Carl Levin Calls for Attacks On Syria. Admits Al-Qaeda In Iraq & Troops Need to Stay
A Democrat Makes Sense Today.
By Erick Posted in Congress — Comments (44) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
UPDATE: The video is here.
— Sen. Levin, today at an
Armed Services Committee
hearing.
Get ready for Carl Levin to get shot by Cindy Sheehan or some other angry lefty. I'm not sure what happened to him, but he's making sense right now. On Sunday's Meet The (De)Press(ed), he finally admitted that Al-Qaeda is in Iraq and American troops needed to stay there for "a counter-terrorism purpose."
Today, he got bolder and and called for escalation of the offensives against both Iran and Syria. Bravo. Speaking at a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting, Senator Levin said to John Michael McConnell, Director of National Intelligence,
I think we ought to take action on all fronts including Syria and any other source of weapons coming in, obviously Iran is the focus – but it shouldn’t be the sole focus.Folks, did you get that? In addition to admitting we need to keep troops behind in Iraq, Carl Levin now says we need to go after Syria and Iran. In fact, in asking John McConnell about what steps were being taken to cut off weaponry coming in from Syria, Levin went so far as to ask this question:
I was just wondering, does the military have a plan to, if necessary, to go into Syria to go to the source of any weapons coming from Syria?And he wasn't arguing against such a plan. My first quote from him came after that. After asking if there was a plan to go into Syria, Carl Levin, yes *that* Carl Levin, said "I think we ought to take action on all fronts including Syria."
I'd like to congratulate Carl Levin for undercutting several of the major Democrat talking points and I'd like to thank Senator Levin for calling for mililtary action against Syria as well as Iraq.
The exchange with the DNI is below the fold . . .
SEN CARL LEVIN (D-MI): “Now, in terms of the weapons coming in from Syria, those weapons that you’ve described as coming in from Syria and perhaps other Sunni neighbors are killing our troops. Do we have a plan to address the Syrian weapon source -- of killings of our troops?”
JOHN MCCONNELL, Director of National Intelligence: “Sir, I know the military is working that border area to close it down from not only weapons but also jihadists coming in --”
LEVIN: “It’s more than just -- we’re trying to close down the Iranian border area too. The problem is that these weapons are coming from a state which is -- doesn't recognize Israel either, just like Iran doesn't. We’ve got to try to stop weapons coming into Iraq from any source that are killing our troops. I agree with the comments about trying to stop them coming in from Iran, I think we have to try stop them that are going to the Sunni insurgents as well as to the Shia. I was just wondering, does the military have a plan to, if necessary, to go into Syria to go to the source of any weapons coming from Syria? That are going to Sunni insurgents? That are killing our troops? … I think we ought to take action on all fronts including Syria and any other source of weapons coming in, obviously Iran is the focus – but it shouldn’t be the sole focus.” (Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 02/27/07)
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Carl Levin Calls for Attacks On Syria. Admits Al-Qaeda In Iraq & Troops Need to Stay 44 Comments (0 topical, 44 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
...that Sen Levin has obtained some information that has him concerned about global terror? I'm not a fan of his, but I welcome his comments.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" - Defoe
some of his more recent moonbat statements.
After the last two years can anything the Dems say about WAR or PEACE be TRUSTED? You've got to be kidding me!
Many of them not only voted FOR authorizing Bush to go into Iraq, they completely supported the WMD theory. Since then they've not only backed completely off, they've thrown Bush and the Republicans under an entire boatload of 2-ton buses.
If there really were a backpeddling trend on behalf of the "majority", shouldn't Bush go before congress and say "you fat bunch of yellow, lily liver, manipulative, lying, power-hungry, *x)$R%@in', did I say lyin', bunch of politicians, you need to admit that no one can trust you on what you said last week, let alone with the oversight of our nation's military. You bunch of bleepin' danged idiots."
And walk out.
Welcoming their comments is like saying, you know the last few years when you trashed Bush & the troops? Well, we are SO relieved you decided we need military force, thank God, you know, because we really need the Dems to say this because otherwise--NO ONE BELIEVES US. So here, we're nothin without you guys, keep your power.
Maybe the idea that the Democrats are going to be held to account for Iraq may be causing some second thoughts.
____
Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged. — J. Michael Waller
Evil prevails only when good men do nothing.
Dick Cheney must've found pictures of Levin with a live girl, a dead boy, Mark Foley, and Halliburton stock.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
Eating spotted owl sandwich in a room heated by a stove that was burning a combination of styrofoam and crude oil with a full gun rack on the wall behind him.
Evil prevails only when good men do nothing.
Reading "Shut up and Sing" while listening to Toby Keith and internet shopping at WalMart.com on a Microsoft-based machine.
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So libs, how's that Congressional Resolution to end The War™ coming along?
is a pretty big DNC donor, or so I've been told.
...because I find that very hard to believe.
Link.
------------
[F]or by the fundamental law of Nature, man being to be preserved as much as possible, when all cannot be preserved, the safety of the innocent is to be preferred...
-John Locke
____
Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged. — J. Michael Waller
Try this?
If that does not work, go here and do a name search for Covel, Toby, check the "all cycles" box, and type in the stupid code at the bottom, then hit "search." You get two results:
COVEL, TOBY MR
NORMAN,OK 73069
TOKECO INC./ENTERTAINER
1/10/2006
$2,000
Republican National CmteCOVEL, TOBY MR
NORMAN,OK 73069
TOKECO INC./ENTERTAINER
9/10/2003
$2,000
Bush, George W
------------
[F]or by the fundamental law of Nature, man being to be preserved as much as possible, when all cannot be preserved, the safety of the innocent is to be preferred...
-John Locke
Toby Keith was born Toby Covel. There are no donation records for Toby Keith, so I assume that he still uses Covel for official purposes.
I know all this because I graduated from High School in his hometown. Our water tower said "Home of Toby Keith" under the city name.
No, I'm not proud.
------------
[F]or by the fundamental law of Nature, man being to be preserved as much as possible, when all cannot be preserved, the safety of the innocent is to be preferred...
-John Locke
I think he's gotten more than his fair share out of the whole "America kicks Ass" schtick.
I think he just doesn't know better. 1) he lives in the past, when patriotic blue collar Southerners and Midwesterners existed and 2) Although he is country, he is still kind of Hollywood. He is star struck by Willie Nelson, Kris Kristoferson and Merle Haggard, whose politics are are sixties based. Can't teach those old dog new tricks. Toby should know better. I just dont think he gets it. I'll send a unpleasant email, but I'll still buy his music.
that he referred to himself along the lines of a "conservative Democrat". I find it hard to believe he'd be tossing big piles of cash in the direction of Dr. Howeird.
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So libs, how's that Congressional Resolution to end The War™ coming along?
A recent quote where he said he's a Democrat because he's a populist and the Democrats are the party of the common man. Wish I could remember where I saw or heard it.
“They chose dishonor. They will have war.” - Winston Churchill
But as I see it's not there I think it's safe to assume that The Haliburton Mind Control Ray-Gun® (Pat. Pend.) is working at near full capacity these days.
< /snark >
In all seriousness - this is good news, folks. A little bipartisanship on the national-defense front is more than welcome at this point.
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So libs, how's that Congressional Resolution to end The War™ coming along?
Are you sure this story is accurate, Erick? It's just pretty much unbelievable the way it reads right now.
------------
[F]or by the fundamental law of Nature, man being to be preserved as much as possible, when all cannot be preserved, the safety of the innocent is to be preferred...
-John Locke
I couldn't find a thing about it on the web, google news, etc.
I had to look at the calander to if it is the 1st of April.
The Same Carl Levin we have all come to know and loathe as a top war critic?? THAT CARL LEVIN????
S'cuse me, but I gotta look out the window and see if pigs are flying!
Two or three more Dems come over from the dark side and we just might win this thing.
"You never need a firearm,until you need it BADLY!"
and the Democrats are deciding that they need to get on the right side of the National Security issue?
there is one serious Democrat. Maybe.
____
Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged. — J. Michael Waller
Maybe there is another one...maybe Lieberman got to him? Because Lieberman can call himself an Independent all he wants, he's still a Democrat--albeit the serious sort.
"I'm kind of old-fashioned. I like to engage my brain before my mouth." Donald Rumsfeld
didn't count Joe...
____
Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged. — J. Michael Waller
has been that the Dems' view of the war would be completely dour, pessimistic, and enforcing a complete moratorium on postiive news on Iraq. Until they could begin to take credit for anything good that happened. Then by the time they were done, most of the people in the country, who don't pay much attn, and don't have anything but GMA and newspaper headlines to go on would believe that once the Dems got in charge things began to look up in Iraq. You know, a big parade of them going over, intimidating the pres, etc. And "voila!" They're heroes.
...has been that the Dems' view of the war would be completely dour, pessimistic, and enforcing a complete moratorium on postiive news on Iraq. Until they could begin to take credit for anything good that happened. Then by the time they were done, most of the people in the country, who don't pay much attn, and don't have anything but GMA and newspaper headlines to go on would believe that once the Dems got in charge things began to look up in Iraq. You know, a big parade of them going over, oversight for Bush & Co. And "voila!" They suck up the glory.
This won't begin to really change til they get the presidency then their theme song will be "Happy days are here again..."
proof before I buy it. Until then I just cannot believe it
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way."
John Paul Jones (letter to M. Le Ray de Chaumont,16 Nov.1778)
it's reasonable to think they might even consider showing it to some of the Dims :-)
that Pelosi, Kerry or Off.
____
Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged. — J. Michael Waller
We've been there, done that (the 2002 Iraq resolution was passed by a Democratic Senate). And it isn't pretty.
Maybe Levin likes being a committee chair and knows he won't be if Lieberman starts caucusing with the Republicans. So...he's trying to keep the Democrats from throwing themselves off a cliff and handing control of the Senate to the GOP by driving Lieberman away.
Lieberman as an Independent is AWESOME! LOL. Honestly, I would never want him to have an "R" after his name because he's so liberal on most domestic issues (although he's been sympathic to school choice and social security privitization) that he would do further harm to the GOP brand name, but I wouldn't mind it one bit if he became an Independent who caucuses with the Republicans.
This is simply lip service. Since when do Democrats REALLY support action (see Clinton admin)?
'Twas only three months ago that the esteemed Democrat Senator was promising a "phased redeployment" as early as April of this year.
I wouldn't get ahead of myself just yet thinking that one of these folks will actually be consistent with what they say -- especially for any period of time, or against the pressure of the next unfavorable poll or Kos diary that crosses their desk.
Jeff’s observation is eminently wise.
Note Dim Levin’s question:
“I was just wondering, does the military have a plan to, if necessary, to go into Syria to go to the source of any weapons coming from Syria?”
Under cover of concern, perhaps he elicits a response that, why yes, we do have some potential contingency plans to address this need.
Whereupon, either Levin, or a Dim crony, leaps to the press conference forefront to exclaim:
“See! Ah ha! You right-wing buggers were planning all along to invade the peaceful law-abiding nations of Syria and Iran! Caught you!”
When in fact, no such “scheme” exists, just reasonable planning for possibly necessary (albeit unfortunate) situations.
Alas, truth is so often sacrificed.
I hope new information has given him a glimpse of reality; I won’t be placing any bets, however.
"During my lifetime, all our problems have come from mainland Europe, and all the solutions from the English-speaking nations across the world." - Thatcher
Erick's article on Senator Levin was cited in todays Opinion Journal newsletter:
Levin's Moment of Reality
RedState.org notes a fascinating exchange in a Senate hearing yesterday:
"[Sen. Carl Levin] called for escalation of the offensives against both Iran and Syria. Bravo. Speaking at a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting, Senator Levin said to John Michael McConnell, Director of National Intelligence,"
"I think we ought to take action on all fronts including Syria and any other source of weapons coming in, obviously Iran is the focus--but it shouldn't be the sole focus. "
James Taranto quotes from rest of Erick's piece and then concludes:
"Take it with at least a grain of salt; after all, lots of Democrats talked very belligerently about Saddam Hussein in 1998 and 2002, then backed away in the ensuing months and years when it turned out that U.S. policy toward his regime was more than talk. But it is nice to know that despite much of the public's having soured on Iraq, and despite the influence of antiwar extremists on the party, Democrats are still sometimes capable of acknowledging reality."
James Taranto is so cool and this just makes him cooler ;)
and you will get no Valentines from Kos next year :>)
Methinks he's sane enough to let reality interfere with the psychotic dream.