A first introduction to Rep. Adam Smith. Impressive. Has a frank and straightforward manner that is a refreshing departure from politicians who are always auditioning.
Lays down a gauntlet for Ds who use the issue of budget deficits only when it suits. I do remember that President Clinton balanced the budget. And Rep. Smith said that Obama did a good job trying to move toward fiscal responsibility. Rs are the biggest budget busters.
He says Americans want to pay $1 for $2 of services. That may be a cheap shot. I think Americans are wiling to pay for services but they don't want to be suckers. With political leadership they don't trust, Americans don't feel ownership of how their tax dollars are spent.
I think this is one of the best, cogent, tight interviews within The Contrarian publications. An understanding of military power and personnel, deficit, tax cuts. A clear portrait of misplaced and dangerous loyalty. An understanding of culture wars and their problem, both right and left wing. Looking forward to hearing more from Rep. Smith whom I also enjoyed hearing a few days ago on C Span.
This guy is really impressive and I am somewhat relieved with his confidence that the Pentagon despite Secretary Kegsbreath is still reasonably competent.
excellent interview- thank you so much- I look forward to hearing your conversations with all the people you have on-especially the elected folks you've had- this was my introduction to rep. Smith and I too appreciated his grounded demeanor and factual knowledge.
Good interview Jen--Adam Smith gives me confidence in that we have at least some folks who are sober and not sucking up to Trump. His last "oh by the way" about his pride in the precision of the military strike on Iran I have trouble separating from whether it was about getting in on Netanyahu's war on Iran to claim some glory while changing the subject again. Also surely Iranians will feel that they need to get nuclear weapons ASAP. The "cuteness" or "brilliance" of the mini-drama Trump played- deciding in two weeks whether to go ahead with this attack-while he actually went ahead with the attack proved to Iran, already wary, that Trump's word cannot be taken and no deal is possible.
So if you can isolate the attack from that- we have the expertise and the hardware even to do greater things. I can think of some.
"Might makes right" though, doesn't it? What happened to consulting Congress and International Law? There was no imminent danger. Maybe now there *will be* and "mowing of the lawn" will happen, more bombing as Iran keeps going for nuclear weapons. In the meantime Trump (and his people) can take bows as we wait for the bomb damage assessment.The old world order is back.
The weekend talkshow host was hired to do one thing, give Trump his birthday boy parade when all of his other SecDef refused. The drunken woman abuser will spend the rest of his days acting like Trump’s Pentagon PR guy instead of the head of the largest bureaucracy in the world who are armed with the most lethal weapons known to mankind.
A first introduction to Rep. Adam Smith. Impressive. Has a frank and straightforward manner that is a refreshing departure from politicians who are always auditioning.
Lays down a gauntlet for Ds who use the issue of budget deficits only when it suits. I do remember that President Clinton balanced the budget. And Rep. Smith said that Obama did a good job trying to move toward fiscal responsibility. Rs are the biggest budget busters.
He says Americans want to pay $1 for $2 of services. That may be a cheap shot. I think Americans are wiling to pay for services but they don't want to be suckers. With political leadership they don't trust, Americans don't feel ownership of how their tax dollars are spent.
I think this is one of the best, cogent, tight interviews within The Contrarian publications. An understanding of military power and personnel, deficit, tax cuts. A clear portrait of misplaced and dangerous loyalty. An understanding of culture wars and their problem, both right and left wing. Looking forward to hearing more from Rep. Smith whom I also enjoyed hearing a few days ago on C Span.
This guy is really impressive and I am somewhat relieved with his confidence that the Pentagon despite Secretary Kegsbreath is still reasonably competent.
Undercuts years of Republicans posturing and pretending to care about the national debt.
excellent interview- thank you so much- I look forward to hearing your conversations with all the people you have on-especially the elected folks you've had- this was my introduction to rep. Smith and I too appreciated his grounded demeanor and factual knowledge.
Good interview Jen--Adam Smith gives me confidence in that we have at least some folks who are sober and not sucking up to Trump. His last "oh by the way" about his pride in the precision of the military strike on Iran I have trouble separating from whether it was about getting in on Netanyahu's war on Iran to claim some glory while changing the subject again. Also surely Iranians will feel that they need to get nuclear weapons ASAP. The "cuteness" or "brilliance" of the mini-drama Trump played- deciding in two weeks whether to go ahead with this attack-while he actually went ahead with the attack proved to Iran, already wary, that Trump's word cannot be taken and no deal is possible.
So if you can isolate the attack from that- we have the expertise and the hardware even to do greater things. I can think of some.
"Might makes right" though, doesn't it? What happened to consulting Congress and International Law? There was no imminent danger. Maybe now there *will be* and "mowing of the lawn" will happen, more bombing as Iran keeps going for nuclear weapons. In the meantime Trump (and his people) can take bows as we wait for the bomb damage assessment.The old world order is back.
Thank you for such responsible answers and comments to Jen's questions, Rep. Adam Smith.
The weekend talkshow host was hired to do one thing, give Trump his birthday boy parade when all of his other SecDef refused. The drunken woman abuser will spend the rest of his days acting like Trump’s Pentagon PR guy instead of the head of the largest bureaucracy in the world who are armed with the most lethal weapons known to mankind.