Gary Hart in WP: No More Monkey Business

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."

To stay silent during such a crisis, and particularly to harbor the thought that the administration's misfortune is the Democrats' fortune, is cowardly. In 2008 I want a leader who is willing now to say: "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."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/23/AR2005082301178.html?sub=AR

As inspirational as Cindy Sheehan is; is it not said that we have to rely on her as the leading voice of opposition? Where are all our Democratic Senators these days?

running off a cliff, you quietly stand out of the way. The repukes are destroying themselves and I think that we should just let them at it for a while. If Dems open their mouths right now, they will distract and give the media targets at us.

a brave Dem soul to step into this void--NOW. Like Sen. Russ Feingold this week--and his proposal for troop withdrawal. This void--which is not yet voided has to be filled with something of value to the American people. Cindy S. has helped greatly to creat a space--now political leadership has to step in.

.....The repukes are destroying themselves and I think that we should just let them at it for a while. If Dems open their mouths right now, they will distract and give the media targets at us.

criticizing the war policy of an extremely popular President of their own party--long before it was popular to do so--long before the media became skeptical of the war.
This is what Senators are supposed to do and are constitutionally required to do. If we have to wait until the media gives them permission and the poll numbers are completely and overwhelmingly on their side--we no longer have a constitutionally functioning U.S. Senate.

My Senators were Wayne Morse and Mark Hatfield, one a Democrat, one a Republican, and they both opposed the war then.

They led not along party lines, but on what was right and put themselves and their views on the line each election.

Today's Senate, with a few exceptions, is a caricature of itself. And don't even get me started on the House!

:hi:

My congressman, Harold Ford, Jr. never met a camera he didn't like and never misses an opportunity to bash W in front of one. Then when the little red light goes off, he scurries off to ask W how he should vote on everything. He's the best friend a Repug ever had. I will be actively supporting whatever REAL Dem decides to run against his sorry butt.

BIT
:mad:

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

It's time the DLC's (Democratic 'Losership' Council) grip on the party leaders is targeted and broken by 'fearless' people like Senator Hart speaking out. Yes indeed!

probably not him specifically, but someone with his kind of inteligence, insight, compassion, commitment -- and maybe even name recognition . . . I'm thinking of people like Robert Redford, or Bobby Kennedy, say . . .

like the good Doctor Dean who opposed the war from the beginning.

....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."

opening phrase. it is what is happening TODAY.



Who Will Say 'No More'?

By Gary Hart

Wednesday, August 24, 2005; Page A15

"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........

We have democratic leaders that opposed the war from the beginning and I would be more inclined to support someone that was wise enough to see the folly of this war from the beginning, instead of someone that has to apologize for it.

challenging the Dems to stand up!!

by referring to his extramarital affair. Then he socks them with the anti-Iraq-War message. I like that.

No mention of the immorality of starting a war of choice. It's only permissible to mention that the war cost alot of our money and our young men and women's lives and that the war was strategically counterproductive to our own national interests.

I think we'll have Gulf War III, IV, V and VI and a host of other wars until we take off the emotional blinders and acknowledge the suffering of others caused by the actions of our own leaders. I'm pessimistic about that happening anytime soon.

Nominated. :thumbsup:

"who misled a mighty nation into a flawed war"

ILLEGAL war is the correct definition.

peace

Morse and McGovern who staunchly and vehemently opposed the Viet Nam War-before before there was any major public opposition to the war even with an extremely popular Democrat President in office
In those days, there were actually polititians who took a stand because it was the morally right thing to do-no matter what the polls said.

The man that should have been president.

egomaniac beyond belief. It is probably one of the worst political autobiographies ever written.

headline that accompanies the piece. In the case it would/should have been: Who Will Say 'No More'?, much more fitting and appropriate than "No More Monkey Business." It's also per DU guidelines when dealing with Editorials and other Articles, which it is.

on edit: sorry, didn't mean to get all school teacher, just a friendly bug in your ear. Thanks for posting.

...but it is good policy - unless the headline sucks.