I have nothing but respect for our armed services. I've had many family members and friends in the service in combat situations over the years.

But I agree 100% with Rep. Stark. I'm glad that somebody has the nerve to speak up and call it as he sees it for a change. We're in Iraq now to cover Bush's bad judgement. Even if there was just cause for us to go invade Iraq to being with, that time is long past and there is no longer any viable reason for us to remain. Violence in Iraq is now an internal Iraqi law enforcement problem to handle.

It is a disgrace that Bush won't give money to expand on what poor kids get because he says we're overbudget, but he spends ten times the amount in a week in Iraq - when not one cent of that money going into the Iraq war will ever benefit average Americans (only security firms, arms contractors, etc.). Yet our economy will be trashed for decades to come as a result of Pres. Bush's sequence of blunders.

Keep on speaking up Congressman Stark, I applaud your courage to be honest and passionate about actually supporting our troops with truth for a change.

Democrats should have condemned these comments. As much as we have all suffered under the Bush Administration, and as much of a disaster the policies of that Administration have been for our country, George Bush is NOT sending kids to Iraq to die for his own ammusement. It is morally wrong to publically say something so hideous and false about anyone, and not to have the decency to apologize for it after the fact. Democrats need to recognize where principle lies and condemn this false statement, no matter how much they personally hate Bush.

No crack pot Stark.

Unlike most of the Administration he served in the Air Force.

He is an Engineering grad from MIT and holds an MBA from Cal. He started Security bank and made millions.

This guy looks like VP material to me.

Eric Von Baranov

It's time for someone in Washington to stand up and Mr Stark has stood up, right on Mr Stark

EXACTLY why this left coast police officer made a politically CONSERVATIVE music CD called 'Blaming America First!.' The Libs always do, and I give Hillary, Edwards, Ward Churchill and the rest their due–to music! @

http://www.conservativemusiconline.com

Rep. Stark is totally correct and well within his right to say what he said. This is the worst American President EVER, with the most corrupt administration ever. Make no mistake about it, Bush and his cronies worship only one god, and that god is the almighty dollar. They will do anything to make more profits for themselves, regardless of who it hurts or kill. They are without conscience. They have ruined our democracy, have no respect for our Constitution, and are just a bunch of Facists.

We need more people like Rep. Stark to tell it like it is.

To those who don't like the STARK TRUTH when it's spoken about the arrogant jerk occupying the oval office—TOUGH. Get over it, and get a life. Thanks, Rep. Stark. You are a breath of fresh air. Kick butt, and take names.

way to go. 100% correct. I bet if Bush had his kids over their this war would be over. I don't think we can survive to many more months of Bush. Lets hope the next president is not such an idiot as this one has been. He is a war monger and a bully.

If you are, or were, from Wisconsin and heard the comments from people here who grew-up with Representative Stark - you would immediately ignore his most recent rave.

Way to go Mr. Stark! It is about time someone said what a lot of people want their representatives to say. Do not back down we support you 100%!

its about time somone states the realyty of war he shoud of mentioned the phycologecal efects to our young troopers and thier famylies also the cost the hardship getting thier rightly deserfed disabilyty as we know it does not come easyly war ruind my life 13year fight to get disabilyty.

I think some of you posters here are Intelligent you people need to run for the people and see what the hell is going on in that white house.some of you would win .Id like to see it.replace pelosi reid bonner all of em.we would have alott better America some of you should consider it,and start your Campaigns.you guys have more brains than them politicans.

Hurrah for Pete Stark!
But why- with Bush's currently dismal lack of popularity and support are
we not simply booting him out of the
White House? The world has witnessed
tyranny for five years. The USA has
lost it's credibility worldwide. It
cannot lecture people on fair election, it cannot lecture people on human rights, or right to privacy, or judicial process. American scial critics such as myself- get held and questioned for 2 hours by the FBI and NSA when re-entering the country- while men with mustaches and baseball hats from Tihuana to Tripoli march on through! Americans have been sleep
walking. Now, at least they are starting to rouse- but they must
wake up and see the light outside the
window. Stop believing the pork-
barreled lords of war who only want
to mezmerize you into believing that people across the sea have nothing
better to do than attack America.
America should stop being the unappointed (and unwanted) pseudo-
expert-world-watchdog and help others.
Stop letting WMD lies, fake enemies,
and windshild cowboys direct their
thoughts and tax dollars!

It seems like Stark's buddies from Daily Kos are all on this blog extending their support. Stark's comments are still disgraceful and pitiful.

Thank you Rep. Stark!
Truer words were never spoken.
Pelosi should follow your leadership, instead of Cheney's.

there is nothing wrong in telling the truth. ask yourselves this how are our kids dying. so they say road side bombs bombs planted in the road way itself on poles near the streets so you think OK. so why after all of these months years and so many dead are your kids still driving on those roads? do you get it? they are being killed in a manner that has to do with driving on iraq road-ways so why are they still being ordered to drive on those road-ways when they could fly over them. so your president in order to show some-one how tough he is continue to send your kids up and down the same roadways to be blown up so that he can say–look what they did-now we owe it to the troops to stay in iraq and not cut and run. joe biden is another of these jerk crap talkers he is so tough he sits down on meet the press and talks about what we owe the troops every military person from e-1 to sfc knows that he is nothing to the military and that if he falls dead there is someone who will do his job before he can think I am dead. this I say to that bullcrapper biden wanna help the troops then pay them a proper share. pay them what you pay blackwater and others like them also for a leg one million cash for two legs two million cash for a head or brain injury 2.5 million cash plus the rest va care for life ect. keep the flag a vet. can buy his own flag and give it to his own wife or the wife of his fallen brother. of coure bush want kids to die in irag how else can he keep you all hating those people while he and his friends steal oil monies you see there is no iraq government it is a bush puppet government when bush leave next year so will a lot of his phony leaders of iraq thus another out-break in violence will happen and the new president will re-start another iraq war. it will go on because God did not give the jew a oil field that is the truth as all of you know it. I say this what if you knew that bush cheney rice powell and so very many others knew and could have stop-ed 9-11-01 from even happening, what would you do who would you call where or who could you go to? what would you do? how would you do it? who would you tell? congress, the courts, who? and what if they knew that you know and maybe feeling what if some-one starts to listen to what this guy is saying then what- would you run? run where what if you had no money then what? this is hard stuff these are hard times he knew you know. they knew they allowed it to happen I thought that it would have come to a end but no it is to be the way of life for many years to come. so leave the man alone he spoke a truth.

Before the Iraq war, the world was a relatively peaceful place. Prior to the invasion, people protested in American and around the world. During the invasion problems that arose were called "mistakes" or "mishandlings". Soon America lost its standing in the eyes of the world. Finally, even World Religious leaders are asking us to find a peaceful resolution to the war in Iraq.

Since 2001, George W. Bush has declared a war on terror, and he has put the axis of evil on call; religious conservatives were the force behind both of his terms in office. They are only 23% of the population, but their voter turn out rate of 78% is extremely high. They say they will only back a pro-life candidate. They are currently looking at Mitt Romney. He may be pro-life, but he is also pro-war.

The human race faces some monumentally difficult times ahead if we cannot pull it together and somehow resolve our differences. Global warming and overpopulation present a particularly difficult challenge because they require not only our full attention, but also world wide cooperation; yet global tensions now stand in the way.

The dollar is down. Our troops are stretched thin. Yet oil prices and military spending continue to grow. The housing market is in a slump and consumer confidence is low. Clearly our economy is slowing down. Now is not the time to be involved in a conflict which will rise tensions in the world. Less than half of all Americans approve of this war, yet we are not only still standing our ground, but we seem to be gearing up for even more conflict.

There are more tensions in the world today. Russia has recently signed a treaty with Iran. Pakistan, where Osama Bin Laden is reported to be, is more volitile today than before. I'm sorry, but we are in over our heads. Continuing to fight this war in Iraq, is clearly foolish, and it threatens world stability.

The moment I found out that the proof of WMD had been questioned my opinion changed. Because of this, if I were asked to fight, I would not fight. Nor would I ask others to fight for me. Since then I have been against the Iraq war. Pete Stark is a man who has had enough and so have I. It is urgent that we resolve the conflict in Iraq now!

As a two-time veteran of the Iraq War (OIF I and III) I am beyond disgusted with the recent comments of Rep. Stark (D)! Why is the media not covering this story? He first suggested that the Commmander-in-Chief of our armed forces enjoys seeing soldiers die. Are you kidding me? Then he suggests that soldiers are illegally killing innocent people. This is a direct slander against our troops. There is NO other way to interpret this. There is no spinning out of this one. His coments are very likely the most despicable that have EVER been uttered on the floor of Congresss in our nation's history. I am personally offended! I don't even want an appology. I want him to resign immediately!

Rep. Stark speaks for me. His statement is long overdue.

As for children's health care, that is the responsibility of the parents. Not all can not afford it; some just choose not to and spend their money on non-essentials. Our family of 5 lived at or below poverty level for the past 35 yrs. presently earning just over $40,000 annualy. So do you really think it's fair to spend OUR tax money for the health care of children whose parents earn more than we do? Where's the justice in that? I say hold the parents responsible.

Matt in Reading PA :
True, killing Bin Laden NOW would probably not make much difference. Because of Bush's insistence that we
stay and fight the so called "insurgents" who are, in large
part, actually Iraqis who now have no jobs, no electricity, no food, no infrastructure, or are otherwise
displaced by the war, we have created a situation where we are doing more harm than good in a country whose people wish we would leave.
Had we not abandoned the search for Bin Laden at the time, things would be
different now.

To those who think Stark's comments are
crude or insulting, what do you think
combat is like ? It an't pretty or gentlemanly folks.

God Bless you Congressman Stark. You keep sticking it to those greedy, pig headed, career bank robbers that would rather do anything but be honest with both themselves and the American peoplee.

Your candor and honesty is refreshing and as one of your constituents in California I will fight to allow you to keep speaking the truth.

Who really hurts the troops? Improper body armour. Humvees without proper protection. If we're going to worry about what words really hurt the troops. We migh want to think about statements like "this is a Crusade" "mission accomplished" and "bring it on" "we have no evidence that Sadaam Hussein had anything to do with September 11th." Yet a guy who is sincerely concerned about the death of American and inncocent Iraqi citizens is condemned. The facist propaganda never ends.

Way to go Senator Stark!!! It's about time a Democrat or ANYBODY for that matter, stood up and told the bold, stark faced truth to power. It's the single most American thing I've seen in the last 6 years. Now the GOP Bully Boys, like the true Bullies they are, go sniveling and whining after someone stood up and gave them a well deserved, and long overdue, punch in the mouth. Senator Stark . . . don't you dare apologize! But, could you please pass around that bottle of courage around to Pelosi,Reid,Hoyer and company?

Didn't "President" Bush JOKE around his office looking under the curtains and his desk for those "darn weapons of mass destruction?"

Yes, he did. Where was the outrage then?

Some of the writers need to watch C-SPAN more often. Check it out and you'll find that Stark isn't the only legislator who speaks freely. It can be very entertaining and informative. Stark's performance (I approve) is not an anomaly.

Stark, Pelosi and Reid will be voted out of office in this next election. People such as these and their other henchmen who signed the letter besmirching Rush, are in-bed with all of the democrats. They will get wha they deserve. OUSTED! They all have committed outright treasonous acts, and many of their statements that were delivered on the floor of the house or senate, if delivered anywhere else, those Senators and Congressmen would have been arrested. These lousy examples of legislators deserve to be throuwn out, and they will. All they have done is played politics, not serving those people who elected them, The people. The people deserve better than empty retoric! The Democrats led by these idiots have not accomplished anything of any substance that they campaigned for. They will be buried in this next election, and they then will wonder why!

Posted By Ron, Denver, Colorado : October 19, 2007 5:38 pm

Dream on Ron…what color is the sky in your little world?

Question all you idiotic demoRATS that keep claiming bush never served so he isnt fit to be commander and chief. DID HILLARY EVER SERVE? SO IS SHE FIT TO BE COMMANDER AND CHEIF?…Your hypocrisy oozes out of your worthless beings.

Posted By John San Diego : October 19, 2007 4:43 pm

Speaking of worthless John, when did you go off the meds?

Thumbs up for Congressman Stark. He spoke the truth. The reason we voted for the Democrats in 2006 was to telegraph that very message to Bush and his surrogates. It was refreshing to hear someone with the guts to actually articulate it. Especially in that arena.

Go, Pete !! I think you meant "confusement". How can they be above the law when they are beneath contempt. Could we deploy Congress for a year in the Green Zone?

Stark, Pelosi and Reid will be voted out of office in this next election. People such as these and their other henchmen who signed the letter besmirching Rush, are in-bed with all of the democrats. They will get wha they deserve. OUSTED! They all have committed outright treasonous acts, and many of their statements that were delivered on the floor of the house or senate, if delivered anywhere else, those Senators and Congressmen would have been arrested. These lousy examples of legislators deserve to be throuwn out, and they will. All they have done is played politics, not serving those people who elected them, The people. The people deserve better than empty retoric! The Democrats led by these idiots have not accomplished anything of any substance that they campaigned for. They will be buried in this next election, and they then will wonder why!

Darko, If you spent half a minute to understand the issue you would realize that the Democrats compromised the bill down to the spending limit that was passed. Republicans and Democrats agreed to the compromise and passed the Bill's spending level. You ought to read and understand before typing.

Bush and Co have committed numerous crimes. What can be worse that an illegal, incompetent, disingenuouus War?

May be he is sadist. It is a real possibility.

But since the President of the USA should be in jail and has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocents - it is about time Democrats became more colorful, and showed backbone.

The reason why the Congress is detested is because we do not want the Democrats to appease and enable these bastards - rather we want them punished for their crimes. When will Pelosi get that!

We want our Democacy, decency, intelligence and our freedoms back and we want to apologise to the rest of humanity for the oblivious cruelties we force upon humanity.

With War and more War and with oil at $90 and 'Jesus' dictating various forms of prejudice and intolerance - Bush and Co are living their wet dream.

Let become the good guys again.

Finally, someone that speaks what sadly seems to have become the truth. The Bush administration makes me sad and embarrassed to be an American. I'm very happy that Stark said this and hope he keeps it up! I hope more of the people/politicians- we elected will stand up as well. WE,because the Bush Administration sadly represents all of us, have all been hurt by the many bad decisions and actions that have been taken. I'm sure during Nazi Germany's reign, that many just went along, not realizing or caring what was happening. It's long past due for action let alone WORDS. But, it's a start that I'll gladly take!

Good Job Satark! Bush should be impeached. Children need healthcare!

Hooray for Stark. Finally someone with guts to stand up and be counted. Need more like him to tell it like it is. Although Stark did call him the president he is not my president. Goerge is a tuff bugger when he has all the big guns behind him. But he really is a weenie. Can't wait til he is just a bad memory.

I agree with Senator Stark. 3830 US troops have been killed in Iraq since May of 2003.

That is a shame. Think of all those parents, siblings, wives, children that are affected by that number.

The death gratuity for combat is $100,000. That is $38,830,000 that the government pays, not to mention social security benefits for children and spouses.

Bush does not want help the kids when they are young and but wants to help get them killed and bankrupt the government when they are older.

When this war started some of these servicemen and women where only 13. Eighteen year olds are dying.
Check the site with stats.
http://icasualties.org/oif/

To all the people who wrote in to voice their support of Pete Stark and to speak out against the tyranny, fascism, lies, torture, death, civil rights abuses, profit over life, and on and on: Thank you. You've given me a glimmer of hope that this country might just survive. And all those who died for our freedom, from the American Revolution to the present, will not have died in vain. God bless you all!!!

Didn't "President" Bush JOKE around his office looking under the curtains and his desk for those "darn weapons of mass destruction?" Our soldiers ARE dying for his amusement and it's high time someone called him on it. Finally a Democrat with some guts!

"We were attacked"

Are we still using this?

We were not attacked by Iraq. I have heard almost no resistance to the war in Afghanistan because that is where the people who attacked us were hiding.

Remember Osama Bin Laden?

I think most of the so called "peace-loving tree-hugging liberals" fully supported the invasion of Afghanistan because it was fully justified.

We are angry now because our administration abused the patriotism of the people and used that post-911 momentum as an excuse to start a war in a completely different country on false pretenses that has all but destroyed our credibility on the world stage for years to come.

How's that for thinking long term? How's that for a legacy?

I don't think President Bush is sending our troops to Iraq to have them blown up for his amusement. That said I do not agree with this war in Iraq. It was started under false pretenses based, supposedly, on incorrect intelligence. The billions of dollars spent on the Iraq war could have been used for the s-chip program. There are many hard-working folks in this country who can barely make it and the s-chip program helps them with their children's healthcare expenses. I, basically, agree with Stark's stand and I applaud anyone who stands up and speaks his mind.

Re: Rep. Stark
It's time for all of us to stand up for what is right and Rep. Stark is exactly that. Nothing he said in any way disrespected our troops. Finally, a politician whose not afraid to speak his mind in a language that isn't full of PC.
Michael Levine
MA

It's about time someone in the Democratic party had the cojones to speak the truth about the scum in the White House. Bush-Cheney are the ones who should be apologizing for shredding the constitution and killing hundreds of thousands of people. They are war criminals!

Bill Clinton left office with a 66 percent approval rating inspite of a Republican congress that attacked him daily. George Bush with a majority in Congress until the last election, would be happy with half that. I think America now realizes "C" students should not become president.

Good for Rep. Stark, CA. He hit the nail right on the head!

Stark speaks for a lot of us. It's so refreshing to hear an honest response to this insanity.

The republicans can attack war heroes by people who never been to war, but raise hell when a brave politician decides to tell it like it is. It's obscene to spend 190 billions on a war that started under false pretenses and deny children the right to medical services. Leave it to republicans to shoot the messenger instead of the the real culprit. I wish Congressman Pete Stark was in my district to vote for him, time and time again. I feel the democrats are a bunch of cowards when they join republicans that defend the indefensible.

Well, let's take a look at why our soldiers are still dying in Iraq. The military has long said that there's no military solution to the Iraq War (imagine that, no military solution to an armed conflict!). The Iraqi government and its politicians and leaders have long said that they are not willing to move toward peace and reconciliation if it means they have to compromise. So, the war can't be won militarilty or politically. Bush has long said that the U.S. troops will stay until Iraq is stable; but that's illogical based on the military leaders and the political leaders statements. Why are U.S. troops continuing to die in Iraq? If not for Bush's amusement, stubborness, or who knows — then why?

Stark is right. No retreat, Congressman, no surrender. Stick it in their faces.

Question all you idiotic demoRATS that keep claiming bush never served so he isnt fit to be commander and chief. DID HILLARY EVER SERVE? SO IS SHE FIT TO BE COMMANDER AND CHEIF?…Your hypocrisy oozes out of your worthless beings.

Pete speaks for this American, loud and clear!

Keep it coming Pete!

Stark should apologize-from the Senate floor. He should respect the office of the president. He should not attack the person. His words are terrible,his party should reprimand him. His words are almost those of a traitor, we lost 3000 people, our country was attacked-I cannot fully express how despicable I think he is.

I too am glad that someone in Washington has the nerve to speak the truth. Pete Stark is a patriot. Thank God Bush will be gone in 15 months!

Shame on CNN for bending to Republican political pressure.

It is such a shame that the Dems hate Bush so much…just when I was thinking of seriously looking at some of their candidates they go off in the derangement zone again. I guess I'll just have to look for the best Republican since the Dems seem so hateful and clueless.

The scum bag repugs can dish it out, but they can't take. After attacking a 12 and a 2 year old and their families, they have some nads getting their nickers in a knot. WHAT A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES.

Bravo Rep Peter Stark, somebody had to speak the truth. This monkey in the WH enjoy seeing people die …Period.

That is part of his history. The man is mentally unstable.

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan has insulted every Democrat by referring to us as the "Democrat Party", and he know it. It's "DemocratIC Party".

I call upon Mike Duncan to issue an apology to each and every Democrat he insulted.

The President of the United States talks about the situation in Iran rising to the possibility of starting WWIII and it's a blip on the political radar. But a Congressman from CA speaks about GW's amusement with the war and the propoganda machine kicks into gear. CNN (Corporate News Network) Your doing a heck of a job.

It's about time a Dem grew a pair! OK - "amusement" probably wasn't the best choice of terms - but other than that he's square on. "Politics is a full contact sport" as one politician once told me

I hate to say it, but the greatest thing that happened to Gerorge W Bush during his administration was an occurance that permitted him to proclaim him self a War President. Up until that time he was destined to be a lackluster one term Presidednt who spent most of his time in White House Texas cutting wood and being a cowboy.

I am an American, I am a vetran and the only thing that insults me on a daily basis is what this so called adminstration proclaims to be doing to make me safe. Stark spoke the truth as he sees it and owes no one an apology. But there are a great number of members of Congress that do owe apologoies to the American people, and they are the ones that have backed this administration as if it were a church prayer meeting and never once questioned the actions of the administration.

We seem to have a misconception of Commander in Chief and President. Just because one is the Commander in Chief it does not mean he is not responsible to answer for his actions and just because one is President of the United States does not mean he does not have to answer for his actions. We are not a kingdom with a supreme leader. And Congress needs to get off its bottom and start doing its job, that means Republicans.

Time for a reality check:
The Congress has a democatic majority, they won last year on the "Get out of Iraq" platform. One year later and no change. Not only that, but Democrats keep approving the war budget! Isn't Pelosi and Reid just as guilty? No guts, no glory!

Jonathan:

Not that you need my approval but Bravo on those comments! I wish more people we thought like you and were able to communicate thier thoughts like you. Thank you for that comment.

Bush may be a lot of things(ie: a dishonest moron for example)but I don't think he gets amused when soldiers die. Stark's rant is what I would expect from Anne Coulter. We really don't need this kind of trash. We hear enough of it from the GOP.

Why doesn't Bush just say MISSION ACCOMPLISHED and let's get the heck outta there.

Oh yeah, he already did. Someone just forgot to tell the Congressman.

RAINE: I def. would not dispute the fact that they should not be able to pass thier own increases. The fact is, we would still provide a healthcare benefit to them as part of a benefit for thier service.

Dorothy: I do not think anyone wants him to apologize for a comment about SCHIP getting the big V. Quite frankly, those types of discussions need to happen. There should be an apology for the comment about amusement over death. Looking at some of the comments Rep. Stark has made in the past, there is no question of malicious intent.

Lets look at a couple:

8/1990 - Rep. Stark said that the Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Wade Sullivan was "a discrace to his race" because of Sullivan's opposition to National Health Care.

1999: Called the California State Welfare Director Eloise Anderson a "baby-killer" and said she would "kill children if she had it her way" becuase she opposed his policy proposals.

Thats just to name a few…

2001: In a debate he brought up Rep. J.C. Watts children. He went so far as to try to condemn them for being "born out of wedlock". (Quite odd for a man who is a self professed Unitarian. Why would he care?)

Rep. Stark speaks atleast majority of the minds of americans who still think its Bush's personal war. May be his words are little harsh for the soldiers families, but one can't take his word by word. Its the frustration that is being expressed. The fact of the matter is when we are spending trillion for illegal war and deny 35B for childrens health, where are those hypocrite obstructionists who favor Bush's failed policies?

The polls on Peter Stark were such a surprise to CNN they pulled it. 4800 reponses and 71% saying that Rep Stark should NOT have to apologize. Or maybe he should apologize when republicans apolodize to Graeme Frost who they labeled as a social welfare child because SCHIP helped him rehabilitate from a life threatening accident. Shame on you!

I agree with Stark's comments in part. If Bush and the Republicans actually cared about the troops as much as they rather sanctimoniously proclaim to then they'd be spending the money they don't want to spend for S CHIP for proper equipment and body armor for our soldiers. Instead, the money will go to fund no-bid contracts for Halliburton, Blackwater, and the Carlyle Group, or will be poured into the corrupt and ineffectual government of Iraq.

It's about time the Dems start attacking the War hungry perverts, also know as Republicans.

As a TRUE INDEPENDENT, I had the special opportunity to speak with God and His Son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, last night: They both agree with Mr. Stark and support him completely…There really is nothing more to say to you intellectual cretins and morally bankrupt people who would attack a very honorable man.

I too have to support Mr. Stark!

Congressman Stark's comments at the core were acceptible, but the way he used them were not. He's a congressman, someone who the people voted in because they believed that he would rule by reason and not out of passionate fluries…at least that is how it was intended by the Framer's over 200 yrs ago. From reading the news articles on the child health plan, seeing that the veto did not work the Democratically controlled congress needs to get together and make a compromise, the whole point of having the government setup was basically for it to be inefficient and make it necessary to talk to the other side and compromise….Sometimes I feel in general that congress doesnt care for america…whether Dem or Repub…and maybe that is our fault?

I am glad that someone in Washington has the nerve to speak the truth. This man has said nothing that he needs to apologize for as far as this statement for the Schip bill is concerned. I sure hope that he does not bow to pressure and retrack this statement. I truly believe this war is being fought for the amusement of President Bush and his oil rich cronies. God Bless this man and his family for having the guts to speak of what is happening to lower income Americans of this country because we don't have the same choices like thoses of the rich.

Pete Stark is absolutely right! The short sighted stupidity of the veto on SCHIP should be derided. If Stark apologizes (and he is my representative) I will be angry and disappointed. Say what you believe and be willing to stand up for what you say.!!

FOR RIGGS…RE OUR CONGRESS PEOPLE AND THEIR "BENEFITS"?? LAST I KNEW WE ARE THEIR EMPLOYERS..THEY WORK FOR US..REMEMBER "BY, FOR AND OF THE PEOPLE"?? THEY PASS THEIR RAISES AND "BENEFITS" IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH NO REGARD FOR US AND NO REGRETS.

Stark is right. Bush is the worst enemy the troops have ever had. And nothing any of you idiots on this website calling him names say will change that.

Bush has disgraced and embarrassed the office of the presidency to an extent it has never seen before. He needs to resign long before Stark does.

As far as shoving spending down people's throats, the war is by far the greatest hemorrhage and injustice to our Tax Dollars at Work™.

Republicans are never allowed to complain about 'money wasting liberals' ever again. Their logic for doing so is fatally flawed.

I'm growing very tired of insults to my intelligence.

Jess:

So you really think this war was done for amusement?

I am glad that most of our Troops do not beleive that. Seems to be they are the only group really focused on something important.

What else can one say about a man who is willing to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on an unneccessary war and at the same time deny our children the 35 billions they need to protect them from harm. A criminally insane and cruel man who lost his moral compas long time ago. How about the most morally bankrupt man ever elected to lead our country since its begining.

Good for Stark! He has the guts to state the obvious about the president. Bush fiddles while Iraq and America burn — why would the little rancher act any differently toward children?

I am so sick of these pinko liberals who think that the Constitution of the United States was written to protect the rights of free speech. Nowhere in the Bill of Rights does it say anything about the rights to free speech, free assembly, or freedom of the press. And if it does, then the Constitution must be destroyed.
Anyone who disagrees must be immediately sent to jail.
This nation must continue to destroy all enemies, foreign and domestic, in order to be the last and best nation on earth.
We need more death, more war, more Big Gulps, more WalMarts, more lynchings, more beef jerky, more hate—more, more, more!
America rules!
Death to freedom!

This guy's a scumbag. Yeah, support the troops by saying they're blowing up innocents.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

GO PETE STARK!

Seriously, it's about time a Democrat stood up in public and blasted Bush and the neocons for their folly — that's right, folly- regarding this war. It was a lie from the start, depleted our military resources, risked the lives and jobs of thousands of young soldiers and citizen-soldiers, diminished our respect in the eyes of the world, caused most of the free world to treat US as reactionaries and, worst of all, killed nearly 4000 soldiers and countless civilians for the flimsiest of reasons.

It's too bad Pete Stark did not run for President.

Geez M from NY NY,

Did you even listen to the audio from this. It is quite clear he was not talking about the troops being blown up. His comment about "innocent people" was referring to the Iraqi's.

Anyone for a big glass of Liberade with a Twist of Facts?

What a jerk, you never talk about your president in those terms sending men to war for the pleaseure of it. You JERK!!!
My son returns for Iraq today, he will be going back as he is told. How do some of these guys get elected. Oh BTW, CNN is for the Left.. they are purely biased…

I'm amazed at all of the Republicans that will stand up for Bush and his administration, no matter what they do. Why are so many people loyal to being a "Republican" or a "Democrat".

I've never taken either side, but I'm 100% sure that I won't be voting for any Republicans for a very long time.

Why is it that Clinton is investigated exhaustively for a personal matter that doesn't have any affect on running the country, and Bush can twist the constitution, take us to war under fall pretenses, etc.. and their is no big investigation into what he has done.

It's good to see that Rep. Stark has the courage to speak against the masses and say what he really feels. We definately need more politicians to speak their mind, and not bow to the lobbyists, corporate America, etc.

We have a very short term memory… Issue with IRAQ was WMD nothing else!!! D-Reps of Congress instead of finding the MONEY to support the Children Health Care is now playing the BLAME/DAMAGE control Game!!!

Stark had the cajones to speak THE TRUTH.

Just the other day Bush was joking about WWIII. Yea,, did you hear that? HE WAS JOKING ABOUT WWIII.

WAKE UP!

Hmm far right attacking a 12 year old. I have yet to see any proof of that. The right attacked the Libs for saying this kid would not have gotten treatment under SCHIP when there was never any intention to reduce SCHIP. The bill was set to expand the health care to children in households that can afford the health care.

There was a comment about elected officials having socialized healthcare… Hmm no. That is part of a benefit of a job. Some companies provide it at a discounted rate, some free. We as Americans pay for our elected officials to have it as compensation for the work they do. I wish we could take it away from some who like to push these spending increases down our throats or say the most disgusting things about our troops.

Its one thing to bash a policy, or bash an elected official. Do not bash our troops. These young men and women have volunteered to do what 95% of the people reading this do not have the "stones" to do.

Just change the word "amusement" to incompetence and Stark's viewpoint is sound. 3 billion dollars a month to subsidize a failed, flawed policy, and the President says that Health Care for the children of working families (amounting to the cost of 41 days in Iraq) is a bit too pricey. How can someone who initiates pre-emptive bombings, continues to promote the glory of war, and veto health care for needy children call himself Pro-Life?

Stark said Republicans are spending money "to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough … to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."

The best comments are the ones along the lines of 'the troops are not targetting innocent people'. Starks is not saying that at all, the innocents he's referring to are the American kids being sent over for bush's amusement. It's interesting how when the word innocent is used, even republicans will sometimes think of Iraqis.

Thank God for Bush/Cheney. They liberated the people of Iraq from Saddam, after 13 years of successfully liberating them from clean drinking water. Now the Chinese can liberate them from an oversupply of crude oil while the Iranians get paid billions of dollars (gee, where'd that money come from?) for building electrical power generation. What Stark said is outrageous. I disagree with the term amusement, that gives the president too much credit, and Stark's clearly got a schip on his shoulder. I can understand his frustration, Bush/Cheney have accomplished more for AQ in six years than OBL could have in sixty years of his worst. By the way, just how many bases do we have left in Saudi Arabia?

Although I thought that part of Stark's comment about our young men and women dying for "Bush's amusement" was a tad harsh and certainly not true, the rest of it was right on the mark and needed to be said for quite some time now. Moreover the Republicans are hardly in a position to criticize such remarks, however intemperate they might have been. And in answer to the dumbass from Dedham, it makes no difference if hateful speech comes from a member of Congress or a right wing water carrier like Coulter, Hannity, Malkin, or Limbaugh. And there's certainly no shortage of Republicans saying outrageous things about Democrats. Just examine the public comments of Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, and even Bush himself. If Rep Stark's constituents have a problem with what he said about Bush they'll let him know next November if they care at all.

Until the US invaded Iraq, I had been a life long Republican. Now I am ashamed of the Republican Party who rises in self indignation when a Democrat speaks the truth.

This is GW's war and is strictly revenge for his father's failings.

I would have rather Rep. Stark said that Bush started the Iraq War, rather than go on testosterone replacement therapy. The Pres. has no feelings for the thousands of innocents that he has ordered killed by this unjust war. He is as much as war criminal as Saddam Hussein. Impeach both Bush and Cheney and send them both to the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity.

When Duncan is ready to apologize for the way his far right idiots attacked a 12 year old boy, then he might have relevance.

Otherwise, Duncan you worm, lay off the emerging American hero, finally ready to tell the criminal Bushies what's what.

He's a hero, Repubs. Eat it and love it.

Sure his comment was nasty, but, who really cares? He's just an unknown Looney Left flunky from California La-La Land. I mean, he can't be all THAT intelligent - after all, he forgot to mention Halliburton!
I wonder if this is the same program that's funding the birth control pills for middle school girls in Maine?

You sick democrats on here are really messed up in the head to not only not condemn this crazy mans statements but to AGREE with him. If you idiots really think bush get delight in american soliders dying you people are plain IGnorant hate mongers that are absolutely crazy and downright un-american. You people make me sick and wonder why your party has only one the white house twice in the last 30 yrs.. Sick sick people

AHHH..FREEDOM OF SPEECH..JUST LOVE IT. THIS GENTLEMAN IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY. AND THE COMMENT ON SOCIALIZED HEATH CARE…WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE?? TOO MUCH FOR THE WORKING MOM AND DADS BUT SURE GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM. WE NEED A REALLY BIG CHANGE IN THIS COUNTRY

Thank YOU! You are absolutely correct.
Politicians will push their agendae through to support war and killing sprees but not to support a legitimate health care proposition which could and will actually save lives!
Bravo Stark!!! Bravissimo!!!

Thumbs up for Rep Stark. Bush and the Republicans has the nerve, after adding 5 TRILLION DOLLARS to the national debt, to now pretend to be fiscal conservatives. Spend how much on this Iraq folly and how much to take care of American children? Hipocrites!!

I guess that Bush's plans are backfiring. Well he'd better get his act together because now the Iraq's voted us OUT, no more military. They want Iran and China to build them power plants. I guess Bush wasted more money on that HUGH embassy he had built. I told you that our troops will be coming home! I Love My Dems!!!

Laurinda,
Please catch up on current events. Everytime you post you sound more and more clueless and ignorant. God I never knew america especially the democratic party is this incredible ignorant and illiterate. Almost comical

PETE STARK FOR PRESIDENT '08. Then he, as commander in chief, can call up the Texas National Guard and send dubya to Iraq to get his head blown off.

It didn't sound like Pete Stark hates the troops. What I do see is facists painting another lie. We put the war on the backs of poor kids with few alternatives. If the GOP would support college funding. Who would be fighting the George Bush war.

As much contempt the republicans held for Bill Clinton they would never act in this childish manner more less on the floor of the congress. This man is an embarrassment and should be held accountable for his reckless remarks. Bush more than an president in the last 50 yrs has shown his love for his country and fellow citizens. Does he have to make tough decisions ? You bet. Does everyone agree with them ? Of course not. But that is what good presidents do, they make decisions based on principle not poll numbers. If you remember there was a man that made alot of unpopular decisions during a time of war and many people in his own party wanted to impeach him. This mans name was ABRAHAM LINCOLN, people stop being so short sited and look at the big picture. Bush is not the enemy.

What a joke, I applaud Rep Stark for speaking his mind. Let's hope the rest of the idiots can do the right thing and support the People of the United States and not the Coporations of the United States.

Pete Stark should never apologize for speaking the truth.

I commend Congressman Stark for his comments regarding the Chickenhawks on the Childrens Health Care Bill and his assesment of the President. We need more representatives who are not afraid to speak their minds.

In this current state of polotical dyslexia where liers
are not identify as what they are,"LIERS", it is so catholic
to hear Pep. Peter Stark. Hopefully, other Congress menbers will be inspired to stand up and disgard their kneedpads!

Rep. Stark has guts! He must have been pretty angry to say what he said, and he spoke for me and many others who are just as angry with the hypocracy of this administration. They spend money on the Occupation of Iraq, which had nothing to do with Sept. 11, but which is making them and their friends millions, if not billions. But they won't allow tax dollars to be spent to help the middle class, who are becoming poorer by the day. Soon there won't be a middle class because of loss of jobs, loss of health insurance, etc., etc. Good for you, Rep. Stark!

Where was all this mock outrage from the right wing when Karl Rove accused liberals of sympathizing with the attackers after 9/11? (a total lie)Right wingers can spew out all the hateful, slanderous garbage they want, but when a Democrat or a liberal speaks the harsh truth, look out! Right wingers have stuck us with the worst President in the history of the United States and all the phony indignation in the world won't change that fact!

This is directed to all you libs. Congress with full support of your Democrats, authorized this war and continue to fund this war. So why dont you all stop calling it Bush's war, its America's war wether you still support it or not.

As a active duty member who has been in the Air Force for 28 years I'm kind of tired of listening to blowhards like Rep Starks who speak on behave of us in the military. We joined the military to defend our country. THAT IS WHAT WE are doing in Iraq, Afghanistan and world wide. If only during the Clinton years we would have taken the fight to the terrorists instead of sitting back and let them continue to kill Americans in the US and across the world we would be better off. But no, during the first World Trade Center bombing, Khobar Towers, Embassy bombings, USS Cole, and eventually 9/11. I fully support President Bush for taking the fight to the terrorists.

Posted By CMSgt John Sledz currently in Iraq : October 19, 2007 3:03 am

John, from one veteran to another, thank you for your service.

You have more insight than any of these kumya singing, lets hold hands and love each other losers will ever have.

And you point about Billyboy is "dead on".

A yakmeister like Rush, Ann Coulter or Stuart Smalley saying stuff that is outrageous is part of their "schtick", but for an elected official to say something like this about a sitting President, this is treasonous.

Bush is an idiot in many regards, but this is incredible.

Realizing I have many friends in Cally, including good buddy Jon from Sacramento, I am not stunned that this was someone from that totally out of touch group of "politicians".

Mass is out there also, but I help elect NONE of them.

I want to hear the Democrats running for President to not denounce this, but just to speak on it, so we can get Starks and them on an AD spewing this stupidity.

Every single Repub comment on here pretty much says the same junk: Dems attack our troops. That is the biggest problem with these closed-minded idiots…they think that to actually have a debate is "attacking our troops." There isn't a single American who does NOT support our troops; let's get that part straight to all the Neo-Cons out here. Maybe we should ship those fools over to Iraq and let the brave men and women over there have a break. If Bush and Cheney and Limbaugh and Malkin and Coulter and all the other shrieking harpies on the right think this is SUCH a "noble cause," why is it that NONE of their relatives are over there fighting? Bush has several young nieces and nephews that could be there, but NOPE!! Like Bush, they sit at home, blasting folks who have actually served their country (like Congressman Murtha, for example); shame on every single one of you who blindly support Bush/Cheney and their band of merry thugs…

The Liberal Democrats say ,"Bush has killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians"

Well, are they not saying that "American military men and women killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians" ? Bush isn't physically in that combat zone.

The hatred of the Democrat Libs towards our military fighting personnel is disgusting ! I was there, our people DO NOT target civilians.

Wonder what Rep Stark would "really" do if he were the Commander-in-Chief. Everyone wants our brave soldiers back from Iraq but doing so is not the only solution to the conflict in that country and/or region. What does Rep. Stark (and our Presidential candidates) propose besides bringing our soldiers home to bring a solution and peace to the volatile region?

It's all about getting elected…one thing doing so, another while in office. Politics!

The truth will set you free. Try it Republicans. Where did your poll go CNN? The people were speaking. Wasn't the President amused when they laughed at his funny joke about finding weapons of mass destruction. Or his record breaking days on vacation during a time of war. He is certainly amused by the prospect of helping oil friends and war profiteers. When he's out of office he will be well taken care of by a small group that has benefited by his war. That's amusing.

It's another sad day for the country. The two parties are so divided that ordinary debating cannot take place. There seems to be no middle ground.

What kind of idiot would say something like that? What kind of "loyal" American would agree with what he's said? Whether or not one agrees with the war, for an elected official to give a visual on how some of our comrades lost their lives is truly the greatest disrespect of all. Semper Fi!

Maybe his wording was harsh but I am so thankful that someone finally said what the majority of Americans are thinking. Only 30% or less of this country support this President and even less support this illegal occupation of Iraq. The Repulican party has always been one of irony ex; against abortion but for the death penalty. Now they want to deny insurance benefits for children who may one day enlist. Then again after the deceit and lies of this Administration what parent would want or allow their children to enlist ever again?

The Democratic Party and The Democratic Congress are like MUNCHKINS in the LAND of MUDGE, where the COWARDLY LIONS in the Democratic Congress are all wearing MAGIC PINK SLIPPERS which they click to have themselves absolved from the Peoples business everytime the MASTERS in the repuKKKan Party burp.

Example of Bush's amusement: Remember when Bush spoke to the our US soldiers recently? He told our enemies to, "Bring it on!" I bet he really got a kick out of saying that! As a result, 28 US soldiers were killed that weekend. Please correct me if I'm wrong. And, why has Bush always got that stupid grin, or smirk on his face? Even when he's not talking about Iraq, he should not be grinning and smirking. It's a time of war, not a time for fun and games. It appears that he is the only one enjoying our involvement in this war.

Way to Go!!!!!!
I am not a republican, but I think no matter what group your in you should speak the truth and not be afraid of who may not like it, no matter who it is. I didn't think there were any politicians that had a back bone to stick up and speak the truth anymore!!
I am very torn on this issue. I don't think we belong there, but since my brother recently died there, I don't want his death to be meaningless by not winning. I don't think we should have gone there in the first place. If were fighting the war on terrorism, we should have lined our boarders with our troops to defend our own land and told anyone against us to "Bring It On".

People have a constitutional right to speak freely,If our president doesn't like those comments by the Congressman he should openly discuss them with Mr. Stark.
For the many citizens that do not know the dangers of wars, look to your child that have fought them and if you think they get their due? Then you can back the President, however if you know the truth.You'll agree with MR. Stark, no one is getting their due. Just ask a vet.

I will never understand how people can equate criticizing the administration with being a traitor. That is a far reaching notion that smells of blind patriotism. Simple minds are easily led off of a bridge.

I'm sorry but I have to say it. I think most of the people here at home that are criticizing the administration are the ones that are actually standing up for our country.

Stark is my new hero. Way to go congressman.

To DS from FT Knox, as a 10 yr vet and gulf war vet I will agree this has gone on far too long, but I will disagree with you on the veto of the health care bill, based on the reasoning the President gave for the veto, he said that it would have middle class people giving up there health insurance to get government insurance, now that is utterly rediculous. As far as the cost 35-50 billion over 10 yrs, we spending billions in Iraq with the total to reach 1.2 trillion over the next few years, you are also right as a parent if you can't afford the basic needs for your kids don't have them. But there is nothing wrong with our/my tax dollars paying for health care for the children of America, I'd rather do that then spend another dime paying for the war in Iraq. What ever happened with Bush's words when he started this war"Iraq oil revenue will pay for this war, not the american taxpayer"

HURRAH FOR STARK!

Listen to the whining cry babies of the GOP. The Republicans are such cowards they can't even listen to accurate criticism without crying alligator tears. Well done Stark, keep the babies crying.

Rep. Stark's comments were blunt and unvarnished by the "political correctness" and caution that has stunted our objectivity and honesty during recent years. Before you blast him for having the guts to say what we've all thought, answer this question: WHO was Stark defending in his comments?

If Bush were a CEO he would have been fired years ago, when it became apparent that the families of, and, the brave Americans fighting and dying in Iraq, were suffering due to HIS war.
In actuality what he has done is far more an impeachable offense than cheating on your wife in a government office.
And right wingers, get a grip, it's not just liberals that realize this war is a huge mistake, it's EVERYONE, except you!

There are 2 issues….SCHIP and Stark's comments. Re: SCHIP, the Republicans are only compassionate to their cronies.

Re: Stark's comments….when the administration apologizes for lying to the American people re: the whole Iraq thing, then Stark should apologize. When the Republicans apologize for swift-boating, jamming phone lines, etc…then Stark should apologize.

Americans getting killed for the president's amusement? And you wonder why political discussion has become so rancorous in this country?

The problem is that Stark isn't the only one who feels that way. It's just that his saying it gives the go-ahead to the other marginalized loony Americans, often posting on CNN, center stage with the same such hate.

What is wrong with California? How can they continue to send foot-in-mouth, STARK RAVING MAD, buffoons to debate the country's security issues in Congress? I fear for America's future..

I completely agree with the fellow who said, "And I have no respect for an elected official who has to resort to half truths and intentional deceits to support his issue."

That's exact what got us into Iraq in the first place - that and shameless exploitation of the 9/11 victims.

On September 11th, 2001 I would have never believed you that a majority of liberal democrats in 2007 would be illogical, hateful, dishonest and completely against this nation as they are today.

Check the net, the only people who are actually happy to hear about our soldier getting killed are liberal democrats. They would really get happy if we had another attack in this country. It really is the biggest downfall of the Bush presidency, not that he has had anything directly to do with it, but it is sad that so many people who have so much to thank this nation for, will hate against it and wish for negative things to happen to it, just so they can go on their little lie ridden, hate-based Bush bashing rants.

Pete Stark is absolutely correct. Bush himself said he wanted to be a "war president". He lied us into this war and our troops are dying for nothing. Read Justin Frank's book "Bush On The Couch" and you will see for yourself that it more than likely is "for his amusement". Bush is a sociopath and a sadist. He tortured small animals when he was young and felt great pleasure when he would brand his fellow fratboys. Wake up, he does not care about the American people. Remember, he calls the "haves and have-mores his base".

ok, you know, i have no respect for the president nor any of his cronies and yes men. but i really do not think that bush is watching iraq war footage and chuckling.

The ONLY thing bush cares about is HIS war and the profits HIS buddies can make off of it. The Bush crime family cares as much about life as John Gotti. Applause for Rep. Stark!!

They are dying because of the Israeli lackeys we have in our political system. they wiill be still dying under a Hillary administration.

To all defending Pete Stark and agreeing with his outrageous comments:

THIS shall be the new level of acceptance for political rhetoric?

Great! I can't wait until that angry lesbian, Hillary, gets the nomination and American is reminded how she "stood by her man" against the cries of sexually assualted women! Anything which interfers with this power-hungry witch and the next rung on the ladder is "Fosterized".

Bravo, Representative Stark. Far from owing an apology to anyone, you should be commended for having the courage to speak an uncomfortable, inconvenient truth. If anyone doubts the veracity of Rep Stark's remarks, try to recall the smirk on the face of the Commander in Chief of our armed forces as he intimated, during his recent press conference, the advent of WWIII. Oh, yes, he was absolutely giddy over the prospect of starting (yet another!) pretextual, unnecessary war. Further, by refusing to respect the checks and balances embedded in our Constitution, blurring the lines of separation of powers and indeed, abusing the authority of his office, the President is not worthy of respect. He has disgraced the office he holds. He diminishes us all.

Rep. Stark is a traitor to our country.

Our forces do not target civilians, the President does not order troops into harm's way for his "amusement", and the veto of the SCHIP legislation puts children on the taxpayer dole who are already receiving health insurance. It does not "deprive" children of health insurance.

The Demagogic