Posted on 05/02/2003 9:00:58 PM PDT by null and void
Good Morning.
This is the Daily Thread of Operation Infinite Freedom, formerly Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - LIVE THREAD.
It is designed for general conversation about the ongoing war on terror, and the related events of the day. In depth discussion of events should be left to individual threads - but links to the threads or other articles is highly encouraged. This allows us to stay abreast of the situation in general, while also providing a means of obtaining specific information.
Retired Parris Island General Assails Presidential
Candidate Howard Dean's Comments
The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. May 2 —
The former commanding general of Parris Island is asking Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean to explain during his visit to South Carolina this weekend why he said "we won't always have the strongest military."
Retired Brig. Gen. Steve Cheney, head of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot from 1999-2001 and an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the South Carolina House last year, sent a letter to Dean, saying his comments raise questions about his ability to be commander in chief.
His letter echoes a statement issued this week by the campaign of one of Dean's rivals for the Democratic nomination, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. Cheney said he supports Kerry's candidacy but wrote the letter as a former military leader and not at the request of the Kerry campaign.
"I have a deep concern for somebody who has the potential of being commander in chief even hinting that we might not always have the strongest military," Cheney said in an interview.
Dean's comments appeared in an article posted Monday on Time.com. They drew an immediate rebuke from Kerry's communications director, Chris Lehane, that created a public spat between the two camps leading into the first Democratic presidential primary debate Saturday in South Carolina.
The former Vermont governor issued a statement in response to Cheney's letter, saying he believes that strong diplomacy and multinational institutions are crucial to America's future and his words have been "twisted, distorted and spun" by the Kerry campaign.
"General Cheney and other military veterans should be honored for their service to our country," he said. "But the fact that this letter exactly restating the attacks which John Kerry's communications director made against me on Monday was sent out to news organizations by a Kerry supporter the day before a major national debate seems to have more to do with politics than with a meaningful debate about America's place in the world."
I feel the same way, however that was the #1 reason for the war to disarm Saddam. I remember that Saddam stated several times that GWB and the great Satan was lying and just wanted to go to war. I recall the US being referred to as terrorist. Not that what Saddam said matters. I would prefer that he (Saddam), and Chirac to be proven liars. If the WMDs were destroyed, then some of those presently in captivity knows and can show where they were destroyed. This matters, it matters to GWB and it matters to Colin Powell and Tony Blair. But for me one less dictator and the freedom of the Iraqi people is enough.
They've alreardy started. This should be fun. I don't understand why the entire party does not sit this one out. I could be wrong, but I think they are just spinning their wheels.
OOOOOOOOOOh on a different topic. If I hear one more thing about the ditzy chicks I am going to throw the first thing I get my hands on at my television. I hope the first thing I get my hands on is soft.
They have alienated their country audience, and will now have to crossover to pop in order to keep their careers.
And that is the end of the story. I don't care what Natalie says, thinks, wears, sings, or eats. The Dixie Chicks are yesterday's news.
Syria's leaders will urge Secretary of State Colin Powell to support a U.N. resolution calling for the Middle East to be free of weapons of mass destruction, Syria's U.N. envoy said Friday.
WASHINGTON - U.S. forces working with friendly governments in the Horn of Africa have captured members of the al-Qaida terrorist network, a senior U.S. _officer said Friday.
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