Ned Lamont: Two Months (HuffPost)

[marmar]

Ned Lamont

03.19.2007
Two Months (14 comments )

Last week, days before the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, a group of us met with Hans Blix, the former top UN weapons inspector. He reminded us that not only did the UN have hundreds of weapons inspectors on the ground in Iraq before the invasion, but that he had ready access to all of the Iraqi sites which US intel had targeted for inspection. He reminded us that weapons inspectors had already checked out some of the locations which Colin Powell would later refer to in his UN Security Council testimony, and had found no evidence of WMD. And he reminded us that, while weapons inspectors were not yet ready to stipulate whether or not Iraq still had WMD at the time of the invasion, he believed that another two months would have allowed them to make that determination.

Instead of giving the weapons inspectors another two months to better determine whether the rationale for the invasion made sense, President Bush launched the invasion.

Four years, hundreds of billions of dollars, and tens of thousands of dead and wounded later - with the Middle East less stable and America less secure - the invasion and subsequent occupation have proven to be a colossal foreign policy blunder for our country, with no end in sight.

There were better alternatives to a precipitous invasion then, and there are better alternatives to our ongoing occupation now.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ned-lamont/two-months_b_43747.html

[MH1]

1. Never forget that Bush yanked the inspectors out of Iraq

so that he could invade.

I remember this very clearly from just being so stunned when it happened - and that the media wasn't screaming bloody murder about it.

I knew even before then that Bush was awful, but it was then I realized that he planned all along to invade Iraq regardless of anything Congress did, and regardless of any protests.

I really don't have any idea what could have been done to stop him.

[lyonn]

5. Yes, that sinking feeling that this was predestined by bushco.

Yes, the media failed big time in not bringing this issue front and center, (of their newspapers). Hell, the msm pressed and trumpeted the "buildup to the war" with dramatic music, how could they then turn on bush and say Anything negative at that point? Bombs were being dropped.

[monarch]

2. Thanks for posting this.

For more news on Ned, see this article from the HARTFORD COURANT:


"CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The nation's most prestigious rehab for defeated politicians is found on a short corridor of modest offices outside Harvard Square...."They affectionately refer to it as the school for losers," said Thomas D'Amore, a political consultant and former Kennedy fellow. "Part of the benefits for the fellows is they go there to heal."

"Then there is Ned Lamont.

""His defeat last fall in Connecticut's U.S. Senate race, a contest nationally watched as a referendum on the war in Iraq and the political clout of the anti-war movement, left no apparent wounds for Lamont to nurse during his Kennedy fellowship.

"As part of a broader examination of modern campaigns, Lamont relives his race against Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman every Thursday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in a conference room crowded with Harvard undergrads and graduate students.

"Lamont, 53, a cable-television entrepreneur who became the darling of the anti-war left by winning a Democratic primary, is also using his time as a Kennedy fellow to chart a new course for staying in public life, though not necessarily elective politics.

"'It's a little tough going back to selling MTV on college campuses after trying to end the war,'" Lamont said last week with a wry smile.

"Call it a midlife exploration.

"Habitually even-keeled, Lamont lacks the angst to qualify for a full-blown midlife crisis. He occupies the same comfortable niche he did during his campaign: a successful and independently wealthy businessman, husband and father of three. His defeat denied him an office, rather than ending a lifelong career."

Lots, lots more http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-lamont0311.artmar11,0,3449337.story

Another nice quote from the article: "I think the critical thing to remember is he only ran for U.S. Senate after other people would not. It was not an ego trip for him."

[lyonn]

6. Thanks for info. Such a shame a sleaze bag, Dem/Repub,

was allowed to do his election bid in by playing both sides of the field. I have no doubt Lieberman has lost the respect of the Dems and Repubs.on the Hill. That is my only consolation.

[Cha]

10. I really thought so much of Ned Lamont

for running after no one else would. And if there was any justice in the world..he would have won.

Hope the majority of the Connecticut voters feel like getting even with lieman if he changes to the Fascist Lieman party for real.

[williesgirl]

3. k&r

[lyonn]

4. Wise words by Blix!

"There were better alternatives to a precipitous invasion then, and there are better alternatives to our ongoing occupation now."

After watching briefly this a.m. on c-span the protesters "For War" from this weekend, where the mothers of Iraq warriors made statements that those against the war were against the troops and our great leader. Wish I had made notes. They have not been listening, have made up their minds as to what those against the war are saying. Except for those that are against war under any circumstances (religious reasons), all Americans want to have a standing, well cared for military. Their stupidity was overwhelming!

[bvar22]

7. Tweety just let Asshole Card get away with that Republican Revision!

"Everyone in the World believed that Saddam had WMD!"--Andrew Card, Hardball, March 19th, 2007

NO!! Not Everyone!
The UN & The MAJORITY of the World though that Saddam MIGHT have WMD, and favored giving the UN Inspectors TIME to find out if he had them!

I HATE hearing that bullshit!
Don't let this revision stand. Correct ANYONE who repeats that LIE!

I'm sending Tweety an E-Mail now!

[benny05]

8. Why isn't this being written by Sen. Lamont?

Good man. Hope he runs for another office. He should.

[Cha]

11. Yeah, maybe when lieman runs

in six years again after he's done all he can to royally Screw America..Ned Lamont can come back and WIN this time. Heck, he'll be young enough. He seems like the type who doesn't age..only gracefully!

[benny05]

12. Maybe sooner

For Senator (if Dodd lets it go), Gov, or Chris Shay's seat.

We need Ned in some kind of public leadership.

"Work's gotta pay"--Ned Lamont.

[Cha]

13. Yeah!

Good guys dont' always win the first time around..they hang in there and never give up!

[Cha]

9. That's why I can't let go of my

Ned Lamont Avatar..because he made so much sense and would have made such a great addition to the US Senate and the world would be so much better off with lieman gone to pasture instead of up there on tv whorin' it up with the corporatemediawhores like someone gave a shit what lies are coming out of his weaselly lips.

Keep up the good work, Ned Lamont..we love hearin' from you.

[bobbolink]

14. That's why the invasion had to be so soon, "before the summer heat"

Remember that? They were in such a hurry, and gave different reasons for the hurry, but what I remember most is the "summer heat".

Of course, it was before Blix could definitely prove them liars!!

ONce they got their war, it no longer matters.

The $$$$just keeps rolling in...