Gary Hart: Who Will Say "NO MORE."

[Generic Other]

Gary Hart: Who Will Say "NO MORE."
Finally, the war in Iraq has reached its inevitable tipping point--a point of moral crisis--where to 'stay the course' is both meaningless and contrary to America's finest principles. In times like these, true leadership--courageous leadership--separates itself from those who merely seek national office through silence, calculation, and evasion.

<snip>

"Waist deep in the Big Muddy and the big fool said to push on," warned an anti-Vietnam war song those many years ago. The McGovern presidential campaign, in those days, which I know something about, is widely viewed as a cause for the decline of the Democratic Party, a gateway through which a new conservative era entered.

Like the cat that jumped on a hot stove and thereafter wouldn't jump on any stove, hot or cold, today's Democratic leaders didn't want to make that mistake again. Many supported the Iraq war resolution and -- as the Big Muddy is rising yet again -- now find themselves tongue-tied or trying to trump a war president by calling for deployment of more troops. Thus does good money follow bad and bad politics get even worse.

History will deal with George W. Bush and the neoconservatives who misled a mighty nation into a flawed war that is draining the finest military in the world, diverting Guard and reserve forces that should be on the front line of homeland defense, shredding international alliances that prevailed in two world wars and the Cold War, accumulating staggering deficits, misdirecting revenue from education to rebuilding Iraqi buildings we've blown up, and weakening America's national security.
But what will history say about an opposition party that stands silent while all this goes on? My generation of Democrats jumped on the hot stove of Vietnam and now, with its members in positions of responsibility, it is afraid of jumping on any political stove. In their leaders, the American people look for strength, determination and self-confidence, but they also look for courage, wisdom, judgment and, in times of moral crisis, the willingness to say: "I was wrong."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-hart/who-will-say-no-more_b_6149.html

[bonito]

1. Good post !

[wli]

2. looks like McGovern was a real liberal...

No way the fascists could have allowed him into office. Sort of reminds me of Gore... he was also too liberal, so the fascists would never have allowed him into office.

[slay]

18. Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail 72 - by Hunter S. Thompson

Shows just how good McGovern would have been as president - and coming from a no bullshit straight shooter like Thompson, that means A LOT! That and it's a great book too. :)

It is becoming more and more obvious that Bush Sr has had a hand in shaping this county for the worse in so many ways from Nixon to Reagan to Bush Jr. When will the American people stand up and tell the Bush Family Evil Empire to fuck right off?

[karynnj]

22. Gore was not particularly liberal

although he did move from being a conservative Democrat to a moderate/liberal one. Kerry was far more liberal. (There are common Senate times from 1985-1992)

[BlueJac]

3. Dems are tongue tied!!

I can not believe how the leading Democrats are acting about the war in Iraq. They sound like Bushbots half the time, our just plain dodgers of the issue. We need leadership in this party not side line standers. Some one needs to step up to the plate like Hagel did the other day. There are so many things that Bush can be attacked on I can not believe no one is doing it. Stand around and lose the next elections. We need leadership badly!!!!!


:kick:

[Generic Other]

4. What Hart thinks Bush would say if he were a real man.

"I made a mistake, and for my mistake I am going to Iraq and accompanying the next planeload of flag-draped coffins back to Dover Air Force Base. And I am going to ask forgiveness for my mistake from every parent who will talk to me."

Further, this leader should say: "I am now going to give a series of speeches across the country documenting how the administration did not tell the American people the truth, why this war is making our country more vulnerable and less secure, how we can drive a wedge between Iraqi insurgents and outside jihadists and leave Iraq for the Iraqis to govern, how we can repair the damage done to our military, what we and our allies can do to dry up the jihadists' swamp, and what dramatic steps we must take to become energy-secure and prevent Gulf Wars III, IV and so on."

[napi21]

6. I really like Gary, and I loved that article, but what he's suggesting

Shrub should say and do???? I think Gary didn't wake up from last night's dream! Hell, Shrub can't even think of a mistake he's ever made, and Gary wants him to give apologetic speeches across the Country? Hmmmm

[SammyWinstonJack]

31. Instead, bush** is doing the exact opposite. nt

[bpilgrim]

5. But what will history say about an opposition party that stands silent

hmmm... SEND MORE TROOPS! - DLC

I wonder which 'leaders' will object first :shrug:

peace

[Big Kahuna]

7. Many here are probably not old enough to remember Gary Hart

I was just a kid, and was not very politically aware, but I really liked the guy. He had a positive message and ideas. The Republicans and the media destroyed him with a single photo of a woman he allegedly committed adultery with.

This was really my first vile taste of the republican party at work. I have my issues and disagreements with Democrats... but Republicans are lying, low-down (and down-low!), manipulative, greedy, absolute fucking scum!

There may have been respectable conservatives decades ago, but they are no better than nazis in this day and age!

Sorry for the rant. :)

[FloridaPat]

9. Alleged? Two Miami reporters followed the guy with pictures of

his weekend trip on a private yatch with someone not his wife. It didn't helpt that a month or so before he did this, he told everyone he was faithful and all they had to do was watch him. This was another badly managed campaign run. He was to blame, not the MSM or the repubs.

This was done in an era where adultry was a big deal. I think since *, we can now can adultry and get on to real sins.

[Generic Other]

10. You're right! Hart was one of the true liberals

He didn't sit on the fence.

[danalytical]

12. I remember that..

He was taken right out of the contest.

[lildreamer316]

8. I STILL think he should run again.

Just my .02 cents.If anyone could spin the effects of the Clinton "scandal" in relation to what is happening today to thier advantage;it would be him.

[ewagner]

15. I wouldn't be opposed

to seeing him run.

I remember him well.

He was the smartest person I had ever seen run for political office and I was sickened by his perceived betrayal....

Time heals all wounds, however. I'd be more than willing to give him a second look/chance.

[jackster]

21. I second that...

he's got the balls we need !

[Poiuyt]

27. All he would have to do is say that he found Jesus

Then everyone would forgive him

[zippy890]

11. Excellent - he nails it

very well put

[Renew Deal]

13. George Bush: The Second American President to Lose a War.

:puke:

[Generic Other]

14. Randi said that Cindy needed to read this article

:kick:

[Historic NY]

16. I like Gary Hart......I was all set to vote for him too.

I actually heard him earlier today on CNN, what he said and his article makes sense.

"But what will history say about an opposition party that stands silent while all this goes on? My generation of Democrats jumped on the hot stove of Vietnam and now, with its members in positions of responsibility, it is afraid of jumping on any political stove.

"No Democrat, especially one now silent, should expect election by default. The public trust must be earned, and speaking clearly, candidly and forcefully now about the mess in Iraq is the place to begin."

Where are are democratic leaders? Why are they silent? Why haven't any of them come forward to say this war is wrong & immoral and my vote was a mistake. Will any of them have the moral fortitude to come forward? Why is our so called loyal opposition so silent?

[Karenina]

17. Silence is complicity.

[Blue_Roses]

19. Gary Hart is dead on

"History will deal with George W. Bush and the neoconservatives who misled a mighty nation into a flawed war that is draining the finest military in the world"

History will not be kind to George Bush. He will be looked at as the WORST President in US history. I just hope I live long enough to see it in the history books.}(

[evilqueen]

23. History will also deal with the Democrats who were silent or complicit.

And it won't be kind.

[rateyes]

20. Not that I liked Reagan....

but, every time I hear "stay the course"--which is another way of saying "status quo"--I remember on of his quotes:

"'Status quo' is Latin for 'the mess we're in.'"



"Finally, the war in Iraq has reached its inevitable tipping point--a point of moral crisis--where to 'stay the course' is both meaningless and contrary to America's finest principles. In times like these, true leadership--courageous leadership--separates itself from those who merely seek national office through silence, calculation, and evasion."

Truer words were never spoken.

[eyepaddle]

24. Wow, did THAT ever need saying

Let's hope we do in fact hear this kind of talk from democrats. I keep hearing really good things out of Charles Rengel, but let's hear more--and from more people.

Nevertheless it is a VERY good start!

[Karmadillo]

25. Are Democrats afraid or do they simply agree with Bush?

Leading Democrats don't sound afraid to me. They show up on all sorts of shows calling for more troops and noting the Democrats would make a better war party. Big difference between cowardice and complicity. That may be one reason that the Dems aren't seeing much of a gain in support from Bush's freefall. People rejecting one warmongering party aren't necessarily going to embrace the other warmongering party.

[Poiuyt]

26. This should be required reading for every Democrat in Congress!

[Generic Other]

28. I agree

A very brave statement of the facts.

[amb123]

29. Home Run, Sen. Hart

Democratic Party, this is your wake up call. Respond on the side of right or the Party dies as a major political force and our country becomes a One-Party Christian Fascist dictatorship. I say "No More"! How about you?

[Surya Gayatri]

30. Heard extracts being read on AAR...

and thought it was an amazing editorial--bring back Gary Hart I say!
Where are our nominal Dem. leaders--cowering behind the specter of anti-war McGovern, more fearful for their future careers than the survival of the nation, that's where.:mad: