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130 Responses to “Secretary Kerry’s Senate Testimony on Syria”
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This boots on the ground business really needs clarification though, Bob.
yep
Oh yeah.
As soon as I heard that (Kerry later calling it ‘thinking out loud’) I thought ‘uh oh’——that is going to be the bright shiny thing coming out of these hearings. Kerry, to his credit tho, has gone back 3 or 4 times to clarify, trying to set the record straight that this action is a “limited strike”, absolutely no ‘boots on the ground’.
I do have to add, reluctantly, that this hearing is not entirely reassuring.
I’m only catching up on it now Dotster, through the videos in the post and the coverage on C-Span, Kerry seems rattled, I have to say, I thought he would handle the aggressive (and often stupid) questioning better. Absolute clarity was/is needed on the boots on the ground issue, and even though he’s tried to clarify it, as you said, I think he should have been clear from the start. It’s not good.
I guess what I’m NOT hearing that would reassure me - is this action going to be an effective deterrent? What are the consequences? I think we have a right to ask those questions. And NO, I don’t think we should go bomb them to smithereens and start another full-out war. I understand everything PBO and Kerry are saying. I believe that the evidence is truthful. I believe that Syria must be held accountable. I’m just not reassured that it’s going to do what we need it to do. It’s not as if the entire world doesn’t know we could bomb anyone to smithereens if we wanted to.
That’s what I’m referring to, Chips. There can be no ambiguity on that matter and Sec Kerry just stated to Senator Coons that if the Senate wants to introduce specific language in the AUMF that restricts ‘boots on the ground’ and that the Administration would not object.
hi
Thank you Secy Kerry
Glad to see Mrs. Kerry sitting behind the General. She looks well.
And I just heard Randi Rhodes make fun of Secretary Kerry’s face. She says he has had a face lift and even made a sarcastic type remark about his wife. I think that was very ugly of her.
I will not listen to what Rhodes has to say, a waste of my energy. God bless you for putting up with that
How can you all stand to listen to such Bull from people like Randi Rhodes? What SOS Kerry had is none of her darn business. And she ought to shut her darn mouth about Mrs. Kerry.
Remember, Mrs. Kerry is capable of taking care of Ms. Rhodes with her remarks to Ms. Rhodes. Mrs. Kerry is not shy about clearing the air with anyone one speaking to her. A very strong woman indeed. HZ
All of you are right. (Slap Me) :)
I think Sec Kerry had what my husband had…..an eyelid lift for medical reasons. When the eyelid droops to a certain degree…..which it does with age…..it has to be lifted to maintain peripheral vision. Having seen Kerry in person, I am sure this is what was done. That one thing makes a huge difference in a person’s looks. People have those all the time, not for beauty, for vision and health. But, of course, a person in the spotlight has people talk about him in an ugly way.
After that surgery my husband could see cars coming from his left, which he could not before the surgery.
I imagine Randi Rhodes, whoever she is, when she reaches a certain age, will have that procedure done. It is NOT cosmetic, it is medical, and medicare pays for it.
Yes, carolyn, you’re correct. My ex-husband had to have the surgery for vision improvement too.
You are absolutely right Carolyn. It is really sad that media people, interested in sensationalism, pass on to people false information.
Mixed-up world, eh?
I personally have little tolerance for people who make comments about what they believe another person has done to his or her body when it comes to their appearance. I personally have a very dear family member who have read so many papers, books, more books, that with age, his eyes were becoming a serious liability to him in performing his job when it comes to reading and seeing many things. The surgery was done, and our family fully supported his actions. It improved his vision to a level that has greatly improved his ability to perform his job to the highest level .HZ
OMG…Ron Johnson is dumb as dirt .
OMG - Linda, I just ask who is he? Hahahaha!
He is an arrogant craphead. He is offensive and disrespectful, IMOP. I also cannot stand Sen. Tom Udall (D) New Mexico. He is trying the patience of Sec. John Kerry, but thank God, Sec. Kerry is cleaning Sen. Udall ‘s l(of Mexico” clocks. I love our Sec. of State!!!HZ
Hillary Clinton cleaned his clock when she was testifying at the Benghazi hearing. He really showed that he is not intelligent enough to be a senator and is out of his league. Of course he is not alone.
And again, thank you John McCain and Sarah Palin for letting this country accept gross stupidity and willful ignorance as qualifications for high elected office in America.
Some of the questions coming from the Senator’s are just as bad as those from WHPC.
Who is this Senator Johnson and how old is he. Did he major in rumor, speculation and hysteria in college?
He is the one Hillary yelled at ” What difference does it make now ” ….He is from Wisconsin
What is his goal - to play “gotcha” because he has an audience?
I think we can expect the next “selfie” from his bathroom to be tweeted out by this guy. So, yes, I think he’s thinking viewing audience.
Russ Feingold didn’t think it would be ‘nice’ of him to mount an effective campaign against Johnson in 2010. Not to say that the tea party didn’t have its day in the sun that infamous year, but we managed to fight off a tea party candidate for governor here in Illinois that same year. Yes, we got the odious Mark Kirk in the Senate, but he’s not a tea party idiot at least. Just a regular Republican idiot.
Chuck Hagel mentioned some important points, in that there are parallel actions that would work along with whatever action the President would take: opposition strength, defections within Syrian govt and military, other intel, other consequences … in getting to an end game, which is a diplomatic settlement …
Thanks - I hadn’t heard about that part. That is substantive and helps to reassure me. Of course, all of this would be much more effective with a Security Council resolution.
Which, perhaps, we will see, now that Pres. Obama has allowed himself more time to see it play out.
Because our President has an attention span that is longer than the space between commercials on TV. What a concept. Thoughtful deliberation. Diplomatic means to gain support instead of childish bluster.
Well said, 57!
This
Ron Johnson needs to be drug tested….for speed !
I am so proud of the three men (Kerry, Hafgel & Dempsy) who are up there supplying the clarification for the request from Congress
Latest poll from Quinnapiac just released. Bill deBlasio leading field with 43% of the vote. Bill Thompson is at 20% and Chris Quinnberg is at 18%.
New Yorkers respond well to Progressive candidates with appealing families. Just like Americans did in 2008 and 2012.
The NY newspapers have been fully humiliated now. Last week with BdB at 36% the MSM complained that the newspaper endorsements hadn’t had time to work. Now their downfall and irrelevance cannot be argued. The People, United………..
Wow. Eff you, NYT and the other rags.
Yeah, Kerry, go after Flake!!!
thank you Chips, I missed this today - and really did want to see it. :)
Kerry has been great at testimony and questioning. He has made it clear over and over again that it is a limited strike and not a boots on the ground mission. Anyone saying otherwise is lying and trying to twist his words. He has been been very clear in the hearing and there is no way anyone can misconstrue his words. Anyone doing so, is doing it maliciously.
The man is speaking in plain english. It’s not hard to understand.
Kerry even said that the authorization from Congress can include ruling out boots on the ground. He has been very clear. This is not hard to understand. He’s not speaking alien language.
I agree UT. I just mentioned above, that I’m proud of the three men (Kerry, Hagel & Dempsey) who are up there.
But they’re malicious, UT. Effing Ted Cruz took Baucus’ words about ACA out of context, and when confronted with the fact that Baucus had had his concerns addressed and fully supported ACA, Cruz said it didn’t matter. Baucus said what he said and Cruz had every right to quote it. So any ammunition can and will be used against Kerry, unfortunately.
Of course, if he’d been pitch perfect throughout the hearing, the Malicious Ones would have just made shit up anyway.
Yes, and if he were, he’d be just as useful. Luckily, I muted him when he spoke, so I didn’t have to repeat to myself, over and over, “La la la we can’t hear you.” For all I know, he recited the Pledge of Allegiance or invited the Kerrys over for BBQ, but I missed it. Get off my lawn, McCain.
That’s bullshit. They’re twisting his words. He said no boots on the ground. Corker tried to pretend that Pres. Obama wanted boots on the ground for all parts of the Syria interaction. Kerry said no, there will be no boots on the ground. Menendez tried to box him into a corner. Kerry said he will not make decisions for Pres. Obama and take away any of his military options. Kerry then told them that if they want to include language about no boots on the ground in their authorization, they can go ahead an do so.
Any child can understand what Kerry was saying. It’s plain english.
Well you forget that we are dealing with stupid people. And we have plenty of stupid people in this country who don’t listen.
let me get this straight: All Kerry said was he would not speak for CiC and the CiC should have all military options, and that has instantly conflated to ‘boots on the ground?!’
I hate the Media. I hate what passes for progressive media who have called it ‘going to war with Syria’.
Thank you UT. These foolish people are trying to “twist ” this , but Sec. Kerry is not falling for their crap. I do not like Sen. Melendez, personally for this job as Chairman for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Just me.HZ
Rubio was giving a campaign speech…
Where do we find these dumbass Senators for such an important committee? HZ
Durbin is bringing forth clarity,
Ohhhhhh Nooooo here comes McCain
I sincerely think we need to be handing out meds to Congress (under Obamacare - of course)
Yes, indeed GGail. I would love to administer these.HZ
Grampy McCain is a monumental ass hat that left his brains back in the Hanoi Hilton.
McCain Slams Fox News: Muslims Thank Allah Like Christians Thank God (VIDEO)
I have to say John McCain never fails to surprise; in either direction.
I swear McCain has a version of Tourette’s Syndrome that causes him to do some good and honorable things. Usually, he comes off as a grumpy old man to me. Here though, good on McCain
John McCain has moments of sanity. Ignorant people, like Kilmeade, should be in the business of reporting news.
I meant to say Kilmeade “shouldn’t be in the business of reporting news.”
ole Johnny would be happier I think if we could have all out war- I’m so grateful he’s not running things.
wow not agreeing w/ Tom Udall, I think he’s wrong.
I understand. But, right or wrong, Kerry’s responses to Udall are so strong, it’s like Udall gave him the questions in advance. I don’t blame Udall for whatever he asks, because that’s the purpose of the hearing, to show all sides (whether we all agree with one or the other side, for sure) - not to just work in lockstep like Republicans did when Bush did or said anything that would, in fact, put boots on the ground. Kerry’s now got the fire in his eyes, thanks to Udall, so hang in there, sherijr!
Oh I’m hanging in, and I don’t mind his questions at all, in fact others have asked them on twitter over the weekend… I just don’t agree with him ;) thanks jb .
That’s what I meant, using way too many words … even if we don’t agree, they’re giving Pres. Obama what he asked for ~ a dialogue that’ll be on record. :)
you are correct and it is awesome that he chose to do things this way.
Ten steps ahead, as usual!
Well said.
:)
BTW, Evening guys!
Need a warning when you wake up early and have to face the orange man throwing some hate around with his facial expressions. And I could give a reason as to why he didn’t like being between PBO and Susan Rice without looking at the comments.
I was very pleased to see Bo & Sunny - calmed me down somewhat - now I shall have my morning cup of tea (hot) and read what y’all had to say.
I see Code Pink with their signs on the floor. Wonder if they’re about to make a scene.
At least they’re consistent, no matter who’s President. I’m not sure about their effectiveness at these hearings, but I’ll give ’em consistency.
I hope their signs say how they support Assad and CW, as long as we don’t go to ‘war’.
Musta missed that part!
Medea Benjamin would be screaming her fool head off if we didn’t help the innocents, wouldn’t she? How, pray tell, does she think we will do that? Bribe them with cotton candy to relinquish their chemical weapons.
The loony left has lost all skills of logic.
They already did. They yelled protests right away as Kerry was speaking—-screeched—-and were escorted out, still screeching.
Ok Dotster I came in late so I missed it. Thanks.
WOW!!!!
President Obama is amazing. Today he is meeting with members of Congress. Tomorrow, in Europe, which I think is 6 hours ahead of D.C, he will be having a joint news conference with the Prime Minister of Sweden. How in the world does he manage to stay coherent? If it were me, I would be trying to recover from the jet lag.
On last post UT drew our attention to the Ravens interest in promoting ACA. POTUS tweeted the same info.
Just want to weigh in on this again. I think it is a BFD. Remember when Jerry Jones, chief honcho of the NFL said there will be no participation from the NFL on the grounds of “too political?” I can’t say what if anything has changed in the NFL but I am delighted to see the Ravens on board.
My darling Knicks….where are you?
Wow that’s interesting. Sen Menendez just said the resolution sent by the administration will not be the one that will be voted on. I know its going to be marked up. Wonder how much it will change?
PBO said he was totally open to rewriting the resolution with Congress.
I kinda find myself not caring. I’m more thinking this is all giving Pres. Obama more time to get more world leaders on board with him, as well as NATO and the UN. Not that our President didn’t want to go to Congress for that specific benefit, but I’d say let’s keep this process going as long as possible. Mark it up with your crayons a dozen times, Congress!
THISSSS!
I’m gettin’ like a kid in church, who laughs because you shouldn’t. Because I have zero respect for any of the Republicans on this panel, I couldn’t help but dwell on Teresa Heinz Kerry’s face, while the General was speaking a few minutes ago. First, she had a bemused look at what Barrazzo was spitting out of his mouth, then she shook her head in agreement with something or other … I was half expecting her to yell out to the Senate panel (and be carted out like a Code Pinker):
I think she’s BAWSE.
And we get to see it play out nicely, on the State Department’s Take Your Spouse to Work Day.
(I’ve been holding that in for an hour, but Rand Paul’s speaking on the teevee, and I’m seeking sanity through my own sick brand of humor.)
It’s great that she’s there to support him and she looks terrific and healthy.
I agree! And it gave McCain someone to be “mindful” of, before he asked whatever he asked of Sec. Kerry.
Hahahahah, I saw her expressions and body language too!
Remember, Mrs. Kerry is very mindful of this part of the world. As I recall, she was very important in then Sen. Kerry’s Presidential Campaign. (Negative or Positive, as you wish). I have always admired here boldness because of her well of knowledge in many areas. She speaks 5 languages; was an UN interpreter, and also a great business woman. Look up her bio., and I think some of her body language will speak loudly for themselves. She is a great asset to Sec. Kerry in many ways, not just her money. Very smart woman, and I like the way she supports her hubby. Just me. HZ
The Uncomfortable Reality of Edward Snowden
Because duh, it’s Russia
This committee is making me tired. I don’t know how Kerry has the patience to repeat these answers over and over
John Kerry making very good points. Doing nothing is not a response, it just isn’t. Comparing this to Iraq is so off, even though I get why folks are harping on it… Iraq was a big fat lie and if I knew it- then pretty much most of the world knew it too- and…. Barack H. Obama is not George W. Bush- so frankly some of this fear is overdone, sorry.
I am torn - do I listen or do I pull these earplugs out of my ears - Rand Paul - uugggghhhhhhhh!
I am so grateful that we have Sec. John Kerry as our Sec. of State during this time as well. He is serving the President well. I appreciate the President’s team. These foolish men and women do not realize that Sec. Kerry served on this committee for years with great distinguish. He is Not a push over as some of these fools sit there playing politics with this issue.
I am very much at peace with our President. Now, I will shut up.
Oh, for my TOD family: I had a wonderful office visit with my doctor this morning. He was very receptive to my input, and I was very pleased with his efforts to understand my medical needs at this time. In other words, it was a very good visit and check up. I will have my next one in Dec., 2013. I am pleased and grateful. HZ
So happy for you, HZ!
{{{{{HZ}}}}}, I am pleased to hear that you participated in your check up. The patient must converse with the doctor. I write down questions on my tablet that I keep in my medical bag, so I will be ready to discuss issues great and small when I’m finally in front of the doctor.
Glad to hear that it was a good visit too!
Gooood HZ….
Rand Paul could not be any more revolting. He’s deranged.
Now the ass, Sen. Rand Paul is acting like the fool that he is. I just cannot stand this ugly crazy man. HZ
Rand Paul is a punk. He’s making all of these insulting comments about the President to everyone BUT the President.
@SiubhanDuinne:
Well damn here’s some more Tourette’s ticks from McCain. Seems McCain was sorta on a roll this morning, this also happened on the same Fox & Friends interview:
McCain laughs as he mocks Laura Ingraham’s ‘vast knowledge of military tactics’
darn cut and paste and not being able to edit…lol
You still got your point across. I am glad to see McCain acting sane and calling these ignorant people masquerading as journalists.
Maybe I need help, but what is McCain’s own “vast knowledge of military tactics and strategy”? Anyone?
Oh, brother.
I’m no fan of McCain, but I do respect his military service.
Now is his “knowldege of military tactics and strategy” truly “vast”, maybe not, but it “Vastly” more knowledgeable than Laura Ingarham.
So I give a point to McCain, same as I would if it was a Dem pol like Kerry who has military experience as well.
HRC has come out in support of PBO.
Kerry is walking over RAND’S face!
The SOS is reading Paul’s ass real good about ‘going to war’!
Kerry sat him down and set him straight. Paul is a crazy man.
I’m so glad Kerry spanked that azz!
Point Kerry:
well thank you Iamh :) I see I screwed up #SecKerry
Rand Paul keeps his damn mouth going and doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about 99.99999% of the time. He can’t learn anything because he’s too busy running from one place to another to give his stupid speeches, gain wider recognition, and raise money. SOS Kerry told him what no one else has had the guts to tell him-sit down, STFU, and LEARN something. Just the idea that he thinks he can be POTUS with his highly visible lack of knowledge behind turns my stomach.
Report: Hillary Clinton Backs Obama On Syria Strike
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/09/03/chat-away-222/
SOS Kerry so strong and unflappable. He has the patience of a saint. As the old saying goes