Well said.

Very well put. Thank you, Hilzroy.

Likewise: well said. It all cuts so close to the bone that it threatens to snap it entirely.

Damn right! It is also a cause for anger that so many Democrats have answered "me too" to militarism and the imperial Presidency rather than ridiculing these maniacal claims to "keeping us safe" and "supporting the troops".

Just imagine if 9/11 had happened during Clinton. The Democrats would be the "party of 9/11".

John McCain is dishonest about many things. But he is never so clearly lying than when he talks about war. He loves war. He's the idiot bomber pilot who is incensed that the enemy had the temerity to shoot back and justifies the entire enterprise is a bizarro "they shot back at me" pre hoc ergo propter hoc* logic. John McCain's motto is the bully's creed "He hit me back first!"

The war on the people of Iraq is an abomination. The justification that they were a threat to our national security was always a transparent lie believed only by those too stupid to know what national security means and those who love killing so much they don't care what national security means. John McCain was neither of those. He's a simple warmonger whose love of killing can only be slaked by ordering the slaughter of tens or even hundreds of thousands.

McCain is a very bad man. His groupies (easily recognized by their cry "Palin has more executive experience than McCain") are no better.

*before this, therefore because of this

Very true. Where is the Democratic campaign ad spelling this out -- with anger? And pointing out that McCain's experience has obviously not given him sound judgment? And listing the domestic programs that could have been paid for with the half trillion wasted on the Iraq war?

Unless the Democrats go for the jugular with all they've got -- and they have a lot this time around -- they will lose again. Because the other guys will, and as the Willie Horton ad and the swiftboaters proved, attacks work.

I appreciate you writing this. It's burns me up every time I think of what could've been if we had focused on giving Afghanistan a real chance at escaping the clutches of the Taliban and the chaos.

I didn't mean it as a criticism, btw, just an observation. I really respect the fact that you always give the subjects of your posts the benefit of the doubt. I know how hard it is because I fail at it so often.

I feel obligated to point out that we've seen this movie before... I wrote a post on my blog in 2006 a month or so before the midterm elections. What I wrote then (riffing off of an Olbermann special comment) could be a response to McCain's speech. I get being angry, and there are times, such as when you see images of 9/11 used in a political video, where it's entirely appropriate.

Sujal

PS. that post of mine is here (I'm no Hilzoy, though): http://www.fatmixx.com/2006/09/12/a-most-eloquent-editorial-and-the-fraud-of-bipartisanship/

How dare they use 9/11 as a campaign prop?!?! I'm so angry I don't know what to say. The ugliness from the Republican convention that I'm watching tonight has no place in our political discourse. Shameful. Just shameful.
True patriots do not exploit the memories of our dead. I am aghast.

Yes, very well said.

I wish more prominent Republicans would stop assuming that they do.

They're lying about that too. They're more cynical than you can imagine.

Thank you for pointing out something that the Obama campaign should have pointed out a long time ago: John McCain's IMMEDIATE reaction to 9/11 was to look right past Afghanistan for juicier targets, setting his sites swiftly on Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

Just as he immediately stated after Russia responded to the Georgian invasion of S. Ossetia that "we are all Georgians" despite the fact that Georgia was the instigator of the conflict and thus not deserving of our unequivical support.*

We need someone with the good sense and judgment to take a DEEP BREATH before popping his mouth off and moving the country to war before gathering all the facts.

John McCain shows no such judgment and is fundamentally unfit to occupy the office of President of the United States.

I would like to add that the only response, if any, that America should have for Russia's response to the Georgian incursion into S. Ossetia is to promptly call for free and fair elections in S. Ossetia and Abkhazia. They don't want to be part of Georgia, so why are we pretending that "democratic" Georgia is simply a victim in this situation. Other than that, its none of our freakin' business.

No War with Russia. No War with Iran. No more Wars for Oil.

quagmiremonkey, I respectfully disagree. The Republicans were willing to impeach a President based on his sex life (or, if you are willing to give them the point - a non-relevant bit of misdirection in a case that was, rightfully, dismissed in summary judgment).

Beyond that, to this day they blame Clinton for an attack that happened even earlier into his Presidency than September.

The Republicans were always going to own 9/11.

Well said; thank you. We're coming up this week on yet another election-year 9/11, and I suspect we ain't seen nothing yet. Next Thursday is definitely going to be another no-TV day.

The fact that the Republicans not only continually get away with "we're the ones who can protect you, because there hasn't been another attack since 9/11, which wasn't our fault because no one could have foreseen it," they celebrate it, disgusts me more than almost anything else they do.

There are 6 little words that sum up why McCain cannot and should not become president:

Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran.

I come from a family where both of my grandfathers were in the 82nd airborne during WW2, my father was an enlisted man in the army when I was born, my stepfather was in the airforce. I have sincere respect for people who serve their country with honor and distincition.

McCain used to have my respect in that regard-- but after this convention I am glad both my my grandfathers didn't live to see this. They would have been appauled to see someone's service treated in such a cheap, undiginified fashion. I actually think he took the whole POW story so far that it might actually turn off a lot of military families.

Wow, this is quite an fair and balanced blog. What a joke. Washington Monthly?????? Really? Really? Isn't that like opening a McDonalds and only serving Vegan food?

I respect libs and reps. I don't respect one sided rhetoric and that's all I find here.

Q: What was the first thing war hero John McCain did when he got back to the US after being a POW?

A: He started screwing around on his wife!!! Yes, his first wife and mother of his three children who prayed for him everyday he was in captivity nearly died in a car accident and was severely disfigured. When she was no longer a beauty queen, John started sleeping around until he found a rich beauty queen to marry!

He’s disgusting.
www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1024927/The-wife-John-McCain-callously-left-behind.html

"the" -- point well taken, yet I was trying to say something similar: that the Republicans would have energetically and systematically tarred the Democrats for any 9/11 caliber attack under Clinton's watch. It may very well have kicked off with impeachment, as you rightly suggest, and I imagine it wouldn't stop, there. At a minimum, deep outrage would be trotted out every Presidential election for generations to come. I wouldn't want the Democrats to act that way, but they should treat Republican bragging about "keeping us safe" with the howling ridicule it deserves.

That little propaganda piece pissed me off, too - but the warmongering with Iran was what set me off.

Thanks for expressing that. Its why I can't watch him speak.

I have to say that while I've forgiven many of the Dems, I still can't get over how folks like Kerry who lived through Vietnam could repeat that mistake in Iraq. Its why I never trusted Edwards --he had no compunction about lecturing the angry left in 2004 and then pivoting in 2007.

At the core that is also why Hillary lost--her poor judgment on Iraq

It was always nonsense that Iraq was a threat. It then turned out to be nonsense. Hard to understand what sort of wisdom and care trumpeted otherwise. Points for the off chance of delusion or panic?

John Bolton was on NPR the other day and he said that he hated war "99 and 44/100 percent of the time" (like the old Ivory soap commercial). And I thought: 1)Bolton is full of it: the guy never saw a situation he didn't think could be solved by war, a classic bully; and 2) the only reason that guys like Bolton say they hate war is to give them credibility to convince others to join in their militaristic ways. In other words, saying you hate war is a necessary step you need to take to engage in war.

Amen.

I couldn't agree more; thanks for saying it so well.

About Kilzoy, and the anger comments.

My mind flies open with this one; much of what Kilzoy projects, also others in comments that are supportive, maybe other wise challenging about war are in line with what is happening in American culture today.

Obama or McCain is not bringing Change to America: Change, like it or not, Change is happening with or without Obama or McCain. McCain happens to be on the “not� side.

A whole lot of people are angry, we all are trying to fine the right, best, socially shaped corridor with goodness powered by our God force for happiness, liberty and security. With the new advantage of this wonderful medium, the Internet, varied ideas can be expressed.

Here, in this blog, many transcend the petty arguments or escape the surface character assaination or political assimilations that many knowingly or unknowingly barricade in comments turning discernment that prevents a deep analysis. Added to that the nature of bias is part of the sin God knows we have in our free will, and its hypocrisy sticks out at times more than others. Especially when the reasons for war are displayed, illustrated for justification, or in evil ways fabricated, buried with mistakes into secrets and profiteering, hidden because of deliberate lies or in denial after reflection then bannered with patriotism and bumper stickers.

For me a realization, the hardest I have ever become to know, for as in the Bible the good book is prolific with slaying and war as a means to solve problems of the past and of the future. So, here we have the Evangelist moderate or extreme their minds are forged in fight, fight, and fight. Actually that is said so, so much in political rhetoric and panel analysis, fight, fight, fight. With that said how can one not get angry?

When McCain said the Republican Party lost the trust of the American people an eerie long silent mood, with stares in disappointment can seen all over the audience. Will that be discussed? Likely not. Why did the Republicans loose trust of the American people? Will that be discussed? Likely not.

This one really floored me, Dick Gregory finally let out a small morsel that impacted me as a veteran of the Vietnam War. He claimed McCain admitted he “went too far� when McCain got shot down. The Maverick screwed up and now talks about his gross mistreatment as a basic ingredient for his patriotism. He endured because he knew his daddy would likely level Hanoi if they didn’t let him go. Bet your boots those guys who saved his life are well taken care of. And now for all we know and as one other commentary was made, likely Obama was right, McCain is the bitter one that clings to his guns and religion with revenge in mind. Here, the best reason not to vote for him as commander and chief.

But I have never thought that I had a monopoly on honor and decency and love for my country. I wish more prominent Republicans would stop assuming that they do.-—Hilzoy

Your wish is granted. The inability or unwillingness to distinguish between political opponents and enemies harms the country and helps our true enemies. It is a condition that truly crosses party lines.

Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain are both honorable men with distinct differences, yet they have more in common, more that unites, more shared principles and shared love of country than anything that sets them apart.

There are two candidates, each with a running mate. There are two parties, two campaigns and two sets of supporters. Just because a tribute to the victims of 9/11 occurs at one party's national convention doesn't mean it is a tribute by only party members to only victims and family members of the party. The victims of Sept. 11th were Americans, not Democrats nor Republicans. Each individual American who watched the RNC had the choice to participate in the tribute or not. Any exclusion was self imposed.

After the election, the winners, whoever they may be, need to do all they can to unite the country, place loyalty to country ahead of partisanship in order to take on the challenges we face.

You don't even have to go that far back. This reluctant warrior who loves peace so much was clamoring to butt heads with Russia only a few weeks ago. During a tense situation that clearly called for diplomacy, McCain was even out ahead of the Bush White House in his aggression.

Agree; well said.

As an aside, I took "I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need" as a dig against Bush, and the notion that God had called him to the presidency at that point and place in our history.

As a New Yorker, I am enraged by the callous exploitation of 9/11 BY THE GUYS WHO LET BIN LADEN GET AWAY!

Exploiting the dead for political gain is disgusting. But exploiting the dead for political gain after spending SEVEN YEARS utterly failing to bring their killers to justice? We don't even have a word for that.

It's vile and appalling and I can't believe those sons of bitches have been allowed to get away with it. If they'd put bin Laden's head on a stick, I'd tolerate this kind of crap from them. BUT THEY LET HIM GET AWAY! How DARE they wave the bloody shirt?

" I hate war. It is terrible beyond imagination. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe, and prevent other families from risking their loved ones in war as my family has." Has anyone noticed that this reads as a preface to a declaration of war? "I really hate what I'm about to do, but ..." I think he has already pencilled the date of his attack on Iran in his calendar.

Before reading all the comments: Yeah. What SHE said. How dare that party and those lying sacks of shit claim that they own patriotism, own honor and duty? How DARE they? I'm still so livid at that moment, at those choices, that I can barely stand to talk to someone with a W or McCain sticker on their car.

My family grew up in Nazi Germany. I know the stories, I know the cult of personality, I know the slavish devotion to military prowess and imperial domination. These people (and their Christianist sympathizers) frighten me.

They're going to try it again. It's insane, but they will. They're going to do the whole culture war/patriotism/warmongering thing again. I can't stand it. I just can't.

I respect libs and reps. I don't respect one sided rhetoric and that's all I find here.

Hey, Ryan, if you can defend the mendacity, corruption and incompetence of the modern Republican Party, the bloodthirstiness of the neocons, and the shameful train wreck of the McCain campaign, bring it on. That's what comments are for.

But please do stop whining about "balance" because the commentary on this liberal blog makes generates some uncomfortable cognitive dissonance in your little conservative fantasy world.

This gets at why I urge Barack supporters to chant USA USA USA and wave flags. Part of taking the country back is taking the iconography back too.

Fringe benefit: The republicans really do think they own the symbolism. When we chant USA USA USA and wave the flag, it irks them to the bone.

Don't miss the "The first attack occured in Iran..."

Err?

The use of video's of the 9/11-attack on your country is, indeed, disgusting. However, the plain falsehoods that come before it, are shocking. Well, not shocking as in 'unimaginable', but is does tie the embassy hostage taking and the 9/11-attacks together, together with a dozen other attacks. And that, we know, is absurd and just not true. False.

And "America was held hostage"? Sure, Americans were being held hostage in Iran and sure it wasn't a great experience, and sure all those other bombings are awful, but was America being held hostage when, for example, the Cole was bombed?

It is the purest form of fear mongering.

Purple heart band-aids, Hilzoy. Need I say more?

Yes, and yes again.

I have a friend who was a classmate and admirer of McCain in 2000, who told me somewhere in late 2006 that he was truly worried about how divided the country was becoming and that he no longer supported McCain because McCain had succumbed to the division instead of rising above it. I wonder how many people express these same sentiments in private without being able to muster the courage of speaking up in public.

What our military is involved in in Iraq is not a war, but an illegal occupation of a sovereign country.

Following up on Barbara's comment above, I would have voted for McCain had he won the nomination in 2000, or supported him if had challenged Bush in 2004, but I won't vote for him in 2008. He may think he's the same man, but he's compromised his principles too much in the intervening years to warrant my support now. Plus, his unwavering support for George Bush in 2004 was key for Bush being able to win reelection. McCain of course did it to shore up his 2008 chances, but he can't run against Bush now after being responsible for giving us for more years of him.

"True patriots do not exploit the memories of our dead."

Forrest, I'm a Democrat and I agree with you. But, in our country's history the Republicans have "waved the bloody shirt" so often and for so long (remember "tail gunner Joe"), and accused everyone else of being traitors, that I have concluded it is in their political DNA to do so. I'm always outraged and offended, never surprised.

True patriots do not exploit the memories of our dead.

Three words: "Remember the Maine!"

I so agree. John McCain's foreign policy positions are deeply personal and psychologically determined--linked to his humiliation so many decades ago and his continuing anger at US defeat in Viet Nam. Revenge motivates him: His instinct is to retaliate against all foreign actions he deems hostile--for country and his own violated honor. And as that horrible 9/11 video proclaimed: since 1979 Muslims, Shia and Sunni alike and interchangeably, want to do us harm. He is dangerous.

I so agree. John McCain's foreign policy positions are deeply personal and psychologically determined--linked to his humiliation so many decades ago and his continuing anger at US defeat in Viet Nam. Revenge motivates him: His instinct is to retaliate against all foreign actions he deems hostile--for country and his own violated honor. And as that horrible 9/11 video proclaimed: since 1979 Muslims, Shia and Sunni alike and interchangeably, want to do us harm. He is dangerous.

I so agree. John McCain's foreign policy positions are deeply personal and psychologically determined--linked to his humiliation so many decades ago and his continuing anger at US defeat in Viet Nam. Revenge motivates him: His instinct is to retaliate against all foreign actions he deems hostile--for country and his own violated honor. And as that horrible 9/11 video proclaimed: since 1979 Muslims, Shia and Sunni alike and interchangeably, want to do us harm. He is dangerous.

I so agree. John McCain's foreign policy positions are deeply personal and psychologically determined--linked to his humiliation so many decades ago and his continuing anger at US defeat in Viet Nam. Revenge motivates him: His instinct is to retaliate against all foreign actions he deems hostile--for country and his own violated honor. And as that horrible 9/11 video proclaimed: since 1979 Muslims, Shia and Sunni alike and interchangeably, want to do us harm. He is dangerous.

Whenever Republicans invoke their love of country and disparage the patriotism of others, it always comes across to me as though I just saw a man make out with his mother, then sneeringly accuse me of not loving my own.