A few of them are pretty... crazy evangelical "Obama is the anti-christ" people. They are convinced that if he isn't the Anti-Christ he's at least a Muslim and he's gay. A few of them are pretty normal conservatives though and that definitely worries me, Putin doesn't seem like the kind of guy we want to be classifying as a hero at all. That being said, I'm not trying to say that all conservatives think this way, I'm just disturbed by some I've seen.
Syria, isolationism, and world police?
- Thread starter strawman
- Start date
There is a definite strain of American politics that will deify just about anyone perceived to be "standing up" to the other guy, no matter who it is, similar to the way a lot of the fringe left venerated Hugo Chavez. The difference this time is that a lot of the people praising Putin aren't that fringe (Fox News personalities).
GasBandit
Staff member
Oy, you guys should see the e-mails my Uncle Herb keeps sending the whole family about Obama. I feel like such a pinko having to shoot him down constantly, but his gobbledygook is exactly the kind of stuff that weakens conservative arguments.
In other news, in a move that's SURE to calm everybody down, the Russians have sent an anti-carrier missile cruiser into the Mediterranean as part of the largest Russian naval deployment since the fall of the USSR. Being interestingly candid, however, the Duma's defence committee chairman has said that the Russian navy is 30 years outdated and can't possibly hope to compete with the US Navy.
In other news, in a move that's SURE to calm everybody down, the Russians have sent an anti-carrier missile cruiser into the Mediterranean as part of the largest Russian naval deployment since the fall of the USSR. Being interestingly candid, however, the Duma's defence committee chairman has said that the Russian navy is 30 years outdated and can't possibly hope to compete with the US Navy.
Maybe it's to keep the Turks in line?
GasBandit
Staff member
The article does make that conjecture, as well as that of it being perhaps part of an effort to evacuate Russian citizens if things go completely pear-shaped.
I think that the Russians know that the US is always going to be willing to deal and not be crazy, but are wary of the Turks and/or Saudis since they have direct regional interest.
If there's even a hint that the Kurdish elements in Syria are gaining a regional upperhand in anyway, Turkey is going to do something. And the relationship between the Saudis and the Russians is not too dissimilar from ours with Iran.
I like how Syria is claiming that it was Russia's offer to take the Chemical Weapons and not the US involvement that made their decision.
Considering Russia gave them the chemical weapons, probably told them that they'd hold on to them for them until this blew over and most likely would have never even reached a National level of interest if not for the US, I'm going to call bullshit on this one.
Considering Russia gave them the chemical weapons, probably told them that they'd hold on to them for them until this blew over and most likely would have never even reached a National level of interest if not for the US, I'm going to call bullshit on this one.
I have been taken aback by similar sentiments as well. I just assume everyone is being sarcastic or ironic and then I don't have to cut myself or drink myself to sleep.
♫ A dream is a wish your heart makes... ♫
GasBandit
Staff member
There was an excellent piece in the CFP monday called "Shooting the Syrian Elephant."
Man, the talking GOP heads are basically worshipping the ground Putin walks on in the last two weeks.
Which is hilarious because during Obama's first term, when it seemed that Putin and him were together, they were screaming about all of Putin's atrocities and how he's the devil incarnate.
Oh GOP talking heads, will you never stop being hilarious?
Which is hilarious because during Obama's first term, when it seemed that Putin and him were together, they were screaming about all of Putin's atrocities and how he's the devil incarnate.
Oh GOP talking heads, will you never stop being hilarious?
GasBandit
Staff member
You're always going on about these "GOP talking heads" saying things I've not heard of Rush, Beck or Hannity talking about. Which "GOP talking heads" are you referring to, specifically?
Rush, Beck, Ingrahm, Savage are usually the ones I'm talking about.
GasBandit
Staff member
Well, the brief times I've come across the first two in our radio market here, they've had no kind words for Putin, unless in some strange perspective lamenting what a monkey he's made of our executive branch is "worship."
I googled around to see if I could find other examples of what you were talking about, but overwhelmingly it was all either "token republican allowed on MSNBC because he's a turncoat" stuff, or misinterpretation of something Charles Krauthammer said. Oh, and Newt Gingrich marvelling over a Russian quoting the pope.
In related news - seems Time Magazine is at it again:
A different cover in the US from the covers in the rest of the world, which read "America weak and waffling, Russia rich and resurgent." The latest in a number of times they've changed the US version's cover when their main story was something that cast Obama in a less than positive light.
Dave
Staff member
Even worse? It's now murkier than ever, with rebel groups starting to fight each other.
Tell me again why we want to get involved with this colossal clusterfuck?
Tell me again why we want to get involved with this colossal clusterfuck?
GasBandit
Staff member
Because for the love of god stop thinking about the NSA and Benghazi and Obamacare and the IRS and I SAID STOP THINKING ABOUT THEM look, Syria! OOooooh boogie boogie boogie boogiemen!
Dave
Staff member
I am with you on everything but Benghazi or Obamacare. I would say more Snowden/NSA/IRS than anything.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Benghazi_attack
The main issue appears to be that the administration had information and evidence they did not disclose to congress before it was reported in the newspapers and the slow response.
Those are symptoms of an administration trying to come up with a PR strategy in order to avoid being blamed, or having to blame someone they posted.
Because they kept trying over and over again to get a handle on things, and held back information repeatedly until it was forced from their tight fist, many are wondering what else they know that they were successful in hiding.
While hindsight is 20/20, many believe that there was enough information to make a better decision prior to the event, implying that the decision wasn't mere ignorance, but active neglect, and not at lower levels but at Clinton's and possibly Obama's level.
The main issue appears to be that the administration had information and evidence they did not disclose to congress before it was reported in the newspapers and the slow response.
Those are symptoms of an administration trying to come up with a PR strategy in order to avoid being blamed, or having to blame someone they posted.
Because they kept trying over and over again to get a handle on things, and held back information repeatedly until it was forced from their tight fist, many are wondering what else they know that they were successful in hiding.
While hindsight is 20/20, many believe that there was enough information to make a better decision prior to the event, implying that the decision wasn't mere ignorance, but active neglect, and not at lower levels but at Clinton's and possibly Obama's level.
GasBandit
Staff member
Not just concern about those things, but it's meant to take over all the "talk time" so that nobody can pay attention, or even take the time to discuss them. And believe you me, there's still lots of people who are cranky about Benghazi and Obamacare. Despite all the distraction, there's still a house investigation of the former going on, and an effort to defund the latter. But if the Obama administration can spam the media with 24/7 Syria handwringing, maybe it'll fall out of the public's attention, and just go away. They hope.
Obamacare isn't an issue?
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/18/polit...ign=Feed:+rss/cnn_allpolitics+(RSS:+Politics)
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/18/polit...ign=Feed:+rss/cnn_allpolitics+(RSS:+Politics)
GasBandit
Staff member
It's not just that they held it back, but they actively lied and manufactured the whole "outrage over a youtube video" thing out of whole cloth to try to further a cultural agenda while simultaneously trying to cover up their incompetence and exactly what else they were trying to do there that went so horribly pear shaped. My money's still on them trying to broker arms under the table.
GasBandit
Staff member
No, this is the first defund vote. The previous... 42 I think? Were straightforward repeals.
GasBandit
Staff member
Well, the 12% or so who polls show think they'll actually benefit from it probably would. They are, however, outnumbered by a fair amount.