can't agree more - glad to see you picked up on the Lincoln/Bush comparison, I didn't realize it until innauguration day but there are some similarities between the two - from making tough decisions about the suspensions of certain freedoms to the wartime administrations, and hopefully the positive outcomes of each.
Since I seem to be the one on this blog who has taken on the role of the resident gambler, should we take odds for what time diano posts AND calls for your job? Clearly you should be fired for expressing support for the former president which is not the popular thing to do. It just makes too much sense to me.
"he got our unmitigated support.." and abused it to pass political legislation, assume unconstitutional levels of power, and squash valid inquiry and accountability.
"We quickly toppled the Taliban and then it was on to Iraq." We left Afghanistan prematurely, took our eyes off the ball, and let Bin Laden escape because resources were diverted. All this allowed the Taliban to resurge and remain a problem.
"Democrats who had voted for the war bailed when the going got tough." They bailed when it was revealed they have been lied to with cooked intelligence and personal assurances from Bush that he wouldn't use the authority to invade without another vote.
"And it worked." No. It hasn't. The war in Iraq has been a failure and helped Iran gain even more influence. It's certainly not a success to the hundreds of thousands that have died needlessly and the millions that have fled their homes.
"The level of vitriol that has been leveled at him is nothing short of astonishing." The level of praise that has been heaped on this incompetent buffoon is nothing short of astonishing.
"Bush has ignored their shrieking accusations and stupid jokes. He seems to have given no more thought to them than a man gives to stepping over a mud puddle." Yes, Bush is a man so delusional in his belief that his failures have been successes that he is incapable of feeling insulted.
"Investigations and trials for the men and women who did their best after 9/11 to protect the country from another devastating attack." Torture and war crimes didn't protect us from attack.
"Seven years later, and rather amazingly, no attacks." We weren't attacked for seven years after first WTC bombing for the rest of Clinton's term either. It's not "amazing" for a group that spaces its attacks over years. Though our allies got train bombings during Bush's war on terror.
Gil, besides Bush, you must be the most blissful people around.
Comparing Bush to Lincoln? You're kidding, aren't you? Did Lincoln use bogus, and cherry picked intelligence to invade a sovereign nation? Would he have approved of such an action?Are you daring to compare the intellect and wisdom of Bush to that of Lincoln?Lincoln was well known for his intellectual curiosity. Bush is well known for his lack of it. Even many of those close to him confirm this. Rice made comments about keeping reports brief, because the President doesn't like to read. Research and read Bush's own opinion on news sources. That, in itself is confirmation of his lack on interest in the details. He's proud of it!Bush freed millions of people? I don't recall ever hearing of the Iraqi people being enslaved. Correct me if I'm wrong, but before the invasion, women in Iraq had more rights than women in Saudi Arabia. Now, due to Shiite pressure, there is a return to the good old days of Islamic law. Also take note of an increase in abductions, rapes, and honor killings. Bush, the new Lincoln? Come on. You were right about one thing. We were all behind Bush after 9/11, when he went into Afghanistan. But he was dead wrong on going into Iraq, and if it's determined that he lied or broke the law, give me one good reason why he shouldn't be held accountable. Better yet, give that reason to the families of the over 4000 dead soldiers, and the families of the thousands of dead Iraqi's .
bush like lincoln? we got short changed on having a john wilkes booth, because cheney would have been even worse. intellectually, bush probably has more in common with lincoln's dog.
The quick reversal of many Bush policies by Obama will expedite the process of history being able to fully evaluate the effectiveness of those policies and ultimately George W Bush as a President.
As lawyer who actually reads and understands the law and the Presidency, including what Lincoln accomplished, your column was excellent! Partisan liberalism ignores facts and relies on empty rhetoric.
can't agree more - glad to see you picked up on the Lincoln/Bush comparison, I didn't realize it until innauguration day but there are some similarities between the two - from making tough decisions about the suspensions of certain freedoms to the wartime administrations, and hopefully the positive outcomes of each.
ReplyDeleteSince I seem to be the one on this blog who has taken on the role of the resident gambler, should we take odds for what time diano posts AND calls for your job? Clearly you should be fired for expressing support for the former president which is not the popular thing to do. It just makes too much sense to me.
Gil-
ReplyDeleteNice job of revisionist history.
"he got our unmitigated support.." and abused it to pass political legislation, assume unconstitutional levels of power, and squash valid inquiry and accountability.
"We quickly toppled the Taliban and then it was on to Iraq." We left Afghanistan prematurely, took our eyes off the ball, and let Bin Laden escape because resources were diverted. All this allowed the Taliban to resurge and remain a problem.
"Democrats who had voted for the war bailed when the going got tough." They bailed when it was revealed they have been lied to with cooked intelligence and personal assurances from Bush that he wouldn't use the authority to invade without another vote.
"And it worked." No. It hasn't. The war in Iraq has been a failure and helped Iran gain even more influence. It's certainly not a success to the hundreds of thousands that have died needlessly and the millions that have fled their homes.
"The level of vitriol that has been leveled at him is nothing short of astonishing." The level of praise that has been heaped on this incompetent buffoon is nothing short of astonishing.
"Bush has ignored their shrieking accusations and stupid jokes. He seems to have given no more thought to them than a man gives to stepping over a mud puddle." Yes, Bush is a man so delusional in his belief that his failures have been successes that he is incapable of feeling insulted.
"Investigations and trials for the men and women who did their best after 9/11 to protect the country from another devastating attack." Torture and war crimes didn't protect us from attack.
"Seven years later, and rather amazingly, no attacks."
We weren't attacked for seven years after first WTC bombing for the rest of Clinton's term either. It's not "amazing" for a group that spaces its attacks over years. Though our allies got train bombings during Bush's war on terror.
Gil, besides Bush, you must be the most blissful people around.
Comparing Bush to Lincoln? You're kidding, aren't you?
ReplyDeleteDid Lincoln use bogus, and cherry picked intelligence to invade a sovereign nation? Would he have approved of such an action?Are you daring to compare the intellect and wisdom of Bush to that of Lincoln?Lincoln was well known for his intellectual curiosity. Bush is well known for his lack of it. Even many of those close to him confirm this. Rice made comments about keeping reports brief, because the President doesn't like to read. Research and read Bush's own opinion on news sources. That, in itself is confirmation of his lack on interest in the details. He's proud of it!Bush freed millions of people? I don't recall ever hearing of the Iraqi people being enslaved. Correct me if I'm wrong, but before the invasion, women in Iraq had more rights than women in Saudi Arabia. Now, due to Shiite pressure, there is a return to the good old days of Islamic law. Also take note of an increase in abductions, rapes, and honor killings. Bush, the new Lincoln? Come on. You were right about one thing. We were all behind Bush after 9/11, when he went into Afghanistan. But he was dead wrong on going into Iraq, and if it's determined that he lied or broke the law, give me one good reason why he shouldn't be held accountable. Better yet, give that reason to the families of the over 4000 dead soldiers, and the families of the thousands of dead Iraqi's .
bush like lincoln? we got short changed on having a john wilkes booth, because cheney would have been even worse.
ReplyDeleteintellectually, bush probably has more in common with lincoln's dog.
The quick reversal of many Bush policies by Obama will expedite the process of history being able to fully evaluate the effectiveness of those policies and ultimately George W Bush as a President.
ReplyDeleteGil:
ReplyDeleteAs lawyer who actually reads and understands the law and the Presidency, including what Lincoln accomplished, your column was excellent! Partisan liberalism ignores facts and relies on empty rhetoric.
C. Scott Shields, Esquire
www.cscottshields.com
Carter - Lincoln = Bush? Give me a break
ReplyDelete