Wag-the-Dog Protection - Krugman NYT

[rndmprsn]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/22/opinion/22krugman.html?hp

ok people...lets be prepared for the bait and switch to national security...this time it looks like iran will be the drum beat to war, this should be so fucking obvious to any person with half a brain...we should start to hammer boyking with the lack of real homeland security in this country before they can frame the debate and wipe us out again a la 2002

-snip-

The campaign against Social Security is going so badly that longtime critics of President Bush, accustomed to seeing their efforts to point out flaws in administration initiatives brushed aside, are pinching themselves. But they shouldn't relax: if the past is any guide, the Bush administration will soon change the subject back to national security.

The political landscape today reminds me of the spring of 2002, after the big revelations of corporate fraud. Then as now, the administration was on the defensive, and Democrats expected to do well in midterm elections.

Then, suddenly, it was all Iraq, all the time, and Harken Energy and Halliburton vanished from the headlines.

I don't know which foreign threat the administration will start playing up this time, but Bush critics should be prepared for the shift. They must curb their natural inclination to focus almost exclusively on domestic issues, and challenge the administration on national security policy, too.

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. if the Democrats don't put their foot down over Iran

this party will NEVER regain majorities in either house of congress. Anyone who doesn't see an IWR (Iran War Resolution) coming up next year is a blind fool.

[rndmprsn]

2. IWR...time to put our foot down

will any dems have the courage to say no?

[mhr]

4. Actually, I Think Bush Is Going To Attack First And Ask Permission Later

The Bush Boys have been burned by the lack of WMDs.

Best not to make that mistake twice.

[rndmprsn]

8. i can see it...

ah...the pesky facts and evidence, won't get them this time...ugh?!

[Toots]

11. Better to do it and say I'm sorry than ask permission

The deed is done then. Major Republican Philosophy. They are never held accountable anyway. It's the Arrogance Stupid

[liberal N proud]

6. If the Democrats don't put their foot down over Iran, kiss the US

goodbye.
Invading Iran will start a 3rd World War and it will be the world against the US.
So if the Democrats want to even have a chance at regaining power, they had better step up to the plate. NOW!

[Willy Lee]

3. Damn I love that guy!

[leveymg]

5. When did we * critics ever "focus exclusively on domestic issues"?

Krugman must be talking about the old DLC Dems. I don't think Dean's DNC is going to be so mute about the dangers of expanding the war to Iran, Syria, Pakistan, et al.

We're all toast if the Party leadership falls in line again.

[rndmprsn]

7. "We're all toast if the Party leadership falls in line again."

"We're all toast if the Party leadership falls in line again."

AMEN to that brother...i'm going to start writing to my dem reps and to the DNC too...we just CANNOT be taken flat-footed by this again, the dems might not be able to recover from a second political-ambush, not to speak of the country at large either.

[leveymg]

10. Write a short handwritten note. Urge them to follow Dean's leadership

He's the last, best hope.

[No Exit]

9. We can start by always calling it "WWIII", instead of

"Iran invasion" (or "Operation Manly Men", or whatever asinine name the admin. comes up with this time.)

World War III. World War III. (Thanks to the poster above who said it would start WWIII.)

"So, my wingnut friend, are you gonna support President Bush's World War III--or are you just a sniveling wuss who's afraid of a few bombs and big guns?"

[rndmprsn]

12. WWIII

i like it...from here on out, thats what i'll refer to itin conversations with some RW co-workers.

peace

[No Exit]

13. More power to you!

The wingnuts brush aside any fear that their baby wingnuts will get drafted... they think the Pretzeldent will carve out a special exception for the children of his faithful followers (ha! fat chance!) But if they start thinking (realizing) that Bush's WWIII might just endanger their OWN flabby asses, then maybe they'll back off on some of their "bomb the ragheads" bullshit.