How Can Chuck Hagel Have "Opposed" the Iraq War When He Voted For It?

[davidpdx]

9. You know I really like and respect you as a poster

We've responded back and forth a few times (nothing memorable). But that post just plain disappoints me. Let me tell you why:

1) I think dredging up someone's posting history is just plain bad faith. Sure people do it on here, but that doesn't make it right.

2) The position, whether you like it or not is a high office and should be treated as such. The person is the "Secretary of Defense". If someone put that word in when talking about Barack Obama and the office he holds people here would riot.

3) (unlike the two above that address your tone, this addresses the substance) People do make mistakes and they do change their minds. There are some issues that I had a few years back (I won't say which ones) that I'd get lambasted on DU for and then hung out to dry. While it wasn't on the issue of war and certainly wasn't life or death, I can see know that I was wrong.

There were many people who were on the wrong side of the issue when it happened. The tactics being used by the other side to get people to capitulate were terrible.

As to the nomination of Hagel, I support him. I don't think President Obama would put someone in office who would not support his decisions. All cabinet members work at the pleasure of the President of the United States.