides I think he is the smartest high profile Democrat out there. He has the same ability Clinton did to pull information from many complexsources and weave it all together in a well thought out argument. No sound bites for Clark. Unfortunately we are a country that only hears the sound bites and until that changes we will have more and more leaders like Bush.

Mz Pip:dem:

[tishaLA]

14. His intelligence is important, I agree

But what's more important--what many smart people cannot do--is to make their intelligence comprehensible. I think Clark does that very effectively. I hope he CAN find sound bites that convey complexity, though; we will want that in his 2008 presidential run.

[carpe diem]

23. i said this in another post ....

...about Barack Obama and it was part of my frustration during the primaries as a Clark supporter:

"The Republicans will take a serial career failure and life-long loser like Bush II and prop him up all the way to the White House. We have someone of substance, quality, intelligence and skill, and we can't wait for the Republicans to kill him...we have to fire the first shots."

[FrenchieCat]

24. Yes...you are right,

We have to go on the offensive....and act like a plough. Can it be done? With the right sets of balls, Yes, it can.

Need a courageous and fair man as DNC Chair as a starter!

[ken-in-seattle]

39. I want to hear from the detractors.

Does this statement bother you because it is from a General? or because you are embarrased about all those time you said, "I am not a liberal, I'm a Progressive!!!"


--------------------
I am a liberal. We live in a liberal democracy.

That’s what we created in this country. That’s in our Constitution. ... I think we should be very clear on this. You know, this country was founded on the principals of the Enlightenment. It was the idea that people could talk, reason, have dialogue, discuss the issues. It wasn’t founded on the idea that someone would get stuck by a divine inspiration and know everything right from wrong. I mean, people who founded this country had religion, they had strong beliefs, but they believed in reason, in dialogue, in civil discourse. We can’t lose that in this country. We’ve got to get it back.
Wes Clark - September 5, 2003

[FrenchieCat]

43. Re-read Mz Pip's post....

I think the title of your post may have thrown you off from what she was saying. She was questioning other's take on the General...not hers.

Mz Pip is a great supporter of the General.....and I have met her in real life several times. Actually, we first met before the General even announced that he was going to run. So she goes back to the DraftClark days.

[Vidar]

50. I voted for Reagan the first time, then he doubled the defecit. Liar!

[Totally Committed]

13. A Military Man, but with a Steel-trap Mind and a Heart of gold:

"Freedom and dignity spring from within the human heart. They are not imposed. And inside the human heart is where the impetus for political change must be generated." From "Broken Engagement" by Gen. Wesley K. Clark

When was the last time we heard a "leader" -- Republican OR Democrat speak about "freedom and dignity" -- or the "human heart", for that matter?

Wes Clark's dignity and compassion is so evident. Right there for all to see. I am always amazed that so many don't bother to look at all.

If you haven't read this, it is a must-read. His words of wisdom will make you a fan, but his humanity will make you a supporter:

Broken Engagement
The strategy that won the Cold War could help bring democracy to the Middle East-- if only the Bush hawks understood it.

By Gen. Wesley Clark

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0405.clark.html


Thanks,

TC

[PATRICK]

18. Again the one issue

for me is learning the tactical situation. Dem lawyers and prosecutors couldn't see the crime family nature of the situation and Clark seems to be plowing the same furrows as a newbie. For once will we get a leader willing to use his skills, in this case tactical genius, to grasp the situation which is not at all about issues and image and make the right moves, NOT be coddled by loser consultants and media primpers?

I don't mean going it alone but marshaling a real FIGHT plan that is something more than rhetoric and marching outgunned troops stoically against an entrenched fraud machine. He certainly has been grappling with the ideas and the policies like a good Democrat. How about the game? This is why he immediately gets the freeze treatment by the current rotten barrel of political competitors and the even phonier chicken press.

When Edwards can be a smart lawyer, Clark a brilliant general and Kerry a dogged prosecutor then we might be getting somewhere. And Obama, another great rhetorical prize is still in the same potential victim boat, not one in charge of a credible campaign against the GOP machine. Instead of tactics we see the values of Democratic leaders shaky under assault by self-doubt and bewildered accommodation.

I think Bush makes a lot of people look very good by comparison who we may not agree with, but I think we understand still where the lines are- if the DLC hasn't a clue. Worrying about Clark as the candidates vied for the inevitable ABB succession is now sad history. It's not about a more stringent litmus test but about a broken system and trampled ideals that needs more than fine legislative speeches and small issue maneuvers.

[FrenchieCat]

19. I do understand most your point....

but the statement..."Worrying about Clark as the candidates vied for the inevitable ABB succession is now sad history." confuses me.

Clark was not my ABB candidate. He was my "President that I was promised as I landed on these shores" candidate.

I get the "Credible campaign against the GOP machine" rant though....and I agree that Democrats have to unite to fight the Republican Noise machine made up of Corporate media and GOP apologists, operatives and activists, aka, Presstitutes.

[PATRICK]

20. I meant the carping about

the lack of "professional" political skill(hah!) or the worry about a DINO or Clintonite or something else cleverly cabalistic. Would someone were at least THAT clever as our worries painted them. IF someone won we would be worrying if we had merely supplanted Tweedledee for Dum. As it is the main worry is naivete, arrogance and ignorance of astoundingly childish proportions confronting an even more childish crime organization. Maybe we can stop worrying that Clark or others or even Powell are substitutes for the Bush dynasty in promoting the mysterious New World Order Disorder and take them more at face value.

Taking Bush at true face value isn't that hard either despite getting first beyond his pitiful lying.

When Clark was attacked he fought back with sharp clarity. So then he got the silent treatment which was very effective though unsatisfying for the RW egos. Like Dean he broke through some of the crap and few took the lesson to heart.

[FrenchieCat]

21. Very much clearer

for me this time round. Thank you Patrick!

I do agree that the we cut our own throats time and time again by wasting precious energy on what cannot help us. We really must start to strategize and at some point agree to do SOMETHING. We tend to go round and round.....or taking 2 steps forward, then 2 steps back.

[Deep13]

16. Was on board prior to candidacy.

My wife and I were for Clark last year. We donated money and wrote letters to people in NH and SC asking them to support him too. By the time Ohio voted in the primaries, it was Kerry or Edwards and we chose Kerry. Unfortunately, we underestimated the importance of Iowa and instead concentrated on Super Tuesday. Also, his electioneering inexperience became apparent with that whole deserter remark thing. He should not have taken sh** for that. He should have said, "first, Moore said it, not me. Second, what are people supposed to think when Bush won't release his records. We all know he only he only joined the guards to avoid Vietnam. I suppose I could have done that, too, but I didn't."

Even so, I'm still pissed off by the lies the Rs told about Kerry.

[Sparkly]

17. Welcome to DU, Deep13!

:hi:

[E_Smith]

27. I agree, go Clark

I supported Clark in the primary and I still think he was our best shot to beat Bush. Everyone should rally around this guy for '08 not only because he would be a great prez but because he CAN WIN. No doubt about it.

I liked Clark right away when I started seeing him on CNN doing war analysis. He is brilliant and will not cave to special interests IMO. As a general he knows how to implement his vision.

[Clark2008]

28. Wesley Clark is great because...

He gave me hope in my worst moments of deep dispair.
He gave me vision when I had lost my way and when the news media would only report the Bush "vision."
He helped me smile when I thought there was very little left to smile about.
He brought to the table the stength and determination that this country can be both strong on national security and still helpful and caring to other countries.
He is intelligent and thoughtful.
He knows what Jesus meant.
He knows the real values of family aren't as props to a stump speech.
He sacrificed years of his life (and almost to the end of his life) to protect this country.
He continued to preserve and work for the good of the country, even when he left the race.
He remembered my name.
He stopped to talk to a little boy who thinks Clark hung the moon and the stars - right after his Mom hung the sun.

[FrenchieCat]

29. Oh.....

How cute isthat last sentence? Really, really.

[indie_voter]

30. I admire him because

He is a brilliant, thoughtful man who is not afraid to answer questions honestly, even when he knows the answer isn't what some want to hear.

He is not afraid to admit he doesn't have all the answers. He speaks to the details not broad concepts. In other words he speaks the way old time leaders used to do, before our soundbite culture.

He is the best qualified man to run this country. He didn't get the nod because he didn't know how to play the game.

One of his biggest strengths is how fast he learns, he was a different candidate by the end of the race. He learned from his mistakes because he acknowledged them.

His intellectual curiosity coupled with his experience leaves no doubt in my mind, he is the right choice for 2008.

[robbedvoter]

32. I admire him because he is fearless - the one candidate to expose PNAC

and bring up BFEE's 911 responsibility and attack the preemption doctrine.
I admire him for not hesitating to call himself a liberal - he is not ashamed of representing ME.
Also, when talking about shifring the tax burden, people struggling to make ends meet - I don't feel he is pulling schtick or patronizing me. Again, I feel represented.
In other words, I felt throughout the campaign that he speaks for me - and what more can one hope in a democracy? (of course, now my hope is, we'll have a democracy again some day)
Another thing that hit a high note with me: when talking about withstanding the attacks of the GOP smear machine, he said the secret is to know who you are He does indeed know who he is - and his integrity shines.

[Quixote1818]

34. I am saving your post to refer back to.

Nice to know I started something as nice as this.

[FrenchieCat]

44. Yes, it was you....

and I want to thank you for making me write that post late last night (LOL).

I hated the way the thread was reduced to something less than what we wanted it to be by the second post.

I would love for you to repost what you originally posted about the General. It was beautiful!

Could you please?

[trillian]

35. I love him for many reasons......

Not least because he always speaks the truth!

[DaveinMD]

37. here's a touching story

My friend from Minnesota was campaigning for him in New Hampshire. While she was there, her sister and nephew were killed in a car accident. The campaign paid for a limo to drive her to logan airport in Boston. General Clark called her the next day to see how she was doing. This is such a decent man. He's the kind of person we should want to be President.

[Tom Rinaldo]

38. This is some of the best writing you have ever done Frenchie

And you frequently do great writing. So often you feel forced to defend Clark against attacks, because, well, because Clark is so often attacked. That is great writing also, but this is personal from the heart. It just underscores for me how sad it is that the DU environment is so often dominated by those who want to tear down everything at odds with their own personal beliefs, rather than passionately but sincerely promote what they themselves believe in.

I love hearing your personal story spoken as it is here in your affirming and hopeful voice. Your commitment, your convictions, and your aspirations for America and the World come across here as clear as glass. As does your deep and abiding love and respect for Wesley Clark, and all the reasons why.

I accept that for some others here at DU, a different man or woman seeking or holding political office may be a source of hope and inspiration for them in a manner akin to our feelings about Wesley Clark. I sincerely honor that. I am tired of sincerity and hope being labeled naivety, brainwashing, or worse of all, cynical attempts at manipulation.

Thank you for sharing this with all of us Frenchie.

[Clarkie1]

40. Frenchie, thanks for that post. Great credit to Wes as well as to you n/t

[Gloria]

45. The only Democratic for 2008 I would be interested in is Wes Clark...

I worked for him before and I will work for him again. I'm back to being an independent and he's the only one that will make me work for a Democratic candidacy again. (unless Dean becomes DNC chair and lights a fire under the party)

[roguevalley]

46. Clark reminds me of the sixties when it was okay to be an intellectual

and a liberal and a good man with principles. My nephew met him when he was in Kosovo with the Dane UN mission and Clark as NATO chief came down. He loves the general and supports him too. He gives me hope and a
belief that things can be better. He is a gift from God in my opinion. Period.

[mikehiggins]

48. Clarkistas in NYC?

There doesn't seem to be much going on around here. I keep in touch with the MeetUp listing but nothing seems to be happening. There doesn't seem to me to be much point to waiting until 2007 for someone to decide to do something. If we like what Clark represents in terms of intellect and integrity, some sort of ongoing work should be taking place. ANyone in the NYC area agree? So?

My thanks to Frenchie for this thread.

[Vidar]

49. Thoughtful post. Thanks for this thread.

[sybil]

51. You've covered it wonderfully well

...all of you...one more thing:

Wes Clark inspires the best in all of us.

Clarksters are simply the best! *sniff*

Thank you for this thread FrenchieCat!
It warms the heart.

[Adelante]

53. Well this is old

I hope it's okay, Frenchie, to post it. I'm working on a Clark project right now that is keeping me very busy, but you wrote such a beautiful piece that I want to contribute somehow to the thread. I'll try to write something new as soon as I can. (Check your PMs)

Wesley Clark: Mending our torn country into a nation again

January 19, 2004
By Doris Lane


Wes Clark is a courtly fellow, an odd mix of liberal ideas and conservative values, worldliness and earthiness, a Rhodes scholar and an unabashed patriot, an old fashioned type who views his run for the presidency as a call to service. He has had to struggle to distill his complex thoughts into sound bite size, but his policy speeches are all of good sense and down home clarity.

Clark senses that "what makes us special as America is being lost in the world. We've always been a country that inspires others not just through the force of our arms, but through the force of our example." He talks about Peace Corps volunteers finding portraits of John F. Kennedy on the bare walls of rural huts and South Africans waiting in line to vote after apartheid fell, carrying worn copies of the U.S. Constitution.

"We don't want to be the kind of country where grandmothers need to travel to Canada to afford the medicine they need to stay alive. We don't want to be the kind of country where school budgets get cut to pay for tax breaks so millionaires can have more leisure time. And we certainly don't want to be the kind of country where our own President implies that we're unpatriotic if we question the very policies that got us into this mess in the first place."

Clark has said, "There really is one big issue you face in this party and in this country. What is the nature of the government we want?"

The retired four-star general hoping to take the White House is a pro-choice, half-Jewish, Baptist convert to Catholicism, who is a practicing Presbyterian and believes in the separation of church and state. He voted for Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Al Gore. And he doesn't mind saying so. He has a dry wit and a sharp mouth. He can ably impersonate the voices of Charlie Rangel, Slobodan Milosevic, George H.W. Bush, and Bill O'Reilly.

The so-called "anti-war general" favors a constitutional ban on desecration of the American flag and is critical of the Patriot Act. He is a Southerner who advocates affirmative action, because it was successfully applied to the military. He opposes the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for military gays and supports civil unions. He is a champion of human rights and principled dissent, a clean environment and protected fisheries, economic fairness and jobs creation, corporate responsibility and deficit reduction.

He is not afraid to say that the traditional deathbed choice in childbirth belongs to the woman, her family and her physician, and not to any right wing legislative agenda. He says Eisenhower was correct to "beware the military-industrial complex," and would reduce the defense budget by one quarter. He is an internationalist humanitarian who believes diplomacy leveraged with military strength is the best national defense. Like any good commander of force, he views it as the very last resort.

As a candidate for political office, he has been a quick study. Senator Bob Graham of Florida, after withdrawing his own candidacy, said of Clark, "Within the first couple of weeks of Wes' announcement, he had given five or six major speeches on different issues. He didn't just scribble those on the back of an envelope. He was well-prepared - better prepared than we were." And it has only gotten better and better and better.

Bill Clinton says, "He's got a sack full of guts." Theodore Sorensen says, "He does not need to dress up as a fly boy to be called 'commander in chief.'" When he drinks a Sam Adams with the guys down at the VFW Hall in New Hampshire, they toast Wes Clark as "The best general in the world!"

Most voters want somebody, anybody, who will seam our torn country into a nation again, return us to a sense of honor in the world and safety at home. He is tough on terrorism and not afraid to issue a challenge: "It's not enough for Saudi Arabia to pursue terrorists within its own borders. The Saudis need to join us in a worldwide campaign, and especially in that harsh region on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan."

"As president, I will employ every weapon in the U.S. arsenal to beat back the forces of terrorism," Clark says. "But the weapons of our country must not be limited to our awesome military capabilities. They must involve the web of international relationships we have built over generations."

Yale intellectual Harold Bloom announced his endorsement in the Wall Street Journal: "I am not suggesting that all our future presidents must be generals. Yet the time and the person have come together in Gen. Clark. There is potential greatness in him: realism and hope intricately fuse in his character. As a lifelong Democrat speaking to other Democrats, I urge his nomination. To Republicans and independents, I put the question: Weigh Gen. Clark's qualifications against President Bush's performance, and who seems likelier to lead us effectively in the years of trouble ahead of us?"

Is Wes Clark, as Howard Dean, Joe Lieberman and the Republican National Committee insist, a Republican? Not according to Democratic icon George McGovern. "There are a lot of good Democrats in this race, but Wes Clark is the best Democrat," said McGovern, who is also a veteran and war hero. "He is a true progressive. He's the Democrat's Democrat. I've been around the political block--and I can tell you, I know a true progressive when I see one. And that's why he has my vote."

Speaking as a Democrat of 38 years standing who proudly voted for George McGovern, the peace candidate of 1972, Wes Clark is my candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America.

[Eurobabe]

61. Yes, and this tells why THEY were so afraid of him

(they meaning the GOP) They knew he would probably kick Bu$h's sorry ass all the way back to Texas.

Can't have that.

[Spazito]

54. I admire Wes Clark for many reasons...

his compassion, his expertise in so many areas, his patriotism in the true sense of the word but, most of all, I admire his ability to explain complex issues in a way that all can understand, that is a skill very few have.

I remember most vividly, during the Rock the Vote debate when he was asked about gay rights and he told the story about his discussion with someone who was against them. He asked this person, "If someone you loved was gay, would you not want them to have the same rights as everyone else? He didn't go into legalities, he went straight to the heart as he often does.

The quote from Wesley Clarke that I use in my sig line say it all, imo, as to where he is coming from and what he believes.

[ICantBelieve]

55. Open minded

For a long time I've tried to narrow down just why I admire General Clark. It took me a while, but I think I've figured it out. It's open-mindedness. He's a real liberal. He doesn't just espouse liberal values, he lives them; he fights for them; he sacrifices for them EVERY DAY. He's open to everything. He doesn't judge before he thinks. He's not afraid of anything, especially not new ideas.

I used to think that I was open minded. But Wes taught me that if you think you're open minded enough, then you're not. There's no such thing. As soon as you think that, you've closed your mind. It just amazes me the way he processes information in such an unbiased way. I try to be like that, but I don't know that I'll ever be as good at it as he is.

[Texifornia]

57. A Hero Emerges

The pounding began.


Naked power play in the Sunshine State. Paid mobs threaten the vote count. A "majority" of five paid their debt.


And the pounding increased...like a great anvil. Steel on steel piercing the hazy flame of a fiery forge.


A raised finger to the world. Screw Kyoto! We don't care...and we don't have to! Whatcha gonna do about it?


More anvils, more hammers...the flames grow and multiply. Smokestacks belch....more pounding.


Rich people pay most of the taxes....they obviously need the biggest tax cuts! We can't afford namby-pamby stuff for the poor, rich people are hurting!


Steel now emerges from the forge, in strange and twisted form, black and hard....they are building something. Something big. The din is hard to bear as the pounding grows ever louder.


Seething hatred. Suicide! Murder! A bolt from the blue. Clinton was right?! It's terrible. It's horrible. It's unconcienable. Wait! It's PERFECT. It's JUST the thing! THIS will fuel the machine. All the way.


Fires burn. Smoke belches. Anvils pound. A pipeline of fear fuels the furnaces. A machine begins to be revealed from the fiery haze. We contemplate its nature and tremble.

"Patriot" Act, "Patriot" II. Fall in line! NOW! What did you say? We cannot afford the "luxury" of all the freedoms we've become accustomed to. What-did-you-say!? Do you wanna be an enemy combatant? You know what happens to enemy combatants don't ya? They go "poof"!


Now in full production. The forge is a blight on the country. The machine takes great and terrible shape. We can hardly bear its sight. But it looks strangely familiar....like a nightmare long forgotten. The thought fills us with despair.


WAR! WAR! WAR! Against whom? Why? Against whomever we say, and for any reason we damn well please. So what's it gonna be? Are you with us? Or, are you the enemy?


We clearly see the machine now. Nearly complete. We are filled with dread....it is an Empire Machine. Once complete, we fear it cannot be stopped. We behold our doom. The pounding from the forge is at a frenzy. We cannot think. Where is our salvation? Is there no champion to stop this abomination? Kerry? Dean? Edwards? anyone? Many answer, but none can stop it. Some too weak, others complicit in the machine's manufacture.


We Rule now. None can oppose. The New American Century is born! Our Empire Machine is complete. We control the treasure, the power and the people. Who are these pip-squeaks that would impede our magnificent machine? They will be crushed under it's treads.


The machine is complete. Now fear is fueling the machine itself, jingoism lubricates the mechanisms of domination. It will soon be operational. We who have not fallen under its spell huddle in anguished anticipation. The future looks bleak. Fear. Authoritarianism. Darkness and dread. Few will now speak. Fewer still are heard. A cry rises from the huddled masses. More like a plaintive wail. Are there no more American Heroes?


With a horrifying screech the machine starts to move. We've got it now, baby! No one can stop us! HA HA HA!!... huh?! What? Who the hell is THAT?!


Emerging from the smoke and fire strides a man. Steady. Fearless. A warrior. His heart is great and his eyes blaze. The machine's makers avert their eyes and curse under their breath. They waiver. We raise our eyes. Can he do it? Can HE defy the machine? We wonder and we dare to hope.


He will not allow the machine to destroy the people and defile the land. Not without a fight. He knows evil. He's defeated it before. He will not yield to it now. He turns to us and says "Fear not! The Empire Machine is alien to us, it cannot stand! Not if we have the courage to stand up to it. The courage to hold its makers to account. Do not despair! Two centuries of American patriots demand your courage! Now is the time to stand proud and save our country!"


So we lifted ourselves up. We felt the strength return to our limbs. Our eyes cleared. Our jaws set. We cast our lot with our hero, our champion, our General. And we were no longer afraid.


And our General led us, and we began to tear down the machine.

[Sparkly]

58. Wow

That reminds me of the "Wes Clark, savior of the universe" animation. Anybody else remember that? Is it still around?

[Texifornia]

59. Here you go

http://home.comcast.net/~freshlaundry/FLASH/

[BootinUp]

63. Great post. n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

64. Wow

no need to say anything else.

[FrenchieCat]

65. Sh*t! That was so exact, that I could feel it.....

Talking about visualizing words! I certainly saw it and see it just the way you described it. Thank you for that...

[robbedvoter]

68. Beautiful piece! I'm saving it!

[Jai4WKC08]

62. Beautifully written, Frenchie!

As always.

Wow, it's hard to come up with any one reason to admire Wes Clark. There are so many.

I was one who joined the draft movement because I saw in Clark someone with a better chance than anybody of being able to straighten out the failed Bush policies in Iraq and around the world. So I guess his resume, and his reputation on active duty, were the first things I admired. Sufficiently to know him to be "the President we were promised as kids."

Then I heard him speak, watching a townhall in NH and I was awe-struck by his intellect, his ability to see thru the depths of a problem, grip it at its essence and in its detail, and articulate an answer that neither evaded the ambiguities nor insulted the intelligence of the audience. In fact, it was the complexity of his mind that struck me so hard that I anticipated some of the trouble he would later encounter with the sad state of our media and shortness of the public attention span. But not anticipating that so many would be denied the opportunity to hear him at all, I naively believed his reputation and obvious charisma would make up for the American preference for leaders who aren't too much smarter than they are.

But then I started to really read and study his personal history. I talked to fellow veterans who had served with him. I read what others have written or said about him, people I respected such as Seymour Hersh, Michael Moore, Samantha Powers, George McGovern, and many others. I read his own books. Eventually I met him myself. And now what I admire most is that multifaceted aspect of a man we call character.

Wes Clark combines integrity, compassion and the courage to do what's right, regardless of the risk to his own self-interest, even to his very life, in a way that no other public person, certainly no mere politician, and quite possibly no one I've ever met can approach. And unlike so many in the public sphere, the evidence lies not in what he says one tenth so much as in what he has done, and what he continues to do. For the least of us. For all of us. As Americans and as citizens of the world.

As the ads used to say, and if we're lucky, will again someday:
"Wesley Clark. He will be an extraordinary American President."

[haypops]

67. A Once in a Lifetime Proposition

I came to know of General Clark through television. His intellect was obvious. So too was his common sense and intensity. Soon I was reading about him daily on the INTERNET. It was there that I learned of his patriotism and his concern for his fellow man. I am so impressed with the quality of people who follow him. I am in awe of your accomplishments and abilities. Only one as unique as Wesley Clark could have such a following/army. Truly Wes Clark is the seminal figure of our times.

[BikeWriter]

69. Well said! Wes Clark was my first choice, too! n/t

[Totally Committed]

70. Amazing, Evocative, and "On the Money"...

this gave me chills. "A Hero Emerges", indeed!

May this go from your "hands" to God's ear, my friend!

Wesley Clark will be an OUTSTANDING American President.

TC

[BootinUp]

71. Clark is the right man to be President in these times

He is not beholden to special interests.
He is a man of integrity and courage.
He is incredibly smart.
He removes the National Security edge from the republican side.
He fought very hard for our party's values during the last election and still is.
The more people learn about him and listen to him the more they like him.


I hope he gets the chance to run again in 2008. I think he really is the candidate who can garner more support from the independent voters, and security moms love him.