Iraq: George Romney: I Was Brainwashed

George Romney laid it all out there, "I was brainwashed," he admitted when confronted in 1967 on his change in position on the war in Vietnam. the then Michigan Governor:

...abandoned his bid for the party's presidential nomination two weeks before the 1968 New Hampshire primary. That was after a three-month campaign that was dogged by his nationally televised comment attributing his initial support for the Vietnam War to his being "brainwashed" by the U.S. military during a tour of the Southeast Asian country. He would later call U.S. participation in the war "the most tragic foreign policy mistake in the nation's history."

Now that is career ending.

It is surprising that as more opposition to the war in Iraq surfaces, we do  not see more references to the brainwashing of Congressional leaders by the Bush White House and the Neocons. Actually I don't expect any reporter to ask the victim a career ending question, "Were you brainwashed?" but I do not expect a bit more discussion about the underlying issue.

We must confront a manipulative and deceitful gang of thugs who by distorting and withholding information, play off patriotism and defense of American borders, manipulate our base instincts to protect oppressed people.

At the same time the victims, the members of Congress, must  have the strength and the analytical ability to look at the information they receive, figure out what they may be missing, and demonstrate the fortitude to stand up at these critical patriotic moments.

If they do not have the blunt candor that George Romney showed, and flat-out admit that the Bush gang brainwashed them, they can always claim they were "Romneyed."  Or would that be "romneyed?"

Comments

[Les Hettinger]

I find it strange that so many people still point to George Romney's "brainwashing" gaffe as the sole reason for his dropping out of the 1968 Presidential race. Please note that Romney was born in Mexico making him ineligble to become President. As Article II of the Constitution states, one of the qualifications for President is "natural born" citizenship. Although, Romney was an American citizen through the principle of "jus sanguine", he was not a citizen under the principle of "jus soli"; therefore, ineligible to run.

What is so amazing is that all of the politicians, advisors, journalists, and others did not pick this up before he even made the "brainwashing" statement. It just goes to show how ignorant people are of the basic principles of American government.

So in reality if you are "Romneyed" it should more correctly refer to your lack of knowledge of the Constitution!

Les Hettinger

[Garry]

Actually, as both of his parents were Americans, George Romney was elligible to run. Currently, Title 8 of the U.S. Code fills in those gaps. Section 1401 defines the following as people who are "citizens of the United States at birth:"

- Anyone born inside the United States
- Any Indian or Eskimo born in the United States, provided being a citizen of the U.S. does not impair the person's status as a citizen of the tribe
- Any one born outside the United States, both of whose parents are citizens of the U.S., as long as one parent has lived in the U.S.
- Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year and the other parent is a U.S. national
- Any one born in a U.S. possession, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year
- Any one found in the U.S. under the age of five, whose parentage cannot be determined, as long as proof of non-citizenship is not provided by age 21
- Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is an alien and as long as the other parent is a citizen of the U.S. who lived in the U.S. for at least five years (with military and diplomatic service included in this time)
- A final, historical condition: a person born before 5/24/1934 of an alien father and a U.S. citizen mother who has lived in the U.S.

[Mario Thompson]

I can only hope that Mitt will someday admit that he was brainwashed about the war against Iraq--my respect for him would increase if he did that.

As it is, the only politician with the most amount of integrity and intelligence is Ron Paul.

[Robert D.(Bob) McDonagh]

Would anyone that looks this over - follow it up - by looking at the main parts of my sites: www.navalairestates1.com -and www.navalairestates.com?  I sent a slightly expanded hard copy of '1' - to the President - about a month ago. In it I ask for $6-7,000,000.00 - 'earmarked' for my project.  The second part is to 'reinvet the wheels' with 'back to the future' ideas on how and what our 'rides' are. And all this is 'GREEN, GREEN, GREEN'! Alternative energys are intergrated into the entire Naval Air Estates Air Park, Children's Aviaion Center, and "McDonagh's Flight Deck1 Restaurant complex. (Not a 'McDonald's).
The first two such 'complexes' - would be in SW Florida and Mid-Michigan. Both will 'blend' "Co-operative efforts and profit sharing". Please look over the outline I've laid out. So would the 'Back to the Future Factorys'.I intend to follow up my requests - with weekly letters to the President and Vice-President. The Governors of both States have expressed support of the economic/educational values incorporated in my proposal/grant request. But, States can't print money. Only Our Country can. And I'd like some - to help rebuild our economy, provide aerospace education to students, honor The Mercury 13, the WASP (Women's Air Force Service Pilots) and the Tuskegee Airmen.Please look at my (100+ pages) of websites.

Thank you,  R.D. 'Bob' McDonagh:  retired military, retired teacher, and just plain 'tired' of the way we give money away - to other countries(small 'c') and neglect our Own People and Country!  Both these projects will help the economy - of - Our Country!