Reader photo of the day

By Michelle Malkin  •  November 6, 2007 09:51 PM

Reader and vet Big John sent me a photo of his counter-protest last year against a Truther that brought a smile to face. Had to share:

1nitwit002.jpg

Dissent is patriotic! Thank you, John.

Posted in: 9/11, Moonbats

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Trackbacks

  1. Hot Air » Blog Archive » Open thread Plus: Flying cars!
  2. The Morning Chuckle « Wilson Fu
  3. Michelle Malkin » Video of the day: Quietly protesting Sean Penn at SFSU
  4. Michelle Malkin » Disabled vet branded “panhandler” for handing out memorial poppies

Trackback URL

Comments

  1. #1
    On November 6th, 2007 at 9:58 pm, UnclaimedMoney said:

    Saturday, these pieces of garbage (Truthers) were “protesting” right across the street from Camp Johnson in Colchester, VT (about a mile from where I live). My mom saw them, and about an hour later I saw them on what I believe is our busiest interchange/clover leaf in the state (I think someone made them leave their earlier location).

    The place I saw them is on Williston Rd. on a bridge heading out of downtown Burlington that crosses right over I89. On a number of occassions I’ve seen that they’ve snuck on to this bridge at night and hung their signs off the bridge so that commuters all see them in the morning. They’ve also tied the signs high in the trees just off the interstate in the same area, again, so that every commuter can’t miss them.

    The sad part is, it seems that they’re a growing “movement”. And I’m not just talking about here… Haven’t polls shown that 1/3 of Democrats are at least mildly Trutherish, if not full blown?

  2. #2
    On November 6th, 2007 at 9:59 pm, Busted_Flat said:

    Gotta love the vets!! Thanks Big John!

  3. #3
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:10 pm, See-Dubya said:

    I like how Mr. Ponytail ran out of room on his sign and had to tack on the “S”. Shows forethought.

  4. #4
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:12 pm, almeehan said:

    This moron is a few chips short of a full mother board. Unfortunately he probably believes the sign he’s holding. There was a guy who called into Rush Limbaugh today who emphatically said Condi Rice and Dick Cheney had taken insurance out on the world trade center shortly before the attack. What was the rationale for closing down mental institutions? I never could figure that out. Now they are all out running loose on society.

  5. #5
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:17 pm, JConrad999 said:

    A few tacos short of a combo platter, eh Almeehan? Ha ha ha!

    What a nut. Reality truly escapes these losers.

  6. #6
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:23 pm, Marshall Russ said:

    UnclaimedMoney,#1 Yes, 35% of Democrats believe that George Bush had something to do with it. That’s not a few loons.

  7. #7
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:29 pm, LC said:

    Notice how ‘Nit-Wit’ forgot the “S” in “PLANES” and had to improvise by writing it on another piece of cardboard which was then glued to his sign. Awesome.

  8. #8
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:37 pm, trinitytim said:

    Ya gotta love Freedom of Speech.

    Nit-Wit has become my favorite noun

  9. #9
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:43 pm, backwoods conservative said:

    From the look on his face I’d say the nit-wit is as blissfully unaware of the truth behind him as he is of any other truth. This guy should be glad he lives in a modern civilized society. Natural selection has a way of weeding out such stupidity.

  10. #10
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:50 pm, MirCat said:

    Now that’s what I call a Counter Protest.

    - The Cat

  11. #11
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:54 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    Is nit-wit interchangable with hippy?

    What is nit-wit spelled backwards?

    In this case, V-E-T.

    I love our Vet’s!

  12. #12
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:55 pm, BerryG said:

    A picture is worth a thousand words.

  13. #13
    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:58 pm, allrsn said:

    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:10 pm, See-Dubya said:
    I like how Mr. Ponytail ran out of room on his sign and had to tack on the “S”. Shows forethought.

    Yes, I saw that and it says alot about the writer of the sign. I doubt it means the writer accurate or meticulous. I suspect his thought and logic patterns are as poor as the sign.

  14. #14
    On November 6th, 2007 at 11:03 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    From the look on John’s face, he must be standing down wind! He’s turning red.

    Taking one for the team John? Luv ya man!

  15. #15
    On November 6th, 2007 at 11:04 pm, chow said:

    awesome!

  16. #16
    On November 6th, 2007 at 11:06 pm, John Ansell said:

    Thanks Big Bad John. I wonder if the Nit-Wit will be Rosie’s first guest.

  17. #17
    On November 6th, 2007 at 11:17 pm, steveegg said:

    Good work, Big John.

  18. #18
    On November 6th, 2007 at 11:55 pm, DaveC said:

    I would have to slam my head in a car door several times to think at that level..

    to completely ignore laws of physics …

    it’s mind boggling..

  19. #19
    On November 7th, 2007 at 12:09 am, Rick said:

    On November 6th, 2007 at 10:43 pm, backwoods conservative said:
    From the look on his face I’d say the nit-wit is as blissfully unaware of the truth behind him as he is of any other truth.

    That’s because nit-wit was probably high as a kite when he went out there. Duuude.

  20. #20
    On November 7th, 2007 at 12:14 am, rooinctown said:

    A few sandwiches short of a picnic.Way to go Big John.

  21. #21
    On November 7th, 2007 at 12:29 am, DirkBelig said:

    When confronted with one of these pitiful losers, all you need to ask them is one simple question: “If there is a massive neocon conspiracy which staged 9/11 as a false flag operation in order to usher in a dark night of fascism under the iron fist of Bushitler/Cheney/Halliburton,” - you know, the typical Keith Olberman screed that gets parroted ad nauseum on Digg - “how is it that you are able to stand here with your stupid sign and the makers of ‘Loose Change’ are able to live without being assassinated or disappeared?”

  22. #22
    On November 7th, 2007 at 12:30 am, travis said:

    When he flips the sign around it reads,

    “Will Work For Money… and a brain”

  23. #23
    On November 7th, 2007 at 12:31 am, Tantor said:

    Truthers are maggots feeding on the dead of Sep 11.

  24. #24
    On November 7th, 2007 at 12:47 am, travis said:

    LOL… read my comment…

  25. #25
    On November 7th, 2007 at 1:02 am, nyc123me said:

    Remote control? That’s a new one. Where do these people come from?
    ..and can we send them back?

  26. #26
    On November 7th, 2007 at 1:17 am, Romeo13 said:

    Yep… not the sharpest knife in the six pack…

    er… brightest bulb in the drawer…

    er… about two beers short of a Happy meal…

    er…

    Never mind…

  27. #27
    On November 7th, 2007 at 1:44 am, RetFireman said:

    You know, if breathing wasn’t an involuntary reflex action, these idiots would turn blue and die.

  28. #28
    On November 7th, 2007 at 2:57 am, southernboy said:

    A Bush apologist claims dissent is patriotic after 4 years of browbeating critics of U.S. foreign policy?

    :: rubs eyes ::

  29. #29
    On November 7th, 2007 at 4:12 am, blues said:

    almeehan: it was called mainstreaming.The rationale had something to do with “the right to live in a population of rational human beings even though you don’t meet the criteria” or some other idiotic liberal nonsense.These sign carrying fruitcakes are so tiresome,can’t they understand that if you don’t have anything new to add to the debate—shut the f*** up.

  30. #30
    On November 7th, 2007 at 4:13 am, blues said:

    And get a job.

  31. #31
    On November 7th, 2007 at 4:31 am, ProudGulfWarVet65 said:

    Unless I’m missing something, moonbat-alert on #25.

    Big John, good shot there! And this isn’t a criticism, as I’m sure you wanted to stick to printable language, but I think you were unfair to the nits of the world.

    A louse egg is commonly called a nit.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louse

  32. #32
    On November 7th, 2007 at 4:46 am, ProudGulfWarVet65 said:

    blues, I guess you’re a newbie, as am I, but I’m pretty sure almeehan isn’t. I suspect that you completely misunderstood the comment.

    This moron is a few chips short of a full mother board. Unfortunately he probably believes the sign he’s holding.

    I think he was referring to the moron with the truther sign.

    There was a guy who called into Rush Limbaugh today who emphatically said Condi Rice and Dick Cheney had taken insurance out on the world trade center shortly before the attack.

    almeehan was not making that claim. I suggest you review the comment (#4).

  33. #33
    On November 7th, 2007 at 6:17 am, WarTip said:

    Ok, I tried to resist this thought. I tried to suppress it. Heinlein please forgive me. If KooKucinich and this guy got together, would we really have Starship TrooFers?

  34. #34
    On November 7th, 2007 at 6:37 am, James Felix said:

    A Bush apologist claims dissent is patriotic after 4 years of browbeating critics of U.S. foreign policy?

    First of all, it’s called “sarcasm”. Look it up.

    Secondly, no one here thinks dissent from policy per se is a bad idea. Our collective reaction to Harriet Meyers, McCain-Feingold and Illegal Immigrant Amnesty should prove that to any fair-minded person.

    What we do think is a bad idea is engaging in irresponsible rhetoric and advocating policies that aid the people trying to kill us.

  35. #35
    On November 7th, 2007 at 6:58 am, navywife91 said:

    Proudgulfwarvet65, I think you meant #28 judging by some of his previous posts. Oh,southernboy, you’ll find no one here who thinks it is unpatriotic to pose rational questions about our government and what it does. These “truthers” believe what this sign above says and some of them think it’s ok to call for the killing of our president and others in this administration. Being patriotic means loving your country. I don’t believe these people do based on how they act and what they say.

  36. #36
    On November 7th, 2007 at 7:00 am, meatpieandtatters said:

    Truthers are deranged lemmings with mange.

  37. #37
    On November 7th, 2007 at 7:05 am, ajmontana said:

    Big Bad John, beautiful. Nit-Wits are now what I will call the truthers. (gag)
    They cant possibly believe this bull, their just trying to stir up the works.

  38. #38
    On November 7th, 2007 at 7:20 am, ACHefty said:

    OK….flown by remote control? Riiiiiight! And tell me, Mr. Nit-Wit, where are Lisa Beamer’s husband and Ted Olson’s wife? Where are the rest of the passengers?

    Could they have by chance been abducted by Congressman Kucinich’s UFO aliens?

  39. #39
    On November 7th, 2007 at 7:32 am, ajmontana said:

    Now I know what to get my Nephew for his 12 birthday…..a remote controlled 747. can you get those on-line?

  40. #40
    On November 7th, 2007 at 7:45 am, JHSII said:

    It’s interesting how the exact same people who decried any dissent during the clinton regime as “the politics of personal destruction” now all say that it’s “patriotic” to dissent - the only difference being the occupant of the Oval Office.

    It’s time to put the “truthers” back where they belong - a nice padded cell. We may even let them have a crayon!

  41. #41
    On November 7th, 2007 at 7:47 am, JHSII said:

    note that my comment wasn’t directed at Michelle, rather at southernboy #28 !!

  42. #42
    On November 7th, 2007 at 7:48 am, englishqueen01 said:

    Any of you ever watch the television show “Mythbusters”? Yeah…those guys have trouble learning to maneuver remote-controlled cars (granted, these are full-sized cars), so how much training would it take to not only fly planes into buildings, but to train and not be noticed? Something tells me simulators would be ineffective.

    I guess logic and reason shouldn’t stand in the way of the “truth”.

    And tell me, Mr. Nit-Wit, where are Lisa Beamer’s husband and Ted Olson’s wife? Where are the rest of the passengers?

    I’ve heard a couple truthers claim the families were paid off and their loved ones are living secret lives in foreign lands. MMMkkkayy.

    And that’s the aspect of the truthers that really ticks me off. They can embrace their wacko theories, but when it crosses into accusing those who died terrible, frightening deaths on 9/11 and making their loved ones suffer while painting them all part of the “neo-con conspiracy” makes me very angry. How dare they. Haven’t the families suffered enough without these nutters basically mocking their grief and spitting on the memories of their loved ones?

    I mean - how can anyone rationally believe that the hundreds of people on those planes, the supposed secret government operatives, and a large group of nameless conspirators not only pulled off 9/11 but that NO ONE leaked the information? In this digital age, even when faced with a vast government conspiracy, SOMEONE on the “inside” would have spilled the beans by now.

    I’d bet my next paycheck that any truther out there, upon finding real and indisputable evidence to their claims, would run to the media as fast as if they were on fire.

    But they haven’t. Because there isn’t any. If 9/11 was a conspiracy, it was planned and executed by jihadists and terrorists. Not our government.

    Aren’t liberals the ones who love to call George Bush “dumb”, while simultaneously blaming him for being intelligent enough not only conjuring up hurricanes, but to plan a massive terror attack in less than 9 months?

  43. #43
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:19 am, tre said:

    What these nit-wits never seem to realize is, the more people involved in a conspiracy, the more likely someone will break it.
    A conspiracy like on 9/11 would take thousands of people, not counting the ones who were removed from the planes.
    It couldn’t stand.

    Also, if they blame Bush for 9/11, can we blame Bill Clinton for the Oklahoma City bombing on 4/19/95?

  44. #44
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:21 am, swj719AWG said:

    Kinda reminds me of the pic of the young dude at a feminist rally, where everyone around him is holding up Women’s Power (and the like) signs, and his says “Why aren’t you home ironing my shirt??”

  45. #45
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:21 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    On 9/11 the Plane(s) were flown by remote control not by Muslims

    What do we do with all of those Muslim extremists who have taken credit for bringing the WTCs down?

    I guess the footage from the airport showing Mohammed Atta getting on the plane was doctored. I guess those calls Betty Ong made describing the hijackers and their tactics were all a figment of my imagination.

    I remember where I was and what I was doing on that fretful day. I remember how we came together as a nation, although short-lived. Dissent is one thing. Outright lies and disrespect for those who lost their lives is a horse of a different color.

    One is free to believe whatever he/she wishes…that’s our God-given right. But why are their deaths front and center on stage of mockery?

  46. #46
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:22 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    My hubby is a Mythbusters fan through and through. Gotta admit I kinda like it…shhh don’t tell him. :-)

  47. #47
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:26 am, swj719AWG said:

    What these nit-wits never seem to realize is, the more people involved in a conspiracy, the more likely someone will break it.

    That’s the big one they miss.

    I mean, we can’t keep secret stuff at the NSA a secret any more.

    The NSA for crying out loud! This is the agency that refused to admit it existed for what, decades?

    You think you could keep quite a plan to kill thousands of americans and bring down multiple buildings?

    It blows my mind that they believe this stuff.

    And they call us idiots.

  48. #48
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:31 am, travis said:

    hes a few eggs short of an omelet.

  49. #49
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:40 am, Old Tanker said:

    #32 ProudGulfWarVet

    I think he was referring to the moron with the truther sign.

    I think blues was too……..

  50. #50
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:41 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Nit Wit, succinct and exact!

  51. #51
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:48 am, JHSII said:

    Given the rate that out national Top Secrets appear on the front page of the New York Times if there were a conspiracy it would have gotten more NYT coverage than Abu Grahib!

  52. #52
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:51 am, ajmontana said:

    I wonder if big john smacked him on the back of the head like jethro does on NCIS after the pic was taken.
    “wake up dumba$$!”

  53. #53
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:54 am, bipartisancomplainer said:

    PRICELESS!

  54. #54
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:56 am, nyc123me said:

    @ ProudGulfWarVet65 #31 said: “Unless I’m missing something, moonbat-alert on #25.”

    errr.. I made comment #25 ..I said: “Remote control? That’s a new one. Where do these people come from?
    ..and can we send them back?”

    I really hope you just made a typo there..

  55. #55
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:59 am, LarryD said:

    Understand, the “Truthers” are in serious denial about the truth, because they can’t handle it. The reasons may vary, from the refutation of a long cherished world view, to being unable to cope with the fact that there are a lot of people out their who would gladly kill them. So they deny it. These conspiracy theorists can’t forget about 9/11, so they have to explain it away. Dr. Sanity has written several articles about denial.

  56. #56
    On November 7th, 2007 at 9:03 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    LarryD and they hope to accomplish this by laying the blame at someone else’s feet?

    They deny that bad guys exist so they blame the government because they are really the bad guys? I can’t follow the logic of these guys…

    My head hurts

  57. #57
    On November 7th, 2007 at 9:18 am, Antaradus said:

    Conspiracy theorists: if they didn’t have this, they’d be earnestly discussing alien autopsies in Area 51 and government rays reading their minds.

  58. #58
    On November 7th, 2007 at 9:20 am, Boomer said:

    Put a very big smile on my face. Thank you for sharing. Great way to start the day!

  59. #59
    On November 7th, 2007 at 9:29 am, Milwaukee Mike said:

    Is this similar to how the Kennedy assasination conspiracy got it’s start? That one is accepted by half of all Americans nowdays. Scary.

  60. #60
    On November 7th, 2007 at 9:31 am, pressto said:

    In the words of Terry Goodkind

    Wizard’s First Rule.

    “People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it’s true, or because they are afraid it might be true.

    While this is from a fantasy novel, it is sad to see it is so true in todays society.

  61. #61
    On November 7th, 2007 at 9:32 am, JohnHolliday said:

    Here’s a link to a great Attack Cartoons commentary. Here’s the post:

    Have been playing a game where I take a random event in history, and try to uncover the deep troof beneath it.

    1) The titanic sank in 1912. ONE-NINE-ONE-2, 911!
    2) Steel melts at 2700 degrees, the iceberg was less than 32 degrees.
    3) The lookouts were not issued binoculars: Clear evidence of a stand down order.
    4) When the stern broke off, it was obviously controlled demolition.
    5) John Jacob Astor died on the titanic. He had an account at a bank across the street from a bank where George Bush’s great-grandfather worked.
    6) Icebergs that far south are a sign of global warming.
    7) All the Jews stayed home.

    ACHefty - #38

    Could they have by chance been abducted by Congressman Kucinich’s UFO aliens?

    I’m guessing here, but I’ll bet Kucinich thinks “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was a documentary.

  62. #62
    On November 7th, 2007 at 9:41 am, Pulchritudinous Patriot said:

    On November 7th, 2007 at 1:02 am, nyc123me said:
    Remote control? That’s a new one. Where do these people come from?
    ..and can we send them back?

    Maybe they came off of that UFO Kuchinich (sp?-need coffee) saw.

  63. #63
    On November 7th, 2007 at 9:44 am, Milwaukee Mike said:

    Antaradus said:
    Conspiracy theorists:

    I don’t use the term “theory” with these types. As defined, it’s an “educated guess”. As I define “educated”, I relate that to reasonable, relevant information one has gained through life’s experiences. Theory does not apply to these nutjobs.

  64. #64
    On November 7th, 2007 at 10:05 am, mytake said:

    And we never sent men to the moon…..and there is no debate about global warming. “If only I had a bigger sign!”

  65. #65
    On November 7th, 2007 at 10:14 am, 3Angela said:

    I am not shocked. The “truthers” are suffering from a straightforward complication of the Bush Derangement. Syndrome. They don’t have any “theories,” or “educated guesses,” or any factual information whatsoever. They have only emotions and a bizarre sense of self-righteousness.

  66. #66
    On November 7th, 2007 at 11:07 am, Yashmak said:

    This reminds me of a picture of a “Wymynz” protest picture I’ve seen, where a guy in the background is holding up a sign that says “Make my sandwich, b*&ch!”.

    I like this one even better.

  67. #67
    On November 7th, 2007 at 12:43 pm, RetFireman said:

    What gets me about these truthers is that they can believe such things as planes being flown into buildings by remote control, missles into the Pentagon, demolition charges being set throughout 70+ floors of both buildings plus building 7 and have them go without a hitch, mass conspiricy on all levels of the government for this, and oh so many more bizarre and extensive conspiricies, yet they refuse to believe that a noted and sworn enemy of this country that has sworn to destroy us and our way of life using planes and bombs are the only ones NOT involved in what happened.

    The lengths to which they stretch boggles the mind. Yet the actual truth is just too easy for them to grasp.

  68. #68
    On November 7th, 2007 at 12:49 pm, mileslibertatis said:

    God Bless Veterans. I can’t wait to be retired so I can be as feisty as these gents.

  69. #69
    On November 7th, 2007 at 1:19 pm, JohnnyNJ said:

    Let’s order up some of those Remote Control Boeings, paint’em up “Jihadi Airlines” and send’em to Iran with some nukes aboard.

    If we had more Big Johns out there the world would be a better place. Thanks John.

  70. #70
    On November 7th, 2007 at 1:26 pm, southernboy said:

    On November 7th, 2007 at 6:37 am, James Felix said:


    A Bush apologist claims dissent is patriotic after 4 years of browbeating critics of U.S. foreign policy?

    First of all, it’s called “sarcasm”. Look it up.

    Secondly, no one here thinks dissent from policy per se is a bad idea.

    What we do think is a bad idea is engaging in irresponsible rhetoric and advocating policies that aid the people trying to kill us.

    Why would “dissent is patriotic” be a sarcastic statement, unless the writer of that statement does not actually believe dissent is patriotic? Hmm…

    And please define “irresponsible rhetoric.” I have been an opponent of this war for the past couple years for logical, responsible reasons. It would be a mistake to call 70% of Americans — and our brave armed services — irresponsible traitors.

    I’m not a traitor, am I?

  71. #71
    On November 7th, 2007 at 2:57 pm, Old Tanker said:

    And please define “irresponsible rhetoric.”

    Are you serious????? Read the sign, the one where it says the “planes where flown by remote control, not by muslims” If that doesn’t fit irresponsible rhetoric I don’t know what does.

    A Bush apologist claims dissent is patriotic after 4 years of browbeating critics of U.S. foreign policy?

    Nope, certainly no dissent here. The Bush apologist that runs this site is all for open borders, amnesty, the Dubai ports deal, Giving North Korea more freebies if they promise to be nice….again, negotiating with Iran, etc…. I can see how you think we’re all in lockstep with Bush (THAT’s sarcasm)

  72. #72
    On November 7th, 2007 at 3:13 pm, southernboy said:

    :)

    But by “irresponsible rhetoric,” James Felix wasn’t talking about Trutherism but criticism of our government and its irresponsible foreign policy.

    I agree that Trutherism is idiotic.

  73. #73
    On November 7th, 2007 at 3:20 pm, Yashmak said:

    southernboy. . .it’s rather presumptious to tell us what James Felix was talking about. Perhaps we should leave that up to him.

  74. #74
    On November 7th, 2007 at 3:33 pm, silverlightstar said:

    A salute for the veteran with the nit-wit sign (Not only neat but precise, accurate and to the point, unlike the blather on Mr. Hippie-Wannabe’ sign. I’m expecting a “Will Work for Pot” on the back of that thing.).

    Another salute goes to Big John for taking the picture. Way to go, man!

  75. #75
    On November 7th, 2007 at 3:50 pm, Old Tanker said:

    But by “irresponsible rhetoric,” James Felix wasn’t talking about Trutherism but criticism of our government and its irresponsible foreign policy.

    As James Felix and myself have both pointed out, there has been lots of criticism of foreign AND domestic policy here without irresponsible rhetoric like say…..

    A Bush apologist claims dissent is patriotic after 4 years of browbeating critics of U.S. foreign policy?

    When she is neither a Bush apologist and has been a foreign policy critic. The sarcasm in the saying “Dissent is Patriotic is that most people that say that mean you always have to dissent. Look at your own statement. Michelle and many other here have criticized foreign policy, but we also defend the foreign policy we think is right. In your world we are “apologists” because we don’t criticize EVERY foreign policy decision that’s been made.

  76. #76
    On November 7th, 2007 at 5:44 pm, Prime Director said:

    Dissent is not particularly patriotic. It CAN be, but not always.

    If you said “all men are created equal,” and I dissent, would you label my dissent patriotic?

    If you said “its a good thing that the Constitution limits the arbitrary exercise of coercive power by the government against its citizens” and I dissent, would you lable my dissent patriotic?

    If you said “America is a good place and its citizens are good people” and I dissent, would you label my dissent patriotic?

    So if the implication of your dissent is that the United States government is the greatest force for evil the world has ever known and its citizens are all culpable for the unrelenting villainy that is done in their name, then no, your dissent is not patriotic.

    The statement “All dissent is patriotic” is false. “Some dissent is patriotic,” meanwhile, is a true statement but trivial.

  77. #77
    On November 7th, 2007 at 5:51 pm, AniMEL said:

    Way to go, Big John! Last time we countered one of those lunatic protests here, we carried signs that said, “stupidity is a contagious disease.”

    Wow, these folks really are a few french fries short of a happy meal.

  78. #78
    On November 7th, 2007 at 6:30 pm, James Felix said:

    And please define “irresponsible rhetoric.”

    Some examples include:
    Bush is worse than Saddam/Osama/Hitler
    Guantanamo is the Gulag of our times
    “Bush lied, people died”
    “Selected not elected”
    “No war for oil”
    The war is a quagmire, or has already been lost.

    I could go on and on. All of those things have been said by prominent, mainstream Democrats, none of them can withstand even casual scrutiny and the sole purpose of such rhetoric is to undermine the President and our war effort. The unavoidable consequence of this is to aid our enemies.

    I have been an opponent of this war for the past couple years for logical, responsible reasons.

    Well, bully for you! Here’s the thing though… no matter what your opinion on the wisdom (or lack thereof) of having started this war there is no “logical, responsible reason” for not wanting to win it now. None. There is no conceivable upside for our nation if we quit the field. Democrats, sadly, have demonstrated a willingness to put short-term electoral concerns above the nation’s well being.

    It would be a mistake to call 70% of Americans — and our brave armed services — irresponsible traitors.

    I don’t recall having done so. I think you’re implying that a) I think opposition to the war is de facto treason and b) 70% of Americans oppose the war. If you can prove either of those absurd notions we can discuss this point further, until then it’s a non sequitor.

    I’m not a traitor, am I?

    I have insufficient evidence on which to base a response. Any more strawmen you want to throw up here?

  79. #79
    On November 7th, 2007 at 6:34 pm, James Felix said:

    …criticism of our government and its irresponsible foreign policy.

    Our foreign policy is anything but irresponsible. We’re now working to solve some long-standing and very dangerous problems, problems that were allowed to grow unimpeded by the Clinton administration.

    Are we making mistakes along the way? Of course. But that’s a damn sight less irresponsible than biting your lower lip and hoping the Islamists will just get tired of killing us.

  80. #80
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:21 pm, macerenn said:

    Well, in my humble opinion, the problem was there long before Clinton came into office; he just ignored a problem that already existed before he was elected president. Let’s not forget that it was George Bush (the first) that neglected to finish the job in Iraq. Also, it wasn’t such a hot idea to use Saddam and Osama to fight a proxy war with Russia in Iraq/Iran and Afghanistan (respectively) either. Ya know what? We really should have let Russia handle that whole mess instead of hindering them in their attempt to conquer Afghanistan. But, hindsight is 20/20. I believe that foresight can be 20/20 as well. We know what is going to happen (with Islam wordwide) so… “lets roll…” WHen will it be our turn to dance in the streets, as Muslims all over the world did on 9/11?

  81. #81
    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:31 pm, trinitytim said:

    Southernboy…

    You have been opposed to the war for the past couple of years huh. So does that mean you supported the war before then and what changed your mind? I would also like to know which “war” you have grown to oppose? Is it the war on terrorism or the war on truth or the war on Islamofacism?

    Be more specific so that we may intelligently respond to your positions. As to you being a traitor, we can not yet answer that.

    JamesFelix.. #78.. Right on. Great post.

  82. #82
    On November 8th, 2007 at 1:53 am, southernboy said:

    On November 7th, 2007 at 8:31 pm, trinitytim said:

    Southernboy…

    You have been opposed to the war for the past couple of years huh. So does that mean you supported the war before then and what changed your mind?

    Yes. I stopped supporting the policy in early 2004, about a year in, after learning of the torture revelations and the military’s refusal to stop the widespread abuse of POWs.

  83. #83
    On November 8th, 2007 at 3:20 am, ProudGulfWarVet65 said:

    Yes, nyc123me, I meant #28. My apology…

  84. #84
    On November 8th, 2007 at 8:15 am, James Felix said:

    Yes. I stopped supporting the policy in early 2004, about a year in, after learning of the torture revelations and the military’s refusal to stop the widespread abuse of POWs

    Well, you’re kinda shooting yourself in the foot here, because that is anything but a logical reason to change your mind on the war.

    Unless you’re some kind of bloodthirsty lunatic you can only have supported the war because you thought there was a compelling national interest to be served by waging it. How does the misconduct of our soldiers nullify that national interest? Are you saying that a country of 300 million should suffer because a fraction of a percent of its soldiers behave badly?

    That’s assuming for the sake of argument that such torture and widespread abuse even occurred. I’ve seen no evidence of this, and I seriously doubt you could produce any (the writings of S.T.Beauchamp don’t count). Our military has conducted itself, as usual, in a restrained and merciful manner that is historically unprecedented.

    Macerenn-

    Yes, unquestionably the Islamist problem grew like a weed through the Reagan and G.H.W. Bush administrations. And though they had bigger fish to fry at the moment (like winning the Cold War) I don’t think that gives them a full pass.

    My point was that it was on Clinton’s watch that they grew demonstrably more bold and violent and he did nothing about it. That was the very definition of irresponsible.

  85. #85
    On November 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am, Andy said:

    SouthernBoy @ #82:

    … the military’s refusal to stop the widespread abuse of POWs

    What!?!?! Your claims of rational logic notwithstanding, this borders on trutherism.

    Show me one example where the command wasn’t already investigating incidents of abuse before the MSM glommed onto the story? The fact that prosecution usually occurred long after the fact only means due process. Something that the MSM typically find themselves unable to give, rushing to judgement, usually negative, instead.

  86. #86
    On November 8th, 2007 at 12:15 pm, southernboy said:

    On November 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am, Andy said:

    What!?!?! Your claims of rational logic notwithstanding, this borders on trutherism.

    Show me one example where the command wasn’t already investigating incidents of abuse before the MSM glommed onto the story? The fact that prosecution usually occurred long after the fact only means due process. Something that the MSM typically find themselves unable to give, rushing to judgement, usually negative, instead.

    Look, I would still be an advocate of our Iraq policy if the military nipped the torture thing in the bud and really laid down the law. Unfortunately, the leadership in military and civilian government has shown to me that they do not care about preventing torture.

    In fact, they appear to be promoting it. That is where I part ways with the U.S. government.

    Don’t like it? Too bad.

  87. #87
    On November 8th, 2007 at 12:34 pm, James Felix said:

    Look, I would still be an advocate of our Iraq policy if the military nipped the torture thing in the bud and really laid down the law. Unfortunately, the leadership in military and civilian government has shown to me that they do not care about preventing torture.
    In fact, they appear to be promoting it. That is where I part ways with the U.S. government.

    Again you make this assertion but fail to provide any actual, you know, evidence. Can we have some examples please? Or are you content to simply parrot the irresponsible rhetoric I referenced above?

    You also have yet to give any substantive answer to my various responses to you.

    Don’t like it? Too bad.

    Yes, that certainly is a rigorous critical thinking process you have there. You’re a true paragon of logic and reason.

    (That was sarcasm, in case you haven’t looked it up yet.)

  88. #88
    On November 8th, 2007 at 12:58 pm, southernboy said:

    I’ve seen all the declassified reports released by the Pentagon, as well as a few still classified reports (there are people in the Pentagon who are outraged by the government’s foot-dragging and will gladly share information with Christian anti-torture activists).

    Christ opposed torture.

  89. #89
    On November 8th, 2007 at 1:42 pm, Prime Director said:

    As a newbie, I may be out of line here, so let me apologize in advance; but I think the following general guideline needs to be reiterated:

    Fight the temptation to feed the trolls.

    Whenever possible, address issues, not people. There are posters here who are not who they pretend to be. They just want to prevent principled discussions on the issues and precipitate personal power struggles that can go nowhere. Don’t let them waste your time.

  90. #90
    On November 8th, 2007 at 1:54 pm, James Felix said:

    I’ve seen all the declassified reports released by the Pentagon, as well as a few still classified reports…

    That’s it, indulge your inner truther. Still, I can’t help but think it’s odd that hostile reporters can obtain and publish all sorts of top secret stuff but have somehow missed this golden opportunity to further undermine the war effort.

    Christ opposed torture.

    Might want to brush up a little on your theology. According to Christian tradition Hell was one of the first things God made. It’s a bit more severe than waterboarding and depending on which Christians you listen to people can end up there for eternity for something as mundane as consensual sex. That doesn’t sound like a very hard-line stance against torture to me.

    So your appeal to authority, while amusing, is invalid.

    Prime Director-
    You’re right, of course. But just as I often cannot resist the donuts in the break room I sometimes feel compelled to feed the trolls. I’m only human :)

  91. #91
    On November 8th, 2007 at 2:02 pm, southernboy said:

    Christ opposed torture.

  92. #92
    On November 8th, 2007 at 2:03 pm, southernboy said:

    I didn’t know our Lord and Saviour was a Truther! :D

You must be logged in to post a comment.



Pundit & Pundette

» Is the tide turning?

Weekly Standard

» Anchor Men