fenix03
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posted on September 18, 2003 02:10:08 PM new
BOSTON - The case for going to war against Iraq was a fraud "made up in Texas" to give Republicans a political boost, Sen. Edward Kennedy said Thursday.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Kennedy also said the Bush administration has failed to account for nearly half of the $4 billion the war is costing each month. He said he believes much of the unaccounted-for money is being used to bribe foreign leaders to send in troops.
He called the Bush administration's current Iraq policy "adrift."
The Massachusetts Democrat expressed doubts about how serious a threat Saddam Hussein posed to the United States in its battle against terrorism. He said administration officials relied on "distortion, misrepresentation, a selection of intelligence" to justify their case for war.
"There was no imminent threat. This was made up in Texas, announced in January to the Republican leadership that war was going to take place and was going to be good politically. This whole thing was a fraud," Kennedy said.
Kennedy said a recent report by the Congressional Budget Office showed that only about $2.5 billion of the $4 billion being spent monthly on the war can be accounted for by the Bush administration.
"My belief is this money is being shuffled all around to these political leaders in all parts of the world, bribing them to send in troops," he said.
Of the $87 billion in new money requested by President Bush for the war, Kennedy said the administration should be required to report back to the Congress to account for the spending.
"We want to support our troops because they didn't make the decision to go there ... but I don't think it should be open-ended. We ought to have a benchmark where the administration has to come back and give us a report," he added.
Kennedy said the focus on Iraq has drawn the nation's attention away from more direct threats, including al-Qaida, instability in Afghanistan or the nuclear ambitions of North Korea
"I think all of those pose a threat to the security of the people of Massachusetts much more than the threat from Iraq," Kennedy said. "Terror has been put on the sidelines for the last 12 months."
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ahc3
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posted on September 18, 2003 03:36:58 PM new
I wish we could send Senator Kennedy adrift...The man has probably consumed more alcohol than some small countries...
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dadofstickboy
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posted on September 18, 2003 03:49:37 PM new
"I think all of those pose a threat to the security of the people of Massachusett."
I think Kennedy's: Drunk driving and drowning of young girls,and walking away scott free, poses more of a threat the the people of MA.!
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fenix03
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posted on September 18, 2003 03:53:20 PM new
And that has what to do with the questions at hand?
I have noticed an interesting trend lately here were any tie a liberal / democrat makes an anti Bush statement or shows evidence of negative action from the current administration they ignore the information and topic and attack the messenger.
Calling him to the mat for drinking is a foolish attack... afterall...couldn't someone come back with the past imbibing habits of our President?
Of course is over a billion a month in unaccountd for funds is less relevent to you than someones drinking habits so be it.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Men Are Like Grapes. If You Stomp on Them and Keep Them in the Dark Long Enough, They Might Turn Into Something That You Would Take to Dinner
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ahc3
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posted on September 18, 2003 04:00:31 PM new
Actually, it has a LOT to do with who the messenger is, because it is not possible for Kennedy or Moore or Franken, or any of the other left wing nuts to reason something out and have a fair criticism. I see nothing wrong with questioning policies, it actually is a good idea they are questioned. It's just that the media likes to use the questions of a small group of people. Kennedy is such a corrupt bastard that his comments are meaningless to many.
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Helenjw
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posted on September 18, 2003 04:54:11 PM new
Manipulating public opinion with lies in order to wage a preemptive war is criminal. Iraq was not an imminent threat to our country, they had no weapons of mass destruction and there was no link between Saddam Hussein and Iraq.
I like Ted Kennedy's idea to offer an amendment to the Iraq spending bill that would bar money for relief and reconstruction until Bush officially reports to Congress on his Iraq strategy. We've had enough lies and misinformation about this war. As Kennedy said, "Before the Congress writes a blank check to the administration, we need to know what the broader plan is," For several months, Democrats and some Republicans have complained that the administration has failed to inform anyone about how it will rebuild Iraq and how much American taxpayers will have to pay and how long U.S. troops will be based there. That's just basic information that should be shared with the American public.
Helen
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dadofstickboy
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posted on September 18, 2003 05:12:53 PM new
Well said Helen!
Finally an original thought.
Hope you don't mind I edited your view to make it a much better read: IMO:
I like the idea to offer an amendment to the Iraq spending bill that would bar money for relief and reconstruction until the President officially reports to Congress on his Iraq strategy. We've had enough lies and misinformation about this war. As said, "Before the Congress writes a blank check to the administration, we need to know what the broader plan is," For several months, Democrats and some Republicans have complained that the administration has failed to inform anyone about how it will rebuild Iraq and how much American taxpayers will have to pay and how long U.S. troops will be based there. That's just basic information that should be shared with the American public.
[ edited by dadofstickboy on Sep 18, 2003 05:13 PM ]
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BEAR1949
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posted on September 18, 2003 05:18:15 PM new
Typical hypocritical rhetoric from the left. Or have you conveniently forgotten that Teddy voted yes to go to Iraq.
Figures.....
The last hope of human liberty in this world rests on us. ~ Thomas Jefferson
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Helenjw
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posted on September 18, 2003 05:40:36 PM new
Dadostickboy,
There are pages of news stories in which that quote by Kennedy is included and in which the bill is identified as "the Iraq spending bill that would bar money for relief and reconstruction".
The remaining portion of that comment is my opinion.
Helen
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dadofstickboy
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posted on September 18, 2003 05:46:15 PM new
Helen!
Ok: I take it back!
I wasn't interested in what TED said I was interested with what HELEN said!
[ edited by dadofstickboy on Sep 18, 2003 05:47 PM ]
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dadofstickboy
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posted on September 18, 2003 05:53:06 PM new
When the day comes:
That TED admits to saving his Drunken ASS and letting that girl die, to cover it up.
That will be the day I'm interested in what he says!!!!!
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BEAR1949
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posted on September 18, 2003 06:15:58 PM new
Teddy needs to run for President to see if the Kennedy curse is true.
The last hope of human liberty in this world rests on us. ~ Thomas Jefferson
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neroter12
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posted on September 18, 2003 06:59:09 PM new
George Bush was convicted of drunken driving. He admits to having a 'problem' back then. And of course, the speculation on his cocaine habit as well.
But he is your hero and all knowing leader!
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fenix03
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posted on September 18, 2003 07:17:18 PM new
You guys scare me.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Men Are Like Grapes. If You Stomp on Them and Keep Them in the Dark Long Enough, They Might Turn Into Something That You Would Take to Dinner
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colin
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posted on September 19, 2003 05:36:31 AM new
Alas, I am not here to Praise Teddy nor to disembowel him but it's hard to believe this man after the Chappaquiddick incident.
For you conspiracy lovers. Here's a link:
http://www.ytedk.com/intro.htm
Reverend Colin
http://www.reverendcolin.com
Rt. 67 cycle
http://www.rt67cycle.com
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mlecher
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posted on September 19, 2003 08:48:36 AM new
Yet all of you disparage Kennedy the man, but have no comment on the message.
Must be what he said was the absolute truth. Redeems him in my eyes. Simply because you arrogant punks have nothing to refute him. Your only defense against the truth is to insult, lie and be obnoxious.
Kennedy must be a good man if that is all you can come up with
"Voters decide nothing; people who count votes decide everything."-Stalin
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