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Meanwhile, via Crooks & Liars we learn that Time Magazine proves themselves the masters of minimalism when they list the five mistakes they believe Bush made in the Middle East:
1. Bush ignored the Palestinians.
2. Bush invaded Iraq.
3. Bush misjudged Iran.
4. Bush hurt Israel.
5. Bush alienated Muslims.
I'm sure most sentient people with a blood alcohol level less than 2.0 could think of a few more. Feel free to add to the list in the comments.
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fitz!
FITZ!
TEDDY!
Bushco destroyed the poor Afghan people after they wiped their boots on them.
I am so ashamed.
5. Bush ignored warnings of the 2001 al-Qaida attack (”you’ve covered yer ass now, get back to Washington….”)
6. Bush voted for himself. Twice.
the latest charge is that by eliminating Saddam- Clusterfuck has turned Iran into a world power with a nasty temper.
I think those 5 pretty much sum them up. But Im drunk.
Bush got out of bed. Pick a day. Any day.
Bush didn’t eat enough pretzels.
I thought it was interesting that when Blitzer was reporting the story about the 52 bodies, he broke from his normal phrasing (52 bodies found) and said “the bodies of 52 murdered people.”
RevDeb @ 8
707!
7. Bush ignored the British history in Iraq, specifically the Siege of Kut.
7. Bush didn’t pay attention in school.
TeddySanFran @ 13
Well, not ignored as such. Amazon was sold out on the Big Little Book version.
1. Bush ignored the Palestinians.
2. Bush invaded Iraq.
3. Bush misjudged Iran.
4. Bush hurt Israel.
5. Bush alienated Muslims.
6. Bush hurt Americans
7. Bush hurt planet earth
8. oh heck, let’s make a big one…Bush hurt our children, our grandchildren, our reputation our national security, our armed forces, our inteligence agencies, our infrastructure.
add infinitum
Thank you Jane for this thread.
I read lots that I would like to link to some great articles and will do so b/c it is appropriate:
http://www.democracynow.org/ar.....28/1454248
1. Bush ignored the Palestinians. - whose grievances are the primary source of ME turmoil for the last 50 years.
2. Bush invaded Iraq, a country that did not attack or threaten us, and who’s position was maintaining a balance between Sunni states and Shia states.
3. Bush misjudged Iran, which he had identified as part of the axis of evil and is highly distrusted by all the Sunni regimes whom we befriend.
4. Bush hurt Israel, our closest and longest ally in the region.
5. Bush alienated Muslims, all 1.1 billion of them.
Those are just little bitty mistakes. What’s the problem?
9. Bush let NOLA and the Gulf Coast drown
8. Bush disobeyed the House of Saud, his employer.
Bush lied about Iraqi WMD.
Bush lied about Iraqi involvement in 9/11.
Bush lied about the lies.
There are many in addition to Lieberman and Bush that are responsible for bringing the world to the ‘brink’. Not just Republicans and fake Democrats. I want them all to be forced to take responsibility for their actions. To do less is to disgrace those men and women who have fallen in service to their country in Iraq. I want justice.
in actuality, Bush has made only one mistake. He said “bring it on” …at least according to him.
EvilDrPuma @ 15
. bush ignored the advise of our military strategists and generals who informed him in NO uncertain terms invading Iraq would harm America
. bush ignored his entire anti terror legue who infomed him in NO unceratin terms attacking Iraq would exacerbate the war against terrorism
I cited this earlier today, but it might be worth something to some:
http://www.informationclearing.....e15762.htm
Bush shredded the Constitution and used it for kitty litter.
Actually, it might be easier to list what he did RIGHT!
.
.
.
.
Absolutely NOTHING!
Bush’s only goal since taking office has been to fatten the family trust fund accounts. Oh, I forgot about the daily bike rides. He has two goals.
guys - the topic was mistakes in the middle east - dont go getting all selfish and making it about us.
Bush lied and our kids died.
It is so hard to fathom how the families who have lost a child, husband, father, daughter, mother, are able to cope with the events that are going on in Iraq/Afghanistan.
Not to mention all those injured who will never be “whole” again.
I have to take exception with 4. Bush hurt Israel. No, Israel hurt Israel. Israel has probably the worse political leadership on the planet. Olmert, Peretz, and Netanyahu are bumbling bigoted idiots and they don’t even represent the fringe of Israeli politics.
7263. Bush lied about fish size
Hugh @ 30
I think those guys come in a distant second to Bush & Cheney.
Per Time: “4. Bush hurt Israel. If protecting Israel had been a key goal of the Administration’s policies, it is hard to see how they have helped make the Jewish State better off today. Having gotten rid of Arafat, they have instead to face Hamas. And continuous rocket attacks from Gaza have highlighted the limits of what Israel can achieve through its plans to unilaterally redraw its borders. The confrontation in Lebanon over the summer and the messy engagement in Gaza also highlight the limits on the deterrent capacity of Israel’s military advantages. Spreading instability in the region is not in Israel’s long-term interests; nor is a nuclear Iran.”
Instability in the region has consistently worked to Israeli advantage. The myth of a constant and dire threat to the State of Israel and the “unreasonable/radical” nature of Palestinian leadership has been an excuse to temporize since 1948. All the while Israel is able to claim “justification” for settling more land, taking more orchards, aquifers, prisoners, etc. The current administration’s policy has been part and parcel of the right wing Israeli policy. This may indeed have been flawed policy, but not by accident.
But I think the one about misjudging Iran is sorta wrong - wouldn’t one have to use judgement to misjudge?
And the comment about Bush not reading British hsitory is very funny. Maybe if it was about a British goat that got lost in the desert there’d have been a chance, but otherwise let’s try to keep this thread in the reality zone.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200...../iran_iraq
Link to story announcing a security agreement between Iran and Iraq- details to be announced “soon”..Iran says that the US needs to leave Iraq
Iraq president shown givin kissy face ta Iranian President
Maybe this is why there was no meeting tonight in Jordan!!!
Haven’t been able to keep up today, not sure if this has already been linked to, but you don’t see this kind of thing very often from this administration:
Apology Note
How’s that unilateralism working out for you, W?
You know, the bit where you are running the world for everyone’s sake?
Karl said you could create your own reality. Having fun in the land of dreamy dreams about now? Time to wake up and admit you’re not in charge of anything whatsoever. Time to resign before you hurt yourself, since that’s about all you seem concerned about.
angie @ 25
I like it.
They’re ripping Hadley in the first segment of the News Hour right now as not understanding Iraq.
Lead Paragraph from story linked above:
TEHRAN, Iran - Iraq’s president said Wednesday he had reached a security agreement with Iran, which the United States accuses of fueling the chaos in the war-torn country. Iran’s president called on countries to stop backing “terrorists” in Iraq and for the Americans to withdraw
m’kay– tis my last contribution tonight.
Watch this about Iraq and us. Or read it.
Either way if you can.
http://www.informationclearing.....e15757.htm
Dubya murdered Habeas Corpus. Ah, that pesky Bill of Rights.
And the prick pretends he’s from here (Texas) which pisses me off to no end.
rw @35,
Thanks for the heads up.
Hugh @ 30
I agree about the quality of their leadership, but I think it’s still true that Bush’s ME policy has made Irsrael’s security situation worse.
The interesting thing about the Time article is both the minimalist (but devastating) list of failures; it’s also how they phrase the lead in:
Kinda hard for
Karl RoveMike Allen to spin that one.Bush ignored everyone but the crazies.
Bush delegated the presidency to The Bull Goose Crazy, then rode off on his bike. Looking like Arte Johnson from a Laugh-In skit.
Oh yeah, and that torture thing.
T minus 6 = Olbermann.
After 9/11 I thought for sure that the US would 1) take out the Taliban and put Afghanistan on its feet, and 2) “lean” on Israel to make peace with the Palestinians.
If the US was *ever* going to solve the Israel/Palistinian problem, it was then. Because then there was total bi-partisanship, support for Bush, and support from around the world. It can not be understated how big a missed opportunity that was, and that is Bush’s biggest mistake. Instead he has done the complete opposite, and that is his legacy.
Incidentally, when was this blood alcohol 2.0 requirement added to FDL? Is that for all commenters?
OT
I didn’t know this until a little while ago, but George Harrison died 5 years ago today.
http://www.georgeharrison.com
Bush let Fascists lead him around by the short hairs…
Holiday Activism
Hardball underline: “Can Pelosi Get Control?”
boy howdy, David Schuster!
Looking at my comment above, I thought maybe I should clarify. I *was* actually aware that George Harrison had died. Just not that it happened 5 years ago today.
The conservatidiots getting their panties in a bunch about Happy Feet story on CNN again… lol
Bush has caused catastrophic damage to the way the US is perceived from overseas. Speaking as someone who immigrated to the US, I don’t think that many Americans understand how big the shadow the US casts across the world actually is.
Bush led fascists around by the short hairs…
Don’t let his moronic appearance fool ya- this guy’s right up there with the swastika crowd.
I have been OT today (sorry) and now EPU’d twice. Hope it is O.K. to bring forward my comment left behind:
David Sirota has a piece about Charlie Rangel over at Huffington Post. I can’t link, but I copied the part of the second paragraph which gives you the gist of his bewilderment at Charlie’s actions.
… That’s not what appears to be happening. In the weeks after the congressional election, Rangel has expressed interest in doing the exact opposite: preserving President Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy; considering Social Security benefit cuts and retirement age hikes; and supporting lobbyist-written trade pacts that have no wage, environmental or human rights protections in them. He has, in other words, moved to side firmly [he includes a link here and am paraphrasing] of the money party.
What’s up with that?
KO special comment tomorrow!
On Gingrich and “freedom” of speech.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but since nobody else has said it: I don’t blame Bush. I blame Clinton.
Renee in Ohio @ 50
Semi interesting bit of trivia: George Harrison spent his final days at Staten Island Hospital, where I had my surgery in August.
Happy Holidays
I can think of one, but I wouldn’t want to second guess the President while he’s fighting the Global War on Terror.
Hold onto your seatbelts- if Iran and Iraq agree that Iran will provide the security forces- well then Iraq could tell Clusterfuck ta take a flyin fuck off a short pier—gettin pretty interesting.
I thought it was a war of terror?
Pelosi will do the job.
Actually, it’s War on Terra.
I used to read the world would have been very different if only Hitler had been accepted to art school.
Today I believe the world would be very different if Bush Jr. would have been offered the job of Baseball Commissioner the day before he decided to run for gov. of Texas.
scarecrow @ 44
not really. he can say hey, we meant well. but who knew them iraqis were so barbaric and ungrateful?
So did Clusterfuck deliberately leak Hadley’s memo to the press just before goin off to pow wow with the Iraqi Prime Minister?
Is that a stupid enough move to match with his normal MO?
Who the hell ELSE could leak Hadley’s memo?
lina @ 66
Yes, but baseball would now be a disaster. C’mon!
Or to use the Time mimalist approach:
1. The foul lines would be moved to the extreme right.
2. The umpires would all be biased and there would be no rules
3. Only one side would be allowed to bat
4. The batting side could not be called out
5. The fans would be frightened into attending the games.
Subway Serenade @ 60
Bless you both and btw, he is my favorite Beatle.
Jim Webb is a no bullsh’t guy. I like him. He’s OK.
“Today I believe the world would be very different if Bush Jr. would have been offered the job of Baseball Commissioner the day before he decided to run for gov. of Texas.”
yeah- major league baseball would be bankrupt!
Renee in Ohio @ 65
what, a war on weeds?
This is OT, but…anybody know why Keith is taking a pass tonight? He mentioned circumstances “too complicated” to explain.
rwcole @ 68
Yes.
Anyone heard an uproar (I’m shocked… Shocked) about the leak?
kitty @ 73
No, Earth.
angie @ 70
I was lucky enough to see the fab four in Candlestick Park in SF in 1966. There was electricity in the air. Beatles forever!
newtonusr @ 75
That’s the litmus test, all right!
George Harrison. “All Things Must Pass”.
Schuster on Webb, with whats-her-name subbing for KO.
Webb sure got a lot of play so far outta that response to Bush at the WH.
It’s the war on Tarot- and other satanic practices.
mrsmarks @ 78
And they are spinning it to suggest it actually backs Maliki…
Oklahoma kiddo @ 79
George Harrison. “Taxman”.
Lovely George Harrison and strife in the ME dont go together for me so good bye to all.
There is much I disagree with Senator-elect Webb about, but I am heartened to learn how much he’s changed his opinions as the culture and events have changed. He needs to come along on MY issue — but I see lots of potential in him.
Still not sure I’m willing to give a Reagan appointee a major role in my party without seeing him make efforts on MY issue.
Shuster on Olbermann says Webb has a vested interest in Iraq. His son. Shuster also remarks that Senator Webb is tough and won’t back down.
kitty @ 8
kitty @ 84
buh-bye.
Here’s the Time Magazine obit for George Harrison
So we get a memo linked that says that the Iraqi Prime Minister ain’t up to the job–right after that the Iraqi Prime Minister refuses to break bread with Clusterfuck (because Israel is gonna be the dinner conversation?)
THEN–Iraq announces a security agreement with Iran and Iran asks Clusterfuck to leave Iraq–Iran and Iraq president shown havin oral sex of the face..
What’s goin on here?
TeddySanFran @ 85
Webb’s Op-Ed sure went a long way to convincing me
The cocktail hour has now made it’s way through three time zones and has already claimed it’s first victim-
bottoms up!
OfT, prevthread, needed to update you all on my previous post of Larry Kissell’s email. New one just received.
Renee in Ohio @ 88
I watched “Yellow Submarine” the other night. They really are Blue Meanies, aren’t they?
gotta grab me a Larry Kissell vod ‘tini. Scumps!
TeddySanFran @ 85
There is no way that he is does not think, TSF.
We will rise up with him and protect all those under the boot of oppression.
He’s a- ok.
It scares me that Webb might be that guy:
Scarey-good, maybe.
newtonusr @
75
Actually, I think “who leaked this, and why” are interesting questions. I don’t really believe the Bush loyalists would not have expected Maliki to retaliate. I don’t believe they would have flown the President of the United States to Jordan under conditions in which he might be shown up.
So my guess (pure speculation) is that someone who wanted to undermine not just Maliki but the whole strategy of the Hadley memo — which was to try to build up Maliki and get him to do all the things Bush wanted done. This view assumes that the overall aim was to create conditions under which Maliki would be replaced by a “strongman” who would then assert the power to dismantle the Shia militia, co-opt and disarm the sunnis, restribute oil revenues and unify the country. I think these are all Cheney-neocon notions, under the delusion of “we can still win.” So my money is on one of Cheney’s minions leaking the memo.
The WH would not be able to publically complain about this leak, because they know who did it, and the last thing Bush needs is to acknowledge that he has a rogue VP and a civil war going on in his own administration.
So the new bushel of sh’t from Rove is that the Iraq mess is the Iraqi’s fault?
And now we’re going to send more soldiers to Iraq? I’m really fed up.
TeddySanFran @ 94
I hope to see Victoria Wulsin, Charlie Brown, Robert Rodriguez, and all our other almost-made-it-in-spite-of-starting-with-nothing candidates join Larry and try again in 2008.
Clearly the ’sensible centrists’ don’t get it yet, and need to beat over the head again in 2008.
And with all this political action our Democratic leader, Hillary, remains silent. This is leadership?
It is my understanding that the Hadley memo has been around for 3 weeks so probably a lot of people could have leaked it.
Reasons:
Embarrass Bush: Cheney or one of his henchmen try to force Bush to keep to a tougher line on Iraq in advance of the Baker-Hamilton ISG report.
Embarrass Maliki: As a means of putting pressure on him to act more decisively although the current situation in Iraq and the Iraqi constitution leave him virtually powerless. And the Administration in denial about civil war fundamentally doesn’t understand what the current situation in Iraq is or what we or Maliki can do about it. If I had to guess, I would go with this reason because it has the typical wrongheaded culturally insensitive vindictive hamfistedness that characterizes so much of the frat boy approach to diplomacy of Bush and his entourage.
TeddySanFran @ 96
sorry ’bout that, but it’s time to leave good humans alone. I am so tired of hurting the disenfranchised “in my name”.
crow
Suppose that Clusterfuck knew that Iraq was about to enter into defense agreements with Iran and Syria which would eventually lead to asking Clusterfuck to leave the country..that would provide plenty of reason to create an incident that would lead to blowin up the purple finger government and startin all over with a strong armer who is totally dependent on the US..
Just a thought- but this has been swirling around for a while- sometimes under the guise of “the goal of democracy for Iraq will probably have to be abandoned.”
I would hope that Webb supports gay concerns. If he does not, I will be disappointed. And I shall make my disappointment known. If necessary.
I’m not sure what this Webb story is really all about- but at a minimum- it shows that he knows how to get his name and face out there and that he’s not shy about doing it.
ifthethunderdontgetya @ 99
I’m looking forward to John Laesch in 2007 as well!
scarecrow @ 97
this is plausible.
Isn’t the Global War on Tara for those of us who have had enough of Gone with the Wind?
Oklahoma kiddo @ 104
Government’s power should end at my front door. Jim Webb opposes ban on gay marriage, supports civil unions.
So, I just gotta ask, how does anybody here feel about Jimmy Carter speaking out now?
Oklahoma kiddo @ 104
My recollection is that Webb and Allen had the same position on the Virginia Hate Amendment this year, their co-balloteer. Nice work, that, pulling out the base for your issue, Karl. Gotcher laddie Macaca in a world o’hurt, didn’t it?
I will always believe, btw, that Macacawitz 2008 was Rover’s #1 pick.
Webb has a kid serving in Iraq. And my impression is he’d like to bring the boys and girls home.
Jimmy Carter speaking out is what our world needs right now.
More, please, sir.
OT– Link to a study of political blogs, here
Some good questions, worth the time IMHO.
About ten minutes or so to complete.
angie @ 110
President Carter can, and though he does not know it, speaks for me.
rwcole — on one of the shows tonight, the “experts” were speculating along those lines, but then concluded that if the Bushies wanted to take down Maliki, why leak an otherwise ambiguous memo to the NYT? They have lots of other more direct means that would not have the President’s National Security Advisor’s handwriting all over it to undermine the PM.
What I found interesting was that the leaker(s) didn’t just talk to reporters about some memo they’d seen. The leaker actually gave the NYT a copy of the memo, which the NYT dutifully (predictably) printed in full.
The only thing that’s clear is that someone very much wanted that memo out there, today, but we can’t be sure exactly which sentence/paragraph they really wanted out there and who the audience was. The Baker group? It may have nothing do to with Maliki’s competence but something completely different. I’m just guessing that it’s a Cheney operation.