Showdown in the House: Petraeus/Crocker testimony Update: Dems pounded for MoveOn ad; Update: Fiasco…microphones broken…hecklers run amok; 1:45pm Eastern update: Petraeus interrupted by hecklers whom Dems refused to remove before his testimony began; Mid-July 2008….drawdown of 15 BCTs expected; Update: Crocker interrupted…the fiasco continues
Update: 4:26pm Eastern. USAToday’s Mark Memmott is trying to get Dems on record regarding the MoveOn.org smear. So far: Two non-response responses from Obama and Clinton’s offices.
More reax “The Peace Racket,” you should. This is what we are up against, people.
And milblogger Austin Bay weighs in on the testimony today, using the microphone failure as a metaphor.
Update 2:33pm Eastern. Here it is…the face of the Democrat Party. They’ve done virtually nothing to disassociate themselves from it. They made their bed. Lie in it:
***
Ambassador Crocker was also interrupted by the Pinkos. Cindy Sheehan was arrested. Amateur hour in the House continues.
2:25pm Eastern. Video of the Code Pinkos’ removal from the hearing room.
Full transcript of Petraeus testimony. Slides here.
1:45pm Eastern. Petraeus is interrupted by hecklers while reviewing the success in Anbar. Rep. Skelton was warned about these thugs before the testimony began. Instead of listening to GOP panel members’ warnings, he snapped at them. What a disgrace.
To summarize, the security situation is improving…The strategy: “Security while transitioning.” No “rush to failure.” Notes the need to fight on the ground and on the Internet. Gen. Petraeus projects draw-down of some 15 Battalion Combat Teams that were part of the surge.
1:29pm Eastern. Recess is over. Skelton warns protesters they’ll be removed. Gen. Petraeus has the floor. “This is my testimony…I wrote this testimony myself.” The military objectives of the serve are mostly being met…the tribal rejection of al Qaeda that started in Anbar has spread to other regions as well…by next summer, a reduction of surge levels achieavable without compromising security…”
1:23pm Eastern. A five-minute recess is called…before the testimony even begins…to fix the damned microphones. Talk about a “fiasco.” Un. Freaking. Believable.
1:17pm Eastern. Well, terrific. Gen. Petraues is supposed to be speaking, but the microphones aren’t working. Meanwhile, there’s a heckler loose in the hearing room. The world is watching the clown Democrats.
GOP Rep. Dan Burton tells Rep. Skelton to remove the hecklers. Apparently, according to mumbling, there are at least 10 protesters with signs.
1:10pm Eastern. GOP Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen also pounds the Dems for the MoveOn smear. The silence of the Dems is deafening.
Speaking in defense of Gen. Petraeus: Retired Colonel Joe Repya.
12:57pm Eastern. A grown-up speaks…GOP Rep Duncan Hunter references the attacks on Petraeus’s character. Duty, honor, country. Those are the principles by which are officers derive their careers and based their careers on…Frankly, Mr. Chairman, the idea that we have spent the week prepping the battlefield attacking the messenger, goes against the honor of this House.
Hunter excoriates the MoveOn disgrace and counterattacks Tom “Fiasco” Lantos. DH: “I think it’s an outrage…bashing the credibility of a general officer whose trademark is integrity, who was unanimously supported in the Senate, and also, Mr. Crocker, who brings an outstanding, unblemished record in the State Dept. to this position.” Hunter counterattacks Lantos on the signficiance of the Anbar awakening.
12:45pm Eastern. You know, there are no shortage of problems with the Maliki government, but I’m getting a little sick of the meme, repeated several times just now by Democrat Rep. Ike Skelton, that the Iraqis aren’t doing anything to help themselves. It’s bull. Read Bill Ardolino’s latest dispatches from Fallujah. See also our Baghdad video report, “Iraqis speak to America.”
***
The hearing begins at 12:30pm. Live audiocast here.
Forget MoveOn. Michael Yon says listen to battalion commanders.
Michael Totten reports on Ramadi.
Worth a re-read: Bryan Preston’s post, “Assessing Iraq,” published after we returned from our embed in January.
The far Left is spitting mad at the Dems:
Rabbi Michael Lerner, the editor of Tikkun magazine, posted the transcript Friday on the website of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, of which he is a co-chair.
The transcript shows that opponents of the war in Iraq plan to try to convince freshman Democrats from conservative districts that they might not get reelected unless the party produces something serious in the way of resistance to the war.
But the call shows the war opponents are having little success because of fears about the impact on next year’s elections if the party is seen as defeatist.
I’ll have more thoughts/liveblogging as the hearing commences. Let’s hear yours.
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Trackbacks
- Old War Dogs
- I’m A Pundit Too » Blog Archive » Why Don't We Shoot Traitors?!
- Stop The ACLU » Blog Archive » “MoveOn.org Calls Petraeus a Traitor”
- LOTUS blog » Blog Archive » “This is my testimony…I wrote this testimony myself.”
- Wake up America-Live Blogging Petraeus
- The Nose On Your Face » Blog Archive » Democrats Mixed In Assessment Of Petraeus Talk
- Wizbang
- Petraeus speech/statement to Congress: Updated at Conservative Times--Republican GOP news source.
- Wonkette
- Pirate’s Cove » >>Americans Never Quit » More On Patraeus
- The Secret of Happiness « A Right Ringtail
- Before the 11th « Diplomatic Proposal
- Moveon.org: no surprise there | Musing
- Neocon News » Petraeus Testimony: House Edition
- Back Home Again
- Michelle Malkin » Vandalism. Desecration. Cowardice. Coddling. Enough is enough.
- Pro General Petraeus, Anti Betray Us Editorial Cartoons « BUUUUURRRRNING HOT
- The Fighting GOP
- 4fc2141305375f3275be
- Michelle Malkin » Petraeus on the Hill; Dems can’t control Code Pinkos
- September, 2007 Archive « Right Minded Online
- The Petraeus hearing « Right Minded Online
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Come to think of it, a boilermaker doesn’t sound too bad right about now:)
These people are for whom the drug companies make their products:-)
Thank you General for being smart, intelligent and well spoken because you make the idiots look even more stupid, if that is possible.
Skelton has his facts wrong .. saying the surge was passed and started in Fevruary … that is total BS … we only got the troops fully in place in June or July … and I do recall the damned DEMS holding up the funding for everything military for several months to pay for things … hope someone calls him on that false timeline …
Ike Skelton … obviously named after the nickname of a great general … also obviously not related to comedian Red Skelton … who was an unabashed and patriotic American …
That’s P(urdue)Boilermaker.
Whatever floats your boat, though
That’s right. What was it, 185 days to pass the Defense appropriation bill?
Support the troops, my a$$.
There I go again:)
Did you see the code pink guy with the little pink headpiece that looked like small bunny ears. I was looking for his tutu. Lantos looks like he sleeps in a coffin.
hey Lantos … now that you are awake again … Juxtapose This …
Lantos’ argument is based off anecdotal MSM assessments of the war which he can’t even verify?
Strong.effing.position.Dracula.
Heh. I do need a drink, but I’m on anti-biotics, and it’s lunch time, so it’s a no-no. Like Drew Brees and Rod Woodson, so that’s something we have in common:)
Lantos is a loon. Dems had nothing to do with N. Korea or Lybia
Brian72 abd PB … gee … no mention of Bob Griese? … lol
trinitytim … you are spot on there … I believe Lybia decided the choices of coming to their senses or getting and up close and personal view of what we gave Afghanistan and Iraq he chose caving in … and has not been heard from much since …
As for NK … give me a break … refusing to cave in to NK and the Dems is what has made progress there … not more Clintonia coddling
Their going to have to put a stick down the back of lantos suit to keep him propped up soon.
Sorry, but my nerves cannot take this today. No Live Coverage for me.
Trying to keep calm ’cause it’s only Monday and tomorrow is 9/11….another day of stress.
or Dawson, Phipps, Keyes, Armstrong, Alstott, etc.
Relaaaaaaxxxxxx…everything will be fine.
That is what I was saying, how do you let an idiot with a stupid 2nd grade cardboard hat into the gallery to begin with? Rush said probably Democrat staffers greased their way in, so they could get thrown out “speaking truth to power” on C-SPAN. Sounds about right.
I remember a wife of a Republican House member being asked to leave a State of the Union address before it started because of a red, white and blue support the troops t-shirt she had on under her jacket.
The Dem staffers probably got them in, to embarrass the General and the Ambassador. How else do you get in with elementary school pink “peace” crap all over you?
Sorry,must apoligize to the 3 Stooges,meant to say they acted like stooges,Larry,Curley and Moe were an early influence on part of my childhood.
michael griggs
at least Larry, Curly and Moe didn’t take themselves seriously … unlike the Pinkos …
I love the 3 stooges. Can’t stand Code Pink or stinking dems.
Oh – a wise guy, eh? Nyuk, nyuk, nyuck…
Why dont these dopes just ask one simple question “General, What would you recommend?” and let him speak his mind.
One good thing about being home sick I have been able to watch this farce run by the Democrats. I believe Chairman Lantos is an idiot. Especially after his remarks to General Petraeus about responsible media and retired Military Officer’s spouting we should speed up the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. So far the only responsible media I have seen has come from the blogesphere (i.e. this site, Michael Yon, Mudville Gazette. Black Five and others that are fairly well plugged in to personnel in the AOR). The retired Military Officer’s are all Clinton era picks and couldn’t lead a group of men to a whore house with $50,000 in their pockets. The Democrats are really showing how low and vile they are along with the Romper Room antics of Code Pinko. Too bad more American’s aren’t paying attention today or get their news from the Liberal MSM. The truth really needs to get out to the electorate so we can clean house in 2008.
Their goal is to obfuscate and disrupt, that’s why.
This is but the Gathering Storm by Winston Churchill. These left wing anarchists, isolationists, and peaceniks have been around a long time. The big problem is they are now in control of the Democrat Party, the organization that loves socialism/communism and hates religion and anything that smacks of right and wrong. Look at what virtually every Democrat represents and then ask yourself if any country can survive their nihilistic philosophy.
Save the videotape. Re-run it as ads during election season to remind the public what a Democratic Congress looks like. I guess a 13% approval rating is too high for Reid and Pelosi…
aj … reposting part of my comment from another thread …
D enial
E vasion
M isinformation
O bfuscation
C onfusion
R ejection
A rrogance
T ruculence
S tupidity
Need I say more?
That about covers it ty.
Can we card candidates please? I’d prefer an “adults only” policy for politicians.
BTW, the audio problems were from all the radio waves bouncing off their hats…
obects because boo hoo we wernt part of it. thats not the point! somebody slap that guy.
aj … noticed the objection to the lady’s request again to her colleagues to speak out against the Moveon.org ad was not credited to a formally acknowledged objector by the committee chairman …
The more juvenile antics on the Hill, the brighter the future of our Nation. Who will vote for the Party aligned with children to protect them from a nuclear-armed Iran and Al Qaeda? The more they debase themselves, the more obvious it becomes that all the grownups have an (R) after their name.
geez, when skeleton extended his neck he looked just like a turtle.
would be interesting to know who all those folks are that are gathering around the General to talk to him personally …
Well, the Dems appear to have their marching orders and they are saying that GEN Petraeus is lying about his facts.
Did we expect anything less?
I wonder how the protesters get seats in the hearing room? You don’t think the Democrats may have invited them, do you. Naw, that would be to obvious, wouldn’t it.
a**holes describes the House Dems too.
why aren’t they putting up anything to tell us the party affiliation of these reps now asking questions?
Ouch my shoulder, lol!!! tell me thats not staged as soon as their touched. ROFL.
looks like code pink got to reload during the “break”
aj … right out of the Jihadist Guide … immediately yell abusive treatment …
Why does Skelton look like a whipped puppy whenever he has to stop proceedings for his party’s spokespeople?
They gave the nutjobs their voice by taking their money and letting them make ads for them.
They should take their medicine, like good little traitors!
And she started crying whiplash! after the first slightest touch. hahahahah still laughing.
Just saw another protester disrupt the proceedings. A nut job just like the others, incoherent, unaudible, hysterical. Let ‘em scream. Let ‘em be seen. This is the face of the Democrat party. I want EVERYONE to see these people and tie them very closely to the Dems. Believe me, the Dem congressmen that let them in are not going to be happy with the fallout. I mean, seriously, are you seeing anything here in these “protests” that is likely to whip up a ground swell of anything but contempt and disgust? I say bring ‘em all on. Let the American people look at the Code Pinkos and these windbag Dem congressmen and then look at Gen. Petraeus. They’ll figure out very quickly who the grown ups are.
the last ones ejected during the Generals interuption one of the pinkos was camera phone taping, so theres still a few left in the room. what a bunch of losers!
I don’t know if someone posted this above, but Cindy Sheehan was arrested at the hearing.
It sounds like an absolute circus.
This reminds me of growing up with my brother. When we were young, we shared a bedroom. Each summer, my mom would re-paint the room and we were supposed to take turns picking the color.
Every time it was my turn we’d go to the hardware store and my brother would throw a temper tantrum on the floor of the paint aisle until he got to pick the color.
This reminds me a lot of the Democratic party and their constituents – angry children incapable of controlling their emotions or acting in a rational manner.
And they want to lead the country. It’d be anarchy.
Rational Thought
too bad the broadcast can’t superimpose a banner that says “Anti-American and Democratic Supporter” across the screen when these imbeciles get ejected …
Ackerman sure is making some silly comparisons
Same thing, dl
ackerman is an ass … won’t even let the general speak … another reason I wiah they were letting us know the affiliations of each of these people …someone actually elected this fool? … geez … we need to make sure that every citizen in this country sees the stupidity of their elected officials in these types of things …
The MSM will celebrate the disruptors as sensitive flower children merely exercising their First Amendment rights. As usual, most spoonfeeders of the news are still living in the 1960’s.
The fartsacks in DC in full display. How can we trust them with immigration, for Christs sake, they can not even control who is in a small room? They can not prepare for a meeting as important as war. Absolutely disgraceful exhibition.
fox news dl is putting up the info.
Q Burton: “Is Iraq part of the global war on terror?”
It’s sad that we still have to answer this question. Here’s a question to the dems? Does Al Qaeda in Iraq exist? If so, do you think they’ll roll up and go home if we withdrawal?
Why is it I’m only hearing about us capturing hezbollah in Iraq now?
If these people (Dems, Code Pink, Move On, etc.) retain control of Congress and gain the CinC, then it is time to consider partition.
Not of Iraq; of the U.S. The partitioning between our incredibly brave and effective warfighters- along with those that support them- and those that never will support them and seem to detest their very existence. While not true in every case, these anti-military types have congregated on both coasts and in the Democrat Party.
I propose, should these anti-military types take full control of the government in 2008, that the warfighters resign en masse and emigrate to a location that has a higher level of support for them. My recommendation would be to Texas, where there is not only a significantly higher proportion of supporters, but the state has both historical and legal frameworks for a full ‘partitioning’ if it is needed. If a full partitioning were in order, by what mechanism would the anti-militaries protest? The U.N.? Yah, riiight. Severing trade? Texas has oil, refineries, agriculture, manufacturing- including defense materials; good luck. A military solution? With what; the Kos Kids? What fun that would be.
Oh, there would be a minor amount of need to encourage others to partition out of Texas; Austin, for example. But that could be easily accomplished by giving full scholarships to UT Austin to any and all warfighters, with the single condition that they wear full ‘battle rattle’ to class. Having a hundred or so new students in class with M16s who might disagree with extreme leftwing ideology would likely encourage all the partitioning needed there. You certainly would preclude any Virginia Tech type incidents.
After we get the fence built- on ALL borders of Texas- the rest of the country could go on its merry way, not perturbed that wars can’t be run with a TV remote and treating the jihadists as a law enforcement issue. And after NewYork and D.C. have large glowing craters and they finally realize that your can’t negotiate with barbarians, possibly they’ll realize they might be mistaken. Then Texas can roll out it new and largest commercial enterprise; ass-kicking peacemaking- by warfighters’ rules- to contract.
Sorry to get lengthy; it helps me to reign in my desire to go strangle anything wearing pink at the moment.
isn’t Rep Taylor the same individual they showed earlier (while the general was speaking) without a jacket on standing back in behind everyone? … must have had a rough night last night and is having trouble staying awake …
well dl, code pink was in town .lol
Just checked in to the Continueos Negative News,they ran a piece on the Moveon ad and said the Republicans were “pouting”.That ad was a setup to make the Dems that condemn it look good
Think I’ll go and learn how to pout.
aj … think they were partying together last night?
MichaelO…don’t leave me to be with these kooks all by myself!!! All I’d ever see is stupid bumper stickers and Ron Paul graffiti.
ew. but yes.
I am tired of hearing from “retired” military generals and officers … they are “retired” … they do not have a clue what the current status is of any situation anywhere in the world … so shut the hell up and go back to your golf and leave the fighting to those still in the active services …
Petraeus/ Crocker vs. SenDems
What a stark contrast between professionalism and idiocy. How this man can answer these questions with a straight face (multiple times) I don’t know. I think they should skip the questions and just start shining his shoes.
BTW CodePink is doing a marvelous job for the Dems.
Petraeus for President …
wow a truthism!
did I hear that right?
didn’t hear about the NYT smear. Thank Congressman Bartlett.
i wondered how long it would take before someone in Congress told us to look at our own effectiveness first. HA!
Jr member with more brains than Sr members … what a concept … just like a rookie in the pros … just need a chance to show what they can do …
taylork
look at “General Petraeus or General Betray Us” on main page if this site … full page in NYT …
wish that guy in front would move his toupe.
Thats because their still washing the ink off their fingers and shredding Hsu documents.
look at “General Petraeus or General Betray Us” on main page if this site … full page in NYT …
Ann Coulter given the dems hell on fox. I love her.
ok taylork … misunderstood … sorry
the color on my screen must be on the whack … this ….. mist be dressed in pink … grrrrr
“The American people don’t trust the leadership at the top…” guess what Junior Senator, the includes Congress, whom the people approve of even less than the President.
Michelle’s link at the top says; “page not found”. “The Peace Racket”
What’s up with the link from CNN?
anyone pick up on Petraeus saying “we’re not running a ‘catch-and-release-program’ in Iraq” … Great !!!
this current guy has no clue what is going on … the closest he ever came to military service was playing with a GI Joe toy … nah … if that was the case he would know more about it …
yeah baby!
Good for Petraeus … pointing out to these losers that the reports they are quoting from are using data from June and further back … totally irrelevant to the current situation on the ground … was really hoping to hear that at some point … he was ready when the opening came … yippee!!!
Good thing their taking a break some of them need blood.
The Gen. is a sharp cookie.
He is more impressive by the minute …
wonder how many code pinkos got in during this break? …
All what is the Politically Correct WORD, for Defeatest so I know it when I hear it, or I give up or I surrender, I don’t want America to be Victorious, I mean there are code words to watch for right? Maybe it isn’t an American to Spanish dictionary we need maybe it is an American, to Spineless Politicians
dictionary we need. Find your spines DC folks we got people fighting and dying but not so you can play word games with their accomplishments.
The ancient and honorable Warrior Code of Bush-ido: Kiss butt or end up like Shinseki.
where has Sherman been all afternoon … he is asking for what he has gotten all afternoon … and Petraeus is responding correctly that the report is by law coming from the white house … what an ass this guy is …
Shinseki -Resigned because he didn’t agree with the size of the force we used. That is what an Honorable American Military Officer does when they don’t agree.
Sherman couldnt catch a fish in a bucket.
A Patriot goes before Congress It’s good to occasionally see real Americans on TV
LZ at Fat Dumb & Happy Sez
A Day that makes you remember how good it is to be An American, No Hyphen
yeah dl, reminds me of , “Hello, Mcfly” Knock on his head and jiggle the parts back where they go. sheesh.
aj … he’d be using the wrong bait for sure …
Uplander said:
I second that … especially the “no hyphen” part …
Olberman should be “entertaining” tonight…
I’m almost tempted to watch it…