Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Clark calls for a new American patriotism (BARF ALERT)
NY Slimes ^ | Sept. 22, 2003 | Eric Schmidt

Posted on 09/22/2003 9:16:54 PM PDT by Sparta

Clark Calls for a 'New American Patriotism'

By ERIC SCHMITT

CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 22 — Gen. Wesley K. Clark called today for "a new American patriotism" that would encourage broader public service, respect domestic dissent even in wartime and embrace international organizations like the United Nations.

General Clark, a former NATO commander and Army officer who last week announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, accused the Bush administration of neglecting economic problems and of pursuing a dangerous go-it-alone foreign policy.

But he also used the setting of the Citadel, the military college here, to appeal to about 150 cadets and civilians on the parade grounds to help restore something loftier, a sense of national spirit that he suggested that the administration's campaign against terror had corroded.

"We've got to have a new kind of patriotism that recognizes that in times of war or peace democracy requires dialogue, disagreement and the courage to speak out," General Clark said. "And those who do it should not be condemned, but be praised."

General Clark made it clear he believed that the administration had unfairly focused on whole classes of immigrants, for fear of a minority within them.

"Three million Muslims have come to this country from Asia and the Middle East," he said. "They didn't come because they were afraid of our values. They came because they wanted to live under them."

Today was Day 6 of the campaign, and General Clark's 20-minute stump speech at the hastily arranged event here had a few rough patches.

"Patriotism doesn't consist of following the orders, not, not not when you're not in the chain of command," the general said, stumbling over his words and catching himself before he inadvertently encouraged insubordination in the ranks.

Despite the stumbles, General Clark heard good news in a CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll that showed he had jumped ahead of the other Democrats. The poll, conducted over the weekend, showed him tying President Bush head to head.

General Clark was invited to speak here by Philip Lader, a visiting professor of political science who is a close friend of former President Bill Clinton. Many former top Clinton aides have roles in his campaign.

General Clark directed his attacks against the administration, never mentioning the other nine Democratic hopefuls. He criticized the Bush team as doing little to stem the job losses and mounting deficits that have weighed on the economy since he retired from the Army in 2000.

"I'm running for president because I could not stand by and watch everything that we fought for, everything our nation had accomplished and become, unravel before our eyes," General Clark said.

He said the administration had failed to shore up health care and education, but he offered no detailed plans.

"One of the principles we learned in the United States armed forces was the principle of accountability," he said. "Americans today are asking, `Why did we lose three million jobs over the last three years?' "

He fired the other barrel of his attack at the handling of Iraq and at overall foreign policy, especially given that Mr. Bush is requesting $87 billion from Congress to finance reconstruction and military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"What was the strategy?" he asked about Iraq. "What was the purpose? What is the success strategy? How are we going to finish the mission there?"

General Clark did not discuss what are apparently his reversals on the the war. Last October, he said that he would support the Congressional resolution that authorized the use of military force in Iraq and then spent months criticizing the execution of the war. On Thursday, the day after he announced his candidacy, he said, "I probably would have voted for" the resolution. On Friday, he backtracked, saying, "I never would have voted for war."

By coincidence, his aides said, General Clark spoke here nearly four years to the day after George W. Bush, then the governor of Texas, visited the Citadel to lay out his most explicit thinking on military policy.

General Clark did not delve into such detail, but said he would map out a foreign policy, drawing on his experience leading tens of thousands of troops and working at the highest levels of the government, first as a senior general in the Pentagon and later as NATO supreme commander in the 1999 war in Kosovo.

He said his approach was based on three basic pillars. First, his strategy would reach out more aggressively to allies. He said he would also work to improve relations with international organizations like the United Nations, which he said were created decades ago to "to distribute the burdens of leadership, to share the responsibilities and to share the benefits of security."

Finally, he said, he will always support a well-financed military, strong enough to deter or, if necessary, defeat any threat.

After his remarks, General Clark bounded into the audience, shaking hands, signing copies of his memoirs and getting a feel for what life is going to be like in the campaign.

Terry Tranen, 61, a retired aerospace engineer, said General Clark was the Democrat with the best chance of beating Mr. Bush.

"I think I might send him some money," Mr. Tranen said. "That's the real test, isn't it?"


TOPICS: Breaking News; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 2004; wesleyclark
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-102 next last
To: DoughtyOne
"I'm running for president because I could not stand by and watch everything that we fought for, everything our nation had accomplished and become, unravel before our eyes," General Clark said............??????

What in heavens name is this socialist turd burgler smokin ???

Wow !..........Stay Safe D1 !

21 posted on 09/22/2003 11:14:14 PM PDT by Squantos (Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

I'll stick with the tried and true, old fashioned American patriotism, thank you.
22 posted on 09/22/2003 11:18:03 PM PDT by Quicksilver (FreeRepublic.com is show-prep for Rush)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DoughtyOne
New American patriotism? Where's this guy been since 09/11/2001?

This is a psychopath that still refers to the Russians as "The Soviets" and acts as if they remain our mortal Cold War enemy. Wherever Weaselly Clark has been, he's been there a long long time.

23 posted on 09/22/2003 11:21:24 PM PDT by Timesink
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Sparta
Newsweek

W 47% vs Wes 43%
W 48% vs Ferry 43%
W 52% vs Deany 38%


WOW ^@__*^ ....in 3 days W lost his lead to Clark and Kerry.

Cnn/Gallup/USA Today
Clark 49% - W 46%
Ferry 48% - W 47%
Dean 46% - W 49%
Dickey 46% - W 48%
Loserman 47% - W 48%


24 posted on 09/22/2003 11:21:39 PM PDT by KQQL (^@__*^)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sparta; Mo1
"Patriotism doesn't consist of following the orders, not, not not when you're not in the chain of command," the general said, stumbling over his words and catching himself before he inadvertently encouraged insubordination in the ranks.

It's very interesting that this line was included in a New York Times article about Clark. It's a real slap in his face.

25 posted on 09/22/2003 11:23:20 PM PDT by Timesink
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HAL9000
"I think I might send him some money," Mr. Tranen said. "That's the real test, isn't it?"

It's the test of how much of an idiot you are, Mr. Tranen. It means little else.

26 posted on 09/22/2003 11:24:35 PM PDT by Timesink
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Sparta
Turning phrase after phrase of Orwellian newspeak and Clintonian wordsmithing. Nothing but castles in the air.
27 posted on 09/23/2003 12:08:21 AM PDT by Free Vulcan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sparta
Clark Calls for a 'New American Patriotism'

Yeah.
Let's start by putting him on trial for war crimes - like blowing up every bridge over the Danube River, Clark's claim to fame.

28 posted on 09/23/2003 12:44:33 AM PDT by ppaul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DoughtyOne
New American patriotism? Where's this guy been since 09/11/2001?

By the sounds of his rhetoric, in heated discussions with Mr. and Ms. Schlickmiester!

29 posted on 09/23/2003 12:50:03 AM PDT by EGPWS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: EGPWS
No kidding. Either that or some leftist (s)think tank. ;-)
30 posted on 09/23/2003 1:00:25 AM PDT by DoughtyOne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Sparta
Clark is insinuating we should be appeasing and passive patriots. WHAT?!
 
 
Clark can shove a Bosnian military cap right up his new patriot arse too!
 
 
 
Wesley Clark’s Ties To Muslim Terrorists
 
 

31 posted on 09/23/2003 1:06:27 AM PDT by Rain-maker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Peace will be here soon
"We've got to have a new kind of patriotism that recognizes that in times of war or peace democracy requires dialogue, disagreement and the courage to speak out," General Clark said. "And those who do it should not be condemned, but be praised."

How about those with the courage to speak out in condemnation of those who speak out? Should they be condemned or praised?

32 posted on 09/23/2003 1:13:09 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler (This tagline has been suspended or banned.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Sparta
"Patriotism doesn't consist of following the orders, not, not not when you're not in the chain of command," the general said

Nothing negative about that.

33 posted on 09/23/2003 1:19:28 AM PDT by Imal (The deadliest weapon is patience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EGPWS
By the sounds of his rhetoric, in heated discussions with Mr. and Ms. Schlickmiester!

My thoughts also. The 'old' patriotism was frustrating the socialist takeover so what we need now is a 'new' patiotism that will accomodate it.

34 posted on 09/23/2003 1:43:04 AM PDT by tbpiper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Sparta
"We've got to have a new kind of patriotism that recognizes that in times of war or peace democracy requires dialogue, disagreement and the courage to speak out," General Clark said. "And those who do it should not be condemned, but be praised."

These dweebs always seem to think that the 1st Amendment is a one way street; one way their way, of course.

So just shut up all you "old style" patriots!

35 posted on 09/23/2003 2:30:15 AM PDT by metesky (("Brethren, leave us go amongst them." Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton - Ward Bond- The Searchers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sparta
Funny how onder X42's administration, disagreement on the president and his policy meant that we were part of a vast right wing conspiracy; the type that was blamed for the OKC bombing.
36 posted on 09/23/2003 2:40:55 AM PDT by weegee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DoughtyOne
No no, that is the "old" type of patriotism. He wants a "new" type of patriotism. One that is remarkably like treason, actually...
37 posted on 09/23/2003 2:55:40 AM PDT by JasonC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Timesink
Well, Clark had to leave *himself* the "just following orders" defense, or the peaceniks would never forgive him for his own past belligerent actions...
38 posted on 09/23/2003 2:58:11 AM PDT by JasonC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: HAL9000
"We've got to have a new kind of patriotism that recognizes that in times of war or peace democracy requires dialogue, disagreement and the courage to speak out," General Clark said. "And those who do it should not be condemned, but be praised."




Just let Clark get elected and see how long our ability to "dissent" lasts.
39 posted on 09/23/2003 3:08:58 AM PDT by tet68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Sparta
The slick skunk pulling Clark's strings has a great love for the UN too. Fortunately, the average American citizen has no love at all for the UN.
40 posted on 09/23/2003 4:18:43 AM PDT by OldFriend (DEMS INHABIT A PARALLEL UNIVERSE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-102 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson