Free Republic

You got me there. Better get someone else on the payroll.

Who fact checked this speech. Kind of offensive really.

Excellent point. The Union was in a blind retreat after the second Bull Run until McClellan arrived on the scene and restored order. McClellan had several other shortfalls, but no one else could have got the union into shape. That cannot be understated.

My .02:

Plucking officers early has unintended consequences. Immediately after 9/11 in Afghanistan, what went unnoticed was the amount of Bn Cmdrs getting relieved. The common thread was that most of these guys experienced accelerated promotions in the mid to late 90’s due to shortages of Majors. They missed those key developmental assignments along the way to command.

Trying to look at Petraeus’ career path and apply it to the rest of the military is folly as well. Petraeus would have risen to the top regardless. He was the honor graduate in about every school he attended (of note: Command and General Staff College where the Army used to only hand select the best and brightest to attend; now it is the “No Major Left Behind” mentality that permeates so much of society today).

Lastly, I would not consider all of the Generals in the article “failed”. Franks did not anticipate an insurgency with the ferocity that was experienced (no one else did either). Casey did a fine job of building Iraq's security apparatus, which set the table for Petraeus to institute the surge. Sanchez seemed to be adrift though. Not sure if there was any lasting contribution he made to the effort.

“I truly hope not. But the Democrats and the MSM hate Gen. Petraeus”

I think your apprehensiveness is well founded. My take was that this is a win/win for Obama. If it is perceived that Afghanistan is turning for the better, the press will ensure that Obama gets the credit. If Afghanistan continues to flounder due to incompetent government and we “fail”, Petraeus gets the blame. This move was all political on Obama’s part.

Who does Mullen think he is kidding? He was the one who pushed for this and when he realized that the Service Chiefs weren’t behind it and started raising serious red flags, he started doing damage control. We need to put a Marine back in charge at the Joint Chiefs level IMO. General Pace had a backbone and shot straight.

Exactly. Case in point, Murtha got away with calling some of his constituents red necks and then winning in a white wash in 08. The heavy precincts are ice blue with some scant red scattered here and there.

And how ironic is it that the tenure of former President Bush will soon be remembered as the Good ole’ Days, when many had a job, a home, and didn't have to worry about getting blown up.

“I dont think its right for any organization representing government employees to endorse candidates...especially unions”

Agree. I found it particularly disturbing when Obama sent mass e-mails to the American federation of government employees urging them to turn out and vote during his presidential election. All you had to do was read between the lines to see what he was promising.

“Democrat Mark Critz still had to run against ObamaCare, Crap & Trade, etc. to win in PA-12”

Solid analysis and I pulled the piece above to highlight something else too. I do not believe what we are seeing as “anit-incumbent” as some are pointing out, but more anti-Obama. Watch all the talking heads to day and all they talk about is this anti-incumbent mood, but what they are afraid to talk about is the fact that the one has lost his charm on the electorate. In PA-12 you had Critz (D) basically running against Obama and the beltway Dem establishment not only tolerated it, they basically endorsed it. That has to be a chilling prospect for Axelrod and the crew.

The irony is that Burns ran an anti-Obama campaign, and Washington Dems embraced it (don’t want to lose this distract no matter what). This race had nothing to do with the “so called” anti incumbent mood, which every lib and news anchor is trying to push. The country is experiencing an anti Obama mood and this race more than anything typifies it.

Show me the link where you read NRA was considering Ellsworth, or were you just BSing?

Trust me, Ellsworth is a true blue liberal. Not sure if the poster was pulling the NRA endorsement statement out of his fourth point of contact, but if not, like I said, I am done with the NRA. I am originally from IN and I still follow politics there, so I know all about Ellsworth.

Ellsworth voted for cap and tax and later voted for health care. NRA is stupid and does not deserve another dime of my money if they endorse this far left lap dog. Serious, I will never give them another red dime. Ellsworth is as left as they come.

Palin is a political opportunist plain and simple. For those of you who haven't figured this out yet, time to grow up lest you spend the rest of your days trying to run away from this reality.

On another note, how long until we see her on dancing with the stars?

You are correct. Butler’s basketball budget is 1.5 million a year and I am sure K makes at least 3 million a year (probably more when you figure in performance bonuses plus summer camps).

Michigan State's problem was that they had one ball handler on the floor at any given time period. Go back and re-watch that game and pay attention to Green and the rest of Michigan State's post players. Green could not move his feet so he played defense with his hands not to mention on every offensive position he dropped his shoulder and plowed into the lane.

However, Izzo didn't cry after the game and called it like it was. Butler played physical just like Michigan State does and MSU lost to the better team period.

You’re right. My bust. I played ball against one of Butler’s assistants in high school each summer, so this one was personal.

No denying Duke? Did you see the score? Duke squeaked out the mildest of wins against a school that has 1/20th of Dukes budget.

I would have to disagree with you on oratory. Many times the knock on certain guys comes from the liberal press and it gets repeated enough that folks take it for gospel. Fact of the matter is that I watched him on the floor on many different occasions make his esteemed colleagues on the other side of the aisle look small. First was cap and trade opposition where he pressed parliamentary procedure to its stretching point and filibustered for as long as he could pointing out the idiocy of the Dems own bill (which they had not read). Next was the Gant chart (or whatever you want to call that thing) regarding the health bureaucracy that he slapped the Dems over the head with.

However, I do agree with you on Ryan, Cantor, and Pence. All three very solid with Ryan showing the potential to possibly be a solid presidential contender in the future. Don't throw Boehner of the side though. He has been giving the Dems fits the last two years. Tell your son Semper Fi!