David Brooks is on PBS singing praises to PE Obama's

[babylonsister]

personnel selections so far. "He's stockpiling brains."

Nice to hear from this old coot.

[Trajan]

1. David Brooks has been praising Obama for about 6 weeks running ....

Though, it was within the backdrop of a utterly horrible McCain-Palin campaign that Mr. Brooks was compelled to sing Obama's song ....

I expect it will end soon ...

[dailykoff]

2. Yes, the neocons are in hog heaven. Rahm and Hillary

mean the bombs will be falling on Iraq and probably Iran for another four years at least, so all's right in the neocon world.

[high density]

4. So in other words, you don't think Obama will stick to his word of getting out of Iraq?

Obama is the president, not Rahm and Hillary.

[dailykoff]

9. No, I don't.

Furthermore I think he'll take us into Iran as soon as Poppy's boys can arrange a terra strike.

[high density]

10. OK, then you are living in a different universe from the rest of us.

Have fun there.

[dailykoff]

11. It's the same universe you're living in, the one where we commit genocide

against sovereign nations and build concentration camps to torture innocent victims. That one.

[RollWithIt]

19. Quick question, what if our troops are limited in Iraq to 30,000 within 3 years...

Basically we would remain in Iraq, large bases out in the desert, no city presence. Would you be extremely upset with that outcome?

[stillcool]

21. What do you think will cave first..

empire or the country? Has it already happened? When one fails how soon before the other goes? What does the chessboard look like to you these days? What does China's rise, along with Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Pakistan etc., mean to American supremacy? What part do the people of a country play in their government, especially at at time when that country is in such a precarious position, and people are facing dire straits? How do you judge a person's merit of leading a country on future events, or past events?

[Better Believe It]

14. What makes you think Obama will be deciding foreign policy?

If Hillary and William Clinton don't agree to pulling out of Iraq the people of Iraq will just rebel force the withdrawl of U.S. troops ala Vietnam.

[RollWithIt]

20. I don't think Obama will pull all of our troops out... but I think he will pull the vast majority...

First off, there is no way we will ever pull out all of our military from Iraq. We will ALWAYS have at least 10,000 troops operating desert military bases (mostly air force) in the central areas of the country. Obama has four years, I would look for him to pull all but about 30,000 personnel our of Iraq by the time the primaries are happening in 2012. The remainder will mostly be support troops with a small percentage of quick reaction tactical forces (When the Iraqis have major issues).

The problem with Iraq is that a full withdrawal of American influence will result in a complete bloodbath civil war. These things take a generation to fix. That doesn't mean Obama can't withdraw 85% of our forces during his term, I'm just saying it's not as easy as some wish it was. Heck, did you know that it would take 3 years just to figure out the logistics of removing all of our military vehicles in Iraq?

[babylonsister]

5. Oh, baloney. They aren't in charge, are they. nt

[dailykoff]

6. How can you tell?

:shrug:

[babylonsister]

7. Grow up. nt

[cali]

18. david brooks is somewhat of an asshole, but he sure isn't a neocon

[high density]

3. yeah, he published a column today to the same effect

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7905511

[babylonsister]

8. Thanks for that link! nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. Is he on Jim Lehrer's Newshour?

We watch that every week night!

:hi:

[babylonsister]

13. Yes. It's his Friday night appearance.

A woman reporter from WaPo (I think) is subbing for the guy who's usually debating Brooks. (Mark?)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. Thanks!

Yeah, Mark Shields...

I'll catch it later...

It's not even 6 PM here...

:hi:

[babylonsister]

17. Ha! It's almost bedtime here! And yes,

Mark Shields. :hi::fistbump:

[jzodda]

15. He's moving more toward us all the time it seems

And the right hates him more and more for it. Rush makes fun of him all the time from what I have read. He should move on over to the light side 100% :)

[grantcart]

22. I was driving home and heard the whole exchange with EJ and the host.

The funniest line of the whole interview was when the host asked Brooks what the Republican prospects were looking like in 2 or 4 years and Brooks made the following statement,

"Oh I don't think that they are going to be back anytime soon". I nearly went up the sidewalk I was laughing so hard.