Can anyone take this man seriously? Does he even believe his own bullshit? Judging by his subdued, weak-looking performance, it seems even Bush has doubts about his speech. They say the definition of insanity is repeating the same actions over and over, expecting different results. Judged by that yardstick, Bush is ready for a straightjacket. He offered nothing new; only the same tired rhetoric over and over.
Just consider a few claims and the opposing reality.
Claim: We’re in Iraq because of 9/11.
Reality: Bush wanted to go to war for a number of reasons; others wanted the war as well for their own reasons. As noted previously, these reasons included oil, Israel, and money for the military-industrial complex. To that list might be added Bush’s own desire to counter his image as a weakling and a military deserter by fighting and winning a small, quick, and cheap war. All of these reasons existed prior to 9/11.
Claim: The ongoing fighting in Iraq is against “foreign terrorists.”
Reality: While there are surely some foreigners, the vast majority of the resistance is by native Iraqis.
Claim: The US is improving infrastructure and basic services such as electricity and water.
Reality: These services remain in worse shape than they were before the war.
Claim: The US has installed a democracy in Iraq with freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and equal justice.
Reality: In the south, Iraq has become a virtual Islamic theocracy, with Taliban-like enforcement of activity, dress, speech, and conduct. In the north, the Kurds are busy building their own state and breaking off from Iraq. In the so-called Sunni triangle, fear and silence rule.
Bush offered no new ideas, no plan for ending the war, no exit strategy. Nothing new whatsoever.
Posted by matter at June 28, 2005 08:25 PM