A militarist as “peace” candidate (Wesley Clark)

[IndianaGreen]

A militarist as “peace” candidate: Retired general Wesley Clark enters Democratic presidential race
By Alex Lefebrve
29 September 2003

The Democratic Party establishment is more than willing to overlook Clark’s late-comer status, not only to employ him for the immediate purpose of stalling the Dean campaign, but because his status as a career military officer who commanded a victorious war supposedly makes him more “electable” (i.e., less vulnerable to a right-wing media barrage equating criticism of Bush with treason).

Attempts to present Clark as a candidate somehow opposed to militarism, or even as a candidate whose brand of militarism will reduce international tensions, fall apart upon any investigation into Clark’s past. As NATO commander in the late 1990s, he was a fervent supporter of a more powerful intervention, seeking to supplement the deadly mass bombings of Serbia and Kosovo with a ground invasion. While pressing for permission to bomb more civilian targets, Clark expressed his frustration at “the only air campaign in history in which lovers strolled down riverbanks in the gathering twilight and ate at outdoor cafes to watch the fireworks.”

Clark also ordered British general Michael Jackson to storm Pristina airport in order to prevent Russian troops from taking positions there. Jackson refused, saying: “I’m not going to start World War III for you.” According to Newsweek, “Both Jackson and Clark appealed to their political leadership back home for support. Jackson got all the help he needed; Clark didn’t. Effectively, his orders as Supreme Commander were overruled.” Clark was dismissed shortly thereafter. He parlayed his military experience into a number of advisory positions, most notably at the Stephens investment-banking firm of Little Rock, Ark., and as a CNN commentator during the Iraq war.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/sep2003/clar-s29.shtml

[leetrisck]

1. Doesn't look like it's stalled Dean's

campaign. He's doing just fine. Some of your statements are outright false. Course I know you know that so what the heck. Every single one of these Democratic candidates can stand on their own and are fully capable of fighting their own battles (as they have all shown). They do not need someone out there printing false statements about their opponents. They'd all be in the Washington Times if that was the case - they do a good job of trashing all of them.

[bpilgrim]

2. the more i learn about his kosovo behavior the more i am reminded of

General Ripper


the whole genral thing will wear off after a while especially when folks start talking bread and butter issues. i doubt he has had enough time to memorize his lines ;->

we'll see...

peace

[Capt_Nemo]

5. It is not so much the Kosovo thing but the Pristina stand-off episode

Remember, during Kosovo he was following the orders of people
that here in DU receive daily praises, and are now firmly on our
side on the Iraq invasion, such as:
Jacques Chirac
Gerhard Schroder
Joschka Fischer
Robin Cooke
(I bet they all regret now taking part in what was the precedent
for the Iraq "crusade")

What is worring about Clark is his hubristic attitude and the way
he went out of control when the russians crashed into his "party"
in Pristina. This from a guy who could have the US strategic arsenal
at his fingertips in little more than an year's time...

[IndianaGreen]

6. Not to mention the Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch

reports on civilian casualties during NATO's bombing campaign.

[Capt_Nemo]

7. Problem is that by Nurenberg standards

that would mean that, should something be done about that right now
and the criminals indicted, there would remain just a handful
of governments opposing PNAC in the developed world:
Sweeden
Finland
Russia
and China

I'm not saying that the ends justify the means in order to destroy
the neo-cons.
I'm just saying that it would be dangerous for our
cause to go about now righting the wrongs of NATO's Kosovo aggression.
Too many of the politicians on our side have blood on their hands
from that affair.
I think we should settle that score after we're done destroying PNAC.

[cprise]

3. When Democrats step down

''As the British magazine the Economist wrote on June 26, “For good or ill, Mr. Dean has decided to climb on the back of the leftist tiger. He cannot climb off without being eaten alive. The sight of Mr. Dean on the tiger’s back is striking terror into the party establishment... The problem for the Democrats is not just the man from Vermont but the rank-and-file rage that he embodies.”''


When Democrats step down from the leftist tiger in America, they're tarred and feathered by the media and Congressional Republicans. The problem for Democrats is a media that thinks like the Economist. The truly violent, unforgiving faction in this country is the Right.

Dean is with us because of his experience, and he has no reason to climb (or should I say 'stoop') down. If the Left eats anything, it will be a Democratic party that insists on splitting its base to benefit the establishment.

[catforclark2004]

4. One who experiences WAR works for PEACE....

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