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Krauthammer Blasts Hagel: ‘Incredibly Remarkable Lack of Competence’

Jan. 31, 2013 10:57pm Jason Howerton

Krauthammer Blasts Chuck Hagel Over Lack of Competence

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 31: Former U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing to become the next secretary of defense on Capitol Hill January 31, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama nominated Hagel, a controversial choice as Hagel opposed former President George W. Bush and his own party on the Iraq War and upset liberals with his criticism of a gay ambassador, for which he later apologized. Credit: Getty Images

Appearing on Fox News’ “Special Report” with Bret Baier on Thursday, syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer blasted Chuck Hagel’s performance at his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, saying he displayed an “astonishing lack of competence.”

“His problem is a demonstrated, incredibly remarkable lack of competence,” Krauthammer began.

He also argued Hagel’s honesty was called into question as he was forced to either walk back or change his position on a number of issues.

“He’s been denying essentially the essence of a dozen statements and ideas that he’s said in the past. And now he says all of a sudden, ‘oh no, you know, on Iran I’ve changed my mind,’” Krauthammer said.

“From both sides,” Baier pointed out. “On the gay issue, on climate change, on other things.”

Hagel appears to have “seen the light” on a number of issues overnight, conveniently while he is being challenged by members of Congress on his record, Krauthammer added.

“What happened today was shocking because it showed an astonishing lack of competence. I mean he was wobbly, he was weak, bumbling,” he continued.

Krauthammer also slammed Hagel for his handling of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) question on his previous remarks in which he accused “the Jewish lobby” of intimidating a lot of people in Washington.

During Thursday’s hearing, Hagel expanded his apology for the way he phrased his comments.

“I’ve already said I regret referencing the Jewish lobby,” Hagel said. “I should have said pro-Israel lobby. I think it’s the only time on the record I’ve ever said that.”

Featured image via Getty

(H/T: RCP)

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Comments (72)

Stab_friendly
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 8:38am
If the dystopian GOP is against it, them it must be good…

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 9:22am
  Charles Krauthammer was one of the neocons who fooled America into a war with ‘Iraq’ after al Qaeda in ‘Afghanistan’ attacked America. For these Jewish neocons it is always about loyalty to Israel first. Here’s a quote from Ari Shavit’s piece written in Haaretz two weeks into the Iraq war:
  
  “The war in Iraq was conceived by 25 neoconservative intellectuals, most of them Jewish, who are pushing President Bush to change the course of history. Two of them, journalists William Kristol and Charles Krauthammer, say it’s possible.”
  
  http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/white-man-s-burden-1.14110
  
  Report this comment
- str8blues
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 7:58pm
  Bumbling, Stumbling incompetent fool………He should fit right in with the Obama Administration.
  
  Report this comment
lgccac
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 8:16am
“Incredibly Remarkable Lack of Competence” – Hagel ought to fit right in with the rest of the Obama regime.

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- redfish52
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 8:41am
  It was brutal and I loved it…the way the Senators would start by being nice and congratulating him on his long career and nomination and then go right to his throat…..TV worth watching.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 9:16am
  The real question should be, “Why did almost every Senator have the need to display their total allegiance to a two-bit nation the size of New Jersey?” Something is amiss when so many feel so compelled. We’re a world power. We are in trouble. Yet, our policy makers focus on Israel.
  
  That tells the real story.
  
  Report this comment
- Silvertruth
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:15am
  Jerk:
  
  If you need to ask that question, then do some more study about history an a little more thinking on the topic and less anti-jewish thinking and speaking would help. Try looking at things from a more humanist perspective and not from a conspiracy ‘The Jews are to blame for everything’ perspective.
  
  Just to answer one of your questions, that little ‘New Jersey’ sized state keeps the entire region stable. If the Islamic states didn’t have Israel to grind their axes on, we would have had WWIII and WWIV by now. Israel is relatively stable, all their neighbors are in internal chaos.
  
  Report this comment
- str8blues
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 8:03pm
  THE JERK Israel has been a loyal friend to the US long before your stupid ignorant ass was alive. You’re just stupid and don’t understand the relationship of our strongest ally. You really put your total inept knowledge of history for all the world to witness. Lucky for you…..you’re anonymous so you can spew your ignorance and only you know how ignorant you are. Pull your head out of your ass….take a deep breath of fresh air…..clean yourself up and get a frickin’ education you ignorant lunatic.
  
  Report this comment
gabbygirl
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 8:05am
Yet another spineless bowl of mush. They all make me want to puke. Democrates or Republicans.

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h20sue
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 7:16am
Obama must owe Chucky a HUGE FAVOR. Another FALL GUY, JUST LIKE HILLARY.
After watching the Congressional hearings, Chucky is a babbling idiot, and he has no business in the assigned position. Many soldiers served in Vietnam, many are in a much better position then this man.

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edie1945
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 7:11am
Mr. Hagel is incompetent to hold the Secretary of Defense position. Is that why obama nominated him??

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- h20sue
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 7:20am
  If we can see this, why can’t Congress (GOP)? We The People are saying NO BUT OBAMA just doesn’t want to hear it, as the dems think the moron is wonderful. This country is in serious trouble. Before Obama leaves the Whitehouse our country will be socialist. It’s getting there very quickly, and the Supreme Court Justices are making certain it happens. Hagel is just another stepping stone, as well as the two appointed Justices from the Obama Administration.
  
  Report this comment
raderby
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 6:08am
it is worse than “incompetent” – much. I wish the MSM could see this all for what it is. Hagel is damaged goods, and perfect for king zero, since I am sure the king has something on this guy, and philosophically, Hagel and king zero agree 100% on stamping Israel out of existence.

Also ,the bumbling under questioning reminded me of a drug addict, or alcoholic trying to keep it together under pressure.

I think Hagel is a drunk… or on drugs… both? – something. And our dear leader is using that to have a puppet that he can claim is his bipartisan puppet. It all is an attempt to make the light shine back on king zero. The guy is really that sick in the head – narcissism unleashed for 4 more years?? this is going to be really difficult.

Stinko sleezo top to bottom.

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Capdaver
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:20am
The person who occupies the White house is just trying to say a big thanks to Chuck for helping with Cell Phones and Voting Machines. The fact he is anti-Israeli is a bonus. I am certainly not a conspiracy nut but ESS and Vanguard are his two main forays in the pubic sector and basically in an Obama think tank since retirement in 09. Come on man…..

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EP46
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:09am
In his opening remarks Hagel said his top priority would be to protect our military men & women. I disagree. I believe the top priority is the defense & protection of the United States as a sovereign nation against all enemies. And to the other post…yes, Hagel is for ZERO nuclear weapons…going much farther than the current START treaty obama signed. He has endorsed ” Global Zero” which calls for global elimination of nuclear weapons….while lettling Iran get nukes. We have to wait for a ‘nuclear accident’ for obama to take that on….like oil & guns……let’s “create a crisis” & then push an agenda.

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NOBALONEY
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:51am
Krauthammer just sumed up the Obama presidency, and his legacy.

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- Zipit
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 8:51am
  Ditto BALONEY!! an “astonishing lack of competence.”
  
  Report this comment
strawberry411a
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:57am
Just what Obama wants: an incompetent white male running the military that he wants to destroy. Hagel is perfect for the job.

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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:31am
Maybe President Obama did not make the right choice and should consider another candidate?

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sinner-saint
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:11am
U.S. troop involvement in the Vietnam War was started by Lyndon Johnson to protect Ladybird’s construction company/equipment at the time. He sent combat troops into Vietnam to protect her company/equipment. That’s how everything really got started – by a left leaning liberal democrat/marxist/communist.

Kennedy had to go……Johnson had to have him killed and gotten out of the way. And yes, the servicemen were lied to. Vietnam was a police action….not a war. We had no intersts in Vietnam. As a former military serviceman and veteran, when I took the military oath, I swore to protect/defend the U.S, Constitution and this country from enemies – both foreign and domestic. Veitnam was not a threat to the U.S. Many men died there fighting in a useless police action. Did we win it? Hell no……we pulled out and ran. All because of Johnson’s treacherous greed and thirst for power.

And now we;re fighting more police actions in Iraq, Afgahnistan and in other places. War is about killing people and breaking things. Police actions say bomb here but don;t bomb there; shoot this person but don’t shoot that person. I don’t fight or get involved in police actions – that is not what the military contract I signed stated I had to do. I volunteered for military service and proudly served & upheld my part of the deal/contract. My military unit was purely defensive in nature and never left the country (Aerospace Defense Command). Police actions I don’t do. Homie can read and ain’

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- pragmaticpatriot
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:15pm
  Thank you for your service
  
  Report this comment
TSUNAMI_22
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:27am
Hagel is a deceitful and devious POS from the word go, and if he doesn’t get confirmed it’ll only be because someone else worse has already been chosen to fill the seat.

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carbonyes
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:11am
Pride cometh before the fall. A lot of forces propelled Obama into his present lofty position, chief of which was God himself. Israel wanted a king. They got Saul.
America regularly spit in the face of God.
We got Obama.
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- Meemster
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:21am
  You are 100% correct.
  
  Report this comment
Advection
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:02am
Someone quoted Hagel today saying that he believes the US should unilaterally disarm 100% of its nuclear weapons.

THAT’S obama’s “defense” secretary?!

We ARE screwed.

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wordweaver
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:41am
Anyone notice how the only one who wants to keep working for the Prez is Joe Biden? With every change in the cabinet or White House Staff, the replacements get weaker than before. It is like Obama has gone through his A List of friends, and they have all skedaddled on him, and now he is down to the second string. Kerry for State, Hagel for Defense. We are so hosed.

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- 1FreeVoice
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:16am
  “Health insurers started sending out notices in January informing insurance brokers and agents that the companies will no longer guarantee that premium rate. From now on it’s month to month.”
  
  Rats flee a sinking ship. They have to know that as the consequences of what has been done ( in Obama’s first term) begin to be felt by the public, the people still in the hot seat will get burned. Obama can’t skate out and leave his successor to deal with his mess…. he and his people will end up taking the heat for what they have done. They have great spin masters, but there is only so much they can do. The public isn’t stupid….
  
  Report this comment
garbagecanlogic
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:36am
Charles hit it on the head. Being from Nebraska, I was embarrassed to have hagel on national television!

Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:49am
  Do you mean the same Charles Krauthammer, the Jewish neocon, who pushed America into a war with ‘Iraq’ after the Taliban in ‘Afghanistan’ attacked America? The Israel-firster?
  
  Let me quote Ari Shavit’s piece written for Haaretz in Israel only a few weeks into that war:
  
  “The war in Iraq was conceived by 25 neoconservative intellectuals, most of them Jewish, who are pushing President Bush to change the course of history. Two of them, journalists William Kristol and Charles Krauthammer, say it’s possible.”
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:48am
  Wrongo. An empty pool bottom hit CHARLES on the head, Clearly.
  
  Report this comment
neverending
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:27am
My guess would be that chuckie left there wondering what the heck hit him! Hope he had some much needed gatorade!

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:35am
  Na, he knew it was coming. Ask anyone who’s been critical of the always poor-poor me Jewish state of Israel.
  
  Report this comment
DEFCON4
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:48pm
Mr. Hagels’ version of the ‘Potomac Two-Step’, couldn’t even make it to the
next level of American Idol.
Sorry, Mr. Hagel, we don’t like the ‘dance’.

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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:40am
  I seen this dance back in the 60′s, it was called the Monkey.
  
  Come on Hagel, Dance Monkey, Dance.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:00am
  DARMOK, Charles Durning did an excellent job at that Texas sidestep.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJG75FJkjr8
  
  Report this comment
- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:06am
  I loved that guy, to bad he just passed. One hell of an actor.
  
  Report this comment
- DEFCON4
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:58am
  Darmok and RJJ, Here’s one of my fondest Charles Durning memories…..
  A salute to all Medal of Honor recipients..http://youtu.be/HtVkhcPleHk
  
  Report this comment
- pragmaticpatriot
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:49pm
  Never hold discussions with the monkey when the organ grinder is in the room.
  
  Sir Winston Churchill
  
  Report this comment
GrannyisWatching
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:25pm
Twas a good day in DC. In the mean time. Dear Leader was getting photogged by Wintour. LOL I hope he gave mo’s wig back. LOL

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soybomb315_II
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:20pm
so the guy who quickly wised up to the Iraqi disaster (Hagel) is called incompetent by the person who currently suggests we should have more Iraqi disasters (Krauthammer)……makes sense

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- lowerclassrepublican
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:28pm
  You mean the guy who was 100% wrong and will not admit it.
  
  Report this comment
- resme
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:36pm
  Don’t be fooled, soy. This guy is a CFR puppet despite his rhetoric he’s a full fledged neo-con.
  
  Report this comment
- resme
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:37pm
  “You mean the guy who was 100% wrong and will not admit it.”
  
  Iraq failed, 18 Vets a day committing suicide, is that a win for you?
  
  Iraq is in total chaos right now.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:44pm
  Yea Resme, i do not think Hagel is the solution…..But he is a start
  
  For the first time, we have a prospect of having a secretary of defense that at least acknowledges that war should be last resort. After all the warmongering of the last 60 years, i am ready for common sense. Hopefully, the next secretary of defense would build upon that and get us out of UN, NWO, etc…..We can hope at least…..
  
  All-in-all, it’s not like we could expect Obama to nominate anyone better
  
  Report this comment
- Rayblue
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:27am
  Rhetoric mongering soy ?
  Weak and soft at anything is never an improvement.
  War will always be a factor to deal with no matter the pleasant platitudes.
  The presage is all around. But like obama said. They’re just small. Inconsequential. Online.
  
  Report this comment
- Lord_Frostwind
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:35am
  I wouldn’t consider Iraq a disaster, they’re holding together far better than I ever expected them to (granted that was some infinitely small decimal percent chance in my opinion). Al Qaeda Iraq Branch is still an epidemic, but they haven’t broken into civil war which everyone expected, and what the point of the surge troops being sent in was.
  
  Watching Hagel try to defend the old, “surge won’t work, can’t work, blah blah blah,” and when someone points out it did work, they go back to the war being unjustified. The surge wasn’t to look for the WMDs, they were sent in to stop the sectarian fighting.
  
  On nearly every issue I disagree with Mr. Hagel. It was the Iranian Revolutionary Guard units that have been in thorn in our side in the Iraq War and have been helping out all the wonderful peace loving fanatics of the Middle East. Nuclear disarmament is a bad joke that never seems to go away (seriously, what reasonable idea is it that people who want power aren’t going to seek after the most powerful weapon systems on the planet?). And his whining about the Jewish Lobby is like saying, “we support the British, curse that Brit lobby!” Maybe the term “ally” is lost upon him.
  
  That and his pathetic performance today, I don’t give a rat’s hind end about his military service, this guy would be worthless as SecDef.
  
  Report this comment
- tzion
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 7:30am
  @soy
  Hagel doesn’t believe in war as a last resort, he believes in taking the military option off the table entirely in most situations. He also supports cutting the military to reduce our ability to wage wars of necessity.
  
  Report this comment
showmerancher
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:19pm
“His problem is a demonstrated, incredibly remarkable lack of competence”
Yeah, but if that was truly the measure, Washington D.C. would be a ghost town.

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gyro
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:09pm
First of all Krauthammer your coverage of the election was realy bad
Second Krauthammer correct this time ==== His words “the Jewish lobby” was stupid way of saying what he said he didnt say because his is politicaly corect in saying he didnt say what he said and saying it was stupid and not saying as he said it till some one called him on it was stupid to so stop saying it like you said you did
:)
Obama logic

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RANGER1965
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:08pm
Hagel is an antiwar actifvist who is still fighting the Vietnam war. His service there was commendable, but he learned all the wrong lessons.

Making him Sec of Defense would be like putting code pink in charge. I’m glad he failed miserably.

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:23pm
  so what exactly were the lessons of vietnam???
  
  I think Hagel fully knows the lessons of vietnam….which include not fighting foreign wars on behalf of foreigners and minding our own damn business.
  
  The saying goes something like, “History repeats itself – but each time, the cost of the lesson goes up”
  
  Report this comment
- Winedude
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:43pm
  What were the “wrong” lessons he learned in Vietnam? If he learned that his leaders at the time were mostly lying to him and the rest of the men that fought over there, that’s hardly the wrong lesson. If bigger lies are told, it’s usually the U.S. military leaders telling them. George Romney may have been lambasted by Conservatives but he was correct when he stated that he got a good “Brainwashing” when he made a trip there prior to the primaries in 1968. Leaders lied so much in that era that they cannot be trusted to this day. I felt bad for the soldiers that came home and were treated beyond poorly by so many. I don’t feel bad for the officers. I was in ROTC until I had an injury that was going to prevent me from becoming an officer. When I left I had a better understanding of why 1st and 2nd lieutenants got “fragged.”
  
  Report this comment
- Obama Been Lauding
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:41am
  Soy, you are correct about history repeating itself.
  You can go back to 1976-1980, and see what happens when a dipstick gets in the white house.
  Jimmy Carter didn’t know peanuts about being a leader! Higher gas prices, unemployment, etc.
  Hussein Obama doesn’t know how to organize our communities!!! Divide and conquer!! Higher gas prices, unemployment, etc.
  Although I do agree, it is time to get the UN out of our lives!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Lord_Frostwind
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:46am
  The wrong lesson picked up all across America after Vietnam was a lack of endurance. American wars have to be blitzkrieg assaults that are wrapped up neat and tidy within the space of a few months, otherwise the public and politicians get nervous. Both are so afraid of getting bogged down in a war like Vietnam, they are often willing to cede ground and advantages to an enemy to be done with the affair.
  
  That is why when you run into an opponent who actually is capable of weathering the storm and holding on for long amounts of time, we end up having to fight several successive wars against them. In Afghanistan and Iraq, the military proved they were capable of an endurance match, but it took some dogged determination to keep the American people on board for as long as they have.
  
  Worse, I fear that we are going to avoiding wars which could have been won easily, because of “war weariness” only to end up fighting the same opponent, except in a much stronger position, requiring more blood and sacrifice on our part.
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:00am
  good defend our country and only our country, forget the rest of the world.
  
  Report this comment
- pragmaticpatriot
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:37pm
  to me the lessons of Vietnam were; avoid a land war in Asia, as Churchill said ‘However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results’, it is a mistake to fight for a people who are already defeated, dont start a fight you cant or wont finish. I do believe that we lost the battle but won the war, we stopped the spread of communism to Thailand, call it a draw. That doesnt make it all better or bring my dad back, but i can say thank you to all who made it home, and honor those who didnt.
  
  Report this comment
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:02pm
I thought being a complete and utter fool, totally incompetent, and just being an all around buffoon was a requirement for any job in this Whitehouse. After all, any competent person would show up our Lord OBAMA.
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- gyro
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:10pm
  Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra you are my new favorite poster
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:18pm
  Hi Gyro,
  
  Darmok has been a favorite of mine since Sept 2010….. LOL
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:21pm
  Well, it’s off to work. See you guys tomorrow. : )
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:25pm
  for the last few decades, the white house has seen only fools and baffoons – havent you noticed?
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:46pm
  GYRO, I’m glad that you brought that up about DARMOK. He has been a favorite of mine also since I have been here. I do like the way he says so much with only a few words at times.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:50pm
  Hi MONK, Hope all goes well at the salt mines.
  
  Report this comment
- neverending
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:26am
  @DARMOK – yeah no kidding.
  
  Report this comment
- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:38am
  Thanks guys, I am blushing.
  
  I am just looking at most narcisists, they tend to only surround themselves with yes men, idiots, and anyone else that they can blame for their mistakes, or that makes them look better. In the service, I have seen people that do this, and in the end, they ultimately fall on their face. Unfortunetly, our country is the one being set up for the fall.
  
  Have fun Monk.
  
  Report this comment

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