Bush Won't Be Rushed on Announcing New Iraq Policy
President George "Stay the Course" Bush told the press he would "not be rushed" into making a strategy decision change for Iraq now. This is the administration's first major change in its Iraq policy since 2001. After having repeatedly rushed incomplete intelligence, political arm twisting, and a host of non-truths ("lies") about reasons why the U.S. needed to invade Iraq, the president is now switching to a slow down and wait policy before doing anything new.
What, pray tell, is this man smoking? A recent example of the president's activity goes like this: In consultations with "many knowledgeable people," he heard what he called both some interesting ideas and some "ideas that would lead to defeat." Interesting ideas included "leaving before the job is done, ideas such as not helping this government take the necessary and hard steps to be able to do its job," and being honest with the American people about the real reasons the U.S. invaded Iraq in the first place. "And I reject those ideas," Bush said after meeting with top generals at the Pentagon.
Now I may be a newshound, but I recall my Samuel Johnston, who once wrote to an author "what you have written is both interesting and original, but that which is interesting is not original, and that which is original is not interesting." Instead of "interesting" and "original," Bush's response would likely replace those words with "reasonable" and "acceptable."
Posing with the bobble-headed Joint Chiefs of Staff, Bush said he had "a very candid and fruitful discussion about how to secure this country," which led to questions on why the president thought the U.S. needed to be secured. Focusing on the U.S. situation would divert attention from Iraq, Bush said, giving us time to figure out "how to… win a war that we now find ourselves in." The "war that we now find ourselves in" was the president's description of the Iraq War he orchestrated. It seems to me that it should not have taken him three years to find this out.
Bush admitted "there has been a lot of violence in Iraq. The violence has been horrific," and that he had no idea that there would be any violence when he began the war in 2003. Cheney had promised flowers and sweets.
Bush, originally scheduled to deliver his speech on a new Iraq strategy before Christmas, has delayed it until early next year. " 'Delay' is still an influential word in Washington," said an anonymous K Street source. Defending his decision, Bush said, "I will not be rushed into making a difficult decision ... a necessary decision."
White House observers note that the sudden flip-flopping to a wait-and-see attitude signals possible major changes in the Iraqi policy are coming. One widely circulated idea is that Bush would make Iraq a protectorate of the U.S. --like Guam and Puerto Rico-- giving him the authority to pull out government support without it being a cut-and-run option. The scenario worked for Bush in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and some think he believes it will work in the wake of a Hurricane Saddam.
The president addressed some of the nation's military personnel, including the 140,000 stationed in Iraq. "I appreciate their sacrifices, and I want them to know I'm focused on developing a strategy that will help them achieve their mission," the president said. Bush once again failed to define just what he meant by "the mission," though it was declared "accomplished" over three years ago in May 2003. The strategy he is developing, though, apparently must be worked out in time squeezed between Christmas parties, vacation, fund-raising events, and extolling the virtues of his closest staff. Finding a way to help the troops, though, ranks somewhere in the president's top 50 priorities.
Bush has already decided against many proposals, but is enthusiastic about those that advocate staying the course, as long as that phrase is no longer used. For 2007, Tony Snow is reportedly going to unveil the new slogan, "Sticking to the Original Plan!"
"At the appropriate time, I'll stand up in front of the nation and say, 'here's where we're headed,' " Bush said. Presumably, by then the president will know where he's headed. The handbasket should be a clue.
Related Tags: bush, iraq war, satire, getting the job done, violence in iraq
King the Wonder Dog dictates his views on the odd human species to R. G. Sprackland. Sprackland is a zoologist, and together they present their views from an odd perspective.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Third Term - The Obasanjo Syndrome ... Ambition and the Place of God
I recently read a post in a blog (multibrand.blogspot.com) concerning President SBY of Indonesia amb - Black Veterans Still Not Receiving Their Due
With a Black President, many discussions have been re-kindled regarding the treatment of Blacks in v - Are Green Party Candidates Converting Voters?
Have you noticed that the Green Party Convention is hosting a few training sessions which include th - The National Debt: Young Americans Are Inheriting a Sinking Ship
The greatest fundamental weakness of the United States of America is its national debt. Debt weighs - America Must Return to Its Free Market Roots
The United States is the most prosperous country in the world. Its economy has been a constant engin - Policies Of President Obama And Democratic Congress Severely Undermine Job Opportunities For Young Americans
For Young Americans, this is the worst job market in decades. Despite politicians claiming we are on - The Virtues Of A Limited Federal Government And Why America Must Return To The Limited Federal Republic Laid Out In The Constitution
I consider the foundation of the Constitution . . . that 'all powers not delegated to the United Sta - Young Americans Have Largest Stake In Maintaining A Strong Military And Effective Homeland Security Policies
Americans are truly blessed to live in a country protected by the most powerful and effective milita - Why Hitler Wanted To Ban Guns
Whenever the name Adolf Hitler is mentioned one automatically makes a connection to the Holocaust, N - What Happened To The Mohave County Downwinders?
I always get a bit frustrated when I hear that the reason Mohave County was excluded from the Radiat
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Designer Shoes Come First In Global Poll Of Most Wanted Accessories
For both men and women, shoes have long been an essential fashion item. In fact, many women in popul - New US Ambassador for Indonesia Named
The US government has appointed Cameron R. Hume as the next ambassador to Indonesia, reliable source - 1984 By George Orwell
1984 by George Orwell In the book "1984" Orwell criticizes totalitarianism of all types and brings - Chaos Theory: Bush's delusions & Iraq's destiny (Part 2)
The classic counter-insurgency strategy of the US consists of the "ink-blotch" approach. This involv - Will Israel Attack Iran (Part 2)
In November of last year, I wrote an article speculating about whether or not the Israelis would tak - Rodrigues Island 'autonomy'
Rodrigues Island: 'Autonomy' The first few pages were qui - Obama Is Coming, Clear The Way!
"Obama biro, yawne yo!" (Obama is coming, clear the way)—Tens of thousands of cheering Luo "Tr - African Tribes
African Tribes In this article the economies and lifestyles of such African tribes as the Lele and - This Is Not Your Dad's Republican Party Anymore
Stock markets are strange because they reflect the sum total of all our hopes, fears and prejudices - How to Drastically Reduce our Foreign Oil Dependency While Saving you Money at the Pump
If you watch or listen to the news, discussions come up all the time about the price of a barrel of