Freeps on Frist: "Thank God. I thought Frist had lost his mind over this"

[Human Torch]

Frist: Remarks about Taliban distorted and taken out of context
Townhall ^ | October 2, 2006 | Bill Frist

http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/c3b6d35f-d097-40c9-86d5-56e7d06d6a1f

Posted on 10/02/2006 3:29:40 PM PDT by Roscoe Karns
Edited on 10/02/2006 3:49:15 PM PDT by Admin Moderator.

Bill Frist: "I’m currently overseas visiting our troops in Afghanistan, but I wanted to take a moment to address an Associated Press story titled, “Frist: Taliban Should Be in Afghan Gov’t.” The story badly distorts my remarks and takes them out of context. First of all, let me make something clear: The Taliban is a murderous band of terrorists who’ve oppressed the people of Afghanistan with their hateful ideology long enough. America’s overthrow of the Taliban and support for responsible, democratic governance in Afghanistan is a great accomplishment that should not and will not be reversed. Having discussed the situation with commanders on the ground, I believe that we cannot stabilize Afghanistan purely through military means. Our counter-insurgency strategy must win hearts and minds and persuade moderate Islamists potentially sympathetic to the Taliban to accept the legitimacy of the Afghan national government and democratic political processes. National reconciliation is a necessary and an urgent priority … but America will never negotiate with terrorists or support their entry into Afghanistan’s government. "

To: Roscoe Karns

Thank God. I thought Frist had lost his mind over this. Should have known it was the MSM at their best (worst!).

4 posted on 10/02/2006 3:30:52 PM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX (Bible Thumper and Proud!))

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To: Roscoe Karns

I wondered when I read the first reports if this was another media hack job. I couldn't imagine Frist saying that--as presented, anyway.

11 posted on 10/02/2006 3:36:44 PM PDT by MizSterious (Anonymous sources often means "the voices in my head told me.")

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To: everyone

I'm willing to believe the comments were distorted, but it's a politician's job to make sure he cannot easily be distorted. And for a Republican politician, it's a necessity. It will be good to have someone else as majority leader. With Frist, you always had to put that term in quotes. Even if we do badly in this election, at least our leader in the Senate, if it's McConnell, will be better. And we probably couldn't do worse.

13 posted on 10/02/2006 3:41:25 PM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charlie the Tuna out there. It's Jaws." -- Richard Nixon)

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To: CWOJackson

I don't find his explanation any more persuasive than the original statement.

14 posted on 10/02/2006 3:42:53 PM PDT by MarcusTulliusCicero

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To: MarcusTulliusCicero

I detest him and Hastert both, and this explanation isn't anything to be proud of, but it also isn't quite what was originally reported. If he and Hastart really wanted to do this nation a service they would give up their (lack of) leadership positions.

18 posted on 10/02/2006 3:46:20 PM PDT by CWOJackson

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To: Roscoe Karns

Good. I loathe him a little less.

21 posted on 10/02/2006 3:50:17 PM PDT by WhistlingPastTheGraveyard (better put some ice on that, Chris)

[kurth]

1. Don't they have to take a supersize aspirin everyday to analyze,

justify, and glorify all the bullshit from their leaders?