The US does not negotiate with terrorists . . . sometimes

[Professor]

[The Comrade]

and the question is who cares about the taliban?

[Professor]

Again, wasn't talking about Iran Contra. Talking about the hostages in the US Embassy in Iran.

But, if y'all want to go down the Iran Contra road, let's go there. That was a huge debacle that cost several people their job, with 14 people ultimately convicted of crimes. And, it was never proven that Reagan knew of it. I think we know that Obama knew of this one...

If you want to condemn Reagan but let Obama off, then who's playing politics now?

[Mr.Bill]

I'm not condemning anyone.. I'm just pointing out that Reagan, among other Prezs has negotiated and trading for POW's and hostages in the past.. And the world didn't end.

BTW Regan admitted weapons were shipped to Iran in 1986.. He did NOT admit they were arms for hostages.. If you still believe he didn't know, then OK...

[Professor]

Belief is different than proof.

But, if it was illegal when Reagan did it, then it's still wrong now. And, people were convicted back then. Who is going to be convicted this time?

[Mr.Bill]

? What laws did this exchange break?

Convicted of what?

[Professor]

[Indy]

That is the point, that Reagan knew about it. Unless you really expect us to believe this entire thing was off the reservation, unbeknownst to him.

Here's another great example of "Not negotiating with terrorists": my detailed post about how when given the chance, Dick Cheney thwarted an overture by the Iranians to literally put EVERYTHING on the table, terror, Israel, nukes, etc.--because he said he doesn't "negotiate with evil."

Hmm, let's see ok, so you're going to turn down that offer and... do what? They just offered everything. And you refused.

Point being: when it comes to who's a "terrorist" and whom we do and don't deal with, and when it's appropriate, with the GOP it's bozo-town so I think they should probably just stop talking.

Now they're mad because we let five Taliban guys go. Who cares? It's Taliban. It's not like we're letting the Boston bombers go. What were we gonna do with them anyway? Keep them on ice at Gitmo forever?

Speaking of breaking the law, so now this is making the rounds at All the Usual Places but day after day [little-read] stories come out about how extensive the NSA spying on Americans is--how truly creepy it has become--but let's talk about... this?

[Mr.Bill]

[Philly]