General Discussion

DirkGently

(12,151 posts)

26. So it's okay to mealy mouth a meaningless distinction?

Thu Mar 27, 2014, 03:32 PM

Mar 2014

There's no moral superiority in what we did in Iraq. And all the "differences" pointed out were largely bullshit. Our allies included everyone we could bribe or strongarm, and it was absolutely our intention to grab those oil fields.

So bringing it up and trying to draw distinctions is a dishonest exercise from the start. You could say Russia criticized the U.S. for unjustified aggression, and is now doing the same itself. Saying our aggressive debacle of unbridled greed, savagery, and arrogance was just "different" is a meaningless exercise that cannot be undertaken in good faith.

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POTUS Did NOT Defend The Iraq War [View all] Motown_Johnny Mar 2014 OP

Notice that he didn't even say we are better. He said there was a difference berni_mccoy Mar 2014 #1

So it's okay to mealy mouth a meaningless distinction? DirkGently Mar 2014 #26

Why don't you ask the Iraqis ConservativeDemocrat Mar 2014 #28

Why not ask what Iraqis thought about the U.S. JackRiddler Mar 2014 #53

why don't you take a stroll through a Baghdad marketplace and fucking do that yourself? frylock Mar 2014 #69

So, because there are terrorists blowing up car-bombs in Baghdad... ConservativeDemocrat Mar 2014 #80

was that shit happening prior to 2003? frylock Mar 2014 #82

Far worse shit, actually ConservativeDemocrat Mar 2014 #95

good thing we liberated the everloving shit out of them frylock Mar 2014 #98

Did you get your flowers and candies from the Iraqis yet? Capt. Obvious Mar 2014 #93

regardless of whether one supported the Iraqi war, the differences between that and Crimea are many. 7962 Mar 2014 #57

Yeah, like Putin didn't kill a million people in Crimea... JackRiddler Mar 2014 #73

No, that's Chechnya you're thinking of (nt) Recursion Mar 2014 #83

Indeed. JackRiddler Mar 2014 #86

How many bombs were dropped in Crimea? ljm2002 Mar 2014 #76

Putin didn't have to drop bombs treestar Mar 2014 #112

How close is Iraq to the US... ljm2002 Mar 2014 #117

Well you are allowed to compare that too treestar Mar 2014 #120

Yes, we killed thousands in Iraq & committed war crimes. DirkGently Mar 2014 #119

This is how lawyers distinguish one set of facts from another Gothmog Mar 2014 #78

And distinguished poorly. JackRiddler Mar 2014 #87

I listened President Obama's comments on my car radio when he made the speech Gothmog Mar 2014 #104

It's not a matter of right and wrong treestar Mar 2014 #113

Lawyers talk about "distinction without a difference" as well. DirkGently Mar 2014 #109

Russia has 50,000 to 100,000 troops on the eastern border of Ukraine Gothmog Mar 2014 #110

He did no good disingenuously trying to justify Iraq. DirkGently Mar 2014 #111

Gothmog is right - he did obtain some good results treestar Mar 2014 #114

The "upset" appears to be about the criticism. DirkGently Mar 2014 #116

The horrors are not of Obama bashing, but for taking something he said treestar Mar 2014 #118

Dems should be united in condemning Iraq, period. DirkGently Mar 2014 #121

Russia has 50,000 to 100,000 troops on the eastern border of Ukraine Gothmog Mar 2014 #107

What a shame RobertEarl Mar 2014 #2

Yes, the message and PrezO's approach to matters. elleng Mar 2014 #4

THANKS. elleng Mar 2014 #3

Thank you ellie Mar 2014 #5

The goal is deliberate misrepresentation and misinformation... Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #6

Bulls RobertEarl Mar 2014 #7

Yeah, right after Obama condemns FDRs internment camps. JaneyVee Mar 2014 #10

I have no doubt in my mind about the motives of certain individuals Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #11

No you are not RobertEarl Mar 2014 #14

I'm not entitled to my own opinion? Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #15

It is because of your motive RobertEarl Mar 2014 #17

Your getting caught up in your own words.... Historic NY Mar 2014 #50

Seeing history! treestar Mar 2014 #41

exactly, the whole "disappointed" hype. They get a pony they want a BETTER pony uhnope Mar 2014 #19

Correct. JoePhilly Mar 2014 #31

Slandering Democrats. That's pretty. beerandjesus Mar 2014 #34

They are to blame for not showing up treestar Mar 2014 #44

The Democratic base always shows up for elections. bornskeptic Mar 2014 #75

sure, that's it grasswire Mar 2014 #59

No. Will Pitt is a.... Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #61

anyone who just wants $$$$ is not likely to become a writer. grasswire Mar 2014 #62

The UN had various sanctions, resolutions, attempted disarmament and inspections scheduled, okaawhatever Mar 2014 #8

No, Crimea and Iraq Kelvin Mace Mar 2014 #13

Both were illegal pretext wars for selfish reasons. DirkGently Mar 2014 #32

Thank you. I dont understand people getting bent out of shape about Obama's statement. 7962 Mar 2014 #64

He defended the U.S. polichick Mar 2014 #9

No he didn't, but the political strategy Progressive dog Mar 2014 #12

I guess he never read all the rules Bremer put into place in Iraq Corruption Inc Mar 2014 #16

K&R.... I don't feel the same about DU as I used to.... too much negativity! secondwind Mar 2014 #18

I totally agree. mimi85 Mar 2014 #29

The very last savalez Mar 2014 #103

Yeah. No. What he said was wrong. DirkGently Mar 2014 #20

Obama Suddenly Defends U.S. Invasion of Iraq�Mainstream Media Shrug{& DUers} xchrom Mar 2014 #21

Thanks for this, xchrom. smokey nj Mar 2014 #38

+1. The statement is rife with hypocrisy and half-truths RufusTFirefly Mar 2014 #54

thank you. BlancheSplanchnik Mar 2014 #22

Yep, but alas the haters gonna hate Iliyah Mar 2014 #23

Obama doesn't seem to think that we were at our worst in Iraq. Vattel Mar 2014 #24

Yes, because the President of the United States Arkana Mar 2014 #45

So you are saying that he lied to the soldiers he was speaking to? Vattel Mar 2014 #52

We could just as well ask you where you get all the straw. nt stevenleser Mar 2014 #66

No, he didn't lie. The statements he made were true ones, for the most part. 7962 Mar 2014 #68

I understand the political reasons for Obama candy-coating the war in a speech like that one. Vattel Mar 2014 #72

Obama should have apologized to those soldiers rusty fender Mar 2014 #79

Yes, call American soldiers murderers. You certainly know Arkana Mar 2014 #92

You are the one calling them murders rusty fender Mar 2014 #96

Yep. The media will clearly make that distinction. Obviously. Arkana Mar 2014 #97

Really? Wanting the POTUS to tell the truth rusty fender Mar 2014 #106

Of course he didn't. GiveMeMorePIE Mar 2014 #25

totally agree rtracey Mar 2014 #27

K&R. n/t FSogol Mar 2014 #30

Hundreds of thousands were killed for nothing! Enthusiast Mar 2014 #33

Indeed, how many boombs and missiles were dropped on Crimea on the first day? arcane1 Mar 2014 #36

Bush destroyed any good will and respect the United States built up over decades. Enthusiast Mar 2014 #48

That only works if you think Crimea TBF Mar 2014 #35

I do. Cha Mar 2014 #90

People are allowed to have differing TBF Mar 2014 #94

in order to support Obama Enrique Mar 2014 #37

Good thing that's not what happened here. Arkana Mar 2014 #43

No. Obama supporters are into the reality of what he says and does. It's the Cha Mar 2014 #84

K&R treestar Mar 2014 #39

Thank You! livingonearth Mar 2014 #40

No, he didn't, but that hasn't stopped the Manufactured Outrage Brigade Arkana Mar 2014 #42

Our shit doesn't stink as much as yours. progressoid Mar 2014 #46

POTUS OBama is correct Billy Budd Mar 2014 #47

Has he ever admitted it was a mistake? That we broke the law? Has Kerry? Has Clinton? joeybee12 Mar 2014 #49

It was not a mistake. It was a crime. JackRiddler Mar 2014 #55

You're right, and the rest of them bend over backwards to try and joeybee12 Mar 2014 #60

Kerry ran for president supporting the Iraq war. arcane1 Mar 2014 #65

Both he and DiFi were very vocal against it before the actual vote, joeybee12 Mar 2014 #67

Usurping is Usurping, Exploiting by mistake is no excuse . orpupilofnature57 Mar 2014 #51

Someone got Iraq's oil. peace13 Mar 2014 #56

The 1% or as you said " Our War criminals " orpupilofnature57 Mar 2014 #70

I think not prosecuting the war criminals... peace13 Mar 2014 #77

Kkkarl Rove, Poppy and that kitten eating Chenney, orpupilofnature57 Mar 2014 #108

So true. peace13 Mar 2014 #122

Many Obama Haters here,,,,,,, Cryptoad Mar 2014 #58

The 2003 formulation was "Saddam lovers" JackRiddler Mar 2014 #63

Just disappointed, if that's OK . orpupilofnature57 Mar 2014 #71

President Obama distinguished the Iraq war from the situation in Crimea Gothmog Mar 2014 #74

You are wrong. rhett o rick Mar 2014 #81

sounds like Obama is saying our shit does not smell as bad as Putins shit! JohnRogan Mar 2014 #100

Thank you Motown.. it really does help not to have a freaking kneejerk. Cha Mar 2014 #85

I think everybody is forgetting SHOCK & AWE lame54 Mar 2014 #88

"anyone who claims that he did is either deliberately being misleading or is just plain clueless." NCTraveler Mar 2014 #89

I am neither.. 99Forever Mar 2014 #91

Yeah, it is a defense and a white wash. It is pitiful to pretend otherwise. TheKentuckian Mar 2014 #99

Amen. 840high Mar 2014 #102

Yes, by claiming it was not as bad as Crimea he is defending it. redgreenandblue Mar 2014 #101

I listened President Obama's comments live on my car radio when he made the speech Gothmog Mar 2014 #105

Logic doesn't work that way treestar Mar 2014 #115