Newt Gingrich: Pompous Prick Reinvents Himself as a Visionary
Have you ever heard Newt Gingrich speak in person? Most of the information has been gleaned from other sources and assembled with the care of a college professor giving a lecture, which is what he used to do. I didn't sense anything original from the guy - just a carefully crafted set of data he read somewhere, that was designed to impress and even inspire the audience. At the end, I found myself wondering if that was his true strength as a right wing intellectual. Of course, Newt sees himself as much more - he's in the vision business. He's not a mediocre college professor giving us a lecture. No, while the rest of us are mucking about in the present, Newt is already on to tomorrow. Newt is a politician no more - now he's a soothsayer. That's why his site is called, "Winning the Future". Meanwhile, what he really is - and what he will always be - is a prick. That's what drove his political career. That was his strength - not this vision stuff. To me he seemed like a mean, immature guy who existed on the ability to convince his followers that he was smart - without really bringing much to the table. Now that his bloated bully act has worn out, and the Contract for America stuff is fading in light of the horrendous job his party is doing running Congress, Newt has tried to reinvent himself from prick to prophet. I mean winning the future? It has that pseudo-heavy sound of so many of his points. But the thing about the future is you never really get there. And neither does Newt. This weekend he trotted out his new pet theory that we are in World War 3. This amused me because once again he has taken an idea and presented it as if he has a grip that the rest of us don't have - as if he can see ahead and grasp what we will only understand later. Meanwhile, President Bush made the exact same comment about the War on Terrorism as World War 3, weeks ago. When you're taking ideas from President Bush it's time to dust off the old crystal ball. Newt has a good rap - he can bring it with the talking points but he is essentially a mean phony loser. And don't get me started on the family values angle. So I was amused to hear Newt flaming this weekend with his self-important "Winning the Future", college professor jive. I was even more amused just now when I read that former CIA Director James Woolsley said this is actually World War 4. So Newt's borrowed vision lasted all of one day. Do I hear World War 5 anyone?
posted by Bill McDonald @ 11:09 PM
20 comments
20 Comments:
The neo-cons are happy when there is a war to waged, so storing up extra wars (4 and 5) would be a good business move for them.
I'm not sure though if Newt is a neo-con. The real ones (Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, etc.) are pretty smart, and Newt is neither smart or original, as you note. Neither is young Bush, but he's a pupput, not a player.
Or puppet -- the toy with strings.
Hmmmm.....funny how the one thing each of you avoid when it comes to Newt Gingrich is "results". I wonder what Bill Clinton, Dick Gephardt, and David Wilhelm would answer to the question "Was Newt Gingrich a (A) Leader; or (B) Puppet?
But I'm sure a couple of smart guys like Bill and laurelhurstdad have probably lead numerous revolutions or movements of political upheaval and are more than capable of judging the leadership and intelligence of a simplistic "puppet" like Newt Gingrich ;)
The same blustery tone that's calling this World War 3, is behind the talk of Newt's revolution in Congress. Is that the fiscal responsibility part? I wonder what George Washington would think of Newt's revolution?
Newt's political style has been cited as the beginning of authoritarian rule in America, but it took an executive branch power grab to accomplish that. If Newt is so great, run him for President. Make him your candidate.
It will also take an executive branch meltdown to turn this into World War 3, and I admit that could happen, especially if George thinks Jesus wants him to push the button.
It's priceless hearing the right wing followers of this crew talking like they're great, when I think they could go down in history as the worst ever, and take America down in history with them.
I will say I don't think Newt was a puppet. For one thing, they don't make string strong enough to hold him.
Why is it "blustery tone" to suggest this is or may be World War III? It is a battle being waged on many fronts, involving many nations. Iran, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel aren't the only nations to see action in this war. If the enemy is Islamofascism, then we other nations that have brought into the fray are Britain, Spain, Bali, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Quatar, Nigeria, and the United States. And I'm sure there are others that escape my mind at the moment.
I think it funny hearing 'left wing followers of THAT crew' pontificating that 'these guys' will be the "worst ever". Sounds amazingly like what they were saying about Truman and Reagan back in the day. History has a way of separating truth from rhetoric.
One thing I liked about my parents' generation is they let their actions speak for themselves. They didn't name themselves the Greatest Generation - Tom Brokaw did. They didn't rush out excidedly saying they were in World War 2, partly because they were trying to win a mid-term election.
We will know when we are in World War 3. We won't have to debate it. The scary part is President Bush seems to want to make it happen - or at least his actions point that way. Maybe Karl Rove has determined that World War 3 will play well with the base. It seems to be working with you.
The Republican Party has done nothing but help this so-called "Islamofascism" become a bigger threat, but you'll need a better marketing slogan before you convince me. How about "World War 3: Just Do It!"
"The Republican Party has done nothing but help this so-called "Islamofascism" become a bigger threat...."
That, in a nutshell, is why liberals/Democrats lose elections based upon the 'perception' (reality?) that they are weak on security issues. Islamofascism is the threat it is, not because of any action taken by the United States or Republicans, but because of who they are and what they believe.
Your statement that it is basically 'the Republican's fault' is tantamount to blaming the Jews for the rise of Hitler because the Jew shouldn't have me themselves so repulisive to him.
Islamofascists simply believe that all infidels should be killed. They believed that when they instigated attacks against our interests during the Reagan, Carter and Clinton administrations as well as this one. Iran was seeking The Bomb long before we invaded Iraq. Iran, Syria and Lebanon were aiding and abetting Hamas and Hizbullah long before Republicans took control of Congress in 1994.
The threat developed on its own, and was continuing to do so long before we developed a sack to finally do something about it. You don't think our spinless pull-out from Mogadishu encouraged, at least in part, the attacks on the Khobar Towers, our Tanzanian and Kenyan embassies, the USS Cole, and ultimately 9/11? Osama Bin Laden stated repeatedly that Mogadishu showed him that Americans were weak and would not fight back. I think he would harbor a different opinion now, don't you?
"The threat developed on its own."
Look closer. This is an admission that you don't know your Midde East history. Go back further. Try the 1950s in Iran. Follow the US treatment of the Middle East in the Cold War. It's interesting because it wasn't always about the oil. Not always.
Go back to a time when they didn't hate us, and follow what happened. Or not. It's up to you.
"The threat developed on its own" is a very uninformed statement. And while you're researching that take a look at the Godwin Law as well.
I don't blame you for not knowing this stuff. You've been denied this information for a very good reason.
Oh, I see. Islamists have only been killing infidels since the 1950's. I can see where you're coming from now. And even IF such a preposturous notion had any basis in reality, how has that been the Republican's fault? Who was controlling the US Government for the 40 years preceding 1994? I'll give you a hint: It was the guy's who aptly chose a jackass as their party's symbol.
Sorry about the jackass comment.
Focus on why many Iranians started resenting America in the 1950s. We're still paying for that. It's one key to understanding the Persian Gulf region, and led to the fundamentalist backlash.
I know that. In 1953, the CIA helped overthrow the democratically‑elected Mossadeq government in Iran - which had nationalized the British oil company - which lead to 25 years of dictatorial rule by the Shah. OK....so how does that back up your assertion that this is all the Republican's fault? And besides, you're taking away focus from the broader picture. We talking about what is potentially an emerging World War against Islamofascists. They're overall hatred for US and the West in general comes down to more than a few highlighted geopolitical incidents in recent history.
It comes down to a fundamental hatred of what we as a culture stand for. As cliche'as it sounds, they don't like freedom. Period. This is a culture that hangs young boys suspected of being homosexual, stones women for daring to stroll down the street with a man who is not her husband, and allows males in a family to murder any female in his family if she in any way "dishonors" him (by having the audacity to be raped, for example).
If you can't see that there is more than a political dislike here, I can't help you.
I didn't say it was all the Republicans' fault. A lot of this stuff we did as a country. We went over there as Americans, just the way the Iraq people attacked us on 9/11. Whoops, I almost forgot....they didn't.
"The Republican Party has done nothing but help this so-called "Islamofascism" become a bigger threat..." Bill, 8:55, 7 posts up.
Anonymous sounds like he’s afraid of the Republican Party. Those war lovers are afraid of gays. They want to change our Constitution to deny gays equal rights. They want to deny women control of their bodies. And they want to force unwanted religion down our throats in for the form of their own version of prayer and their own brand of ‘laws’ on tablets in our public places.
Gee, what does he/she actually like about the party in power?
Maybe, Anonymous you should encourage a war right here in the U.S. Wipe out all who don’t think like you. But then who would you enlist to fight your other wars? As I recall, Republican leaders tend to shun being involved in the dirty part of war, where people are killed or left limbless and burned with their guts hanging outside their bodies. Gingrich, Cheney, Bush, Wolfowitz etc. all hid while the poor kids fought to maintain the dominos in Vietnam.
"The Republican Party has done nothing but help this so-called "Islamofascism" become a bigger threat...." doesn't comment on past administrations. I've never heard that phrase before the Bush/Cheney years. My point is the current approach to the War on Terror, specifically the Invasion of Iraq did more harm than good. In the aggregate it's allowed the problem to get worse.
It's a long way from that to blaming the Republicans for everything. The reason the Republicans get special mention right now is because - as you are no doubt aware - they control Congress and the White House.
"The Republicans...." are the only ones who favored the Iraq war? Hmmm...I coulda sworn there were a few Democrats mixed in there when they voted to autorize it. Oh....and I guess each and every one of the 65%+ of the American people that favored going to war, and all those Brits, Spaniards, Pols, Japanese, etc, were all registered Republicans. Who knew the ol' GOP had such an amazing voter registration network.
laurelhurstdad, I could fisk apart you 'DailyKos'-ian post on so many levels that its not worth my time. So let me address just one point you make - regarding Gay Marriage. I support it whole heartedly - not just because I'm a libertarian who believes its none of the Government's damn business, but because I believe it is discrimination against good people who are doing no harm to anybody. Next, let me point out to you that Gay Marriage bans passed in every single Kerry state that had it on the ballot. But its just a 'Republican' thing, right? Pull your head out of you Democratic Party mascot.
The Libertarian forgets that Bush and Company (a cliché!) lied us into war. The argument that some Dems voted for it doesn’t wash anymore, unless you are a Fox commentator.
And about gay marriage, I don’t remember any Democrats pushing for it… only sad, scared, dour Republicans. I never mentioned Libertarians.
Try and contain yourself, Anonymous. Your anger is seeping through. You sound like Billo on a rant.
No anger here, laurelhurst. Remember, I'm happy-go-lucky because my side has actually tasted a "win" in this decade :) Make that several....and building.....
First, is Newt Gingrich a Jew or a wanna be? I confess my ignorance on that fact. The need to know is my attempt to properly classify Newt. Does Newt have real convictions for pushing Jewish interests or is he just a dog feverishly wagging his tail to get juicy bones from his masters.
Newt in my opinion is a re-tread trying to get back on prime track. This is the same man who left the scene with ignominy. This is the same man who abandoned a sick wife for the good times. This is the same man with the morality of a cayote.
Newt Gingrich is out fanning the flames of world war 3. Is Newt a veteran of any war? I suspect he isn't. He probably ducked his responsibilty when duty called and now like all the other YBC neocons, he is making the loudest noise in relative safety.
This country is now in the dark side of history. It is hurtling towards total calamity at warp speed. The current leadership is totally inept and confused. It bit more than it could chew and is now choking and gasping for air. It needs a way out but too blind and arrogant to seek and accept help.
We see death and destruction inflicted upon innocent people yet we are told all is rosy. We watch with helpless agony as our vital resouces and political capital are being squandered as if there is no tomorrow. Little by little our civil liberties are being stripped and who knows where it will end.
The real interest of this country has not been served. It is time for people to wake up and to realise that while they sleep, good Ole America is being raped and plundered by very clever rogues parading as patriots. Wake up America and reclaim your freedom. Go back to your campus Newt. Bad is bad enough without you.
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