Gen. Clark interview on Democracy NOW - watch it

[Adelante]

Today we spend the hour with General Wesley Clark, the retired four-star general. He was the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO during the Kosovo War. In 2004 he unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. He recently edited a series of books about famous U.S. generals including Dwight Eisenhower and Ulysses Grant – both of whom became president after their military careers ended.

Well for the rest of the hour we are going to hear General Wesley Clark on the possibility of a U.S. attack on Iran, the impeachment of President Bush, the use of cluster bombs, the bombing of Radio Television Serbia during the Kosovo War and much more. I interviewed Wesley Clark on Tuesday at the 92nd Street Y in New York.

Video

http://play.rbn.com/?url=demnow/demnow/demand/2007/march/video/dnB20070302a.rm&proto=rtsp&start=9:50

Transcript

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/03/02/1440234#transcript

[hellbound-liberal]

1. Watching it now, Thanks WesDem. I am another "WesDem" I'll be happy to support him if he runs!

I'm glad to see him on DemocracyNow! He should be able to broaden his appeal as he speaks with Amy. She is one of the best interviewers in the business and he can show his superior intellect by being on her show. Thanks again!

[Adelante]

2. They really are well-matched in this interview

I was rather surprised.

[hellbound-liberal]

3. I agree. It's a thoughtful interview with good questions. I think Amy

is a good judge of character and she respects Wes because he isn't a career politician with all of the sins that that entails.

[Gregorian]

4. Wow. This is informative.

Just after I said out loud, "but Wes, it's an illegal war", he said it's not illegal. That's with respect to the Watada case.

And many other things. It's worth a listen.

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. Right. That's when he brought up the concept of illegitimate war

Clark never dumbs it down for any audiance. This was a really thoughtful exchange all the way around.

[Adelante]

7. At UCLA he gave a very well-received lecture

On illegality vs illegitimacy of the war. Unfortunately I haven't seen a transcript, but if one exists perhaps someone will post a link.

[CarolNYC]

10. link

I think this is the link you're looking for....

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/10815

[Adelante]

11. Fantastic

I've been wanting to read it. Thanks, sis. :)

[CarolNYC]

12. I think audio of the speech is there as well, right?

I know I got the audio file from somewhere....

[ShortnFiery]

19. General Clark is different than Authoritarian Republicans and Centrist Democrats running

for the The Presidency.

In a family scheme, Republicans want to be "our daddy" who will protect us as *all* costs, i.e., McCain, Romney and Guliani. Our illustrious Centrist Democrats are so busy triangulating, they seem to have a split personality. One minute they try to be mocking the liberals while the next, they are sassing off to our present authoritarian "dimson daddy."

It seems like General Clark is attempting to guide us like a mature and wise "OLDER brother."

His presence is comforting, in that, he wants Americans to have their Freedoms, but also "think matters through" in order to make the thoughtful and correct decisions within the World Community.

He's awesome! I'd be honored to vote for this man of integrity and good character to be our next President of the United States.

IMHO, General Clark is The Genuine Article. :applause:

[CarolNYC]

22. Nice observation...

I agree with every word....

[Tom Rinaldo]

24. It's an honor to work with you ShortnFiery

You are the first person I heard shake up the old Mommy Party/ Daddy Party mantra to introduce an older sibling alternative, and it is perfect in this case. Wes Clark is committed to actually making Democracy work, and that depends on an informed, not brow beaten, scared, or brainwashed, electorate.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Heard it, and will "watch" it this weekend!

I liked what I heard, one that doesn't pander, and makes very clear his take on things.

It was really very insightful and honest and "out of the Box".

Wish more in the media allowed politicians to speak without them attempting to "interpret" what they said. I hate that!

[judy from nj]

8. That was an incredible interview

Very thoughtful questions and very thoughtful answers.

[CarolNYC]

9. Weren't they both...

Amy and Wes...such wonderful!

The complete interview was a bit longer but it's great of Democracy Now! to feature this full hour of it....

[xkenx]

13. One thing you take away is that Clark never panders.

This interview was a classic illustration of Clark's integrity, intellect, and moral clarity. Look no further than Wes Clark for a leader whose every thought and action will be with the welfare of the American people foremost. He is all about DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY.

[Donna Zen]

14. I wished that they'd left in this line

“a government not afraid to take risks for peace.” Wes Clark

That phrase was my favorite from the reports I'd read. But I guess when 90 min. is condensed to 50, something gets left out.

[FrenchieCat]

15. Ti's was a shame.....

because yes, it is a very quotable line.

But Wes often has great quotable lines. Guess General with masters in philosophy have that tendency I suppose! :shrug:

[Adelante]

16. Are you big enough for the job

Something like that. That one really hit me. When he was talking about Shali.

[Donna Zen]

17. That one too

I've thought about that line, "are you big enough for the job," speaking about moral and ethical courage, quite a bit since I heard it. The words speak to all of us. But what Wes Clark included with that thought was the idea that if there were no consequences for Watada's act of resistance, then it would not be an act of courage. Deep thought. That brings to mind this quote from Thomas Paine:

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

While the quote does not exactly fit the General Clark's line, they are related. And then I think about those politicians who vote for what is right, not what is easy. That idea follows in the General's answer when he posits that the courage we really need is from our government leaders. ....are they bigger than their jobs?

[Adelante]

18. That was it, "bigger" than your job nt

[Cameron27]

28. There always seems to be a moment

in many of Clark's comments that makes me sit up and reconsider my own opinion, and that particular quote about Watada just knocked me over. It's stunning in it's simplicity and truth, and it's incredible that it was an off the cuff remark made in answer to a loaded question.

[CarolNYC]

21. My favorite line of the night....

He said when discussing the US' role in helping settle the Israeli/Palestinian conflict....We must have a strong government that's not afraid to take risks for peace....

[Donna Zen]

25. A line that filled my eyes with tears

This cowboy administration has never once shown strength. True strength is doing what's right but hard. Acting the honest broker in the ME, leading the country to understanding the real reason for the 911 blowback, and protecting the Constitution....priceless.

[Hatalles]

20. Thanks for the post!

:)

[BootinUp]

23. Thanks for posting this

Great interview....

[gulliver]

26. This guy just doesn't know how to be a Dem presidential candidate!

He has to stop saying what he thinks all the time! He has to stop going for the GOP jugular. Clark just doesn't get it. He keeps acting like a gifted, honest, courageous, effective leader. He needs to hire some PR people, grub for money, and cultivate a foundation of image and name recognition on which to base a platform of imagery and name recognition.

[Adelante]

27. He needs lessons in PANDERING

;)

[FrenchieCat]

29. Yep....someone should tell him about something called the political wind.....

so he can stick his wet finger to it and see which side of the finger dries the fastest.

So yes, someone, give the man a political clue, please!

.....cause if you aren't saying everything everyone wants to hear when you are speaking to them, then you're no leader and your political skills will not be breathlessly lauded! :sarcasm: