The improving situation in Iraq is driving certain congressmen and congresswomen to rhetorical depths I don't recall ever seeing.
Though there have almost surely been other instances of offensive excess on the House Floor over the Iraq War, we've recently been treated to at least the following:
- Pete Stark (D-CA), October -- "You don't have money to fund the war or children,'' Stark said. "But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement." Stark, under intense pressure from Nancy Pelosi, later tearfully apologized.
- David Obey (D-WI), November -- Insurgents “are running out of people to kill,” and “There are fewer targets of opportunity.” I do not believe that Obey has backed off of his remarks.
- Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), December -- "They (Republicans) like this war. They want this war to continue." Pelosi later "clarified," saying she meant to say "support" instead of "like."
The latest example, courtesy of Virginia Congressman Jim Moran on Wednesday, may, despite the strong competition noted, take the prize for greatest smear of our president, his administration, and/or our troops -- ever.
It all depends on what the definition of "we" is (link is to "full" YouTube video; HT Weapons of Mass Discussion, which has a 13-second clip).
Here is a transcript of the short clip:
..... good schoolgirls having to go to school wearing their veils? A repressive society, what will become a Shiite theocracy?
Sure, there's less violence, but that's because we've ethnically cleansed most of Baghdad.
As to who "we" is, I would suggest, in the context of the full video, that the answer is "all of the above."
Vets For Freedom (vetsforfreedom.org) has responded, apparently via e-mail. Here are the opening paragraphs (the full text is at Weapons of Mass Discussion; bolds are mine):
(Washington, DC) Vets for Freedom condemns the recent comments by Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) on the floor of the House of Representatives in which he stated that American troops “ethnically cleansed Baghdad.” The United Nations, along with the rest of the civilized world, commonly refers to ethnic cleansing as genocide.
“Once again, Congressman Moran demonstrates how far from reality he has fallen,” said Executive Director of Vets for Freedom and Iraq Army veteran, Pete Hegseth. “Jim Moran has a long history of putting his foot in his mouth, but this time he has gone too far. The men and women who make up our nation’s military are decent and honorable citizens who bravely serve to fight our enemies who threaten our national security. Insinuating that they are war criminals is outright despicable.”
Old Media coverage is nil. This Google News search on "Moran ethnically" (not in quotes) has one item, a blog post at Michelle Malkin's Hot Air.
The fact that these outrageous insults continue to spew forth from Congress, and continue to go either unreported or underreported, tells you all you need to know about where Old Media's sympathies lie.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
—Tom Blumer is president of a training and development company in Mason, Ohio, and is a contributing editor to NewsBusters




















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Constituents
December 21, 2007 - 09:17 ET by KC BeachYou would think there would be enough family members in VA of our "ethnic cleansing" troops to make this moron Moran a short timer in Congress. After all it's Christmas time, a time for hope.
Sorry
December 21, 2007 - 09:21 ET by Prester JohnHe represents the People's Republic of Arlington--he has the seat as long as he wants it.
What I don't get is why
December 22, 2007 - 01:03 ET by ConservativeRexWhat I don't get is why someone hasn't stepped up in the house and popped him right in the snout.
If someone were to do that, they would be re-elected as many times as they wish to run. We can not afford to continue having idiots screeching against our current administration and government in the halls of the people.
ConRex
December 22, 2007 - 01:08 ET by Cool ArrowDon't tell everybody. Who knows when Cynthia McKinney might show up and mistake Harriet Reid for Capitol Security?
I ♣ My Seal
Believe me, MISTER Moran,
December 21, 2007 - 09:27 ET by drillanwrBelieve me, MISTER Moran, IF "we" HAD ethnically cleansed Baghdad ... it would be EMPTY!
As for "we" = "troops" ... Our troops ARE us ... They ARE "we" ... Moran's use of the pronoun "we" is his stupid-assed way of self-flogging to enrich his attempt at smearing the stench of self-imposed guilt on the administration, the troops, and this country ... that frankly just doesn't exist, except in his windy mind.
These people in the swamp are always screaming to bring the troops home. From what I am hearing from "the troops", you bring them home and they'll be aiming for Congress ...
Said like a true roughneck driller....
December 21, 2007 - 09:48 ET by JayTeeI do believe we're going to see some Iraq Vets running for Congress (if they do not re-Enlist), and they will win in a landslide where ever they run.
Come election time in 2 years, the Vet on the "primary ballot" will remind you that Iraq truly was not a Viet Nam.
Any VET in the Iraq war has more "International" Experience than Obama or hillary, and they can Recognize a Terrorist from 50 yds away. Hillary couldn't recognize a Terrorist if she was in bed with one.
AMEN, JayTee
December 21, 2007 - 10:01 ET by drillanwrAllen West Running for Congress in Florida
December 20, 2007
"I’m not part of the Republican machine,” retired Lt. Col. Allen West (R) said in a phone interview from Afghanistan. “I bring the experience of being here. I can tell them what kind of enemy we are facing.”
West, who is running in Florida’s 22nd district against Rep. Ron Klein (D), has been working for a private security company in Afghanistan since June 2005, training officers in the Afghan army. He is returning to the United States on Nov. 2.
West, who served in Iraq as a battalion commander of the 4th Infantry Division, disagrees with some of Bush’s terminology. “Terror is a tactic, not an enemy,” West explained. “We’ve become terrain-oriented, not enemy-oriented.”
Allen West, an African-American, has lived his life in service to America. In 2004, when it was time to retire from more than twenty years of service in the US Army, Col. West brought his wife and two young daughters to Broward County, Florida, where he taught high school for a year. Col. West then returned to Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghan army, an assignment that he finishes in November 2007.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Col. West received BS (UT) and MS degrees in political science (KSU). He also holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the US Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military history and operations.
"Education is the great equalizer," he says. "With a good education, any child in America can live his dream."
Col. West knows that for our children to live their dreams, they need to be safe. He has faced down the world's terrorists: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was battalion commander for the Army's 4th Infantry Division, and in Afghanistan, where he trains Afghan officers to take on the responsibility of securing their own country.
In his Army career, Col. West has been honored many times, including a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a Valorous Unit Award. He received his valor award as a Captain in Desert Shield/Storm, was the US Army ROTC instructor of the year in 1993, and was a Distinguished Honor Graduate III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas Air Assault School.
Excellence is a West family tradition. His lovely wife, Angela, holds an MBA and PhD. and works as a financial planner. His daughter, Aubrey, 13, was just accepted into Cambridge academic program at Ft Lauderdale HS and his daughter, Austen, 10, is a budding young pianist.
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/articles/article.html?id=29854
G-d Speed, Col. West!
JayTee
December 21, 2007 - 10:15 ET by drillanwrPS
When I said the troops would be "aiming for" Congress ... Yeah, I really DID mean aiming ... <eh, hemmm>
Well said, drill!
December 21, 2007 - 12:01 ET by motherbeltWell said, drill! Especially this part:
Moran's use of the pronoun "we" is his stupid-assed way of
self-flogging to enrich his attempt at smearing the stench of
self-imposed guilt on the administration, the troops, and this country
..
He is the personification of the self-loathing American pandering to the worst elements in the world.
If Moran and other Democrats really believe this bilge, they have no recourse. They cannot, in good conscience, allow this madman to rule the country one more day. They need to start impeachment proceedings RIGHT NOW! How can they stand by in silence if they truly believe that the Commander-in-Chief has ordered the Armed Forces of the United States to engage in ethnic cleansing???
Unfortunately James
December 21, 2007 - 09:55 ET by BlazerUnfortunately James Whore-an represent's NOVA, " the other Virginia" , Virginia-stan, Vexico, or Vindia if you like. Another example of open border's and pc run amok. Whor-an represent's a group of sellout NVA politician's who believe in whoring themselves out to stay in power.
He's just preachin' to his moonbat choir.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
<sarc>
December 21, 2007 - 10:00 ET by motherbelt<sarc>
Comeon, Mr. Blumer, don't get all upset! This is just another example of the Democrats being "passionate" about [their] views", as Her Speakerness Pelosi said about Stark's remarks.
Now when a Republican says that Max Cleland voted against the Homeland Security Bill (which he did), that's besmirching the honor of one of our brave veterans.
<sarc off>
This is despicable. It's worse than Murtha's accustation that our troops "gunned down civilians in cold blood."
And the media yawns.
mb -
December 21, 2007 - 10:03 ET by drillanwr"yawning" is a sign of lack of oxygen ...
Which proves the MSM is inhaling something else ...
I like the war
December 21, 2007 - 10:08 ET by mattmBecause it's exposing the Left for the America-Hating defeatist capitulating cowards they are, and because the fact that we're winning is driving them even more insane than they already were to begin with.
What a sad thing it must be to live in their world of defeat, anguish, weakness and fear. And how weird it must be to despair over the destruction of murderers and terrorists and over the establishment of a representative government in the heart of a region that has only one other such government, Israel.
What's strange is that the people who are distraught at the success of the spread of democracy are the ones who call themselves Democrats.
Modern"Liberals"
December 21, 2007 - 10:38 ET by iveseenitallModern "liberalism" is a mental disease. But unlike other mental disorders, this one is contagious. This guy Jim Moron,er, Moran, is a carrier. People in Virginia and Washington should be wearing ear plugs and those little white masks.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Gee, Mr. Twit Moron
December 21, 2007 - 10:55 ET by c5thenWhen Saddam was the dictator of Iraq, the 10% Sunni minority ruled with an iron fist over the 80% Shiite majority. Now they elect their representatives...but more to the point, what "ethnicity" do you contend has been "cleansed" from Baghdad?
You really are an anti-American, Anti-democratic bigot and insane left-winger who suffers from a bad case of BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome). You really need to get some therapy and quickly.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Look at what a couple of
December 21, 2007 - 11:43 ET by RangerTomLook at what a couple of 'fine' democrats are introducing in congress. Seems like they want to take credit for something.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-4020
Screw diversity, celebrate competancy
It Took A Couple Reads
December 21, 2007 - 16:09 ET by JoelCTI had to read it twice, then read it one more time, even more slowly. Why would Jackson-Lee, of all people, put this Bill up?
Vote 624: H R 2956: This bill would require the president to begin reducing the number of U.S. troops serving in Iraq 120 days after its enactment... - Voted Yes
Vote 425: H R 2206: This bill would provide funding in Iraq without setting withdrawal deadlines for troops... Voted No
Vote 265: H R 1591: House and Senate conferees approved this legislation providing $124.2 billion primarily for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and setting benchmarks and a timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq... Voted Yes
Vote 186: H R 1591: The bill offers supplemental appropriations to help the United States fight the global war on terror, among other things. However, President Bush has vowed to veto the bill because it includes a timeline for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq... Voted Yes
Vote 99: H CON RES 63: This measure expresses the House's disagreement with President Bush's planned troop buildup in Iraq... Voted Yes
I could go on and on, but you get the point. So what is she doing here? Finally, I figured it out. She wants another PAID NATIONAL HOLIDAY! I feel dumb for not having figured it out on the first read...
"...to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe a national day of celebration commemorating military success in Iraq..."
Joel
December 21, 2007 - 16:48 ET by drillanwrDay-yamm!
You cracked that nut! Heh!
Investigation needed
December 21, 2007 - 12:27 ET by celatorThis article confirms an idea I've had for some time.
There must be a complete, wide-ranging investigation of the financial affiars of members of Congress and members of the MSM who routingly disparage American military men and women, and their leaders, who are fighting in Iraq. These members of Congress and journalists have been spouting the precise talking points of Al Quaida and radical Muslim Jihadists since the war began. They have undermined those who are fighting the war, have mocked the military leadership and lied consistently about the progress we are making.
I would investigate all off shore banking accounts these Benedict Arnolds now hold. Accounts in the Carribean and Malaysia in particular should be carefully studied. I would go back as far as the Food for Oil scandal era and continue all the way to current bank transactions, being particularly alert for 2d and 3d party deposits.
We know that many members of Congress and many journalists are corrupt to the core. But this never ending repetition of Al Quaida talking points about how awful we are and how we are losing the war raises suspicions that can no longer be ignored.
If they are found to be clean, then good for them. But who would blink an eye to discover many suspicious deposits in these off shore banks?
Tom. Ethnic cleansing in Kosovo/Congo/Sierra Leone?
December 21, 2007 - 13:29 ET by Gary HallSorry Tom -- for the length here -- it just tweaks me, the comparisons out there that were ignored. gary
Moran and the MSM media only really care about ethnic cleansing, refugees, genocide and civil war in the 3rd world, when there's a Republican in the White House.
After NATO [Clinton] intervened with a bombing war to expel Serb forces, about 200,000 Serbs fled Kosovo to escape the threat of Albanian revenge attacks.
Democratic Republic of the Congo -- where beginning in 1998, or shortly before all lhell broke loose (remember Clinton saying "Never Again?" and some 4 1/2 to 6 million people (Jim Moran - those are human beings also) died, in the civil war, genocides, and disease and starvation as a result. In addition there are well over a million, some say 2 million refugees in the conflict: From 2000:
"Save Darfur?" you betchya. "Save Congo?" Not a chance -- no political motive there for the press.
According to Jim Moran definition, these ethnic groups becoming refugees are being "ethnically cleansed." Of course, unlike Iraq, down there we had millions of human beings dying. And one of the reasons, perhaps -- Can you say "Blood Diamond?"
Remember Democrat Cynthia McKinney (she's in Moran's class, may I suggest) my bold:
Hang on to that name Kabila.
And from a source (???) some real dicey information that supports McKinney's experience. Naturally, any source is good enough for our media if it's about Bush). A few excerpts:
Also in 1997, Bechtel, the engineering and construction company, established a strong relationship with Kabila.
Wait a minute - Citibank? Somehow here ole Enron nemisess Robert Rupin comes to the surface, once again.
Back to "Blood Diamond;" funny the only reference to Clinton I saw in that movie was a snippit were it was implied that had we not been so worried about his sexual addicitions, he might have done something to help down there (Sierra Leone -- another genocide during his term - all related). I note, apparently Bill Clinton was doing just fine down there. From elsewhere:
From a 2001 US congressional committee hearing:
I think that this might be a good book to pick up for this electon season: "Genocide in the Congo (Zaire): In the Name of Bill Clinton, and of the Paris Club, and of the Mining Conglomerates, So It Is!"
From one review: