(R-Ne) Hagel: U.S. risks world-leader role

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

Essay by Chuck Hagel
Former U.S. Senator and Co-Chairman of President Barack Obama's Intelligence Advisory Board

As the symbols of our nation's economic and military strength (or prowess) came under attack 10 years ago today, my first thought: "This is the second Pearl Harbor." As I told a reporter that day, "I don't think I'm overstating it."

The initial shock slowly receded and was replaced with a sense of national purpose, resolve and unity that probably had not been seen since that other infamous day, Dec. 7, 1941. For a time, partisan and ideological differences shifted to the background.

But only for a time.

I remembered the admonition I received from my 1964 Columbus St. Bonaventure High School classmate, Kathy Kearns Murphy, on Jan. 3, 1997, the day I took my oath as Nebraska's 34th U.S. senator. "History will measure your success as a senator, not only by the number of political campaigns, but rather how you utilize your knowledge, integrity and honor to make our society a better place for the next generation." Kathy captured the essence of America in a few simple but elegant words. I had pledged to defend the Constitution of the United States. My allegiance was to a nation and its future; not a political party, political movement or special interest.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20110911/NEWS01/709119866/0#hagel-u-s-risks-world-leader-role

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Photo: http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20110911&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=709119866&Ref=AR&maxw=490&maxh=275
Hagel

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Was he part of the pnac gang?

[Douglas Carpenter]

10. absolutely not

Although certainly a conservative - he was at least in foreign policy a member of the non-insane minority wing of the Republican Party

[gateley]

16. He wore a Biden for President sweatshirt to the Senate on

Joe's birthday. :) Even if he hadn't won my heart that way, it's obvious he's a smart guy and SANE.


Edit: I misspelled a 4 letter word! :eyes:

[gateley]

2. I was thinking that the other day -- not that I'm sure it's

all that great to be known as the "world leader", but that we're becoming a joke because our country is being "led" by squabbling children and can't/won't even take care of our own citizens.

Obama has restored our standing somewhat after we became SO hated during Bush's stint. But financially we are falling apart and it's more than just not being the "richest nation", it think it makes us vulnerable to the likes of China and I think Russia is licking its chops, too.

I don't know what that portends for us.

[femrap]

12. Pat Buchanan

said the same thing last week. And believe it or not, he blamed W for our decline!!!

We are living The Decline of the American Empire. I imagine we'll divide into various countries...I'm hoping Canada will adopt Ohio.

Various states may secede....I believe VT and TX has mentioned this.

Or maybe we get WW3/Crusades2....that would create jobs for all the idle youth of the world. The Xtian Fundies would be happy.

I'll just try to :hide: I don't want to fight anyone....and I don't want to pay for their fighting either. WW3 would probably go nuclear and Planet Earth would be toast.

Some days I hope that it is Mother Nature who steps in and ends this damn Globalization.

[elleng]

3. Hagel's one of the high intelligence + integrity repubs we miss desperately.

I suspect he retired BECAUSE he saw the current crap coming/encroaching.

[MsPithy]

7. If he had integrity, he would have mentioned it is the Republicans

who are acting without honor. And, the Democrats are enabling them.

[elleng]

8. Smart; bash everyone.

:thumbsdown:

[gateley]

15. +1 nt

[jerseyjack]

4. Why is it necessary that we be the world leader?

Stupid me, I forgot. It increases corporate bottom lines.

[OwnedByFerrets]

5. Little late to that party

[go west young man]

6. I think he see's the Republican field as unelectable and this is his opening salvo.

He wants the presidency in 2012. And this small article points out to me that he can achieve it.
The winds of change are blowing in his direction. It's no coincidence this article is coming out on
September 11th. I will say that what he is writing used to be pretty much the platform of the true
Democrats ala "Kennedy". It will resonate well with independents and centrists.

One thing he didn't characterize but could be included as a world changing event is the release
of the Wikileaks cables although it could be under new internet technology. One U.S. soldier
has "allegedly" done more to change the entire Middle East than the entire U.S. military and trillions
of dollars spent on war. All it took was letting people see the truth. On September 11th I pay tribute
to young Bradley Manning.

[davidwparker]

11. 100% Right - 0% Wrong

... on all points made.

A moderate (R) like him would give the (R)'s a choice other than which degree of crazy they want to go with. Plus, as an alternative to O, would most likely give the former senator the WH.

O needs to either man up or get out. If the party won't primary him, the next change we can believe in will be seeing his 1 term presidency coming to an end.

[Inuca]

17. No, he is too smart for that

He is no Santorum to think that having been a senator that lost an election (or in Hagel's case, chose not to run because he would have lost the primary, or maybe he was just fed up, who knows) is a good platform to base a campaign for the presidency on.

[davidwparker]

9. Risks? The world leader ship has already sailed. n/t

[Downwinder]

13. Lest we forget who owns the voting machines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Election_Systems_%26_Software

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

14. America, I cried and mourned with you after 9/11

and then watched in horror, as your beady red eyes darted around, looking for something to attack.

[Odin2005]

18. The GOP has become too extreme for even Chuck Hagel. It's THAT bad!

:scared: