Republican senator makes a fool of himself.

Posted on Sat, Mar. 05, 2005

Congressman says Syria nuke comment a joke

Associated Press


DALLAS - A congressman who raised eyebrows with recent remarks about personally wanting to drop a nuclear bomb on Syria now says he was joking.

The Feb. 19 remarks by Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, at a church pancake breakfast were first reported this week in Roll Call. The Capitol Hill newspaper reported it had heard a recording of the talk made by someone in attendance.

According to Roll Call, Johnson said he was talking with President Bush and GOP Rep. Kay Granger at the White House about weapons of mass destruction that troops failed to find in Iraq.

According to Roll Call, Johnson said he told the president: "Syria is the problem. Syria is where those weapons of mass destruction are, in my view. You know, I can fly an F-15, put two nukes on 'em and I'll make one pass. We won't have to worry about Syria anymore."

Johnson, 74, is a former Air Force combat pilot who served in Korea and Vietnam, where he was shot down and spent 7 1/2 years as a prisoner of war.

Johnson did not respond to a request for comment by The Associated Press on Friday. However, he told The Dallas Morning News that he was surprised anyone took his comments seriously and has never advocated a nuclear strike on Syria.

"I was kind of joking - you know, we were talking between veterans," he said. He added that President Bush knew he was joking.

so you've never said anything sarcastically before, taranaki? right.

so you've never said anything sarcastically before, taranaki? right.
Great point! +10

I'm not a member of the governing body of my country.You'd think in a nation of 295million,you'd be able to find better.....

Maybe not.After all, you ended up with Bush.

I'm not a member of the governing body of my country.You'd think in a nation of 295million,you'd be able to find better.....

Can someone say double standard?

Remember, even some liberals have a sense of humor.

I can say double standard as it goes.Fuckwitted Republicans who start wars on the basis that 'WMD are definitely in Iraq' and are consequently proven to be wrong should refrain from joking about the possible location of WMD in other countries.If it were any other nation or any other political persuasion joking about using nukes in Iraq, I might see the funny side, but until Bush is dumped, such 'jokes' from the US have to be viewed in the context of the Iraq joke.

It may be a joke, but in the situation we are in now, someone like that can not say something like that.

I would say the same if a Liberal said it. Its just not funny.

Scumbag Republican warhawks. It's all a big joke to them, I suppose. Laugh it up at your leisurely pancake breakfast while people are suffering, starving and dying a world away. In jocus veritas.

Is anyone surprised that this fool hails from the glorious state of Texas?

Another Bush bashing thread.

But in all seriousness whether he meant it or not, it should not have been said.

Another Bush bashing thread.
.

Nobody is bashing his actions in this incident.
Nice behaviour on the part of Rep. Sam Johnson though, advocating a war crime at a church picnic.I say we take those nukes and drop them on his family, see if he still thinks it's a huge joke. It's time that assholes like him admitted that there were no WMD.

^agreed.

On the Big Fucking Deal meter, this ranks about a 0.2 :rolleyes:

I think a war veteran who spent 3/4 of a decade as a POW can say anything about war and fighting that he fucking wants. It's not like he made a public statement, he was just joking around with a few people at an informal picnic. Agreed with Yogs, big fucking deal.

Fuckwit. What are the odds he even knows where Syria is?

Guess what, I overheard some people talk about how they recorded Osama joking about bombing America again. Man he should do some stand-up.


Please, I guran-damn-tee you if any government bodies from a middle-eastern country were to say a similar joke abuot America, they'd go on another crusade.

I think a war veteran who spent 3/4 of a decade as a POW can say anything about war and fighting that he fucking wants. It's not like he made a public statement, he was just joking around with a few people at an informal picnic.

He's a public figure,making comments in a public place.He should know better.And if he spent time as a POW,it would indicate that he was crap as a soldier,and should refrain from commenting on stuff that he's no good at.

How many people have been refused boarding for flights in the last few years, or detained, or dragged through the courts, because they 'joked' about having a bomb in their hand luggage? Such actions are no longer acceptable, and when a senior politician acts like a complete retard, any decent President should ask for his resignation.

I like the point Kaz made. Suppose Mohammad Naji al-Otari of Syria made a "funny" about nuking the U.S. in front of reporters? I tend to think it wouldn't go over well at all.

Fuckwit. What are the odds he even knows where Syria is?

Probably better than your odds of knowing.

:rolleyes:

Don't be an idiot.

He's a public figure,making comments in a public place.He should know better.And if he spent time as a POW,it would indicate that he was crap as a soldier,and should refrain from commenting on stuff that he's no good at.

.

Are you an idiot? So every soldier who was a POW was "crap as a soldier"?

:loser:

:rolleyes:

Don't be an idiot.

Ditto:rolleyes:

I'm sure he wasn't serious, but it was still a stupid thing to say where someone might hear it. Maybe he just wanted to see his name in the news.

Ditto:rolleyes:
Ah... now i remember why i avoid this place :disappoin

You don't appear to think twice before your fingers start scrabbling at that keyboard. I, on the other hand, don't make fun of people for not knowing something i don't know myself.

My employer didn't make me solely responsible for an eight figure equity portfolio at the age of 22 because i'm an idiot. In fact, they made me a portfolio manager at the age of 22 because i'm fucking smart. buh bye now

Ah... now i remember why i avoid this place :disappoin Keep avoiding it.

You don't appear to think twice before your fingers start scrabbling at that keyboard. I'm just following your lead. I, on the other hand, don't make fun of people for not knowing something i don't know it myself. But you don't seem to be above making fun of people you know nothing about. My employer didn't make me solely responsible for an eight figure equity portfolio at the age of 22 because i'm an idiot. In fact, they made me a portfolio manager at the age of 22 because i'm fucking smart. buh bye nowMaybe he is an idiot.

Keep avoiding it.

I'm just following your lead.
:lol:

But you don't seem to be above making fun of people you know nothing about.
I may not have read his autobiography, but if this man is not a moron, i don't know who is. Then again, i suppose that's what passes for a politician in the US these days :dunno:

Maybe he is an idiot.
Not judging by my performance. Up 340 basis points this quarter. Go on, google it :grinno:


If you want to keep throwing petty insults at me, do it by PM.

:lol:


I may not have read his autobiography, but if this man is not a moron, i don't know who is. Then again, i suppose that's what passes for a politician in the US these days :dunno:

The US? How about everywhere?





If you want to keep throwing petty insults at me, do it by PM.

Let's see......Who called who an idiot first?

Let's see......Who called who an idiot first?
Ohhhhh, stealthy insults don't count. I getcha :thumbsup:

Back on topic now, thank you.

I'm sure he wasn't serious, but it was still a stupid thing to say where someone might hear it. Maybe he just wanted to see his name in the news.
Making comments such as those to get your name in the papers is just plain stupid. I think the man owes a public appology to whom he might have offended.

Are you an idiot? So every soldier who was a POW was "crap as a soldier"?

:loser:
No, I'm not an idiot,I just elected to dismiss one idiotic statement,viz -

a war veteran who spent 3/4 of a decade as a POW can say anything about war and fighting that he fucking wants

-with another.

and please play nicely in the political threads,some of the mods are getting a little sensitive [ :rolleyes: ] about the 'insults' in this forum.

No, I'm not an idiot,I just elected to dismiss one idiotic statement,viz -

a war veteran who spent 3/4 of a decade as a POW can say anything about war and fighting that he fucking wants

-with another.

So you don't think that all POWs are crap as soldiers?

and please play nicely in the political threads,some of the mods are getting a little sensitive [ :rolleyes: ] about the 'insults' in this forum.

So are some of the members.

Big flipping deal! This statement was made in private among friends.

In this topic alone we have a poster who wants to drop a bomb on Texas and no one on here complained did they?


Please refrain from the republicans remarks,some mods on here hate republicans and wish for all republicans to leave this board.

Please refrain from the republicans remarks,some mods on here hate republicans and wish for all republicans to leave this board.

really? NAME THEM.

Taranaki.

I want to make sure I understand what you meant earlier in the thread.

So you don't think that all POWs are crap as soldiers?

This could leave hurt feelings with our members who are soldiers or have family members who are or may even have family members who were POWs.

I am pretty sure that's not what you intended.

Hell when we were in country in 1970 we said that everyday about how they ought to nuke Charlie.

Nuke 'em all till the glow in the dark!
http://www.atomicarchive.com/Photos/LANL/images/climax.jpg Who cares what anyone said? What is anyone going to do about it anyway?

Who cares what anyone said? What is anyone going to do about it anyway?

They'll probably pass a UN resolution.

Yogs- Yeah. HAHAHAHA!http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/ROTFLMAO.gif This whole thread is tantamount to a little kid saying "my brother Billy farted." What's anyone going to do about it.
http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/ROFL.gif

That's a prime example right there.
He said something, so what? What can anyone else do about it?
I hope that senator gets shot.

I hope that senator gets shot.

Of course you do.

Taranaki.

I want to make sure I understand what you meant earlier in the thread.

So you don't think that all POWs are crap as soldiers?

This could leave hurt feelings with our members who are soldiers or have family members who are or may even have family members who were POWs.

I am pretty sure that's not what you intended.

As I explained.I saw the comment posted by eversio11 to the effect that 'because he's a vet and a POW he can do what he wants'.To me that statement is ridiculous and intended to provoke.I merely posted the opposite argument in the same manner to show how dull his thinking is.

Some veterans are brave and intelligent and wise.Some are cowardly, dumb and foolish.The majority fall into the middle somewhere.

Senators on the other hand, are elected to be the representatives of their people.If Texans want to be seen as loudmouth racist scum with the intelligence of a spoiled child, they should leave this asswipe in office.

Some veterans are cowardly, dumb and foolish.

Like our good friend Professor Ward Churchill!

As I explained.I saw the comment posted by eversio11 to the effect that 'because he's a vet and a POW he can do what he wants'.To me that statement is ridiculous and intended to provoke.I merely posted the opposite argument in the same manner to show how dull his thinking is.

Some veterans are brave and intelligent and wise.Some are cowardly, dumb and foolish.The majority fall into the middle somewhere.

Senators on the other hand, are elected to be the representatives of their people.If Texans want to be seen as loudmouth racist scum with the intelligence of a spoiled child, they should leave this asswipe in office.

So you don't think that all POWs are crap as soldiers?

http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Funny-Above.gif
"that statement is ridiculous and intended to provoke." What the hell is this whole topic but a dumbazz statement designed to do the same thing?

"Some veterans are brave and intelligent and wise.Some are cowardly, dumb and foolish.The majority fall into the middle somewhere." Well duh, there's a gem for ya. You can say that about everyone.

"Senators on the other hand, are elected to be the representatives of their people.If Texans want to be seen as loudmouth racist scum with the intelligence of a spoiled child, they should leave this asswipe in office."

Frankly who cares? It's none of your or my business what the voters in the sovereign state of Texas do.

I guess that's it then. America just doesnt seem to give a damn about their representation to the world community...no wonder why everyone wants to bomb them.

I guess that's it then. America just doesnt seem to give a damn about their representation to the world community...no wonder why everyone wants to bomb them.

A bit of an overstatement there raz.I couldn't be bothered myself.

It's not just this one statment from an American politician but everything being said and the way things are done gives off that message that "Hey, we can do what we want 'cuz we're the superpower"





God I hate ignorant people

I guess that's it then. America just doesnt seem to give a damn about their representation to the world community


That's basically it. America was founded on completely different principles than the rest of the world- principles of liberty and self government -and most of us have no intention of joining the "world community." A lot of Americans hate the fact that our federal government has so much control over the states, and you think we're going to give something up to a bunch of foreign countries? Ha! :rofl:

That's basically it. America was founded on completely different principles than the rest of the world- principles of liberty and self government -and most of us have no intention of joining the "world community."

If that be the case, perhaps then you'd be good enough to ask your leadership to stop bombing it. And stop dumping your 'culture' around the world.If you choose not to be part of the civilised world, that's fine.Close your borders, recall yourr ambassadors, stop exporting crap like the Jerry Springer Show and Presidential press conferences[it's getting harder to tell them apart].Stop inmporting technology and manufactured goods, and see how you get allong without your asian electronics, your Mexican Nikes,and your imported cars and components..It worked for Albania for a few years, but they finally realised that they were getting left behind.
'Yanks go home' has been a popular piece of grafitti for generations.If I believed for a moment that Americans were all as antisocial as those few who believe that being American is the God given right to behave like an asshole at any point on the planet,I'd be writing it too. The reality is, we live in an age where people can travel cheaply and easily.Cultures mix, cultures face off, cultures learn to get along and do business with each other.We 've coime a long way soince medaeival times, when the next village was a strange and dangerous place,half an adventure away.Things have improved beyond measure.The last thing the world needs is wreckers trying to separate us back into giant 'villages'.

Most of the world was sure glad to either get money, troops or materiale when the Kaiser, Hitler, Mao, Stalin, and successors were running wild over the last century though, huh?

Must be great to live in a fairy tale utopia, right? These silly rants against the USA are just irrational, aren't they?

Why don't some people just come out of the pretense of desiring thought-provoking debate and just be honest about their hate for the US and that they want to badmouth it at every opportunity? Isn't that the real reason you all come here, so you can make thinly veiled insults about America? Does it make you all feel macho?

Certainly you all must realize the underlying hate and resentment you weave is quite apparent, don't you?

Why do some here find it irresistable to tell US citizens how they and their government should behave when no one has been so low down as to return the favor about your little utopias? Who put any of you in charge of our lives?

You must know that all the harangues and droning propaganda that these people perpetrate in every topic will actually have no effect on anything, don't you?

You all realize that the pure hate pushers here are simple throwbacks to the dark Hitlerian era when it was stylish to hate those who were the least bit different than their perceived perfection, don' t you?

Incoherent, disillusioned, foaming at the mouth hate dialogue serves only evil, you know?

Loathing the US will not put an extra $ in your paycheck, nor add one second to your lives, right? You know that nothing any of us here in the US are doing affect you all directly in your daily lives, don't you?

You understand that no Americans on this board have any detailed control over US foreign policy that may make you angry, right?

You know lashing out at the US government policy by proxy through innocent forum visitors is pointless, dont you?

If you all have things to redress why don't you communicate with the principal people involved in the USA in a coherent manner instead of us?

If you all hate the USA to the point of it consuming your lives, as it seems to be, why don't you join a terrorist organization and strike that blow for...for whatever grievences you have real or imagined?
http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Heart-Dance.gif

Who put any of you in charge of our lives?[/img]
:rofl: :lol: :lol2:



Man that's just too funny

If the American government doesn't do enough to make em' hate us (and they likely do plenty)- loudmouth arrogant cowboy yahoo windbags sure will do the trick...and we have MORE than our share of those, it seems.

The people here have been systematically spewing continual anti US negativity long before I dropped by here, pal. The topic is always turned to so as to lay the blame for everything on the US, its society and its citizens' perceived immoral behavior. It's just pure hateful propaganda.

What, pray tell, is the US government doing to these people on this forum personally on a daily basis that affects their lives in any meaningful way?

The people here have been systematically spewing continual anti US negativity long before I dropped by here, pal. The topic is always turned to so as to lay the blame for everything on the US, its society and its citizens' perceived immoral behavior. It's just pure hateful propaganda.

What, pray tell, is the US government doing to these people on this forum personally on a daily basis that affects their lives in any meaningful way?

This question has been asked and answered before,but for you,I'll give you a quick summary.

US anti-terrorist measures mean that I can't carry the smallest of steel implements on a public flight even across a country half a world away.


US anti-terrorist measures mean that my workplace had to spend thousands on installing heavy security just in case the US Army ever needs an order of cheese in a hurry even though their orders are small and infrequent

US anti- terrorist measures mean that my kids can no longer go to their favorite fishing spot because the port company was obliged to extend its security fences way beyond its actual operating area even though there are no direct shipping services to the US from this port

In short, I'm tired of America's obsession with fighting wars and waving guns around impacting on my little patch of paradise.So you choose to elect a cretin? fine.I DIDN'T.I see no reason to run around making the rest of the world into a giant secure so that he can offend whoever he pleases without risking any comebacks.

As for your inability to separate debate from anti-Americanism, that excuse has been used by every neocon who ever lost a debate in this forum.We don't hate America, or Americans in general.It's just the gung-ho arrogant fools who believe themselves to be superior to the rest of us because they support the moron in the White House that tend to irritate those of us who know better.

You must know that all the harangues and droning propaganda that these people perpetrate in every topic will actually have no effect on anything, don't you?

You all realize that the pure hate pushers here are simple throwbacks to the dark Hitlerian era when it was stylish to hate those who were the least bit different than their perceived perfection, don' t you?

Incoherent, disillusioned, foaming at the mouth hate dialogue serves only evil, you know?

All of the above could also be applied to your posts.

You know lashing out at the US government policy by proxy through innocent forum visitors is pointless, dont you?

If you all have things to redress why don't you communicate with the principal people involved in the USA in a coherent manner instead of us?


It's called debating.We don't want to change the world on our own,as Bush seems to, we want to see all the points of view laid out so that we can expand our understanding of how others see the issues.
If you all hate the USA to the point of it consuming your lives, as it seems to be, why don't you join a terrorist organization and strike that blow for...for whatever grievences you have real or imagined?
Your argument that we hate the US because we dare to question the current pack of scumbags in charge is pllayed out and comprehensively lost.Makes this question somewhat irrelevant, but I'll answer it anyway.I don't think that any person in this forum condones terrorism in any form.Not by individuals like Timothy McVeigh,Not by religous groups like AlQuaeda, nor by Government actions such as the invasion of Iraq. The only difference is that the right wing has trouble accepting that their beloved President has occupied a foreign country against all advice for reasons that have their roots in dollars and cents rather than democracy and altruism.

Bub, you aren't debating anything. You're lashing out with hate-filled statement in a vain attempt to indict the citizens who have nothing to do with any of the grieviences you perceive. There's no civilized debate on any topic. Soon as anyone politely disagrees with you, you launch into attacks on American society, the Constitution and whatever you imagine you hate with out the 1st hand knowledge of them.

Find one of my or anyone's post that accuses your homeland of anything as you have constantly to the US. Please don't say its perfect either, where ever you live.

Dude I have no use for politicians of all creeds in all parties anywhere. Since we felt betrayed by them in nam I never voted till I was past 40.

Why does something you have no control over consume you? So you hate Bush. So what? We've heard that loud and clear. Now come up with something profound. You have some intelligence but it's eclipsed and tarnished by your overwhelming Mr. Hyde. Why do you assume that I or others here all voted for him?

Responsibilities for everything do not revolve around Bush or any president as you seem to write even on threads that aren't weighing government issues. Tony Blair is not personally responsible for every flaw in England either. This goes for his counterparts worldwide.

Talking about issues is a good thing but consistantly making that sharp turn into verbally degrading American citizens is an addiction and not at all balanced debating.

Whatever minor inconveniences you have endured due to the terrorists attacking NY, so sorry. But the wacko Islamics want the downfall of ALL WESTERN CIVILIZATION. They came this close to kamikaziing into the Eiffel Tower. There plans have been thwarted in Europe with European targets earmarked. You equate US involvement in Iraq to terrorist acts though. That makes no rational sense. If we had SEAL teams infiltrated to assassinate and disrupt civil function that would be terrorism.

I support my brothers in uniform in Iraq and anywhere they are. Since I personally cannot control events or past history I support them in anything they do. When you are "over there" you just want to live to get home and protect your squad mates and you'll do whatever it takes for that to happen.

You mention that you live in a paradise. That's great. But no one from the US is taking food out of your mouth or money out of you pocket. Paradise is a state of mind also. And you are so troubled by your perceptions of the US being out to ruin your life that you will never find paradise. Peace from within starts with you.

I mean the forum raises topics that are insignificant viewed in the relativity to the last 100 years of world events. It's like floating in a ocean of crap and saying "this one little turd bothers me."

There sure aren't any lofty, thought provoking discussions about pros and cons of say, theocracy vs monarchy, just down in the gutter finger-pointing and mud slinging exactly like the politicians do!

I'm sorry for you if you can't lead a happy life in the place you call paradise due to the overwhelming mental anguish of the burden of America weighing on you. If you allow real or perceived road blocks in life to control you you will never find nirvana. Lighten up on yourself and have a good life. It goes by way too fast.
http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Prayer.gif

Another Bush bashing thread.


It was only a matter of time. Sadly, I saw it coming. :rolleyes:

Any educated mind knows where the line is drawn between a debate and a rant. And this goes for both sides.

naki, let me get this straight, your upset at the US, because your country decided to enact some changes due to US changes in law and policy? Your place of buisness changed its way of operating. I have failed to see in your post where the US came in, and forced these changes.... or did I miss that part. It appears to me, that your own country voluntarily enacted these changes, and instead of being pissed at your own government and ranting about them, you shoose to rant about the US.


if I am wrong, please, feel more than free to post the information, and if a retracted statement is needed, it will be freely given.

~Thomas

naki, let me get this straight, your upset at the US, because your country decided to enact some changes due to US changes in law and policy? Your place of buisness changed its way of operating. I have failed to see in your post where the US came in, and forced these changes.... or did I miss that part. It appears to me, that your own country voluntarily enacted these changes, and instead of being pissed at your own government and ranting about them, you shoose to rant about the US.


if I am wrong, please, feel more than free to post the information, and if a retracted statement is needed, it will be freely given.

~Thomas


Interesting point.At least someone here is debating the issues instead of dabbling in amateur psychology.My country is a small nation in the South Pacific.We believe in the value of being part of a wider community,a global community of individual states.We support the UN,warts and all.It's not perfect, but it isn't out to screw the world for the sake of a few oil dollars. When a large nation goes to the UN and cries and bleats that its interests aren't being served, we have little voice when it comes to the vote.The US comes in and screws with the international standards that the rest of us choose to live by, there's lttle that we can do.When your country is as small as ours, you can't make demands on the UN with one hand and call for its abolition with the other.
Overall, I don't bleat about our government, because it is largely honest.It doesn't lie to its constituents and it doesn't start wars.It goes with the flow of world opinion rather than trying to jam an assault rifle up the worlds' nose, and if it belongs to international treaty organisations, it does so for the common good, not for the sake of dominating and controlling them.
My country doesn't put its fingers into your life.Please ask George and his neocon buddies to keep their poisonous talons out of mine.

Kurt, Sniper- it's just the same old song. Reminds me of Khruschev in the 1960s with that "we will bury you" dead ass rhetoric. For all the tantrums its seems the life in "paradise" just winds him up instead of calms him down. Oh, I forgot though, Bush is personally fucking this guy up. Quick look out the window! Is that a CIA operative?
http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Eeeeeek.gif

My country doesn't put its fingers into your life.Please ask George and his neocon buddies to keep their poisonous talons out of mine.

That's not as easy as it may sound. Sure it's easier for your country not to effect ours possibly due in part to your size and the lack of products in the world markets.

To ask us not to effect your counrty then that gets a whole lot tougher.
We are a world superpower. We are a world leader in nearly every marketplace. How do we not effect other countries?

THe only way I can see us not effecting your country would be for you to close your borders and become an totally self sufficient island with no imports and exports. Letting America influence and effect you as much as it does seems to be a little more in your hands than in ours. We will continue to do buisness on a world scale. If you continue to participate in the world market then we will continue to influence your country.

I understand that this may not be exactly what youare refering to when you say for GB and crew to stay out of your life but I think it follows the same path.

As a superpower we certainly have the ability to "effect" other countries in a positive manner. In which case I'm sure we would be embraced and applauded by the international community. It is only when we start throwing our weight around, acting unilaterally without regard for global consequence (especially under bogus pretense) that citizens of other nations tend to get a bit testy.

Look at it from a different perspective. If the negative consequences of a coworker's witless blunder (one in which you had no hand) fell, in part, on your shoulders, would you welcome it? I'd wager you wouldn't, especially if you work hard, if you are a contributor who keeps his/her nose clean.

The U.S. is not the only country on this planet- and we have NO right to make impetuous and ill-planned decisions with far-reaching consequences. Unfortunately, it seems that many Americans lack the capacity to think globally. This self-seeking ideology is short-sighted and disdainful. It is unbecoming of a nation as great as we have the ability to be- as a superpower we are a bully, not a benefactor.