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Title: Bush Can’t Kick the Habit
Source:
Truthdig.com
URL Source: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item ... heer_bush_cant_kick_the_habit/
Published: Dec 19, 2006
Author: Robert Scheer
Post Date: 2006-12-20 01:55:50 by scrapper2
Keywords: Bush, military, Iraq
Views: 296
Comments: 26
Here we go again: A new secretary of defense and yet another call for ending the war in Iraq by escalating it. What are they smoking in the Bush White House? Even as government statistics now show marijuana is America’s No. 1 cash crop, it is important to remember that militarism is the most dangerous drug threatening our sanity. Yet even formerly sober folks—first Colin Powell and now new Secretary of Defense Robert Gates—get a contact high from cozying up to the walking hallucinogen that is our president. Succumbing to the Bush fantasy that freedom is fertilized by firepower, a vision that has mucked up Iraq beyond recognition, Gates told CBS that “as the president has made clear, we simply cannot afford to fail in the Middle East. Failure in Iraq at this juncture would be a calamity that would haunt our nation, impair our credibility, and endanger Americans for generations to come.” This from a man who recently made sense, during his confirmation hearings, when he told members of Congress that we are not winning this war, despite having committed, proportionally, as many troops as we did in Vietnam. But now, as a rising chorus of obsessed hawks calls for a “surge” in U.S. troop deployment in Iraq—a call echoed even by some prominent Democrats—Gates endorses the staying-the-course strategy for compounding the Iraq failure rejected by the voters. A member of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group (ISG) who had apparently supported its unanimous findings that the military strategy was bankrupt is suddenly blinded by Bush’s Iraq victory myopia. In a sign of just how out there Bush is on Iraq, The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff are in “unanimous disagreement” with “White House officials aggressively promoting the concept ... . [T]he Joint Chiefs think the White House, after a month of talks, still does not have a defined mission [in Iraq].” All this despite the fact that the ISG report correctly underscored that the real failures in the Mideast have clearly been political, not military. The accurate subtext of the report is that the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq is the key source of chaos in the region—inflaming religious fanaticism from Beirut to Baghdad and leaving the United States dependent on the tyrants in Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia to now bail us out. So with Bush rejecting the sage advice of a commission headed by his father’s secretary of state to cut our losses is there any hope the Democrats who now control Congress will stop playing the role of enabler to these war junkies? After all, it was the Democratic congressional leadership that provided Bush with bipartisan cover for his irrational “anti-terrorism” invasion of a country that had nothing to do with the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Some, like John Kerry, now recognize that folly, and even Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, in her appearance on NBC’s “Today” show Monday, finally expressed her regrets for supporting the war and opposed a “surge” in U.S. troops for Iraq. But other Democrats continue to play the dangerous game of supporting Bush’s escalation. Particularly alarming were the remarks on Sunday of incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid endorsing a buildup as long as it aims at getting the troops home by 2008: “If the commanders on the ground said this is just for a short period of time, we’ll go along with that.” Reid’s strategy is as obvious as it is opportunistic: This is a Republican war, goes the thinking, and the Dems will give the Republicans all the rope they need to hang themselves in ’08. This seems a deeply cynical position, when you consider that the Pentagon just announced that attacks on American and Iraqi targets are at their highest levels, with a 22 percent leap from just this summer. The difference between taking a position and positioning oneself is what determines leadership; if the Dems fail to provide real leadership on ending this war, they will deservedly lose the next election. The convenient lie behind all of this is that U.S. military occupation is the indispensable agent of Mideast enlightenment. No, we have become the enablers of Iraqi madness, be it in the form of torture or the ascendancy of religious tyranny in Iraq, where daily life has been reduced to an unmitigated horror. Yet, like a junkie who needs one more hit to get his life in order, Bush is hooked on the drug of military might. If the Democrats continue to feed his dangerous habit they will only help Bush visit greater mayhem upon Iraq while undermining the core values of our own country.
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#1. To: scrapper2 (#0)
Well, at least these two feathers in the wind can read a poll.
the law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal bread.
Bush on the tube right now repeating over and over how Iran "can do better". He is obviously applying a higher standard to the Iranians than we have here in the US. LOL What an asshole. Richard W.
'liberation' is better, ask any Iraqi
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." When I was coming up, I would have been shocked to hear someone in public call the president of this country an asshole. My how times have changed. It is important to recognize what is meant by the word "asshole." An asshole is an individual in whom we repose little or no trust, whose interests are opposed to our own, and one who will pursue those interests without regard to reason or fair play. A real asshole is also someone who seems to get a bang out of his ability to impose his will on others. When confronted with the opposition that his actions inevitably generate, the asshole may just smirk and give you the finger. George Bush. What an asshole.
THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
He sure is... And in accordance with what Randge said in a reply When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness......The history of the present King of *He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. ...And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. It would appear that King George has ensured that history has repeated itself. This document penned by Jefferson and signed by many others CLEARLY LAYS OUT WHAT HAS TO BE DONE AND WHY!!! King George - WHAT AN ASSHOLE!!!!!
No matter how noble the objectives of a government; if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion - it is an EVIL government. Eric Hoffer
George Bush. What an asshole. i'm amused.
I would be sympathetic with the 'must win' position - IF - there was a viable plan to win in Iraq. Nukes, anyone? There's the problem. The more probable result is going to be classic case of "... all the Kings horses..." Then what??? (Oh, shit!)
i think all is proceeding as planned...
Well yeah. We're a "superpower," which in Washingtonian speak means we can do whateverthehell we want, wheneverthehell we want and howeverthehell we want...of course with the unspoken, "and if you don't like it we'll bomb you to the stoneage or take away the foreign aid your country has become become addicted to."
"Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless his people" - St. Teresa of Avila.
It is truly scary to read the passages that you have bolded from the D of I. It is doubly scary because of what it suggests that we must some day resort to.
THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
See: http://libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi? ArtNum=170247&Disp=0#C8
THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
There's the problem. Are you suggesting that you would support using nukes against Iraq, if Dear Leader made a better case for "we must win" this war, which we started for no legitimate reason? The fall out from this immoral elective war will be bad for future generations of Americans but it's not the exit that is the problem - it's the entry into an unjust war that is the problem. For the DC gang to be spending so much time wringing their hands about how to do "exit" is the height of stupidity and self- delusion. Les jeux sont fait - the die is cast. Would that the same DC gang had spent 1/10 the time they are doing now regarding entry into such a shameful war.
There you have it. As far as Badeye goes, when I was on LP I had him bozo'd. I learned many years ago that most of his posts were nothing more than meaningless spam that brought nothing to the debate. One lined sentences that he believes are profound but are in actuality the remarks of one with a fifth grade mentality.
"Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless his people" - St. Teresa of Avila.
No nukes from this corner. BUT - it would take nukes to actually win this one.(AND - at what cost?)
I apologize for misunderstanding your earlier post.
No worries; I should have been more clear.
This Bitch is just like her husband. [As is Jellyfish Kerry] She holds her finger to the wind to see which way its blowing before spewing her shit. Anyone fooled by the 2party FRaud and votes for this witch is going to get Fascism that makes Bush look like a 1st grader. Bush has to be clinically insane, but no doctor in the WH could ever publicly admit it. I wonder who is really running things? The even more insane Cheney?? Were these assholes even sentient during Viet Nam?? I think Shrub must've slept his time in the service in the hanger. He lived the history and still can't see the forest through the trees.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act - - George Orwell I agree. This is hust too Dr Strangelove a situation to make me feel comfortable.
I was struck when I first saw this picture. The focus of the discussion seems to be Cheney. Tenet, Card and Bush are engaged in an appeal of some kind to the Regent; the Vizier who holds true power while the BoyKing is the public face. Dubya looks clueless, Card seems perplexed and anxious and Tenet seems to be trying to throw some cold water aka reality on the entire enterprise. Amateur Bodylanguagepsych analysis.
Yes, that is a very interesting picture. And your interpretation could quite possibly be right on the money too. I know that when Bush give Cheney instructions like that one awhile ago regarding diversity training he snorted and ignored it.
I think that is a quite accurate interpretation.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act - - George Orwell Thanx. The manner in which the BoyKing is handing the paper to Cheney like a supplicant of some kind is telling; perhaps he's not clueless, just awfully puzzled by all these big ideas.
bump
he puzzles easily.
I think you'e hit on something here. Bush: "So kin I sign this, or what?"
THERE'S NOT ONE DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE WILL FAIL - GW Bush
Iraq for Dubya Humpty - Sunni Dumpty - Shia Wall - the Muddled East Humpty Dumpty Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, (Pssst, he wuz pushed) All the King's horses and all the King's men, Could not put Humpty Dumpty together again.
Some, like John Kerry, now recognize that folly, and even Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, in her appearance on NBC’s “Today” show Monday, finally expressed her regrets for supporting the war and opposed a “surge” in U.S. troops for Iraq.
#2. To: scrapper2 (#0)
#3. To: Arete (#2)
Bush on the tube right now repeating over and over how Iran "can do better". He is obviously applying a higher standard to the Iranians than we have here in the US. LOL What an asshole.
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#4. To: Arete (#2)
What an asshole.
#5. To: Arete, Randge, BTP Holdings, Indie TX, Lodwick, Noone222, Tommy The Mad Artist, Richard9151, Bluegrass, Christine, Jethro Tull, Ladybug, Robin, Anyone Who Does't Want HisHer Grandchildren Pissing On Their Graves (#2)
(Edited)
What an asshole.
( An asshole is an individual in whom we repose little or no trust, whose interests are opposed to our own, and one who will pursue those interests without regard to reason or fair play. A real asshole is also someone who seems to get a bang out of his ability to impose his will on others.) it seems more prudent than ever to remember the words penned by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence: Great Britain
*He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
*He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
*He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. *He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
*He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
*He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
*For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
*For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
*For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
*For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
*He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation...
#6. To: randge (#4)
It is important to recognize what is meant by the word "asshole." An asshole is an individual in whom we repose little or no trust, whose interests are opposed to our own, and one who will pursue those interests without regard to reason or fair play. A real asshole is also someone who seems to get a bang out of his ability to impose his will on others. When confronted with the opposition that his actions inevitably generate, the asshole may just smirk and give you the finger.
#7. To: scrapper2, Christine, Brian S, Honway, Robin, Aristeides, Red Jones, Diana, Kamala, All (#0)
#8. To: SKYDRIFTER (#7)
there was a viable plan to win in Iraq.
#9. To: Arete (#2)
He is obviously applying a higher standard to the Iranians than we have here in the US. LOL What an asshole.
#10. To: innieway (#5)
#11. To: Fibr Dog (#9)
#12. To: SKYDRIFTER (#7)
I would be sympathetic with the 'must win' position - IF - there was a viable plan to win in Iraq. Nukes, anyone?
#13. To: randge (#11)
#14. To: scrapper2 (#12)
#15. To: SKYDRIFTER (#14)
No nukes from this corner.
#16. To: scrapper2 (#15)
I apologize for misunderstanding your earlier post.
#17. To: scrapper2, LODWICK, CHRISTINE, JETHRO TULL, 2 PARTY FRAUD (#0)
(Edited)
Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, in her appearance on NBC’s “Today” show Monday, finally expressed her regrets for supporting the war and opposed a “surge” in U.S. troops for Iraq.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
In a CorporoFascist capitalist society, there is no money in peace, freedom, or a healthy population, and therefore, no incentive to achieve these - - IndieTX
#18. To: IndieTX (#17)
"Bush has to be clinically insane, but no doctor in the WH could ever publicly admit it. I wonder who is really running things? The even more insane Cheney??"
#19. To: Ferret Mike, IndieTX (#18)
#20. To: swarthyguy (#19)
#21. To: swarthyguy (#19)
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
In a CorporoFascist capitalist society, there is no money in peace, freedom, or a healthy population, and therefore, no incentive to achieve these - - IndieTX
#22. To: IndieTX, Ferret_mike (#21)
#23. To: IndieTX (#17)
Anyone fooled by the 2party FRaud and votes for this witch is going to get Fascism that makes Bush look like a 1st grader.
a village is missing its idiot.
#24. To: swarthyguy (#22)
...perhaps he's not clueless, just awfully puzzled by all these big ideas.
a village is missing its idiot.
#25. To: swarthyguy (#19)
Amateur Bodylanguagepsych analysis.
#26. To: lodwick (#24)
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