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 party has mislead the american people for decades in order to score political points. Attacking our country and our forces in harm's way in order to win elections reeks of hypocricy and all that is bad in politics.

Those who are more interested in winning elections by attacking our country are by definition traitors to us all.

Repubs get "outraged" over a comment by Democrat and support the rape of this country, the encroachments on the Constitution, the plunder of the treasury and the deaths of unknown thousands for oil. Just shows their priorities.

Now come on folks, don't be mad at Pete. He is just saying what most of you are feeling anyway….Congress, are you listening???

"Rep. Stark is a member of Congress, and he can say what he believes. There is a double standard that the right can attack what it likes, and take all manner of extreme positions on health care, education and foreign policy, but the left is for some reason expected to stay moderate and restrained.

Posted By Nathan, Columbia MD : October 18, 2007 6:08 pm "

While I may agree with part of what was said, you are wrong in your statement. As a member of Congress, he must abide by Congressional rules which forbid personal attacks, and this clearly was. He should be officially reprimanded for his outburst.

Right on…don't back down…you are exactly right…give the right wing conservative, hypocrites HELL

Keep blasting away Congressman Stark. As a son of veteran, and as a veteran, and the father of an Iraq War veteran, I appauld you for what you said. It was about time somebody in the Democratic Party grew a pair!

No one should ever be asked or expected to apologize for speaking truth to power. Especially power abused so recklessly.

"Give em hell" Pete. And keep it up.

Rep. Stark was wrong to characterize it as soldiers dying for Bush's amusement- but they are dying because of his stupidity, arrogance, stubbornness and dishonesty. So are we supposed to upset that his poor feelings might be hurt??? Oh, boo hoo. The most disgusting comment I've heard is that you can't support the troops if you don't support their commander-in-chief. That is a treasonous and despicable lie. Supporting their CiC means supporting sending in far fewer troops than the professional military men like Gen Shinseki knew would be needed; supporting having no plans in place for a realistic occupation to nip the insurgency in the bud; supporting the failure to secure Iraqi ammo dumps; supporting the failure to supply sufficient body armour, armoured vehicles, and medical supplies; supporting dumping wounded service members in mold-infested quarters; and on and on. That sure doesn't sound supporting our troops to me- it sounds more like betraying them. Instead of worrying about whether Rep. Stark apologizes we ought to be demanding that all republican legislators apologize to our troops for failing in their constitutional duty to oversee the actions of the executive, and for protecting their political golden boy at the expense of protecting our service people.

Any Dem Presidential candidate that doesn't repudiate his comments will be beaten to death with them in the general election. Thanks Rep. Stark for the awesome ammo that we will shoot down your party's candidate with. By the comments on this blog its obvious that liberal Dims dont understabd politics or just how stupid they are.

So…what's the controversy? Republicans are upset that a Democrat verbalized what the MAJORITY of Americans have been thinking for a while now? Tough.

(Check the polls. Bush misled. War a mistake. Shouldn't have been waged. Pull out within a year. All of these statements have majority support.)

I think he is absolutely right.

Stark is a member of Congress with free speech however, such a cheap shot from an "elder" is pathetic. I cannot imagine any politician, republican or democrat, participating in this kind of bating. This is the very reason politicians are no longer referred to as statesman!

AWESOME! It's about time someone stood up to Bush and his evil empire!

I swear that moveon.org and media matters has on payroll a bunch of college kids that go to these sites and pretend they are different people pushing the far left agenda. I know they did this during the last presidential debates where they flooded online surveys on who won the debate. I just cant believe there are this many idiots who would support the hate speech of this guy Starks.

The real amusement sits with Bin Laden who is safely on the side lines reading blogs like these where Americans fight each other over Iraq instead of looking for him. Does anyone remember him??

It's time to make Stark our House speaker and make that spineless coward Pelosi step down in discrace. The truth hurts repugs. Deal with it!

I'm glad to see that common sense still exists when reading a few of these comments. For those of you who still don't get it, let me explain: Stark is just telling it like it is. A lot of people don't want to believe it, but we should never have invaded Iraq. At least Stark is strongly standing up for the truth and not resorting to GOP scare tatics; like "Vote for me or the terrorist will win", or the "I'm more patriotic then you" BS. All the time while playing spin the wheel with the colors on the 'rainbow of doom'. Ask youself if Iraq was/is a nessecary battle? Why aren't we deploying troops to Darfur or Myanmar for truly heroic reasons? Answer: Those areas aren't sitting on millions of gallons of oil. For all you Bush lovin wackos, get a spine and you believe every life is precious, then you will vote to bring our troops home now and stop squandering them in Iraq.

Finally I have the answer to a burning question. With comments such as those from Allen from Cambridge, MA and SickDemocrats from Boston (see above) I can now understand how such a wonderfully progressive state like Massachusetts could have elected a neo-con like Mitt Romney as their governor.

Lets face it the, the Dems have been politicizing this war since the 2006 elections. They are scared to death that the surge is working and have to root against their own country to lose in Iraq for their own political gain. All you passionate anti-war/hate bush crowd are being used by the Democrats.

I agree with this representative. We can not fund SCHIP but we can find all kinds of money that we don't have for this war!
I believe he is saying what most people think! I don't want any apology from him and I praise him for speaking out!
When we have to eventually raise taxes to pay for this war where will all of you be than!

Hmm, George Bush mocked a death row inmate, laughs before serious speaches about war, tortured animals as a child. Over the top you say? I think it could be scary accurate

Talk about hypocrisy. If a Republican said something this over the top, every lib/democrat would be demanding he resign. I cant believe no democratic leader is denouncing these comments. Just shows how low the Democratic party has sunk since the days of JFK.

Gary from OR:

killing bin laden does not end terrorism. sure it would be great to kill the leader, but it surely will not end this war on terrorism.. it takes more than just killing bin laden to fight terrorism, unfortunately

He should not apologize. That is his opinion and there are already too many witchunts in politics today over people saying what they think.

Conservatives demand an apology because language against the war is becoming more abrasive, threatening, and mainstream. They are grasping desperately for anything they can use to fill their empty cannons.

There is a litte thing called Free Speech. I am still waiting Bush to apologize for getting us into a war with faulty intelligence.

This person speaks the truth, if you don't like it, then don't read it. I had no idea there were so many stupid people in the US, to continue to believe the crap the Bush/Cheney cabal is inflicting on this nation. People you need to rise up, get the matts out of you eyes and look around. It will to late when bombs fall on American soil. Ignorance and stupidity make me sick. How can someone continue to believe in this administration considering what's happening. This is why we are in the mess we're in, it's dumb people that turn their heads. But; that's a republican for you. Will not, cannot not admit it when you're wrong. And you were about this entire administration. GET OVER IT.

For those people commending Stark for saying this, you actually think that President Bush is amused by our soldiers being killed???? If you do, seek help now!

Good for him. This President is a joke. Wake me up when the nightmare is over.

Anyone who saw "Our President" giggling about starting World War III the other day can definitely see that while Bush & Co. are in Iraq for the oil, he's finding amusement at the same time. Stark is 100% right. It's time to impeach our psychopath-in-office.

We should just call the democrats communists instead, but that would be an insult to the communists. Individuals such as Stark are A+ nutjobs.

As an Army veteran with two tours in Iraq, I believe that his comments are an insult both to the American military and the the office of the President. I believe that both sides of the political fence have become little more that children calling each other names without really caring about the issues anymore.

How dare this man say these things?

He should be put in jail for saying these things.
War is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to the human race. We need more war, not less. Global capitalism cannot survive without finding new markets and new resources, and the only way to do that is more war. More war means more prosperity for those who win.
And in America, we always win.
The president is not amused by war, Mr. Stark. He is aware of how serious a business war is. He has one eye on the shareholders' and one eye on the board of directors at all times. It is not amusing for the president to see his stock go down. He must protect his assets and the assets of his fellow investors. The war must be continued at all costs.
Mr. Stark belongs in jail with everyone else who disagrees even remotely with the president and this administration. Because this is America, land of the free!

How can any of you support this disgusting comment? Your illogical hatred of Bush is really clouding your judgement. My only hope is that most of you are 19 year old college students who dont know any better or 55 year old hippies who still think you are at Woodstock. No serious, intelligent person would condone this speech.

If there were more people like him, who stood for the truth, we wouldn't be in this Iraq mess to begin with.

You people need help! Bush started a WAR based on a LIE. Because of him thousands of our soldiers are dead. Because of him Iraq is a terrible mess, to the point where a little girl gets her head cutt off, and a dog's head is SOWN onto her body and delivered to her family's, yet STARK is the bad guy here for speaking the truth!?!? No wonder the EU and Canada are starting to do better than us! The day Bush was elected was the day the downfall of the US started.

I completely agree with Sen. Stark's comments on Bush.Not only he is right,but he should also get a medal of bravary for standing up for our American soldiers who are dying for Bush's stupidity.of course the Republican party officials are going to make a lot of noise, however; they even know deep down that Bush should be prosecuted for war crimes.

CNN Moderator,

Your Ticker is a joke!

You care little that idiots (like fake-james, Phoenix) post repeatedly to simply disrupt the authenticity of your blog.

You take HOURS to update comments. You randomly delete comments without any seemingly consistency of WHY.

You take a small poll of 1212 people and spin 7-8 articles – defining how the "American People" feel.

No worries… I don't expect you to post this – and if you DID have the courage to allow participants to call-out your failing effort.. I won't expect to see it before Saturday, 10/20.

These comments are amusing. I am sick and tired of people being sick and tired of comments. People who don't like someone speaking their mind are Un-American. Publicity is for kids

I strongly support the congressman, Hon. Pete Stark's statement and he should not under any circumstances appologise to the heartless hypocritical republicans who claim to be the rightous, but they do not know why Our LORD JESUS CHRIST came to die for mankind. To me voting against Insurance bill for children whiles voting for war to go and kill innocent Iraqian people is one of the most heinous thing people of any integrity can do to mankind. I hope, comes the November 2008 Election day, christians who are the true followers of christians and do understand Our LORD compassion for mankind and will vote their christian conscience and vote these hypocritical pharases out of congrsess.

May be Stark's comments are little too harsh. But, afterall Stark is a true patriot who has the same feelings of frustration when nothing is get done by the obstructionist republicans and Bush's adamant policies. Mr. Stark or Pelosy should never oppologize. This is exactly what a true patriot feel about Bush

I'm an American that is not insulted.

I'm more insulted by being told that I'm supposed to be offended when someone is saying what he really believes.

GOOD for Rep. Stark !
Since Bush avoided his military duties
during the time I was crawling and
slogging through the Mekong Delta, he
has never been in combat. Had he been,
I doubt he would have sent our soldiers
into this no-win situation in Iraq.
We should have gone after Bin Laden in
Afghanistan and not wasted lives and money on Bush's Iraq fiasco.
Too bad the rest of the Dems don't have
the guts to stand up and stop funding for this war !!

Gary
Combat Vet
9th Inf Div
Vietnam, '68-'69

Well said Pete, couldn't agree more! Bush should run for president of Iraq since he seems to love the place so much. Bringing democracy to Iraq is just a modern day version of missionaries bringing Jesus to the poor savages. Before we build other nations, we better fix our own!

I support everything he said. It's true, we can't afford a childs health care but we can afford to pay for a senseless war?

Our Govt needs to get it's priorities straight.

Pete Stark was way out of line with his comments. I find it hard to believe he has not apoligized and even harder to believe the democartic party has not stepped in and asked for his apology. This demonstrates the character of both this man and the democratic party leadership.

Stark is absolutely right! and Mike Duncan needs to look in the mirror and see that it is him, and his party and his support of the presidents failed policy in iraq that is an insult to every american.

The GOP is the biggest bunch of closet case hypocrites i have ever had the displeasure of sharing a country with.

Mr. Stark speaks the truth. If the chickenhawk Republican pissants can't handle it – too bad.

Like some cheese with that whine Mr. Duncan?

David from Arlington:

You're missing the point. No one said the members of Congress cannot yell and scream at each other over a particular issue, much like they do in the Parliament, but to claim that the President is "Amused" by the killing of our soldiers is absurd..do you really believe that Bush has a little chuckle to himself each time he hears of another soldier killed? these comments are over the top in a time of war.. the fight is between us and the terrorists, not us vs. bush!!

I agree:
…This is the type of guy I want as President! STARK FOR PRESIDENT! I don't need someone pandering to what's politically correct or what the moral majority thinks is "acceptable." I need someone to tell me the truth in no uncertain terms and let the chips fall where they may.

Campaign Diaries just released its latest detailed and full House ratings, with descriptions of every vulnerable House seat. Check it out here.

Senator Starks message is sad but true.

I am sorry to say that it probably not stop till Mr. Bush leaves office.

For JB from CA, You are correct, I do not have "A" loved one over there getting shot at. I have two. My oldest boy is on his third tour, this time for 15 months. Does this make me "Pro-War"? OF COURSE NOT!! I don't know ANYONE who is pro war. No one (sane, anyway) WANTS war. I DO think this has gone on long enough, and we are at a point where the cost, both money and lives FAR exceeds the benefits, however, I would not go so far as to say the president is amused by our casualties. In terms of the vetoed health care bill, tho, I agree with the veto. The costs to the American public were outrageous! It is well past time that we took personal responsibility for our own children and either work to pay for thier needs, or if you can't afford those needs, DON'T HAVE KIDS!

Pete Stark should run for president. He has the courage to speak the truth, and the honesty to display his anger, two qualities lacking in politicians for many years now.
Bush has been a disgrace and an embarrasment to the US, and is nearly criminal in his disregard for the American people as well as the rest of the world.
Bush may be the worst president in history to date.

Mark

If he is sooooo against the war, why didn't he say the same thing about Nancy for taking withdrawal off the table?

Hyprocrisy is so easy to see through..

No language is too strong, no accusation too vile, to describe what this president has done to this country. This war is an abomination and the men who led us into it are villains and we might as well say so. Anyone who doubts it, I recommend reading "The War Prayer" by Mark Twain.

More like: BUSH is "an insult to every American, Democrat or Republican." The White House muppets trawl out the same ol', same ol', whenever anybody suggests that the King is Naked, or when it's blatant that Bush is being a moron… again.

I agree totally with his statement.
Our men & women were initially sent
cuz Saddam Had WMD's. Shrub was up on stage lookin under chairs, his podiium
all around the stage trying to find those pesky WMD's. Made a speech for haves and have mores. This guy is an insane moron. Talkin about World War III. He's a war president, the decider, the commander guy. And Pelosi takes impeachment off the table!
Why are we not allowed to see the flag draped coffins being offloaded on the airport tarmac, he supports our soldiers, bah! What noble cause are they dying for?

Oh don't worry therealist, when the Dems take even more seats and have a filibuster proof margin, Madam President and congress with have no problem getting real things done, not just condemning an ad in the New York Times (i didnt even think Repukes read that). Your as much of a realist as Bush/Cheney.

What would you expect from Stark? Last I knew he doesn't even believe there's a God.

He's right, nothing to apologize for. The soldiers in Iraq are there for bush's LIES, and remain there for bush's LIES. What the bush regime has done, the tens of thousands dead and maimed – and all these fake patriots feign outrage at someone who has the guts to speak truth to power. Impeach the liars and bring the troops home!

Stark was right and had the guts to say what others won't.
He doesn't owe anyone an apology. He speaks for a lot of us who oppose this war and the stupidity of this administration and congress.

You have to respect that when asked for comment, instead of apologizing for everything and putting that cult-like smile on his face, he stuck to his guns. That's integrity, atta boy!

To JB of Oakton, I'm a previous vet from the 1st Gulf War, and you are right, the people making the statment about Iraq, they probably don't have anyone serving, as a matter of fact I bet a lot of people posting there opinions on CNN haven't served, that's the most pitiful point of all, you do have the right to critisize, but until you have served you should keep it to a minimum!!!!!

Good for Rep Stark! About time someone from the Democrat's side of the aisle find that they do have a voice. I agree whole heartedly with his comments. Where are the 'compassionate conservatives' when it comes to America's children's health? AWOL

The comments stated by Rep. Stark is the reality of this nightmare. What, you expected a political correct statement! plz… This President has put this country on a edge of a cliff. I'd rather see him jump off to save all of us from dragging us with him.

New direction is needed and a real leader! I can't believe that Gov's are capable of running a Country, just see the results of W. Bush! No experience, lack of everything else.

regardless of whether or not "he's right" (as someone else had said), where is his decency?

So this guy speaks his mind, expresses his anger and frustration over the war (that a majority of Americans share), calls out our president, DOES NOT insult the troops, and he gets lambasted for it? What a surprise. As usual, the Republicans focus on one phrase and turn the attention away from the actual point he was trying to make. This is what honest and open debate (and democracy) is all about. Look at a session of parliament in the UK when it's opended up to questions to the prime minister. They chew the guy's head off and demand answers and justifications! Shouldn't we expect the same from our elected representatives in Congress, who are there to check the power of the president and represent the citizens of this country?

This pitiful 110th Congress hasn't accomplished anything exactly because of liberal partisian pollution like Stark's.

Worst Congress Ever!! Congradulations on that last election dems..

Comments made about a man who brags about being a War President. Might not have been politically correct, but you know I am sick and tired of politically correct statements because someone may not want to hear it or maybe offened.

Just to remind you there was a time in our history when fist fights and duels erupted within the hallowed halls of Congress.

As for the comment on Chicken Hawks, right on, them that have never served, tend to beat the drums of war the loudest amd proclaim patriotism at the expense of other. Maybe he got a little to close to home for some of elected officials. Let someone start a Chickenhawk web site and see who graces its pages.

He right. They're all chickenhawks and the American People need to wake up and realize what is going on. To the people who write about this being bad and UnAmerican, I bet my mortage that while you put the sticker on your car, you don't have a loved one over there getting shot at. I would win a lot more than I'd lose.

NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH!

The only difference between me and Representative Stark is that I would have slapped and strangled two or three people in the White House while saying these words. This is the type of guy I want as President! STARK FOR PRESIDENT! I don't need someone pandering to what's politically correct or what the moral majority thinks is "acceptable." I need someone to tell me the truth in no uncertain terms and let the chips fall where they may. For too long we've had this "think it, but don't say it" mentality in Washington. Those days are over folks! If our military can go around the world and destroy entire countries and kill up a bunch of innocent people, certainly they can stomach a little criticism that wasn't even directed toward them. It was directed at the president and his party.

This representative is just one of many who have grown tired of this botched invasion of Iraq- a third-world country in the making- thanks to George Bush. At some point, you have to grow tired of our infrastructure crumbling, our communities having to "apply" for grants created from our own tax dollars, poorly funded domestic programs, and a barely-functioning government that is incapable of handling a mediocre natural disaster in New Orleans. This man has grown tired and if I had the opportunity to tell the president these words to his face, I would!

When BUSH was governor he mocked, "PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!, PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!" when he signed orders for execution. Just like Rumsfeld said, "OUR SOLDIERS ARE FUNGIBLE!" It's about time someone in Congress called our President for the sociopath that he is.

the truth hurts all these neo-cons….Bush has lust for power and will do anything to keep that power even at the peril of our troops..Stark told it like it is…this isnt imperial Rome folks

i do not agree with the war… my mom lost a neighbor out there an dmy husband can becall back from retirement at any time now because of it…..but…. this is just not the correct for to do it…..I don't think is fair to blame Bush alone….. Cheney, Rumsfield and a lot others were involved in the decision…..

Though a bit harsh, Stark has, atleast, shown some strength. Something that has been severely lacking to date.

It may have been over the top, but this is what comes with having had just about enough of this atrocious policy for 4 years now….enough is enough is enough….I'm not sure this
country can withstand the remaining 14 months from every and any angle…when
are Bush/neo-con Inc. going to realize that their global govt aspirations are policy developed by, and for, clown…

"Amusement" was probably not the most precise word Congressman Stark could have used. "Illusions" or "ignorance" would have been better choices, and more representative of what most Americans think.

Finally, someone who stands up and speaks the truth – not very popular these days in this country. Bravo to Representative Stark. We need more like him to stand up to this administration which is destroying this country and everything it stands for.

While I would not have added the "for Bush's amusement" even tho' we are observing a cowboy presidency, it's well known that telling the truth is dangerous and one should only do so if they keep their knees loose and run afterward. With due respect for the office of the president and my first amendment rights, I would have used the phrase "for Bush's legacy."
God bless Rep. Stark for his courage, but not perhaps for his choice of words.

Anyone who thinks this is appropriate is a sick puppy. This guy is an embarrassment to the USA. What a lowlife. There are soldiers dying in Iraq, and this guy only pumps the enemy up to do more.

CNN, you are the worst, you are as bad as Stark! Where are my comments that speak to my anger and contempt of STARK?

Not for the president's amusement, of course, but what ARE people dying for in Iraq? No plausible purpose, no end in sight, no realistic goal, no exit strategy – would it be more accurate to say soldiers and civilians are dying for no good reason at all?

Same old same old for America. Ignore 99% of what he said and focus on a single word. Sounds like high school debate team rather than Congress.

wow, that was a little risky but you got to admit alot of people are probably thinking the same thing…

"…an insult to every American, Democrat or Republican."

How was it an insult? I'm an American, and I don't feel insulted.

I'm tired as it is of politicians pretending to be offended by every stupid little thing–of course they're not really insulted; you don't get to be a politician with skin that thin–but it's much more annoying when they tell me when I should be offended.

Thanks for standing up for the thruth. I agree with these statements and I'm tired of the THE Bush Administration shifting the focus evertime they are asked the tough questions.The President and the Republicans veto the Democratic Healthcare plan(it,s too expensive they say)yet they don't have any problem with spending trillions over the next 5 years along with the lose of life and mangled bodies of thousandsof our young men and women in uniform. I WOULD LIKE FOR the PRESS TO ASK THEM THIS and to take them to task for these issues.

Bring it on and let the real war begin against the alcoholic idiot twice elected to an office he can't handle and all who support him.

The truth hurts, but he is right.
We are in Iraq trying to clean up the president's mess with the lives of our soliders. Somebody has blood on their hands.

You cannot claim to support American service members serving in harms way, while simultaneously seeking to discredit, undermine and derail both their mission and their commander.

To undermine their commander or their mission, in effect, is to undermine those forces whose boots are on the ground "downrange."

It's no different than claiming to support these service members, while simultaneously sabotaging their supplies, ammunition or weaponry.

Pete Stark is one guy who's not afraid of the Republican Slime Machine a/k/a the attack dogs in Orwell's "Animal Farm". Tis better to be "over the top" than to sit in silence & denial to a great wrong happening before you very eyes. Isn't that what happened during the rise of Fascism in Europe after WWI ?

Up next: spitting on service members at airports.

Typical far left Californian drivel.

It's sad to see a Congressman say something like this. Maybe when you are
trying to make a point and you lose your temper things like this get said. With our instant media there's no way to take it back.I doubt that Congressman Stark would have wanted this type of press or publicity.

Hard words are sometimes necessary, and I am tired of posturing on both sides of the aisle. What is more outrageous, Stark's words or the carte blanche that the cowards in Congress gave the President to initiate this war in the first place?

Welp, he's right.

Representative Stark is one of the few who are stepping out from the crowd and speaking the truth. The American people need to start facing the facts. If we keep falling into line behind our "fearless leader" we will soon find ourselves in World War III, which Bush is now gearing up for.

Yep, they trully are because Bush has messed this war up so badly, he's not going to do anything to stop it, or reploy the troops during the last year of his administration so he can pass on the fault of losing that war to the next president…so the congressman's comment is indeed correct – bush is sending the troops for slaughter for his own political goals.

Although this comment is a little blunt, I am glad to see that someone is talking about how Bush obviously is not siding with the Nation and is doing what he pleases. Duncan's statement about this being a disgrace for all Americans is false; having Bush as a president is.

Why can't we, as a people, stop talking about the proper way to talk about the war. Instead, we should talk about the war itself, and stop chastising people who say things we disagree with. He criticized the President, and that is his right. He does not surrender his right to free speech merely by being elected.

In Iraq an action of Arrest, and currently the follow-up.
When arresting criminals in a Nation, are there ever enforcement officers shot; should criminals be allowed to just be because of this fact that enforcement officers do get wounded.

Stark represents all that is wrong in Washington today. I believe he is STARK REVING MAD.

finally, a D-congressman with "a pair."
I guess GOP don't like it when the other side speaks the truth in straight-forward language. (See Al Gore.) Stark is right on.

Yes Stark, and we now share that same contempt for you too.
Oh btw…, don't expect much in the way of bipartianship on any of your issues.

This is yet another example of the Hatred the so-called democratic party has for our President and Commander And Chief.

The good people of California deserve better representation that this out-of-control hate monger can ever provide.

Shame on all the Democrats who do not speak out against this type of behavior from a elected official on the house floor!

Mr. Stark has just become my favorite California congressman. It is time to start speaking out against this joke of a president and his failing policies. The GOP "brown nosers" who continually stand behind this loser have no conscience. They are neither listening to their constituents or the general public. How can that be?

I am fearful of what may happen in the last months of Bush's presidency. God Help us.

I would substitute "ego" for "amusement" as regards the motivation for Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz and the other Republican chickenhawks who so studiously avoided serving in Vietnam while callously and cooly sentencing nearly 4,000 of our troops and 1 MILLION Iraqis to horrifically violent deaths in their quest to expand both empire and wealth. Let's impeach Bush and Cheney now before a "convenient" 9-11 or "Gulf of Tonkin incident" is used by them to fan knee jerk "patriotism" into our wanting as a people to attack Iran, which, like Iraq, ALSO sits atop a LOT of oil. End this illegal and immoral war NOW.

Remember Osama bin Laden and WMD's?

We do; and don't let Bush forget about it, either.

By the way, as Jet-Pilot attended the funeral of a soldier yet?

No?

Good to see him breaking the tradition, because other than Harrison and Garfield (who both died shortly after taking office), Bush is the only sitting president not to attend the funeral of a soldier who has fallen on his watch.

Of course, I don't blame him; he might actually be confronted by an average American with an average question for him, and if it's not in his "notes," he has no answer!!!

Very Presidential!

I commend Rep. Pete Stark's comments. More Democrats need to stand up and call this war what it is: a farce.
Thank you for standing up for your own beliefs Mr. Stark.

My mistake, it is Representative Stark, not Senator.

If what this guy is saying bugs you, then maybe deep down you believe it could be true? Repub's and chickenhawk Demo's turning this arguement to attempt to say "he doesn't support the troops" is one of those stupid "tells" Americans are catching on to, like like those Terror Alerts from a couple years ago. Meanwhile, the grinder keeps eating American soldiers in Iraq…

Another liberal buffoon. Nancy and Harry must be so proud…

God Bless this man.

Buffoonish statement by a man known for sticking his foot in his mouth. How does this guy remain in office? Is there any way we could ask California to go away and never return? As a side note , I also sent an e-mail directly to the great senators office expressing my concerns over these blatant liberal ramblings, I am sure I'll get the standard auto response from this hard working guy.

I believe that Mike Duncan does not have the right to label anything an insult to the American people. Sometimes the truth can be insulting. But it's still the TRUTH! Whats an insult to the American people is the George W. Bush is still president. Great comment Pete Stark!

We are right now dealing with the flesh eating virus in our schools in and around in Ohio.

HOW COULD BUSH VETO THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE LEGISLATION , AND BE EVIL ENOUGH TO ASK FOR BIG MONEY FOR HIS WAR… is CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY (OUR CHILDREN)!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!YOU GO MR. STARK!!
Rep. Pete 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." I'm not going crazy..someone else… sees and hears… What Evil These Animals… Are Doing To "WE THE PEOPLE's CHILDREN"
God Help Us All… AMEN
Sincerely, Just one who cares

Thank GOD a Democrat finally has the balls to step up and speak the truth!

Mike Duncan, you are incorrect. I am not offended. If you would quit playing politics for one second, you would realize that comments like this come out of frustration for this quagmire. Do something about the quagmire instead of manipulating comments for personal gain.

Thank You Rep Stark, finally a democrat saying what needs to be said and out loud. Lets get tough with the religous right minority that is obviously a facade. Senator Craig and the Duke Cunningham.
Joe Merchant

Don't you dare apologize, Mr. Stark! Just remember Mr. Cheney's "3″ words to Senator Leahy on the Senate floor. Did he apologize? Were the Republicans outraged?

Bunch of freaking hypocrites.

I am in total agreement with Rep. Pete Stark, Democrat from California. Thanks for one who has the backbone to speak his mind and have concern for the "Amaracan" people, as Bush says. Bush and his cohorts have no idea how we common people live. Thank God I am one who has feelings for others and do
not feel that I am so important that I
must take the country to hell in a hand-basket as the Republicans today are doing. If Bush is in office long
enough, I'm afraid his "concern" and love for we Americans will cause him to have us in a nuclear war, just to have his way. God, please help us all.

Ya for Stark, he is saying what most people are thinking. CNNs pole said 89% of the people poled said not to appologize. I too support out troops,and I am a vet. Ms Pelosi seems to forget, Freedom Of Speech. It is about time someone sticks up for us little people. Bush and the majority of the Federal Government seem to care more for the welfare of other countries over there own people!

Democrats.
Slowly read what this guy is saying and then take a few minutes to think about it.

Comments like these are ridiculous and quite frankly im ashamed that he has a leadership position in this country.

He is basically saying that the war exists because Bush has nothing better to do and wanted some action. He then took it farther by stating that he doesnt have any respect for the President.

I hope the Dims start using their brain, their comments are getting worse and more absurd everyday. Incredible….

Regarding Congressman Stark: Hell no, he should not apologize for speaking the truth!

He may respect me, but I no longer respect him. He should appologize to the Soldiers. We are there for a reason and its people like him that lead people to believe we arent.

Three cheers for Rep. Stark telling the truth about Bushie's spending habits and his lack of concern over human life.

Rep. Pete Stark is totally right, we spent over 600 billion in 4 years based on lies, and anybody criticize Bush the Republicans try to twisted to say that they criticize the troop, and the right wing media(CNN) pick on the that and keep repeating it.

Pete Stark is 100% correct. The GOP will whine and cry foul, but that does not make it any less true.

He is correct as hell, why does voters deny anything truthful about joke bush as anti american/ bush is as anti american as anyone I can remember and i am 64 yr. old. voters be honest, look at the facts, he has lied about everything from purging voter rollis in Fl., swift boat details, National Guard enlistment,duties and time served, WMD's, Oh yes he does not want to bail out the sub-prime lenders,says not Govt. job, does anybody remember SILVERADO SAVING AND LOAN, WHAT WAS THAT GUY'S NAME? WAS IT BUSH? WHY DON'T WE HEAR MORE ABOUT HIM.
hang in Rep. Stark

Mr Pete Stark is oviously right. Every American patriot knows that. It's only matter of time, I believe ,G.W.Bush and part of the Republican Congress will be brought to justice for a crimes against our country and the crimes against humanity. I believe Bush should be impeached before he got to the office.Nobody from Bush's family should be ever allow to serve any public office. We people of America must save our country from a total destruction. It's our patriotic duty, unless you're a traitor.

I totally aggree with the Congressman's remarks, and applaud him for his courage in speaking for the American people.

How dare you Stark! How about a little respect for the highest office in our country? You owe this proud American citizen an apology as well!

What is unacceptable is a broken health care system. Broken for what might be considered 8-10 yrs or more. Maybe Hillery had the right idea as first lady.
What is unacceptable is a broken Social Security system. Broken for more yrs than I can count. Workers who pay in shouldn't have to work longer or take less at the same age of retirement. That is unacceptable.

For Rep. Pete Stark to smooth the ruffled feathers of the republican chickenhawks by apologizing for his remarks should not be condemned, but applauded.

Thank you congressman for speaking out.

Representative Stark certainly has a right to his opinion, which is no more valid than mine. For example, I believe the modern Democrat party is rooted in Marxism and seeks to circumvent the Constitution in order to power grab. I see that every single effort made by Democrats is designed to centralize power by growing gov programs and generating checks that make citizens dependent on the gov dole, make citizens beholding to the government so as to garner their vote. I see America moving to a USSR Soviet style country under the leadership of Democrats. I see Democrats as dangerous nutballs, like Stark. They display the willingness to be overly aggressive in their actions and rediculous in their ideas. Would my comments require an apology if I were an elected official?

I actualy agree with the Senator. What ever happened to the times when our leaders led their troops into battle. It is way to easy to let other people die for your ideals. We should be focusing on the problems here at home such as helath care and infrastructure instead of tombstones and artificial appendages.

This "jerk" should resign. It is a shame that he can breathe the same air as a good soldier. Probably never spent a day in the military, and uses emotionalism by calling our soldiers baby killers….another Jane Fonda and John Kerry "wannabe".

If only more of our senators and representatives were brave enough to stand up and speak out like Rep. Stark.

I agree with Rep. Peter Stark and I don't think he owes anyone an apology for standing up for children and soldiers.

Give'em hell Pete!

How to win friends and influence people? The continued name calling and insults from both sides only serve to widen the gap for any chance of a meaningful solution to ANY issue. Apparently he's lost the power of persuasion.

corrected version, sorry its early.

Finally, as inactive military member, I agree with what he said considering what I had to deal with and all the information that we now know about the this administration. Wake up people! He should not say sorry at all! Someone needs to stand up to these neocons! Also, I didn't know Mike Duncan spoke for all Americans considering more than 70% oppose this fiasco, there I said it. ITS IS TRUE!

Starks words were harsh but to most of the concerned American citizens, they hit the nail right on the head! The president is acting more and more like a dictator. He and the vice president should be impeached for putting the USA in harms way, and sending so many of our young people to their death!

Finally, as inactive military member, I pretty agree what he said considering what I had to deal with and all the information that we now know about the this administration. Wake up people! He should not say sorry at all! Someone needs to stand up to these neocons! Also, I didn't Mike Duncan spoke for all Americans considering more than 70% oppose this fiasco, there I said it. ITS IS TRUE!

Thank God, someone finally stood up and told the truth!

Finally, we hear plain, and truthful, talk in congress.
Some Democrats are growing a backbone and speaking truth to power.
Congratulations congresman.

As far as I'm concerned there is just one party in America and is called "Demoblicans". They are both the same and it's the reason why nothing gets done in Washington. I support Mr. Stark for having the guts to say the true. I would say this to Congress; " Take care of the American children and bring our troops back from Iraq!!!

Good Morning CNN. This is about the first time someone has told the real feeling about how most USA feels. MY GOD NO THE FACT IS THE FACT. Why don't he send those twins over there and then he will see the lost, hurt, and pain we all feel. TAKE CARE OF HOME FIRST.

Representative Stark should apologies for his comments. This type of retoric is sypmtematic of the disrespect of many democrats for the office of president.

I do not think Senator Stark should apologize for his comments. It is time to get tough about the war in Iraq!

He's got a valid point. Everybody likes to get real upset when they hear something like this, without taking the time to think about WHY it makes them upset. Could it be, because there is a grain of truth to it?

CF Ron Paul. QED.

I am glad that someone is finally telling the vivid truth about this president.

Well, it's about time a Democrat stands up against the Republicans policies which do not represent where the American people want the country to head, only where the Republican policymakers/spinmachine want to head. Don't back down in the face of pandering attack comments by Republicans such as "an insult to every American", these comments are only meant to shut down any move by the Democrats to condemn the Republicans for not listening to the American majority. Good for you, Stark.

the TRUTH is not always pretty, is it? Certainly no need for an apology from Mr. Stark for speaking out when it is vitally needed, and when the innocents (US soldiers) most need an honest spokesperson at home!!!

If the news media are constantly dissecting what politicians say and asking the public to vote on only certain parts of what is being said. Then where does our constitutional right of "FREEDOM OF SPEACH" enter into this picture? You should do what is expected from the media, present the news as it is happening. Not dissect and give your take on what is happening. The viewers can listen, look and feel and decide for themselves. We are Homo sapiens.

It sounds like Mr Stark is as frustrated with Bush's war spending frenzy as the rest of us and the fact that he is completely ignoring what the real crisis is in this country. I see many families struggling with their medical bills even with both parents working. I dont think he needs to apologize,because he's had enough of Bush's B.S. just like us.

We expect our congressmen to smartly run the country, not to acutely attack their collegues. Congressman Stark is aiding and abetting the enemy abroad by lobbing verbal bashes akin to a schoolyard child. The lack professionalism in Congress adds has as much to do with our failures in policy as any action taken by executive branch. As a nation, we take great pride in our separations of power. Lobbing political bombs against this separation is not the way to go. Congressmen should understand the nation is not in favor of their childlike behavior. As they spew hate and venom against the country's elected officials, their poll numbers plummet faster than the dollar. We need your help congressmen, not your bad behavior.

Respectfully,
United States Citizen

I feel it is past time that a government official spoke up for the people and our troops against this seemingly endless war and redirected our focus on issues closer to home like our youth and their health care issues.

Pete Stark is wrong to suggest troops are dying in Iraq for Bush's amusement. He should have more correctly stated that Bush continues to defend his war policies so the fat contracts wont run dry for his business buddies. Let's not forget Blackwater, Halliburton, and others cashing in on Iraq.

The Bush Administration destroyed Iraq and Afghanistan with our tax dollars, now we are paying Bushee corporate friends with our tax dollars to rebuild those countries. This is not a new tactic relating to our efforts in many countries, just a little more visible with this administration. Isn't that what's really going on here. After all, what are a few American lives sacrificed for corporate health. We should redesign the flag and sew on the stripes a large dollar sign. MJY

He spoke the truth -is that the story.? That someone in Congress actually stood up and spoke the truth without thinking, "Oh my, how will this play in the media? How will this affect my run for office?" Congress has become a joke. It's like the "Emperor Has No Clothes Story." Their lack of action is destroying our country -no action on health care, education, lobbying reform, or ending the war. Good for you, Congressman Stark! Don't apologize, speak out more and encourage others to do the same. Our political system is a disaster that is hurting every American -we need the truth and people with the courage to speak out. A standing ovation from me for your truthful words Rep Stark!!!!

Pete Stark should be commended for his courage in speaking up for our troops, not condemned.

Three cheers for Rep. Pete Stark. We have free speech in this country! Pres.Clinton was almost impeached for lying about his zipper. But it is ok for this idiot in Washington to kill 1000's of our young men (without proper body armor)in Iraq over "weapons" which never materized. Lets face it. Bush is sending our young men to die to avenge his daddy's unfinished war in Iraq!

Wow! The left has gone completely over the edge. This man needs serious help as does the Democratic Party as a whole.

I hate to see so much division aired in public, but I do not believe he owes Mr Bush an apology. Mr. Stark was right on target. He was just voicing what so many of us are thinking.

Since when do Americans have to apologize for telling the truth? It’s about time we stopped listening to Bush's stuttering sentence fragments and hold him accountable for his actions. I am embarrassed everyday I wake up and find Bush still in office.

Kind of like a swift boat attack–only with truth!

why cant we get this type of passion towards ending this strategical war by all in congress, Its just crazy you could spend so much money towards a war but when it comes to the health of the future generation thats going to inherit this war you say no thats to much money. rep. starks you owe no apology.

I think Mr Stark is a prime example of a politician trying to get re elected. He is so completly off base. If he took time to actually read the bill he is talking about he would understand it is NOT about health care for children. As for his comments about our soldiers, I believe he is the most disrespectful person I have seen for quite awhile. The brave men and women fighting our war made the decision to do so. Their honor and courage is only diminished by his disgraceful behavior. Mr Stark should be ashamed of himself.

Go Stark! It's time someone up there told it like it is. Republicans need to put up or shut up. What's with all the retiring? They want to send our Americans to Iraq to die then retire to wash their hands clean of their mess? THAT Mr. Duncan is an insult to every American.

Mr Stark speaks for many citizens who are fed up with the simian inhabitant of the White House and his use of our troops as political fodder. Should he apologize? No, hell no.

I support every word said by Mr. Stark and, rather than Democratic leaders condemning what he said, they need to put their money where their mouths are and immediately CEASE kowtowin to the current White House occupant. They are in the process of totally blowing the support they got to retrieve the Congress. They are just disgusting – the people want ACTION, not more caving in to Bush.

Thank you Rep Stark. It's about time someone told it like it is.

Finally!!! A Democrat with balls!

Given that he also says that Bush keeps our troops in Iraq to "blow up innocent people," I must seriously question his "respect" for those of us who are fighting the war.

His comments are disgraceful and beneath contempt.

Unfortunately I expect nothing less from the socialists that have taken over what was once an honorable Democratic party.

I won't hold my breath waiting for the "leaders" of the Democratic party to issue an apology or condemn his statements.

It's about time a politician has the gall to tell it like it is with this President and his cronies!

The truth is hard to hear, remember him making jokes about not being able to find WMD. This war is a mess, and the vast majority of Americans want our troops home.

Pete Stark was wrong. Troops are dying not just for Bush's amusement, but for the political entertainment and enrichment of the entire Republican party. From their deaths flow all the wealth currently be ammassed and horded by the traitorous elite known as Neocons. They the presence of evil in the world.

Rep. Stark has to be commended for his remark. The President and all members of Congress who still supports this evil war have to realize we are fighting in vain in Iraq. Let's bring home our troops NOW. Let' stop the killing of innocent people. Bush has enough conscience as he "cries every night" with this nightmare we the people are paying dearly with the lives of our young soldiers and our hard-earned tax dollars.

Stark later issued a statement saying, "I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best,” said Stark. “But I respect neither the Commander-in-Chief who keeps them in harms way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children health care."

Way to go Congressman Stark!

Republicans are TRASH and they call themselves compasionate conservatives.
USELESS as tits on a bull.

This guy Stark seems to be the smartest man in American politics these days… Too bad he is alone…

It is about time someone stands up to the President and the Congress and "tells it like it is", instead of sugar coating the reality that this useless war, based on lies, is killing our soldiers and innocent civilians. Good for Rep. Pete Stark. He would get my vote if I could vote for him. Denise S, NY.

I praise Pete Stark's courage. More American need to see whats actually happening for change to take place. Imagine if we took all the money and energy we have and are putting in Iraq into protecting and securing America? It is insulting to Americans intelligence that Mike Duncan would say this "is an insult to every American". It is not. Also it is not "unacceptable" to say something like this. Saying it is unacceptable" is trying to supress. At this point with president bush backed by the Illuminati the war machine is at work. They control the world militarily through Washington D.C., financially through Inner London and spiritually through the Vatican. This is so sad. But finally in the information age masses of people will know things they never knew before and hopefully we will put this type of government, treason and death business out of businnes forever and replace it whith a world where countries arent recognized for military power but for their spiritual evolution and Earth friendly ways of living.

Maybe it is time for Stark to resign. We don't need his attitude!!!

Oh, puh-leze, Repooplicans! Stop the disingenuous whining; your Presidunce has no clue about the suffering of our troops and actually seems to be enjoying their death, destruction and misery.

Mr. Bush reminds me of a long-departed ruler: Caligula.

This shows the democratic parties true colors about how they feel about those serving in unform. I saw in my 20 years of service in the Navy and my son's 6 years in the Marines that hte democrats of today felt about the military the same as the post Viet Nam democrats did. Some of them are still there in office. Remember actions speak louder than words and the HMO medical system (Tri-Care Prime), the drawdown and funding cuts of the Peace Dividend, lower pay raises than the civilian population during democratic administrations are just afew of the examples. The press and the democrats do not want to know why the armed forces do not vote for them in any significant numbers.

BRAVO REp. Stark ! Bravo!

You should be running for President!

I'm not amused that Pete Stark thinks that my kid was blown up by and IUD for anyone's entertainment. Sometimes monkeys have more sense than these elected officials. If Pete Stark had seen how many tears the President has cried for the dead and wounded thoughout this awful conflict he'd be punching himself in the mouth for what he said.

He does have a point. If we're going to have fresh troops for the never ending war in Iraq come 2015 we should start taking care of future troops er … children now. We can just work SCHIP into the Iraq war funding bills and no one will ever notice where the money went.

Pete Stark, don't stop with just that one remark. You're showing the guts to expose the hypocrisies of the Bush Administration. I wish other Democrats were so willing. Keep it up.

How else is Commander Guy supposed to get his kicks? Dinner and a movie now cost about $100 for a family. With oil at nearly $90 per barrel, the family vacation is out. And since his brilliant economic policies have left our dollar worthless so we can sell all the wonderful things we manufacture in this country overseas, there isn't much he can do with the dough he has. So why not have a little sport lining up the soldiers who have supported you and watch them get picked off one by one? It's what they call good clean fun down in Texas where musical chairs hasn't been the same since they retired Ol' Sparky.

I don't condemn our Commander Guy for wanted a little blood-soaked fun. I condemn this Democrat for making such a big deal of it. Come on, lighten up. If you can't make a joke out of the misconceived reasons for this war, and you can't be bothered to attend a single funeral, and if, like your mom, you really don't like looking at dead people, because it soils your beautiful mind, then you have to have your ersatz kicks watching the death toll mount daily, knowing you did this all by yourself, like the big boy you are, and that no one will ever touch you for it.

Shame on you, Pete Stark, shame on you!

President Bush is committing treason, the people don't want to be in Iraq, and yet he doesn't listen. The president is supposed to represent the citizens of the United States, what we have is despotism. Shame on you Bush.

I don't feel at all insulted by Pete Stark, on the contrary, I am in full agreement with his comments on the House Floor. What I feel insulted about is the stupidity of our moronic president, who send our fellow young Amricans to die in an illegal war and kill innocent Iraqi civilians. That is what I feel insulted about. You can forward this opinion to Mr. Stark and to Mike Duncan and Nancy Pelosi.

Somebody has to say it. Moderation needs to swept aside for action in the defense of our nation. Who cares what you say, its what you do. Bush and the Republicans don't like it, tough. I am sure allowing their contractor buddies and their ten thousand sub-contractors rape our tax payers is amusing to them, to me it seems like that money is earned at the cost of American soldiers lives. So in fact, they are probably dying for their amusement, but its time to stop laughing.

So why don't the Dems stop helping Bush out by giving him money?

I believe he is right and I'm a veteran my self. Mike Ducan is wrong not every American thinks it is a insult. I take what Mike Ducan said as a insult. Cuause one, he stated every American. Well Mike Ducan you don't speak for me. I praise Rep. Pete Stark, for stating the truth on what it really is.

Another case where republican trying to mislead American people by saying a criticism on Bush is a criticism on the troops. What else is new ?

I seen this on Tv was funny…. yet, how true. how many other don't feel the same as he does, but don't speak their minds?

Stark is an ignorant flamer. Any adult behaving this badly needs professional help in a hurry. He has created further hate and division. I'm beginning to believe the Democrats have been sniffing glue or something. No intellight adult would be caught dead behaving so stupidly. The history books will not shine favorably on the Democrats.

Why would this attack be unacceptable from any elected official? It's true! Most of the Republicans would rather spend billions on a bogus war than on helping our own children! And if this war isn't for the President's and Cheney's amusement, then what is it? There's certainly nothing legitimate about it. I think the reason that Mike Duncan was so quick to throw a tantrum about the comment, is because he knows that it's true, and want's to shift the focus away from the facts. He's just using the tried and true GOP defense tactic: If they criticize ANY aspect of the war in Iraq, just call them un-patriotic, and that'll be the end of that.

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.

Pete Stark for President,a Pete Stark clone for Speaker of the House and Pete Stark robot for majority leader in the Senate.What is obscene is this war and the monkey running it.

For a person to stand her/his ground is a complicated mess. Truth lies in the individual. Make decisions based on fact……

D.Cal.Rep.Pete Stark's statement toward Pres.Bush's amusement toward Our Mighty/Proud soldiers dying in the M.E.& AFGHANISTAN is totally "RECKLESS,IRRESPONSIBLE, UNPATRIOTIC and ANTI AMERICAN SENTIMENT!SUCH STATEMENT DOES NOT HELP THE MORAL OF OUR MEN & WOMEN IN UNIFORM WHO ARE SACRIFICING FIGHTING FOR THE BEST OF OUR INTEREST.GOD BLESS AMERICA & PRES.G.W.BUSH!

IRAQI LGBT: SAFE HOUSE CAMPAIGN
http://gayswithoutborders.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/iraki-lgbt-safe-house-campaign/

The truth will aways be condemned by this White House.

IMPEACH BUSH NOW!

Check out these JUST updated detailed House ratings to figure out where things stand in the fight for the House!

Well that's pretty accurate, they are serving George's amusement and little else is being accomplished. The goals are non millitary at this point, they have no purpose to serve, except earning their deferments like tuition mercenaries. But at least they are being kept busy enough to not be able to "preemptively" attack and destabillize any other countries in the region on false pretenses.

I'm confused why Congressional Republican leaders don't also mispronounce other words – like "nucular" – as the president does?

It seems that, in an attempt to make Bush appear a tad smarter, they've all adopted the word "Democrat" as an adjective, even though it's grammatically incorrect.

"Well, if we ALL sound stupid, then eventually it won't sound stupid any more. Right? Right??"

The veto was the right thing… its one thing to give health care to poor individuals but when you start encompassing the upper middle class thats another. SCHIP was a good program that was then defiled by the democrats and their socialistic ways. The program was good the way bush proposed… but as always the libs want to push forward their agenda.

As a young professional I find all of this current rash of disgusting quotes from the Democrats as childlike. They don't get their way and they cry and call names. I hope this continues because the more it does… the more my friends who are on the fence politically keep jumping over to my side.

pete stark spoke his mind like the constitution says he can. the republicans just can't handle the truth. 75% of the american people have no respect for george w bush (who avoided putting himself in harms way) but will send others to do his dirty work.

Pete Stark speaks the truth, and he gets blasted for it. Speaking any amount of truth about our current administration gets a person singled out, labeled and discredited. That's a sad state of affairs and I'm getting very sick of it.

I would rather have a politician speak his mind, eloquently or not, so we know where he stands than have a president who is despised like our current "leader." It's even better that I agree with him.

It's about time a democrat grew a spine. Bravo to Congressman Stark! Don't back down!

Right on!! Finally, someone has the courage to speak the truth. All Dubya has done is to create the next two or three generations of suicide bombers.

It may sound "inflammatory" but the situation is, to my mind, exactly as Stark describes it. Bush seems to enjoy being at war—the way he talks about it, smiles inappropriately when he's saying something very serious, and in his bull-headed opinion. It IS impossible for me as an American—as a human being— to respect THIS presidency—Bush at all. There's a certain level of decorum to use in the House and Senate most times yes, but, at times like right now, the dialogue and comments like Stark's SHOULD match the lunacy of this administration's attitude. Claiming to disagree with or not having enough money for a child's health care bill is absurdly ironic while because of a blunderous, ill-planned and unnecessary war killing even 19 year old Americans is going on. I'm too mad to be eloquent.
Time to just get to the point of the insult this war is on us as Americans. ALL of us.

The Bush foreign policy is :

"an insult to every American, Democrat or Republican."

sincerely leo

I think that the comments that Rep. Peter Spark said are very true. We are in Iraq because Mr. Bush was trying to finish what his dad did not finish not because they where a problem. Mr. Bush has hurt our image all over the world. But yet we continue to let this man that has the lowest rating continue to send our children, brothers, and sisters to be killed. I don't see his kids over there? His daughter said that her skills where better used working with third world countries. Why didn't all those men and women given the same choice? They are promised all this training and opportunity but to get it you must go and try to stay alive first. Mr. Bush is using our love ones as his own private toy collection.

Good for Pete Stark, finally a democrat with a backbone. The republicans are evil, greedy, power drunk psychopaths and George Bush is their leader. They would allow every american soldier to die if they thought it would improve their ratings.

Wow! Finally a politician that says it like it is.

Rep. Stark hit the nail on the head. I'm glad he had the cojones to speak the truth and not to back down when Duncan began his limp wristed pandering. Bush, Congress, your actions and inactions are an insult to every American, Democrat or Republican!

I cannot understand what they find so objectionable. He's calling a spade a shovel and it's about time the usurper in the White House got it shoved up his nose.

This is a clear cut opinion that has some merit. I don't think just because the Republicans don't like hearing what he said, it is "an insult to every American". We are in Iraq because we are trying to clean up Bush's mistakes and Americans are dying during this process.

Pete Stark is 100% correct in what he says and I for one are complemented by his honesty. The Bush Administration is a bunch of draft-dodging wimps. They are sending American kids to get blown to bits for a war we DID NOT need to start, and they are blowing our tresury so that their buddies in the defense and construction industries can get rich. It's amazing to me that any red-blooded American can stand to sit by and watch this happen to their country. It's a disgrace!!!

It started out as a little game for Bush, I'm sure. I doubt he's "amused" anymore, but he should cry uncle instead of allowing people to continue dying just because he refuses to take his marbles (if he has any) and go home.

i have to brothers that have fought in this war and im a veteran myself and this war is not about politics its suppost to be about the people so what everyone needs to remember its not about an election or any crap that is happening here in the states our troops our dying because there supposed support fails them here because ous overpaid congress thinks that with thier big heads has not really done anything to suport them they need to listen to our what our troops need instead of listening to some political stand point wars aren't won on paper there won by the men and wemon that do that job everyday without complaining. Congress was set forth for the people not to fight against each other thats why we are failing our troops and the poeple of the united states.

Amen Mr Stark, I agree completely, thanks for stating the obvious on the floor. For those of your colleagues who wish to have their heads in the sand on this topic, shame, an election follows next year please keep that in mind.

Good for Congressman Stark. It's nice to see a Democrat with some backbone. Hopefully, he'll stand up to the heat and refrain from an apology. None is warranted.

"Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan quickly condemned the comments, saying in a statement they are "an insult to every American, Democrat or Republican."

As if every American is either Democrat or Republican, right? The political duopoly is so strong, that this is simply assumed to be the case. What a shame for America that our choices for representation are so incredibly poor.

Yeah this is the real story. Not the fact that these bozos could care less about children's healthcare(why should they care, they're covered are they not?) Oh they are real concerned with fetuses, it's just after they are born they don't seem to care too much. Of course Stark said this out of sheer frustration. How can anyone not be fed up with spending billions of dollars on the unnecessary war and we can't even take care of our children?? Utterly absolutely sickening.

Way to go Congressman Stark. Why does Republicans get upset when he calls a spade a spade. If they understand why Bush has the lowest approval rating of any President in the history, they won't hark at Stark. What a bunch of warmongers who hate children but love the unborn. The voters should team them a lesson coming next November in throwing out all the Republicans and Democracts who voted against the SCHIP program.

Is this another John Kerry moment? Democracts are losers!

Finally! someone with the guts to speak truth to power. Bush and this administration should be charged with war crimes, crimes against the Constitution, and massive fraud against the American people.

Using this kind of language to trivialize a conflict such as this is despicable. This language implies that the president of the United States enjoys sending people to die in a war that is already highly controversial. What purpose does this kind of attack serve?

If this is true – it is further validation of an undiciplined congress ready and willing to make any irresponsible and detestible comment to suit a foolish party goal…I hate to say this – but it is too bad we can't start over – perhaps Flight 73 going down with intent to crash into the capitol would have benefited our nation…this comment about as stupid as most of the crap coming out of congress from Pelosi and Reid on down…God help us!

"But I respect neither the Commander-in-Chief who keeps them in harms way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children health care."

Way to go Stark! LOL!

I support the statement. We have elected people into office to control our current concerns and they do nothing but lay down like a dying dog. We need more elected officials like Rep. Stark to stand up for us, if he doesnt do it who will.

It's sickening to read this diatribe 4 days after returning from extended deployment to the Al Anbar province with the USMC.

"I always believe when your political opponents are committing suicide, there's no reason to murder them," Boehner, R-Ohio, said.

The Dems are their on worst enemy. Stark is a pitiful example of a congressman that is supposed to maintain civility.

What is worse: That our soldiers are dying for Bush's amusement, or that they are dying for Bush's profit?

Not so fast Mike,
I agree completely with the Congressman's remarks.

As you do not represent me in any way.
I veto your assumed right to speak on my behalf.

I agree with 100% percent, it is obvious by the LACK OF ACTION by our bodies of government that the troops are sadly dying for the amusement ofnot only the president but for the lobbyist especially (a.i.p.a.c) and other corporate interest, this is sadly the truth, but the media will never publish comments like mine because the media lacks the backbone to publish the truth, they are complicit.

Right 0n! Give the right wing coward-fools hell – they've just about ruined this country with their evil/idiotic policies.

Hey Pete, are you trying to be sickly funny, or are you really that stupid ?

Where were all these smart Democrats on 911 day ? It would seem if they were as intelligent as they now claim, there would have been no 911.

*sigh* i hate what the government in this country has become. they're all useless.

If the republicans would worry more about accomplishing real policies rather than worrying about negative comments about the president perhaps the SChip legislation might have passed today. Rep. Stark blasted the president which very few other political or media figures are willing to do and now they want him censured. Keith Olbermann is one major exception! Before bush came into office free speech was an admirable civil liberty afforded to all americans. I guess free speech is being thrown by the wayside with the rest of our civil liberties that Bush has stolen and the senate has let him. Now those who speak against him are un-american and want the terrorists to succeed. If more members of the Congress and Senate would stick by their own personal principals rather than herd up like sheep around a president who not only doesn't care about children but doesn't care about the thousands of troops killed in Iraq. Republicans need to remember that they work for the people as well and they haven't been representing the will of the people by letting the president do whatever he wants. We applaud Stark's guts in speaking his mind, the republicans throw mud every day but when the mud slings around back at them it is not ok? At least he didn't attack innocent children for political purposes he blamed the person responsible. They are hypocrites who failed the children of our country as well as our soldiers and the American people as well by lacking the courage of conviction to stand up to the president. God Bless the troops and the children that bush has forsaken, we keep them in our prayers.

Pete sounds like a real deep thinker. Is Pete planning to run for President ?

Bravo Pete Stark. When Bush is in prison for his war crimes he will still have his vile supporters. Not much we can do about that.

Wow. Did the democratic party have to show their lack of a spine so obviously? Calling it an insult to every American? Hogwash. It's just speaking the truth, and as an American I am insulted by that very assertion by Nancy Pelosi.

Good for Stark! Truth hurts.

Good for Mr. Stark! All Americans, young and old, are paying the fidler with Presidents Bush's adventure in Iraq. I am glad somebody had the nerve to get up and dance. Shame on Mr. duncan, what a load he is spreading. The American people know the score and the Repuplican party needs to change course in a hurry. We all have had enough their lies. Where are the WMD, Mr. Duncan? Iraq is not worth money we are spending! And nearly 4,000 dead troops.

Congressman Pete Stark is absolutely right-on regarding Bush's obvious and shameful disregard for both our children, in vetoing the Children's Health insurance bill, as well as for our brave soldiers, in starting and prolonging his tragic and unneccesary war in Iraq. One month of war spending would pay for the annual expense of the SChip bill.

Stark is perfectly accurate in his statement. Bush is obviously stalling to end this war until the end of his term. In the meantime he is refusing a measly few billion dollars on healthcare for children. By the way where I live, Santa Cruz California, $80,000 per year for a family of four is lower middle income. $60,000 per year is officially LOW INCOME. Look it up. $60,000 may be big bucks in the deep south but it isn't here.

Real smart Pete. Real Smart. Shall we award you the Smart Noble Prize ? Would you like to spend 36 months in Iraq to assess the situation ? Why don't you volunteer for that duty ?

Thank you for speaking out the truth You have my support at any time Is about time someone is telling it like it is we need more people like you to run for office. …respectfully yours….Tom Collins

Pete sounds like a real class act. Is he planning to run for president ?

Wow, Some real things to think about…How about that? I think the Sen. Stark has a very valid point I'm sorry if it came out bluntly but there is a major imbalance happening here in America. What the heck is our priority any way? With the Trillions of dollars spent to “defend”, I think we should maybe just build a big Defense Wall around the Country, it would probably cost only half a Trillion though…. But On the other Hand, Lets say the bill passes in the House (which it didn’t) But lets say it did. Now I’m sure as heck, that I don’t want to see my Tax dollars being used to 1.) fight for Oil and 2.) Pay for every Childs “Medication” . Especially, when Doctors tend to over diagnosis and over prescribe Meds . This plays right into the hand of the Pharmaceutical Companies. So How about thinking about that one? The Dems are just as hooked by the Pharmaceutical pull as are the “Conservatives” .

Why do you Democrats seem to forget about some radicals destroying the twin towers ? You have never offered one solution. How come in current discussions you always omit the one important factor ? Didn't the radicals that leveled the twin towers start this fiassco ? What were you planning to do about them ?

So true

I'm glad this guy didn't apologize to Bush. We're pouring money, blood and wasted lives in a country that we're never going to control. And at home health care costs keep skyrocketing. So what does Bushy do, he cuts funds for kids' medical insurance. Wake up Americans. Your lives are being run by corporate jackals.

Finally, a Democrat willing to speak out strongly for America's military and America's children against the actions of a shameful Republican White House!

Democrats have a chip on their shoulder because they didn't win in 00; they lost in 04. They continue to lose over and over against Pres Bush's conservative programs and proposals. I think they just snap sometimes.

The Congress and Senate have an 11% approval rating because they are NOT speaking out against the crazy Mad Man we seem to have in the White House. Someone please tell me exactly where Stark is incorrect in his statement regarding the persistently deafening silence in Washington. There is a blatant hipocrisy infecting our country when American kids who don't have insurance are too expensive to even be considered by this failure of a president, yet a war that never made any tactical sense, is encouraged to continue with no valid end in sight? (and there's not much use in hoping our inept Secretary of State is ever going to help improve things along the way)

I say thank you, Mr. Stark; I'm glad there's still one sane and angry voice out there speaking for us REAL middle class Americans!

Well, maybe not for his amusement but definetly the war was to put a lot of money in his rich friends pockets, which in return will benefit him and Cheneys pockets too. BUSH LIED, thousands of Troops have Died!!!

What a heartless comment to make and coming from an elected official. It is a pity that the congress man allowed his bitterness for the President of United States to overcome him and it shows in his words. His comments are highly insensitive to our great men and women in uniform and he should apologize to the nation and especially to the brave men and women who are doing a great job and making all the sacrifices. This is a shame.

Someone needs to tell Mike Duncan that it's the DemocratIC party… NOT the Democrat party. Republicans have recently started denigrating the DemocratIC party's name in their code-word propaganda.

Other than the fact that it shows how childish they can be, it frames the discourse in a caustic manner.

Maybe the DemocratIC party needs to grow a pair, and start using the opposition party's tactics against them… they could even stoop real low and re-name the Republican party… How about starting with the RepuGNANT party?

I agree with Duncan, insulting anyone like that, especially your superior is shocking and completely distasteful. I cannot believe that the people of California would elect a man like this to the senate. This goes beyond partisanship, it is simply disgusting.

It's sad, but Stark is right.

I'm sure he doesn't think Bush REALLY gets amusement out of it, its just an expression. I agree with him, and I'm glad he stuck to his guns and did not recall his comment like many others would.

Absolutely incredible. Where are Pelosi and Reid on this one. How about Hill and Obama. The true colors of the looney left will be the Dems' downfall.

Finally someone who stands up and speaks the truth. Bush lied to get us in this lost war and has swapped brave American soldier's blood for the hopes of corporate america getting richer off stealing Iraq's oil. Conservative's thinking is taking away healthcare and making us a laughung stock of the world!

Conservatives claim that Dems never stand up and throw down, and when they do, they whine that that their feelings have been hurt. And they wonder why no one takes them seriously anymore.

What kind of constituency elects a man like this to Congress? You don't have to agree with this war, but personal attacks are wrong and not allowed on the floor. Im sure people in his district in Calif. are really proud.

I applaud Rep. Stark both for being bold enough to make the comments, and also to not back down in the face of republican 'condemnation' (in other words, pretending to be offended to try and make it seem as if the comments aren't true).
The Republican party are well versed in pretending to be offended, but in all reality it is a thin disguise for their profits ahead of people policies.
What is truly unacceptable is that they continue to put the welfare of the entire earth behind their greed for money, oil and power.
Bush and his cronies continue to get fat off the war in Iraq, raping the earth's resources, polluting, denying global warming, and other actions while the majority of the world suffer for his actions.

Mr. Stark, it is my only hope that you defend your comments, everybody knows what you mean. Please do not detract your comments at any time. We need people like you. We must not let the Republican spinning machine to take advantage of this situation. This is the only thing that they are good at, and amazingly our fellow americans still believe in what they have to say.

Freedom of speech. Don't you just love it.

My freedom of speech is recall Rep. Pete Stark, D-California. He has no right to represent any American.

More of the Republicans and Democrats both need to stand up as Stark did. He is merely stating the obvious. Most Americans see it. The Bush war supporters need to wake up! Stop the war! Bring our soldiers home. Use the monies being wasted in Iraq on the people of this country.

You know, Republican or Democrat, it really is disgusting the comments some of these people make just to shoot down the other party.

I don't think any U.S. president finds it amusing to see soldiers killed in action. This Stark is a disgrace and he's only hurting his party's chances of winning the White House.

No democrat leader should under any circumstance renounce this comment.

If anything they should advance the attack against the criminal-in-chief.

what riders were on that health care bill?? Why doont they try to pass a bill on its own merit instead of slipping pork barrel money pits as riders????

Well, dude is right. Bush is a warmonger and so is Darth cheney. Just 14 more months til freedom,but I'm sure he'll get us into a 3rd war by then and that one we'll really lose.

Go Rep. Stark!

We cannot let these rich isolated people control the fates of poor disadvantaged people — especially when it comes to health care. When it comes to Iraq, we are wasting billions of dollars on bombs..while we could be spending billions on say..vaccines or finding a cure for cancer. But until they somehow make a profit out of that, we'll see a lagging health care system.

Wow they are all over the place! Another angry Liberal!!! This was all a show come on and you know it! This bill was doom for failure and Democrats pushed it for political gains. It is the new game in Washington since Democrats won the congress.

As an Iraqi veteran I know all about the men and women dying in Iraq. When are the politicians going to allow us to win the war? Set aside the bickering and just let us win this war.

I see nothing wrong with this statement, and see no reason for Stark to apologize.

Whether it's by chuckling as he talks about launching WWIII on Iran, or breezily asking reporters to "Now watch this drive!" while talking about terrorism, the President gives every indication that he's enjoying the heck out of the game of Risk he's playing with the blood of American soldiers and the dollars of American taxpayers. It's all fun and games for our disgusting spectacle of a Chief Executive.

Now here's a real hero. Thank God someone is speaking the truth for a change.

Yeah

It's about time someone told the EMPEROR about his new clothes…
BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!!!!!!

I wonder what is the connection with Irak, where our brave soldiers defend our nation and the veto on SCHIP which would have been funded with a 6000% tax on hand made cigars, a 714% tax increase on RYO.If Democrat want to help every uninsured child, here is the way to go:
$1.00 per glass of wine, $1.00 per can of beer, 20 cents per serving of french fries, 20 cents per fast food meal, and 10 cents per can of soda.
After all, children do not smoke cigars, but eat fast food, consuming french fries, gulp sodas and some may drink beverages they should not drink: Beer, wine or hard liquor.
Congres could raise more than the requested:60 billion dollars. May be our Congresmen and women should attend a 101 math class

Best thing I have heard out of congress in a while!

I don't see how this is an insult to the American people. It sounds like an insult to President Bush.

This is OUTRAGEOUS and the Congressman MUST RESIGN….This is the MoveOn words and ENOUGH is ENOUGH!!
Americans kick All these BUMS OUT next time arround and let get back to the Business of being AMERICANS…which is LONG over Due… some may be Democate and some Republicans..BUT …WE ARE ALL AMERICANS FIRST !!!!

These comments are reprehensible. I am sick and tired of our politicians carrying on like a bunch of high school children.

This guy went over the top. I disagree w/ this war, but sometimes, idiots like this, shoot off their big mouths to get publicity. Well, that's what he got, but it was negative publicity.
Mark Shrigley
FuzzySnake.com

Absolutly pathetic. Zero respect for Pete Stark.

Well Mike Duncan, I'm not insulted by Rep. Stark's comments, and I most certainly am an American.

This story fails to mention that as Stark made these absurd comments he sounded drunk. How do people like Stark keep their seats. Don't their constituents see them for the fools they are….regardless of their party affiliation.

Whenever I think the Democrats can't sink any lower, they prove me wrong. How can America tolerate such treasonous speeches during wartime? I wonder what the American men and women fighting in the Middle East think of these kind of comments.

Whether a person agrees with Rep. Stark's commment or not, his comment was not slander towards the Bush Administration. While it might have come close to or over stepped boundaries someone needed to recognize the war as it is actually happening. I agree with Rep. Stark because Americans have spent billions on this unjust war in Iraq and we should be investing money in the healthcare of children and focus on SCHIP.

I would substitute "ego" for "amusement" as regards Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz and the many other chicken hawks who steadfastly avoiding serving during Vietnam yet callously and coolly sent nearly 4,000 of our troops and over 1 MILLION Iraqis to horrifically violent deaths to meet their ambitions for empire and wealth building. Impeach Bush and Cheney NOW before they BS us all into "wanting" to attack Iran next with another 9-11 or "Gulf of Tonkin" incident!

It's about time someone in the Democratic party grew a spine. I don't think Mr. Stark should apologize for anything!

'bout time someone starts talking tough against the Bush administration and GOP enablers.

HOW TRUE,

Stark is a poor excuse for a human being let along a politician.

The first one with balls in this Senat !!! Still hope the brain dead REPS go away from MEIN FUEHRER WE FOLLOW YOU……..

And we would want to vote for a Democrat, WHY??

Americans may be more interested on some blond bimbo cutting her hair on getting in and or out of rehabilitation for alcohol and drugs, than in the soldiers dying or getting mangle in Iraq.
No many Americans know that the bush family owns half of the oil fields in Kuwait, and that oil is the real reason for the war.

People you have the fox looking after the chickens!!!.

Bob

It's about time someone stood up and finally called the Bush war for what it is. Good for you Congressman Stark.

You are mistaken sir. They are dying for the cause of freedom from terrorism.

What ever happened to freedom of speech?

Senator Stark-at least you had the guts to say what many Americans feel concerning the mess in Iraq.

I say send the twins!

Good. Finally someone tells it like it is. Republicans can cry about this comment as much as they want but, unfortunatley, it won't make it less true.

Go Stark! I doubt your comments will do much good, but in the environment of partisan yes-men its worth a shot.

I have to say that I agree Rep. Pete Stark, I believe that George Bush is a full blown sociopath that is backed into a corner right now, the last thing he is going to do is what’s right for the country. Once a drunk always a drunk, just he never got help. Our soldiers the Iraq people and our country are paying, big time!!!!!

Bravo! It's time someone spoke the truth about Bush's blood-soaked hands.

Pete Stark is right…Bush is a lousy leader and he is wasting America's youth in Iraq. Barbara needs to spank his behind and send him to bed. I am so glad I retired from the Marines in 1990 behind Bush took the helm. I could not follow his lead and would resign before doing so.

This is so sad. Iraq has their Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds hating and killing each other. Here in the U.S. our Republicans and Democrats are just as bad. They are filled with just as much hate and stop at nothing to insult and attack each other. Things like this embarrass me as an American. We use to be better than this. What has happened to our country?

Bravo! Bravo! Well Said Mr. Stark!! Finally, somebody has the guts enough to speak the truth. Our children are dying because Bush is too stubborn to withdraw. Also, our grandchildren's future is being sacraficed because of the money spent on his stubborness. Now, our children will not have healthcare because of his stubborness. When will we as a people stand up and say "Enough is Enough!"

At least one man has the guts to say it – Bravo!

Stark deserves a medal for speaking truth to power. Why don't the media wake up and come out of their bubble? What do the Washington MSM think real Americans are talking about out in America? We're talking about this idiotic war and how no one will stop it. Not even the Democratic congress. Even when you change the players in DC nothing changes. This war went way past making any sense at all about 2 or 3 years ago. So it's impossible to say Stark isn't making any sense.

Thank you Rep.Stark!

After seeing a YouTube video of the president in a presentation to a dinner of his cronies, ducking around a podium saying "No weapons of mass destruction here," then stooping on the other side, "No weapons of mass destruction here" as the audience laughs, it is not far-fetched to say that this President is amused by the endless death. He has made numerous "jokes" at totally inapproprate times where seriousness or empathy should be there. The man is a psychopath who is totally unfit for his position.

It is about time that someone with Passion spoke out against this President…The rest of the democrat representatives should have the heart brave enough to join him…..this president has done nothing but invite violence. He should be impeached.

Thank God Pete Stark has some balls.
Good for him and he should not apologize for anything he said. He criticized our "leader" (who really is just a littl follower of Cheney), not our troops.
I love the term "chickenhawks"…Stark is the MAN!!!!!!!!!

The United states Congress should be a modicum of our best,and brighest, party,nor issues ,nor disagreements politically ,should not create this discourse in our greatest of Instituitions,A complete apology should be demaned on both sides of the aisle or a resignation out of repect to the instituition

What was so controversial about what he said? 75% of us agree with Rep. Stark. The other 25% can keep the Bush blinders on.

Stark is on CRACK

Mr. Stark, quit playing politics with two very important issues. Everyone has strong opinion about both subjects, but to suggest that our President is sending soldiers to get theirs heads blown off "for his amusement" is very over the top. Secondly, Pres. Bush proposed expanded spending on the program to keep those already in it covered, but the Dems wanted to make a grandiose display of "Repubs hate kids" campaign by blowing the program out like a balloon to cover many more people, many of whom really don't need it.

Mr. Stark, you are the chickenhawk, and your Dem cohorts have done more to undermine the war in Iraq then any traitor ever could. Politics needs to stop at the border..ie…keep it behind closed doors. Threaten Repub programs behind close doors if they dont scale back the Iraq war, fine, I can accept that, but when you air it publicly like you have been the last few years, you give the enemy the best weapon they can have…hope of victory because of American retreat. That gives them every incentive to stay in the fight. They just have to wait us out.

Finally a Democrat who uses harsh words against this administration. It's about time. The Democrats need to stop being weak in the knees and beat the Republicans at their own game: Tough Language.

This country is coming apart at the seems. I am no fan of Bush, but any elected representative that would make such a stupid and ridiculous statement should be removed from office. To allege that Bush derives amusement from combat deaths in beyond civil discourse. This man is plainly a moron and has no place in congress and should be censured.

I fully support Rep. Stark, we need Demcrats like him who say what they mean, and who stand up for the armed forces in Uniform.
DINI
New York

… Sorry… typo.. should say "Stand with him….

Granted Congressman Stark should not have used the word amusement. But how many Americans are going to die in Iraq because of the incompetence of Bush as commander-in-chief. Their dying because the republicans in congress are praying for a miracle that the surge will stave off defeat till they can blame others. Meanwhile our soldiers are comming home in body bags, wheel chairs,with missing limbs, sightless, mentally and emotionally disabled. Just so they,the republicans can save face.
So the republicans are insulted by Starks use of the word amusement, but no one died.
I'm sure the soldiers in Iraq would say, 'Insult me, but let me go home alive and in one piece." Amen

FINALLY, somebody has what it takes to speak the truth! Just hope the rest of the Dems stank with him and learn something from him!

My son died for freedom and for his country, not for President Bush's amusement. Only those of you who don't understand and who are not willing to sacrifice will keep blaming the President. For God's sake and this country's sake, please don't use the soldiers' death for political advantage. Honor them who have died for freedom. Enough is enough. May God continue to bless America.

If this loone had any brains he would resign immediately.Of course if he had any brains he would not be in Congress. This is what we can now expect from the lef twing loonie capital of the world, California. There have been some outrageous things said on both sides but this guy really needs to have his head examined.

I support you, Pete. He is clear he values American soldiers but not the way that they are being employed in Iraq.

I am a Democrat and feel this was a poor choice of words by the Congressman who's district is next to mine. It was uncalled for and could have been stated differently.

Stark is a cretin. It's as simple as that.

Best…representative…ever

I'm moving to Cali just so I can vote for this guy!!

It's about friggin time someone spoke their mind in congress!!

This is an example of liberal partisan political games but at who's expense. This is the heart of what is wrong in Washington at this time. Someone from either party currently act like they are different countries, no common goals, no working together and its all about power and staying in the key positions so your party has "POWER". You may not agree with every decision made while the other party was in power but there should be working towards common goals . You just get nowhere with statements like Starks comment and part of the problem is that these people have no respect for the office of the president in general unless there is someone in the white house who is a member of their party. If these politicians would just let the military run this war things in Iraq would be much better off. Why did we leave Vietnam without a victory?? In this case however the situation so different. The stakes are so high and failure could mean the end of free society as we know it not just here but around the world.If the terrorist and terror states like IRAN win this battle then wait and see what goes on next in places like Israel, Pakistan,and Saudia Arabia. The disease will fester from this region into the rest of the middle east because these people want nothing more than to kill anyone who is not a believer in their brand of radical Islam. Comments like Mr. Starks do nothing to help the cause.

Hate, hate, hate. I felt hate for this pig of a man as he spewed his filth over our government today.

The last time I checked, freedom of speech was still allowed in Congress. I've always been told that truth hurts….and who suffers here, someone's ego?

Way to go Mr. Stark. It's time you bunch of wimpy democrats begin to stand up for what is right. I received a call from the democrats asking for money to help fight the republicans. My response was no because the democrats are a bunch of wimps and they keep either voting for the war or more money for the war. Thank you Mr. Stark for your brave work. You have my full 100% support.

I wouldn't say his coments suggested "suggested" that they were dying for his amusement. More "blatantly stated" it.

Of course, if it is just for his amusement, it would explain the lack of any stated goal (or, rather, a stated goal that stays the same from one week to the next).

Ditto to: “But I respect neither the Commander-in-Chief who keeps them in harms way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children health care." ,
,
And ditto to: "I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best.”
,
I have felt for a long time that our Commander in Chief uses our brave men and women as a disposable resource, and his arrogance has cost us dearly, both at home and globally. ,
,
Bravo to Stark for saying so, and shame on Mike Duncan for mouthing the rhetoric.,

I can't imagine better propoganda material for our enemies. I wonder if Stark will be "amused" when this is shown to one of our captured soldiers.

Quit putting a spin on this crap by saying he is only coming under fire from Republicans. He is coming under fire from AMERICAN'S!!!!! Nobody I have spoken to on this topic support his choice of words no matter how they feel about the war. I do not believe the president finds any death funny and to make such a statement is retarded. This guy is taking California to a whole new low.

If Pelosi, Reid, or any other democrat apologizes for Stark's statement, it will only be one more example of their spinelessness. The statement is accurate and should stand.

Finally…a Democrat who stands up and just speaks the truth.

Good for you, Mr. Stark. I support you wholeheartedly.

I think this debate has reached a new low. Regardless of your feelings about the war or the President, the suggestion that the President is amused by the deaths is an insult both the American government and the U.S military. Having completed two tours as a Army helicopter pilot, there is nothing amusing about war, nor do I believe any American leader feels that way.

While Mr. Stark did get a bit too heated and should NOT have said what he did, no one can blame him for being angry.

When the Republicans INSIST that we stay in Iraq despite the opposition of roughly 3/4 of the American people, and when the Republicans INSIST that we not have children's healthcare despite overwhelming support in Congress and among the public, you can start to understand why people get a little bit heated.

The GOP needs to go down in '08. They deserve serious punishment from the electorate that they continue to disrespect.

Long ago, when decency belonged to Americans, this man would have been run out of town on a pole. Today, when decency is a dirty work in America, this man is applauded for his slanderous abuse.

Stark is, in my opinion, 100% right on both counts. The RNC Chairman is ever so wrong…the TRUTH is never an insult. Matter of fact it is about time American citizens are being told the truth. Glad Stark had the gumption to speak out. For what it is worth, I too, have no respect for our Commander-in-Chief nor the chickenhawks in Congress who are pandering to our President's madness.

God Bless Rep. Pete Stark for standing up and saying what most Americans feel. I really don't know how George and Laura Bush sleep at night. With Laura being a mother, it's absolutely amazing that she accepts Americans losing their life because of her husbands arrogance.

It's amazing how the Troops are nothing but political Props for the Republicans…Support the Troops, Criticizing the War is attacking the Troops, et cetera, but Yet, we can't have an honest discussion about our failed War policy. It's pathetic. Representative Stark is only expressing the frustration shared by many if not most of America. It's stunningly more insulting to Every American for Politicians to support a failed pre-emptive war policy that has made us less safe, has resulted in the deaths of Thousand of American troops, and Many More Iraqis, has indebted us for Generations to come, for purely political calculations. Republicans are dispicable. Impeach Bush. Bring the Troops home. Support a Multilateral Foreign Policy that truly resorts to force as a last option. Support the Restoral of Due Process to the American Justice System.

Gee, I wonder why the Republicans aren't upset by the useless deaths of our soldiers but go into high dudgeon over an honest comment by Pete Stark.

I totally agree with Rep Stark. The president is in need of a reality check. He vetos money for childrens health while asking for a lot more to fund his war. We need to know every rep that voted against the child health care bill and boot them out of office next November,

He is 100% correct.

I wonder if Harry Reid/Hillary and the bunch will send a letter to California asking them not to re-elect Stark?

This is exactly why there is such tensions between the political parties. No one is allowed to have a free thought whatsoever. Unless ofcourse your religious. Why should other democrats have to go out and condemn a statement made by an individual. This was not a statement issued by the democratic party. It is an opionion expressed by one person. It is also really sad that Americans cannot criticize policies put in place by our highest officials without it being turned into a you dont care about America (troops, etc.). IMO you can criticize and hate the war and think whatever you want about it. That doesnt mean you are saying anything about their hard work and sacrifice. THEY dont make the decisions. They just follow their orders.

Well, I have to admit, having our troops in Iraq for the Bush crowd's country club cocktail party conversational amusement is as good an explanation for them being there as any I've heard.

What is truth? Have we so forgotten?
The truth is the President is playing God for his amusement and that's the final analysis. Pelosi has done little to nothing to stop this man, so if Stark speaks the truth, then so be it.

Mr.Stark:

1. Where is you head (and heart)?

2. Remarks like this, along with your party trying to change history (almost one hundred years ago in Turkey) are doing a great disservice to this country and our military.

3. I was proud to wear the uniform for thirty eight years so Americans could remain free, and unfortunately allow morons like you open their mouths.

4. I feel sorry for the district that elected/reelected you.If you currently "represented" my district in Tennessee,I would be doing everything in my power to ensure that you WOULD NOT be reelected next time!

The truth hurts.

Maybe if the President and his senior staff watched the film Lawrence of Arabia, they would finally realize that this country has no business whatsoever in Iraq or anywhere else in the Middle East.

I could vomit when I think about the real priorities in the world today. Starting with trafficing of humans and child sexual slavery. Could anything possible be more evil? Satan wins as this Republican administration pretends that the United States could have any, long term, positive impact on the region.

The most recent rational – to bring freedom to the Middle East is completely ridiculous. What the heck is Lebanon or Israel? We should be spending our nation's capital to make these democracies strong, and not try to force democracy on Iraq.

I call on Christians to wake the hell up and see that you are blindly following evil people who worship money and power. Muslims are not evil, but they need time to work out their own differences. I mean, don't forget how long Christians have been slaughtering each other over trivial differences. Our only hope is to decrease the time of madness for others.

Nothing good comes from violence. Wars only mean that everyone failed to act when the time was right – WWII, Nazi Germany. They didn't just sneak up on the sceen – millions had to turn a blind eye to the madness and hate. Just like now, we turn a blind eye to child sexual slavery in the far East. I would be genuinely happy to see the current administration grow a set and pick a cause to support that might actually get the lot of them in to heaven, if that's really where they want to be.

Sometimes I wonder.

They have certain "rules" when you are speaking….one is stay on point (a failure of all liberals) – and the other is to not attack the other members or the president – its like when Bill Clinton lied under oath….yeah….nothing happened to him either….can you remind me why we have rules again??

The facts speak for themselves on this issue. Pictures of Mr. Bush cavorting like a comedian without a worry in the world have been common through the duration of this war. This is not a man who suffers the pain of a nation at war. This an amoral leader of an amoral political party who has shown little if no concern for the men he has sent to die in his fabricated war.
This is a leader who cares more about his legacy than the troops that are dying in his name.

Sums it up in a nutshell. Pete Stark has articulated my exact feeling about President Bush, the war in Iraq and the children's health issue. It sickens me that such evil has taken over our once-great nation. There is no America, and there will not be an America as long as dirtbags like him are in power.

Good for him. Congress (both sides) are so afraid to say anything controversial or contentious. It makes me sick and I think it is related to how little gets done there. Sometimes a drastic situation warrants speaking in drastic terms.

Members of the Congress should start thinking in terms of what they want to say, and not what their PR person wants them to.

I am ashamed to say he is my congressman.

Rep. Stark finally said something that no other politician has been willing to say publicly. I have brothers and sisters in the military, and i can't believe they have to risk their lives for this war, which we shouldn't have started in the first, all because of President Bush. He should have been impeached a LONG TIME AGO!

How irresponsible! I'm not going to roast this misguided twit since his words demonstrate his inability to act as a responsible member of Congress.
Sir, clean up your act or clean out your desk in 2008.

Rep. Stark is right on the money. Our military is deserving of all the respect in the world… however, this "president" deserves ZERO respect.

stark should be ashamed for what he said, these soldiers are enlisted men.
They are fighting for our country and
this moron should be strung up. If I
was president I would have him shipped to iran. He is a digrace to this country.

BRAVO! for Representative Stark. Sometimes the truth hurts but it needs to be said nonetheless. He is exactly right. As one who served more than 20 years in the military myself, it has become dreadfully apparent that the Bush administration has neither respect for the lives of the Iraqi people or the American servicement and women who are fighting his war for him.

It is time that Speaker Pelosi be recalled and a competent new Speaker be elected by the House democrats and get the impeachment proceedings underway in an effort to save our constitution and country.

It sounds like Rep. Pete Stark is mentally disturbed…oh, wait, he's from California…NEVER MIND!

This rhetoric is appalling. To suggest that Bush enjoys seeing our troops die is lothesome.

Absolutely. You've been in Iraq for 16 years. The gulf war has never stopped, it just mutated. It's all for big oil, and you American just don't get it! I thought your Democratic landslide in 2006 would be the beginning of the end of this fiasco, but it still rages on.
Why?

http://video.google.com/url?docid=-4254933146197521462&esrc=sr1&ev=v&len=1884&q=Mike%2BGreen%2Bpresents%2BAmerica%2Bin%2BIraq%3A%2B16%2Byears%2Bof%2Bdeception%2B-%2BPt%2B3%2Bof%2B3%2B-%2B30%2Bmins&srcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideoplay%3Fdocid%3D-4254933146197521462&vidurl=%2Fvideoplay%3Fdocid%3D-4254933146197521462%26q%3DMike%2BGreen%2Bpresents%2BAmerica%2Bin%2BIraq%253A%2B16%2Byears%2Bof%2Bdeception%2B-%2BPt%2B3%2Bof%2B3%2B-%2B30%2Bmins%26total%3D3%26start%3D0%26num%3D10%26so%3D0%26type%3Dsearch%26plindex%3D0&usg=AL29H21ds7DxQyAO_w3cWNUkMSZzlHUqDg

Yo Pete, nice rug. Makes you look almost as ridiculous as your comments about President Bush do. Now sit down and shut up.

Bush is an insult to every American, Democrat or Republican

Pete Stark for President!

Where are you Harry Reid? You were the first too attack Rush, based on a lie, now you stand silent while one of your fellow Democrats makes the worst comment about our troops in years! Then again, what else is new. This is typical talk from the Party of Defeat.

Pete Stark for President!!

Another politician trying to make a name for him/herself. Making such arrogant comments to attract media attention for another run of office at whatever levels. And he succeeded…. His comments are to me near treason.

And then to respond stating; his respect for the men and women in uniform is so politically correct. I wonder if he respects the efforts of the Air Combat Command men ane women in uniform who allowed for nuclear missles to be flown across our country?

These comments DO NOT OFFEND ME!!! mike duncan. I'M AN AMERICAN,navy veteran and sick of bush!!!He hides behind his post…executive priviledge… Spend billions on a unjust war, but not millions on the under privilegd children ,tomarrows future.Thank you Rep. Stark for your patriotic comments.

The truth hurst folks. More power to Mr. Stark

Finally, someone with the guts to say what this American is thinking.

Mr. Stark is an embarresment to the House of Representatives and an insult to every military person serving in our Armed Forces. I was watching C-Span when Stark made those comments and not one, not one Democrat had the guts to stand up and call those words out of order, although a Republican congressman did call to have his words stricken from the record. However, the lady who was in the Speaker's chair at the time did not see fit to do so. Should we expect anything different? Mr. Stark has long record of bashing our military and the Commander-in-Chief. But he being from California the military shouldn't expect anything different.

The trueth but nothing but the trueth…the true hurts…

The far left has become totally unhinged with Bush Derangement Syndrome. If you don't agree that Stark was stark raving mad, then clearly you too have been infected, and are in need of counseling perhaps.
(Thank you, CNN for reporting the truth of what was said on the House floor today by the Representative from CA. It is time for Americans to honestly acknowledge this delusional madness gripping too many of our citizens, and loudly condemn it.)

well, isnt he right?

Why else would we have gotten into this war and continue to stay in it? The administration cooked up the evidence all along and continues to deceive the people any way it can. Bush was bored at work. Some of us play office-paper basketball, others send thousands to their deaths. Rep Stark is just calling it as he sees it.

I'm against the war and this administration. I'll be voting Democrat for President, but this guy Stark went too far with his comments

It's long over due for a democrat to show some moxie and tell the truth about what motivates that abomination in the white house. Stark's comment rings truer than anything I've heard from any democrat in years.

According to producer Alexander Mooney, Pete Stark is "facing fire from Republicans" for his stomach-turning comments. *Just* Republicans??? I don't know exactly when we became a nation of weak-kneed, partisan cowards, but this is beyond the pale. Pete Stark should be condemned from San Francisco to Bangor; unfortunately, that won't happen.

I agree with the Representative from California. It's time for people to speak plainly about this president. The war in Iraq is soley for the benefit of American oil companies(ie the $29 trillion profit potential in the undeveloped oil fields there).

Telling it like it is. More elected official should have the courage to speak the truth. If the Republican's condemn what you say, then you pretty much know you are in the right.

Way to go Pete Stark. We need more politicians like you informing the public that these chickenhawk republicans can spend 100s of billions of national treasure, and thousands of lives of our brave American service men and women, all to referee a Sunni-Shiite civil war, but not pay an extra 7 billion a year to provide health care for children.

This veto comes from an administration that has run up nearly 2 trillion in federal debt, and not once vetoed a single GOP pork-filled spending bill.

But now it's time to draw the line on a puny 7 billion a year to be spent on children.

Please continue to work to keep this argument first and foremost in the public eye.

Way to go Pete Stark. Bravo

It's about time!!! If we don't speak out about the travesty that Iraq has become, Bush is free to Stay the Course as long as he wants. He;ll take flack for saying it, but that's how the majority of Americans have felt for some time.

The video of this despicable tirade is out on U tube, go watch it! It is clear that we all need to get together and take up a collection to get Pete Stark a neurological examination or a drug and alcohol Tox. Screen in order to help him with his problem.

It's been said Amercians get the government we deserve but I can't fathom what we must have done to deserve this President and this Congress.

We are sending troops to their death for no reason other than Bush's amusement. Mike Duncan may have been offended, but he has no right to speak on behalf of every American. As a matter of fact, supporting Bush is about as un-American as anyone can be these days. It is apparent that Bush hates America and what it stands for. If he loved America, he would listen to America.

Typical response from a member of the party of "tolerance." Congressman Stark should be ashamed for abusing his position to slander the President. I'm sure Pelosi and her minions will be quick to condemn what Stark said …. well, maybe I won't hold my breath.

Give 'em h–l, Pete!

Republicans, led by their pit bull Karl Rove, elevated personal attacks in politics to a form of high art. NOW they're shocked? Please. Where was their outrage when John Kerry was being swiftboated and Max Cleland called a traitor? Hypocrites!

Conservatives are more interested in empty platitudes, stilted rhetoric, and political shenanigans than in the safety of our troops and the health care of our children.

How many more American soldiers must die, how much further must the country be plunged into an abyss of debt, so that the GOP can save face?

This issue of political bullying is below a state of democracy. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan was and is an issue of God like perpetual motion. The question America is simply this; make the hard choices now and earn huge dividends later. One, Stop or Censor porn over the net. Two, stop or limit the hands of special interest groups in Washington DC. Three, stop raising the interest rates for there are nearly 6 billion souls out there who have needs. Four, obey the Ten Commandments even when you think it does not matter. Five and this one is important unilaterally pull troops out of Iraq. Six, there is oil where the sea floors are rising and in places where we have not explored. Seven, if there are environmentally issues out there address them by transplanting the aquatic and mammal life to Anarctica. Seven, Buy my Book "666 vs. 777; An Average Human's Guide to Eternity" by Cole Bolchoz
PS: As far as Iraq is concerned, give due Caesar what is due Caesar, but give due God what is due God. Let us all rememeber we began this enterprise as ONE NATION UNDER GOD! Our children deserve better than the lack of moral discipline we grown folks are foolishly flaunting in front of the youth of today. I am part of it too, but at least I am addressing it.

Cole Bolchoz, author of "Dating Bytes: An Average Joe's Guide to Internet Dating!" via http://www.publishamerica.com

Cole Bolchoz
son of the late great ERB III
avec JMJ
Peace and love first always
shout out to 1-41 Field Artillery Unit in Ramadi Iraq Go Medic Section

I'm gonna have to agree with Stark's comments. Why else does Bush say no to hope at every turn? He won't let us out of Iraq, and he's against improving health care (remember SCHIP and the two stem cell bills?). And he'd prefer a billion dollars to go towards the inadequate training and deployment of millions of soldiers, rather than invest in bomb-proof vehicles. Yep, Bush has seen our plight and has done nothing to help. At least, all he's done about it is laugh at the problems facing the middle class.

Tired of the outrage? Go here:
http://www.ImpeachBush.org

Obama '08

Sometimes, I really do question whether Democrats do "wish [the soldiers] the very best." It seems like it would be a political disaster for them to see success in Iraq. Do Democrats want to win the war in Iraq? This question should be obvious, but I have my doubts whether the answer really is "yes".

He is correct. It's all for Bush's amusement and oil. And the cowardly Dems, except for a VERY few, are complicit in these crimes. Fortunately, some do stand tall from time to time against these criminals that have completely ruined a once great nation.

Sounds to me that Rep. Stark is speaking the truth. The first thing the Republicans always do is to try to spin doctor the truth. The truth is that Republicans are "pro-life" until the fetus is born, then they forget about them. They deny the poor living decent health care, the vote for war to send the poor living to go and die. It sure as hell is not the rich living that are dying.

Our soldiers are dying for Bush's amusement. So he can play being a "war president" and strut around in his cod piece and flight suit playing soldier. What happened to "combat operations are ended?" Right on Rep. Stark, keep speaking truth to power!!!

so True

Stark's comments weren't an insult to me…what's Duncan talking about?

How in the hell does this guy get away with this? The President's amusement? All we do is blow up innocent people? My big brother was over there and this guy is going to disgrace him and his fellow vets? I'm embarrased that this guy is in the United States. I'm sure his favorite color is the American flag burning upside down.

"Americans are dying in Iraq for President Bush's amusement."

Well all the other reasons the Republicans and their president have given for this war have turned out to be lies. What is left?

If it is not true, prove it and get our troops home – NOW.

We should all support our troops the best way we can, and that's to bring them home. Enough is enough.

We need to spend money on our own internal affairs, such as healthcare.

That superbug mind you doesn't discriminate, Republicans or Democrates. Neither does rape, gang shootings or the lack of help where it is needed.

I really hate listening to the Dems placate us about "the children" when they keep trying to shove big government health care down our throuts. Ever call 911 in England? The ambulance comes in the morning.

Another dingbat politician making stupid statements on his pedestal so all can hear him. Not much differesnt from many others.

“Soldiers dying for Bush’s 'amusement'”?

What an irresponsible statement coming from a party that has put our TROOPS at risk by alienating one of our most strategic allies – TURKEY.

Check out: http://www.grassoforpresident.com/site/Viewer.aspx?iid=11945&mname=Article&rpid=3861

By the way SENATOR, remember the “TREASON LAWS” ?? When “CODE PINK” traveled to Iraq and gave $600,000 to the families of terrorist insurgents who kill U.S. troops, had defaced and vandalized the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center in Berkeley. And you DID NOTHING!

You make theatrical speeches of blame when you also hold full responsibility for the end results. We need a President that will hold accountable these Rogue Partisan leaders who are protected behind the party name.

We need a leader like Pete Grasso for President in 2008 — http://www.GrassoForPresident.com

I do not think that Representative Stark's commentary is totally out of order, RNC chair Duncan's retort notwithstanding. Thought it may not be for his amusement per se, it is certain that it satisfies his pathetic ego and desire to be some sort of emperor. It also will enhance his bank account now that Hunt Oil wants to drill up North in Kurdish territory !
We had no justifiable rationale – legal or otherwise – to engage in this mess and the RNC continues to defend this posture in spite of the huge amount of funds siphoned off from domestic issues to pay for it. So if not amusement, then what ?

Truth hurts. Dosen't it Republiscum Dunkass?

And "the truth shall set you free". Guess that doesn't work all the time.

A congressman telling the truth about what the Bushies are really like, when the mainstream media never does. This is news.

I'm sure he'll be attacked over and over by the pundits while they purposefully ignore all the bad things Republicans are doing. And they'll find some "nice" Democrats to talk as the token Democrats on the subject too, who will say they want to be "bipartisan" and not say "mean" things like this. Whatever. I'm glad someone's finally telling the not-so-nice truth about this awful president and his awful war.

Good for him. It is the utmost hippocrisy for Republicans to get all hot and bothered by a comment like this, when the Bush Admin. lied to the American people and cooked the books for war, killing over 3000 Americans, with nothing from the Repub. Nat. Comm. about that…..Screw them…

Bush didn't atart this war for his amusement. It was pure vanity and ego.

Mike Duncan, RNC Chairman and pinnacle of respect and honor in the political system today. Yeah Right…

I get really tired of hearing this man complain when people are caught saying the truth! The Armed Forces are over there in Iraq at the "Pleasure of the President". Call it amusement or whatever. He is the person pulling the strings and the rest of American is not "amused" with this mess George Bush has wrought and continues to push. It's time the republicans learned the truth that this isn't funny anymore.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

RIGHT ON!!! Tell me again how many chidren, brothers or sisters of Republican ChickenHawks are serving in Iraq??? Would it be zero or none? The Bush administration is top to bottom a bunch of draft dodging rat weasels. Too bad we don't live in the days when you could call a coward out to duel….there wouldn't be a person left alive in the Bush Camp. I suggest that the Republicans shut up or put up…send your kids to Iraq if you believe in this war. One thing you can be sure of…this war wasn't about cheap oil!

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan quickly condemned the comments, saying in a statement they are "an insult to every American, Democrat or Republican."

Duncan can feel insulted all he wants. I happen to agree with Stark's comments.

Duncan needs to re-evaluate how Americans define what is insulting to cognative thinking Americans. What is insulting is GOP members who continue to back a war that is based on false intel. The false intel is not in dispute by officials inside both the bush administration, and the pentagon. Can Duncan explain where the insult is really being initiated from, GOP members talk big, but the intellect behind his accusation is weak.

Privatized health care and privatized insurance making things better for the poor is absolute rubbish. The only reason the Bush administration is against this is because of the "possibility" of leading people away from privatized insurance. Or in simplified terms: so that all the corporate crooks who run the privatized options can reap the benefits while the people on the bottom have their standard of living decreased even further. The fact that he would veto this legislation is the height of hypocrasy. Rep. Stark concisely made this observation while also highlighting the irony involved with this: the Cheney-Bush administration is more concerned about the corporate profits that they and their CEO buddies will reap from this absolutely horrendous war. Nothing will get better with the Bush presidency…it will only get worse.

And I have no respect for an elected official who has to resort to half truths and intentional deceits to support his issue.

I may have not used the word "amusement" however, not sure exactly what word to use since Bush, has so little feeling for or about anyone but himself, his cronies and his greed and being "right" – when he's SO wrong about everything. He lies, cheats and watches families, going to the poor house and he couldn't care less! He's responsible for their losses, under "his watch" and for the death of every service man, woman in Iraq and as someone that does believe in God, the Iraqi's have died in the 100's of thousands, leaving behind orphans often also maimed, emotionally 'just' for their entire lives or physically, maimed as well. God IS watching. It's LOVE that is dead.

Was this guy drunk or what?

That may be a little overboard.

I for one am not insulted. The Republicans get all blown out of shape when they're attacked but it's okay to attack a 12 year boy and two year old girl because their parents received help from S-Chip. The Republicans have a new label to lay on people who don't agree with them. It used to be "liberal", now it's "socialist". Ooo.

What they don't seem to get upset about is how everyone in Congress gets free health care from the government and we know they all make more than $82,000. Let the members of Congress pay their own health care before they vote against or sustain a presidential veto against a bill they would help kids get the care they need.

After five years of spending billions of dollars on an unnecessary war they now decide to put the hold on spending. Aren't those Republicans just wonderful?

Stark is probably right. How sad.

He's just telling the truth so of course everyone will bash him. Bush doesn't care one iota about all the deaths in Iraq. This is about securing oil and funding corporations like Blackwater and Haliburton with unlimited no-bid contracts for decades to come.

Yet another 'Publican hissy fit to distract from the failure of Mr. 24% Popularity (and falling). The GOP need to get relevant, and quit being idiots – their sound and fury signifies nothing.

And you folks at CNN need to quit allowing them to create "controversies" like this at the drop of a hat. Unless, of course, you're going to give equal time to Rep. King's slur of Hillary Clinton during the same debate?

Politics ain't beanbag, GOP – man up, already.

Way to go Rep Stark. Keep brining up the ugly truth.

Good for Mr. Stark!
The white house is so full of blood that their thinking has been impaired, of course, their attacks will start right now as we write.
Of course, every republican WHICH voted against the S-CHIP bill and their families enjoy the best Government funded health insurance. Trash, that´s what they are.

he needs to apolegize

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!!!

How dare this man say such a thing and on the House floor no less. To accuse our soldiers of blowing up civilians, to suggest that it is all being done for the President's amusement. Stark should be censored at the very least. To do any less is an outrage!

One of the most insane comments ever!

Can't take the truth, hmm, Repubs?

Here's the facts: Bush has killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians, he's turned off key portions of the Bill of Rights, he's made a mockery of fair taxation by insisting the rich and corporate don't have to pay, he's wasting how many billions a week on an illegal war started by lies, continued by lies and a colossal failure.

Yet he vetoed child health care insurance.

Bush is useless garbage. The lightweight wuss is a puppet of Dick Cheney, who could've given Goebbels a run for his money.

Your continued support of this loser shows the increasing irrelevance of the Republican right in this country. What fun this all is!

There is no justification for Stark's comments – none whatsoever. It's amazing how much these guys hate Bush. They are so hateful that they don't engage the BS filter before they flap their jaws.

Truth Hurts, at least a politician has the guts to speak what many politicians
feel and afraid of to say. Fredom of Speech, is Bush going to take it and do what he wants to do and screw the written law of the land as been displayed many times prior.

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."

~ Pete Stark, Democrat-California

——

Pete Stark – you're too vile for even Moveon.Org to find acceptible. I sincerely hope the voters in your district remember your wreckless accusations and choose to fire you at the next election.

The vote today did not deny children healthcare – schip STILL exists. The vote today simply did not EXPAND the program to the extent you Democrats demanded.

Washington politics brought to you by the Democratic Party, folks!

I can see the political commercials now with Starks rant. Libs look unhinged not getting thier way.

Amen to Stark!

Cue the false outrage from the right.

Sending the troops into Iraq without a proper exit strategy?

Sending the troops into harm's way without providing them with the necessary body armor?

Multiple redeployments with multiple tour extensions?

Inadequate healthcare/psychiatric services provided to servicemen and women?

You don't hear the Fox news circuit and the hyperventilating harpies on the right shrieking about these insults to the troops, but omg, someone calls a spade a spade and they're frothy and ready for action. WTG Malkinites and Dittoheads! Now if only you could direct your rage to where it PROPERLY belongs, the President and his cronies, well we'd might actually get something accomplished.

Rep. Stark is a member of Congress, and he can say what he believes. There is a double standard that the right can attack what it likes, and take all manner of extreme positions on health care, education and foreign policy, but the left is for some reason expected to stay moderate and restrained.

Pete who?

If the Democrats really wanted to pass the bill, they'd make the necessary ammendents to get it passed.

When asked if the Democrats would negotiate with the President, Harry Reid replied simply, 'NO'.