Posted on 11/15/2005 6:58:38 PM PST by jmc1969
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) strongly criticized yesterday the White House's new line of attack against critics of its Iraq policy, saying that "the Bush administration must understand that each American has a right to question our policies in Iraq and should not be demonized for disagreeing with them."
With President Bush leading the charge, administration officials have lashed out at Democrats who have accused the administration of manipulating intelligence to justify the war in Iraq.
Hagel, a Vietnam War veteran and a potential presidential candidate in 2008, countered in a speech to the Council of Foreign Relations that the Vietnam War "was a national tragedy partly because members of Congress failed their country, remained silent and lacked the courage to challenge the administrations in power until it was too late."
"To question your government is not unpatriotic -- to not question your government is unpatriotic," Hagel said, arguing that 58,000 troops died in Vietnam because of silence by political leaders. "America owes its men and women in uniform a policy worthy of their sacrifices."
At one point, while answering a question from the audience about Syria, Hagel suggested that the Middle East was worse off after the invasion because the administration failed to anticipate the consequences of removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. "You could probably argue it is worse in many ways in the Middle East because of consequences and ripple effects," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Can't wait to hear this POS loser's concession speech in the 2008 GOP primaries.
Hagel has been a blathering idiot since the moment he first opened his f*****g mouth. I hope GWB kicks the SOB in the teeth.
What a jerk! Bush is certainly not questioning anybody's right to free speech or "demonizing" anybody, just pointing out the hypocrisy of the Dems and their previous statements. And the egregious demonization of anybody is the vicious demonization of the president by the Democrats.
Chuck Hagel (R-France)!
What an arse.
I want a roll out of RINO quotes next.
Oh, and keep this quiet, but I heard Hagel has a fail safe job when he loses the primaries. He's going to host the Morning show for Al Jazeera. Contract details being sorted out now.
So the administration can't defend themselves?
They should just bend over and take it. Get lost loser.
It's not a case of attacking critics but exposing the half-truths and outright lies of some of them; nothing wrong with that.
Questioning the government is not unpatriotic....being a complete and transparent hypocrite is moronic..
I'll second that sentiment!
Uh yeah chuckie...and geuss what...the 1st amendment does not end the second your done talking. Supporters of the president get to talk too! How about that!
What an a@@ho&e
after this b.s.... I certainly hope so.
Hey Hagel you friggin moron, It's unpatriotic not to challenge a bunch of damned liars on the Democrat side of the isle. You are an ass Hagel
I can't wait till congress recesses this year. Enough is enough let our troops do the job and STFU.
America is safest when congress is out of session.
So in other words the Administration must not respond to all the lies and distortions that the democrats are throwing at them because if they do this they that they are demonizing the critics.
F*** you Hagel
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