In light of the rhetoric at the Republican National Convention, we really should remember that there was actually MUCH debate about Iraq before we went in there, and there was a multi-national effort to combat the potential threat. Many knew about the danger, but they also knew about the danger of inappropriate reactions. These were the people who insisted that that the sanctions and the inspections and U.N. initiatives needed to be followed, and that the U.S. should NOT invade Iraq militarily at that point. Many people tried to get across the fact that the damage to the peace of the world would be horrific, that violence and inappropriate-cash-flow begat the terrorism, and a "solution" made of violence and big-cash-flow would continue to force people to actions that they deem heroic and we suffer as terrorism.
Pres. Bush listened to the cowboy Americans--the people who always seem to improve their ratings of a President when he is dropping bombs on people. He charged into Iraq, blithely handing out big-money opportunities to American businesses. He did NOT read his own briefings nor the intelligence reports. He did NOT look for the disadvantages in his "plan." He did NOT consult with the real government staff, but listened to the people right around him who are in love with him and his power.
He is really dangerous. But he puts on good makeup and does good photo ops, and keeps promises to people who will back him with money or votes, and helps folks who are afraid pretend that just by being nice people who love their kids, everything will be all right.
The rest of the world loves their kids, too.
3 comments:
"He did NOT read his own briefings nor the intelligence reports. He did NOT look for the disadvantages in his "plan." He did NOT consult with the real government staff, but listened to the people right around him who are in love with him and his power.
"
Do you REALLY believe this?? President Bush isn't as human as you and me and doesn't care about people, only power and war?? My God, you have a distorted view of this man that says far more about your connection to reality and reason than anything else... You're a sick woman in need of some education and to be "detoxed" and "deprogrammed" from the propaganda you've been fed.
I'm sure he's human. I'm sure he cares about people. Deeply. He might be a good neighbor, golf partner, Sunday school leader.
But he makes really bad choices as a President. It's as if he's always campaigning, but doesn't go seriously into the role of leader of this country in real life and in the world, except in a cartoon kind of stance, which is probably NOT because he doesn't care, but because he doesn't process enough of the complex, in-depth information. That may be because his administration is not set up to do that. It does seem to be set up to protect and enforce his image. But it's his job to know the difference, and if he can't do that, he's not qualified. It's his job as a leader in a Democracy to pay serious attention to those who have an opposing viewpoint, not to say, "if you're not with us, you're against us."
As for the rest, cf. "The Emperor's New Clothes." Too much of this country is still goggling at the parade. As far as I can tell, Americans outside of the country don't seem to have the same weird perception. They see our current United States as "Deaf, dumb, and dangerous," (to quote Garrison Keillor's succinct summary).
pax,
maggie
Post a Comment