… Zinni had been the “darling of the left” long before his comments on the Iraq war. It was because he was tight with Yasser Arafat and very anti-Israel, as Bush’s Mid-East envoy and as an openly anti-Israel figure during the Clinton Administration.

Given Arafat’s se-ual proclivities, it’s a disturbing image to say the least. How ‘tight’ were the two again? ;)

But, then I can’t expect you [Ed] to care much about that, since you’re also pan-Islamist Jihad Grover Norquist’s biggest cheerleader, too.

Debbie Schlussel on February 5, 2009 at 11:17 AM

Well, he wasn’t sticking up for him in 2003, unless you consider this to be an example. I also haven’t seen Ed promote him recently or cheer him on, but maybe I missed it. He interviewed the guy – and replayed it once – and I didn’t listen either time. Was that it?

Yes, so nasty to expect someone to actually know what they are talking about rather than continue to pretend–in this case on Zinni. Also, so nasty to expect that someone in a position of unfortunate influence would stop using it to promote destructive, pan-Islamist Republicans by Grover Norquist. So sad to rain on your ignorance parade. How truly nasty of me.

Debbie Schlussel on February 5, 2009 at 7:39 PM

Not only nasty but an immature Valley Girl (yeah I know you are from Michigan) who likes to throw bombs at people (nobody is as intelligent and informed as you are and it is not possible to have an honest disagreement as well with the High Priestess as to what constitutes a conservative). By the way I have seen you on TV and you do not look like that photo of you on your blog.

Hilts on February 5, 2009 at 12:30 PM

Yes, so nasty to expect someone to actually know what they are talking about rather than continue to pretend–in this case on Zinni. Also, so nasty to expect that someone in a position of unfortunate influence would stop using it to promote destructive, pan-Islamist Republicans by Grover Norquist. So sad to rain on your ignorance parade. How truly nasty of me.

I have met a brigadier general serving in iraq (medical corps)

I never say anything like the behavior this idiot showed..

A general is supposed to be focused on ohh
Say WINNING the war…
So when the president or the chief of staff of the us military
Replaced his sorry ass ..

It was because he COULDNT accomplish the task..
So he retires and in a fit of rage go out on the liberal circus and begins to bash the president
During a time of war..

Now there is a place for a proper review..
Even during the time of war..
Its called the pentagon..

So the very fact that they wanted him out shows you
that apparently he wasnt up to the task..

And thats ok (maybe he was the wrong general at the wrong place and time)…

But i swear something smells about this..
I cant put my finger on it..

I hope he learned a lesson.

Agent of the Cross on February 5, 2009 at 12:38 PM

Agent, while I never served, I am a Navy brat. I grew up in Norfolk, VA. My Dad was a 22-year veteran (1940-1962). My major was History, and I’ve studied from Alexander the Great forward. I understand political, social, and military History. Weak flag officers are a cancer, whose damage goes far beyond their retirement. That damage includes all the great men and women who leave the service due to being subordinate under such @ssholes, as you mentioned. I also include in that damage the downturn in reenlistments which then morph into a lowering of standards to make quota; this impact is worse than ever before what with our high tech military technology. The ideological damage done by these political @ssholes to the long-term mindset of military policy can be catastrophic. Couple that with Obama’s planned Civilian Thug Corps, which is far worse than just calling them Brownshirts (Brownshirts weren’t on the Government dime before Hitler became Chancellor), and you have a recipe for violent insurrection, with our military and police (the parts of Government with guns) having to take sides. At what point does an order become illegal? While I don’t like anyone having to make that decision, I fear they will have to do just that all too often. Things are looking, through my historical perspective, pretty gloomy to me right now. When the Uber Kewl Dude-in-Chief inspires no confidence in the ranks, things can go from bad to clusterf*ck in a heartbeat. Like I said, I truly feel for our military under Obama. They have serious short- and long-term choices to make. While I have the utmost respect for those who serve, I do not envy them their current situation. The Clinton White House treated the military who served and.or frequented there with utter contempt. We saw how that worked out on September 11th. Bush did a great job rebuilding our military capability. Unfortunately, Obama is going to hurl what he inherited as deeply as possible down the well, just this time cover the opening with concrete, hopefully, according to The One’s thinking, never to be seen again. I know I have too much respect for those wo died to give me what I have now to ever allow that disrespect to happen. I don’t know how I’ll do it, but I know I will not be alone when whatever needs doing gets done.

He was actually working for Obama during the primary but was forced out for anti-Israel remarks if I recall. I surprised that he hasn’t returned like some other folks thrown under the Obama express…

Agent of the Cross on February 5, 2009 at 1:05 PM

A whole bunch of Israel haters are suddenly resurfacing – Samantha Power being the most notable. Ironically, Obama was elected by a combo of Jews (I was not one of them)and Jew haters.

Regarding McPeak, I was told that there was not a single person in the military who respected him.

Hilts on February 5, 2009 at 12:54 PM

Merrill A. (Tony) McPeak was hated by just about everyone in the AF during his time as AF Chief of Staff. It was so bad that someone actually drew a mustache on his official portrait in the Pentagon – while he was the Chief of Staff. He was actually working for Obama during the primary but was forced out for anti-Israel remarks if I recall. I surprised that he hasn’t returned like some other folks thrown under the Obama express…

If we think Zinni’s bad, just wait for who Congress approves for General or Admiral rank over the next four years. It’ll be a succession of Wesley Clark types. I feel for our military, at least what’ll be left of it.

RickZ on February 5, 2009 at 10:44 AM

You are right on the money Rick. I served for 20 years in the AF and worked with 4-star generals for 14 years. There are two types of General officers, (1) the type that really care about their troops and are great people (the current CENTCOM commander) and (2) the kind that are careerist, self centered and treat everyone below them like dirt (Clark, McPeak and Zinni fit the mold). You can now look for the political generals to come to the top once again. Yes, I do believe Obama will find some “reason” to get rid of Petraeus to please George Soros and the MoveOn crowd that was so instrumental in getting him elected.
Pray for our troops.

Protocols of the Elders of Zinni

So sad, too bad. Ed, if you did more of your homework or were more educated about Islam and the Middle East, you’d know that Zinni had been the “darling of the left” long before his comments on the Iraq war. It was because he was tight with Yasser Arafat and very anti-Israel, as Bush’s Mid-East envoy and as an openly anti-Israel figure during the Clinton Administration. But, then I can’t expect you to care much about that, since you’re also pan-Islamist Jihad Grover Norquist’s biggest cheerleader, too.

Debbie Schlussel on February 5, 2009 at 11:17 AM

You are a nasty piece of work.

Just asking!

A charmer? A genial host, a more open hearted Fred Astaire?

Listen, I agree with Debbie on the majority of the issues she addresses, but I don’t get why she needs to slam Ed all the time. His town, if you don’t care for it, stick to your own.

Like I tell my 4 year old: If you don’t like it here, go somewhere else. Hey, it is just like talking to a child.

I’m just saying, bad form. That’s just not cricket.

One trick pony.

juanito on February 5, 2009 at 11:38 AM

And how would you describe Allahpundit?

Debbie Schlussel on February 5, 2009 at 11:17 AM

Ed if she’s so unhappy here, can’t she take her act someplace else. Like sticking to her own blog?

Could we suggest, “there’s the door“????

Or in other words, meanwhile, back to meeeeee!

I appreciate that she is a voice against Islamofacism, but come on! I support Israel. Nothing more to say about that. But it seems that anyone who don’t take up arms and cap a few jahadis before breakfast is anti-Israel in her estimation.

The GWOT and Islamofacism is probably the most significant battle we wage in this generation, but all she seems to bring to HotAir is belligerence.

One trick pony.

Nothing to see here. Move along, move along.