Posted on 08/29/2005 7:41:27 AM PDT by RavenATB
What Chuck Hagel Has Become By Doug Patton August 29, 2005
U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel served nobly and honorably in Vietnam. He still carries shrapnel from the wounds he suffered there. While serving in Vietnam, Hagel and his comrades in arms were continually undermined by thoughtless, narcissistic politicians who spoke without considering the propaganda value their words would give to the enemies of America. Now Hagel has become one of those politicians.
A young political wonder boy who climbed his way to the top both politically and financially, Chuck Hagel was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996 and handily re-elected in 2002. He has made no secret of his presidential ambitions for 2008, but in the process, he has taken a great many cheap shots at the president over the last year. In fact, many of my fellow Nebraskans (at least the conservative Republicans) find him increasingly difficult to abide. One infuriated businessman told me recently that he wouldn't vote for Hagel for dogcatcher. Another, who would rather bite off his tongue than vote for a Democrat, said he would do so next time rather than ever vote for Hagel again.
However, Hagel seems oblivious to the damage he is doing. In fact, the closer we get to the 2008 presidential primaries, the more supercilious he becomes. As I have written in the past (and it becomes a truer statement every day), the most dangerous place in Washington, DC, is between Chuck Hagel and a TV camera.
Last year, just before the presidential election, Hagel's antics became so blatant the national media began speculating about what his role might be in a John Kerry administration. The last few weeks have been particularly frustrating. Hagel has said that we are losing the war in Iraq, compared Iraq to Vietnam, stated that America has "destabilized the region" and that we should begin to withdraw American troops early next year.
Hagel has also said that President Bush should have met -- again -- with Cindy Sheehan, who remains camped in a Crawford, Texas, ditch with the left-wing rabble that continue to use her for their own political ends.
Does any of this empty rhetoric serve a purpose? Does Chuck Hagel think that in this world of instant communications, his words have no consequences? Does he think that our enemies are oblivious to all this? Does he not seem to grasp the concept that with the right to free speech comes responsibility -- especially in wartime? What part of not yelling "fire" in a crowded theater does Sen. Hagel not understand?
Of course, Al-Jazeera gladly reports Sen. Hagel's statements to their Islamic viewers in the Middle East and around the world, just as our so-called mainstream media gleefully reports the senator's remarks here in the United States.
I am sure Abu Musab al-Zarqawi would be happy to simply wait for the Hagel plan to be implemented so that he and his "insurgents" can start a full-scale civil war. I am certain Osama bin Laden is happy to use the criticism of this "Republican Senator" for his al-Qaida recruiting efforts.
If Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and the rest had been scrutinized in their efforts to forge a new republic, as have the brave leaders in Iraq, the United States of America might never have been formed. Democracy is a messy business. Tyranny is easy. Freedom is hard.
America cut and ran in Vietnam after having failed to fight a war we could have won. As a result, 58,000 brave Americans died for nothing. If Chuck Hagel has his way, American involvement in Iraq could be over in less than a year. And nearly 2,000 brave American troops will have died for nothing.
Chuck needs to be Chucked by the Pubbies.....Chuck Chuck.
Not to mention the millions of subsequent deaths in Viet Nam and Cambodia as a direct result of our cutting and running. I call it the Kerry exit strategy.
It is sadly ironic that Hagel would be doing to this president...and these brave soldiers, what I would hope he so despised as a soldier serving in Vietnam.
What has Hagel become? An idiot with a mouth.....
BTW, Dane, you may want to read my tagline and stop by my profile see what a big UN "fan" I am.
Combine his names Chuck + Hagel and you get CHUCKGEL, let's just call him Chuckle.
I heard that certain reporters have a double indemnity clause in their life insurance when interviewing Chuckie Schumer or Chuckie Hagel.
Add Rangel and you up the chuckies!
I have to say that I am also one of those who would rather "bite off my tongue" than vote for any democrat. I voted for Hagel in the past, but it's going to be a tough decision the next go around. Hagel is a huge disappointment and a McCain protege, but I don't think that there is any democrat I could ever bring myself to cast a vote for and not voting is the same as casting the vote for the dem.
I also voted for Hagel in the past, but no more. He's becoming more and more like John Kerry, pursuit of the white house is at the top of his agenda.
What bothers me about Hagel is not so much his dissent from the GOP "line" on Iraq and other matters. Rather, it's the fact that he hardly downplays it. He puts it in a brass band and parades it, LOOKIT ME! I'M A MAVVVVVVVERICK! WHEE!
Someone of similar stature needs to woodshed this publicity *hore. Is Fred Thompson too busy with shepherding the Roberts nom?
Don't foret over-active ego....
Send him a mirror so he can achieve self-inflicted nirvana.
I've e-mailed Hagel several times only to get no reply, ever! And to think I voted for this nutcase too!
I should be ashamed of myself....
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