PD sings “Bush is Evil” song, but sings it off-key
I guess you couldn’t resist giving us one more verse of your “Bush Is Evil” chant before he leaves office. And as always, you sang it off key. Here are a few of the discordant notes:
1. Two Congressional investigations (Robb Commission and ISG) and numerous well-researched books found no credible evidence that the Pentagon was “tailoring intelligence to order.” Furthermore, these sources indicate that the Bush Administration agreed with Richard Clarke that Iraq had no direct involvement in 9/11. That’s why Powell, Rice, and others did not accuse Iraq of such involvement but did express concern that Iraq had shown the desire to collaborate with terror organizations and that Hussein was rapidly acquiring the means to act on that desire because the UN sanctions and inspections had failed.
2. Most of the Bush tax cuts occurred before 9/11, and the rest occurred before the Iraq War. These cuts had nothing to do with “an economy brought to its knees by two wars.” Indeed, if the wars are responsible for our current economic problems, why isn’t that being trumpeted throughout the press, including your own business section?
3. Despite your repetition of the urban legend about illegal eavesdropping, torture, and Guantanamo, the investigations mentioned above found no evidence of criminal acts. And regarding “denial of habeas corpus,” sensible people understand that this right traditionally has not applied to enemy combatants captured in battle and to terrorists who are not American citizens. Take the time to examine the ongoing legal processes, and you will see that the Bush Administration has been scrupulous about taking the proper measures to safeguard our citizens’ rights while also maintaining our safety. Where are all these lawsuits about illegal eavesdropping that seem to exist only in your fantasy world?
4. Although the WMD issue was an intelligence failure (committed by an inept CIA headed by a Clinton appointee that Bush should have fired), this was never the primary reason to invade Iraq. Numerous authors have pointed this out, but you folks in the liberal press continue to make the false assertion that we had no justification for war because Iraq had no WMD stockpiles. We had plenty of justification, and it’s been well documented.
5. You say Bush “ceded the moral high ground” and lost USA prestige overseas. So, I guess you believe the terrorists loved and respected us before the evil Bush/Cheney regime. In your fantasy world, there were no Iranian hostages, no Marine barracks bombing, no WTC bombing, no Khobar Towers bombing, no USS Cole bombing, and so on. Yes, it’s clear to you that before the evil twins took over our country in a rigged election, we had no enemies. In fact, you probably think it’s possible that Bush and Cheney engineered the 9/11 attacks so they could take away our rights, steal Iraqi oil, and spread money among their friends in the defense industry.
Finally, as the Bush years end, I’d suggest you try to imagine what kind of editorial you’d be writing if he had not responded aggressively to our terrorist enemies. Isn’t it likely that we would have experienced a much more devastating attack? Would you then be calling for impeachment because the President neglected his Oath of Office to keep the country secure? Well, perhaps we’ll get a chance to test that theory during the new administration.
David A. Schmitt
St. Louis County
David, very well written and you are dead on. Other “evil” things that Bush did include saving more African lives than any other president in history with the large funding of HIV/AIDS/Malaria treatment programs. In addition, according to the Post Dispatch’s own story a few weeks ago (odd, coming from the PD), Bush’s administration has been responsible for a drop of 30% in homelessness thanks to it’s support of the liberal program of putting the homeless in apartments BEFORE they get the help needed. While I’m not a proponent of this, it’s hard to argue the success rate.
One more note, the New York Times wrote a story titled: “Bush leaves legacy in community-based health care”. He has “doubled federal financing for community health centers, enabling the creation or expansion of 1297 clinics in medically underserved areas”.
We’ll continue to hear the “Bush is Evil” song from the Post and the rest of the liberal media well into Obama’s presidency and it will take a few more presidential terms and better educated journalists to finally get the truth out about President Bush.
There are none so blind as those who would not see……
David, buddy….how is everything in LaLa land? Are you aware of the shape our country is in right now? The buck stops with Bush. Don’t try to blame it on Congress, or Clinton, or anyone else. He has been in charge for 8 years.
First, we had no business going in to Iraq. Period. Justify it any way you think you need to, but we invaded a country. For what purpose? Do we invade all countries that treat their citizens the way Saddam Hussein treated the citizens of Iraq? No, we don’t. So, why Iraq? What made Iraq different from Cuba? Or North Korea? Or Iran? Now, let’s discuss this whole keeping us “safe” claim. I guess we should define “safe”. While we have not had a terrorist attack in the continental United States since 9/11…there has been an increase of terrorist attacks against Americans abroad since 9/11. Also, there is another type of “safety”. Let’s see….how many people don’t have health care? What about losing homes or losing their retirement or investments? This all happened under his watch. And Education? His big education accomplishment….”No Child Left Behind” has been crucified by stakeholders. A college education (educated citizens keep a country strong) costs a ridicules amount of money and many people are unable to send their kids to school without going into debt for 20 years. Say what you want but middle class people have not fared well with Bush. I can vouch for that…because I am one.
So, Mr. Schmitt….let your bitterness go. Get used to the fact that for the next 4 years things will be very different. Those of us that have had to listen to the “good old boy” for the past 8 years are excited for change. And Logicprevails, your homelessness comment was asinine. You mention a success rate of dropping homelessness by 30% and then you say you’re not a proponent of it. Why? You don’t approve of success? Because it might help someone that doesn’t “deserve” it? Unbelievable.
Chris Matthews highlighted the top political scandals of 2008 - John Edwards, Gov. Spitzer, and Gov. Blago. It was pretty funny cuz he had this look on his face when he realized they were all Democrats and he clearly wanted to follow-up with a comment but remained silent. If those had all been Republicans, he would have had some snarky, he-he-he, type comment like
“and of course they are all Republicans.” Matthews speechless: priceless!
Centrist
At least they are scandals, the leading Republican indiscretion, Stevens, is a convicted felon, he-he-he.
Centrist
Actually the biggest scandal for 2008 took place in 2006. If Obama’s opponent for Senator in 2006, I believe a Republican, had not had some kinky sex idea’s then Obama would have been a foot note in history. So it was a Republican scandal that led to a Obama Presidential victory since the Republicans were winning the Senate seat before the scandal.
David
evening and happy new year to you.
Talk about revisionist history, I fear your little piece is a fantastic fiction.
” Despite your repetition of the urban legend about illegal eavesdropping, torture, and Guantanamo, the investigations mentioned above found no evidence of criminal acts.”
Abu Ghraib prison ring a bell
Did we forget the outing of CIA agent (which was treason by the way) or forgot that Bush and boys did “cook” pre-war Iraqi intelligence?
No Bush is not evil, but he is incompetent leading other incompetents of his administration. So many items were bungled by this administration, listing them would be task equalling the labors of Hercules .
Historians should list Bush as the most inept president of all time. Perhaps he can be surpass by a President Palin, but one does not hope for that future.
Centrist
One more..Thanks to Republicans we now know that we need to watch our stance in restrooms. 2008 has been rich in such Republican lessons.
It is interesting to note that last years (’07) most admired American was Pres. Bush. (I forget the major publication)
This Years (’08) was Obama with Bush in the #2 spot.
So I find it strange when the media asks everyday Americans to answer a poll like that, it does not come close to what they (the media) has been telling us to believe.
A. Patriot
Those polls are not reliable. The person most recently and consistently in the news usually wins or at least comes in very high. There is no attempt to adjust for demographics, so they can include people in Disproportionate numbers, e.g. two-thirds could be Republicans etc. They basically include anyone who wishes to answer. Polls like these are like the polls you might see yahoo run. I have been asked many times to take a poll via a pop up on yahoo. If you agree to do so there is one or two questions, mostly “yes” or “no” answers. There is no attempt to adjust of race, age, sex, income, or political affiliation which are the bare basics for adjustments in any valid poll.
The President of the United States in such polls always comes up in the top three no matter who or when in such polls.