The Laming of the President...

[Bullypulpit]

Here it is, June nearly over...Dubbyuh's poll numbers sinking like a rock...His social security "reform" legislation DOA...Republicans jockeying for position in '08...Bolton's nomination ground to a halt. It sounds as if Dubbyuh has become a the lamest of ducks. Not the legacy he had planned.

Things could have been different if he'd actually used the put the faith America placed in him after 9/11 to good use. Instead he focused on the politics of polarization and divisiveness. He worked to concentrate power in the hands of the Republican majority in Congress rather than working to form a bipartisan coalition that could actually accomplish something.Instead, he and his advisors chose to brand any who opposed them as "unpatriotic" and "traitors".

He squandered the goodwill extened to the US by the rest of the world after 9/11 in a foolish, wrongheaded and illegal invasion of Iraq. A war which few Americans now support and one which is gutting our all voluteer military and enfeebling it to the point that it may not be able to adequately deal with any other threat to national security. In the course of that war, the attrocities committed at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, GITMO and elswhere shredded the remaining fabric of US credibility abroad. They also served as potent recruiting tools for the terrorists the Administration claims to be fighting.

This Administration may yet go down as one of the greatest failures of a presidency in American history. We can only hope that the next president, regardless of party or ideology, will be able to pick up the pieces and restore the standing of the office as well as America's standing with the world.

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Here it is, June nearly over...Dubbyuh's poll numbers sinking like a rock...His social security "reform" legislation DOA...Republicans jockeying for position in '08...Bolton's nomination ground to a halt. It sounds as if Dubbyuh has become a the lamest of ducks. Not the legacy he had planned.

Things could have been different if he'd actually used the put the faith America placed in him after 9/11 to good use. Instead he focused on the politics of polarization and divisiveness. He worked to concentrate power in the hands of the Republican majority in Congress rather than working to form a bipartisan coalition that could actually accomplish something.Instead, he and his advisors chose to brand any who opposed them as "unpatriotic" and "traitors".

He squandered the goodwill extened to the US by the rest of the world after 9/11 in a foolish, wrongheaded and illegal invasion of Iraq. A war which few Americans now support and one which is gutting our all voluteer military and enfeebling it to the point that it may not be able to adequately deal with any other threat to national security. In the course of that war, the attrocities committed at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, GITMO and elswhere shredded the remaining fabric of US credibility abroad. They also served as potent recruiting tools for the terrorists the Administration claims to be fighting.

This Administration may yet go down as one of the greatest failures of a presidency in American history. We can only hope that the next president, regardless of party or ideology, will be able to pick up the pieces and restore the standing of the office as well as America's standing with the world.

Keep telling yourself this. Bush has kicked major ass. Go sit in the corner of your padded cell and rock some more.

 

[Bullypulpit]

Keep telling yourself this. Bush has kicked major ass. Go sit in the corner of your padded cell and rock some more.

Facts frighten you...Don't they?

 

[Annie]

Here it is, June nearly over...Dubbyuh's poll numbers sinking like a rock...His social security "reform" legislation DOA...Republicans jockeying for position in '08...Bolton's nomination ground to a halt. It sounds as if Dubbyuh has become a the lamest of ducks. Not the legacy he had planned.

With the dems suggesting what? No alternatives, no ideas. Bully, you are so wrong here. Bolton will probably be appointed after Congress adjournes. Not the best way, but perhaps the only way. http://www.usmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22174 or this: http://www.blogsforbush.com/mt/archives/003119.html

Things could have been different if he'd actually used the put the faith America placed in him after 9/11 to good use. Instead he focused on the politics of polarization and divisiveness. He worked to concentrate power in the hands of the Republican majority in Congress rather than working to form a bipartisan coalition that could actually accomplish something.Instead, he and his advisors chose to brand any who opposed them as "unpatriotic" and "traitors".

Hmm, he reached out, again, but again there was no reciprocity:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/inauguration2005/capital.html

He squandered the goodwill extened to the US by the rest of the world after 9/11 in a foolish, wrongheaded and illegal invasion of Iraq. A war which few Americans now support and one which is gutting our all voluteer military and enfeebling it to the point that it may not be able to adequately deal with any other threat to national security. In the course of that war, the attrocities committed at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, GITMO and elswhere shredded the remaining fabric of US credibility abroad. They also served as potent recruiting tools for the terrorists the Administration claims to be fighting.

Done to death Bully. Not illegal. As for support, how do you explain the retention numbers? It's the recruiting numbers that are getting the news, but the retention numbers are way up as are those reservists asking to become regular forces. Why do you think that is, Bully? Could it be the drumbeat of the MSM, vs. what people learn on the ground? Hmmmm????

This Administration may yet go down as one of the greatest failures of a presidency in American history. We can only hope that the next president, regardless of party or ideology, will be able to pick up the pieces and restore the standing of the office as well as America's standing with the world.

Whoever is the next president, of either party is going to have a tough time on their hands. Both with the war that is ongoing, China in all likelihood, not to mention Iran/NK. Syria is lurking. Africa is going to become a focus. Social Security is not going away. So yeah, good luck to whomever follows. The 'World' is not going to love us Bully, unless or until someone destroys more than 3k of us. Get. That?

 

[Big Blue Machin]

Bush still has some life in his adminstration so don't rule him out yet. Though, the next President will probably be a Democrat.

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Facts frighten you...Don't they?

They're hardly facts.

The fact is by all usual measure the economy isn't too bad.

The fact is that a democratic election in iraq is a success liberals can't stand.

 

[Merlin1047]

This Administration may yet go down as one of the greatest failures of a presidency in American history. We can only hope that the next president, regardless of party or ideology, will be able to pick up the pieces and restore the standing of the office as well as America's standing with the world.

"Restore the standing of the office"??? You mean like Clinton did? Or Carter before him? Don't puff your chest out too far when it comes to the sorry litany of Demo presidents, you certainly have nothing of which to be proud.

And the only thing that will go down as a great failure will be the efforts of petty, wormy, little Democrat maggotts whose only contribution to this time of trial and peril is to pick nits, point fingers and bemoan every real or imagined trivial little insult done our enemies while railing against not only the administration, but our troops as well.

Durbin is your poster child. I thought you had more sense than to pick such garbarge to associate with. Guess I was wrong.

 

[Bullypulpit]

They're hardly facts.

The fact is by all usual measure the economy isn't too bad.

The fact is that a democratic election in iraq is a success liberals can't stand.

Yes, you keep on wearing those rose-colored glasses, take your meds and just lay your head back and think happy thoughts.

 

[Bullypulpit]

"Restore the standing of the office"??? You mean like Clinton did? Or Carter before him? Don't puff your chest out too far when it comes to the sorry litany of Demo presidents, you certainly have nothing of which to be proud.

And the only thing that will go down as a great failure will be the efforts of petty, wormy, little Democrat maggotts whose only contribution to this time of trial and peril is to pick nits, point fingers and bemoan every real or imagined trivial little insult done our enemies while railing against not only the administration, but our troops as well.

Durbin is your poster child. I thought you had more sense than to pick such garbarge to associate with. Guess I was wrong.

Testy, aren't we. Musta hit a nerve.

 

[Annie]

Testy, aren't we. Musta hit a nerve.

Sir, and my comments? Hello? I want your imput. Not perverse, cerebral only!

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Yes, you keep on wearing those rose-colored glasses, take your meds and just lay your head back and think happy thoughts.

Keep believing your leftist lies. The Dems are cracking up. Look at you, unable to think coherently or process data in any meaningful way.

 

[Bullypulpit]

Sir, and my comments? Hello? I want your imput. Not perverse, cerebral only!

Considering that Dubbyuh didn't actually have a plan to 'save' Social Security to begin with, the lack of a democratic alternative isn't really an issue. However the Administration's assertions that Social Security is teetering on the verge of collapse is disingenuous at best. At worst, it is just more of the fear mongering that has become the hallmark of the Bush White House.

An arrogant Repbulican leadership ion Congress and an intransigent White House that define 'reaching out' as beatch slapping the opposition hardly constitutes concensus building. And let's not forget the unanimous bipartisan support for military operations in Afghanistan.

Yes, dear lady, it has been done to death, but you and many others are unwilling to accept the simple fact that the Administration misled the nation into an illegal war of aggression, either for fear of the Constitutional crisis that pursuning the impeachment of the preseident and his cabinet would precipitate, or a willing acceptance of the false premises used by the Administration to justify the war.

With regards for support for the war, public support for the war, some 53% of Americans say America made a mistake in going to war in Iraq. As for retention numbers in the military, these can be misleading. Let me refer you to this directive:

<center><a href=http://slate.msn.com/id/2120146/sidebar/2120187/>SUBJECT: FIRST-TERM ENLISTED ATTRITION</a></center>

If you will note, failure to meet fitness standards, failure to complete alcohol/drug rehab, performance and conduct failures have been raised from batallion level to brigade level. This means that the Battaallion commanders can no longer reccomend soldiers who are unfit for duty be discharged. This authority is moved to brigade level and special courts-martial. This policy nearly destroyed the Marine Corps in the 70's. And there are increased incentives to aid in the retention of qualified personnel. However, retention does not equal recruitment.

Yes, this administration's policies ahave fanned the falmes of hatred and anti-Americanism around the world, and the president who follows Dubbyuh will have a difficult time picking up the pieces. But unilateralism is not, and never has been, the answer. Terrorism is a prolem which threatens the whole world, and it can only be held at bay, and eventually defeated, through the co-operation of every nation. We cannot simply storm into a sovereign nation on the basis of cherry-picked spun and/or fabricated intelligence. The recruiting base for terrorist organisations must be undercut in order to make any headway in this arena, and that can only occur through international co-operation.

 

[no1tovote4]

Testy, aren't we. Musta hit a nerve.

Right, it only sounds "testy" to the person with the nerve that was hit...

 

[Bullypulpit]

Right, it only sounds "testy" to the person with the nerve that was hit...

Oh come on...If you can't stand the heat get outta th' kitchen.


<center><img src=http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/images/300/baby_crying_closeup.jpg></center>

 

[no1tovote4]

Considering that Dubbyuh didn't actually have a plan to 'save' Social Security to begin with, the lack of a democratic alternative isn't really an issue. However the Administration's assertions that Social Security is teetering on the verge of collapse is disingenuous at best. At worst, it is just more of the fear mongering that has become the hallmark of the Bush White House.

Fascinating, the plan to save SS included raising the age limit and he was willing to listen to more ideas, none of which were forthcoming from the Democrats.

While his privatization plan had nothing to do with saving the program, it was solely based on what is right. Those who are the poorest suffer the most from the current program where the government takes and gives almost nothing in return. With Dubbya's program they too would have something to pass on to their children, it would no longer be only something that happens in the richest of households.

An arrogant Repbulican leadership in Congress and an intransigent White House that define 'reaching out' as beatch slapping the opposition hardly constitutes concensus building. And let's not forget the unanimous bipartisan support for military operations in Afghanistan.

Yes, dear lady, it has been done to death, but you and many others are unwilling to accept the simple fact that the Administration misled the nation into an illegal war of aggression, either for fear of the Constitutional crisis that pursuning the impeachment of the preseident and his cabinet would precipitate, or a willing acceptance of the false premises used by the Administration to justify the war.

Once again, in which way is it illegal? The Senate is the only controlling legal authority and they voted this action into existence. If you attempt to bring up the "lies" part again you will again be shut down as we all know that the Senate has their own intel sources and made their decisions with more knowledge than what the President provided. If they didn't they are especially inadequate in their responsibility of sending us to war.

With regards for support for the war, public support for the war, some 53% of Americans say America made a mistake in going to war in Iraq. As for retention numbers in the military, these can be misleading. Let me refer you to this directive:

<center><a href=http://slate.msn.com/id/2120146/sidebar/2120187/>SUBJECT: FIRST-TERM ENLISTED ATTRITION</a></center>

If you will note, failure to meet fitness standards, failure to complete alcohol/drug rehab, performance and conduct failures have been raised from batallion level to brigade level. This means that the Battaallion commanders can no longer reccomend soldiers who are unfit for duty be discharged. This authority is moved to brigade level and special courts-martial. This policy nearly destroyed the Marine Corps in the 70's. And there are increased incentives to aid in the retention of qualified personnel. However, retention does not equal recruitment.

No, retention is actually preferrable on a wholesale level as they are trained troops. They also know exactly what they are signing up for...

Yes, this administration's policies ahave fanned the falmes of hatred and anti-Americanism around the world, and the president who follows Dubbyuh will have a difficult time picking up the pieces. But unilateralism is not, and never has been, the answer. Terrorism is a prolem which threatens the whole world, and it can only be held at bay, and eventually defeated, through the co-operation of every nation. We cannot simply storm into a sovereign nation on the basis of cherry-picked spun and/or fabricated intelligence. The recruiting base for terrorist organisations must be undercut in order to make any headway in this arena, and that can only occur through international co-operation.

We cannot go back to allowing the International Community to run our Foreign policy. That particular policy led us to attacks on our own soil! This particular part of your argument simply means a return to the policy that led us to the place where we were attacked to begin with, and is one of the definitions of insanity; repeating the same action over and over, yet continuously expecting a different result than the ones that have preceded.

Any change whatsoever is better than a return to the State Dept. mentality that led us to support whichever terrible regime was in power in the name of "stability" so that we could continue in business in their countries. Is this the best of action? Arguably not, but doing nothing would have been worse and allowing the "support of the International Community" to be the yardstick against which we measure, still worse yet.

 

[Hobbit]

My avatar says it all.

 

[CSM]

Some clarification on "the Memo"...First, the memo is almost a month old...meaning this is a blatant attempt by certain persons to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Second, it does NOT mean (as Bully would have you believe) that commanders at echelons below brigade cannot RECOMMEND that individuals be separated from service, it merely places the deciding authority one level higher. Anyone who thinks the Brigade commander will not follow the reccomendations of one of his subordinate commanders (assuming the subordinate commander has his "stuff" together) is out of their tree. What this memo does is force Brigade commanders to more closely scrutinize the justification for separation. The memo, in effect, makes sure that someone being separated from service is getting a fair deal and that all the proper processes and procedures are followed. You will notice that the memo does not alter the criteria for separation...so if you are being considered for separation under the current guidelines, the standards are still the same. I dont see any big deal here.