Off one's rocker:

Originally the phrase was specifically about what we'd now call "mood swings." Now it means "to be crazy," but it used to connote a "normal" person who periodically, and unexpectedly, goes crazy.

"Aw, he's just off his rocker-- it'll pass."

Just imagine the kind of person you'd expect to find "on a rocker." An elderly person, the stodgy old grandma or grandpa most every household has in residence (the expression dates from 1897, before nursing homes were so acceptable). Most of the time they just sit and rock, hands folded, muttering quietly. But every now and then a sudden agitation overcomes old Uncle Nancy, he jumps up and cavorts around the house. Or runs off to the wars with his WWII Home Guard helmet on-- "out of uniform" so to speak, like Hyacinth Bucket's old dad.

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Comments

[Andyj]

The world has changed. It is no longer the 1960's-70's-80's or even the 90's. Hersh is an artifact from a bygone age. He joins Carter and Kerry in the Vietnam View Museum.

The key to applying the lessons of the past is to examine the changed future. The enemy we face is not a nationalist army invading another country. Our presence in Iraq has much to do with our own self preservation. The Democratic Party and Establishment Media are stuck in 1970's.

Vietnam was run by many who had served in WWII and looked at Korea. They wished to avoid the mistakes of the past and overlooked how Vietnam was different. This group wishes to save us from Vietnam but ignore how this world is different...

We have been attacked in our largest city. We face an enemy who wishes us dead or enslaved. we face an enemy with no national home, no territory, no bases or resources. We face an enemy who cares little for human life. They are willing to die as well as kill for their cause.

This is a test of will and a crossroads for Western civilization. Do we have the will to succeed? Hersh, Kerry, Dean et al say "no".

[DON]

Vietnam was run by many who had served in WWII and looked at Korea. They wished to avoid the mistakes of the past and overlooked how Vietnam was different. This group wishes to save us from Vietnam but ignore how this world is different...<<

You are wrong, oh wise one. This group wishes to have power, just as they did during Vietnam. They did not wish to serve but was willing to throw human feces on those who did.

Your concern, and rightfully so, is whether the Vietnam template they are using to gain power will work. If so, then we will have Nancy running the House and Harry running the Senate. And they both have no idea as to how to beat the terrorists. Nor, do they care. As long as the terrorists help them to gain power over the U.S.

When the time is right, the terrorists will pull the trigger. Just as they have on France, Germany and Spain. All who have gone against Dubya to show the terrorists that they are on their side.

We know for certain that Nancy and Harry will raise taxes. That will cause our economy to tumble due the resulting inflation. We know that they will defund the military. That will result in more deaths, thus proving that Dubya was wrong in going into Iraq. We know that they will attempt an impeachment, thus taking away our energy and resources from dealing with terrorists and wasting them on playing courthouse.

I'm still betting that the American people are smarter than they think.

[DRaftervoi]

Ah, save it for Wednesday. Desire ain't accomplishment, and it's all about the numbers. Impeachment's off the table without taking both houses. Congressional gridlock is just as possible as any other outcome. Oil prices are going to fall regardless of which party's in power; recession (if any) will be smaller and closer to historical norms than '01-'02.

Longterm...parties represent collections of competing interest groups. Both parties will have to reconcile competing internal national policy visions: those who believe that we actually at war (albeit a long, slow conflict) face the isolationists on the far right, and the anti-war anti-capitalists on the far left.

And never forget that it's NOT ALL ABOUT US: internal arguments in the West about whether or not we are at war may not matter as much as what our enemies are thinking. Again...in the longterm, do you think that either isolationism, or pacifism will affect the Islamist vision?

I say it again: you fight them now, or you fight them later...but you will fight them.

[DON]

I don't think they will be able to impeach even if Nancy runs the House. But, she will waste time and resources trying.

A journalist who goes on foreign soil and say these things about his own Country loses his credibility. But, the template is important and they believe that the Vietnam template will work in dividing the Country. And I agree.

If we let the current soldiers go through what Andy and I went through while we were in uniformed service during Vietnam, the our Country isn't worth fighting for.... ever.

And I believe that most Americans can see this and will keep Nancy and Harry from gaining power by going out to vote. The markets aren't so sure as evidenced by the sideways movement the past couple of days.

[DRaftervoi]

Ah, you know how I don't like personal details; I prefer to hide behind my C'thulhu mask.

Last weekend, SecraTerri & I drove up to Redding (200+ miles) to meet the husband of my wife's best friend from back in her high school days. He's a reservist leaving for Iraq. I could have begged off (hey, it's HER friend, not mine), but I respect and honor those who serve us in uniform...so I did the long slog up the Sacramento Valley BECAUSE he is a soldier. I figure I owe these guys...

[DON]

You want me to cry, dontcha? I served from '64 to '91. I got out mostly because I needed to spend more time with my children.

I've been in riot control duty and had crap thown at me during the Vietnam era. I was against going into Iraq, not because it wasn't the right thing to do, but because I knew that the Liberals would create a climate so that our soldiers would be treated like crap. And that's how important it is to keep Nancy and Harry from controling Congress.