26 former diplomats and military officials says Bush must go!!!

[the_angry_one]

"A group of 26 former senior diplomats and military officials, several appointed to key positions by Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, plans to issue a joint statement this week arguing that President George W. Bush has damaged America's national security and should be defeated in November."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-na-diplo13jun13,1,1142936.story?coll=la-home-headlines


How much more proof do the republican boneheads need to realize that they have a cabbage head for a leader??!

[kalian]

1. I hope we're headed towards a revolution of sorts....

but unfortunately, I think we'll be seeing a military coup and then
a possible military dictatorship IF the elections turn out to be a
farce.
Either way, Nov 2nd will be a MAJOR turning point for America.

[NMDemDist2]

4. nah, I don't believe the military would back Bushit

while you may disagree with some of the Military's postions, they are patriots and won't back the empty suit. I'd be more worried about the CIA but they are in disarry with Tenet gone

No coup here in the US

[kalian]

15. Sorry....

I would not want to see the military take control of our country
either. We ARE a republic and having some uniformed goons in control
does NOT constitute the proper way of handling this issue.

Ask any Latin American country whether a military dictatorship is
the way to go....

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. Here's the list of signatories......SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!

The signatories
While not explicitly endorsing Sen. John F. Kerry for president, 26 former diplomats and military officials, including many who served in Republican administrations, have a signed a statement calling for the defeat of President Bush in November. Their names and some of the posts they have held are:
Avis T. Bohlen — assistant secretary of State for arms control, 1999-2002; deputy assistant secretary of State for European affairs 1989-1991.

Retired Adm. William J. Crowe Jr. — chairman, President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Committee, 1993-94; ambassador to Britain, 1993-97; chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1985-89.

Jeffrey S. Davidow — ambassador to Mexico, 1998-2002; assistant secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, 1996

William A. DePree — ambassador to Bangladesh, 1987-1990.

Donald B. Easum — ambassador to Nigeria, 1975-79.

Charles W. Freeman Jr. — assistant secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs, 1993-94; ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 1989-1992.

William C. Harrop — ambassador to Israel, 1991-93; ambassador to Zaire, 1987-1991.

Arthur A. Hartman — ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1981-87; ambassador to France, 1977-1981.

Retired Marine Gen. Joseph P. Hoar — commander in chief of U.S. Central Command, overseeing forces in the Middle East, 1991-94; deputy chief of staff, Marine Corps, 1990-94.

H. Allen Holmes — assistant secretary of Defense for special operations, 1993-99; assistant secretary of State for politico-military affairs, 1986-89.

Robert V. Keeley — ambassador to Greece, 1985-89; ambassador to Zimbabwe, 1980-84.

Samuel W. Lewis — director of State Department policy and planning, 1993-94; ambassador to Israel, 1977-1985.

Princeton N. Lyman — assistant secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, 1995-98; ambassador to South Africa, 1992-95.

Jack F. Matlock Jr. — ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1987-1991; director for European and Soviet Affairs, National Security Council, 1983-86; ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 1981-83.

Donald F. McHenry — ambassador to the United Nations, 1979-1981.

Retired Air Force Gen. Merrill A. McPeak — chief of staff, U.S. Air Force, 1990-94.

George E. Moose — assistant secretary of State for African affairs, 1993-97; ambassador to Senegal, 1988-91.

David D. Newsom — acting secretary of State, 1980; undersecretary of State for political affairs, 1978-1981; ambassador to Indonesia, 1973-77

Phyllis E. Oakley — assistant secretary of State for intelligence and research, 1997-99.

James Daniel Phillips — ambassador to the Republic of Congo, 1990-93; ambassador to Burundi, 1986-1990.

John E. Reinhardt — professor of political science, University of Vermont, 1987-91; ambassador to Nigeria, 1971-75.

Retired Air Force Gen. William Y. Smith — deputy commander in chief, U.S. European Command, 1981-83.

Ronald I. Spiers — undersecretary-general of the United Nations for Political Affairs, 1989-1992; ambassador to Pakistan, 1981-83.

Michael Sterner — deputy assistant secretary of State for Near East affairs, 1977-1981; ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, 1974-76.

Retired Adm. Stansfield Turner — director of the Central Intelligence Agency, 1977-1981.

Alexander F. Watson — assistant secretary of State for Inter-American affairs, 1993-96; deputy permanent representative to the U.N., 1989-1993. Source: Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change

[ShaneGR]

8. Wow, that's an impressive list....

Definitely a head-turner when it's printed.

[JPJones]

13. Highlighting those from Republican administrations

In bold, appointed by or served under, Nixon, Ford, Reagan or Bush I.

Avis T. Bohlen — assistant secretary of State for arms control, 1999-2002; deputy assistant secretary of State for European affairs 1989-1991.

Retired Adm. William J. Crowe Jr. — chairman, President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Committee, 1993-94; ambassador to Britain, 1993-97; chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1985-89.

Jeffrey S. Davidow — ambassador to Mexico, 1998-2002; assistant secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, 1996

William A. DePree — ambassador to Bangladesh, 1987-1990.

Donald B. Easum — ambassador to Nigeria, 1975-79.

Charles W. Freeman Jr. — assistant secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs, 1993-94; ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 1989-1992.

William C. Harrop — ambassador to Israel, 1991-93; ambassador to Zaire, 1987-1991.

Arthur A. Hartman — ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1981-87; ambassador to France, 1977-1981.

Retired Marine Gen. Joseph P. Hoar — commander in chief of U.S. Central Command, overseeing forces in the Middle East, 1991-94; deputy chief of staff, Marine Corps, 1990-94.

H. Allen Holmes — assistant secretary of Defense for special operations, 1993-99; assistant secretary of State for politico-military affairs, 1986-89.

Robert V. Keeley — ambassador to Greece, 1985-89; ambassador to Zimbabwe, 1980-84.

Samuel W. Lewis — director of State Department policy and planning, 1993-94; ambassador to Israel, 1977-1985.

Princeton N. Lyman — assistant secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, 1995-98; ambassador to South Africa, 1992-95.

Jack F. Matlock Jr. — ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1987-1991; director for European and Soviet Affairs, National Security Council, 1983-86; ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 1981-83.

Donald F. McHenry — ambassador to the United Nations, 1979-1981.

Retired Air Force Gen. Merrill A. McPeak — chief of staff, U.S. Air Force, 1990-94.

George E. Moose — assistant secretary of State for African affairs, 1993-97; ambassador to Senegal, 1988-91.

David D. Newsom — acting secretary of State, 1980; undersecretary of State for political affairs, 1978-1981; ambassador to Indonesia, 1973-77

Phyllis E. Oakley — assistant secretary of State for intelligence and research, 1997-99.

James Daniel Phillips — ambassador to the Republic of Congo, 1990-93; ambassador to Burundi, 1986-1990.

John E. Reinhardt — professor of political science, University of Vermont, 1987-91; ambassador to Nigeria, 1971-75.

Retired Air Force Gen. William Y. Smith — deputy commander in chief, U.S. European Command, 1981-83.

Ronald I. Spiers — undersecretary-general of the United Nations for Political Affairs, 1989-1992; ambassador to Pakistan, 1981-83.

Michael Sterner — deputy assistant secretary of State for Near East affairs, 1977-1981; ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, 1974-76.

Retired Adm. Stansfield Turner — director of the Central Intelligence Agency, 1977-1981.

Alexander F. Watson — assistant secretary of State for Inter-American affairs, 1993-96; deputy permanent representative to the U.N., 1989-1993. Source: Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. Damning. VERY damning!

I can't wait to hear how KKKRove spins this. It should be good for a few laughs!

[JPJones]

16. Note, I didn't include hold-overs from Carter admin

Diplomats listed were appointed by Repubs.

Military served under - some were probably appointed with Repub. admin. consultation. For example,

Retired Marine Gen. Joseph P. Hoar — commander in chief of U.S. Central Command, overseeing forces in the Middle East, 1991-94

took over for Schwarzkopf, right? Although the admin. doesn't pick the person, they at least say who they want. At least that is how Clark got CINC Southern Command, right?

[Cat Atomic]

3. Isn't this a strange time?

A bunch of insider, establishment sorts can make a public statement condemning the President and his policies, while the media still strokes him and helps sell his bullshit.

I remember when the media would've been the FIRST voice to offer criticism, not the LAST. The media sucked then, too- but I've never seen anything like the state of "news" today. It's downright Orwellian.

[Deja Q]

5. They have a maladusted, psychotic dunderhead as a leader.

A cabbage head would be far superior and less scary.

[Jade Fox]

6. The Republican Party, at least, knows they've got a cabbage head....

but they are stuck with him--a fact which cheers me to no end.

Maybe they will be a little more careful who they nominate and support
in the future, not only for President but for other offices as well.

Republicans are not going to go away, so at least we can hope that the
better ones will be elected.

[cliss]

12. I agree.

I've read a few times that Washington is actually run by a "shadow" government, meaning there are people lurking in the shadows who are really running the show. While I believe Cheney is really the president, I'm willing to read what they have to say.

So let's say there is a shadow government. If you were one of these people, sitting there watching Bush get up and stammer and stutter and completely botch his speech, and look completely mystefied when someone asks if you've made any mistakes. (scratches head).

Or when he foolishly gets up there and proceeds to blame the Navy crew for ordering the banner 'Mission Accomplished', and then only hours later do we find out that the Bush's did order it.

If you were a member of this "shadow government" what would you think of your "man". Would you be proud of him? Would you feel that he's made the Republicans respected around the US?

He's a laughingstock. I can't tell you how many times Randi Rhodes has played soundbites of Bush, each one sounding worse than the last one. Randi and Tim screech with laughter.

Sorta makes you wonder about these "shadow" people, doesn't it?

[merh]

20. This is what you want to look at

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce - most news organizations, corporations, etc. are members a chamber that is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I know it sounds innocent, to be a member of the chamber of commerce, but review their web sites and then you will realize that they are the GOP. Look at the amount of money they have been spending in the last 8 years to support their conservative candidates through out the nation. That is their club and its controlling heads are the ones making the calls. That is why media doesn't publish stories, their publishers and editors are member of the Chamber and have tied the hands of the reporters.

[newsguyatl]

7. this is a pretty big deal guys

these folks are having a press conference from the national press club this wednesday at 9a that i'm sure will get television attn.

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. If it's from The National Press Club,

C-SPAN will cover it. :bounce:

[newsguyatl]

11. yeh, and i just

read their statement that's being released wednesday -- short and simple - but pretty damning...


really just sums up every reason why bush must go. but believe it or not, doesn't sound partisan at all, that's why it's so damning.

[the Kelly Gang]

9. terrific..Diplomats, Armed Services , a Professor !

[Lindsey]

17. This is on the front page of the L.A. TIMES (at least on the web)

I couldn't believe it - I think this is really big!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wyldwolf]

18. this is a major story

!!!

[TahitiNut]

19. A Busholini 'defeat' in November isn't even close to good enough.

These people are guilty of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and pervasive corruption beyond anything in US history. They belong in prison.

[Karenina]

21. The entire Neo-con cancer

MUST be excised. Corporate "personhood" must be revoked. I'm not a big optimist as the head "surgeon," American citizens, have not been properly trained to recognize the disease...
:scared: :cry: :scared: :cry: :scared: