Obama 'gutting military' by purging generals

[Sheilbh]

Exactly.  The line is still funny, but it comes from Gates being tone deaf, not from him "spinning the meeting in a different direction for political purposes" (whatever that means).  I am not surprised that some tribal members can't see this because they are desperate to accuse Gates of political motivations (for their own partisan reasons), but I should have thought that you, Sheilbh, would see the difference between being tone-deaf and "spinning... for political purposes."

I don't think he's spinning for political purposes, I've not said that. I think it's a bit lacking in self-awareness which is why it's funny. It's Captain Reynaud

Also I think Obama's line is more about people spinning it into a more momentous meeting than it was for the purpose of selling memoirs, not political spin.

[crazy canuck]

some tribal members can't see this because they are desperate to accuse Gates of political motivations (for their own partisan reasons

If your argument requires that statement to be true, you may wish to reconsider making the argument.

[derspiess]

But it is true.  A lot of folks here immediately circle the wagons around Obama the minute something unfavorable is said about him.

[grumbler]

I don't think he's spinning for political purposes, I've not said that. I think it's a bit lacking in self-awareness which is why it's funny. It's Captain Reynaud

Also I think Obama's line is more about people spinning it into a more momentous meeting than it was for the purpose of selling memoirs, not political spin.

Exactly.

[grumbler]

some tribal members can't see this because they are desperate to accuse Gates of political motivations (for their own partisan reasons

If your argument requires that statement to be true, you may wish to reconsider making the argument.

If the shoe fits, wear it.

[crazy canuck]

I don't think he's spinning for political purposes, I've not said that. I think it's a bit lacking in self-awareness which is why it's funny. It's Captain Reynaud

Also I think Obama's line is more about people spinning it into a more momentous meeting than it was for the purpose of selling memoirs, not political spin.

Exactly.

[Jacob]

But it is true.  A lot of folks here immediately circle the wagons around Obama the minute something unfavorable is said about him.

Like Sheilbh? 

[Jacob]

I don't think he's spinning for political purposes, I've not said that. I think it's a bit lacking in self-awareness which is why it's funny. It's Captain Reynaud

Also I think Obama's line is more about people spinning it into a more momentous meeting than it was for the purpose of selling memoirs, not political spin.

Pretty much, yeah.

And thinking that is basically the same as character assassinating Gates. Anyone objective can tell you that.

[grumbler]

I don't think he's spinning for political purposes, I've not said that. I think it's a bit lacking in self-awareness which is why it's funny. It's Captain Reynaud

Also I think Obama's line is more about people spinning it into a more momentous meeting than it was for the purpose of selling memoirs, not political spin.

Pretty much, yeah.

And thinking that is basically the same as character assassinating Gates. Anyone objective can tell you that.

Anyone objective could tell you that "the purpose of selling memoirs, not political spin" is pretty much the opposite of "spinning the meeting in a different direction for political purposes." 

Now that you have abandoned both contentions to which I had taken exception, I am going to predict you will pretend that you didn't make either contention to begin with. 

[derspiess]

But it is true.  A lot of folks here immediately circle the wagons around Obama the minute something unfavorable is said about him.

Like Sheilbh? 

Why not?

[Jacob]

Now that you have abandoned both contentions to which I had taken exception, I am going to predict you will pretend that you didn't make either contention to begin with. 

[Jacob]

But it is true.  A lot of folks here immediately circle the wagons around Obama the minute something unfavorable is said about him.

Like Sheilbh? 

Why not?

Why not indeed. Sheilbh is a notorious Obama partisan in these parts.

[11B4V]

Agree with grumbler. Bad form.

[PDH]

I agree with Grumbler too - Leonidas was a cockbite.  Grumbler deserved that promotion.

[DGuller]

Now that you have abandoned both contentions to which I had taken exception, I am going to predict you will pretend that you didn't make either contention to begin with.