Blaming Bush may be popular with the MoveOn.org crowd, contrary to Mr. Edwards' rhetoric, there were terror attacks before Bush was President and there will be attacks after he leaves office. Mr. Edwards says that "the war on terror" is just a slogan and not a plan. Well, what is Mr. Edwards' plan? Does he have one? Only his hairdresser knows for sure.Well its apparent that Mr. Varvel can't use the "internets" to find Sen. Edwards clear position on global terrorism and his plan to deal with it:
It is now clear that George Bush's misnamed "war on terror" has backfired—and is now part of the problem.
The war on terror is a slogan designed only for politics, not a strategy to make America safe. It's a bumper sticker, not a plan. It has damaged our alliances and weakened our standing in the world. As a political "frame," it's been used to justify everything from the Iraq War to Guantanamo to illegal spying on the American people. It's even been used by this White House as a partisan weapon to bludgeon their political opponents. Whether by manipulating threat levels leading up to elections, or by deeming opponents "weak on terror," they have shown no hesitation whatsoever about using fear to divide.
But the worst thing about this slogan is that it hasn't worked. The so-called "war" has created even more terrorism—as we have seen so tragically in Iraq. The State Department itself recently released a study showing that worldwide terrorism has increased 25% in 2006, including a 40% surge in civilian fatalities.
By framing this as a "war," we have walked right into the trap that terrorists have set—that we are engaged in some kind of clash of civilizations and a war against Islam.
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I am here today to announce a new pledge to America's servicemen and women, their families, and our veterans. We will stand by you just as you have stood by us. As president, I will implement a defense policy based on five major principles:
- Ensuring that our military policy is planned and executed to fulfill essential national security missions, not some ideological fancy;
- Repairing the tremendous damage done to civil-military relations;
- Rooting out cronyism and waste and increasing efficiency in the Pentagon;
- Rebalancing our force structure for the challenges of the new century, including improving our capabilities to help weak or failing states;
- And taking a broader view of security throughout our government.
With these steps, we can begin to rebuild an American military for a new century.
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We need a strong military for a new century, and we need one based on hope, not fear. As Robert F. Kennedy once wrote, "Our answer is the world's hope." Our answer is the world's hope. We will need imagination and courage to imagine great possibilities, to create a world where terrorism belongs to the past. We must, at the same time, rely on our heritage: a time when we were admired by the world, where we shared, with generosity and good faith, our ideals of truth, justice, and equality.
Like a beacon, America can once again provide a clear light for the world—dissolving the fog of injustice, illuminating the path to a new century.
Its simply clear that some just dont "get it" when it comes to a modern, post-Bush approach to dealing with terrorism.
And I-you know, to be very simple about this, whether it's the war in Iraq, whether it's universal healthcare, whether it's getting off our addiction to oil, whether it's dealing with the issue of climate change, whether it's dealing with an issue that's enormously important to me, which is the inequality that still exists in this country, 37 million people who wake up every single day in poverty, for me it's very simple and this is it: No more pontificating, no more vacillating, no more triangulating, no more broken promises, no more pats on the head, no more 'we'll get around to it next time', no more talking half a loaf, no more tomorrow.We got a quick photo before we all moved on (your blog author was the photographer):
While Rosie O'Donnell is a poster girl for far left propaganda, far more serious is the conduct of John Edwards. The former vice presidential candidate has sold his soul to far left interests and is now telling the world the war on terror is a "bumper sticker." — Imagine losing a loved one on 9/11 hearing that.
Edwards is running a preposterous campaign. He lives like a sultan in a 30,000 foot North Carolina house. Look at that! Yet he decries economic unfairness in America. He runs around telling Americans the system is rigged, while paying $400 for a haircut. This guy is a one-man sitcom.
Now across the street from his palatial mansion is a trailer park where working class Americans live. They are neighbors of John Edwards. Some like him. Most don't.
[Interviews]
We couldn't find anybody in the trailer park to say anything nice about John Edwards.
Now "Talking Points" tries to respect all of those who want to serve their country, but Edwards is an exception. I have no respect for him. He's a phony and is in the tank for special interest to damage this country. Edwards is going nowhere, but deserves to be called out.
This is just more cheap political shots from a hack at a propoganda outlet loosing its muster among average Americans.
Where to even begin:What I do know is that it is no news bulletin that John and I have money. It is no news bulletin that he earned every cent. And it is no news bulletin that children in Robbins read in a nice children's library room, that high school students in Raleigh and Goldsboro do their research in nice computer labs, that Raleigh Parks and Rec centers have computer labs for residents, that the homeless in the Triangle have assistance with their shelters and Habitat for Humanity has assistance in building them homes -- among other things -- because John did not just spend what he earned on himself. He does not need to apologize, and you do not need to apologize for him. (Although bless your hearts for wanting to.)John Edwards understands working class people, and he's shown it with his tireless support of trade unions (who built the middle class), his universal healthcare proposal, his rural recovery plan, his work to rasise the minimum wage in 6 states, etc.
EDWARDS GAINS STRENGTH IN INDIANA
More than 30 Democratic leaders endorse Edwards for president
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – As Senator John Edwards’ presidential campaign continues to gain support across the country, more than 30 Democratic leaders from Indiana came out in support of Edwards and his vision to transform America. Among those endorsing Edwards for president are Indiana House of Representatives Majority Leader Russ Stillwell and former Indiana Democratic Party Chairs Robin Winston and Ann DeLaney.
“As a third generation coal miner, I understand the challenges facing America’s working families,” said Stilwell. “Between caring for elderly parents, paying their bills and educating their children, working men and women struggle to make ends meet. John Edwards understands the choices facing Hoosier workers as they strive to provide for their families. I am proud to join other Democrats in supporting John Edwards for President because I know he will work to make the American dream a reality for all of us.”
Winston endorsed Edwards saying, "John Edwards embodies the spirit of our party. He has plans to address the issues that matter to Hoosier families — plans to provide universal health care, create a new energy economy, strengthen our middle class and protect our country. Senator Edwards reminds me of the best of our Midwest values and will help move Indiana and our nation forward."
DeLaney said, “I think that John Edwards is uniquely qualified in this very dangerous time to lead our country. He shares the values of Hoosiers and understands the challenges facing the middle class. I enthusiastically endorse his candidacy.”
The Indiana Democrats endorsing Edwards for president are:
Ann DeLaney, former Indiana Democratic Party Chairperson
Robin Winston, former Indiana Democratic Party Chairperson
Russ Stilwell, Majority Leader, Indiana House of Representatives
Dennie Oxley House Majority Whip
State Representative Terri Austin
State Representative Terry Goodin
State Representative Sheila Klinker
State Representative Robert Kuzman
State Representative Linda Lawson
State Representative Scott Pelath
Nancy Michael, Mayor of Greencastle
D. William (Bill) Moreau, Jr. Former Chief of Staff to Governor Evan Bayh
Shaw Friedman, 2004 Dean for America Indiana coordinator, General Chairman of the Donnelly for Congress (IN-02), former LaPorte County Democratic Chair, and former Legal Counsel, Indiana Democratic Party
Mike Jones 9th Congressional District Chair
Marjorie Warnick, 3rd Congressional District Democratic Vice Chair
Mary Lou Terrell, 8th Congressional District Vice Chair former Indiana Democratic Party Vice Chair
Tom O’Donnell Business Manager IBEW Local 481
Brian Williams former Political Director Indiana Democratic Party
Mark Owen, former Vanderburgh County Democratic Chair
Greg Hahn, Legal Counsel, Marion County Democratic Party and attorney
Terry Burns, Marion County Democratic Party Communications Director
Elizabeth (Beth)White, Marion County Clerk
Bruce Kehoe, partner in Kehoe and Willingham
Edward DeLaney, community activist
Laura Michaels, local businesswoman
David Galvin, political activist
John Wilcox, political activist
Ehren Bingaman, political activist
Kate Sweeney-Bell, political activist
Amanda Lawson, political activist
Patty Yount, political activist
Add your name to the petition (70k signatures and growing) asking the US Congress to End the War in Iraq by challenging this President with real binding measures in funding to defund the escalation and end the occupation of Iraq and redeploy. We need to speak clearly to the Congress that it is their responsibility to control the power of the purse. We can no longer allow George W. Bush to ignore our best interests in further engaging in the current failed policy in Iraq.
Check out the "We the People" campaign at JohnEdwards.com and watch the newest ads.
