It's time to welcome the Moderates and even Conservatives

[berni_mccoy]

who are waking up to the truth. Most people here knew the truth about the lies of the war LONG before the average American. It's been EXTREMELY frustrating and our anger at the criminal behavior of the administration has been building.

But I BEG that you DO NOT direct your anger at those who would realize their mistake, even if they blame the Administration. They have a right to blame the Administration. There are MANY MANY Americans, Moderates, Conservatives and even some Liberals who put their trust in the president about the war. The case for war was being built on the heels of the HIGHEST APPROVAL RATING for this president, and he had established some credibility among the majority of Americans.

If we punish those Americans now, we will ONLY HURT our efforts. Do not make this mistake. Let us welcome EVERY person who would speak out against the administration and the crimes they have committed in taking America to war.

[willing dwarf]

1. Well Said Berni!

I just finished chewing out someone for their referring to the public as stupid.

If we are going to get a real and effective movement for change, it needs to have its arms open to accept everyone. We can have different views of a lot of issues and still reach the conclusion that we have the worst President ever, and that he and his administration are incompetent and must be cleaned out.

[William769]

2. I concur.

[bryant69]

3. I agree

It is always tempting to cuss them out; but one has to focus on what one really wants to accomplish.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[T Wolf]

4. As an opposing view,

allowing them to simply say, "I'm sorry" and everything is then forgiven just does not make it.

That fits in with the "no consequences" sickness that infests this country. There are consequences and everyone who supported the administration needs to suffer for their complicity.

If we play nice, they will only turn on us at the first opportunity. Wake up. This is a war and the only way to win is to make sure that your enemy is not in a position to come back at you at a later time.

[sufrommich]

14. Should we line them

up and shoot them?How do you suggest we make those who walked into a voting booth and voted the wrong way pay for it?That is the kind of post that causes well meaning Democrats to come onto this board,take a look around,and then leave.

[bryant69]

15. This is not war

this is politics.

There is a difference.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[H2O Man]

19. Exactly.

One needs to identify their goals. Ending the war can not be accomplished by increasing the hatred.

[cynatnite]

5. It's counterproductive to do so...

Most people, IMO, can't concieve that an administration would do the things this one did so they could go to war. It's a hard pill to swallow.

Some believed they were just wrong, but still couldn't comprehend that anyone would intentionally put our troops in harm's way and using lies and their own greed to do it.

I applaud anyone who can recognize their mistake and misguided loyalty to this regime.

My in-laws used to be big bush supporters. Katrina totally woke them up. Now, they believe bush and his minions lied and manipulated to get their war. In fact, they pray for impeachment just about every day. Getting them out is a matter of life and death.

[berni_mccoy]

7. What exactly is counterproductive?

It takes no effort to acknowledge someone who now regrets support the administration. Just tell them to join the fight and don't make the same mistake again.

[cynatnite]

12. Sorry, I didn't make myself clearer...

I should have said it's counterproductive to react in anger at those who come around after the fact.

[DemExpat]

8. It is hard to forgive and forget....

my brother-in-law is a Dem who voted TWICE for the Chimp - so my respect for and liking him has I think been damaged permanently, I'm afraid.

I don't like that I feel this way, but, damn, how stupid and selfish can a previously "liberal" guy be? He thought by voting Repub that he was protecting his pension, as well as got caught up in the white male macho "let's kick ass of those terrorists in Iraq"......

:puke: :puke: :puke:

My sister says he could kick himself now, though. :-(

DemEx

[berni_mccoy]

10. Water under the bridge... what's done is done...

But accept his regret and have him help get the chimp and his cabal out of office.

[Batgirl]

16. a bitter pill indeed

I agree, even considering the public's mistrust of politicians in general, most people just can't believe our leaders could be capable of the degree of evil that's been on display in the Bush WH. The enormity of their crime has helped shield them from the public being able to perceive it correctly.

Good for your inlaws for being able to change their views.

[jonnyblitz]

6. as long as they don't delute the party with their RW views. nt

[berni_mccoy]

9. I'm not saying they should join the party...

Just acknowledge them and let them help us speak out against the administration.

We *can* work together on common ground to fight a criminal administration. Once the criminals are in prison, we can go back to disagreeing on the usual stuff.

[jonnyblitz]

13. that's cool. nt

[Walt Starr]

11. 2030 have died, by welcoming those who see the error of their ways

maybe we can save some lives and get our troops home safe and sound.

[G_j]

17. except for minor problems such as

the conservative's efforts to cut food stamps and other help for the poor?

Of course I welcome the help of anyone who opposes the war and wants answers. Discussing issues such as minimum wage however, may not be very fruitful.

To be clear though, the corruption and lies behind the Iraq invasion should concern every American.

[seabeyond]

18. he has to know something i do not. he would NOT lie about

something as inportant as this. AND if he did lie, then he is in sooooooo much trouble.

those were my words to my husband prior to the war. i knew bush lied. i didnt trust nor like nor support the man, ever. i live in texas. i saw the piece of shit he was

but

in 2002 we hadnt experienced these last years of just how bad this administration is. i dont know many that can comprehend any american being so destructive to our people. people of the world we would hope we were better than that, but we know bush doesnt give a shit about them. but to fellow americans

also we knew he was going in. we basically wanted our military in and pulled out immediately and give iraq its country.

bush had about a month grace with me. and i am one to oppose bush all the way. he had one month. i watched the invasion. watching the handling of the looting and what rumsfield said, i saw failure. i saw from that minute on an incompetence that was eyond belief. and have watched every since, continual incompetence

this is not black in white. the decisions in 2002. how they were made, both individually and collectively

[T Wolf]

20. To those willing to "forgive and forget" what has happened,

I feel that you are falling into the dangerous pattern that Dems always get sucked back into. That is - trying to be nice and never truly and completely achieving the goals we supposedly are pursuing.

Do you actually have faith that these "born-again" traitors will stick with you? Is there any doubt that as soon as gas prices come down and their own, personal comfort level returns to where it was, they will not go running back to the dark side?

The comment that they will pull the focus back to the right is well-founded. They cannot be trusted. They took the easy way out in the past and they will continue to have no concern for the damage being done to others. Only if it affects themselves, personally, do they squawk.

Allow them in at your own peril. They will betray you.

[Douglas Carpenter]

21. I suppose we could burn with hatred against the 60% + of Americans

Who supported Bush in March 2003. But, I fail to see what good that will do.

Don't we want to win?

[seabeyond]

22. well, seeing how the very people we are talking are my father

brothers and a lot of friends, i dont see them as so evil. i dont think it is ever a matter of honoring the lies they have had to tell themselves. i think it is a matter of when they finally own the lies, we say ya. now, lets do something. i personally feel that is an effective way of taking down this regime

[berni_mccoy]

23. You are reading WAY TOO MUCH into what I said

I am not saying "forgive and forget what has happened." What I *am* saying is there were MANY MANY people FOOLED into believing that American needed to invade IRAQ for the sake of National Security. Now these people realize they've been duped. It's time to show them understanding and ENLIST THEIR AID IN UNCOVERING THE TRUTH.

I'm not saying bring these people into the party. I'm not saying agree with them on their issues. And I'm sure as hell not saying trust them.

But for ONCE we have COMMON GROUND to stand on. Let's not blow this ONCE-IN-THE-BUSH-ADMIN opportunity.