Reid: "The Iraqis have traded a dictator for chaos"

[bigtree]

Reid: Justice for the Iraqi People and an Opportunity to Change Course

11/5/2006 11:40:00 AM

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=75723

Contact: Jim Manley or Rebecca Kirszner, 202-224-2939, both for Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid released the following statement on Saddam Hussein's verdict and the need for a change of course in Iraq:

"Today, the Iraqi people received the justice they long deserved. Saddam Hussein was a brutal tyrant who brought nothing but fear and oppression to millions. Hopefully, this verdict will be an important part of healing the deep wounds he inflicted on his own country.

"How much the verdict and sentence will affect the course of the war remains to be seen. It is clear, however, that more than three and a half years after the invasion, Iraq has descended into a civil war.

"The Iraqis have traded a dictator for chaos. Neither option is acceptable, especially when it is our troops who are caught in the middle.

"We have seen milestones pass in Iraq before, with no lasting signs of progress. If today's sentencing is to be any different, we need to take a new direction in Iraq. On this day of justice for the Iraqi people, President Bush must explain to the American people how he intends to change course, so that our troops will finally have a strategy to complete the mission, Iraqis will finally have a plan to restore order to their country, and the mission can finally be accomplished."

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=75723



http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree

[OwnedByFerrets]

1. And it seems that 600.000 were willing to die

in order for this dictator to hang......at least that is what monkeyboy would have us believe.:puke:

[bobbolink]

2. The Iraqis made this choice...when?

[aquart]

5. Exactly. We did it for them. How nice of us.

[bobbolink]

8. Yeah, I really enjoyed the candy and flowers. Did you?

Sure wish Reid would buy a clue!

I'm just so damned tickled to have him speaking for me.

:mad:

[bigtree]

9. Reid is no "candy and flowers" man

He's been extremely sharp in his criticism of Bush and the occupation.

[bobbolink]

10. Well, he got this completely wrong, didn't he?

Words are cheap.

His actions have been.... cottoncandy.

[bigtree]

11. he didn't tow that one line. how can he this close to the election, the head of a diverse party?

Give him the MAJORITY and he CAN effectively act. Right now, all we have at our disposal is DEFENSE.

[bobbolink]

14. You're entitled to your opinion. I"m entitled to mine.

I'm fed up with spinelessness.

It's costing us our country.

[bigtree]

16. I'm fed up with these all or nothing attacks on the party leaders

These candidates come from different regions with a diversity of views and concerns. The leaders have to make their statements fall in line with those efforts. If some 'strong' stance on something or other will cause a republican to prevail, then it's a worthless stance this close to the election. The party have a reasonable gauge of where the voters collectively stand in these contests from the primaries. That's where these issues were vetted. This is a political campaign which must be won to do anything at all to effect any of the ideals we advocate. Reid is our party's political leader. He's doing his job. Now it's time for us to do ours.

[bobbolink]

18. Feel free to put me on ignore.

Or, would you rather shut me up, and take away my freedom of speech?

Your choice, eh?

[bigtree]

19. oh get off of it

I'll debate you or anyone else into next year. That crap comes right out of your own head. Just because I say I'm fed up? I made my defense of Reid. That's my answer, not some cheap attempt to shut you up. That's your own invention.

btw, I love you folks here. I have NO ONE on ignore.

[bobbolink]

20. Yes, I hear your friendliness.

Being "fed up" with someone who disagrees with you is fine debating.

Ignore is your friend, as I said.

Edited to add that I'm still entitled to my opinion, which is shared by many Dems, whether if leaves you fed up or not.

Remember, the ignore button is the red "x"

[bigtree]

21. who says you're not entitled to your opinion?

you seem to be more obsessed with debating whether to debate than with discussing the issue of Reid's character and actions as Democratic leader.

And, I do "love", even if I do get miffed sometimes.

[bobbolink]

22. Actually, you have been quite clear with that, with your "fed up"

That's not exactly an opening to discussion, is it?

Really?

I *DID* state how I personallly feel about Reid, and that just gets one of those "purist" responses.

No, that doesn't speak "love" to me.

If you really want a dialogue, rather than a harrange, here is my suggestion:

Adher to good communication rules, number one of which is to state "I messages", rather than "You messages". For instance, in your case, if you had said that reading so many messages about unhappiness with the Democratic leaders was dispiriting to you, I think you would have had more supportive responses that could lead to some actual understanding, thus strenghtening our core.

Saying it in terms of being "fed up" with what others feel, doesn't exactly lead to that kind of coming together, does it?

I can understand and care about your fragile state right now, because I'm in the same place, albeit for different reasons. If you were to care about *my* state, as well as to ask for my concern about yours, we'd have something to work with.

Or, you can just yell at me to "Get off it".

You can open the door, or slam it in my face.

[bigtree]

23. is that wat you wanted when you called our Democratic leader 'spineless'

dialogue?

[bobbolink]

24. Loook, I expressed my opinion about him. As I said, I"m entitled to

my opinion as much as you are to yours.

You never agreed with that, you just blasted me. Whether you want to admit it or not, my right to an opinion *is* just as important as yours.

Then you told me you wanted to talk about it.

IF that is the case, then talk about it, like two equals, who are both committed to the same thing.

I haven't put you down--the blasting and criticisms has been from you.

I'm really tired, I"m in much pain, and if you truly want to have a dialog, then do so.

But I'm done with the put downs. That isn't helping you or me, and certainly isn't doing anything for the cause of liberalism.

I truly don't know what it is about DU that makes people leave their courtesy behind, and decide that the game of one-up-manship is the cool thing to do.

Then get angry that people aren't working hard enough.

Well, the snide comments from you don't exactly inspire me to do more, yanno?

So, if you want me to understand what it is you're feeling, and what you want, then speak to it from that point.

If all you want, rather than understanding, is to put me down, then consider yourself superior, and we'll call it a (bad) day.

Your call.

edited to add--isn't it curious that disagreeing will get a lot more response.. although not pleasant, than will kindness. That certainly says a lot about this place, eh?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. No. The Americans have traded a dictator for chaos in Iraq.

The way for the "troops to complete the mission" is to get the hell out of somebody else's country.

[bigtree]

6. yeah, his political angle omits that important difference

Americans, led by Bush, made the choice for Iraqis. Rest has a good tone though.

[malaise]

7. Bingo n/t

[Fleshdancer]

4. Reminds me of Dean's "gaffe"....

remember the good ol' days when the media thought it would be fun to flog Dean for saying that Iraq isn't any safer just because Saddam was out of power?? Anyone with half a brain cell could see that this was going to be a long disaster.

I have to give it to Reid though...he has a good way of wording things for good sound bites. Trading a dictator for chaos hits it right on the mark.

[WinkyDink]

12. The IRAQIS didn't "TRADE" anything. Reid gives Bushco an "out"

here.

[bigtree]

13. where are the Democratic candidates arguing against the verdict?

Reid has given many criticisms of the invasion and occupation. I don't see how this point gives the Bush regime anything. They sure won't interpret his statement that way.

[Selatius]

15. Didn't we MAKE the choice for them? Like...when we invaded? n/t

[bigtree]

17. of course he means those Iraqis who support the trial and saw it through

your point is a valid one though