Originally Posted by waynet

Simple,if you are going to accuse people of being communist name names. He is anyhting but a hero. McCarthy named names when he accused people. I have a large problem when a person demeans others but can't or won't name names. Why? A lie perhaps? Preaching false information? He said it prove it or shut up.

I don't think calling a communist a communist is demeaning. Unless of course the communist is denying his pedigree and you just have his back.

I get that.

While I do not approve of name calling, I dont get the big deal.

When the Communist Party of America overwhelmingly endorsed the President in 2008, I posted that fact and was strongly told...so what...the Communist party is not what it used to be and it means nothing.

Now it does mean something I suppose to be called one...not sure I understand that entirely.

I took the thread starters link as gospel but now find some new twists to this as I did my own investigation......

""The Congressman was referring to the 76 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The Communist Party has publicly referred to the Progressive Caucus as its allies. The Progressive Caucus speaks for itself. These individuals certainly aren't proponents of free markets or individual economic freedom," Melvin said in a statement to The Huffington Post."

And not only the above but here is a transcript of what transpired that shows exactly what he said and NOT what Frank characterized...

"Moderator: What percentage of the American legislature do you think are card-carrying Marxists or International Socialist?

West: It's a good question. I believe there's about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party who are members of the Communist Party. It's called the Congressional Progressive Caucus."

Allen West: I've 'Heard' 80 House Democrats Are Communist Party Members (UPDATE)

Puts it all in a bit of different light !!!!

Congressional Progressive Caucus : Caucus Members

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congres...ressive_Caucus

Hmm, methinks the uber-conservatives are just puffery without any substance.

Why not look at why Allen West was asked to resign from the Army and post some information about that?

While serving in Taji, Iraq, West received information from an intelligence specialist about a reported plot to ambush him and his men.[6] The alleged plot reportedly involved Yahya Jhodri Hamoodi, a civilian Iraqi police officer.[6] West, who was not responsible for conducting interrogations in Iraq and had never conducted nor witnessed one, had his men detain Hamoodi.[6] In the process of detaining Mr. Hamoodi, soldiers testified that Hamoodi appeared to reach for his weapon and needed to be subdued.[6] Hamoodi was beaten by four soldiers from the 220th Field Artillery Battalion on the head and body.[10] West then fired his pistol near Hamoodi's head,[6] after which Hamoodi provided West with names and information, which Hamoodi later described as "meaningless information induced by fear and pain."[6] At least one of these suspects was arrested as a result, but no plans for attacks or weapons were found.[6] West said "At the time I had to base my decision on the intelligence I received. It's possible that I was wrong about Mr. Hamoodi."[6]

West was charged with violating articles 128 (assault) and 134 (general article) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. During a hearing held as part of an Article 32 investigation in November 2003, West stated, "I know the method I used was not right, but I wanted to take care of my soldiers."[10] The charges were ultimately referred to an Article 15 proceeding rather than court-martial, at which West was fined $5,000.[6] LTC West accepted the judgment and retired with full benefits in the summer of 2004. Asked if he would act differently under similar circumstances again, West testified, "If it's about the lives of my soldiers at stake, I'd go through hell with a gasoline can."[11]

At his hearing, West pointed out that there were no further ambushes against American forces in Taji until he was relieved of his leadership post on October 4.[12] After West's retirement he received more than 2,000 letters and e-mails offering him moral support.[6] A letter supporting West was signed by 95 members of Congress and sent to the Secretary of the Army.[6]

In September 2010, West spoke in defense of a group of U.S. military personnel known as the "Leavenworth 10" who were convicted of war crimes.[13]

Allen West (politician) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Allen West looks like a genuine hero. Heroes still can say stupid things and do stupid things in the heat of battle.

Definitely, I would NOT call West a hero. He was charged with and found guilty of violating Army regulations. He was fined $5,000 and was let to retire at the rank of LTC. West used the same tactic of firing a pistol close to a POW's head as the North Koreans used on American POW's during the Korean Conflict and the US called them barbaric.

West deserves to be expelled from the House of Representatives or censured at the very least.

As for TailGunner Joe McCarthy being correct according to Ann Coulter - well, Ann Coulter has but one objective and that is to make money from her drones with her "pithy" writings. Unfortunately, there are plenty of her drones around who believe her rhetoric and, yes, plenty of them on this forum.

This is kind of like how David Duke, unrepentant Klansman, was saying he was allied with the Republican Party (who wanted no part of him).

The Progressive Caucus wouldn't want any part of the CPUSA but they can't control what some CPUSA spokesman says.

Originally Posted by Bucco

I want you to know how difficult it is for me to in anyway agree with Barney Frank who is in my opinion...never mind, but he is right. This is not the kind of inflammatory talk that is needed. Why folks cannot discuss issues without the ridicule factor just amazes me. If you cannot make your point ON the issues, stop with the personality stuff.

Well said Bucco, I am proud of you for this stance. This is the worst kind of demigoguery, painting people with a broad brush leaving all who are wont to distrust them anyway to wonder which are the guilty ones, and thinking that any they don't like are the ones. Playing to peoples fears and prejudices may help you get noticed and appreciated by other radicals of the same persuasion, but will ultimately get you no real political advantage, and in fact, may well hurt your and your parties position. Card carrying communists - patently false and ridiculous. And those of you who are now willing to lionize the disgraced and dangerous Sen. McCarthy have lost all credibility IMO.

I think in the end the Democrats are going to be sorry they opened this can of worms by challenging the great young Congressman from Florida.

They're going to have a hard time parsing words in separating the Congressional Progressive Caucus from it's platform with it's socialist (communist?) ideals.

This is a dialogue I'm sure the Democrats won't want to have at this point in the campaign.

"How plausible is it that such a sizable percentage of Democrats in the House of Representatives really prefer a centrally planned economy to a free market economy? "

Think about it...........

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2010...-their-caucus/

http://hotair.com/archives/2012/04/1...mmunist-party/

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/ne.../posts?page=11

wait until we get closer to the election and watch the pattern!

btk

Originally Posted by RichieLion

I think in the end the Democrats are going to be sorry they opened this can of worms by challenging the great young Congressman from Florida.

They're going to have a hard time parsing words in separating the Congressional Progressive Caucus from it's platform with it's socialist (communist?) ideals.

This is a dialogue I'm sure the Democrats won't want to have at this point in the campaign.

"How plausible is it that such a sizable percentage of Democrats in the House of Representatives really prefer a centrally planned economy to a free market economy? "

Think about it...........

American Socialists Release Names of 70 Congressional Democrats in Their Ranks | The Gateway Pundit

Allen West: I’ve “heard” 80 House Democrats are members of the Communist Party « Hot Air

Allen West versus the Communists - A new adventure in creative editing.

I am very disappointed in this attempt of a reply from you. It is far beneath your capabilities and you certainly can do a lot better. This basically sounds like an attempt in a half-hearted manner just for the sake of a reply. Put some clear thought in your posts and you will be more respected.

I want to make something very clear to those have called this man West something less than a hero.....

I consider, despite those of you who disagree, any man who served to protect this country to be a hero !!!!

Bucco,

I am sure Senator John Kerry and former Senator Max Cleland thank you for your recognition of them as heroes. I know I thank you for recognizing me as a hero for my service.