Wes Clark Blogging live at Kos NOW!

Here is the link:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/12/135417/204

He was asked his thoughts about the 2006 elections, and just gave this reply:

"Thoughts on 06
I'm concerned. Just because Bush and the Congress are down in the polls, it doesn't necessarily mean that people will vote for Democrats. All it does is make them a little more receptive to hearing what we have to say. But this means that we still have to pinpoint the voters, get out our message and work to make sure our people get to the polls. And we have to get money to our people. Every race I'm working with is behind the Republicans in fundraising. And I hate to say this, bit we also have to watch the polling places, and the vote counting. So, we have a chance, especially in the House, but it will be up to us."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/12/135417/204

to whom the Republicans have access to until we revive the Fairness Doctrine!

Thanks for allowing me to go over and see that! I would have missed it. I love it when Wes engages the masses!!!

TC

Q:
General Clark it was a pleasure meeting you and hearing you talk at the event. I'm thrilled to see you note that the mainstream media is either clueless or hostile towards what they don't understand.

One question: Since you work with Fox News, is there anything you can do with them to push them to stop being so obviously partisan and biased? I realize this is like asking a leopard to change it's spots, but any chance you can push Fox to actually try to be "fair and balanced" instead of the partisan hackdom going on there most of the time?

A:
No chance. They have a system, a way of getting an angle on the news. And that has kept up their ratings. So, i'm happy to have a chance to say my piece, but i dont think they'll change how they do business...not even if I suggest it!

I think he's doing his part by saying his piece there! It sure helps.

so more people will know about this before Clark stops blogging. Help!

How can we trust the counters? (8+ / 0-)
Cheating the election count has never been easier.
by ztaurus on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 10:55:32 AM PDT


Well, everything varies by the particuar location. But basically, we just need to get a lot of good people involved in the process of running polling places and counting votes (when there are votes to be counted) and of course, these are issues that should be raised and discussed in advance in each area. Keep the heat on anyone who would even think they could get away with something! Wes
by Wes Clark on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:02:01 AM PDT

since 1997. I can't for the life of me understand why Clinton and MacAuliffe allowed it to get to that point - especially in crucial swing states where every vote was needed to count.

General Clark, can we stop a war with Iran?

What do our leaders need to hear from us in order for them to act responsibly regarding America's role in the world?
by Tom Rinaldo on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:00:44 AM PDT


Iran
Tom, our leaders need to hear that America's not buying another war except as a last, last, last resort. We need to be talking, seriously, to Iran. And we need a regional strategy that accounts for fears in the Persian Gulf, Pakistani and Indian Nucs, and all of that. It's doable, i think,but maybe not by this Administration. Wes
by Wes Clark on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:27:49 AM PDT

General Clark
I'm a spouse of an active duty Army member who has done one year in Iraq. He is due to redeploy soon but nothing definite as to where that will be. He is teaching at Fort Rucker right now. Things in Iraq change daily. What current take do you think the Democrats need to have on Iraq. I always cherish your input.
by Militarytracy on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:03:04 AM PDT


Iraq and Families
Thanks for the question, and for your support. I do believe that we will see a gradual drawdown in our troops in Iraq. But there will be some troops there for many years, unless we have an absolute failure there. This is because the war in Iraq isn't just about Iraq, but about all of our interests in the region, as well as the war on terror. That's why we shouldn't be setting arbitrary endpoints for when the troops should come out...The problem i've had with the Administration is that they keep dumping the problem on the military, and in reality it takes a lot of diplomatic, economic and political work, including providing coaches for the Iraqi government, to make something like this work. So, I hope your spouse doesn't have to go back for another tour....but we have to do what's best for the country, too... and i know that's why people are in the military, and we love you for it! and thank you! Wes

by Wes Clark on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:18:22 AM PDT

Datamining question
I didn't get to Vegas, as I was addressing the Wisconsin Democratic Convention, so I'll take this opportunity to ask...

Could you elaborate on any difference you perceive between the NSA snooping that's been revealed, and the proposal for datamining you were marketing on behalf of Axciom? You've said, if I understand correctly, that you'd see to it that the datamining was conducted in a manner consistent with Civil Liberties, but I've not seen your thoughts on how exactly those protections might work, and how those working in such a program might be inhibited from abuse. Would this be in the architecture, or just the culture? Putting an ACLU rep on an advisory board is well and good, but does not solve the problems if they're just outvoted. The Bush Admin, after all, has Cato's Jim Harper, a solid Electronic Privacy advocate, on the current Homeland Security Privacy Advisory Board, but he just gets ignored in setting policy.

Datamine this!
Masel for Senate
1214 E. Mifflin
Madison, WI 53703


Datamining

Thanks. Good question. what i told Acxiom was get with the ACLU and others early on and explain the process, hear their concerns and work to meet them. In my view, if we had a "double-blind" system of datamining, it MIGHT and i emphasize, might, meet the test. The idea being, that the numbers would be encoded twice, and that the keys could be opened and the actual numbers revealed only with court permisssion upon the showing of statistically significant results. I have no idea what NSAQ is doing, but I doubt if this is it. Wes

by Wes Clark on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:33:46 AM PDT

General Clark
Thanks for participating in the Championing Science panel.
When did you first become interested in science? Pamela
by Nelsons on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:15:38 AM PDT

Science
Pamela, good to see you at the Convention. I was one of those who was always interested, but especially after Sputnik, I just couldnt get away from the subjects. But i had always read about paleontology, astronomy, geology, and nuclear physics, from, I don't know, maybe second or third grade.
by Wes Clark on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 11:38:35 AM PDT

He'd previously mentioned that he wanted to be an astronaut, but then learned that he couldn't qualify because he wore glasses. So he decided to go to West Point when they told him he could wear glasses in the military :)

If I recall correctly, he spent his first year at West Point majoring in Physics.

"I also really enjoyed participating on the "Championing Science" panel with Chris Mooney, Dr. PZ Myers, Wendy Northcutt, and Darksyde. It's so important that we continue to fight against right-wing efforts to hijack and distort science for their own partisan purposes. (For those of you who didn't see the panel, we hope to post audio via our podcast feed and/or video at www.securingamerica.com in the coming days. Stay tuned.)

I was somewhat discouraged by some scattered media reports about the event, like NPR's characterization of YearlyKos as some kind of "Star Trek convention." Clearly, nothing could be further from the truth. All of the 1000+ people who attended were so serious and committed to changing our country. And in time, the mainstream media will catch up with what all of the rest of us know.

In the coming months and years, we need to have more events like YearlyKos, and more often, so people can see how passionate the progressive blogospere is about making a better America."

...with what all of the rest of us know."

That's a great line...I just hope it doesn't take them too too long...but I'm not too optimistic about that.

Wes is just so so cool...Those who don't understand what we see in him just aren't paying attention...

I picked it up from the Dkos thread :)

for the National Clark Community Meet Up last year. There is nothing fancy about it, nothing pompous at all, just a simple comfortable work space. Clark has a great book selection. Does anyone remember which Chomsky book was on his shelf?

He's really blogging. Not posting and running. Not having some aide type some ship up!

Now, that's what I like! :thumbsup:

the guy is getting on in years.

I think that's great also. To me blogging is personal, the words should come from the person doing the blogging. If Conyers is getting on too much in years to personally blog, I still love him for everything he is doing. People don't have to blog to do the right thing, but if someone does blog, I like to know that it really is them blogging.

with it. Older eyes can get the best of you, unless you're an accomplished typist.

My husband and I had him as our #1 choice in 2004 and still do. Get in the game early this time General, and please, don't allow them to swift-boat you....cause you know they will with plenty of money and nastiness!

General Clark sez:

Armando, I was so sorry the we didn't get a chance to meet at YearlyKos. I had such a good time there. One of my staff told me what happened. Just hang in there. You've had an incredible impact on the blogs. And thanks for all your support. Wes


Armando sez:

Those are kind words. But I am more interested in insuring YOUR impact.



:cry:

:cry: I want to see him back soon....:pals:

Wes Clark knows his supporters, that's for sure!

but just said he'd disappeared. :shrug: Did he have an accident???

and based on his career position, that put him at jeopardy in reference to his livelyhood.