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Everything posted by Kirk Gallaway
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Tom, I would slightly change your critique. Tom: , he would have revealed his plan publicly and unambiguously coded it into policy prior to his re-election, and thus your position is based on the notion that JFK was an political idiot. Tom: It's just not an effective political argument. There's no doubt what JFK said in his speeches were hawkish. But there are 2 things to keep in mind. 1) He was talking to Texas supporters, the most Defense conscious, Cold Warmongering state in the union. (eventually evidenced by LBJ) I believe the very last sentence in his last speech in his life, he acknowledged all the work being done in waging the Cold War and said to rally the audience "And Texas will lead the way!" 2)the point you're making, it's poor political strategy to mention definitive future plans regarding Viet Nam. Just as Biden in the 2020 campaign never definitively mentioned his intention to pull out of Afghanistan.
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The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
I'm not sure this is appropriate for the" Queen thread." so I'll post it here. Egads! Brits were spending 24 hours waiting in line, some through 45 degree evening weather to pay their respects to the Queen! The monarchy is alive and well, indeed! I think it would be a great comfort to all of us if Cliff could do a cameo here and pay his respects to the Queen and let us know things will carry on as they were, and give us some sense of continuity! Perhaps honor the Queen with a playing from across the pond of "American Taliban" heh heh Hey Cliff!, I think I'm going to have to bone up more on the interrelations of the Royal Family, but right now, I've been more concerned about the Roy's on "Succession".. -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
Doug, So what I think you're saying is Biden was the first of the last 4 Presidents who had the balls to defy the "deep state" and get out of Afghanistan, and then on top of it, deliberately botched the withdrawal to give Putin a false sense of confidence in order to have Putin invade Ukraine, with Biden knowing full well that Russia's military was a paper tiger that needed to be exposed and that if we just staked the Ukraine military with our short range weapons there was a good chance Biden could bring Putin to his knees politically and a chance of forcing him from office? So in essence, Biden defies the "deep state" , and leaves them griping about the getting out of Afghanistan and the withdrawl. Then rubs their noses in it when we at least severely weaken Putin on the global scene? Whoa!, and they talk about Trump's ability to play 3-d chess???? Look out Joe! Now we have to worry about Putin in desperacy using nuclear weapons in a vain attempt to hold on to power! Right Ben? heh heh! -
You should read what I asked more carefully. Kirk: But you don't think JFK's foreign policy (including Vietnam) was really a departure from the established MIC direction. Why was JFK assassinated? I included Vietnam as an afterthought. But it was you who took the Vietnam part and made it 90% of your post. But what you are saying is yes, it was very largely JFK's foreign policy, and I agree with a number of your points. Actually I first suspected some of those points long before i ever entertained the idea it was because of a JFK desire to pull out of Vietnam. But let's review your list. It's not clear from what I've read. What do you think of JFK's handling of the BOP? I I'm not clear what you think of how JFK handled this as well. Without trying to sound pejorative, You've seemed pretty firmly in the Allen Dulles camp on this point. That's not clear either. Was JFK right to fire Dulles and Lenmitzer? As I said, just by the pure volume of your observations here, and the volume of what you posted earlier. You do think that could have been a significant motive, and you're clearly not in the Kennedy camp. Would it be fair to say, that you share a considerable number of the complaints about JFK as the plotters? This isn't a trick question. Of course, you could, and still be repulsed by the idea of assassinating the Chief Executive.
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The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
In your first post, Joe. I'm not sure where we disagreed. I think you've pointed to a number of good examples of what I'm talking about. Here I think you've asked the critical questions. What is the alternative? Since I try to be a solution oriented person which granted doesn't work very well sometimes in a conspiracy forum. My answer to that, is that you have to reignite the American industrial base and produce American goods for Americans and protect those industries, because the prices will be higher because we're going to pay our workers a wage they can live on. Some economists who aren't necessarily globalists may say that the specifics you noted about apparel and the garment industry might not be such an industry because the margins are so low. But I once bought a Chinese made hydraulic jack in Costco, that I didn't need for a year only to find that when I first used it, it was a lemon and I couldn't take it back! Those are items that could easily be produced at a much higher quality here. Joe:What is the alternative? Thrift stores? Dollar stores? Goodwill and Salvation army stores? Actually I do go to thrift stores, mostly for clothes, because I don't need any of the latest styles, and there's maybe 3 occasions a year to dress up at all, and I pretty much got those covered already. But it's true, I'm not a typical consumer. And because I don't see any point in paying more money for everyday items, occasionally I go to dollar stores too, Though there are certainly problems with that for local retailers, and you are still buying dirt cheap foreign goods, but you aren't contributing as much to the problem because they are such small ticket items. -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
Well, this needs to be updated. The President, in his official capacity and not as campaign rhetoric, has said the MAGA Republicans are greatest threat to US democracy. Even with Mr. Buffalo Horns in prison. The people swilling the Donkey-piss kool-aid agree. The CCP is not a threat to American democracy, but we tend to agree oi this issue. But the real issue is with the American people, who have been spoiled on cheap Chinese goods, and particularly now with this inflation, think it's one of their few entitlements left. They have to be convinced that paying a little bit more and buying American goods are in everybody's long term interest. Trump was never going to tell people that. He was trying to convince everybody that, with a wave of his wand, he could change the economy into prosperity with no one having to make any sacrifices at all. He saw his election chances tied to the performance of the economy, so he was like a deer in the headlights, and was flat footed when the covid pandemic came around. His single biggest historical achievement is alerting people to the economic danger of China, but they ended up fleecing Trump and didn't hold up their bargain. I showed you the numbers on that in a previous article. I'm glad you mentioned Kushner and Saudi Arabia. That was in the David Johnston Salon article that Joe posted,that I suggest you read, and you can also check into Ivanka's fast track with Xi and the CCP for her apparel company. None of these things have no strings attached. Similarly, Josh Bolton also released in his book, that Trump was quite willing to compromise his "get tough on China" policy when he asked asked Xi for favors to investigate his political rival Biden, exactly as he had done with Zelensky. I'll never understand why he wasn't subpoenaed in the first Trump impeachment, because he would have had to reveal that very relevant information, but maybe he was granted a pass because they didn't want to p spoil it for Bolton's upcoming book? It was ultimately useless for a multi nationalist globalist like Trump who has no other real interest than self interest to effectively execute such a policy. Though I'm sure you'll keep believing it. But it was important for Trump to bring it up and i think 10 years from now, people will recognize it as the single most important issue that Trump raised. Otherwise we can just hope what happened in 1he 80's to Japan,(who were on a much lesser scale, were going to economically take over the world, if you remember), happens to China. -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
These 97 Members of Congress Reported Trades in Companies Influenced by Their Committees Pelosi and the Dems are now trying to pass a bill outlawing trading in stocks that Congressional members have committees in. In this article Kate Kelly exposes 97 members of Congress that "have the appearance" of conflict of interest. Interestingly it's pretty much right down the middle in Democrat to Republican with a slight edge.49-47 to the Democrats, who also have a slight edge in Congress. Both Pelosi and Mitch Mac Connell have appearances, but apparently not Schumer. Notable Republicans:Rand Paul, Adam Kinzinger, Thomas Massie, Mo Brooks, Dan Crenshaw, James Imhoffe Notable Democrats:Diane Feinstein, Zoe Lofgren, Tammy Duckworth, Ro Khanna, John Hickenlooper, Mark Warner https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/09/13/us/politics/congress-members-stock-trading-list.html?searchResultPosition=1 -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
This is how seriously you can take Ben. This is the group that Ben has said over and over again that he has hopes to take over the Republican Party. My guess is Ben can tell you the names of about 4 of these faces. And that's how seriously you can take what Ben says. Trai-tors for sale or rent! -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
"Born every minute" P.T. -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
Like a tyrant out of power hasn't ever tried to force his subjects to pick between him and the present government? And Ben just knee jerk swallows it and becomes his disciple and proclaims to everyone here his allegiance to Trump over the government, and he actually thinks he's an original for thinking that? How much more willing an attitude could a slave have? " Sucker born every minute" P.T. Barnum *Reprise due to Ben's repetitive posting on another thread. -
Oh, so now not sensible, but preferable Ben? Like a tyrant out of power hasn't ever tried to force his subjects to pick between him and the present government? And Ben just knee jerk swallows it and becomes his disciple and proclaims to everyone here his allegiance to Trump over the government, and he actually thinks he's an original for thinking that? How much more willing an attitude could a slave have? "There's a sucker born every minute" P.T. Barnum
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The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
Ben Ben Binary Ben: You fit the Trump denial profile to a tee, continually talking about how repulsed you are by Trump and yet you'd slavishly grant him the powers of a dictator. Plato said the problem with Democracy is that the everyday person would eventually become so overwhelmed with the existential choices in his life, he'd eventually give up his freedom to a tyrant, and that Democracy would eventually cyclically lead to despots. There's a sucker born every minute. P.T. Barnum -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
And yet you would actually accept Trump, of all people as the sole arbiter of who determines classified documents? Case closed! Bad judgment, No grown up table for Ben! But we have set up a nice card table, so he can listen! Ben voted in High School least likely to tend to his Father's candy store! -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
Yes Ben, I know you have the foreign posting record on this thread and you're going for the all time record, but you must be more prepared than to ask such a question at the grown up table. Research isn't always easy! Let W's clues inspire you! Meanwhile, we'll just keep exploding those false equivalency question myths! Maybe a more fitting role at this stage of his career for Tom Hanks, rather than the Colonel, would be Justice Roberts! heh heh -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
The present legitimacy of the Supreme Court. These are among the issues that everyone including, we'll say that those that "minimize the damage of Trump"( since they'll never admit to voting for him) have to become more conversant with if they want a seat at the grown up table. They have to do much better research than her. -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
Great stuff Miles! a lot to unpack. I'll deal with a chunk of it. Miles:and this forum's misguided hatred of Trump. In what way misguided? There's a variety of reactions to Trump here. Some of it is, heavy moral condemnation emphasizing Trump as a vile, evil person. I thought I'd try to dispassionately tell you the political issues we have about the Trump Presidency. The people here who tend to minimize the danger of Trump are pitifully weak on issues and any real sort of political philosophy. Whatever philosophy you're projecting on Trump, he is effectively a Mitch Mac Connell Republican in a time, that some neophytes will tell you that the 2 parties are the same. I notice even you seem on the surface to be saying this, Miles:and the true differences between Democrats and Republicans are usually limited to minor differences in domestic issues That's true, but it has little real meaning because most people don't vote in their interests. Whatever the guy in the street says. To keep on "substantive issues" I've probably spent a bit longer watching this than you have and I can tell you it's a fact that there's no greater difference between the 2 parties as there is now, The 2 parties have polarized to the extent that that one wants to shrink the size of government and bring the social safety net to a size comparable to the 50's while the other has been polarized to project that government can solve many ills of society. If you don't realize this, you're not living in the present political reality , and continually harping on how the 2 parties foreign policies have melded together is a real problem, but unfortunately it's not going to be solved soon. And you have to have some form of priorities. That comes with some sense of organization. Another sense that those who minimize the danger of Trump don't have. And despite all the whinin' and the cryin' and the shootin' and the dyin' in Ukraine.The real issues right now are domestic. Sure that could possibly change on a dime. So are we going to wait out being partisan at all concerning the 2 parties, because some intellectually lazy people have been saying for 50 years that the 2 parties are exactly the same, and are not even present enough to see what's currently going on? And are we going to "reserve" judgment about Trump, (despite the fact that he's so careless and inept he doesn't even bother to hide his tracks), because he's being investigated by the law. Oh! not the law, but the "Deep State?" My guess is that people who hold those views are so muddled, they've probably never taken any real concrete action about anything. Much less hold to a topic, but I guess that's just me. Miles:The once feared FBI, CIA, and federal government have now been successfully propagandized as the "good guys", to such an extent never before seen in history that no major political party deigns to question their authority or allegiance. Unfortunately, all this is happening concurrently with the Trump investigations, and there's a lot of dualistic or binary thinking. Either people believe in Trump, some are slavishly devoted, but some are forgiving of his foibles as , "that's just who he is" or "he's like a innocent young boy, but I love his policies!". And then on the other hand you have the criminal justice system or as some here on this conspiracy forum call "the Deep State". Like there's nothing in between? I like your first post about your concern of our future rights eroding. But being able to reconcile that the criminals be prosecuted, no matter who they are is about as easy for me to process as LBJ's being able to walk and chew gum at the same time. The issues you've raised about future rights and technology are very real. And it's true to say that the nature of government is to fill into gaps of human rights. Government is ever more intrusive, mostly because technology is a runaway train. In Europe the tech companies don't have near the power they have in the U.S. In my personal experience, I just felt in the mid 90's, with the advent of the internet, a huge group of the younger generation just gave up their rights overnight it seemed. At first I was alarmed, then I was leery, but sure enough. I just ended up following suit! As regard to what W. has said. I am a boomer, I can't think of a more unsettling time then when I grew up, lots of protests, demonstrations about Civil Rights and an ongoing war, drugs, and resultant crime. With each succeeding generation I was hoping they'd rebel like we rebelled, but my expectation grew less over generations and now it never happened and it's been 50 years. I look at the succeeding generations including my own kids and my observation is that it's actually gotten tamer. Which don't get me wrong is a good thing. Of course I lived in a middle class strata and have been fortunate that some things haven't completely degenerated as they have with others. Which is not to say, there aren't severe economic problems facing the younger generations. And their seeming complacency could also turn on a dime, but it seems their direction is also muddled and part of it could be explaining what they don't understand about their current problems in term of omnipotent conspiracies. The concern for free speech rights is very healthy, but I do often wonder, has there really been a great issue for the succeeding generations of government harassment? You might mention a sort of self imposed censorship on University campuses. But have you ever been on a FBI list? Were you ever really experiencing drug laws at their most Draconian? or discrimination or jail simply for the way you look? Anybody can pretty much look whatever way they want now. Ok, to a great extent. Have you ever even been audited with your taxes? What kind of government overreach can you claim? I think a lot of it, is people completely off the radar crying wolf! Frankly sometimes on this forum I wonder if it's a call for recognition or prominence. But the real issue regarding the technocracy intruding on our lives is that is the public is just not aware and nobody has articulated a policy that anyone can truly understand. But to paint it with a big deep state brush is not correct either. Do you know the IRS works with a 40 year old computer systems? I'd be for completely modernizing and streamlining them, simplify the tax code a bit and go after the mega wealthy tax cheats. Does that make me a "Deep Statesman?" heh heh Re Trump:, I think criminals have to prosecuted. I think Trump's been treated with kid gloves about everything including the scope of every previous investigation and the ongoing investigations. Forgive me if I don't follow the forum suit and shake in my boots at the mere mention of the "Deep State". I think in this case, they can just as often be splintered and pretty inept. But right now I have to be content that justice is a long process and I'm going have to wait and see. Still in 2 months, if Trump's candidates fail, and the Democrats even keep the Senate the Republicans could just dump Trump and his only recourse would be (if he's around of course) in 2024 to run for President under his third party, which could only benefit the Democrats. So there's a lot happening that could change the equation. ****** -
Oswald, Depository to Rooming House
Kirk Gallaway replied to Bill Brown's topic in JFK Assassination Debate
Well put Jean Paul! I've often wondered this. LNers would say everything Oswald did was poorly planned that day. i also tend to agree that something lead Oswald to think he was being set up. But what was that?. It reminds me of a mystery quiz I heard many years ago. A husband gets up in the morning to go to work leaving his wife sleeping in bed. At some point on the way to work, the husband turns around and goes back home, finding his wife in bed with another man, and shoots both of them! What lead to the husband turning around to go back home? You can only ask questions that can be answered with a "yes" or a "no". My intention is not to sidetrack this thread with this, so i won't. Though this does involve similar sleuthing skills. And it's kind of ingenious, So I'm not going to spoil it by revealing it, unless others want to make another thread of it. If anybody has heard this, and knows the answer to this. Please don't spoil it. -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
I love exploding false equivalency myths. https://external-preview.redd.it/cnUFaTBAl2C0Zqf9EqPgXrSgLC8rEBSZxarrGbbMzoI.png?width=640&crop=smart&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4720b4bcf67920f95ac7ba4fc00ab9e42c993281 -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
Hi Miles, Miles to Ben: Is your point about Cohen that, as an old-school Republican, he should have been ideologically opposed to working with China? (Anti-communism, pro-Taiwan, etc.) Good question! but I'm not sure Ben even knows Cohen's a Republican, just a member of the Clinton "donk" globalists. Miles:but his presidency was essentially a thorn in the paw for neoliberal global capitalists. I don't think he was some kind of revolutionary anti-establishment renegade like some claim, but some of his attitudes, particularly his condemnation of NATO, were untenable for the party elites. I agree there was a lot of concern about Nato, but you're kind of barking up the wrong tree, talking to Ben about this. Ben is the foremost forum NATO hawk, getting up on his soapbox and repeatedly demanding that Biden establish a NFZ at the very beginning of the Russia Ukraine war. :Miles"For example, admitting openly that Syria was about the oil, something the Bush administration would have never dared admit about Iraq. So he was ostracized.) Actually though Trump said that, Syria in fact doesn't have much oil! He was lambasted more for being inaccurate!. But many people have been talking for years about cutting the ties with the brutal corrupt Saudis, for example. That's nothing new. Bush was hardly going to make that point because his family was in bed with Saudi oil. But I take your point.Some of Trumps stuff was novel, anti establishment and funny! But the reality of Trump was all of his major accomplishments are because of one person, Mitch Mac Connell. His tax cuts to the wealthy, his Supreme Court judges appointments, and their Citizen's United ruling, and now anti abortion ruling,and he almost came within one vote of dissolving the ACA. Which history has now proved would have been a great mistake.As many have signed on , and it's a popular program. He really didn't accomplish much, he polarized the country and turned off a lot a people and not just the neo liberal globalists. His appeal was a lot just telling his followers what they wanted they hear, that is by bloviating about culture war issues, but not delivering anything of real substance to them. -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
Whew! you probably shouldn't be getting our hopes up Doug of a DOJ overrun, though nothing would give me more pleasure than to stuff this Trumpie "apprentice" judge. Seems like Garland can always wait as can the Georgia prosecutor. Though I agree with you that they probably both know they got a strong case. How could it not be? Everything's political and now it's not fair and justice must be delayed for a potential "September surprise" in addition to an October Surprise, this despite that Trump isn't even running , but is a Republican kingmaker? -
The inevitable end result of our last 56 years
Kirk Gallaway replied to Joseph McBride's topic in Political Discussions
Trumps social media site, Trump Media and Technology, appears to be headed for bankruptcy and Digital world who is now buying Truth Social has plummeted from an opening high of 175 in October last year to now trade around 22! It's interesting to note that Devan Nunes quit his Congressional job to become CEO of Trump Media and Technology! Great job, Devan! I didn't know this. Before leaving office, in January 2021, Trump awarded Nunes the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with Jim Jordan! https://www.salon.com/2022/08/28/truth-social-is-headed-for-bankruptcy_partner/ -
I had 3 brothers who served in the Arm services. I knew one person from high school who died in Vietnam, and one of my older brother's classmates also died. But I had a number of friends and acquaintances who were in combat in Vietnam and lived to tell about it. Some were drafted, some enlisted, None of them liked it. a few later demonstrated against it. My closest friend who served in Vietnam as a Marine came back on leave, during the summer of my senior year in high school and said if "they are going to throw Calley in jail (for the massacre of civilians in My Lai,) then kill me. I've killed civilians." I mentioned the conversation over the dinner table and my Mother got very upset, and my Father turned very serious. My dad was a Republican, we lived on the SF peninsula and my dad had thrown a Republican campaign fundraiser for a Veteran Marine Republican Congressman named Paul Mc Closkey who later turned against the war and became the first Republican congressman to call for Nixon's impeachment, which my Dad was not happy about. But later came around. Michael: I think it is sad and repulsive that so many American liberals minimize or deny the brutality and terror that North Vietnam unleashed on the South Vietnamese after the war. In the 70's, i used to hear people who came back say the argument that we could have won the war but we tied our hands behind our backs. But in the last decades, I haven't heard many people come out about this like you do, but I'm sure there are many. I know you tend to couch this as a liberal/ conservative issue. But I don't think there's an overwhelming consensus of conservatives who are as repulsed as you and are as driven to asking the "what if" questions about the war that you do. But I could see that there would many be among conservative veterans, but I don't think it's really human nature for most people to want to second guess a failed 50 year old war. Do you regret that because we lost the war, we couldn't have pursued a more aggressive military foreign policy and could have freed more people from communism in the future? If so where would that be?
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What do you say to a guy, who had such titanic aspirations for complete victory in Vietnam and despite 50 years of history to learn from, still is convinced as to the possibility everything could have gone completely right, and now 50 years later seems to have massive regret? Sandy's answer to this I thought was correct. But i recall the average response to the buildup in Viet Nam was "where's Viet Nam?" Paul::Do you think there would be military victory possible anywhere in the world now? Afghanistan? Ukraine? Taiwan? This is a great question, because IMO, it doesn't seem that you've learned much in the last 50 years, Michael.. But to your general outlook that we could have made a great difference for many years to come. I do think there were more complete, lasting victories during WW2 , because as time went on, the stakes got greater, and so much was invested that the losers just had to be bombed into complete submission, and by that point the parties were so exhausted with war, they were ready to carry on with the new world. But even as early as the Korean War. It started becoming obvious complete victory was an illusion. Having lived through it, but apart from living through it, I think the Vietnam war was a terrible mistake, ending in great loss of life and displacement for generations to come.. I remember we spent a lot of time here reviewing Ken Burn's "Viet Nam" and I didn't find some of the personal reviews here that accurate and found some people sort of skewing info to their personal narrative. But I'm probably not presupposed to do much research on it,so who am I to say? Similarly in your case I'm not presupposed to spend time taking book tips to become more informed about how we could have won the Vietnam War. Because in this situation, it is just one author against another author and what your outlook is. But I commend that you do, Michael, you've obviously spent so much time on this subject. Despite it obviously being a topic of some consternation for you. If I may ask, What's your stake here? Does your family have a military background? Did you have to contend with a draft?or was this before your time? Why such interest? Thanks