Bring him on! President Bush today launched his final offensive to defend his failed war in Iraq. Bush smirked, shrugged, and stuck out his chin defiantly during his overlong speech in Annapolis today. But no one was listening. The military isn't listening: even as Bush spoke, the generals are making plans to scale back the U.S. presence in Iraq. Congress isn't listening: more and more, even Republican members of Congress are eyeing the polls and looking nervously toward November 2006, when voters get a chance to express themselves on America's failed Iraq adventure. The public isn't listening: polls continue to show a steady downturn in support for the war.
Bush is battling two insurgencies, and losing badly against both. The first insurgency is the one in iraq, which is showing no signs of going away. The second one is the domestic "insurgency," the widespread revolt by voters, more and more Democrats (except, of course, the ever-treacherous Joe Lieberman, whose Wall Street Journal op-ed yesterday was cited by Bush in his speech), and lots of Republicans.
Stunningly, in his speech -- and in the 38-page "National Strategy for Victory in Iraq" document -- Bush had literally nothing to say about diplomacy. Nowhere did Bush suggest a role for a U.S. mediator in Iraq, like the one that George Mitchell played in Ireland. The White House makes only a back-of-the-hand reference to the Arab League, whose breakthrough conference in Cairo last weekend was the first hopeful sign for bringing in the Iraqi resistance into a deal for U.S. withdrawal. In his speech, Buish made only a passing reference to the United Nations, which holds one of the keys to resolving the war in Iraq.
Let's leave aside the issue that the man who declared "Mission Accomplished" two and a half years ago is now organizing a nationwide political offensive for a "Strategy for Victory." The idea of "victory" in Iraq has long since been eclipsed. There is no chance that the United States can achieve victory. By rejecting a timetable for a U.S. withdrawal, by refusing on annouce a diplomatic initiative, by continuing to insist that the war in Iraq is really a war against terrorism, Bush revealed only that he hasn't the slightest idea of what do to in Iraq.
Comments (3)
I am a committed independant and Perotista - so there is no love lost between me and Mr. Bush. I've always considered him to be a priggish momma's boy, intellectually incurious, and unsuited to power for a variety of reasons.
He outsources book learnin to the help - so that, ya know, he always has the best advice money can buy.
But nobody has connected the dots for me better than Tuft University Professor Gary Leupp, in his imaginary conversation between Laura and George -
"Dubya to Laura (exploding): Goddam it, look, nobody had to persuade me to go to war on Iraq! I wanted to myself!
Laura: Yes dear, I know you did. But these wise guys used what Strauss called "noble lies."
Dubya: Whadya mean?
Laura: Well, they think that if you said the truth---that we want to invade Iraq because of the oil, and for bases, and to make it a friend of Israel---people wouldn't agree with it. So instead, they said Iraq might stage a nuclear attack on New York, and they got you to say things about Niger uranium and centrifuges and mobile labs that just weren't true. So most people supported the war. "
Leupp has perfect pitch.
and then this gem --
"But what if he was used, unwittingly, his callous cruel arrogant nature exploited by those who really are Evil Incarnate, and who are going to make him go down in the "History" he alternately validates and despises as the worst and stupidest president ever? How painful for the spoiled brat, who as Texas governor mocked a born-again Christian death-row inmate, pursing his lips to the camera in mock desperation cracking that she'd pleaded, "Please, don't kill me!" before he happily decreed her death. How painful for a child of privilege accustomed to abusing everybody else to wake up and discover he's been had by people far more aware and intelligent than him.
Isolated and betrayed, this most powerful of men. May he withdraw further into himself, and those divine voices in his head telling him "Smite! Smite!" as out in the real world the crimes of his administration become more and more clear."
NOW I understand. This chapter in history has now been written - better minds than mine know where the train left the track and where the bodies are buried.
Next up -- neocons take down their man - install H for Israel.
If only Bush had read Shakespeare he might have known what a caricature of the tragic little man he really is.
Carole Ward
Santa Fe
Posted by carol ward | November 30, 2005 11:26 AM
Posted on November 30, 2005 11:26
I don't know why it took me this long to find your blog, but it is a breath of fresh air. Thanks.
Tommy
Posted by Tommy | December 4, 2005 3:00 PM
Posted on December 4, 2005 15:00
Why,I wonder,has it taken Americans so long to figure out what most of us "furriners" knew about Bush and his buddies from day one. They are translucent. Because of its power everything the U.S. does affects the whole world and yet most Americans tell TROTW { the rest of the world}to butt out. Maybe you should listen to us a bit more.
Posted by Alfred Grate | December 12, 2005 2:26 PM
Posted on December 12, 2005 14:26