Everyone knows the Democrats have a image problem on defense, and everyone links this problem to Vietnam, which is more or less correct. However, having grown up surrounded by people who blame Democrats for the loss in Vietnam, I have to say that the perception that people blame Democrats for their efforts to end the war, are just plain wrong.
Democrats are blamed for the loss in Vietnam because are blamed with starting it.
It is not that just that Johnson started it, its that his administration, and therefore the Democrats, failed to win the war. We kept lying about what was happening there, about the deaths, about the successes and about the failures. Just like what the Republicans and Bush are doing now.
This is Bush’s war, just like Vietnam was LBJ’s war. Nothing, not the actions of congress, or anything else can change that. Democrats should be careful in how they go about ending the war, but they shouldn’t fear ending the war.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
War Funding w/o a Timeline?
I don’t know what to make of the failure of the Congressional Democrats to force the White House to change course in Iraq. I never really thought that they would be successful, it was an impossible battle, without having larger support. Maybe they will be able to something for real in July or this fall.
Still, I think this will be bad for the Democrats. The American people want to end this war, and as we keep stalling, our approval rating keeps falling. When we do something real to change the situation in Iraq, the American People will respond.
It is often said that we were out in the political wilderness after Vietnam because we ended the war. But, why then do many Republicans talk about how Nixon “ended” the war? The fact is that we weren’t hurt by our efforts to end the war, but the fact that we didn’t win the war in the first place. It was LBJ’s failures, not the demands of the left, that brought about the “mommy” problem. Perhaps those failures were inevitable, but perhaps Bush’s failures were just as inevitable, and they will have the same level, if not a higher level, of an effect on our national consciousness.
But, Democrats have to seize this opportunity. We have caught up with Republicans in our ability to organize, we need to actually organize and get active, and we need our leaders to take action. And if they don’t, we need to be willing to take action ourselves. The situation in Iraq is deteriorating in front of our eyes. Staying is only delaying the inevitable, as much as I hate to say it, we have lost the war in Iraq, and no surge, or "new" "stealth" surge isn't going to do it either.
Its time to end the war as we know it.
Still, I think this will be bad for the Democrats. The American people want to end this war, and as we keep stalling, our approval rating keeps falling. When we do something real to change the situation in Iraq, the American People will respond.
It is often said that we were out in the political wilderness after Vietnam because we ended the war. But, why then do many Republicans talk about how Nixon “ended” the war? The fact is that we weren’t hurt by our efforts to end the war, but the fact that we didn’t win the war in the first place. It was LBJ’s failures, not the demands of the left, that brought about the “mommy” problem. Perhaps those failures were inevitable, but perhaps Bush’s failures were just as inevitable, and they will have the same level, if not a higher level, of an effect on our national consciousness.
But, Democrats have to seize this opportunity. We have caught up with Republicans in our ability to organize, we need to actually organize and get active, and we need our leaders to take action. And if they don’t, we need to be willing to take action ourselves. The situation in Iraq is deteriorating in front of our eyes. Staying is only delaying the inevitable, as much as I hate to say it, we have lost the war in Iraq, and no surge, or "new" "stealth" surge isn't going to do it either.
Its time to end the war as we know it.
10 Albums of 2007 (So Far)
2007 has already been a great year in music, while the music industry as a whole is mired in flat sales and seems mired in a creative funk, those of us insulated from mainstream radio have been having a great time. I don’t usually like these kinds of lists, but anyway…
1. Of Montreal-Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
I’ve probably listened to this record 100 times by now. It is a brilliant record. It’s the best mix of weird I’ve heard since the Fiery Furnace’s “EP.” Smart and bold, while still being a stunning vision. Who thought a mental breakdown could produce music this catchy?
2. Arcade Fire-Neon Bible
They did the impossible, they lived up to the hype. I’m not going to play into the “it sounds like this, it sounds like that” game. It is what it is. Now, lets see if they can do it again…
3. Dinosaur Jr-Beyond.
They broke up a long time ago, get back together and they did the impossible, they rediscovered the magic.
4. Wilco-Sky Blue Sky
What can I say, I have a weak spot for Wilco, it’s a bit of a slow burner, but I like it.
5. Bill Callahan-Woke On A Whalebone
I like (Smog) and I like the psychedelic turn on this record. Good songwriting, good melodies, and a good record.
6. Feist-The Reminder
Her first solo record, regrettable; her second, great but mostly covers. This one comes off just right, plus the music video for “My Moon My Man” is awesome.
7. CALLA-Strength In Numbers
Just got it from the label this week, but I really like it so far, could go up my list, could also fall down.
8. Peter Bjorn and John-Writer’s Block
Fun.
9. Yacht-I Believe In You, Your Magic Is Real.
Once again, a fun record.
10. Voxtrot-S/T
I’m getting into it, but its another slow burner. I want this to go up the list, I want this record to be great. I could easily see this record on my end of year lost, more than most of the other records on the bottom 5 of this list.
We aren’t even half way into this year yet. Its going to be a great year in music.
1. Of Montreal-Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
I’ve probably listened to this record 100 times by now. It is a brilliant record. It’s the best mix of weird I’ve heard since the Fiery Furnace’s “EP.” Smart and bold, while still being a stunning vision. Who thought a mental breakdown could produce music this catchy?
2. Arcade Fire-Neon Bible
They did the impossible, they lived up to the hype. I’m not going to play into the “it sounds like this, it sounds like that” game. It is what it is. Now, lets see if they can do it again…
3. Dinosaur Jr-Beyond.
They broke up a long time ago, get back together and they did the impossible, they rediscovered the magic.
4. Wilco-Sky Blue Sky
What can I say, I have a weak spot for Wilco, it’s a bit of a slow burner, but I like it.
5. Bill Callahan-Woke On A Whalebone
I like (Smog) and I like the psychedelic turn on this record. Good songwriting, good melodies, and a good record.
6. Feist-The Reminder
Her first solo record, regrettable; her second, great but mostly covers. This one comes off just right, plus the music video for “My Moon My Man” is awesome.
7. CALLA-Strength In Numbers
Just got it from the label this week, but I really like it so far, could go up my list, could also fall down.
8. Peter Bjorn and John-Writer’s Block
Fun.
9. Yacht-I Believe In You, Your Magic Is Real.
Once again, a fun record.
10. Voxtrot-S/T
I’m getting into it, but its another slow burner. I want this to go up the list, I want this record to be great. I could easily see this record on my end of year lost, more than most of the other records on the bottom 5 of this list.
We aren’t even half way into this year yet. Its going to be a great year in music.
Mission Statement and Such
This blog is supposed to be a space for me to post some of my writing and such. Give me something to do with my freetime and whatever. Politics, Music, Current Events, History thats what will be covered here. Maybe some other stuff as well...
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