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The Cost of Inaction

"The cost of action is high... we've lost 2000 of our best and brightest in three years. But the cost of inaction is even greater. We lost in three hours 3000 innocent Americans. There is a cost of inaction and we should have that debate. And we should talk about the consequences of pulling out; which would be rampant slaughter, implosion of the country, destabilization in the region and global economic consequences. They don't talk about what they're doing... emboldening our enemies by talking about withdrawal."

--Mary Matalin, December 1, 2005
   Interview on NBC's Today Show with Katie Couric

6 Comments:

  1. Anonymous said...
    I love this quote EL. It contains perfect examples of all that's wrong with the Neo-Con viewpoint and supporters.

    1. "The cost of action is high... we've lost 2000 of our best and brightest in three years." Mary fails to mention that it was her Party's president that made the decision to go into Iraq. She also fails to mention the 17,000 injured American soldiers, or the 20,000 dead Iraqis. A complete lack of ability to take responsibility for one's actions.

    2. "We lost in three hours 3000 innocent Americans. A self-serving refernce to an event that is barely relevent to the current topic. 9/11 is unrelated to the Iraq War. Yet Neo-Cons keep seizing on it as a justification for their radical realignment of America's politics and policies.

    3. "And we should talk about the consequences of pulling out; which would be rampant slaughter, implosion of the country, destabilization in the region and global economic consequences." I love these unfounded claims. I remember that these same neo-cons had many other unfounded claims before the start of the Iraq war. Those of us in the reality-based community are becoming a little a skeptical.

    4. "They don't talk about what they're doing... emboldening our enemies by talking about withdrawal." Did Mary and other Neo-Cons think they were emboldening our enemies in 1999 when they were bashing Clinton and Gore? The right to discuss and debate issues, to take the devil's advocate position is on the greatest treasures of America. Neo-cons would rather the country only had one opinion like the Republican pary where dissent is stiffled and discussion is limited to only a few power brokers with everyone else falling in line.

    Every sentence in this quote is reflective of a viewpoint that is the antithesis of American politics for the last half century. The ideals of fair, truthful open debate. The idea that one is responsible for one's choices and policies. If you can't see that then I question whether there is any common ground that we can begin any future discussions on.
    Anonymous said...
    Wow! You used "Neo Con" 5 times!!! Congratulations! Still clueless I see... And still condemning Conservatives for the same type of rhetoric you just vomited on my blog.

    Thanks for your insight.
    Anonymous said...
    Boy, El is getting to be one mean-spirited dude. Thoughtful comments from Ben T reciprocated with insults from El.

    Maybe that's why nobody is commenting on (or even reading?) his blog anymore.
    Anonymous said...
    You should hear BenT and I go at it at work. This is polite in comparison.
    Anonymous said...
    Do you guys like each other?
    Anonymous said...
    LOL! In everything but politics!

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