With the success of the surge in Iraq becoming more evident with each passing day, a new ailment has gripped the Mainstream Media and the liberals: Surge Derangement Sydrome (SDS). The earliest known case of SDS occurred on April 23 when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid responded to a question by CNN's congressional correspondent Dana Bash about whether he would believe General David Petraeus if he reported that the "so-called surge" is working:
REID: No, I don't believe him, because it's not happening. All you have to do is look at the facts.
Well, as we do look at the facts that the surge is working, the MSM and the liberals are showing more signs of severe SDS. Some of these SDS signs have been noted in the August 9 edition of Investor's Business Daily, 'Surge' Critics Perhaps Were Bit Premature:
Do Democratic opposition leaders keep blaming each other for voting for the Iraq War? Or are they now talking about expanding military operations to other countries?
Sen. Hillary Clinton once was damned for voting to authorize the war in Iraq. But her even-more-liberal rival Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., now expresses his own willingness to invade nuclear Islamic Pakistan.
...we have heard from the House's majority whip, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. He's worried that Gen. Petraeus' good news about the surge might be "a real problem for us" — "us" being anti-war Democrats. And at a congressional briefing, when Gen. Jack Keane reviewed the positive signs from the surge, Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., walked out on the testimony.
She complained that there was "only so much that you could take . . . after so much of the frustration of having to listen to what we listened to."
The SDS symptoms in the media have ranged from shock to feigned apathy, both of which examples were chronicled yesterday by NewsBusters Senior Editor Tim Graham. In the category of SDS shock is the stunned reaction on Wednesday of CNN American Morning anchor John Roberts when he heard Senator Dick Durbin state that there is military progress in Iraq:
But hold on. Let me back you up there. You said you did see military progress?
When Durbin confirmed that there was military progress with the caveat that there was little political improvement in Iraq, Roberts remained flustered:
I understand all of that. But Senator Durbin, everybody in the Democratic Party is saying that the surge has failed. Senator Casey, do you agree with your colleague that there are some signs of military progress here?
Unfortunately for Roberts, Senator Bob Casey was unable to ease his severe SDS with his confirmation that there was military progress in Iraq. In fact, Casey might have made Roberts' SDS even worse when he ridiculously suggested that now that the surge is working, it is time to change course from successful military policy in Iraq:
The problem here is that the President of the United States continues to insist on stay the course policy, no change in direction, no sense that the American people can determine that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. That's why I think there's a bipartisan agreement right now to change the course. I think the president should listen to the will of the American people.
In the feigned apathy category of SDS, we have the example of Matt Lauer. During his questioning of Senator John McCain on yesterday's Today Show, Lauer came up with this SDS gem:
There are some people who say, Senator, that the momentum, right now, in Congress is so strong to pull the troops out of Iraq that it doesn't matter what's in that report, in the middle of September from General Petraeus, or even in reports that follow that. Even if we start to change momentum in Iraq and start to see more success, the momentum in Congress is already so strong that it's unstoppable. How do you feel about that?
So now that the surge seems to be successful, Lauer is claiming that it doesn't really matter. His SDS is making him portray a successful surge as an obstacle to the liberal goal of leaving Iraq as quickly as possible. It is almost as if some commentator in 1944 stated that the successful landing in Normandy didn't matter. Of course, that didn't happen because no one suffered the equivalent of SDS in 1944.
What is the future prognosis for this severe ailment among the left? SDS will most likely continue to worsen until it reaches a fever pitch when General Petraeus makes his report to Congress on the progress of the surge in September. Shock, anger, and feigned apathy will be among its many symptoms as SDS takes its toll among the left.
—P.J. Gladnick is a freelance writer and creator of the DUmmie FUnnies blog.
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Same old Harry
August 10, 2007 - 08:21 ET by Prester JohnIf it goes against the Dem agenda it can't possibly be true.
The man is a disgrace.
Worse than a disgrace
August 10, 2007 - 09:09 ET by GalvanicI'd say he's dangerous. This guy is so obtuse that he's a danger to our national security, and as long as Senate Democrats retain this oaf as their Majority Leader, we can expect nothing practical or effective from the Senate, and worse, we might even harm ourselves.
I'd love to see Reid challenge GEN Petraeus' integrity in a Senate hearing. He'll self-destruct.
Sorry, I have to say it
August 10, 2007 - 08:21 ET by KC MulvilleAfter all this time, maybe "shock and awe" is actually happening ... to the Democrats!
KC, You said it
August 10, 2007 - 09:20 ET by BlondeKC,
You said it perfectly....wish I'd thought of "shock & awe" first (see my post below).
Surge Derangement
August 10, 2007 - 08:24 ET by BlondeOh, the SDS you describe is nothing more than the dem's realization that their anti-war stance is wrong. And it's soon going to get very, very painful as even the MsM is now reporting that the surge is working. I hope they have to eat their words in an extremely embarassing fashion come September when the official report comes out.
Do you notice how they're framing the shift though...they'll offhandedly acknowledge that the surge may be working, but the "political" situation in Iraq is failing. News flash for dem's....as the security situation improves, gee, you think the political situation might improve as well? You know, when people aren't getting blown up going to and from work?
PJ, great article, but a suggestion...find another pic. General Petraeus is a 3 star...and I'm sure he worked hard for each and every one of them.
Not really reporting, is it?
August 10, 2007 - 08:37 ET by ThisnThatJohn Roberts: "But Senator Durbin, everybody in the Democratic Party is saying that the surge has failed. Senator Casey, do you agree with your colleague that there are some signs of military progress here?"
Now that's interesting. A journalist is stunned, and has to turn to a Congressman to confirm an observation.
Isn't "observing" a journalist's job? Shouldn't the journalist be getting his material from "sources on the street"?
This isn't reporting. It's repeating. Journalists these days simply repeat what they hear and agree with, rather than report anything they see. This profession is sinking fast.
John Roberts? He was a video
August 10, 2007 - 15:58 ET by Del DolemonteJohn Roberts? He was a video jockey for the Canadian version of MTV. But that's what passes for "journalists" these days.
Here's a few options...
August 10, 2007 - 09:49 ET by AtillaKahunahttp://upload.wikime...
http://www.abc.net.a...
http://www.whitehous...
http://www.defesanet...
http://www.thewashin...
In the last picture, I believe that General Patreus was saying "Now, Senator Durbin, if I were to take a box this big, and put your common sense into it, I can say with total confidence that I would still have this much space left in that box."
Kahuna
Kahuna, Thanks for the
August 10, 2007 - 10:01 ET by BlondeKahuna,
Thanks for the pics with the correct number of stars...and I love it when we have our own cap-fests!
}}---> Surge working? Let's fix it
August 10, 2007 - 08:32 ET by Cool ArrowOh, the handwringing the Democarps are experiencing now. May God forgive them for their inner hope.
Best of: SDS
August 10, 2007 - 08:41 ET by BacchusHow about CNN's Kyra Phillips (of restroom voice-over of a presidential speech fame) asking General Ordierno if he thought he was committing "career suicide?" (ht - Laura Ingraham)
SDS examples
August 10, 2007 - 08:47 ET by P.J. GladnickThere are MANY examples of SDS and they are increasing the closer we get to the Petraeus report in September.
Don't have the time
August 10, 2007 - 08:49 ET by BeanManI'm assuming that the good folks here at NB as well as the big guy are going to carefully chronicle the democrat candidates descent into anti-war rhetoric as a full time persuit and then their attempt to then climb back out and pretend they didn't really say what they actually said.
I look forward to the MSM completely ignoring what they've said this summer and only focusing on what they say next summer. If you know what I mean.
Some times I just think I should volunteer to go to Room 101. Life must be so simple and easy as a liberal. No thinking, no worrying, no concerns that what I just said conflicts with what I'm now saying. I'd need a lobotomy though.
Since government is coercion, politics is largely the exercise of deception regarding the intended use of coercion - George Orwell
The Dems are sure stuck on stupid.
August 10, 2007 - 08:55 ET by MightyMouthThe Dems are sure stuck on stupid.
The "Surge" = stem the violence, kill the enemy and secure sectors of Iraq.
Apparantly it is doing that.
Not good enough for the dems, they now say the surge is supposed to magically solve the political problems in Iraq.
What a bunch of moroons, there hasn't been a single car bomb in D.C. and our congress can't even solve it's own political problems!
If the most secure and mature political process in the world can't solve it's problems how can they expect the fledgling Iraqi process to do the same?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Congress Recess
August 10, 2007 - 09:09 ET by PawpawNThey're playing on fact Iraqi Govt going on recess. Well isn't our US Congress going on recess now also. Haven't they taken many more than Iraqis? 2 sided talking. We need to get them all out and start over from scratch!!
Words that Don't Go Together (to Libs)
August 10, 2007 - 08:58 ET by mattmSchool - Prayer
Tax - Cut
Private - Retirement Fund
Mom - Dad
Military - Progress
Full Anti-American Mode
August 10, 2007 - 09:15 ET by misterbee241I remember during Vietnam how the Democrats and Hollywood liberals were in what I thought was full anti-American mode.
But I was wrong. Now the Democrats have gone way beyond their 60's persona and are calling field commanders liars, walking out on briefings because they dont like the news of victory and doing everything they can to prevent a victorious end to this war. And all because they hate Bush.
Are the people in this country ever going to wise up? Why do we keep putting these people in office?
Democrats are idiots
August 10, 2007 - 09:26 ET by tymanI'm actually happy that they are spouting off about how bad it is in Iraq and that we should leave. Come January, February and the election in 2008, their word will destroy any chance of victory. All the Repubs have to do is show clips of their loser mentality and we win!
The Dems only want to fight
August 10, 2007 - 09:25 ET by stonecutterThe Dems only want to fight when nobody fights back or fight "hypothetical wars" in speeches.They fold faster then Superman on laundry day when an enemy doesn't give up instantly
The problem here is that
August 10, 2007 - 09:30 ET by Tom1969caFirstly, I'd trust the professional soldiers on the ground to determine whether there's light at the end of the tunnel over "the American people" every day of the week and twice on Sunday. While I believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I have no more means to determine that than does John Roberts. General Petraeus, on the other hand, is in a position to determine whether the surge is working.
Secondly, what's wrong with "insist[ing] on stay-the-course policy" WHEN THE COURSE IS WORKING?
~~~
"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it."
-- Marge Simpson
Bob Casey
August 10, 2007 - 09:35 ET by P.J. GladnickBob Casey: One of the biggest DUnces in the Senate.
He has a lot of competition
August 10, 2007 - 09:53 ET by Prester JohnWhat a bunch of empty shirts (and blouses) we have:
Casey, Cardin, Klobuchar, Cantwell, McCaskill, Boxer, Brown, Stabenow
And then there are the downright dishonest and close to traitorous:
Reid, Kennedy, Durbin, Kerry.
It would be laughable if it wasn't so serious.
Truth Doesn't Matter!
August 10, 2007 - 09:35 ET by ChasvsWhen has the TRUTH ever matter to a Liberal? Only statements that support their position will be used. Whether they are true or not doesn't matter.
The REAL danger isn't BDS or SDS, it's DDS! Democrat Derangement Syndrome.
Worse than a disgrace
August 10, 2007 - 09:43 ET by libliebusterIt is a dangerous time when a major political party in a country is actively trying to lose a war it is fighting in order to put themselves into power. How many deaths are the democrats willing to cause to put a democrat in the white house?
Does anyone wonder why congress has a 12% approval rating right now? Did you notice Reid stopped deriding Cheney and saying he was not going to listen to someone with a 34% approval rating now that Reid has an 11% aproval? Bush's approval is four times bigger than Reid's.
The democrats are so scared that we will succeed in Iraq that they are trying to counter positive reports before they even happen. They have become the party of despicable pond scum.
The More Things Change...
August 10, 2007 - 09:50 ET by BruzillaSpeaking of WWII, from Time Magazine, Monday, Dec 18th, 1939:
"Off the train popped Joe Kennedy, face red as ever, to race through the echoing grand concourse of Washington's Union Station. His Mayfair chums would have been horrified, for it was breakfast time and spectacled Mr. Kennedy was still wearing last night's evening clothes.
"Unimportant to Joe Kennedy was his garb: Important was the bulging briefcase he clutched in one freckled hand — the fruit of a year's diplomatic ferreting in London's Whitehall by the U. S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James's.
"Pessimistic was Diplomat Kennedy: '. . . Continuation of the war will be catastrophic for the political, social and economic life of the peoples of the world.' Prophetic was Politician Kennedy: 'The problems that are going to affect the people of the United States ... are already so great and becoming greater by the war that they should be handled by a man it won't take two years to educate. . . "
So in 1939 we had a redfaced Joe Kennedy proclaiming the US couldn't win a war and that Roosevelt wasn't up to the task if we tried, and today we have his idiot offspring doing the same thing... and having the same red face.
Let's not forget that Joe
August 10, 2007 - 12:33 ET by fosstenLet's not forget that Joe Kennedy was an anti-Semite Nazi sympathizer.
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
Pelosie
August 10, 2007 - 10:00 ET by iveseenitallThe Democrat champagne to celebrate our defeat in Iraq remains on ice in Reid's office.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Is it just me?
August 10, 2007 - 10:10 ET by TheDeuceOr does Clyburn's comment not deserve public scorn and calls for his freaking ass? Will no one call for him to account for this statement?
"...we have heard from the House's majority whip, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. He's worried that Gen. Petraeus' good news about the surge might be "a real problem for us" — "us" being anti-war Democrats."
Why is it that the left believes that 'the people' noted in the 2nd is somehow different than the 'the people' mentioned elsewhere in our founding documents? Oh , that's right...leftists aren't very American to begin with...nevermind.
It's all relative to the purpose, truth included
August 10, 2007 - 11:28 ET by HeikiThis once again gets back to how liberals conduct themselves according to their ''feelings'' and logic be damned. Chasus, above, I think has the sense of things when bringing up the issue of truth. Because I know what needs to be changed in order to bring beneficial order to the unwashed masses, I will say ANYTHING that will have the effect of installing/keeping likeminded persons in positions of authority. Little technicalities like adhering to anything resembling truthful statements are a hindrance on the path toward progress and are srugged off with nary a thought. That's not to say that conservative politicians never lie, obfuscate or exaggerate; the difference is that (IMO) conservatives/libertarians more often tend to actually care whether or not what they are saying/writing has any truthful merit and not merely a ''gotcha'' or ''derailer'' in an idealogical/political exchange, so as to score political points and distract from uncomfortable truth tendencies in the dialogue.
What really burns my buns about all this ''time to get out'' swill from the left is that it shows a callous disregard for the Iraqi populace. It has been commented upon numerous times at NB: What will become of these people if we just up and bail on the project? ''We broke it, we've gotta fix it'' is an oversimplification, but captures the essence of the matter nontheless. We overthrew (right, wrong or indifferent) their government. We owe it to these folks to leave their land in a better state than we found it. America is the worst country in the world, barring all others. America is a land of winners, or at least I (despite a heap of MSM-supplied evidence purporting otherwise) hope so. If we can't take a bunch of losers masquerading as champions of some long-lost 7th Century Golden Age, we as a nation deserve to be subsumed in the sands of time. Of course, America being the indefinable, indomitable, incredible, irresistable party animal it is, will prevail, despite its enemies, both foreign and domestic.
Sounds vaguely like their
August 10, 2007 - 11:26 ET by Chris NormanSounds vaguely like their faith in Global Warming, except in reverse...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
The Surge Is Working (Part III)
August 10, 2007 - 21:13 ET by BlondeHere is a very interesting piece I found linked over at Blackfive.
It's long....a detailed account of how one unit (and it's most excellent commander...how the dems can undercut men like this is totally beyond me) has managed to effectively manage the counter-insurgency in one of Baghdad's worst neighborhoods.
This is something you'll never see in the MsM. Well worth the time.
Instead of SDS...
August 12, 2007 - 16:42 ET by Wildcatter1980it should to be SSDS or Surge Success Denial Syndrome.
Just my $0.02