“It’s 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep, but there’s a phone in the White House and it’s ringing. Something is happening in the world. Your vote will decide who answers that call. Whether it’s someone who already knows the world’s leaders, knows the military. Someone tested and ready to lead in a dangerous world. It’s 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. Who do you want answering the phone?”
Romney answers the phone, listens for a moment, and … well, take a look:
About Greg Diamond
Somewhat verbose attorney, semi-disabled and semi-retired, residing in northwest Brea. Occasionally ran for office against jerks who otherwise would have gonr unopposed. Got 45% of the vote against Bob Huff for State Senate in 2012; Josh Newman then won the seat in 2016. In 2014 became the first attorney to challenge OCDA Tony Rackauckas since 2002; Todd Spitzer then won that seat in 2018. Every time he's run against some rotten incumbent, the *next* person to challenge them wins! He's OK with that.
Corrupt party hacks hate him. He's OK with that too.
He does advise some local campaigns informally and (so far) without compensation. (If that last bit changes, he will declare the interest.)
His daughter is a professional campaign treasurer. He doesn't usually know whom she and her firm represent. Whether they do so never influences his endorsements or coverage. (He does have his own strong opinions.) But when he does check campaign finance forms, he is often happily surprised to learn that good candidates he respects often DO hire her firm. (Maybe bad ones are scared off by his relationship with her, but they needn't be.)
well for starters not barry o he will probally apoligize to who ever struck us ..
Uh-huh. Osama bin Laden is now waterlogged from Obama’s “apology” to him.
GOOD I AM ALL FOR WATER BOARDING TERRORIST
Of course you are…you’re one of the people who would like to see this country become LESS exceptional by becoming MORE like other countries that torture people.
no you would want to see this country turn into socialist eourope
I simply want us to adhere to the treaties and conventions we sign…namely, the UN Convention Against Torture, championed and promoted in the 1980s by Ronald Reagan.
There’s absolutely nothing socialistic about that.
Yes, we certainly want to keep up the delusion that our country is the best fucking entity in the history of the universe, and has never done anything unethical or illegal or immoral. Above all else, let’s fail to realize that shrieking about exceptionalism has the opposite effect.
I have to agree. Whenever I hear the “America is the greatest country” speech, I gag and the people across the pond roll on the floor laughing!
Well … we ARE pretty fucking great. In many ways.
Yes, though we’re great largely in ways — our multiculturalism, our relative (though certainly far from sufficient) social tolerance and protection of civil rights and liberties — that much of conservativism wants to tear down. We also have good barbeque.
*Ann is calling from the Ranch…..the horse is sick!
That’s funny !
I thought that from 1am to 7am was Joe B shift?
In all seriousness, isn’t the U.S. always bombing “brown people” in other lands. When is the last time you heard Sweden, Spain, or any other industrialized country attacking another country for whatever reason? For some reason, America is the self-appointed world cop and has been for decades.
I don’t think that it’s that simple, Inge. (Get ready for me to rock your world!)
One reason that Sweden, Spain, Canada, etc. are able to stand back from attacking other countries is that they know that we will be the ones who do it. I don’t mean that as merely “they anticipate that we will do it”; I mean that there are explicit understandings that we will be the ones who use our military all over the whole world, in ways that they might if we weren’t doing so, so that they don’t have to.
In a sense, such arrangements benefit both parties. We want (or that should be “we” want, as it’s more a matter of the elites than the country overall) to have the preeminent military in the world, so that we can control both what it purchases (thus benefitting our capitalists with “warbucks”) and so that we can control where and when it is deployed. They are spared the expense (economic, social, political, and psychological) of a large permanent military. Their citizens can assert, as you do here, that they are not part of the system of American military hegemony — while their governments want it and their societies, to whatever extent, benefit from it.
So we’re not the “self-appointed” world cop so much as the “mutually understood” world cop. If the allies who benefit from our actions really wanted to push back against it — which would mean uniting the whole world against us, something that perhaps only someone like Mitt Romney could do — they could. We could be kicked out of military bases, they could dissolve NATO and ANZUS, etc.
But they don’t, because at some level they want it this way too. They are no less morally complicit than are American citizens.
(Have a nice day!)
inge i cant recall so called white people attcking the us .
About 150 years ago, they were called the Confederates.
How about the British? How about Germans?
*What would Romney have done…….after the events in Libya…yesterday? Cut up their credit cards….of course!
Well its 3 o’clock.
Romney sticks both feet in his mouth.
Our President, pays lip service so far.
our so called pres would be on his 4th im so sorry
tour
Its sad, you really do believe every lie the Republicans feed you, dont you? Poor little viejito.
Hey, maybe you can do what Romney hasnt been able to do yet – name ONE EXAMPLE of the President apologizing for America. Hmmm?
(expecting crickets * * *)
LOL. Do you REALLY expect The Grating Juan to do more than throw out his little sound bites?
Sound of crickets now reaching ear-piercing decibel levels.
no thats nobama during crisis Sound of crickets now reaching ear-piercing decibel levels.
Well. I listened to these ditties from Mohammoud Obama several times, it sounds like an apology to me…maybe you can show me differently (rubbing my wings together)
“In America,” the president claimed, “there’s a failure to appreciate Europe’s leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.”
http://youtu.be/yLMfMssJaPM
http://youtu.be/4FGbDJuD2do
There’s absolutely nothing that is factually incorrect about that quote. Nothing. And it is the President’s job to STRENGTHEN the ties with our allies. Tell us, please, how that quote is anything but an attempt to do that?
You say it’s an apology? No it isn’t…it’s a statement of fact. You say that it “sounds” like an apology…that’s because you bring your preconceived notions to the issue.
That said, let’s use your word for a moment. We teach our children that it is a sign of STRENGTH to apologize for mistakes and missteps. Should we not expect the same of our leaders? Does it not undercut what we teach our children when we pretend that America should never apologize for anything?
But go ahead…please come back on here and tell us that you think America has NEVER, EVER made mistakes or done anything unethical or illegal or in contravention of signed treaties that then requires the kind of diplomatic reaching out that the President exhibited.
Im just sayin, it sounds like an apology for America, of course, everyone makes mistakes unless you arent human, but the ones in this sound bite/transcript (what you call a quote) are not just apologies for wrong doings, they are apologies for what America has always stood for and any “leader” that is my representative in government that I pay taxes to will need to abide by th US Constiution and think before they speak. My opinion and I’m entitled to it.
There isn’t a single apology in either of those clips. You simply hear what your partisan ears want to hear.
Yes merijoe, you are entitled to your own opinions, but you aren’t entitled to make up your own “facts”. Here’s a free tip and proven fact (to spare you further/future embarrassment); the more you watch Fox News, the less you know.
From Media Matters;
In Fact, Obama Has Never Gone On An “Apology Tour” Or “Apologized” For America;
Associated Press: “Obama Has Not Apologized For America.” The Associated Press has written that Obama “never made” any apologies and added:
ROMNEY: “A few months into office, he traveled around the globe to apologize for America.”
THE FACTS: Obama has not apologized for America. What he has done, in travels early in his presidency and since, is to make clear his belief that the U.S. is not beyond reproach. He has told foreigners that the U.S. at times acted “contrary to our traditions and ideals” in its treatment of terrorist suspects, that “America has too often been selective in its promotion of democracy,” that the U.S. “certainly shares blame” for international economic turmoil and has sometimes shown arrogance toward allies. Obama, whose criticisms of America’s past were typically balanced by praise, was in most cases taking issue with policies or the record of the previous administration, not an unusual approach for a new president — or a presidential candidate. Romney’s actual point seems to be that Obama has been too critical of his country.
But there has been no formal — or informal — apology. No saying “sorry” on behalf of America. [Associated Press, 6/3/11]
PolitiFact Has Repeatedly Labeled “Ridiculous” Apology Claim “False.” PolitiFact has repeatedly labeled Romney’s claim that Obama “apologized” for America “false,” saying “it’s a ridiculous charge.” [PolitiFact, 9/22/11, 1/20/12]
Wash. Post Fact Checker: “The Apology Tour Never Happened.” The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler gave the repeated charge that Obama has apologized for America its worst rating of “Four Pinocchios”:
The claim that Obama repeatedly has apologized for the United States is not borne out by the facts, especially if his full quotes are viewed in context.
Obama often was trying to draw a rhetorical distinction between his policies and that of President Bush, a common practice when the presidency changes parties. The shift in policies, in fact, might have been more dramatic from Clinton to Bush than from Bush to Obama, given how Obama has largely maintained Bush’s approach to fighting terrorism.
In other cases, Obama’s quotes have been selectively trimmed for political purposes. Or they were not much different than sentiments expressed by Bush or his secretary of state. Republicans may certainly disagree with Obama’s handling of foreign policy or particular policies he has pursued, but they should not invent a storyline that does not appear to exist.
Note to GOP speechwriters and campaign ad makers: The apology tour never happened. [The Washington Post, The Fact Checker, 2/22/11]
Both of those clips merijoe posted are extensively edited. We see this time and time again…push one soundbite without communicating the full context which would contradict one’s conclusions based ONLY on the soundbite.
And in the first clip, the President, in the wake of shenanigans by our financial institutions leading up to 2008, highlights that NO country is blameless in the financial crisis and every country needs to be accountable. Makes sense to me.
I guess in merijoe’s world, holding America accountable can only happen when a Republican is President.
Ronald Reagan apologized for the internment of Japanese during WWII. And he put some money where his mouth was, signing legislation that disbursed $1.6 billion dollars in reparations. The legislation he signed stated that the camps were a product of “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”
Sounds like Reagan “thought” before he spoke and I have no problem with that-it WAS wrong. So was the way Jews were treated in the 1940’s by the US–thanks to FDR.
Reagan’s “apology” is an apology for some of the things we’ve “stood for” that were betrayed by internment…among others, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
But thanks for the clever attempt at spin.
vern its sad you belive every NOBAMA lie , like wow 25 years in church i never heard him say anything like that , well start that one ok nobama sure , ok
And in other news Gallup Poll now has Obama tracking at 50% among registered voters and Romney at 43%.
The more Republicans emphasize these non-issues, the worse they do. All it amounts to is red meat to people who wouldn’t vote for Obama anyway. Meanwhile, independents are turning Obama’s way.
Even Fox News[sic] has Obama ahead with likely voters. Biggest swing is the independent voter, the only ones malleable at this point.
Romney’s attempts to create an imaginary opponent by falsely defining him just isn’t working very well.
It must be very maddening for the Fox viewers to accept the reality of the impending win for Obama. At least they can claim ignorance.
“At least they can claim ignorance.”
LOL. Too funny and sadly, too true.
anon keep thinking like that , they thought like that in wisconsin a few months ago , bush , vs kerry , and long time ago carter – ronni r .. so yeah keep beliving that
My world? no. never claimed THAT. Talk about making up your own facts. Don’t hate me cause I have a different opinion than yours. You certainly aren’t going to change my mind that way.
Just because something is written in a newspaper or article doesn’t make it fact, I read the Fact Checker and that still doesnt prove to me that it’s fact, especially as it is written by an Obama supporter,
And I dont listen or watch FOX, why do you think so? Not where I go to get my “facts”
No, the WORD apology is not in there, but I know what I heard with my NON partisan ears, and it sounded like an apology to me. I don’t make my decisions based on party-thank you very much, who does that?
I saw the complete 59 minute speech Obama gave in France, I put the short version on here so as not to bore any A.D.D. sufferers- but you can find the whole version on youtube-it isnt edited at all.
The second clip was edited as a montage of different clips of Obama speeches otherwise the video would be 6 hours long.
Thanks for the replies.
MJ
merijoe,
Yep, those pesky “facts”, feel free to discount them, just don’t expect any thinking, rational, reality-based person to take your opinions seriously.
You might enjoy Redstate.com, I understand they’ve begun banning comments that cite “fact” checkers.
I love facts-but bona fide,authentic, impartial facts, not a few comments from a source that is meant to make their guy look good. One man’s reputable is another man’s unreputable, I guess.
Why would I enjoy Redstate.com? I have established that I am non partisan and don’t look to these places as my sources for “facts”.
mejore coming from anmoster the most leftiest person on this site , with diamond , who have earplugs and blinders on if any one speaks anything they dont agree with
mejore in anoster world if you disagree with her your a dummy , so take everything she saids and FLUSH IT DOWN THE TOLIET . gose for some guy named diamond too if you see something from that guy
merijoe,
You can claim that you’re “non-partisan”, but your words and beliefs betray you for the VERY partisan right-wing NUT CAKE that you are or have you already forgotten posting this “non-partisan” gem; “Mohammoud Obama”?
Further, attributing sinister and far-fetched interpretations to thoughtful, measured statements is anything but “non-partisan”.
You may be fooling yourself (not too difficult, I suspect) and of course you can fool the grating one (goes without saying), but when you believe in fantasy-Obama over reality-Obama, no one else is fooled, we KNOW you’ve been dipping into the crazy kool aid.
Here’s an article that a REAL non-partisan truth seeker should read;
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/07/what-happened-to-the-obamacons.html
Hey guys, be nice to merijoe, she’s my friend and she’s got a good heart, and unlike the Grate One and the Mighty Quinn, I think she’s got an open mind.
Hey Vern,
I tried to be fair, I even searched merijoe in the archives to get a better feel for her (nada). I deleted most of my original comment (too mean) and the word nut cake, but after rereading her first post and seeing the Obama as muslim nonsense, decided that nut cake was fair.
Lots of nice people believe some very ugly, erroneous and stupid things and sometimes we need to call them out on it.
Perhaps opening merijoe’s eyes to the fact that she is NOT “non-partisan” will be the first step towards opening her mind.
Maybe it’s a good thing that Obama apologies, I just read that as commander in chief, he has sent
“The U.S. dispatched an elite group of Marines to Tripoli” and “US Moving Two Destroyers to Libya” , “USS Laboon and the USS McFaul. Both ships are equipped with (nuclear weapons) tomahawk missiles that could be used if a strike (apology) was ordered.”
To deliver his apology to those that deserve it.
And exactly what is it that you suppose he would order nuked? I don’t think the missiles are the reason that those ships are headed there. Check out the word “elite.”
The destroyers are there to provide massive firepower when the Marines need it.
can’t we all just get along……
open the borders
institute shiate law
free crystal meth
abortions and porn in the same building
guns for everyone
and, please, don’t forget jesus
anoster gets her facts from MEDIA MATTERS ONE OF THE MOST HATEFULL far left sites .. haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa what a crock of crap , heck toss in huffington post and mslsd and you got the trifecta
Oh for the love of Christ, would you just go away. You NEVER have anything interesting to say.
If you’re saying that outlets like Fox News and Newsmax ALWAYS report facts and that outlets like MSNBC and Huffington Post NEVER do…well, is that what you’re saying? I’ll let you come back and actually say that.
oh so much for free spech and thoughts from the far left , UNLESS YOU SAY SOMETHING THEY DONT AGREE WITH
Would you like to try again? C’mon back and tell us that you think sources like FOX News and Newsmax ALWAYS report facts and sources like MSNBC and Huffington Post NEVER do.
Anonster- I was trying to be funny with that Mohammoud Obama remark- I forgot liberals aren’t big on the sense of humor, unless it’s about a republican. I didn’t realize he was your daddy.
Thank you for helping me “see the light” your words, intellect and ability to read a person you’ve never met are incredibly inspiring.
Also inspiring are your helpful labels of me-Right winged nut cake is my favorite and continues to make me Lol.
I was under the impression that America is a free country and if I want to “attribute sinister and far-fetched interpretations” about anyone, I could.
Please, the “it was just a joke” excuse is really lame.
Tell us, do you think that President Obama is a Muslim?
“I was under the impression that America is a free country and if I want to “attribute sinister and far-fetched interpretations” about anyone, I could.”
Sure go ahead….and you will be taken as seriously as everyone takes Grating Juan.
Your choice.
OH DEMOCRAP LIKE I TAKE YOU SERIOUS , YOUR JUST A FAR LEFT OCUPOO LOON
merijoe,
Gosh, sorry I didn’t get your humor, maybe it was the context, you know, in the same sentence where you were accusing him of apologizing for amerika.
As for my labeling a person I’ve never met, I’m judging you on YOUR WORDS. Say something nutty, get labeled a nut, really it IS as simple as that.
“I was under the impression that America is a free country and if I want to “attribute sinister and far-fetched interpretations” about anyone, I could.”
Typical right-wing, nut cake line, any criticism of your opinion is some how construed as an attack on your freedom. Honey, you can post all the nutty crapolla you like and I’m free to challenge it and vice versa. And miracle of miracles, your freedoms remain intact, that’s how the blogs work (Vern willing).
anonster, so good to see you commenting again. You are a breath of fresh air: guess that’s why they call it inspiration! I can’t but help “amen” everything you write. You always make impeccable sense!
Demagogue, I also feel “inspired’ to tell you how much I appreciate how FUNNY you are. And wry. And I appreciate your take and intellect on these often vexing matters. I’ve learned a lot this week from reading your and anonster’s comments. I hafta say: thanks you guys!
Thank you Longboobs, I appreciate your very kind words.
Just having some fun with merijoe and we didn’t even get to this “non partisan” nugget;
“So was the way Jews were treated in the 1940′s by the US–thanks to FDR.”
Thanks Longboobs,
You’ve put a smile on my face this morning!
Have a great weekend.
truth come out now ive said it along especially when vern or anonster put stuff on here from media matters http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/18/emails-show-justice-working-with-media-matters-to-target-critics/ case closed
Are you saying that nothing Media Matters reports is true?
C’mon back on here and say that absolutely NOTHING they report is factual and true.
If all you’re saying is that they have a political bias, well then DUH! You’ve told us that there are media outlets that are biased. Duh. That goes for conservative as well as liberal bias.
Anything else of interest to say?
Case closed? Great! Case dismissed!