Another largely uneventful GOP foreign policy debate came and went tonight on CNN, with the various candidates staking out non-specific hawkish positions and only occasionally delving into specific, disastrous policies.
The debate started with discussion of the PATRIOT Act, with most candidates agreeing that it needed to be dramatically expanded to ensure that no one accused of terror has even a modicum of rights. Rep. Ron Paul (R – TX) clashed with former Rep. Newt Gingrich (R – GA), who declared during the segment that “all of us will be in danger for the rest of our lives!”
On the question of civil liberties Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R – MN) deferred to her own understanding of the constitution, which is that the president has enormous power to act as he pleases as “commander in chief,” while former Senator Rick Santorum (R – PA) mentioned that Abraham Lincoln really “ran over civil rights” during the Civil War, suggesting that it was an example to be followed. Herman Cain would only say that he was convinced the terrorists “want to kill us all.”
On the question of military spending most of the candidates agreed that the current budget, which dwarfs any military budget in the history of mankind, was woefully undersized, with Governor Rick Perry (TX) chiding President Obama for not spending enough. The exceptions to this were Rep. Paul and former Governor Jon Huntsman (UT), who insisted that all departments needed to be on the table in the case of spending cuts.
Beyond that, the final segments were mostly about which nations individual candidates hoped to threaten or portray as a grave threat, with Rep. Bachmann declaring Pakistan “more than an existential threat,” Gingrich vowing regime change in Iran, and some debate about how massive a foreign force to leave occupying Afghanistan.
Perhaps the most memorable proposals, though neither was explicitly about military policy, came in a contentious segment on immigration. During the segment Gov. Perry declared that “within 12 months of inauguration that border (with Mexico) will be shut down.” Gingrich suggested that the US use something like “Selective Service Committees” to decide which people should be deported from the country.
Ummm, Michelle Bachmann declares Pakistan "more than an existential threat?" Does Madam Twinky even know what the word 'existential' means? Bets? Anyone?
Yeah, she knows how to exist in fundamentalist circles. Kind of a Osama Bin Laden, only in a different venue.
Ron Paul mopps up the floor with the seven dwarfs. Ron and Rand for Peace, Prosperity and Liberty.
Ron Paul and the Seven Dwarves! I like it!
Newt is right. After killing over a million or so Iraqis; an average of twenty or so Afghan men, women and children for over 10 years; Somalis, Yemenis, Pakistanis and the neocons demand that we "nuke" Iran pronto can only lead to the "other" side[s] arming themselves to do unto US what is being done to them. Have to admit though that Newt's "loyalty" to his several wives bespeaks his commitment to being a real patriot.
Happy Thanksgiving Jason.
Good lord all mighty! Jason, have you become so jaded by the sausage making process? LOL. I wouldn't wish anyone to have to sit through and watch Ricky trip over his tongue or Michelle wag her tax fattened finger at countries she hasn't a clue about.
The AEI/Heritage platform is wars, foreign aid and immigration. They present it as a package, take it or leave it.
Our only "existential threat" is if another bloodthirsty warmonger becomes our next selected dictator!
It's amazing how demented, depraved and opportunistic the seven dwarves are on foreign policy. Bachman is miffed because a band played "lying bitch" as she entered a late night talk show? Well, it was apt–she told blatant lies about what the leader of Iran has said about his intentions towards Israel. He has never said that he wants to "wipe Israel off the map" and he certainly hasn't said that he intends to use nukes on Israel. A simple check of the actual translations of his speeches show that she was telling baldfaced lies. The really kicker though was when Hunstman used this logic: Lybia gave up its nukes and look what happened to them… thus, Iran will seek nukes… thus we have to attack Iran! Wow. But, yeah–the highlight might have been Santorum pointing out that fact that Lincoln supressed civil rights during the civil war, like it was a good thing!
You can't be President of the World's 'Beacon' unless you are an amoral, psychotic, bloodthirsty warmonger! It goes with the job.
You also have to be a consummate liar and be a professional pea and thimble trickster.
And to be able to talk under water is another handy quality.
http://www.dangerouscreation.com
All the republican candidates, except one, are homicidal maniacs.