Mitt Romney Lies to the World

Exclusive: Mitt Romney gave a rousing speech about how his foreign policy would be much more muscular than President Obama’s. But Romney displayed again his proclivity to lie on specifics and distort the broader reality, too, writes Robert Parry.

By Robert Parry

While it’s true that all politicians play games with the facts, it is actually rare for a politician to be an inveterate liar. But Mitt Romney is one of that rare breed on matters both big and small. And with some polls showing his surge toward victory on Nov. 6, his dishonesty may soon become an issue for the entire world.

Romney’s foreign policy speech on Monday was another example of his tendency to lie on minor stuff as well as weighty issues. For instance, he claimed that President Barack Obama “has not signed one new free trade agreement in the past four years” though Obama secured passage of agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama and signed them in October 2011.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. (Photo credit: mittromney.com)

Romney apologists suggest that the Republican presidential nominee was hanging his truthiness on the word “new” since negotiations on the agreements began late in George W. Bush’s presidency. But the work was completed by Obama and he pushed the deals through Congress despite resistance from some of his own supporters in labor unions.

So, by any normal use of the English language, Obama had signed new trade agreements, but Romney simply stated the opposite.

Romney also accused Obama of staying “silent” in the face of street protests in Iran over the reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009. But Obama wasn’t “silent.” He did speak out, with his comments becoming increasingly harsh as more images of violence emerged.

“The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days,” the President said on June 23, 2009. He added that he strongly condemned “these unjust actions.”

If Romney wished to criticize Obama for not condemning Iran in even stronger terms or for not using his harshest language immediately that might be one thing, but to say, the President was “silent” is just a lie.

More broadly, Romney’s depiction of U.S. foreign policy as weak and feckless under Obama is almost the inverse from the truth. For instance, Obama helped organize an international military force to wage war in Libya, enabling rebels to overthrow longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi, but Romney acts as if that never happened.

Instead, Romney lays every foreign policy problem at Obama’s door and credits others with every accomplishment, including the killings of Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders.

On that topic, Romney said: “America can take pride in the blows that our military and intelligence professionals have inflicted on Al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, including the killing of Osama bin Laden.” But Romney gives no credit to Obama for ordering these strikes and taking criticism from many on the Left for his aggressive use of drone attacks.

The Palestine Flip-Flop

Another jaw-dropping example of Romney’s dishonesty was his sudden embrace of negotiations leading to a Palestinian state after he was recorded in his infamous “47 percent speech” last May as deeming such talks hopeless.

“I look at the Palestinians not wanting to see peace anyway, for political purposes, committed to the destruction and elimination of Israel, and these thorny issues, and I say there’s just no way,” Romney told a group of wealthy donors. “The Palestinians have no interest whatsoever in establishing peace and that the pathway to peace is almost unthinkable to accomplish.”

As for what the U.S. policy would be in a Romney administration, he said, “we kick the ball down the field.”

However, on Monday, Romney declared: “I will recommit America to the goal of a democratic, prosperous Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the Jewish state of Israel.”

And again, all the blame for the impasse is placed on Obama: “On this vital issue, the President has failed, and what should be a negotiation process has devolved into a series of heated disputes at the United Nations. In this old conflict, as in every challenge we face in the Middle East, only a new President will bring the chance to begin anew.”

And then, there’s the traditional hypocrisy that you get from both parties but most notably from the Republicans, preaching the value of liberty and democracy but advocating ever closer ties with the oppressive monarchies of the Persian Gulf.

Romney declared about Obama’s approach to the Arab Spring that “the greater tragedy of it all is that we are missing an historic opportunity to win new friends who share our values in the Middle East, friends who are fighting for their own futures against the very same violent extremists, and evil tyrants, and angry mobs who seek to harm us.”

However, Romney then added, “I will deepen our critical cooperation with our partners in the Gulf.”

Neocon Revival

Besides the lies and misrepresentations in the speech, there were some genuine policy differences expressed by the Republican presidential nominee. For instance, he vowed to expand the U.S. military and to deploy it more aggressively around the globe.

Romney also repeated his pledge to yoke U.S. foreign policy to Israel’s desires. “The world must never see any daylight between our two nations,” he said.

And Romney renewed his belligerence against Russia, which he had previously deemed “without question, our No. 1 geopolitical foe.” In his speech on Monday, Romney said, “I will implement effective missile defenses to protect against threats. And on this, there will be no flexibility with [Russian President] Vladimir Putin.”

Despite the Depression-level economic crisis gripping Europe, Romney also announced that he “will call on our NATO allies to keep the greatest military alliance in history strong by honoring their commitment to each devote 2 percent of their GDP to security spending. Today, only 3 of the 28 NATO nations meet this benchmark.”

One might regard Romney’s neoconservative revival as delusional in a variety of ways further driving the United States toward bankruptcy even as U.S. interventionism in the Muslim world would surely make matters worse but it is Romney’s reliance on systematic lying that perhaps should be more troubling to American voters.

Romney has long been known as a serial flip-flopper who changes positions to fit the political season, but his pervasive mendacity has been a concern since the Republican primaries when his GOP rivals complained about him misrepresenting their positions and reinventing his own. [See Consortiumnews.com’s “Mitt Romney: Professional Liar.”]

That pattern has continued into the general election campaign, with Romney telling extraordinary whoppers on the campaign trail and even during last Wednesday’s presidential debate, such as when he claimed his health-care plan covered people with pre-existing conditions when it doesn’t. [See Consortiumnews.com’s “Mitt Romney as Eddie Haskell.”]

Strategic Lying

One reason that I criticized Romney’s debate performance though many other Americans, including many Democrats, disagreed with my assessment was that I felt his lying and his squirrely behavior were more important than Obama’s sluggishness. Telling lies while waving your arms shouldn’t trump telling the truth in a moderate tone.

Indeed, as a journalist, I simply cannot abide politicians who lie systematically, who don’t just trim the truth once in a while but make falsehoods a strategic part of their politics and policies.

When I arrived in Washington in 1977 as a reporter for the Associated Press, the nation had just emerged from the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. To reassure the country that the government could be honest, President Jimmy Carter promised never to lie to the American people.

But then came the Reagan administration with its concept of “perception management,” i.e., the manipulation of the public’s fears and prejudices for the purpose of lining up the people behind new foreign adventures. A chief “public diplomacy” goal of the administration was to cure the American people of “the Vietnam Syndrome.”

Thus, minor threats, like peasant uprisings in Central America, were portrayed as part of a grand Soviet strategy to invade the United States through Texas. The strength of the Soviet Union was itself exaggerated to justify a massive U.S. military build-up. Today’s neocons cut their teeth of such distortions and lies.

Post 9/11, with George W. Bush in the White House, this neocon strategy of fear-mongering led the United States into the debacle of the Iraq War (in pursuit of imaginary weapons of mass destruction).

Now, less than a year after U.S. military forces left Iraq — and with a withdrawal from Afghanistan finally underway — the latest polls suggest that the American voters are shifting toward the election of another neocon President who promises more soaring rhetoric about U.S. “exceptionalism” and more interventionism abroad.

It’s almost as if many Americans like being lied to.

Robert Parry broke many of the Iran-Contra stories in the 1980s for the Associated Press and Newsweek. His latest book, Neck Deep: The Disastrous Presidency of George W. Bush, was written with two of his sons, Sam and Nat, and can be ordered at neckdeepbook.com. His two previous books, Secrecy & Privilege: The Rise of the Bush Dynasty from Watergate to Iraq and Lost History: Contras, Cocaine, the Press & ‘Project Truth’ are also available there.

48 comments for “Mitt Romney Lies to the World

  1. Howie Feltersnatch
    October 19, 2012 at 22:31

    Republican MOTTO: “Tell a lie often enough and that lie becomes the TRUTH” Joseph Goebbels Nazi Propoganda Minister

  2. ClinicalThinker
    October 18, 2012 at 14:25

    Would you prefer to have a “compulsive liar” (that would be Barack Obama) heading up our country for another 4 years?

    Thank heaves the public is finally overcoming the “IT” is really not it Clinton syndrome.

    Which was ushered in and promoted by the liberal/progressive twinks on both sides of the isle.

    Now the head of our country steps before a microphone ALMOST DAILY opens his mouth and out rolls a lie.

    Rip off the rose colored glasses and wish him a fond farewell.

  3. Karen Romero
    October 11, 2012 at 14:23

    Maybe Bob Parry, Ray McGovern, or some loyal Consortium News reader can answer this question for me.
    Why is it the FBI went after Bernie Madoff for his pyramid scheming activity, and Mitt Romney seems to have exemption in this type of behavior?
    Why is it that Mitt Romney doesn’t pay his back taxes, yet the IRS went after Martha Stewart?
    THE FBI ARE CHERRY PICKERS. THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE!
    There is a man actually running for President that is a bully and seems to think he can get away with his shoddy behavior. Is there any wonder why people are fed up with politics?

    • ClinicalThinker
      October 18, 2012 at 14:47

      Sweet heart you are drinking to much progressive kool-aid.
      But I get it.

      Please show me the documentation where Romney has not paid his back taxes?
      Do you actually know the difference between a pyramid scheme and ethical business model?

      Do you have a clue how stupid your comment makes you look on a public forum?

      Fed up with politics?
      Fed up with the ignorant who do not realized how dumb down they have chosen to become.

  4. Mark Sherman
    October 11, 2012 at 12:52

    I find it utterly amazing how delusional the people on the left truly are. Obama is the consummate liar of all times. Who else would try to conceal his failed foreign policy and idiotic claim that there is no war on terror by blaming the four tragic deaths at the Lybian embassy on a spontaneous reaction to an obscure movie instead of admitting, as the president of Lybia did from the outset, that this was a planned terrorist attack. I look forward to saying goodby and good riddance after Romney wins the election.

    • ClinicalThinker
      October 18, 2012 at 14:53

      Mark he is not consummate he is compulsive.

      Consummate suggests he is smart enough to manipulate the truth.

  5. paschn
    October 10, 2012 at 22:02

    Can someone tell me why AmeriKa still allows electronic ballot machines?

    http://www.brasschecktv.com/videos/election-fraud-in-the-usa/vote-fraud—diebold-whistleblower-speaks-out.html

    Looks like game, set and match to me.

  6. John Puma
    October 10, 2012 at 14:40

    Romney continues to lie to the world. Indeed.

    But has anyone noted that since his boffo debate lie-a-thon he has made no REPORTED campaign gaffs?

    We’ve apparently witnessed a media transition from fact-checking to hushed, utter awe of and envy for a unique capacity for non-stop mendacity.

  7. October 10, 2012 at 10:33

    The people voting for Obama will get what they deserve! Good Luck with that.

    • Frances in California
      October 10, 2012 at 17:19

      The people voting for Obama, if he wins, will get far better than what people voting for Romney deserve and – think about it! – even the people who voted for Romney, given Obama wins, will get better than they deserve.

      • Kenny Powell
        October 10, 2012 at 21:29

        Getting what we deserve with Obama will be much better than getting what we DON”T deserve if Rombo wins. Of course the same brain dead dim-wits that fell down and worshiped G.W. are likely to have not learned a thing,and so end up voting for this hyperactive,schizophrenic nutball…Business as usual in republican land.

      • ClinicalThinker
        October 18, 2012 at 14:38

        NO FEAR Obama will not win.
        He can not stuff enough ballot boxes to over come those who are finally facing sanity and the insanity of this administration.

  8. George
    October 10, 2012 at 09:47

    Mitt Romney is a pathological liar. Even his wife thinks he is unstable.

    • ClinicalThinker
      October 18, 2012 at 14:32

      George clearly you do not have a degree in psychology nor do you know what you are talking about.

      Did you flunk the basics of research and math all at one time?
      Do you enjoy coming onto a forum where you are preaching to the choir and to your detriment join in the ignorant folly?

      Hopefully the sane in America will toss this compulsive liar out of office.

      And yes I have my background in behavior and psychology.

  9. pw
    October 10, 2012 at 09:39

    The rest of the world or at least most of it, doesn´t care about what he said at all. American foreign policy is not seen very positive since Bush junior and alot got damaged. Obama is trying to repair the damage. Romney is making the same mistake as others did before him, only because you have a common enemy it doesn´t mean that they share the American “values”. I have also huge doubts that he will find many allies for a further war in Europe. First, most of the European countries cut their militaries and people in Europe mostly against war. It will be impossible to explain the people to spend more money for military and war but cut their retirements, free education….! So the Romney will have not much followers at all and he is seen outside the USA already as an idiot which is even more disliked as Bush junior and that says it all.

  10. October 10, 2012 at 09:19

    I didn’t think there was that much koolaide out there to drink! If you believe for a second Obama was even close to qualified to be president you are sadly mistaken. As far as lying Obama gets first prize because his are intentional does Benghazi sound familiar?

    • bobzz
      October 10, 2012 at 12:40

      The difference is that Obama changes when confronted with evidence to the contrary. Romney changes for his own advantage regardless of the evidence. He is a rich man that is used to getting what he wants by any means necessary. Obama’s lackluster debate performance was due in part to his being unprepared to deal with Romney’s complete switch from positions he had held for months. I think Romney will win because the American electorate is impressed with whomever presents the best image, and he wins the image contest. People seem to forget how bad Bush II was. He screwed up so badly that America elected a black man. I hate to say that because it will be misunderstood, but that is how bad Bush was. Bellicose Romney is Bush all over again. We will have opportunity to rediscover that. Obama has serious flaws, but Romney is a catastrophe in the making.

  11. October 9, 2012 at 23:05

    THink you got run over and run down with W? Wait…

  12. Otto Schiff
    October 9, 2012 at 21:44

    These liars get us into constant troubl.
    Just consider the human and economic cost of the “Weapons of mass destruction”.
    History must not repeat itself.

  13. John Bailey
    October 9, 2012 at 19:53

    I disagree that Obama had a sworn duty to call out Romney for lying and there’s no law limiting speech that damages the free expressions as you describe. Politicians lie relentlessly but no law says they can’t lie.

  14. Morton Kurzweil
    October 9, 2012 at 19:12

    Obama still believes that there are two sides to every argument, that equality means respect for every opinion.
    He is a constitutional lawyer who doesn’t understand the meaning of the first amendment.
    There are no rights to free speech or belief. The Government has on power to limit or require what people think or believe.
    People may say, anything, however idiotic or reasoned, They may lie without conscience, They may believe without conscience. The law limits such statements if they damage the free expression of people with the same freedom. Obama did not call out that lying Romney. It was his sworn duty to do so as President.

  15. Morton Kurzweil
    October 9, 2012 at 19:11

    Obama still believes that there are two sides to every argument, that equality means respect for every opinion.
    He is a constitutional lawyer who doesn’t understand the meaning of the first amendment.
    There are no rights to free speech or belief. The Government has on power to limit or require what people think or believe.
    People may say, anything, however idiotic or reasoned, They may lie without conscience, They may believe without conscience. The law limits such statements if they damage the free expression of people with the same freedom.y Obama did not call out that lying Romney. It was his sworn duty to do so as President.

  16. rosemerry
    October 9, 2012 at 15:18

    Looking at “Reps” in the US congress and also Senators shows a bizarre collection of people showing downright dangerous ignorance. Louie Gohmert, Paul Broun, Charlie Fuquia (really!)-this one thinks Blacks should thank slavery for making it possible for them to be in the most wonderful nation in the world; that all Muslims should be pushed out of the USA, and other delights). link via Angry Arab. 100% support for AIPAC in the US Senate, States making weird laws to save zygotes or to privatise “failing” schools; is there rational thought in the US of A?

  17. Dana S Scott
    October 9, 2012 at 14:47

    You know, I would not even want to buy a NEW car from this salesman. How he can fool so many people is beyond me.

    • thomas
      October 9, 2012 at 15:10

      How anyone can fall for the left wing liberal media bias about Romney and want 4 more failed years with an incompetent individual such as our current President is beyond me. Maybe you should buy a Tesla..or a Volt.

      • John Bailey
        October 9, 2012 at 16:51

        What flavor of the Neocon Kool-Ade do you prefer sir? May I recommend the cherry, it’s similar to the color of blood. We also feature lemon in honor of Mssrs Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld and all six Romney men.

      • Jack
        October 9, 2012 at 17:24

        Republicans are amazing- they can’t govern, they refuse to be governed, and they hate government. Now that’s a real recipe for success. And Obama is way more competent than any Republican president that we’ve had over the past 44 years.Every Republican president since Nixon seems to out criminalize the one that preceded them and leave the country in shambles on their way out. I’m sure Romney, Ryan, the Koch brothers, and their Neo-Con (who are wrong about everything and incompetent in the extreme) advisers will out due all their predecessors after Rove steals the election for them in November.

        • Kenny Powell
          October 10, 2012 at 09:32

          I have listened to enough of main stream media to know where the real bias lies, and lies, and more lies.But the right wing bully boy tactic seems to work on people like Thomas no name, who should keep his Tesla and Volt and buy himself an I.Q. Or a brain to put it in.

      • Charger 4
        October 10, 2012 at 10:46

        It is beyond me, that morons still considers the media as being biased we all know who owns them. By the way, If it were liberal it would have called out Rombots lies ages ago, and would have kept up the rhetoric on the damage he has caused Ma. and this country by being an outsourcer of jobs and hiding money. I would like to see the mess this ignoramous is going to leave, But all we have to do is go back four years to see the Mess the neo nitwits left behind while making millions. By the way, unemployment is at 7.8% and Wall street is over 12000. Also finally the two corporate wars are finally being paid for and are on the books.

        • Bette June
          October 10, 2012 at 14:28

          ” I would like to see the mess this ignoramous is going to leave” No you don’t! I have nightmares about what will happen to this country if he is elected!

    • Frances in California
      October 10, 2012 at 17:14

      He’s not fooling anyone. Remember how the financial meltdown just couldn’t be stopped in 2008 because leading up to it, no one who knew better could stop themselves? It’s like that; greedy sociopaths have been promised pro$perity by the Romney henchmoles and will nod enthusiastically and completely dishonestly to everything Mitt says and does . . . the punch line? No $ will be forthcoming to anyone but the Mitt-infested 1%.

  18. gregorylkruse
    October 9, 2012 at 14:33

    The worst part is, if Romney gets elected and the Senate changes hands, and another war is started in Iran, and austerity is applied full force, and unions are completely routed, and public employees pay is cut, and Social Security and Medicare are on the chopping bloc, etc., those people who voted for the Republicans won’t be able to recall them. They are in for the duration. The effects of such a result will last for generations.

    • John Bailey
      October 9, 2012 at 17:08

      It’s called Fascism and only revolution will rid us of them. (after about 30 years of suffering and tyranny)

      • F. G. Sanford
        October 9, 2012 at 18:12

        Please see my comment above. If we’re lucky, it’ll only take twelve…but the price will be outrageous. Unfortunately, I don’t think we can vote our way out of the inevitable.

    • Frances in California
      October 10, 2012 at 17:16

      Nah! We’ll all be dead before that happens.

  19. clarence swinney
    October 9, 2012 at 14:26

    americaforpurchase.com
    Democratic Party has a proud heritage in America.  Almost everything that is good for Middle America and the poor, were causes championed by Democrats!  Democrats passed Social Security, Medicare, the Civil Rights Act, and Voting Rights for every single American; the New Deal after the Great Depression, The Family Medical Leave Act, the G. I. Bill (which helped establish a solid middle class) and Equal Pay for Equal Work.
     
    This is OUR story; one every Democrat should be proud of. 
     
    Democrats understand that all citizens, regardless of economic status, merit the opportunity to achieve their God given potential.  We believe that everyone who works hard and plays by the rules deserves a life with dignity and that a catastrophic health event should not wipe out a lifetime, or generations of savings.  Democrats know that the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness apply to everyone regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.  We do not believe that life begins at conception and ends at birth. We know the difference between a hand up and a hand out; helping our neighbors instead of bail outs for Wall Street.At virtually every point in time over the last sixty years when America made progress Democrats made it happen. And not only did Democrats make it happen they did it over Republican opposition and with many Republicans yelling “socialist.”   It was Rep. Sam Rayburn former Speaker of the House, who once responded to these GOP rants saying, “It’s not socialism, it’s applied Christianity.”
    As Democrats we believe that a country as blessed as America, who can spend untold trillions on war and instruments of destruction and policing the world and rebuilding nations, should be able to help America’s very own middle class and our poor in their struggle to find work for all who can do it, fair wages, the right to bargain, shelter for the homeless, health care and a safety net for our elderly, our veterans, our children, the infirmed and hope for the destitute.
    We also believe everyone, including Corporations, Wall Street and the top 1% should pay their fair share rather than taking from the taxpayers’ treasury and leaving the tax burden to everyone else.  We know the U.S. Government is not evil and that taxes are not evil, but are a tool necessary to provide Americans with necessary services, safety and infrastructure commensurate with the greatest nation on earth. 
    Democrats believe in providing America’s young people with education and affordable higher learning, investing in America’s decaying infrastructure and all forms of energy including solar and wind because we know children are our greatest investment and we know of the importance of adopting to change in the 21st century.
    The flip side of the Democratic Party’s proud record is a shameful tale as Republicans opposed and continue to oppose every single benefit enjoyed by generations of Americans. 
    Republican oppose Medicare and want to give a ‘voucher’ which would destroy access to health care and prescription drugs for our seniors and the disabled and  yet charge another $6,000 per year for health care.
    Republicans have been successful in cutting funding for education and increasing tuition, shipping US jobs overseas and giving tax credits to those companies that do.  Republican led states have cut Medicaid, funding for children’s’ health care, Head start and demonized state workers and public unions, which causes many American families a lack of substantive economic capacity.  Republicans continue to oppose increases in minimum wages, equal pay for women, equal rights for taxpayers while systematically taking away the right of Americans to vote.
    They have cut services to disabled veterans and family protective services and have declared an unholy war on America women by doing away with family planning and basic medical services which will result in more abortions and more undiagnosed diseases, both of which are fiscally and physically stupid.
    They oppose updating America’s transportation system, have continuously failed at job creation and have no plans to move this country into the 21st century choosing instead to return to the days of the oil barons and create a society run by the wealthy, having taxpayers subservient to their every greedy need.
    Republicans have successfully played on peoples’ fears of things different from themselves.  They have turned working families against each other; public against private; White against Black against Brown; straight against gay; Protestant against Catholic against Jew against Muslim against, against, against.  Republicans are anti-immigrant, anti-worker, anti-health care, anti-women, anti-Hispanic, anti-education, anti-union, and the list goes on and on.  Many Americans are acutely aware that Republicans use code words and symbols that demonize, scapegoat and stereotype minorities. They threaten, engage in violent and incendiary rhetoric and then claim to be ‘patriots’. 
    Republicans say they want a balanced budget, yet they created 85% of our national debt.  They have bailed out Wall Street, sold out Main Street and created the greatest income disparity between the rich who bribe them and middle class working families since the industrial revolution. Their economic policies have virtually bankrupted both the states and the nation, destroyed generations of earnings and threatened the economic security of every American family. They have done all this while claiming to be the party of fiscal responsibility and they continue to get away with it.  Their deception is palpable as they say they want clean air but they do everything to pollute it, they say they want clean water but they do everything they can to contaminate it, they say they want education but they will not fund it, they say they care about seniors but they want to take away their Medicare, they say they want to end dependency on foreign oil, yet oppose alternative sources of energy.
    In 2012, Democrats, Progressives and Independents must be aggressive in telling the truth, standing up for the ideals that sustain every American man, woman and child in order to preserve this great nation.
    We must stand up and be proud of the legacy of our heroes such as FDR, JFK and LBJ; those unsung American who fought for benefits that every taxpaying citizen deserves.  Whether some Americans believe it or not, real and true Democratic values will save even those who seek to destroy them.

    • GeriS
      October 9, 2012 at 20:04

      To clarence swinney: Re: Americaforpurchase.com
      Thank you for getting the facts out there about Democrats and Republicans! I hope all read your information and remember it since it goes deep into the heart of people who really care about people and this country, and not money only = Republicans! For those Republicans who are Middle Class, please revisit your reasoning for being a Republican because that 1% of Republicans don’t care about you — become a Democrat! Obama 2012!!!!

      • Kenny Powell
        October 10, 2012 at 09:48

        Sacrates had it right 2,500 years ago when he said” The most perfect political community is one in which the middle class is in control, and out numbers both of the other classes.”

        • Kenny Powell
          October 10, 2012 at 22:27

          That was a misquote, it was actually Aristotle who said it about 2,365 years ago. However, they both appear to have been smarter than today’s average voter.

  20. Charles
    October 9, 2012 at 14:17

    It’s a shame this election will be decided by 5-6% of the voters who don’t have a clue what has been going on for the past 11 1/2 years. They come to the month before they are expected to make their choice and will base their vote on the lies of a candidate, lies of the money folks supporting that candidate, and a debate performance which appeared to be a well scripted sales promotion rather than an honest discussion of the facts. I feel sorry for the rest of us who really care what happens and stay informed.

    • John Bailey
      October 9, 2012 at 17:04

      The uninformed voter, now euphemistically called “the persuadablesl” are, sadly, the difference between being a Democracy and a Stupidocracy

  21. F. G. Sanford
    October 9, 2012 at 13:35

    Berliner Tagblatt, May 2, 1923-National Socialist Fiasco in Munich: The National Socialist storm troops did assemble as commanded, about 7000 to 8000 strong, around their Fuehrer, Hitler, on the Oberwiesenfeld, and there awaited further commands. But their rhetorically skillful “dictator” was nonplussed by the firm stand of the authorities. He complained whimperingly that he felt himself “encircled and betrayed,” whereupon his disappointed followers gradually vanished. After today’s fiasco, Hitler can be considered politically and financially through in Munich…

    Free trade agreements are what have helped offshore our jobs. Drone attacks are helping to destroy our reputation as a beacon of human rights and a government based on laws. The health care legislation has been a gift to insurance companies and “Big Pharma”. The list goes on and on. At some point, political commentary always becomes “famous last words”. If the truth were crystal clear, this wouldn’t be so. Unfortunately, the lack of conviction on one side is mirrored by the lack of honesty on the other, and to a poorly informed public, the “truth” becomes a matter of partisanship. That’s where we stand today.

  22. nora king
    October 9, 2012 at 13:24

    The neo-cons cut their teeth on Chileans, as we chronicled in CHILE Newsletter, since we are walking down disco lane. lt also occurs to me that the college age sons of Republican politicians, perhaps even the son of George Romney, got sucked into the Nixon election psy war machine. Nixon himself called the dark arts of winning “rat f–king.” Lots of cash to fraternities for infiltration, counter-demos, etc. Famous Mormons of the era were peppered with Watergate figures. E.Howard Hunt’s handler at Mullen, the cash and secret notes in the bookstore guy, went on to be a long standing Utah Senator, but was careful to steer young Mormons away from the illegal stuff. George Romney was not caught up in Watergate, because he saw too many bodies on the trail, but who asked Young Mitt to do what, and how does he remember it? Certainly his dangerously shallow saber rattling did not come from George. It stinks of choosing the wrong elders. Rumsfeld tweeted his props immediately after Mitt embarrassed us before the world and stirred somebody up to attack an American. Rumsfeld and Cheney were trusted by Nixon to fly alota miles with alota cash in those salad days just before the 1972 election donor limits went into effect….

  23. Jym Allyn
    October 9, 2012 at 13:09

    Bob,

    You fail to understand that people with dependency issues (e.g., religious fanaticism, alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction, gambling addiction, and spousal abuse, etc.) don’t know when they are lying even when the are “sober.”

    Most of the people who support Romney have an irrational hatred of Obama that has nothing to do with logic or facts. Forty six percent of them believe that Evolution is a lie created by anti-Christ scientists to destroy their faith in “God.”

    The technical term is “Shit for Brains” (Fecalis Mentalis). Those people also still believe that Saddam had weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq in 2003, and that the reason we didn’t find them was that they were surreptitiously sent to Syria.

    Logic and truth has nothing to do with their political opinions. Only Truthiness.

    And God help the rest of us.

    • John Bailey
      October 9, 2012 at 16:55

      Many also refuse to believe that Elvis is dead

      • Frances in California
        October 10, 2012 at 17:14

        What?!?! Elvis is dead?!?! :) (Yes, I miss him, but no, . . . )

  24. Terry Washington
    October 9, 2012 at 12:16

    Lessee now, Mitt Romney (who BTW along with George W. Bush, Dick “Lon” Cheney” and other neocons with the exception of one Colin Powell, dodged the draft-just as Bill Clinton admitted more or less doing- vis a vis Vietnam) is going to have other people’s sons and daughters- his five boys are NOT currently in any branch of the military- go off to fight and die presumably if and when he is elected President- you can’t make this up!

    • angie
      October 10, 2012 at 11:37

      As one of Myth’s five healthy sons said during the last election when asked why none of the five has served, “We can better serve our country by getting our father elected”.

      Kind of says is all. These entitled top 1%-ers are sickening.

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