GarveyBlog by Ed Garvey

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September 18, 2003
I liked Ike but I don't know Wesley
Talk about inspiring. Signs at General Clark's opening speech held by some in the Little Rock crowd said, "When Clinton lied, nobody died." Words to live by.

I have fond childhood memories of Ike, a true hero from a just war. Almost a grandfather to my generation, a war hero and statesman to my parents', Ike warned us about the military-industrial complex. That same "complex" seems to be supporting General Clark. I think his candidacy has more to do with so-called "free trade" than war and peace.

General Clark made his mark in our most embarrassing war, Vietnam; not exactly WW II. (Most embarrassing with the notable exceptions of Reagan's invasion of Grenada and Bush's invasion of Iraq. Can we look forward to a Tommy Franks candidacy in 2008?)

Who is he? Well, the DLC leaders suggest he and he alone can take on George Bush because he is a "war hero." Really? Frankly, I don't remember any "heroes" in the leadership of that awful engagement and I don't recall Clark either way. My heroes opposed the war. If "war hero" is the qualification, Midge Miller should be our nominee. She helped force LBJ to resign.

With the staggering economy and the quagmire called Iraq, Kerry, Dean, Gephardt, Kucinich, or Hillary Clinton will defeat Bush barring a miraculous economic recovery.

What does "the General" say about the loss of jobs or free trade? Not much. The New York Times reported, "General Clark's views on issues remain something of a mystery." No kidding. It took him five decades to decide that he is a Democrat.

Not only am I curious about a candidate the Times suggests is the establishment's "Stop Dean" candidate, I'm curious what the Democratic Party is all about. Our Fighting Bob motto is, "Is this a private fight or can anyone join in." Well, can anyone claim the Democratic mantel and run? I tried an open letter to the Wisconsin Democratic Party chair a while back and was told to pay my dues. I wonder if The General will pay his.




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"Is this a private fight, or can anyone join?"
-Old Irish saying