A New Way Backward
George W. Bush's address to the nation last night from the library of the White House was incredible. Not in the way that Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was an incredible album; or in the way that Citizen Kane was an incredible film; or in the way that For Whom The Bell Tolls was an incredible novel - I mean that it was utterly lacking in credibility. Everyone was describing it as the most important address in this awful president's life. So much of its text had been released in advance to the media that I found myself at times reciting the words in unison with him (which was loads of fun, by the way!) Anyone who expected him to offer a new, rational way forward was severely disappointed. As for the rest - those of us who are all-too-familiar with the incompetence and utter stupidity of this nightmare of an administration, those of us who haven't relied on FOX News and the New York Post for our information during the last six years - those of us who have been paying attention - we weren't surprised at all.In an excellent piece written yesterday in the New York Daily News, Mike Lupica stated the inarguable:
"This is all about the men and women running one of the worst and weakest administrations in American history trying to save face now. And the soldier from upstate New York [who was interviewed for the piece] - who went over there with his 9/11 ideals the way so many of them did that first summer, in a period when Bush and Vice President Cheney and then-Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld started losing a war they told the world they were winning in a breeze - does not want to go back and get blown up by some road side bomb for that".
In his pathetic speech to the nation last night, the First Fool said, "Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me." Read that to mean, I'm going to be man enough to take the blame for the mistakes of others. It was a mistake to trust the judgement of the Iraqi government (such as it) and allow them to have a say in military tactics. It was a mistake to listen to the advise of Rumsfeld and go into the country with so small an army. It was a mistake to let the Shiites execute Saddam Hussein on a high Muslim holy day - and on and on and on. What he did not say - and what has been obvious to every thinking person on the planet earth for almost four years now - was that it was a mistake - a tragic, dreadful blunder of historic proportions - to invade Iraq to begin with. That mistake was Bush's and Bush's alone. Don't hold your breath waiting for that admission.
And now he plans on sending another twenty thousand-plus kids into this holocaust he's created???
"Fetch me that gin, son, 'fore I tan your hide!"
It won't work. Any hope of winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people (and it was never more than the slimmest of hopes in the first place) was squandered long ago. The Democrats must be made aware that we're watching their every move. We, the people, gave them control of the House and Senate for one primary reason: to end this obscene war. On Sunday morning, Joe Biden actually said on Meet The Press that he believed defunding the war would be "unconstitutional". Might someone explain to him that the main function of the legislative branch of our government is to provide oversight on the executive? As a matter of fact, it's mandated. If he continues to utter such nonsense, he might as well kiss his presidential aspirations goodbye.
The time has come to show a little political courage, folks! The longer the Dems let this thing drag on, the harder it will be for them in 2008 - and I'm not talking about the general election - I'm talking about the primaries. One of the most pathetic players in all of this has been Hillary Clinton. Late in the day, after she had thoroughly tested the political winds, she finally came out against escalation. That's showing real political courage, alright! If the Democratic Party is foolish enough to give her the nomination next year, they'll deserve everything that happens to them. At least it's obvious that Ted Kennedy (God bless him) has read his late brother's 1956 Pulitzer Prize winning book. I strongly suggest they all do so.
The unnamed soldier interviewed by Lupica for yesterday's Daily News piece bluntly told him, "You want to put me back in uniform and march me back into Baghdad, then you've got to do better than our President has in telling me why, telling me what this month's plan is, what our goals really are. Because those have never been defined, not for the people on the ground, and for that I don't believe I can continue to support this lunacy."
Indeed. Who among us can rationally continue to support this lunacy?
Pray for peace.
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
posted by Tom Degan @ 10:04 AM
14 comments
14 Comments:
Thank you Tom for putting this is such clear way. In many ways I am blown away and my gut twisted with the stupidity of this move, even though I knew it was coming. It is time to write letters and demand our voice be heard. I would say call too, but I cannot afford the calls. Spirit's blessing on you.
Not only is the First Stupid Ass sending more troops into the hellhole of Iraq, he invaded ANOTHER sovereign country last night by attacking the Iranian embassy in Iraq.
I suppose some genius Pentagon armchair warrior told him Iran's retaliation would give him the pretext to nuke Iran proper
Don't be surprised to wake up and find Iran attacked. This guy has that card left to play and he is not going to leave it in his hand. With Rice taking her week long overseas tour to chat, it wouldn't be surprising to see an attack very soon afterwards. They are (and have been) rolling the pieces into place for sometime. These 'more troops to Iraq' could be just a diversion to keep the focus off what they are really planning. Because the number of troops they are moving is not going to change anything. It is just a matter of time. These guy has been wanting to do this and very obsessed with his whole matter, and only have a short window left to do it in. Their not going to leave office with Iran with nuclear power and they don't care how they do it or how it turns out. They are not going to be around much longer and going to let the mess for the next administration to clean up. All we can do is hope not, but as one republican newscaster put it, 'this isn't a lame duck, he a dead duck'. And dead lone ducks are the most dangerous, because they have nothing to lose.
I would say, Tom, that Bush's stupidity is mindboggling, but my mind has reached the point of unbogglability. (Scrabble, anyone?) He has been there, done that with the troop increase, and nothing changed for the better. Now, he drags out this retread,and the tire is ready to blow. Crazy-in-Love Condi calls it an augmentation! She adores Semantics. It sounds like she is recommending breast augmentation for the troops. Lord help us! So, we must not call this an escalation. We must call it a troop "augmentation." Behind all of this nonsense, is the real "escalation." I agree with anonymous, that Bush is going to run bomb raids on Iran. He has ordered another carrier into the Persian Gulf. I believe he was planning to attack Iran before the election, but the Chinese, using Korea as their proxy, boxed him in. Now that he is a cornered rat, he no longer gives a rat's ass about the consequences of his actions. Bush, Cheney and the Neo-Con Cabal have been hot to attack Iran since they invaded Iraq. Bush is obsessed with controlling the Middle East and its oil. I honestly think he wants to start WWIII, and sees that as his damned legacy. It is madness, pure, plain and simple. But, the lunatics have taken over the asylum. If Congress doesnt support Kennedy's legislation,and I"m not holding my breath on that one, then Bush is going to let 'er rip.I hope I am wrong. We are looking into an abyss. I have signed petitions, answered action alerts, and written letters to the editor. The Indianapolis Star supports Bush's plan. They would,of course. They would support him if he proposed another 'Final Solution.' I wish, at this point, that the entire editorial staff of the Star could be sent with the troops to dodge bombs and bullets. At least, with Blogs like this one,there is an outlet to stave off despair.
cheney's impeachment is a start. he and rumsfeld have run this 'administration' from day one. they are the ones who concocted the war and every other disaster that has befallen this country. bush couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag but he is the chosen figurehead. impeachment and withholding of fundage should get their attention. congress cannot do much to bring the troops home but that.
Dear Tom, According to Alternet and other articles I read this morning Bush is on the verge of creating another holocaust, this time by provoking Iran into making a move that HE can claim is an act of war, this provoking our peace loving Democracy spouting freedom promoting oval office occupying Bush to attacking yet another sovereign nation. The first move took place yesterday with the storming of the Iranianconsulate in Iraq and with the weekend coming up, hold your breath and PRAY
Wilma,
The hideous little bastard knows damn good and well that he can't invade Iran without congressional authorization. You;re exactly right - he's trying to provoke them into war. So now we'll be fighting THREE countries? If this isn't a case (among many) for impeachment, I don't konow what the hell is! I agree with you. We should all pray.
Tom Degan
Another parallel between Bush and Hitler:2007 United States troops attack an Iranian Consulate in Iraq and carry off citizens of a sovereign nation.
On August 31 1939 at 8 pm a group of SS soldiers outfitted in Polish Army uniforms and led by Alfred Naujocks carried out a simulated attack on a German radio station at Gleiwitz near the Polish border in East Pomerania.After broadcasting a speech they left, leaving a condemned concentration camp prisoner also dressed in Polish uniform. The man had been drugged, shot and left dying.
This and other staged incidents were the excuse for the invasion of Poland and the start of WW2 on September 1,1939
Who says history doesn't repeat itself? And also nations don't learn from history
Hi Tom,
I did not watch the First Fools speech, mainly because I had to work that evening, but I would not have watched it even if I did have the evening free to do so. From all of the pre-speech leaks to the press, we knew what he was going to say and that there would be nothing new in it.
Not only is Bush stupid, pig headed and incompetent, but quite truthfully, he is not mentally capable of being president. This is a man displaying deep signs of mental instability, and as such, he should be removed from office as quickly as possible before he does more harm. As Larkrise said, the lunatic has indeed taken over the asylum.
If the Democrats and a few Republicans refuse to take action, we, the American people must demand that this man be put out of office. After all, would you let a mentally deranged surgeon operate on you?
Amen, brother Moore!
That the president of the united states is out of his mind, there can be little remaining doubt. If you ever get the chance, read Bush On The Couch by Dr. Justin Frank. A REAL page turner!
Cheers!
Tom Degan
Just got a moveon email and it contains a lament from a father whose son is preparing to go to Iraq. He says "'Escalation' is just another word for more people dying.They're going to be more American people, and they're going to be more Iraqi people and they're all going be innocent people"
I'm thinking that if impeachment doesn't work maybe King George can be declared mentally unfit for duty under possible changes to the 25th amendment to the US Constitution?=Presidential succession.
Dr. Rick Lippin
"Blake"
I think one of the most disgusting remarks Bush has made is to brag that he sleeps soundly. He brags that he ignores the polls. He brags that he doesnt read the newspapers. If it requires a conscience, compassion, intellectual curiosity, and seeking consensus, Bush will ignore it. He has willingly and determinedly isolated himself from anyone or anything but syncophants and flunkies. He uses rationalization to the extreme. His sense of entitlement is enormous and out-of-control. He sees himself as the "Lone Ranger" out to do God's will. If ever a man on this earth looked and acted like The Antichrist, it is George W. Bush. His entire administration is based on lies, disinformation, and manipulation. I continue to read reports that say the U.S. or Israel will attack Iran in April. Cheney is supposedly adamant about it. Bush and Cheney redefine the term "Warmonger." They are sending more troops there without any clear direction. The Iraq government wants them to do one thing, their commanders another. It is a continuing chaotic mess. I would spend my last dime to keep any child of mine from being sent to that inferno. I would accompany them to the far ends of the earth. I do have one daughter who is draft age. She is married and a speech therapist, no children as yet. If they reinstate the draft, she and her husband, her father and I will be heading East or North. To sacrifice a child for this travesty is totally insane. John Edwards gave a good speech at Riverside Church. At least, he isnt straddling any fences. I am sick of Hillary Clinton. I hope she and John McCain cook their respective gooses over this horrible war. It would be a relief to see them self-destruct. Who knows what the next few months will bring.
Tom, thanks again for a really good piece of writing. p.s. I'm sorry about your friend dying (your most recent post). A young man, too.
I didn't know what to add to this article or comments section of this post about Dubya. So I put up a short post on my own blog and am taking the liberty of copying par of it here (hope you don't mind) rather than trying to write some new comment that has already been better said.
Here's my open letter to George Bush the Lesser:
"George, I have some really good advice for you. Quit, go away, go home, get lost, get out of here; your country doesn't want you anymore; do us all a favor and just go away. It will take some time for war crimes charges to be filed, but in the meanwhile it would be best for everyone if you packed your bags and hit the highway. Wait in Crawford, enjoy life, think about all the people who have been murdered by your orders, and maybe someday you'll be on trial for your crimes.
"If you leave, maybe the rest of us can work to end this obscene war you started with lies and delusions told to the citizens of this country for your own selfish and irrational and bloodthirsty purposes.
"I never did like certain types of 'frat boys', such as yourself. Arrogant sons of bitches, some of them. But at least most of them don't turn out to be mass murderers hiding behind false patriotism and distorted Christianity.
"Why don't you put on a uniform and go over there and lead the troops? Oh. I see. You don't have the courage? So you send other people's children to die and be maimed. Oh, you are so brave. You're as brave as- I dunno- Bullwinkle!...almost.
"Please quit your job and just leave the White House, so it can be washed, fumigated, and the evil spirits driven out somehow.
"Don't forget to take Mrs. Stepford with you.
"And by the way, please quit smiing and laughing when you talk about all the horror of your war. That is even more obscene.
"Sincerely, Saltwater."
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