Friday, October 06, 2006
The Cafferty File: Rethinking Iraq?
On "The Situation Room" today, we asked viewers the following questions, and here are some of our favorite responses that we didn't get to read on air:
What does it mean when senior Republicans, such as Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner, begin to question President Bush's strategy in Iraq?I'm one of Senator Warner's constituents and I've been telling him that since before the war, receiving delusional letters back from him in response. It means that he's finally caught up with a lot us who are not astute enough to be Senators, but seem to have been smart enough to predict what was obvious three years ago.
Chris, Portsmouth, VirginiaJack, It means they're crossing the border between two states... from the state of denial into the state of reality.
Stephen, Hagerstown, MarylandIt means either they are waking up to the follies of this administration or they are becoming afraid for their own future in office. I suspect the latter.
Scott, Rockford, IllinoisIt means the Kool-Aid pitcher is empty... finally.
Teresa, Moore, OklahomaHow important is the evangelical vote for the Republican Party in the midterm elections?
The importance of the evangelical vote must rank 2nd to the GOP, right behind electronic voting machine manipulation.
Tony, Colchester, ConnecticutIt's a miracle. The blind can finally see evidence that has been staring them in the face for several years. This born again intelligence is better late than never.
Bill, Floyd, VirginiaEvangelical support of the GOP is in its "last throes." In 2000, leadership of the evangelical movement sold out their faith and their brethrens' vote for a promise of executive branch support on some hot-button issues. The men they were dealing with were as Machiavellian as one can get and they now realize this truth.
Doug, San Diego, CaliforniaImportant enough to have me voting Democratic for the last 15 years (religiously).
M., West Chester, PennsylvaniaSaddam Hussein's lawyer Ramsey Clark says civilization would come to an end in Iraq if his client were convicted. Do you agree?Let's see, thousands murdered every month, a weak to nonexistent central government, and the police acting as hit men. I don't see a civilization that can disappear!
Matt, Raleigh, North CarolinaYes, I agree. Saddam needs to be put back in charge. Give it all back to him and say sorry and goodbye. It takes a strong arm like him to control this mess.
Michael, Evans, GeorgiaCivilization came to an end in Iraq on the day we unleashed "shock and awe." Sadly, Americans are responsible for having done this to Iraq. We can't go back and forgive Saddam Hussein's war crimes because that would be equally devastating to Iraqis who have supported the U.S.
Nikki, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaHasn't it already? How much worse does it have to get?
Dolores, Yalesville, ConnecticutThursday, October 05, 2006
The Cafferty File: Blame the Democrats?
On "The Situation Room" today, we asked viewers the following questions, and here are some of our favorite responses that we didn't get to read on air:
What's your reaction to House Speaker Hastert blaming the Democrats and ABC News for the release of the Foley scandal story?
What happened to the party of "personal responsibility?" It's always blame the Democrats or blame the media. It is apparent that the GOP needs a message sent to them this November: You're responsible for your own mistakes.
Omar, Wichita, Kansas
I am a registered Republican but my comment is "What a pile of b.s.!" It totally marginalizes what happened here. Instead of being concerned about Foley's behavior, the Speaker is wanting us to kill the messenger. Well, if the GOP folks would have done their job, there would not have been a message at all! Shame!
Dick
As a Democrat, I couldn't be happier with Speaker Hastert's bizarre attempt to pin the page scandal on the Democrats. He is saving us the trouble of making him look ridiculous. Thank God this man isn't resigning; every time Dennis opens his mouth, another red seat turns blue.
Michael, Brooklyn, New York
It strikes me as something straight out of Karl Rove's playbook, which suggests that our wartime leader has been aware of the Foley Frolics for some time as well.
Tom, Mount Vernon, Washington
What does it mean when a majority of Iraq and Afghan war veterans say the military is stretched too thin?
Jack, when you really want to know what is going on go to the guys and gals that do the work. This simply proves that as we thought Rumsfeld and Bush have been lying to us all along. But what's new?
Don, Jacksonville, Florida
The "majority" of American troops aren't saying any such thing as "we're stretched too thin." How would I know? I'm one of them, and I don't hear this kind of defeatist, pessimistic nonsense coming out of our soldiers... Do yourselves a favor and tell the real story for once, and let the American people know that we are NOT losing this war, and that we ARE accomplishing more than you're telling them.
Kennie, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Come on, Jack, the soldiers and vets don't know anything. Just ask the Bush administration, they know everything. And they won't tell you.
Michael, Chicago, Illinois
Is the Foley scandal the kind of issue that should be considered extremely important in the midterm elections?
The Republicans are in charge right now because the electorate felt that they were the ones who would best protect Americans from terrorists, at home and abroad. The Foley episode is more evidence that they are doing neither.
Joseph, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Yes. Considering that the Republicans promised to "bring family values back to Washington."
Jim
Yes! Because it dramatically proves that nothing is sacred to a politician. The only thing good that has come out of this is seeing the Republicans chase their own tails looking for a scapegoat.
Carol, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Probably not, but I'm sure having fun watching the Republicans reap what they have sown.
Judy, Long Beach, Washington
The Situation Online: Ahmadinejad Online
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
After nearly two months since his first entry, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has updated his
personal blog. In his latest online update, Ahmadinejad explains that he has been spending his "allocated" blog time personally reading visitor's messages. CNN cannot confirm that the Iranian President is actually writing himself.
The recent entry purports to be a transcript of Ahmadinejad's meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations in New York in September 20th after his speech at the United Nations. The Council tells us the transcript of inaccurate and incomplete.
While some of the comments posted on the side of the blog offer support for the President, other comments criticize him for being too radical and not spell-checking the English translations. When we tried to enter a comment, a message appeared saying the message was received and will be displayed after it is "reviewed".
Ahmadinejad's first post in Early August was a lengthy essay on a wide variety of topics including his childhood, education, and the Iran/Iraq war.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
The Cafferty File: Death squads infiltrate Iraqi police?
On "The Situation Room" today, we asked viewers the following questions, and here are some of our favorite responses that we didn't get to read on air:
What does it mean if death squads are infiltrating the Iraqi police?It means that we have Vietnam all over again where we don't have a clue who our enemy is. At $2 billion a week and 2700 soldiers killed its time to get the hell out and let Iraq resolve its own problems.
Tony, Chandler, ArizonaIt means that it is, in fact, a civil war: parts of the government of Iraq have taken up arms and are using violence in opposition to the main government of Iraq. It is extremely doubtful that this is confined to the police brigade that has been relieved.
John, Knoxville, Tennessee
Jack, It means it's over. As in the grand nation-building experiment in Iraq. Unfortunately, the military and civilian leadership of this country appear to be smoking some of that surplus bumper crop in Afghanistan rather than facing reality.
Steve, Seattle, WashingtonIf they have in fact infiltrated the police, then they need to be completely disbanded and hire new officers. If the integrity of the police is in question, then they are not worth having. Just what we need over there right now.
Bill, Readfield, MaineHow does it change things if ex-Congressman Mark Foley was molested as a teenager? The way the situation changes when we learn that Foley was allegedly abused as a child, is that it it's now 100 times worse. If that actually happened to him, then he knows the pain and suffering of abused kids but he chose to abuse someone else's kids anyway. What a vile person he is.
Linda, OregonAlmost every known pedophile or pederast was himself a victim of pedophilia/pederasty as a youth. In fact, this admission makes it less likely that Foley is at all innocent of these misdeeds. Prior abuse, although a risk factor, is not exculpatory.
David, Tucson, ArizonaIt might be a reason, but it's not an excuse. It may be the cause of the impulse, but he has the understanding that what he did was wrong. If we accept that as an excuse, then that will be the defense used by every child predator from now on.
Michael, CaliforniaIs now the time to set aside $20 million to celebrate victory in Iraq?No need for that. They could just use the money that was earmarked 30 years ago for the Vietnam War victory celebration.
Julie, Sandy, UtahJack, Only this administration and Congress would think it was OK for us to set aside $20 million to have a victory party for Iraq. There were 4 more of our troops killed today and over 2,700 killed all total. Are they nuts??
Carol, Janesville, WisconsinYou've got to be kidding! Oh hell no! Put that money to better use by impeaching this sorry lot we call Congress and Executive Branch! Now that's "victory!"
Barbee, UtahWe definitely should put $20 million aside. If we tuck it into a low interest earning account, it will be worth BILLIONS by the time we are ready to celebrate victory in Iraq.
Brandon, New York$20 million for a pat on the back? And for who? I bet those courageous men and women sent to Iraq would rather that $20 million go towards the economic and health benefits they'll require when they come home!
Pam, OhioTuesday, October 03, 2006
The Cafferty File: Foley Fallout
On "The Situation Room" today, we asked viewers the following questions, and here are some of our favorite responses that we didn't get to read on air:
What effect will the Foley scandal have on Republican candidates in the midterm elections? The midterm elections are still a few weeks away. I doubt anyone will remember the lies and scandals by election day, and will vote for the person with the happiest and most honest looking smile. Too bad, but that’s just the way it is – politics is very cosmetic.
RudyNone, It will just make things a little more difficult for Diebold to do their thing.
Raymond, Foley, AlabamaJack, I am sure the effect will be devastating. Let me take out a yardstick and measure it for you. This whole mess is just plain disgusting.
Reed, Huron, South DakotaThe Congress is a toilet and the hopper is full. Come Election Day on November 7, it's time to flush all the sewage down the drain.
Dan, Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe good, hard-working, moral Republicans will be resurrected. The rest will be crucified.
Claire, Fairfax, VirginiaJack, the Foley scandal won't have much effect. If voters threw out all the liars, cheats, thieves and perverts, there'd be nobody left in Washington to run the country.
Dave, Ontario
Do you think the Bush administration has deliberately misled Americans about the war in Iraq?Bush has not "deliberately" misled the American public about the Iraq war. Anybody who believes he PURPOSELY is misleading the public is partisan. Unfortunately, this is a matter of politics.
Roy, Palo Alto, CaliforniaWhile I can attribute some of the representations the administration has made about Iraq (e.g. the cost of the war, the prospects for a new government) to simple miscalculation or wishful thinking, I think there was deliberate misdirection involved in bringing us into the war (WMDs, connections between Saddam and Al-Qaeda). Unfortunately, I think that has continued and, indeed, may be worsening.
Marc, Des Moines, IowaNo, I don't think the Bush administration deliberately misled the country about the Iraq war. I do think, however that the major news outlets are deliberately misleading the country about the Bush administration.
Beth, Houston, TexasFacts are starting to unfold themselves slowly. We will get the real picture of the pre-Iraq war plans eventually.
Serafim, Washington, D.C.I'm beginning to believe that our problems lie in the public not the White House. The fact that this president can have approval numbers in the 40% range after all the facts that have come to light regarding Iraq and a slew of other issues tells me that the public doesn't care or is just plain ignorant! I mean what the hell else can it be?
Terry, Phoenix, ArizonaShould Dennis Hastert resign as Speaker of the House over the Foley scandal?
No. Wait until there has been a full investigation. Then, if criminal charges apply, hold a trial. Then, print one story about the outcome. I heard all that I ever wanted to hear about the sex life of elected officials long, long ago.
Ellen, Clearwater, FloridaIf Dennis Hastert "can't remember," we need someone in charge who can remember! He is an accessory to the problem, who occupies a position of one who could have ordered an instant remedy and didn't. In mental health it's called "an enabler"... one who lets someone continue a destructive pattern. Yes, he should resign!
Brenda, Tucson, ArizonaAny person in a leadership position in the Congress who was aware of the e-mails and did nothing, including but not limited to the Speaker, should resign or face impeachment. The failure to act to protect a 16-year old page is criminal. This is NOT a partisan issue.
JoeIf Republicans want any hope for retaining their leadership in Congress they should outright blame the leadership for their failure at every level of oversight. Heads should roll for the hypocrisy these people have created by touting family values and sweeping a dangerous man's sick involvement under their rug.
Jon, Kent, WashingtonMonday, October 02, 2006
The Cafferty File: Advising Justices
On "The Situation Room" today, we asked viewers the following questions, and here are some of our favorite responses that we didn't get to read on air:
Should Attorney General Alberto Gonzales be advising federal judges about how to do their jobs?What part of "separation of powers" does the Bush Administration (aka The Dubyah Gang) not understand? These folks take great delight in calling themselves conservatives, but true conservatives are supposed to be dedicated to conserving the constitutional system the Founding Fathers created for us. The president and his cronies are swinging away at the Constitution with a pick axe. This is truly frightening!
Chris, Christiansburg, VirginiaThe attorney general should not be in contact with federal judges except for non-judicial matters. Social contact is fine but it is not advisable for him to be telling them how to do their jobs. Of course with this administration anything is possible. Morality is not one of their priorities.
Mike, Hot Springs, ArkansasNo, but do you think any of those judges really care what Gonzales has to say? They know he's Dubya's mouth piece and just humor him.
John, Marlton, New Jersey
If members of Congress, including House Speaker Dennis Hastert, knew about Rep. Foley's sexually suggestive e-mails, what should the consequences be?It is time to stop allowing those in power to get away with not obeying the rules of common decency. Now he is using alcoholism as an excuse. He is just a pervert as are those who, as members of the "Good Ole Boy" network, covered up for him. Arrest him and punish him.
Pat, Medford, New JerseyThis sounds like the Republican party's answer to the Catholic priest scandals of our recent past. They demanded that the Church clean house of all participants and those who covered it up, now it's time for the Republicans to do the same starting with its leadership who knew of this problem for almost a year.
Norman, Elizabethtown, KentuckyThey should be charged with obstruction of justice; most of them have legal training and knew that a crime had occurred.
Harold, Anchorage, AlaskaHow will Bob Woodward's book "State of Denial" impact the midterm elections?The Bush crowd urged Americans to read Woodward's previous 2 books which favorably portrayed them. His new book is highly critical of them and now they say Woodward has an "agenda". I think the book has helped to clarify the "agenda of the voting public" for the November elections. The Democrats will control the House and Senate come January, 2007.
Michael, Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaHow convenient that the Republicans have a scandal (that they've known about since 2005) again, at the same time that a well-known reporter has a book out that once again shines a light on the incompetence of Bush and his buddies. Which do you think they will downplay the most?
Pam, Reynoldsburg, OhioMuch of America's electorate just doesn't read.
George, St. Petersburg, FloridaJack, his book will drive the final nail in the Republican party's and George W. Bush's coffin when coupled with the Republican cover-up of the House child sexual predator Congressman Mark Foley.
Sandy, Phoenix, Arizona
