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Chris Mathews Calls West Point an "Enemy camp"

I think it was fairly obvious what Matthews was saying...however....still a pretty stupid thing to say.
 
Breaking News! Commentator uses common phrase to describe a generally politically opposed crowd to the President.

In other news rookie Linebacker Brian Orakpo said when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Washington Redskins in December they're going to be entering enemy territory and their defense is going to rip Tony Romo's head off. Brian Orakpo was then arrested for threats of murder towards Tony Romo and the FBI is investigating season ticket holders for terrorist connection due to Orakpo's admission they're "enemy territory".

And in other news Chris Johnson was found running away from the cops today, showing the announcer was amazingly apt in describing his speed as "Running away from the cops" fast.

:roll:

Seriously...really?

Saying someone is entering "enemy territory" when going to a place that is generally opposed to their views...be it in sports, politics, whatever...is hardly a giant offense and isn't that unusual of a phrase. Poor choice of words? Sure, but not what its being made out to be. If George Bush was going to speak before a traditionally black college you could describe it the same way....would that mean the commentator was proposing those black men and women were America's enemy?
 
Zyphlin said:
Breaking News! Commentator uses common phrase to describe a generally politically opposed crowd to the President.

In other news rookie Linebacker Brian Orakpo said when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Washington Redskins in December they're going to be entering enemy territory and their defense is going to rip Tony Romo's head off. Brian Orakpo was then arrested for threats of murder towards Tony Romo and the FBI is investigating season ticket holders for terrorist connection due to Orakpo's admission they're "enemy territory".

And in other news Chris Johnson was found running away from the cops today, showing the announcer was amazingly apt in describing his speed as "Running away from the cops" fast.

:roll:

Seriously...really?

Saying someone is entering "enemy territory" when going to a place that is generally opposed to their views...be it in sports, politics, whatever...is hardly a giant offense and isn't that unusual of a phrase. Poor choice of words? Sure, but not what its being made out to be. If George Bush was going to speak before a traditionally black college you could describe it the same way....would that mean the commentator was proposing those black men and women were America's enemy?
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Since when are people who disagree politically......now considered "the enemy"?:confused:

This is a big story, as we are now about to draw battle lines, and we could very soon face another civil war!
 
....tell me that was an attempt at sarcasm?
 
Zyphlin said:
....tell me that was an attempt at sarcasm?
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No, it is not, this country is becoming more divided by the day, and talking heads in the comfort and safety of their televison studios are ramping up the hatred. To dismiss this, is to dismiss the growing divide that is forming all across this great land, and that is dangerous! This is not the first time this man, and his network has smeared and angered a large swath of america, and the same is true on the right, this is not funny, it is not cute anymore, it is dangerous, and we need to pay attention!:shock:
 
Jackboot said:
No, it is not, this country is becoming more divided by the day, and talking heads in the comfort and safety of their televison studios are ramping up the hatred. To dismiss this, is to dismiss the growing divide that is forming all across this great land, and that is dangerous! This is not the first time this man, and his network has smeared and angered a large swath of america, and the same is true on the right, this is not funny, it is not cute anymore, it is dangerous, and we need to pay attention!:shock:
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Come back down to earth please. he did not smear any one, he suggested, accurately, that West Point cadets and staff are largely conservative in their politics, and as such, it is not going to be as receptive to him as a more liberal place. This is no way speaks poorly of West Point, or any one at West Point. There was zero slight of any one.
 
Redress said:
Come back down to earth please. he did not smear any one, he suggested, accurately, that West Point cadets and staff are largely conservative in their politics, and as such, it is not going to be as receptive to him as a more liberal place. This is no way speaks poorly of West Point, or any one at West Point. There was zero slight of any one.
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You do not know this, and you cannot possibly make this assertion, you are simply guessing. It is well known that young people are more liberal then they are conservative, this comes with experience. To suggest that these people do not respect their CIC, is just an ignorant and divisive comment, and there is no excuse for it.

Now HOW IS IT, that I am not securely grounded, it is you who appear to be floating around?
 
Jackboot said:
You do not know this, and you cannot possibly make this assertion, you are simply guessing. It is well known that young people are more liberal then they are conservative, this comes with experience. To suggest that these people do not respect their CIC, is just an ignorant and divisive comment, and there is no excuse for it.

Now HOW IS IT, that I am not securely grounded, it is you who appear to be floating around?
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Woah woah woah! Who said they did not respect their CIC? Not Mathews. You would have to stretch what he was trying to say all out of recognition to get that.
 
Redress said:
Woah woah woah! Who said they did not respect their CIC? Not Mathews. You would have to stretch what he was trying to say all out of recognition to get that.
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"It seems like in this case, there isn't a lot of excitement," Matthews said. "I watched the cadets, they were young kids - men and women who were committed to serving their country professionally it must be said, as officers. And, I didn't see much excitement. But among the older people there, I saw, if not resentment, skepticism. I didn't see a lot of warmth in that crowd out there. The president chose to address tonight and I thought it was interesting. He went to maybe the enemy camp tonight to make his case. I mean, that's where Paul Wolfowitz used to write speeches for, back in the old Bush days. That's where he went to rabble rouse the "we're going to democratize the world" campaign back in '02. So, I thought it was a strange venue."

I think this says it all, especially the comment about "a strange venue" where else would you go to announce you are sending more military people to war....."strange venue"....really?:roll:
 
Jackboot said:
"It seems like in this case, there isn't a lot of excitement," Matthews said. "I watched the cadets, they were young kids - men and women who were committed to serving their country professionally it must be said, as officers. And, I didn't see much excitement. But among the older people there, I saw, if not resentment, skepticism. I didn't see a lot of warmth in that crowd out there. The president chose to address tonight and I thought it was interesting. He went to maybe the enemy camp tonight to make his case. I mean, that's where Paul Wolfowitz used to write speeches for, back in the old Bush days. That's where he went to rabble rouse the "we're going to democratize the world" campaign back in '02. So, I thought it was a strange venue."

I think this says it all, especially the comment about "a strange venue" where else would you go to announce you are sending more military people to war....."strange venue"....really?:roll:
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Again, you are seeing something that is not there. It's a strange venue in that it is largely conservative, and as such, unlikely to give a wildly enthusiastic reception to what he is saying. Note that nothing there suggest they where less than respectful, just that he saw "skepticism". That is not a criticism of the people in any way. Most politicians like to give speeches where they will get lots of applause and cheers. This was unlikely due to the choice of venue, which is what matthews was commenting on.
 
Redress said:
Again, you are seeing something that is not there. It's a strange venue in that it is largely conservative, and as such, unlikely to give a wildly enthusiastic reception to what he is saying. Note that nothing there suggest they where less than respectful, just that he saw "skepticism". That is not a criticism of the people in any way. Most politicians like to give speeches where they will get lots of applause and cheers. This was unlikely due to the choice of venue, which is what matthews was commenting on.
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I guess this is the never ending campaign Howard Deam was referring to, he is spot on! This is the president of the united states, not the president of those who love and respect him, the venue was ideal, period!
 
Jackboot said:
I guess this is the never ending campaign Howard Deam was referring to, he is spot on! This is the president of the united states, not the president of those who love and respect him, the venue was ideal, period!
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I don't disagree that it was an appropriate venue, but it is odd for a liberal president to make a major speech in front of a less friendly crowd.
 
I know one of the West Point Cadets who was in the audience. I'll ask him what he thinks about the President's plan.

I know that he voted for Obama and believes Bush lied us into the war in Iraq.
 
I'm not alone in my belief that the venue makes perfect sense.


West Point a symbolic venue for president

WEST POINT — On Tuesday, President Barack Obama will do something familiar and unique as he stands at the U.S. Military Academy to announce his new policy in Afghanistan. In choosing West Point as the backdrop for his 8 p.m. policy speech, Obama repeats past presidents' practices but also aims attention at Americans doubtful about increasing the country's investment in war, said Chester Pach, a presidential historian and Ohio University professor.

West Point has been a setting where presidents from Franklin Roosevelt to George W. Bush have talked military methodology.

In 2002, George W. Bush laid out for graduates what became known as the "Bush Doctrine." He asserted that modern terrorism requires the United States to employ pre-emptive strikes against other nations.

But Bush's commencement speech was a continuation in spelling out his strategy, said Pach. Obama and his advisers, however, are using the venue differently.

"They want to call attention to the new steps that they're taking in Afghanistan, but also to point out the costs of doing so by speaking to people who will be serving," Pach said.
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Reverend_Hellh0und said:
I do. do you think they would have acted in any other way than at the utmost respect?


How sad a commentary it is for the commnder in chief to have those he commands viewed as "Enemy territory"...
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What Chis was upset about is that Bush always got a rousing, standing ovation when he went to West Point.... the Commandant had to tell the Cadets before Barry's appearance to be respectful when Barry appeared, and not let politics get involved. (I think that meant no booing)
 
Crunch said:
What Chis was upset about is that Bush always got a rousing, standing ovation when he went to West Point.... the Commandant had to tell the Cadets before Barry's appearance to be respectful when Barry appeared, and not let politics get involved. (I think that meant no booing)
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I was at two executive speeches, one from Bush the elder, and one from Quayle, and we were told the same thing both times.
 
Does anyone honestly think he would have gotten a rousing reception if he had given that speech at Moscone Center with a democrats only crowd? :roll:

.
 
liblady said:
he's biased. but his point was clear enough, and true. obama showed some guts addressing that audience.
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Why would he have any trepidation whatsoever unless he did not have their best interests at heart?
 
TOJ said:
Does anyone honestly think he would have gotten a rousing reception if he had given that speech at Moscone Center with a democrats only crowd? :roll:

.
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Great point, I think this man is an island on to himself at this point, but bravo, he cannot find a friendly venue!
 
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