http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspxBritish Prime Minister Tony Blair, President Bush’s closest ally, announced today his plans to start cutting troops from Iraq. This comes at the same time President Bush is sending even more U.S. troops into Iraq. Vice President Cheney calls the Britishen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#64810Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:00:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:64810Richard CareyIt is my understanding that the Brits have turn most of the control over to 'War Lords' in the Southern Sector. It should be noted those 'War Lords" are NOT part of the official Iraqi Goverment. This is what Cheney is refering to when he says the Brits pull out is another success story in Iraq. "You can argue that the truth is a lie, but in the end, that argument becomes the lie." http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#64885Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:22:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:64885C A, Tuscaloosa, AlabamaObama is supposed to be the fresh face in the crowd, a newcomer who is his own man, and who is above the fray of the old washington crowd. He would be well-advised not to get into a war of words with Hillary or for that matter any other canddiate. I know it is difficult not to respond to innuendo and attacks from another candidate, or from an offical from another candidate's election team. But Obama needs to keep in mind what the people of this country are yearning for. A fresh face, a sincere heartfelt person, someone with a smile and an endearing personaility. Someone who can win people's hearts and persuade people by way of example to do the right and admirable thing. Intelligent yes, but not before sincereity and those charismatic qualities of a Reagan. If Obama allows himself, or even an offcial of his election team, to fall into the game of he said / she said, especially on circus issues that have nothing to do with policy discussions, he will quickly be trampled by this nasty crowd who will do anything to win an election. The best thing that Obama could do when such petty issues arise is to ignore the other candidate, smile, charm the people who matter, and do his own thing. This will make the others look like idiots and fools as Obama rises to the top because he can, will and should concentrate on winning the hearts of the people. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#64971Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:52:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:64971Cathy Wilson, Springfield,PA.I think Wolfson's remarks on your show did more harm than good for the Clinton campaign. It gave the impresssion that this campaign (or Hillary) believes they are above criticism, only reinforcing complaints that Hillary is aloff. Geffen's remarks were a bit strong, but they are his opinion and he has every right to express them.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#65102Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:46:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:65102Don, Abingdon, ILI disagree with Mr Matthews and with Cathy of PA; what "gave the impression" that Senator Clinton believes she is "above criticism" was Matthews himself and his continuing obsession with the Clintons. It was he, not Wolfson, who is responsible for such impressions; the Clinton campaign is quite right to expect Obama to distance himself with vicious personal attacks like the Geffen one. We're damned dof hearing people call the Clintons liars and intimate that President Clinton is "misbehaving" as Matthews so constantly likes to do. I haven't been a Clinton supporter but now I feel maybe I should change my mind. I won't tolerate my candidate--Sen. Obama--or his campaign, using slime like Geffen's remarks, against her or her husband. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#65921Fri, 23 Feb 2007 01:24:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:65921Bob, PensacolaHillary had a picnic in Baghdad on bar stools with McCain and then had brunch with Rupert Murdoch. Her husband did more damage to my party as any Republican in the last 200 years and he gave us Nafta and pardoned a coliseum full of people right before his last hour. I didn't care for everything Bill did and I don't trust Hillary. I trust Edwards but I don't know if he's up to it. I like Obama a lot but I don't know if America will elect an African-American or a woman. The mass media spent the first month trying to figure what race to punch on his voter's card. It doesn't say too much for us. All said, Richardson may the best among them for this time. One last thing, anybody who raises $1.3 million in 24 hours gets the Clinton Camp's attention, pronto as Bill would say.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#66095Fri, 23 Feb 2007 04:38:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66095Kris WeinschenkerThe Brits are pulling out troops because their "Operation Sinbad" has been a success(and because they have lections coming up). Petraeus has said he'd take some of the lessons the British have learned and apply them to operations around Baghdad. If the Congress would simply keep their mouths shut and let him do his his job, perhaps his plan might work.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#66203Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:24:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66203Rabin, Anchorage, AlaskaIs it only here in Alaska or everywhere. Instead of Harball all I could see the the Anna Nicole court drama. I am sick and tired of this. The important issue of currents state of the world seems to be overshadowed by some holywood fiasco. Whats going on? I thought Chris would fight to have his show on air.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#66338Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:01:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66338Edmund Bennett, Oklahoma City, OklahomaRE The Libby case and Mr. Cheney: I like the way Chris calls the Vice-President "Cheeney." It rhymes with "preeny," as if the Vice-President is a preening peacock, using his office as a stage for his personal insecurities. He is now touring the Pacific Rim, and accomplishing little. Most leaders elsewhere -- being more in touch with live people than most leaders here -- have him pegged as a smirking poseur, a brat who can be bought or cowed with the threat of embarrassment. "We can't do that deal right now, but you sure are tough!" is enough reward for him. But I worry when some of Chris' more aggressive followers refer to Cheney as a "fascist." If genuine Fascism advocates establishing the people with the best character in public office, societal responsibility and economic influence, then it can be easily seen that to think of the Bush-Cheney Republicans as "fascists" overestimates them, and underestimates or ignores real fascism. Also, in this regard -- considering the effect that mega-corporationism COULD have, it is fortunate for us that most CEOs are like Cheney ..... this kind of creature loves to lose, because of the security in knowing exactly who has defeated them. A CEO with the will or authority of Hitler would be a real problem. There are two kinds of people, Hitler believed, those who have the will to assume absolute power, and those who do not. Our modern CEOs, on the other hand, are encumbered by the obligatory half-beliefs in equality, democracy and so forth, and can seek power,like Cheney, half-heartedly despite their contrived displays of confidence and excess. These guys are simple punks, and their "strong women" are garden-variety, country club loudmouths.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#66501Fri, 23 Feb 2007 15:33:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66501Keep me posted BlogAfter facing mounting pressure from the American people for action in Iraq, reports from the Associated Press indicate that newly elected Democratic Senate are preparing to pass a binding resolution restricting the role and scope of the American forces in Iraq. Whether or not this action was prompted by the British announcement of a significant troop drawdown from 7,000 to 5400 in Basra is unclear. However, these overtures come at a time when President Bush's handling of the Iraq war has been straddling the 20s in the approval ratings. The resolution, which has been sponsored by Senator Joseph Biden amd Carl Levin, in effect seeks to override the Use of Force Act of 2002. This is the very same resolution that gave authorization to the war in Afghanistan an Iraq. This unprecedented resolution as proposed by the DEMs, according to some legal and political analysts, would directly challenge the authority of the President. But in light of mounting pressure from the left of the Democratic party as well as the loud anti-war movement, the Congress seems to have little choice. But it is yet to be seen if this measure will be backed by bi-partisan support. This seems unlikely as more mildly worded resolutions introduced by Senate majority leader Harry Reid was filibustered by the Republican minority firewall led by Sen. Mitch McConnell. In aprevious encarnation of a Senate vote two weeks ago, GoP insisted that Reid's non-binding resolution must be accompanied by two GoP resolutions, one of which was a vote for funding American troops. Seeking to avoid a vote on funds, the Democrats resolution failed to reach the floww of the Senate. Many political analysts speculate that a deadlock in the Senate seems enevitable. Adding further to the dilemma is the President's veto power which can be called into play. In the last session on the Senate Foreign Relations committe, the constitutionality of the President's veto power as it relates to the scope of war was called into question by Delaware Sen Joe Biden. Feedback is yet to be provided by the justice department. In the next coming days it wil become clear what will be the true impact of the alleged Democrat authorization resolution both on the American people and the White House. My blog has someher posts like this one: http://keepmepostedblog.blogspot.comhttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#69479Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:17:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:69479Bob LaVeineWe are at war in Iraq,Or president wants to go to war in Iran.We have open borders, we have open ports, We are inviting 1000 Iraq's in. Any one of them could be intent on being a live bomb ,to distroy any public place where there are a lot of people. Unless we change our ways and start worrying about our own country instead of everyone elses we are going to learn the hard wayhttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#69666Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:48:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:69666Al LongLet Obama/Clinton keep bad mouthing each other. This will show the American public exactly what kind of people they are. They are sabotaging there own campaigns!!! For the GOP, just sit back and watch each camp implode!! The Presidents plan will work, it will take time though. The terrorists are leaving Baghdad now to some extend telling me his plan IS having an effect. If you believe the Media though and I don't, they blame everything on the president. I thought the media was supposed to just report the news no more no less!!!! http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#70322Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:06:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:70322Kevin, Powder Springs GAWhy wouldn't Obama and Clinton just team up? It seems to me they are going to have to eventually to beat the GOP. Bashing each other is not the answer. Maybe they will team up after the democratic primaries, like Edwards and and his couterpart did http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#70478Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:13:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:70478C A, Tuscaloosa, AL.Al Long: Care to comment about the all the deaths from terrorist acts in Iraq in the recent days including the 18 boys, ages 12 - 15 blown up while playing soccer in Ramandi Park. Yeah, the terrorists are leaving and the plan is working. And if I am not mistaken it was the President who ordered this invasion. Are you saying he is blameless. My God, get a life. And talking about the media only reporting the news. Might want to tell that to your friends on Fox News. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/21/63591.aspx#72858Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:46:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:72858Michael DeMarco Russell, KsWe have lost our collective memory. Having a war that is not fought by the military, but by the politicians is like giving a drivers license to a two year old. They know what a car is but have no idea how to drive it. What allowed Pol Pot to kill millions of people after we left Vietnam was the fact that we left Vietnam. We were winning in Vietnam. We were helping a people to secure there own country from a terrorist regeim. The south Vietnamese were tired of being killed by the North Vietnamese simply because they were not North Vietnamese. Over simplafying,of course,but some times it is just simple. To not fight soley to win and not to just not lose will result in the same fate for tens of thousands of Iraqis as it did for tens of thousands of Vietnamese. These radicals are counting on us to repeat our history. This time though they will not limit their killing to their own, they will kill us. Not my words, theirs.