The Devil I Know
By streiff Posted in 2008 — Comments (70) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
We’re still a year out from the 2008 primary season and no one really knows who will emerge over the next months as presidential contenders so this shouldn’t be taken as an endorsement.
But with the candidates currently in the field the only one I can really support is pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, adulterer Rudy Giuliani.
So what motivates me, a Roman Catholic, pro-life near absolutist, social conservative to support Giuliani? Simple, I know what the man believes and he has the guts to proclaim it. I find it difficult to say that about any of the other candidates in this race.
Read on.
I only have two issues in the 2008 election: national security and life.
On national security, in which I include immigration, I find both McCain and Giuliani to be acceptable choices based on their public utterances. I think both would pursue the Long War. Their position on immigration reform, though not mine, are nearly the same.
Of the two, I have greater faith in Giuliani to press the war than McCain for the simple reason that McCain craves adulation too much to ever be able to take a position that brings substantial criticism. I have greater faith that Giuliani will accept the risk associated with covert operations in support of our national objectives than McCain.
At the risk of gravely offending the Romney camp, I still find his statement on the increase of troop strength both inexplicable and reprehensible:
"Our military mission, for the first time [emphasis mine], must include securing the civilian population from violence and terror."
When he speaks I am reminded of Paul Shanklin’s parody "I've Taken Stands on Both Sides Now.” You need look no farther than our front page to see what I mean.
His national security advisors include Anthony Zinni, Dennis Ross, and Barry McCaffrey. That spells a return to the unprincipled pragmatism of James Baker and Brent Scowcroft and a retreat from what I think is President Bush’s correct assessment of how to reduce the threat of terrorism. Though, in all fairness, he also has Victor David Hanson as an advisor.
So why choose a pro-choice Giuliani over a pro-life McCain and a pro-everything Romney?
I don’t trust McCain to act on whatever beliefs he may have, to the contrary, based on his craven gutting of political speech to the cheers of editorial boards throughout the country, I have great confidence that he will gladly throw us pro-lifers under the bus rather than take criticism. He might not do it for funsies buy I have no doubt $20 and a bottle of Night Train will do the trick.
On the other hand, Rudy Giuliani, regardless of his beliefs, is a long standing member of the Federalist Society, so I’ve been told by people I trust though I have no link to that, and I firmly believe that we are a federal system of government and the issue of abortion and gay marriage can be best addressed, and addressed to my satisfaction by the action of state legislatures.
He’s made a lot of tough decisions, he holds up well under pressure, and he will pursue an objective, no matter how unpopular, in the face of public and press opposition. He seems to get stronger under pressure, not weaker. I have no reason to believe Giuliani would pander to me for my vote. Sadly, the same can’t be said for anyone else in the field today.
All said, I think Giuliani has a hard row to hoe. His personal life will provide endless fodder for the late night shows as will his infamous drag queen performance. A lot of his tenure as the Big Apple’s mayor was not pretty. His long time associate, Bernard Kerik, has pleaded guilty in a corruption case and I suspect there are other shoes waiting to drop in that arena. He doesn’t play particularly well with others. So I’m not even sure Giuliani passes the all critical ELECTABILITY TEST®. But he is tough and I do know where he stands.
Rudy Giuliani will never be my hero, but if he will appoint judges who adhere to federalism, I am satisfied that I have a fighting chance to defend traditional American values and culture.
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your assetment. I too am a staunch evangelical social conservative, but right now if I had to pick between the big three, Giuliani comes out on top by a wide margin. Giuliani has his faults, but considering the times we are currently living under, and the political circumstances we face, he may be the only man with the fortitude to do what needs to be done.
Rudy has made a statement on judicial appointments, the link I had doesn't work anymore, but the gist is that he would appoint Roberts/Alito people and liked Scalia for CJ.
I'm nudgy about his 2nd amendment positions and haven't seen or heard anything to make me feel any better.
I don't know anything about Rudy and the 1st. He's gotta be better than McCain.
There is no one better on the war than Rudy. Including Bush. And Rudy can communicate and he knows how to deal with a very hostile press, it's the same people who tried to kneecap him when he was mayor of NYC.
I think he's more capable than anybody at dealing with a hostile Congress given his dealings with the NYC Council. They were even more liberal and more hostile than the Congress. Rudy also had city unions to deal with. He did that and got HIS programs passed and implemented, which is more than Romney can say. McCain will just go along with Congress in bipartisan way.
With respect to his personal life, it's a problem. But as you noted, Rudy is one tough guy. That and most of the "stuff" has already been thrashed in public.
All that said, we'll just have to see if he does throw his hat in the ring, if he can raise the money necessary and how he handles the issues on the stump.
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"...
Giuliani will have to do more then mention his committment to federalism in an aside to conservatives. We're already on board with the idea. He'll need to spend time and political capital selling it the the rest of the country.
If he comes right out and tells the voters "I think abortion should be resolved by state law, therefore I intend to appoint SC justices who will strike down Roe", then he could get my support. But that will have to be a centerpiece of his platform.
I'm toying with the idea of volunteering for his campaign. It's an easier choice for me, though, because I'm closer to him on social issues.
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We would also like to know your advice for somebody like my daughter, who's going to graduate in two years, advice that you would give a young person.
SEC. RUMSFELD: Advice for a young person. Study history.
streiff, there's a milblog article disussing the war which I thought you'd find worthwhile.
The difference between Rudy and McCain on TV last night was striking: McCain looked like a deer in the headlights. I've heard one charasmatic speech givin by McCain --the one he delivered to Liberty University-- besides that I find him uncharasmatic.
Spitballs?!?! / Yo No Soy Marinero, Soy Capitan
In politics, you judge a man's virtues by the enemies he makes and his vices by the friends he keeps. Giuliani is a man of unquestionable virtues, having made all the right enemies in his political career. As you note, his vices (e.g., Bernie Kerik) are another matter, but McCain and Romney have theirs as well (and in terms of personal vices, it's not as if McCain isn't an admitted adulterer too).
I vote on three things above all others: (1) national security, (2) the courts, and (3) entitlement reform. And (3) is pretty well dead for now anyway, although Rudy has a good record in general as a government program reformer. I'm sold on Rudy as slightly preferable to McCain on (1), so the issue is (2). And Rudy's made some good noises on that as well, and McCain some bad ones.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
After considering the Big 3 (because, let's be honest here, Thompson, Brownback, and Huckabee don't really stand a great chance at this point), the difference for me was in vision casting.
I believe that the purpose of a political party isn't just winning elections and it isn't just advancing an agenda. It's to advance a philosophy. The other two come as a result of that. Without that key, foundational piece of politics, your agenda and future elections are out of reach.
That is why, after marking Giuliani as acceptable in almost every straw poll up until a few months ago, I cannot bring myself to vote for him.
It's not nearly enough for me to say that he likes constructionist judges. Big whoop. There's a lot more to the current culture war than the judiciary. We need someone who can clearly articulate a vision for what conservatives believe in, something that's rarely, if ever, been the forte of our current President.
How can Rudy cast a conservative vision for something he doesn't even believe in himself? How can he explain governing in a pro-life fashion if he isn't even pro-life? How can he explain the fight against homosexual marriage if he's in favor of it? How can he describe the atrocities of curbing the second amendment if he's spent most of his life doing just that?
Just having Rudy wink and nudge and promise me he'll govern as a conservative isn't enough for me. Just some off-handed statement about federalism isn't enough for me. For once, let's truly return to the Reagan years and have someone who can explain and cast a conservative vision for how great this nation can become and win the hearts and minds of Americans everywhere.
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After the 2006 elections, al Qaeda released a statement saying they were happy Democrats won. That should tell you all you need to know.
I just don't see that Reagan guy on the horizon.
McCain has voted in favor of the assault weapons ban, but he's also voted for defending gun owners. Given his disregard for the First Amendment I have little faith in him respecting the Second.
True, the pro-life and social conservative movement would be without a spokesman in the White House. But we can find a spokesman outside the White House. The issue is what will the guy at 1600 Penn be doing to us or for us.
Giuliani, I think, would be more apt to not fight the culture wars and use his belief in federalism as a way to avoid the fight -- sorry, I don't see any wink-wink-nudge-nudge here -- that, in my view is positive.
Really now, he voted against the original assault weapons ban in 1994 and against the Feinstein Amendment to renew it. What “vote” are you talking about?
Notice that the amendment passed, and then he was one of only 8 Senators to vote for the bill as amended.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
No doubt had he voted “no” we would now be hearing the charge of “McCain voted against protecting gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits.”
Because it was a ridiculous gun control bill with liability protection for firearms manufacturers. The only reasons I can think of to vote for it are 1) gun control isn't so bad after all or 2) he didn't know what he was voting for.
So he voted for the AWB (and a number of other gun control provisions on top of that). You can claim he didn't, but that doesn't make it so.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
He also voted for a number of gun sale restriction amendments on that same bill, and even authored his very own amendment to "close the gunshow loophole."
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
Reagan did such a great job cementing a pro life vision. Because judges like Kennedy and O'Connor really contributed to that.
We overestimate the effect the President has on these social issues greatly.
Since Roe we will have had 23 of 35 years wwith a GOP President. 20 of the last 28. They've appointed 13 of the last 15 SC Judges. In fact, the 5 Justices in the Casey majority were ALL Republican, 3 of whom(and the 3 who mattered)were appointed by the Pro Life Reagan and Bush, 2 of whom by the Gipper.
The only real effect the President would have on aboriton is if Stevens or Ginsburg retires. If that happens, I see no evidence that Rudy would be any less likely to appoint a Judge who would overturn Roe than McCain or Romney would, or W for that matter. He actively promoted and supported Roberts and Alito, he knew Alito and Roberts from his DOJ days.
All that said, I still think he has too much to overcome. But, as far as this single issue is concerned, I think a lot is overblown.
Only right on the war isn't enough. And since he hasn't actually had to fight it, I'm not sure that will hold after he's in office either.
Not that I'm sure it will matter all that much by the time the 2008 election rolls around. The Dems are working to lose that war as fast as they can right this very instant. Pelosi and Reid look to be trying to accomplish the deed well before the election. Oh, they'll use smoke and mirrors and blame it on Bush's "stupidity and stubborness," but if we leave Iraq with their heads held high, the war is already lost. It might take another 10-30 years before the body politic realizes it has already been killed, but by then it will be too late. A secure base of operations for terrorist training in Iraq and a nuclear armed Iran will hold all western military action at bay until the Islamofascists control the world.
Limiting your choices to Guiliani and McCain is a mistake. The 2008 election will be different from previous Republican primaries. There is no heir apparent, and the lesson from 2006 is not to let the campaign money buy the nominee before the people vote: you wind up with poor candidates in the general election. Sort of like when Reagan lost to Ford in 76. Although at least there Ford was the sitting President.
pee on Gilmore if he was on fire. If Newt demonstrated he could raise money and build an organization I'd be willing to look at him.
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"Tradition is the democracy of the dead. It refuses to submit to that arrogant oligarchy who merely happen to be walking around"
-G.K. Chesterton
while I read that, it would now be all over my keyboard. You're lucky I set it down for a moment. :)
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After the 2006 elections, al Qaeda released a statement saying they were happy Democrats won. That should tell you all you need to know.
Rudy demonstrably made New York City better, cleaner and safer. That place was regarded as ungovernable before Rudy came to power. Rudy does not have any problem being confrontational with the press, McCain basques in their praise. The social issues are a concern but not overriding.
if that really matters to too many conservatives. Too many are too firmly in the "sit this one out until the Man on the White Horse comes along" mode. Nothing, not winning, halting the march of liberalism and Islamofascism or preserving the courts seems to matter right now. That is sad.
Nov 7, 2006 was a day of shame for those who sat out. You let KOS win. If you want to help him win some more, just keep sitting out.
conservatives who bailed last November.
Second, after 90 days of the Harry & Nancy Show none of the base is going to be staying home. Unless McCain gets the nomination.
And with respect to whether it matters, you better believe it does. It demonstrates something that almost nobody else can point to, real vision and leadership.
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"...
Rudy made New York better. While crime had begun to decline under Dinkins, the major reduction occured as a result of Rudy.
There is a downside to Rudy (before 9/11 he had become unpopular) but no one who has lived in NY will dispute his accomplishments.
As a Democrat, I could vote for him. Anyone who endorses Mario Cuomo is ok in my book.
But is it really OK in yours?
That's called having political capital and spending it. And being a GOP mayor in an 80% Dem city.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
but your decision is based on a third thing (McCain-Feingold, or is it basic trust?) which has nothing directly to do with national security or life, but free speech (or is it integrity? I can't tell). Because of this, I'm confused about your reasoning.
BTW, I would support Giuliani in a heartbeat despite his social liberalism. As for McCain, to me his big mistake was McCain-Feingold. Aside from that, he's been a strong conservative legislatively, and he is to the right of Bush in the War Against Militant Islamism. There's an interesting piece on McCain in Vanity Fair. I think one of McCain's aides has it right:
"Yes, he's a social conservative, but his heart isn't in this stuff," one former aide told me, referring to McCain's instinctual unwillingness to impose on others his personal views about issues such as religion, sexuality, and abortion. "But he has to pretend [that it is], and he's not a good enough actor to pull it off. He just can't fake it well enough."
To me, that's better than Giuliani (albeit marginally), who is openly pro-choice. BTW, I'm also not a McCainiac since I favored Bush over McCain in the primaries from the get-go. I didn't become a McCain supporter until about a year ago, but even that support is only slightly above tepid.
Romney's got some selling to do, and I agree with you about his comment.
Although I find myself across the divide. I also think the symbolic effect of electing a pro-choice Republican would practically destroy the pro-life movement. Newspapers and the other parts of the MSM would find it a great justification to further characterize pro-lifers as "outside the mainstream." The idea of a moderate who is pro-life would disappear and it would give cover to Democrats in conservative areas to abandon the pretense of being pro-life.
On a completely unrelated note, I wanted to ask about this line, "I have greater faith in Giuliani to press the war than McCain for the simple reason that McCain craves adulation too much to ever be able to take a position that brings substantial criticism."
In light of McCain's staunch support for the "surge" and in fact his advocacy of it before the President agreed to it, do you feel the need to qualify or rethink your view at all? To my eyes, this is exactly McCain taking an unpopular view (and especially unpopular in the media) because he thinks it is the right thing to do. If not enough to change your impression entirely, it at least deserves mention as evidence in the other direction.
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Social Security Choice - Club For Growth
from major newspapers criticizing McCain's stance? I haven't seen any. When I see criticism and McCain weather it I'll be convinced.
McCain strikes me as being vulnerable to the same character flaw as Bill Clinton. He loves to be loved. But not merely loved, he has to be able to make people who oppose him love him. The moment he has to choose between prosecuting the war or basking in the glow of adulation, the war goes under the bus along with we pro-lifers.
BTW, I don't buy your assessment of the pro-life movement at all. We survived 8 years of the Clinton administration and the active use of the resources of Justice, the FBI, and the federal courts to shut us down. We survived. We'd survive a Giuliani presidency.
but if it is to do more than that, maybe Giuliani's not the best option.
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After the 2006 elections, al Qaeda released a statement saying they were happy Democrats won. That should tell you all you need to know.
There's no Reagan figure out there, but everyone knows my guy. I think he comes the closest this time around.
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After the 2006 elections, al Qaeda released a statement saying they were happy Democrats won. That should tell you all you need to know.
on the surge, he's now positioning himself to say "I told you so...". Last night on Fox, Brett (I think) mentioned in prefact to a question that McCain had been asking for more troops of over a year. In the only show of emotion in his comment McCain said, "Over THREE years."
McCain is totally untrustworthy. On the war, virtually every time he "supported it", he also criticized the strategy and all the people involved. No thanks.
We don't have to worry about McCain selling his soul, he made that deal with the media a long time ago.
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"...
I don't see it as risky in the least. If it worked out without them (more troops wouldn't have hurt), he wins. If it didn't and we didn't add troops (should have added more troops), he wins. If it didn't and we did add troops (they should have been added sooner), he wins.
traight support for the President, without any qualifiers, would've been a much riskier move.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
Unless something drastic changes, I will cast my vote for Guiliani in the primaries.
IMO, he is the only one that truly "gets" the war on terror.
He is far from my ideal candidate, but he is right on my #1 concern for the forseeable future.
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The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas-a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.-Reagan
the Rudy camp-that pro choice position just zings it for me-and a good bit of it is worldview. I just don't know how somebody thinks killing babies in the womb for the sake of convienience or because they are disabled should be a legal choice-my views of life are just too strong.
I do think Rudy appears to be a pretty firm federalist, but since he has never been in a position to really demonstrate this, it is hard to say for certain that he would follow through in regards to judicial appointments.
But I like him on security, and I also think he would be good on fiscal issues.
Just can't get past that abortion thing-at least not at the primary level.
At this point Newt appeals to me a lot, but I don't know that he can move the base enough.
I don't think personal baggage for any candidate this year will be a big deal, almost all of the top runners have some baggage to lug and they mostly neutralize it as an issue.
Part of my brain says you are right on, but other parts at this point just can't get on board. We will see what happens as the political primary season really heats up around in in preparation for the NH primary. There have already been a lot of visits by the "ins" and "interested" by both parties.
One thing you touched on is his ability to confront and beat down the opposition. That is a major plus in his favor... and I'm not so sure Romney's got that in him, and I don't care if McCain's got it because I don't trust his judgment in the first place. I've had enough of this new tone, uniter-not-a-divider stuff for one lifetime.
I'm reserving judgment until I hear more from Guliani, but I would take either Guliani or Romney over McCain in a heartbeat.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
Streif, you say about Giuliani:
"Giuliani, I think, would be more apt to not fight the culture wars and use his belief in federalism as a way to avoid the fight -- sorry, I don't see any wink-wink-nudge-nudge here -- that, in my view is positive."
AMEN! Our society will slowly decide certain issues which currently divide us. A good example is Gay Marriage. I can do without the 'moral authority' of the president on such an issue.
Fighting Terrorism, domestically and abroad, is what I want from my president. On this I trust Giuliani.
Our society will slowly decide certain issues which currently divide us. A good example is Gay Marriage.
Unless Giuliani or some other president intevenes to restore the matter to the political sphere, it will be decided by the courts. This is an issue where the President has to intervene simply to allow the democratic process to play out. And the same holds true for abortion.
Giuliani, I think, would be more apt to not fight the culture wars and use his belief in federalism as a way to avoid the fight
It's not a fight that can be avoided. If Giuliani wants to try to revieve the practically dead notion of federalism, then he will have to fight long and hard for it. Whispering his commitment to the idea of federalism to conservatives while doing nothing to sell it to the country at large isn't going to cut it.
Re: is an issue where the President has to intervene simply to allow the democratic process to play out. And the same holds true for abortion.
With the sole (but important) power to make judicial appointments, the President has no means to intervene in these matters.
And as for federalism being a "dodge", it seems to me that social conservatives do quite well when they choose to fight these battles at the state level. It's at the federal level that they are stymied. Gay marriage bans have succeeded everywhere except AZ (where the proposed law was vague and overly expansive) and if Roe is overturned I suspect abortion restrictions, as long as they contain a few reasonable exceptions, will also be successful. Why federalize issues that work better at a lower level?
Now I know some people think this is a rhetorical difference. Without being a legal expert, I think there is a real difference, depending on what civil union legislation looks like.
Rudy's abortion position is a problem. It passes for enlightened opinion in many, probably most urban areas. I have never understood why. If we choose Rudy, all the more reason to give him a Republican Congress. This separation of powers thing comes in handy. Especially if we get some more good judicial appointments.
I can hope that Giuliani places security first.
I've got a number of problems with Giuliani.
Giuliani Budgets:
In 1995 the NYC owed $26.6 billion. When Mayor Rudy Giuliani left office, debt was $43 billion. Borrowing rose at about 5 percent a year in the last five Giuliani years. The Big Apple spends about 20 cents of every dollar just to cover interest on its loans.
With rising deficits and entitlement costs, Rudy's just another spend-today-pay-tomorrow Republican.
Giuliani Abortion:
Appointing judges is only one (very important) thing the president does w/r/t abortion. A few others...
1. Passage or veto of abortion related bills (Child Custody Protection Act, Partial Birth Abortion Ban, Born Alive Infants Protection Act, Unborn Victims of Violence Act, etc)
2. International aid for abortions (Mexico City policy) & federal funds to the U.N. Population Fund.
3. Domestic funding for family planning programs which promote abortion
4. Influence on the public debate through the bully pulpit
Rudy accepted an award from NARAL in April of 2001 and proudly announced his support for them and his desire to see the GOP remove its abortion plank from the party platform. Imagine that being the leader of the GOP out until 2016.
"When it comes to protecting our citizens, there is no place for political correctness" -- Mitt Romney
The city's debt issuance is mainly related to the capital spending plan needed to refurbish ageing, long-neglected infrastructure needs:
These needs were increasing as Rudy left office, and in a study by the state comptroller's office in 2000, were projected to hit close to $60 billion in 2009.
The city still needs far more infrastructure improvements - too much of the city hasn't been upgraded since the 30s.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
Rudy has seen first hand the cost of fighting this war on American soil...
Let me premise this by saying I have five children, 5, yes it's not a typo.(Irish catholic and it does get cold up here in the Northeast at night).
So having said that, SAFETY and security are huge issues for me. Being from NY originally I have some knowledge of the before and after in NYC and the effects of Giuliani's influence and they were almost all positive.
I can also relate some more personal knowledge of the man and his impact on people...
One of my sons, a member of the NY National Guard, spent a lot of time in NYC and became known to it's then mayor, Mr. Giuliani. He served in various capacities in NYC starting on 9/11/2001, that included some fairly ghastly things, for one he stood guard over some of the poor souls that chose not to burn in the towers that day, and then later on was part of the detail that manned the primary checkpoint that led into the "site" for several months.
As we all remember there was little joy to be found for those who searched for survivors in the days that followed.
To this day my son will hardly speak of the things he saw, things that I hoped no child of mine would ever hear about, never mind see with his own eyes. But he did, and he saw it in the city where I grew up. While he can't talk about those things, he can talk about those who were there along with him.
In his words, "There could have been no better leader, in that time, in that place, than Mayor Giuliani. We had all been through so much, but when he came through (the checkpoint) he would let us know that what we were doing was appreciated and necessary, and somehow when he left we just knew that he had done that for everyone in the 'site', and he did that going both ways, on his way in and out."
My son was also there when our president gave his now famous speech from atop the rubble, although the president entered the "site" from a different checkpoint.
My son says of Rudy, "I would vote for him any day!" My daughter in law, who also spent her fair share of time in NYC during that period, feels just as strongly as my son about the former mayor. She is prepping to leave within the next few months for a tour in Iraq and my family has her in our prayers.
FYI both my son and daughter in law(college degree)have re-upped recently as have many of their friends and comrades in arms. Those who have seen evidence of what the battle would look like if fought here on our soil are convinced that this battle must be taken to the enemy and fought on our terms.
Rudy will not yield on our security and without security we have nothing. We can talk about all kinds of other issues AFTER our security is assured. This is where I give GWB so much credit, it's like everyone has forgotten we are at war and we didn't start it.
The ones who talk so loud that we've lost 3000 of our soldiers in three years of conflict have forgotten that we lost nearly as many in less than three hours just a few short years ago.
As an aside my son also had what he referred to as a once in a lifetime event on the positive side, while serving at that checkpoint, Demi Moore gave him a hug that he described as "amazing", "she's way hotter in person than even on screen."
So obviously I have "personal" reasons for my support of "America's Mayor."
This was a little difficult to type out, to this day I get so upset when I think about the events that transpired on that beautiful September morning, the conversations I had with my son that morning and then as he drove towards the city that day. It's kind of stupid but I have an ezpass ticket he got that day, here in my office, that he got for going too fast through a toll.
Rudy was there, he will never forget, America seems to be forgetting what we are fighting for, but Rudy won't, not ever.
Aside from my son and his wife, I now have two other sons who are talking about possible enlistments as is my daughter, although she is a few years away from being able to sign up should she make that choice. What ever was John K thinking, or is his problem that he doesn't think much of America? My family certainly does.
Well done is better than well said. —Benjamin Franklin
It should be good_dad.
And give your kids a hug from an old Marine dad. Blessings on them.
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"...
goes back some time, I was one of the first to sign up for Prodigy way back when and then when messaging and chat rooms started to pop up I became "just some strange guy on the internet" in response to the inevitable who are you questions.
And I just sort of kept it...
Does that date me?
Well done is better than well said. —Benjamin Franklin
My first online experiences were through local BBS's where we'd play "door games" like Legend of the Red Dragon and Usurper. Then we really thought we hit the big time when my dad brought home a 9600 baud modem and a disk for Prodigy. So I'm a child of Prodigy service as well. Woo hoo! That was in junior high for me. We ran it on our Pentium-90 back then, which was one of the fastest computers money could buy! :)
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After the 2006 elections, al Qaeda released a statement saying they were happy Democrats won. That should tell you all you need to know.
One of the true heroes of 9-11.
It is because of him and all that he still sees in his mind everyday that we must not waver in our commitment to fight this war. Nobody, I mean nobody, ever wants to think that their child would someday have to see such carnage.
Rudy gets that. And I think he might be the only one currently in the field that would have the cajones to press on despite the unpopularity of such actions.
PS-Mornin' streiff. Life is busy, but I still check in often.
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The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas-a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.-Reagan
If Guiliani is the Republican nominee, I will seriously think about voting Democratic. After all, if the choice is between two liberals .... Urgh (I'm sorry, I get too ill to continue just thinking about it.)
And to all those who are constantly looking back to 9/11 to tote Guiliani's "great leadership abilities" can you please tell me anything CONCRETE he did, what strategies he recommended, etc.?
Please?
While some will never forget the ones that died that day the 20,000 that lived and were evacuated from the towers are hardly mentioned. Rudy had set up a base of operation in WTC 7 even before the second plane had hit and was at one point trapped there when tower one collapsed. "He" then led his team throught the rubble to saftey. That's one.
For another he also then pushed for the center of the financial universe to be back in operation within days. A functional market system is pretty much everything from a bottom line basis, does anyone dissagree?
ALL EYES WERE ON NY, yes Penn was tragic as was DC but for good or for bad New York is a symbol of America to the entire world and it's defiant face during it's darkest days was that of Rudy Giuliani.
Well done is better than well said. —Benjamin Franklin
Compare the NYC response in the aftermath of 9/11 to NOLA response in the aftermath of Katrina. The Katrina model would be the more typical response to a disaster.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
It's now murder capital USA and they are begging for federal cops to protect their people.
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"...
Maybe if they're lucky it will work as well as it does in Mexico. No crime there, dontcha know.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
comments I've read here...only because I have generally found that people in general, both sides of the aisle, have been able to acknowledge the positive part RG played on such a horrific day.
Methinks your comprehension is off, of the remark. I believe zukio inferred that the Katrina response was "typical" and the NYC response was far ABOVE the norm. But I'm sure zukio can clear that up.
Well done is better than well said. —Benjamin Franklin
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"...
... would prove that conservatism in America is DEAD!
IMHO Guiliani as the Republican nominee would bring back to life the Reagan Democrats. No one seems to speak about the fact that of all the top Republicans it is Guiliani as the only one of them who actually worked in the executive branch during Ronald Reagan's presidency.
You’re a persistent cuss, pilgrim.
John Wayne to Jimmy Stewart in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
to understand that a comment with some reasoning contributes to the discussion. A comment thrown against the wall to see if it will stick - like your last two here - add nothing to the discussion and seem blatently stupid.
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"...
I like Rudy simply because he is a straight shooter and says what he means, not what he thinks is the best way to get elected or liked. He isn't going to say he is changing his long held positions on issues just so he could win the primary either.