Way to go President Bush!!!

[Peter Campbell]

Hillary will cause more damage to the united states alive than dead. If they know what they do she and Schumer would be the last people that Al-Quiada try to assasinate. They are doing the work of the enemies of the us right in the senate floor! ( OBTW they are my states senators and I follow thier idiocy ). But they do a wonderfull job of representing thier core constituency, goverment bureacrats, welfare recipients, trial lawyers, whiners, and those that think the government will fix things so they do not need to work hard to succeed. The real enemies of the US.

 

[illflem]

It's anger rather than hate.

I have but one response to those who hate him;

Thank God we have Bush in the White house now instead of Gore!!!!!

When I saw the photos of him in Iraq, I felt like getting up and salutting, and I have not been in uniform for 46 years.

And its nice to feel GREAT confidence he will be re-elected.

It's anger rather than hate.

Ask conservatives why they hated Clinton, they talk about his behavior and his values, not his policies. He was a an abortion promoter, a gun hater, a gay backer, womanizer. It was his values.



Ask liberals why they're angry with Bush and it's his policies, it's Iraq, the Patriot Act, Iraq, the environment, corporate favoritism, Iraq, and what appears to be systematic dishonesty in trying to justify the U. S. attack. Even if the dishonesty is proven false there is still enough doubts in many folks minds that they no longer trust him.



Bush lovers better start worrying, his reelection is far from guaranteed. He barely won against a slimy wimp like Al Gore last time, next time round he's faced with some much better qualified candidates.



In a Gallop Poll last Friday 48 per cent of Americans said they were unlikely to vote for Bush next November no mater who runs against him, while 47 per cent said they were likely to.



Even Bush's own people are worried about it.



"President Bush's reelection team, anticipating another close election, has begun to assemble one of the largest grass-roots organizations of any modern presidential campaign, using enormous financial resources and lack of primary opposition to seize an early advantage over the Democrats in the battle to mobilize voters in 2004.



Organization alone cannot elect Bush to a second term. Given the reality that the president's campaign team cannot control such potentially decisive factors as the economy or events in Iraq, officials are determined to maximize their advantage in areas they can control.



Rarely has a reelection committee begun organizing so early or intensively -- or with the kind of determination to hold state party and campaign officials, and their volunteers, accountable for meeting the goals of the Bush team. "



http://www.boston.com/news/nation/a...on_team_looking_to_register_3_million_voters/



I personally would hope that a third party candidate who is electable would show up.

At this point both parties suck.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Time will tell how the election goes, it's a long way off yet and a lot can happen in between. Bush Sr looked like a sure bet and look what happened.



As far as justifying the war I don't think Bush was trying to mislead anyone but was only acting on information he felt was reasonable and valid intelligence at the time (some of which we now know to be faulty or misleading). I think it's the media playing up the WMD issue or supposed lack of terrorist connection with Iraq more than anything as reason to criticize Bush's Iraq policy. A poll not too long ago showed Americans strongly in favor of the war in Iraq as justified even if no WMDs or terrorist connection is proven (it was around 65% as I recall). Maybe Bush was misleading and could have taken different measures to go about this but it seems everyone has forgotten how intently he tried going to the UN and persuing peaceful means of solving the terrorist threats and to bring in a united coalition to get the job done but in the end it was pretty much our own deal. The UN is a joke and you cannot expect other countries to have the same sentiment we have because they haven't suffered a 9-11 in their country. Bush has said many times war was his last option, not his first.



I agree there are a lot of Democrats and Republicans that don't amount to a hill of beans but this day in age I think Bush and the Republicans have their act together beter. When I watch the Dems debate the issues they really come across as indecisive or they change their views on the issues and their opinions about Iraq, their exit strategies, etc. etc. It scares me to think what it would be like if any of them got into the White House.



If the economy continues to improve, Iraq doesn't turn into a disaster (I think it's far from it), and Bush doesn't make any major political snafus, he's looking pretty strong for 2004 IMO. But like I say there's a lot of time 'til then



But hey, who got me all jabberin' about politics anyway? I don't give a rip about politics, I'm into Cummins power!!!



Vaughn

 

[merryman]

Well said 'other Vaughn"

Except ya should care about politics

Politics are of vital importance; that determines who sits in the White House and whether we like to think about it or not (yeah, I get really steamed about the "politicians" too,) That is terribly important to each of us and to the country.



I happen to think that the Bush team has some shortcoming, but they are still far better for the country than the alternative, and far better than anyone who is looking like they maybe the opposition next fall.



Its allways a compromise, and to a degree its allways a choice of evils---we have way, way, way too much of government and politics, but you have to work with what is available, and since St. Peter is not one of the choices, I am thankfull for Bush; the right man for the job at the right time.

Can't you just see Gore; he'd still be negoiating with the UN or what wording to put in the protest to Bin Laden and Saddam over 9-11.



Vaughn

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by merryman

Well said 'other Vaughn"

Thankyou Vaughn



Vaughn

 

[Champane Flight]

Really?

I think Gore would have done the same as Bush, of course they are much the same. Which says something for the choices of the American people. We are as shallow as the person we have elected.



In response to Doug Basham's OpEd http://www.opednews.com/basham1103_baghdad_coward.htm I only have one thing to point out. As a former GI, having spent many years in combat arms fields in the US Army, I ask you to think of this from the GI's point of view. While I know that the rear-echelon GIs who whooped and hollared for Bush meant it from their hearts -- anything for them to get a feeling that they're not forgotten would have been welcome, especially a visit from the president -- but one ought to contemplate what the troops thought at noon on Thanksgiving day.



Do the math. Remember, Bush snuck into Baghdad at 5-something AM and only spent 2 1/2 hours in the city before fleeing. That means those GIs who Bush served "Thanksgiving dinner" to were ordered to get up at 5 or 6 AM and told to go eat a "breakfast" of turkey, mashed potatoes and all the fixings.



By noon it would have dawned on all but the most cerebrally-challenged GIs that they had been used like a cheap ***** for a presidential photo-op propaganda ploy designed to generate warm fuzzies in the people watching football with full bellies back in the US. The president's actions were worse than being merely cowardly, they exploited the GIs on the ground for a few fleeting domestic political points.

 

[JConley]

CF... So nice of you to point out the GI's point of view on things in Bagdad. I like the timing of your post since yesterday I spoke to my friend who is living in Tallil, and was at the thanksgiving meal with President Bush in Bagdad. He had nothing but good things to say about the visit, and he mentioned that it really boosted morale. I guess this makes all the Gi's over there cerebrally-challenged. Please do me, and all the other GI's that have served in the gulf a favor. DONT SPEAK FOR US!!!



If you really want to know what things are like from the GI's over there, let me know and I will make a phone call. Its no trouble... Baghdad is just a 4 digit extension from my desktop phone.



Just a note... the tone of voice in your posts makes you sound like the passed over E-6 disgruntled recruiter that works near an old strip mall, so you might help to tone it down a bit... .

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

JC - thank you for a true perspective from someone who has been there and done that! Thanks again for your service, we appreciate it!



P. S. Haven't seen ya in chat in a while. I know your catching up on lost time with your family but we'd like to hear from you from time to time when your able.

 

[KBennett]

Great post JConley!



I love that new commercial with Brett Favre walking around in his daily routine and telling everybody what they SHOULD have done after they have made a mistake, just like we do to the football players when we play armchair quarterback. I am not saying that Bush made a mistake in this war and we all probably think it should be going better but who are we to judge a man that put his butt on the line and is now sticking to his plan instead of pulling out and leaving a mess behind. The UN got used to the pansies we had the eight years before Bush and now some of the countries that were against us before the war are starting to come around.



Anybody that can sit there and call Bush a coward must think even less of Bill "THE DRAFT DODGER" Clinton and Al Gore. And since when did Hillary become interested in our military?

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by JConley

Just a note... the tone of voice in your posts makes you sound like the passed over E-6 disgruntled recruiter that works near an old strip mall, so you might help to tone it down a bit... .

If you had paid any attention you should have noticed CF didn't write that post, he was quoting someone else.

Do the math. Remember, Bush snuck into Baghdad at 5-something AM and only spent 2 1/2 hours in the city before fleeing. That means those GIs who Bush served "Thanksgiving dinner" to were ordered to get up at 5 or 6 AM and to go eat a "breakfast" of turkey, mashed potatoes and all the fixings.



By noon it would have dawned on all but the most cerebrally-challenged GIs that they had been used like a cheap ***** for a presidential photo-op propaganda ploy designed to generate warm fuzzies in the people watching football with full bellies back in the US.

This shows me that the 5am turkey meal was planned in well in advance, makes me wonder if the troops present for the Thanksgiving breakfast were hand picked.



My three years in Vietnam was enough proof to me that any soldier in a war zone who doesn't complain about it has some deep problems.

 

[JConley]

Nope they werent hand picked to my knowledge. Bush is very popular in the military, and he would get that reaction from GI's wherever he went. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's the way it is.



I think the hand picked soldiers are going to the Hillery meetings. or more likely the ones that couldnt get away fast enough... .



Forgot to mention... a lot of soldiers are complaining. I know of only a few soldiers that asked to be there. Anything to take your mind off the situation is a relief and will boost morale. By no means did Bush's visit make anyone any happier to be there, but it means a lot, and we respect the effort he made.

 

[loncray]

Not criticizing the President's visit, but why do you say everybody respects the effort he made (2. 5 hours in country, snuck in and out due to understandable security concerns) but completely disrespect Senator Clinton's visits to Afghanistan and Iraq (several days, no sneaking)? That's a US Senator, taking time from her very busy schedule to visit the troops, but it's no big deal because it's just Hillary Clinton?!? She's got just as much interest in the military as any other member of Congress. And since the 10th Mountain Division (last I heard they were out of Ft. Drum NY) is in Afghanistan, maybe more than some other members.

Now I realize why the conservatives get all riled up about "Bush Haters" - they know how much hate they've been spewing about the Clintons for years and fear that it's coming back to haunt their boy in office.

 

[Champane Flight]

I was

I had the pleasure of meeting President Richard Nixon When I was in country. He hit many major base camps in Nam and tried to shake as many hands as possible. He also spent more than three hours in country. It was a morale boost to see him outrunning his security to come over and shake our hands. More power to the boys who enjoyed the Commander in Chumps short visit. It still does not change my opinion of the man.

 

[merryman]

'Bout fell off my chair laughing at the idea that Sen Hilliary took time off from her busy schedule to visit the troups!



I'd bet money her SOLE reason for that trip was so she could come home and make a big deal that she went to visit the service people while GW stayed home; Bet her face would have stopped clocks at 50 paces when she found President Bush went to Iraq.



As as was pointed out above, she had absolutly zero security concerns; why the heck would the terrorist want to do her harm when she is doing her very best to bring about their goal of getting us to turn tail and run???



She could advertize in advance and spend a week sitting on any corner in Iraq or whereever and the most the terrorist would do is assign a body guard to make sure some half wit did not harm her.



Vaughn

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by merryman

As as was pointed out above, she had absolutly zero security concerns

If that's the case then she just found the way to single-handedly win the war on terror.

Bush would be wise to take a lesson from her.

 

[DHayden]

How is giving in to the terrorists and leaving Afghanistan and Iraq winning the war on terrorism? You think we would all be safe and comfy if we brought all the troops home and weren't in any of the other countries huh? Oh right, thats what brought on the attacks to the U. S. right? Well wait. . we weren't in Iraq or Afghanistan when the planes hit were we? Or when they tried to bring the towers down in the early 90's. What a protected dream you are living in... ... .



CF I'm glad you admired Nixon for his efforts, how you didn't see them for re election opportunity is beyond me. Guess he should have done more of that sort of thing for re election, might have helped him out of that whole Water Gate thing. Of-course that was before my time so I can't speak intelligently on the subject. Just makes me wonder how you run your value system for presidents.

 

[illflem]

You have to search for the reasons of why someone becomes a terrorist - and I'm not speaking about their leaders. It's not like they wake up one morning and say, "Hey it's a nice day to blow myself up along with scores of innocent people. "

There is a process leading to that decision. Uncover this process and you're on the right track.

Bomb cities, invade countries and you're on your way to making new terrorists and a good reason for them to attack you.

It just turns into a never ending cycle, as long as we wage war on them they will have an excuse to fight back.

Of course this is all too late for Iraq, we have to finish what we started there now.

Bush just needs to get humble, say he blew it and turn the mess over to the UN

 

[Boomer II]

Those terrorists are taught to hate from the time their little kids. If opression caused terrorism then Saddam shouda had his hands full. We aren't waging war on Iraq, we're waging war on the Saddam regime.

 

[loncray]

But where's the connection between Saddam's govt. and the terrorists? Esp. if this is being spun as the War on Terrorism. Seems to me there are more terrorists in Iraq now than there were before the war - they're streaming there to kill our troops now that Saddam isn't there to stop them. Part of his govt. being repressive is that they repressed the radical Muslims - who were a threat to the regime.

 

[Champane Flight]

Here we are now

Here we are now locked into the same game Saddam was in. When someone opposed him he just killed em. We are getting good at this too. Some of the mass graves being found right now are being found to hold Muslim fanatics such as Al Queda (the question comes up, "Did we kill a Allie?"). The many factions of Iraq itself will prevent us from placing a government of any substance there. When we Finish with the ex Saddam loyalists (if there is ever an end), then we will face the many factions of Muslim extremists, and then Al Queda itself coming in from Iran. Remember Al Queda? They were the ones we were after to begin with. What you guys are saying that it will be OK with you to sacrifice a whole generation of young men and women as long as you feel safe and cozy (I for one know we are not) ?



Even if we turn over the rebuilding of Iraq to the UN and the country itself, it will take several more years of us being in the fray. This President will have a lot to answer for in the near future. It will make Clinton's hanky panky look like a comedy (already does).