CNN

To David in Salinas,

So you are of the political crowd that despises people on the other side? Otherwise you wouldn’t act like a fourth grader. This arena obviously isn’t where serious political discourse can happen.

To Tim of Wooster, OH -

Thanks for your hilarious posts. You make my points better than I do.

If you trim it down a little, “Republicans don’t think that it is the government’s purpose to fix people’s problems”, an would make an excellent bumper sticker.

To David in Salinas,

Yes, that IS the point. Most Republicans don’t think that it is the government’s purpose to fix people’s problems, so tax money shouldn’t be spent on it. Handing out money to the homeless doesn’t fix their problem. Shame on me for going off topic, but I couldn’t resist when people are asking other people to buy them houses.

To C in Sacramento,

First, I didn’t coin the phrase War in Iraq, so don’t try to bait me into a discussion over what “war” means. Second, what would Iraq look like after a tyrant is replaced by a democratic government? Like a democracy. The “surge” is working, and given continued support, we will be victorious. Victory in Iraq will bring us one step closer to the end of global-terrorism.

As for WMDs, they were made by Saddam, and used by Saddam on his own people, and he still had the know-how and equipment to make more. The world consensus was he still had stock-piles. Can you say for certain that a large stock-pile is not hidden out in the desert? The mobile labs, mentioned in the pre-war intelligence, were indeed found after the invasion. Small stockpiles of artillery shells tipped with WMDs were also found. So yes C, there were WMDs.

As for Bin Laden; no he wasn’t in Iraq, but so what?

Lastly, my comments are focused on the war in Iraq because that is what the article is about, so I’m trying to stay on topic. I put it to you C, what is your objection to the war?

Like the personal companies of Bush & Cheny, Fleischer makes money out of the Iraq war, while people are dying there everyday!

What a shame!

Jeeeez Ari – what little respect you have for the American public.

You are a political mercenary who doesn't even need to drink the Kool-Aid!

Face it – you [.....] paid to mislead the Media – your job desciption was to NOT know the facts to make it easier easier to say what you instructed to say. Sir, you have no credibility!!!!

Obvious you would censor the comment about a Jew reporting on a Jew. The right wing news media – CNN a subsidiary of FOX

Tim of Wooster, OH writes:
“...Democrats want the government to attempt to fix society’s problems by spending tax dollars.”

Right, Tim. That’s kind of the point. As opposed to the Republicans, who spend the tax dollars without attempting to fix society’s problems.

Since when has the war been not "fully funded"? All that money wasted to urge Congress to do what they are already doing?

Joseph Goebbels said "A lie told loud enough and long enough becomes the truth."

EXCEPT for the case of the war in Iraq. The American people are too smart to fall for this kind of obvious propaganda. Everyone and their grandmothers know what a disaster Bush has led this country into.

Mission Accomplished; May 1, 2003. Why hasn't anyone told this guy?

The Real Reason for Iraq.

The neocons wanted to control the oil in Iraq, no doubt. But did you know that they DO NOT want the oil. They don't want anyone to have it. Then the prices would drop and their corporate masters would lose billions and billions. The Saudis wrote the plan to go into Iraq, because of the oil gets out, they'll lose OPEC and we'd get cheap oil.

Read Greg Palast's book, "Armed Madhouse." Get it at the library or Borders. He meticulously documents the entire plan for Iraq and why its such a mess.

The neo cons and The State department can't even agree on a strategy how to approach the oil, but the bottom line is until the Iraqis sign the oil law, giving away 80 percent of their oil and keeping it off the market, we will never leave Iraq.

Bob you wrote,

"The country has finally wised up to the fact that this is an illegal war waged through lies and deception. "

- – - – -

Bob, you're obviously quite intelligent (since you know how to spell congratulations). Help us poor illiterate people... HOW is this war ILLEGAL? What law did we violate?

Last time I checked there were 11 UN Resolutions demanding Saddam comply or face consequences. I seem to remember Saddam playing games with the UN inspectors.

But SURELY you have it all laid out – and can tell us WHAT law was violated to make this war illegal.

Thanks!

No amount of money funding the military in this war will win it. It can only be won politically. If there is no working government to govern this god-forsaken country what is the point of trying to win it. Win what? And isn't "to protect America against the global war on terror." abit of a oxymoron. Iraq, until we invaded it, was never a part of the war on terror.

Where do you suppose that $15 million come from? I'll bet it came from all those companies that are benefiting, financally from war?

What about all those comments Cheney made, during the first Iraq war, that fully invading Iraq and deposing Saddam would leave a power vaccum and cause all these different factions to fight each other (this was in answer to questions about why they did not take out Saddam then)? What changed that made it okay to invade in 2003?
Why is it that the republicans want to throw our military might around?

To Tim Wooster, OH

Please define what "war" is and then explain to me what Iraq would look like when the mission is accomplished and we are victorious...a simple request.

Because if I recall, Bin Laden is not Iraqi and is still on the loose and there are no wmd.

Why are you focused on whether or not we support the war in Iraq? Does it matter? You and I don't call the shots.

Considering the collective will this Congress has shown went confronting the White House on any issue, their support can probably be had for $1.99. Maybe they should use the remaining $14999998.01 to purchase backbones.

Please use that money to support our infrastructure (i.e., bridges and levees), give our people health care, and save the education system. I no longer buy into the war for oil.

The country has finally wised up to the fact that this is an illegal war waged through lies and deception. No amount of money can change the facts, nor America's opinion of the war and the incompetency of the worst presidential administration in history. Ari – give it up and use the money for a good cause, like funding universal healthcare! Oh, and to RightyTighty, Congratulations is spelled with a "t" not a "d"...way to show that intelligence!

Freedom and democracy and all those great ideas would be beautiful, wouldn't it? Too bad it's not the reality in that part of the world.
–Bob, San Francisco

Isn't that exactly what the English said about the colonies? Silly Bob...

To David in Salinas
I was commenting not lecturing, and didn’t give any figures. My first point was in regards to the post suggesting the “progressive” spending ideas from Chip in Ohio. I don’t see how anyone can disagree with the fact that Democrats want the government to attempt to fix society’s problems by spending tax dollars.

To C in Sacremento,
Try reading your own post. You “hope that the rest of these bloggers read your post and stop this Dem vs Rep crap.” But you “couldn't agree with (Dave in Salinas) more”, even though his post is filled with Dem vs. Rep items.

As for people throwing money around to change opinions, how much did MoveOn.org spend during the last election?
Also, only a liberal would think George Bush is conservative. Try watching Fox News Sunday to see what a couple real conservatives think of our President’s spending habits.

But to reiterate my main point, we need to fight the terrorists in their backyard, not ours.

For everyone else, what is your reason for not supporting the war in Iraq? Is it the cost, the loss of our soldier’s lives, or just an aversion to military conflict?

The Republicans are trying to sale us their version of the true in Irak. Well this is not the first time. The Grand Master Deceiver ie: Karl Rove is trying again to sale us the London Bridge. History will show these incompetent peoples were behind a six years of policy failures. Cannot blame them for trying again. They will never give up. They are obsess by they failures ,and want to leave a legacy of lies behind them. Their obessesions are close to dillusion and paranoia. History will be written as it happened, A huge failure for the Republican Party and its Grand Master of Ceremony as Karl Rove.LOL

spinstopper-

Can you please enlighten us on how "freedom" in Iraq would be bad for Democrats.
If you could ponder the bigger picture for a moment, you'll realize that there will be no "freedom" for Iraq. We're now funding insurgent groups to help fight off Al Quida terrorists that they (mostly) hate as well. You know, the group that only exists because of our illegal invasion of the country.
Freedom and democracy and all those great ideas would be beautiful, wouldn't it? Too bad it's not the reality in that part of the world. Too bad it's not the reason we went to war there. Do you get worked up about all the other totalitarian countries out in the world? Should we start invading EVERYONE?
Stop with the polarizing and moronic comments and join the political discourse with more substance.

RE: Ted from Long Beach

it is not the governments job to bail people out when they make poor financial decisions

I couldn't agree more! I was just trying to put a bit of perspective on that kind of money and the fact that it will have zero impact.

I don't think a politically charged ad campaign will make people, and especially this Congress, 'grow a spine' as you say.

Have a good day,

Chip

There is little doubt Freedom Watch is funded by those corporations and individuals who are profiting most from this war.
– Posted By Jeff, Schaumburg, IL

You mean our Congressman that own stock in Haliburton and Exxon...

Ari Fleischer spoke the foulest untruths and half-truths for the president, and now he heads a private organization to air more deceitful verbiage to prop up his already-discredited speech. The problem with deceit is a) it deceives many, and b) it demands others to debunk it. He was an embarassment to watch before, but at least you could attribute that to job-loyalty. In support of bad policies, made on the basis of lies told in view of the whole world, Mr. Fleischer did the almost impossible: he gave that administration an even worse reputation for meanness and refusal to communicate than Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney had. When a spokesperson is so blatant and calous about refusing true communication, it really speaks to an evil will. Ari Fleischer sent my skin crawling to listen to him and observe his body language. His perverse abuse of his own intelligence was especially chilling, and recalled the administration's disrespect for education. For my money, Mr. Fleischer was Mr. Bush's Joseph Goebbels. He is an unapologetic propaganda minister, even if flawed. The irony is so thick, that since WWII, our country and Germany have switched sides. That an educated Jewish man can link himself with the world's bully, and its chief war-maker is both fascinating and very troubling.

White House spokesmen are not really relevant. People who used to be White House spokesmen, like the Fleisch-man, are even less relevant. This is a non-event.

Must be a real sloooww news day. I would expect to see this type of story on the Fox News website ... if I were ever to access it.

There is little doubt Freedom Watch is funded by those corporations and individuals who are profiting most from this war.
As an American, I am embarassed that so many of my countrymen fall for such ridiculous lines as 'They're jealous of our freedom' (there are many, many nations with much higher degrees of freedom than we have), or 'Fight them there or fight them here' (it is a well-known fact that terrorist recruitment has increased drastically during our incursions into these nations).
The final and most ridiculous ignoring of blatant facts I will mention is that 'Liberals love to spend other people's money'. Take a quick look at the government since 1980. The so-called Conservatives have done, by far, the most 'spending of other people's money'.

To David, Salinas, Ca.,

RIGHT ON!!! I couldn't agree with you more.

I hope that the rest of these bloggers read your post and stop this Dem vs Rep crap.

Fund the troops? We should be funding the private contractors so that they can continue to provide much-needed services to our government during this time of war.

Tim of Wooster, OH writes: “Liberals love to spend other people's money”

Please spare us the economics lecture, Tom. Your numbers just don’t add up.

The last Democratic administration left this country with a balanced budget.

The current administration spent like a drunken sailor on a reckless war and tax-cuts for their rich cronies. Our grandchildren will be paying the trillion dollar bills run up by you so-called “conservatives”.

Republicans have lost all credibility on fiscal responsibility.

Dear, Tim, Wooster, OH,

Oh, please. Why does the right need to spend $15 Million on commercials to support the war. Do they need an outlet for all their tax returns? This tactic is just part of the right's play book to stop dissent by yelling over it. When you have $15 Million, that's a pretty big bull horn.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

It's so easy for everyone to Monday-Morning quarterback this effort in Iraq. Call it whatever you want "lies", "illegitamtie war", "War for oil" – labels change nothing.

WE'RE THERE. And we need a solution. If most reasonable adults were being intellectually honest this is what we would hear:

1. The topling of Saddam was a easy
2. The aftermath has been a mess
3. Our soldiers are doing everything they can to win friends, defend themselves against attacks, and kill terrorists/al qaeda/insurgents bent on killing American soldiers
4. Iraq is made up of waring sects – primarily rivalry between Sunni and Shiites that historically use violence to settle differences

Someone (on the blog) once asked – what is a WIN for us over there?

Here is my view:

1. Stablize the country and help form a representative government.

2. Assist in training/equiping an organized police force to support law & order

3. Get the hell out as soon as 1 & 2 can be reasonably accomplished.

4. And yes – give the Iraqi leadership a hard time-table of when we will begin reducing forces. This should NOT be public knowledge nor a political football.

Instead of hearing all the labels – I would LOVE to hear others (democrats?) address the current situation and their solutions.

These war mongerers have nothing to loose even if the congress abruptly stopped funding. This campaign of $15M peanuts must be funded by the group of industries who already have profited billions. It is obvious that with the support of this corrupt administration, they want to continue the war in the name of terror and fear as many years as possible. Their attitude is who cares about this country, and about the deaths of americans and Iraqis. Their agenda must go on! American people are stupid anyway to elect another republican who will follow Bush's path.

Glad to see Ari's still willing to lie for the Bush Crime Cabal. Except now he's spending $15,000,000 of what is ultimately taxpayer dollars to do it.

Isn't this guy just a glorified cheerleader?

It's no surprise he's the public face of this organization, he lied to us right along with all the rest of them about this war. He's also got his fingerprints all over the Valerie Plame scandal.

Just another high paid private mercenary fighting the "war on terror".

No they are trying to urge the American people and congress to grow a spine and finish what they started. We have gone from being a country that finished what it started to one that bails out when it gets too hard.

They all signed on for this mission and when the going got tough they turned into a bunch of whiney babies who are only capable of claiming Bush tricked them.

Chip it is not the governments job to bail people out when they make poor financial decisions. It isn't that hard to realize that a home loan at 3% you can barely afford isn't any more affordable at 6%. Unfortunately the American people have come to expect that since the government has it's hands in everything.

Annual Cost of Improving the World
• $19 billion: Eliminates starvation and malnutrition globally.
• $12 billion: Provides education for every kid on earth.
• $15 billion: Provides access to water and sanitation.
• $23 billion: Reverses the spread of AIDS and Malaria.
********************************************
US costs in Perspective
• $522 billion: U.S. Military budget this year.
• $340 billion: Cost of Iraq War thus far.

It looks like most of the Left's talking points were hit by the comments. Liberals love to spend other people's money, think Bush/Rove invented political hitmen, and that the Iraq war is bad.
I would much rather we fight Al-Quaida on foreign soil than on American. I hate to see our brave soldiers have to sacrifice so much because Islamo-terrorists, but would hate it more if it wasn't just limited to our military.

If they want to show support for the bush/cheney/rove war & be apart of the Freedmon's Watch a requirement should be that they serve or have served in the armed services. I'll bet the members of the Freedom's Watch will deminish rather quickly, what branch did Ari serve.....same as cheney and rove....what a waste

Chip from OH,

It is not 'their dough' as you think.

It is the tax payers' money paid through no-bid contracts to Halliburton, Blackwater etc. which in turn gets funnelled to lobbying groups like these to help to keep the war going and the coffers of these companies replenished.

It is 'our money'

They could spend 25 BILLION and it wouldn't convince anyone. All they can try to do is put 25 million dollars worth of lipstick on this pig of a war.

Van

Interesting that they want “to protect America against the global war on terror." Is this a typo, or a Freudian slip?

Being as the so-called war has cost us half a trillion dollars we don’t have, thousands of lives that will never be replaced, and the respect of the rest of the civilized world, the “war on terror” would seem to be exactly what we need protection from.

The worst mistake in the aftermath of 9/11 was the idea that the attack was a declaration of war. It wasn’t. It was a crime. Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda don’t represent an enemy nation. (Certainly they didn’t represent Saddam Hussein, who was a secular strong man we set up in the first place). Al Qaeda isn’t a country. It’s a bunch of criminals. (Admittedly some new crop of super-criminals like something out of a James Bond movie, but criminals nonetheless). Bin Laden and the terrorists aren’t a nation, they’re a gang of thugs. We were justified to hunt them down in Afghanistan, and we should be hunting them in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and Sudan or wherever they're hiding right now. But they didn’t start a war with us because they don’t have that right or that power.

9/11 was a tragedy. 9/11 was a crime. We should chase down the criminals to the ends of the earth. But we shouldn’t be at war. All that’s doing is helping the criminals recruit more criminals.

New Slogan – "To protect America against the global war on terror, attack soveriegn nations and make them havens for terrorist activity"...

Just another reason this Congress has the lowest ratings in history. Congradulations Harry and Nancy..

Freedom in Iraq is bad for the Democratic party.

Its a sad day when $15 million dollars has to be spent to get Congress to support the work of our troops. Especially when we all see progress being made..

I've got an idea, Ari – JOIN THE ARMY!

Oh, wait, I'm sorry – people like you only support the war when it's someone else's butt on the line.

he got paid $15 million to do that

What a waste of dough! That money would pay off my house and 99 others of equal value. Or, provide 1000 people an efficient small car. Probably pay for really good health insurance for 2500 families. Think of all the uses this cash could have, I bet we could think of more uses than there are for Handi-Wipes!

What are they gonna do with it? Urge Congress to do, what in effect, it already is doing!

Not that I begrudge this group their right to spend cash however they like to, after all, it's theirs.

But, c'mon!

Have a good day!

Chip

Ari Fleischer, again with abundant financing, seems reminiscent of those who came out of the woodwork against McCain (2000), against Kerry (2004), against AARP (2005) and whenever Bush needs help. I think it should be insightful to check who is really and greatly (financially) benefiting from the Iraq War and then understand who really supports these kind of efforts.

Pathetic. They should save up that $15 million and try to brainwash American voters into believing the war never happened.

The war in Iraq and the war on global terrorism are two entirely different wars. These Iraq war advocates try to tie the two together as though they are the same.....uh we're not buying into that.
If we weren't fighting this war (civil) in Iraq, we would have a lot more resources to fight the GLOBAL war against terrorism.
"Protect America by supporting the war in Iraq"- nice try fear mongers>..