Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for October 10, 2012

Cheney has you beat by 3.

For this all vets should vote for Obama.

" Bien sûr, je suis en faveur de la guerre ! Je lutte fièrement, mais Dieu m’a appelé à la France. "

Merde !

Flip flopping not even a pancake could match.

So, Romney is playing the ugly American. Admittedly, it’s a role he plays to perfection (one of eight, after all)…

2nd deferment?! wow

I enlisted, before finding out all the facts about ’Nam, just like those who ignored all the facts before “W” started his two wars, and vowed never to do so again. Which was why, like many, many, others, knew we were being conned again, and poorly.

Which, btw, we were in ‘Nam for the resources, and the frogs, which made Mitt’s “war duty” in Paris even more ironic??

Actually, a representative from CTW has asked that people quit bringing Big Bird into the PBS funding dispute.[]Sesame street makes so much money from licenses and corporate donations that it’s self-sustaining even without federal money.[]http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2012/10/04/romney_big_bird_sesame_street_s_sherri_westin_says_pbs_cuts_wouldn_t_kill_big_bird_.html

“Well, you French should know it’s criminal – we inherited the conflict from you, after all. Oh, by the way – how did that Algerian thing turn out?”

When you have an incompetent in office with a poor record, run things from over 4 decades back to distract from the favored one’s inadequacies.

“We of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations who participated in the decisions on Vietnam acted according to what we thought were the principles and traditions of this nation. We made our decisions in light of those values. Yet we were wrong, terribly wrong. We owe it to future generations to explain why.” Robert McNamara

“Mr. McNamara must not escape the lasting moral condemnation of his countrymen,” The New York Times said in a widely discussed editorial, written by the page’s editor at the time (1995), Howell Raines. “Surely he must in every quiet and prosperous moment hear the ceaseless whispers of those poor boys in the infantry, dying in the tall grass, platoon by platoon, for no purpose. What he took from them cannot be repaid by prime-time apology and stale tears, three decades late.”

wwhaatT??? questioning Americans patriotism.!!! gosh i thought i heard that in the 60’s. talk about a time warp! full circle back to idiot America.

well. at least the BS works to get some to defend the killing of innocents. at least somethings never change. ah Obama, Rmoney and screwing the poor.

G.T. sure has Mitt’s flipiness down to pat..So which side are you on Mitt?Oh, agreeing with the last statement.

“mittney, the draft dodging ugly American giving the USA a bad name.”

Clark Kent seems to be referring to Lederer’s/Burdick’s ‘58 book “The Ugly American”, a lot of people don’t realize the ugly American was the good American. I remember my parents discussing that book, along with Ayn Rand when we move to Vietnam in ’59. There was still a lot of French business interest in Dalat then, coffee, tea plantations.

Flip Flopney

Like most politicians, Mitt tells people what he thinks they want to hear. That seems to be the main point of the strip. Mitt reminds me of Zell Miller, who used to be the governor of my state, Georgia. Zell was a loyal Democrat who gave the keynote address at the 1992 Democratic convention. He supported Clinton for president twice, but as soon as Georgia got a Republican majority, Zell had an epiphany, and he denounced the Democrats and supported George W. over Kerry. Zell’s nickname was Zig Zag Zell. Zell earned his nickname.

Mitt not only used deferments to avoid serving in Vietnam, he actively protested against those who protested against the immorality of the Vietnam War. Nice that the rich boy had many options not available to those not born with a silver spoon, but he disdained those who realized the war was wrong.

One month to go until election. Time to bring out the attacks that resonate with a large portion of Americans. Too bad the joke is on us, Obama sucks just as much as Romney.

According to Snopes, Romney got four deferments total, so he must have gotten the other two after he saw Paris. He has apparently also lied about them, something they have in common with everything else on earth.

Speculating on an earlier question, if he got elected, his icon might be an Etch-a-Sketch, though the manufacturer of the toy could object to the depiction.

Wow! Thanks for sharing that.

The Viet Nam conflict was “a poor man’s war”. As, so few people volunteered to enlist in the armed forces, conscription became the rule of the day. Originally, anyone with a little money and/or connections could avoid conscription through deferments (usually by enrolling in college). As a result a lottery system was created (December 1969) and the vast majority, but not all deferments were eliminated. Any parent or individual for that matter, would have been crazy not to assist their sons in avoiding conscription. My family was not so fortunate…my brother and I both served…had tours in Viet Nam and we have Purple Hearts to show for it. If I could have avoided service I would have and I would do ANYTHING to keep my own sons from a similar fate. So, Romney didn’t serve…nor did Clinton and Bush went to National Guard…so what. I don’t see any military service on Obama’s resume or, Mr. Trudeau’s for that matter. So, what is the basis of his criticism of Romney? The armed forces would have gladly accepted the enlistments of these well educated men.

Actually, even the UN itself had to admit that Saddam had WMDs.[]http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2007/08/nerve-gas-scare/[]In the 1990s, the UN found samples of phosgene in Iraqi hands. The samples were confiscated and sent to a UN lab in America… where they were promptly “lost” by the staffers, only turning up in 2007 when a janitor found them while helping to box the lab up for relocation. []So for a full decade, anyone who worked in the lab could have been exposed to phosgene. Yeah.[]The fact that the vials didn’t re-appear until well after the whole furor over Iraq died down caused more than a few conspiracy theories back in the day.[]Couple this with the fact that the insurgents used at least one mustard gas shell against our guys, and that says “Saddam did indeed still have something somewhere”.

The little ones will always enjoy Sesame Street as long as it is on the air. They (sesame street) sell a lot of merchandise, but this may not be quite the same as having a publicly accessed educational show on PBS. If the PBS Sesame Street goes, having that Sesame Street toy or tshirt will not take its place.

“Your war”? wasn’t it ’Their war at one time?

Wasn’t that incroyable? If you ever wondered about how broadway entertainers feel about the prez, I guess you got your answer. At least in terms of that group… It is important to realize that they don’t speak for the Democratic Party, they did this on their own… Of course, I hear there are some Democrats in Hollywood too.

So, Sarge, what’s your take on the first US birther controversy? Was Chester Arthur a legitimate president? His father was a British subject, and some people claim that Chet was born in Canada, although he claimed to be born in Vermont. There was a lot of hoo-hawing back then about his lying about his age, fraudulent birth records, and blah, blah, blah.

Bob says, "you forgot to put his name tag on his coat.

oh come on, “your war”, America was cleaning up after France in Vietnam. Trudeau you should know better.

Well then, let’s get Big Bird off the government dole and make him/herpull their own weight.

@susan newmanDon’t worry. Big Bird can always migrate to the Southern Hemisphere.

This was 1968, so I suspect that he was a Vichy supporter during World War II, and after the war, he claimed to be a secret member of the Resistance. Sprechen sie deutsche, collaborateur?

Phosgene doesn’t deteriorate if stored properly, so those vials were still potent the entire time. []Phosgene gas exposure might not have the glitz of a mushroom cloud, but an NBC threat (nuclear, biological, chemical) is still an NBC threat.

Interesting…imminent threat to who? He attacked Iran, he invaded Kuwait, He mass murdered the souther Shiite, he gassed the Kurds in northern Iraq. He killed indiscriminately, and he had two certifiable sons in line for this “throne”.

The federal government spends about $450 million on PBS annually. Which comes to about what the Pentagon spends in six hours! I think we can afford that. Of course, if Romney is elected, it will be what the Pentagon spends in three hours.

If Chet wasn’t a legitimate president, then the constitution is already dead. Too late now to do anything about it. Might as well save your breath to cool your porridge.

Had to flag SlightlySlow. Sorry ’bout that.

“… do kids actually watch Sesame Street anymore?”πI think Sesame Street’s ratings remain absolutely HUGE.

That was also a little before my time, but I still know about the controversy. I assumed that a constitutional scholar would know all about the case and have an opinion. Yeah, the instructors told me all about “assume” in Navy boot camp. Sometimes I forget.

“A Frenchman criticizing a war effort. What a laff.”πOne may rightly assume this particular Frenchman was as OPPOSED to French involvement in Vietnam as an American can be OPPOSED to American involvement in Vietnam. You have no point.

A little over 76 years ago

I’ve gone back up and flagged all of OleEd’s posts and all of GuardSgt’s. For now, troll rightisright, gets a pass. As does maybe-troll SlightlySlow.

My dear friend, don’t excise yourself trying to debate with trolls and single-minded simpletons. These people don’t want debate – debate calls for interactive dialogue and listening. These people merely listen to the sound of their own voices. No well reasoned argument will be heard and understood nor appreciated.All you wind up doing is descending to their level. Totally uncool !

The Mittster was a hawk on Vietnam while sitting out the war on his religious deferment. Where’s the lie?

I’ll be glad when this election is over… and get out of the biased comics and comments.

So exactly, what military unit did Obummer serve in?

I love masked comments that may be racially motivated, because they are usually — though not always — so easy to refute.

I have never seen a young Mormon missionary wearing a suit – white shirt and tie yes.

Darren: under pressure from "the right’ to reduce spending, some idiot on White House staff floated the idea of vets paying more copays, NO “service connected” (there was a screwup as nobody in the press knew “the language” of VA and military) would have been affected, and all kinds of organizations came unglued. The proposal was shot down right away by Obama, and others. They also pointed out the idea was stupid.

I’m 100% disabled vet, and my son is also a disabled vet after 13 years service, he’s on disability retirement. “Old hats” at the Pentagon are STILL screwing over our returning service men and women, but VA is being very supportive. Obama has done far more than “W” ever did for our wounded veterans, that’s personal experience, as well as the experience of many friends, mine, and my son’s.

Now, as to Mitt’s draft dodging, yes he did. Obama was far too young to face the draft, and did years of public service, yes, to the public, not just the church, and their IS a difference.

As I’ve noted, at one time I found Mitt “acceptable” as a human being, like his father, but new revelations, and his own statements, policies, and “perspectives”, for ME, make him totally unacceptable as “Commander in Chief”, or in control of our nation’s resources, natural, or human, period.

I find the French being opposed to the Vietnam War more than a bit hypocritical. After all the mess was created by them when ith was known as French Indochina.

Is the right wing composed of nothing but ill-mannered, foul-mouthed bigots? I once relished the move from comics.com, because gocomics seemed to have none of “conservative” (seriously, way to undermine any real contribution by the right to the body politic) trolls that plagued comics.com. Already today, I have flagged two and some, like Guard SGT skirt a very fine line of uncivility. You all do your party no favors.

Romney is the hypocrite since he supported the war, but did not fight. Obama was too young to go to Vietnam. Trudeau did not attack Romney’s religion unless you think that he is attacking it by showing the fact that Romney went to France to do missionary work is an attack— it is simply a recount of what took place.

Definition of liberalism: A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.

Some folks seem woefully ignorant about liberalism. To learn more about liberalism, google JFK and his definition. JFK had a lot to say about liberalism.

I never said that JFK was perfect in terms of his personal life. I suppose you may cast the first stone?

And the problem is?ok, snoozeville, bored with topic.

back in a week

I’m not worried about SS, I’m worried about programs like Super Why, Word World, and Sid the Science Kid..The only cartoons my children have ever watched are on PBS. My daughter just started Kindergarden and is reading at a 2nd grade level. She can also add and subtract double digits. My 36 month old can write his own name and spell small short words like cat and pig.

But BRIAN WILSON IS GOD!!!!!!! I’ve been listening to Pet Sounds again, too, Duke.

I’d guess you have LOTS of dull days, child.

Is Obama a service vet? I think not…

Wait, someone actually watches ?I thought it was just out there to annoy the cons.

Ah, the racists are coming out as it looks more and more like their apostate choice will lose.

Guard duck, don’t you belong in Pearls before swine? Sorry, I’m casting pearls.

Served four years. How long have you served?

Money goes to PBS. they buy the shows. HELP fund SS. You MUST be familiar wiht the SS.

Show me the record of his enlistment. I demand it!!! Publish on the net. You’ve made the claim.Prove he served!!! : )

Oh, one has nothing to do with the other, but that would require a moment’s thought to realize.

You’re correct. You do have the right to mindlessly repeat the lies of the wrong wing. Sorry if you feel slighted.

You really need some help. Use the vet benefits we pay for and get it. Oh, sorry, since you don’t believe in government help, I guess you’ll pay on your own.

Funny, you can write that. You can vote. You can drive a car, if you [prove you are able. You have your own cash and can spend it any way you want. When you can explain to me how that is total government control, I will listen to you. Otherwise, you’re just an old f##t Ed.

Fun Fact: Artie Johnson wore a Nazi helmet to say that, too, eddie.

Instead of using the word criminal, our French Friend should say, “it’s a mistake.” Who knows, he maybe one of the few survivors of Dien Bien Phu. Believe it or not, the French fought bravely at DBP but not wisely. They were outnumbered by the Viet Minh by 5-3 margin. The French were hoping for air support from the US. By the time Eisenhower came into office, the US taxpayer was footing 75% to 80% of the bill for the French in Vietnam. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Matthew Ridgway, sent a report to Eisenhower in 1953 opposing further US involvement in Vietnam. Ridgway estimated that 500,000 US troops would be needed if the US became further involved in Vietnam. Following Ridgway’s advice, Eisenhower did not send air support.

Yeah, Fox folks do tend to share one brain and pass it around for convenience.

Holy Smokes! I thought Gina Rinehart was the Meanest Bitches* in the World, but that has to be David Segal. Romney should have make him his running mate, or at least spokesman. There’s got to be a place in a Romney admin for Hollingsworth Hound.

* Apologies to DT, just couldn’t resist stealing and abusing his “bitches word”.

Boy, when you guys lie, you lie all the way. More likely the Agent Orange got YOU, eddie.

Don’t forget forget Stalin and Joe McCarthy as users of the Big Lie as well, Red.

No, the believe a member of the Armed forces who calls his legally elected President all the things Traitor Sgt has is guilty of treason. That would be an appropriate topic to discuss, instead of repeating the lie. And you need as much help as he does. oh, if you take Social Security and call him a socialist, you are as much a hypocrite as the Surge, eddie.

No. He has a strong anti religious bias. Like you have a strong anti black one. I see you remain with the same hate name.

I am a bit disappointed, since this influx of trolling is rather recent and, at the time of the move, the discourse on this site was quite refreshingly civil.

As for “liv[ing] with it” I am personally not in the least discomfited by fools. Rather, I mourn for hearts darkened by fear and selfishness, and minds deluded by blind allegiance to “god” and “country”. And all the while they steal the future of humans as creatures of merit and promise.

Very funny! Reminds me of the strips Trudeau did mocking President Obama and his religious affiliations. (pause) Oh wait! Trudeau never did those strips did he? Trudeau is a slanted, biased hack on par with the mental midget mouthpiece Matthews. Perhaps Trudeau’s leg was a’twitchin so badly when President Obama was campaigning last time around that he just couldn’t get the good stuff on paper?

PS leftwing, don’t forget to tell everyone about James McGovern, Earthquake McGoon

“… I find the French being opposed to the Vietnam War more than a bit hypocritical.”πOne Frenchman, one vote, not two, not millions. You overstate your case to the point of being ridiculous, Joe.

FYI for anyone who really wants to research fully, our involvement in backing the Diem government in South Vietnam came AFTER Ho Chi Minh, who’d been our ally during WWII, shortly after DBP, begged the U.S. to back him against the corrupt government of the South. Thanks to John Foster Dulles ( Head of the State Dept. ) and his brother Allen Welsh Dulles ( Head of the CIA ) , Eisenhower was dissuaded from backing the North because of the belief there was oil in the Gulf of Tonkin. Instead we backed Dragon Lady ( anyone remember Terry and the Pirates ? ) and her husband,Ngo Dinh Diem . Old Ho, the reluctantly sought aid from the Chinese. BTW,Ho Chi Minh was never a communist, himself.

" … The Anointed One ….." πWell, why don’t you just come out of your closet and admit it openly, Massa Put-You-All-Back-in-Chains"? You just can’t stomach the thought of a BLACK MAN in the Oval Office, can you? Unless, of course, he’s shining the shoes of a WHITE President. And in chains, of course, of course.

Garry Trudeau—smug, narcissistic a-hole whose success as a comic strip (COMIC STRIP) hack has made him think that he is competent to pontificate on political and social issues. By the way, in which service did Garry serve? Answer: None. Of course, Garry will skewer Obama next, right? He will point out that Obama did not grow up in the continental US, that he spent many of his formative boyhood years in a muslim household in Indonesia, that he probably is a complete product of affirmative action, etc. etc. If Garry does not, he is a naive, arrogant jacka**.

And your third flip-flop in 4 panels.

Correct me if I’m wrong . . . but my understanding of the situation is that:Post-WWII . . . the American army had demobilized and was back living in 1950s ‘Happy Days’. The US government seriously needed Western Europe to stand up against the 100+ Soviet divisions poised in Eastern Europe. Germany was a moonscape. Britain was dead-broke. There was only France to provide the core of the new alliance – NATO. But DeGaulle’s condition was . . . we’ll help defend Western Europe . . . if you help us keep our colonial ‘empire’ . . .

Correct me if I’m wrong . . . but my understanding of the ultimate cause of Vietnam was that:Post-WWII . . . the American army had demobilized and was back living in 1950s ‘Happy Days’. The US government seriously needed Western Europe to stand up against the 100+ Soviet divisions poised in Eastern Europe. Germany was a moonscape. Britain was dead-broke. There was only France to provide the core of the new alliance – NATO. But DeGaulle’s condition was . . . we’ll help defend Western Europe . . . if you help us keep our colonial ‘empire’ . . .

DNFTT

DNFTT

I still say an empty suit would work perfectly.

The President blindsided me with his reference to his debate with Romney. He admitted he had “a bad day” and likened his performance to losing a game at sports, when it was more like losing a game in the World Series or the Superbowl. He’s just gotta come to grips with reality and absolutely kick Romney’s asterisk this next time round. If he doesn’t, he’s liable to lose the election. Remember, we’re dealing with a tiny percentage of the American voter: those who don’t pay attention for four years, then decide at the last minute on the basis of trivia. It’s sad.

I’m sorry, there’s just no reason to argue with the trolls; even if you insult them, they love it: “Hey, somebody knows I’m alive!”.Flagging obviously does no good. Just note the name & move on past without reading. Works for me.

Susan Newman “If “Mutt” Romney is elected, there won’t BE a Big Bird!!!”

But there will be a big chicken!

DT it is a good thing that young children can add and subtract negative numbers – with the way the US is going that is all that will be left – until foreigners take our resources (the ones that the EPA and others will not allow us to touch)

We have certain resources that are important for our stability. We must make these into non exportable (in raw form) materials.

Nothing like the Frenchman calling Vietnam War criminal considering that Vietnam was originally a French colony and they were fighting a war in it before the Americans.

USMC ’68 – ’70. It seems like the ones who are all gung ho about the good ole US of A going to war are the ones who never have to do the fighting. The instant you get splattered with the brains of a fellow Marine you undergo a paradigm shift in your world view. I invite all the enthusiasts to experience it.