Jun 24 2007
Conservatives Use Military Lives To Blackmail Bush
Too many conservatives are out of control emotionally when it comes to the immigration issue. Their obsession against defining gates and thepayment of fines and taxes for those who came or stayed in this country illegally (the majority actually coming from the latter group) that are contained in the current immigration bill has made these people so unstable they call fellow conservatives – including our President George Bush – traitors and un-American simply because we don’t share their amnesty hypochondriac-views. That is bad enough and has made the GOP a broken and divided party. But now some of these same lunatics are threatening to let al Qaeda win the war in Iraq – and throw away the sacrifices our military has given in life and blood – if we continue to allow the democratic process, the foundation of this country, to work its way on the issue of immigration:
Conservative leaders among House Republicans say that President Bush’s upcoming showdown with them on immigration could threaten support for the Iraq war as well as for the president’s other top policy goals.
Got that? If Bush continues to work with moderates and democrats as duly elected representatives in our Congress these turncoats will stop supporting the military and their efforts in Iraq. How dare these people call those of us who simply support a bill they oppose traitors! They are the ones who are threatening the lives of our military men and women on the front line with punishment if they do not get their way on a totally independent matter.
The same goes now with these GOP blackmailers as it did when the Surrendercrats tried to pull the rug out from the military a few weeks back and stop the war funding. At least the surrendercrats were arguing from an anti-war position – germaine to the matter at hand. But these amnesty hypochondriacs are not arguing Iraq, they are simply using it to blackmail Bush and the country.
This is truly the last straw with these so called conservatives. They cannot be for America if they are willing to make these kinds of threats when all America is doing is following the representative process outlined in our Constitution to determine policy. And as with all these threats, the ones making the threats swear it is not they who will sell out our troops over the idea long term illegal aliens now in this country can pay their debts to society by fines and backtaxes (and yes, it is in the bill that way). They claim it is darker, more sinister elements of the damnable GOP who will leave our troops unfunded on the battle field if they don’t get their way and lose the debate in a democratic process.
“The White House should keep in mind that if they have a direct confrontation with House Republicans on [immigration], it could affect the vote on the Iraq appropriation in September,” said Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican. “It will not affect me. I intend to stand by the president. But I do think it is something they should keep in mind for other Republicans who are borderline.”
…
Rep. Brian P. Bilbray, California Republican, said: “The president is obviously looking for a legacy on immigration. He’s looking for a legacy on Iraq. And I’m not so sure the legacy that he’s striving for is what he’s going to get.”
I can never align myself with a party that would make such threats during a time of war. I cannot abide anyone who tolerates or allows anyone to threaten our democracy by holding a financial gun at the heads of our soldiers on the front lines. I will NEVER become part of a political effort which would threaten to let our enemies win a critical base of operations from which to launch attacks against us because some immigrants might become US citizens in 15 years time. This really puts the nail in the coffin of the GOP for me. Either they pass this bill as proof they will not abide blackmail of this kind, or they continue to rationalize why they are willing to lie down with disreputable thieves and blackmailers. Rationalization is covert support for these threats – nothing else.
There is no way for the GOP to pretend their cause is rightous and honorable now that we have had another threat to cripple our war effort if democracy proves to be against them on one issue. I really cannot in good conscience ever support a party that does this to our military and our national defense. Granted, the Dems are more culpable and did this kind of thing earlier, but two wrongs don’t make a right. This is worse than breaking a law. This is an outright threat to undermine our government and our militart in an attempt to stop democracy from working. It is not a just crime – it is a sin. There is no going back now. The party needs to purge itself of this nonsense before it can be seen as honorable again. This is not debating, it is blackmail.
Instead of making wild accusations, how about naming names. You listed two in the post, both of whom say they will continue to support the Pres. so, just who are these that are threatening?
I saw this comment this morning and I tried to figure out the meme of it all, but so far it doesn’t make sense.
Supposedly these are those radical conservatives AJ talks about who want to scuttle the bill at any cost, who by extension should be the warmonger baby killer radical conservatives.
It just doesn’t play and doesn’t jive.
All I can see is a political chess play to sucker the dems into thinking one thing that isn’t true.
Pure political sandbagging.
At least the same bunch (different names – same organizations – same manipulators) threatened Reagan when he was working to disarm the USSR. History proved them wrong. History will prove this bunch wrong, also.
It proves George W. Bush is in the same company with Ronald W. Reagan. Twenty years from now when we have another Republican in office who is not dancing to the demands of out of control conservatives, they will be waxing poetic about how wonderful GWB was, and how horrid the current office holder is. I do hope to be around to remind them of this.
SJ Reidhead
The Pink Flamingo
Yeah, more evidence that both parties are politically retarded as far as I am concerned. It’s time for a new one.
Here’s what’s going to happen in ’08 … the Clintons are going to get Bloomberg to play the role that Perot played in both of Bill’s campaigns.
Split the Republican vote and get a Democrat elected with less than half the popular vote. Bill never got 50% of the popular vote in either election. Didn’t need to thanks to Perot.
I could not have stated it any better. Let me add my signature to A.J.’s manifesto:
[SNIP] I can never align myself with a party that would make such threats during a time of war. I cannot abide anyone who tolerates or allows anyone to threaten our democracy by holding a financial gun at the heads of our soldiers on the front lines. I will NEVER become part of a political effort which would threaten to let our enemies win a critical base of operations from which to launch attacks against us because some immigrants might become US citizens in 15 years time. This really puts the nail in the coffin of the GOP for me. Either they pass this bill as proof they will not abide blackmail of this kind, or they continue to rationalize why they are willing to lie down with disreputable thieves and blackmailers. Rationalization is covert support for these threats – nothing else.
This is worse than breaking a law. This is an outright threat to undermine our government and our militart in an attempt to stop democracy from working.
It is not a just crime – it is a sin.
If Bloomberg, who is a liberal, were to get into the presidential sweepstakes he would draw more votes away from the Dem candidate then the Rep one. Bloomberg was a Dem and became a Rep in order to run for mayor after Rudi. He is an opportunist and a liberal with a liberal agenda.
This is the choice Pres. Bush chose to make when he presented a bill that over half the people in this country, and especially his base supporters, oppose. He knew he had his hands full with the War in Iraq and on terrorists. Apparently he thought that because we stood behind him and supported him in those efforts, we would accept anything he did. , instead of reinforcing the borders to stop the steady flow of third world refuse streaming into this country , which is affecting most of us personally in one way or the other, he chose to work up a mega super collossal package of goodies for the invaders with a few promises to do better at enforcing the laws already on the books . In effect he expected us to swallow a ton of manure to get a few promises of sugar pills. Well, the war is old hat. It’s been going on long enough that it is just another fact of life. Our GI’s are over there fighting with one hand tied behind their backs, expected to win a war without killing anyone or damaging any property. We have not won a war since WWII because we have restricted how our military leaders could fight for fear that our troops would do something that someone else would disapprove of. We have let left wing bleeding hearts dictate our military strategy instead of giving our military leaders permission to fight to win at all costs. There is no way we can win this war unless this strategy is reversed. Especially since we are constantly being told that the enemy is not really our enemy but adherants of a “Religion of Peace,” And it’s just a few bad apples who are stirring up trouble. I am disappointed that Bush has accepted the failed strategy of JFK, LBJ, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Reagan never sent our troops in with orders not to shoot unless someone shot at them first. Remember Grenada? We were in and out with no casaulties. Reagan won the Cold War because everyone knew he meant business and had no intentions of playing at war. My biggest regret is that we have not had a Patton to lead our Army in Iraq. Or that if we did have someone like him he has been pussy whipped or dishonorably discharged for being too aggressive.
But with this invasion of uneducated, disease ridden, beligerant aliens who think it is their right to move in on us and expect us to provide them with the good life, free health care and education, while they drag our whole system down to their third world level , affects us all. We live with it every day. Every where we go , they are all over the place, chattering in foregin tongues with hoards of stair stepped children in tow. Enough is enough. If Bush is n’t going to fight to win the war , the least he could do is propose legislation that would stem the flow of this invasion. Bush’s stance on this immigration thing is so blatant a slap in the face to most of us that we are still in shock. We trusted him and He has betrayed us. He thinks more of foreigners rights than he does ours. Hell, He is even talking about rebuilding damaged Mosques in Iraq while Muslims burn down Christian Churches and Synagogues. I think Bush has pushed it too far. It isn’t us that is betraying our military in Iraq. This is the choice that Bush made. As soon as he knew that most of us violently oppose this laizze faire open borders policy, he should have taken another course, instead he had stuck to his guns and demanded we accept it or else. It’s like, Bend over. we are going to get it whether we like it or not.
Momdear1
I will have to respectfully pose a difference from you because of the parameters of this fight.
If you are in a pure nation state v nation state tasking then yes breaking things and killing people in the most efficient manner carries the day.
However look at the history here. What you propose is exactly what Russia did on the Afgahn front (and all places they play in) and got out the looser.
Don’t read me wrong there I have a lot of issues with the ROE simply because one size does not fit all.
When easily told threats roll up at high speed to a checkpoint it shouldn’t be treated with the same multiple step “engagement escalations” that you would treat 3 old ladies in Burkas on the way to the market.
An asymmetrical fight is a whole different animal.
It took the French a long time to learn that in a past conflict where they won the war and lost popular support at home and lost the place they were fighting for and then also forgot how the public trashed the effort in VietNam before we took the handoff.
With all due respect I cant recommend this read too much. It packs in a bit of history that has a lot of parallels to our current situation but without some of the religo/politico aspects of the whole affair which shows each conflict is unique.
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/cm/main/viewArticle.html?id=10856
Read it please, it says a lot.
“And it’s just a few bad apples who are stirring up trouble. I am disappointed that Bush has accepted the failed strategy of JFK, LBJ, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Reagan never sent our troops in with orders not to shoot unless someone shot at them first. Remember Grenada?”
I loved Reagan but lets remember Lebanon also. Also I like the General we got in their now.
“If Bush is n’t going to fight to win the war , the least he could do is propose legislation that would stem the flow of this invasion”
“As soon as he knew that most of us violently oppose this laizze faire open borders policy”
Do word mean any thing anymore? Open borders? Please!!! You want to see open borders I can point you to people on the left and tight that endorsr that concept.
You know Bush ran on this. BY the way he also gort more hispanic vote than any other Republican. He is keeping his word. How shocking. Bush didnt betray anyone
That is what this bill trys to do. You might diagree that you can do it but I don’t think he is doing this for window dressing. Real ID, Real Worker VerFication. THat is the real fence
“Bush’s stance on this immigration thing is so blatant a slap in the face to most of us that we are still in shock. We trusted him and He has betrayed us”
That is so silly. Bush betrayed you? Bush ran on this twice!!!! HE didnt betray you. Now the base on the other hand has been lacking a couple of times
AJ, I hope to God that this just people sounding off. IF these happens we are serious trouble as a party.
THis blackmail will not do. I am sorry I will not stand by that.
I remember that some in the GOP tried a similar stunt during the Dubai Ports World affair, trying to force President Bush to choose between not alienating a Middle East ally and funding the war.
It would seem that some in the GOP simply are not serious about the war.
Bush did not slap anyone in the face. I remember during the last campaign people spent more time talking about embryonic stem cell research than they did immigration. If they were so freaking obsessed with the issue, where were they then? Why wait until 08 to have a presidential election about illegal immigration?
Bush has always supported a guest worker program and so far as I know he never campaigned on building walls, neither did Reagan. And as far as Bush being lassez faire, he has put more resources on that border than any president in history. That is just a fact. And the number of people crossing that border is actually declining.
Bush is not the one doing the betraying here. He is not the one putting the knife in anyone’s back. He is not the one making threats.
The right for all of its hysteria has not come up with any viable alternative to the status qua that can actually be passed into law. They have not come up with any realistic alternative when it comes to dealing with the millions of people here. It seems they consider ignoring people to be a deterrent, I don’t know why, it has not worked so far.
In fact I think the right needs to look at what they have accomplished so far and asked themselves if it was worth it. The tactics I have seen have very nearly driven me away from the Republican party. I still support them because of people like Bush and some of those maligned Senators out there.
So far I have heard that there are no enforcement provisions in the bill, the enforcement provisions are not real, there will be no wall, there is no wall, the wall is there but it is not long enough, all illegals will be able to vote, all legal immigrants will be deported, the US will merge with Mexico and cease to exist, the Illumaniti is behind the bill, illegals will be able to rape and kill without any fear of punishment, our culture will disappear, blah blah blah.
They remind me of the Know Nothings back in the mid 19th century who were so sure that the Catholics from Europe were part of a papal invasion against a protestant country. In fact they convinced themselves that the Pope was planning a military assault on Cincinnati.
The Know Nothings are back, only this time there is no Abraham Lincoln out there to slap them down.
Exactly who is blackmailing Bush? Some guy surmises that someone might blackmail Bush, and AJ starts frothing that hypochondriacs are blackmailing Bush. My, I do indeed notice a hypochondriac.
smill,
The article came out of the Washington Times – not your liberal news rag. Face it, the ones losing support are the hardliners – and deservedly so.
Personnally, I don’t see either side, regardless of the name-calling, with a strong hand at this point. McConnell said Friday that the cloture vote was too close to call – and that is the critical vote right now in the Senate. If they don’t get cloture, the bill is in trouble. A couple of Rep Senators that they had counted on to vote for cloture have come out against it…so it will be close.
In the House, conservative Rep and conservative Dems are both against the bill and the Black caucus has serious issues with it. Chances are if an immigration bill even gets out of the House it will probably not even look like the Senate bill.
This is no “slam dunk” from either prespective.
Merlin: thanks for that; that is one of THE best articles on the topic, I’ve ever read!
Terrye – President Bush has no one to blame but himself. He is the one that is pushing this abomination, not us “Amnesty Hypochondriacs†as you like to label us. It is never wise to side with your enemy and go against 80% of your base of support.
This amnesty bill was devised in the secrecy of corruption behind closed doors and brought straight to the Senate floor, bypassing the cleanup and public benefit of the committee process, with the full court press of the Republican Leadership and the President of the United States in an attempt to get this abomination passed before the public could become aware of the CRITICAL SECURITY LOOPHOLES within it.
Senator Sessions has a list of 20 such loopholes available at his website. Please take a look.
Now, it appears our Republican Leadership supports this “Clay Pigeon†idea that will further abort the traditional rights of the Senate opposition.
Terrye, if this bill is so good, why all this secrecy? Why the abortion of the normal Senate process?
Our government has ignored this problem for 20 years by refusing to enforce the existing laws and secure our borders. THEY HAVE NO CREDABILITY AND WILL NOT BECOME TRUSTWORTHY UNTIL THE BORDER IS SECURE.
Senator Lott even said on the Mike Wallace program yesterday that he and Senator Feinstein were going to vote for this bill regardless of what happens. Sound like a secret behind closed-door fix might already be a done deal?
I strongly support our President in the mislabeled “war in Iraq†but I fear we may loose in the long run by his refusal to call this war what it really is, a war by Radical Islamism against all western civilization. Iraq is merely the main battle and this mislabel has allowed the Democrats to successfully call this nothing more than a “civil war in Iraq†instead. Big mistake.
AJ – Thank you again for your excellent help on the Iraq war issue.
Townhall can’t even pull a fictionalized account (supposedly a “future history”) of assassinating the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted Ramos and Compean.
This kind of blackmail is not surprising.
Still waiting for you to name names. None in the article and none listed in the newspaper story. If you’re so sure they’re hypochondriacs, you should at least be able to quote their names.
ALL these people against him but not a name to name.
How did that saying go? water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. Name Names, don’t just CALL names.
Senator Lott even said on the Mike Wallace program yesterday that he and Senator Feinstein were going to vote for this bill regardless of what happens.
Yep, he did say that. I lived in Miss for 21 years and he was my Senator all that time. Never thought he would betray us like that.