"In setting out a bold vision of a democratic Middle East, President Bush has once again demonstrated two trademarks of his presidency: a view of his job as a place to do grand things and a willingness to brush aside realities that might not fit into the bigger ideological picture. "
Saturday, November 08, 2003
Thursday, November 06, 2003
One should always be careful of the bed one makes lest one be forced to lie in it.That awful Vietnam comparison
"Ah, the weapons. In the run-up to the 2004 presidential elections, this issue may yet become thorny for Mr Bush. America went to war ostensibly to rid Saddam of his weapons of mass destruction. None has yet turned up, despite searches by hundreds of soldiers and trained inspectors. Congressional committees are investigating the quality of pre-war intelligence. In the Senate, Democrats on the intelligence committee are reportedly seeking an independent inquiry that would examine how the White House used intelligence (in other words, whether Mr Bush and his advisers exaggerated). Mr Bush has so far weathered evidence that he overstated Saddam’s efforts to obtain uranium and the links between the Iraqi regime and the September 11th attacks, but voters may ask harder questions as election day approaches."
"Ah, the weapons. In the run-up to the 2004 presidential elections, this issue may yet become thorny for Mr Bush. America went to war ostensibly to rid Saddam of his weapons of mass destruction. None has yet turned up, despite searches by hundreds of soldiers and trained inspectors. Congressional committees are investigating the quality of pre-war intelligence. In the Senate, Democrats on the intelligence committee are reportedly seeking an independent inquiry that would examine how the White House used intelligence (in other words, whether Mr Bush and his advisers exaggerated). Mr Bush has so far weathered evidence that he overstated Saddam’s efforts to obtain uranium and the links between the Iraqi regime and the September 11th attacks, but voters may ask harder questions as election day approaches."
Monday, November 03, 2003
16 Dead in Rocket Attack on US ChopperNew Attacks Intensify Pressure on Bush (washingtonpost.com) "But the latest round of attacks in Iraq, and especially yesterday's deaths -- which amounted to the biggest single day of losses since last spring's conventional war -- may prove more significant in strategic terms.
'It is damaging not only because of the tragic human toll, but also because it looks like a dramatic escalation in lethality and therefore begs obvious questions: Are all helicopters at risk now? Are we losing the initiative? Who is winning?' said Peter D. Feaver, a former National Security Council staff member who teaches political science at Duke University.
'If the attacks get interpreted as evidence that the Baathist holdouts are winning, then attacks like this can be as lethal for public support as they are for the soldiers involved,' he said. "
'It is damaging not only because of the tragic human toll, but also because it looks like a dramatic escalation in lethality and therefore begs obvious questions: Are all helicopters at risk now? Are we losing the initiative? Who is winning?' said Peter D. Feaver, a former National Security Council staff member who teaches political science at Duke University.
'If the attacks get interpreted as evidence that the Baathist holdouts are winning, then attacks like this can be as lethal for public support as they are for the soldiers involved,' he said. "
Sunday, November 02, 2003
That would be "Two Steps Backward and One Step Forward".The Salt Lake Tribune -- U.S. military brass push to re-form units of Iraqi army Its about time someone started showing a little "millitary intelligence".
"Some U.S. military officers in Iraq are pressing to reconstitute entire units of the former Iraqi army, which the top U.S. administrator in Baghdad disbanded in May. They say the change would speed the creation of a new army and stabilize the nation. "
So ... we figured it was a good idea to break up the units then, a few months later we decide it's a better idea to keep them in tact.
There may have been a plan for all of this but it wasn't one that drew on any past experience. It was all an overly optimistic pipe dream.
"Some U.S. military officers in Iraq are pressing to reconstitute entire units of the former Iraqi army, which the top U.S. administrator in Baghdad disbanded in May. They say the change would speed the creation of a new army and stabilize the nation. "
So ... we figured it was a good idea to break up the units then, a few months later we decide it's a better idea to keep them in tact.
There may have been a plan for all of this but it wasn't one that drew on any past experience. It was all an overly optimistic pipe dream.
uh .... Bring 'em On? The President gets his wish.FOXNews.com - Top Stories - Thirteen Killed After Helicopter Attacked in Iraq
Friday, October 31, 2003
File Under "Life Imitates Art"
Weather Cools Wildfires' Fury
Remember all those disaster moveies that were set in LA. Art has come back to haunt us. Fires, Earthquakes ... WOW
Weather Cools Wildfires' Fury
Remember all those disaster moveies that were set in LA. Art has come back to haunt us. Fires, Earthquakes ... WOW
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
President Decries General's Remarks
"Bush says comments about Muslims do not reflect his point of view. But firing doesn't seem to be an option."
I bet if the SOB had said the war in Iraq was ill advised he'd be out on his kiester!
"Gen. Boykin is kind of the living embodiment of a key Republican electoral constituency. So forcing him out would not be a very bright move with elections approaching," said military analyst Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute, an Arlington, Va.-based public policy group.
Jesus wept.
"Bush says comments about Muslims do not reflect his point of view. But firing doesn't seem to be an option."
I bet if the SOB had said the war in Iraq was ill advised he'd be out on his kiester!
"Gen. Boykin is kind of the living embodiment of a key Republican electoral constituency. So forcing him out would not be a very bright move with elections approaching," said military analyst Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute, an Arlington, Va.-based public policy group.
Jesus wept.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Does the word "inarticulate" ring a bell?Newsday.com - Political Threat To Bush Growing
"The people have got to understand, the Iraqi people have got to understand that any time you've got a group of killers willing to kill innocent Iraqis, that their future must not be determined by these kind of killers."
- G. W. Bush
"The people have got to understand, the Iraqi people have got to understand that any time you've got a group of killers willing to kill innocent Iraqis, that their future must not be determined by these kind of killers."
- G. W. Bush
Friday, October 24, 2003
File Under: Everyone's a Critic ... Lightning Strikes Actor Playing Jesus "Jim Caviezel, the actor playing Jesus in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ” was struck by lighting during filming of the controversial movie.
The crew was on location outside of Rome when a lighting bolt struck the actor and assistant director Jan Michelini. What makes this more strange is this is the second time that Michelini has been struck by lighting during the filming of this movie, according to a report from the BBC. Both men were not badly hurt. "
The crew was on location outside of Rome when a lighting bolt struck the actor and assistant director Jan Michelini. What makes this more strange is this is the second time that Michelini has been struck by lighting during the filming of this movie, according to a report from the BBC. Both men were not badly hurt. "
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Yes ... but would you buy a used car from this guy?
Rumsfeld Defends Memo Questioning Anti-Terrorism Results
Rumsfeld Defends Memo Questioning Anti-Terrorism Results
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Rumsfeld agonises over US failures in 'war on terror'
Hindsight is always 20/20. But that's why we have friends and allies and why we ask for second opinions when we face a medical crisis. Maybe going it alone wasn't what it was cracked up to be?
Hindsight is always 20/20. But that's why we have friends and allies and why we ask for second opinions when we face a medical crisis. Maybe going it alone wasn't what it was cracked up to be?
Sunday, October 19, 2003
The answer is magic?
Newsday.com - Student Questioned in Security Breach:
"Washington - Investigators were interviewing a 20-year-old college student yesterday hoping to learn how he got past airport screeners while carrying box cutters, modeling clay shaped like plastic explosives and notes detailing his intention to test security."
duh????
Newsday.com - Student Questioned in Security Breach:
"Washington - Investigators were interviewing a 20-year-old college student yesterday hoping to learn how he got past airport screeners while carrying box cutters, modeling clay shaped like plastic explosives and notes detailing his intention to test security."
duh????
I think you have to ask yourself ...
Bush’s News War
which gives more aid and comfort to an enemy: a.) the continuation of news reporting that allows American citizens to gain some piucture of the truth of a situation even the news may be bad and may not reflect well on a political administration or b.) the knowledge that the American public's right to know and the rights to a free press are being curtailed - and that we are becoming more and more like the Iraq of Saddam?
Bush’s News War
which gives more aid and comfort to an enemy: a.) the continuation of news reporting that allows American citizens to gain some piucture of the truth of a situation even the news may be bad and may not reflect well on a political administration or b.) the knowledge that the American public's right to know and the rights to a free press are being curtailed - and that we are becoming more and more like the Iraq of Saddam?
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Speaking of Small Potatos ...
IOL : Peace Prize is not very important - Khatami
The official Iranian position may be that Shirin Ebadi's Nobel Peace Prize isn't very important but it seems to me that President Mohammad Khatami should be aware that Nobel Peace Prize winners will be remembered long after he becomes a dusty, hisrotical footnote.
"The Nobel Peace Prize is not very important, the ones that count are the scientific and literary prizes," he added.
What planet has this troglodite been vacationing on for the last century? I suspect the comments come from the personal jealousy of a man who will pass through history leaving only the dimmest of footprints. How often people try to build themselves up by deminishing the accomplishments of others. It's never worked.
The things that people say and do speak volumes about them and say little about you.
IOL : Peace Prize is not very important - Khatami
The official Iranian position may be that Shirin Ebadi's Nobel Peace Prize isn't very important but it seems to me that President Mohammad Khatami should be aware that Nobel Peace Prize winners will be remembered long after he becomes a dusty, hisrotical footnote.
"The Nobel Peace Prize is not very important, the ones that count are the scientific and literary prizes," he added.
What planet has this troglodite been vacationing on for the last century? I suspect the comments come from the personal jealousy of a man who will pass through history leaving only the dimmest of footprints. How often people try to build themselves up by deminishing the accomplishments of others. It's never worked.
The things that people say and do speak volumes about them and say little about you.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Bush bids for a Controlled rather than a Free Press:
ABCNEWS.com : Bush Goes Around Media to Make Iraq Case
ABCNEWS.com : Bush Goes Around Media to Make Iraq Case
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