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It was not at all surprising to read the editorial piece put out by The Daily Sentinel staff in its continuing support of the current Washington administration and its policies on Iraq. The author of that article states that he agrees with General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker.
One must therefore question as to whether the writer of the article even bothered to listen to the testimony, if he understood it, or was merely regurgitating pre-digested or pre-interpreted information. The latter appears to be the case.
A careful analysis of what both witnesses said reveals that not only is there no plan to withdraw the military, there are not even standards of measurement by which they would even consider doing so. One must, therefore, logically conclude that such has either not been considered, or considered unimportant. Their testimony can, therefore, be summarized into nothing more than the old, and by now discredited, mantra of “stay the course.”
To those willing and able to correctly interpret the testimonies of both, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, it was evident that the current administration and its adherents are engaged in little more than “delaying tactics.” And, one can also reasonably surmise that such is being done for purely partisan political reasons.
If they can leave office without admitting to any type of error, leaving the sad consequences of their actions to a successor, they can then deny culpability, both for bad and failed policies, as well as their flawed execution.
While one may interpret questions and issues differently, depending upon how one views this country and its vital interests, that is not possible if one has no perspective or if one’s “views” are mired in ignorance, ideology, or partisanship. All of those can lead not only to making a “bad” decision but persisting in them, even when doing so even when not in ones’ best interest.
ROBERT I. LAITRES
Delta
29 Responses to “Bush leaving war for next president to figure out”
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Well spoken. Only the hard-core 28 percenters still believe anything this administration or its politically appointed “generals” have to say.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 2:46 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Here seems like a good place to say it:
I hate George W. Bush. And don’t get me started on Cheney. I don’t hate easily but these two, yes I hate them. They are worse than the gunk on the bottom of my shoe.
Why? Because I love my country and in my opinion almost everything these two have done has made the USA weaker. Compromising our founding principles, ruining our reputation, and running up the national debt so high that our top economists can’t even see a way out.
And I think it was all done for personal financial gain. They trashed our country so they and their friends could get richer.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Psst….Tonya….Four Words….
“Patriot Act”…
“Homeland Security”…
I’m just sayin’.
I’ll bake you a some nice Irish Soda Bread….with a file in it.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I’m going to assume that you have facts and other means of proof to back up your claims Tonya?
Aside from the political rhetoric that is historically and factually wrong.
Not just wrong, but blatant lies.
There is no “illegal war”.
There were no “Bush lies”.
There was no “war for oil”.
There were “weapons of mass destruction”.
So, tell me, in a calm reasonable manner, using real, provable facts that Bush, or Cheney, did any of the things you charged them with.
Now, if you care to discuss President Bushes failures on economic issues, the fiasco on illegal immigration, and a few other domestic issues, I don’t much like him either.
Have a nice day.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 3:35 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I have no more of the “facts” than you do, WLJ. I could waste weeks presenting the rationale for my beliefs; the views of journalists who have been privy to things you and I have not, and I’m sure you could waste weeks likewise “proving” to me the opposite, but neither would trust the other’s sources.
Our views are shaped by so many factors; what we have read, how and where and by whom we were raised, who we associate with … As you can probably guess my views have been shaped over decades by the likes of NPR, Daniel Schorr, Mother Jones, Utne Reader, the Free Press (Detroit and ha ha, Grand Junction), Salon.com etc. etc. etc.
… and it is my guess that your views have been shaped by much different kinds of influences. That is why I respect your opinion even though I disagree with it so often, and I appreciate your courtesy in return.
… and I do wish you a very nice day too!
Oh and Curmudgeon, that was great … thanks for the laugh!
My world view tells me to “follow the money” (and believe me, there was much to implicate Bill Clinton in that regard too).
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 3:44 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
You think I’m joking? Pack your bikini and send me a postcard from Guantanamo Bay, Tonya…..I hear it’s lovely this time of year.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 3:50 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Ah, cat’s out of the bag now. I am more worried about Monsanto, which I have been trashing publicly for years. So far they must have bigger fish to fry.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 3:59 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
So, it is only your opinion, shaped mainly by those along the primrose path you have been led down?
One statement you made, ” the views of journalists who have been privy to things you and I have not.”
A very large majority of ‘journalists” say that went into journalism to “make a difference”.
It is not possible to “make a difference” by reporting the news, only by molding the news to fit an agenda can a difference be made.
Or just as bad, not reporting the news, thereby keeping the population uninformed on various issues.
Or, focusing on issues that really are not “news” to the majority of Americans. OJ trial, the guy in San Francisco that murdered his pregnant wife and tossed her in the Bay. Of interest to a few in California, but not the whole country.
What were they NOT reporting while they kept America mesmerized with titillating non-news?
Was there really nothing of value going on anyplace in the world that was of interest to the average American citizen?
But, they helped mold your opinions of George Bush to the point that you ‘hate’ him.
The causes for this war began in the Carter administration, backed off during Reagan eased back up during Bush one, hemorrhaged during Clinton, and was in full bloom when President Bush took office.
You can go back and verify everything on your own if you desire. the facts are all there, just not “reported” accurately by the media, because it just didn’t fit their agenda.
Curmudgeon, they’re gonna close Gitmo. Bummer!
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 4:06 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
“Just” my opinion … “Just” your opinion.
Again neither is going to change the other’s mind, but it’s nice that we can respect one another while our opinions so differ.
Oh and I don’t ‘hate’ Bush with quotation marks. I HATE him, all caps, no quotation marks.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 4:08 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh btw what do you mean by primrose? I thought that was an interesting adjective
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 4:49 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
From today’s Assoc. Press: “Cheney, Others OK’d Harsh Interrogations”
Bush administration officials from Vice President Dick Cheney on down signed off on using harsh interrogation techniques against suspected terrorists after asking the Justice Department to endorse their legality, The Associated Press has learned.
The meetings were held in the White House Situation Room in the years immediately following the Sept. 11 attacks. Attending the sessions were Cheney, then-Bush aides Attorney General John Ashcroft, Secretary of State Colin Powell, CIA Director George Tenet and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 5:22 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
For once I agree with WLJ. If the media had been doing their job early on instead of playing catch up now, Bush & Co. lies and deceit would have been exposed and Americans would not now be looking out on a world which does not believe a thing our government says.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 6:43 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
e u,
Let us not in this formula forget so many of the American people who are not doing their job either. All too many of them do not want to do the work necessary to inform themselves as to reality. Too many sit in front of a television or listen to radio waiting for “pre-digested” or “spun” information, all too often disgorged by individuals who do not understand the subjects they are talking about. The public, is therefore content to be fed pablum, as if they were still infants. We see several, even on this board, of the same genre. (No named or handles are needed to identify them as they are easily recognizable.) They are best ignored. Acknowledging them merely encourages them in seeking more and more attention.
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 7:44 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I believe that George W Bush is one of the greatest most honorable men in the world today.
I also believe that we will have troops in Iraq for many many years to come and THAT is a good thing!
Posted April 11th, 2008 at 10:49 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
You are right of course, Mr. Laitres. Americans do need to make an effort to inform themselves. And from many sources.
The Daily Sentinel, widely known throughout Colorado for their hypocrisy, have been Bush administration apologists from day one. From their telling us how convicted criminal felon Scooter Libby should not have to pay for his crimes, to their cheering of Bush’s lies and deceit and his efforts to just pass on his “Mess-o-potamia” to the next administration, the Daily Sentinel editorial board has shown their willingness to be actively ignorant. I guess their inability to admit when they have been wrong tells us more about their personal political bias than anything else. While two-thirds of Americans oppose Bush’s failed Iraq policies, the editorial board keeps their heads buried in the sand, just hoping some miracle might happen IN THE FUTURE which might validate their blind parroting of Bush rhetoric. If you read their editorials concerning the war you will see almost no thought put into formulating their arguments. Their attitude is: “Bush said it—it must be true.” This last editorial, probably showing even less analysis than any before, is nothing but a regurgitation of Bush talking points.
The Daily Sentinel’s whole premise rests on their loony statement…..”substantial progress has occurred on the political front”. What a crock. As the bipartisan Iraq study group, ISIP, reported last week:
“Political progress is so slow, halting and superficial and social and political fragmentation so pronounced, that the US is no closer to being able to leave Iraq than it was a year ago”
Substantial political progress would be Iraqi willingness not to kill each other, it would be agreement on how to divide revenues, it would be getting neighboring nations in agreement on helping Iraq toward real solutions. (take note of Condoleezza Rice’s absence)
Paying bribe money to Iraqi tribes and rival factions to not attack each other is not political progress. It is mafioso thuggery. The perpetual lowering of the bar by the Bush administration is not political progress. It is an admission of their failures.
Then again, maybe the Daily Sentinel’s idea of political progress is Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad being openly cheered and welcomed by Iraqi President Talabani with red carpets, flowers and kisses, all while W has to fly in to Iraq in the dead of night and with utmost secrecy.
Oh, yes, I’ve heard the arguments saying that you should not pick a fight with opposition who buy their ink by the barrel. But it is my belief that truth, critical analysis and daylight will always prevail over Randolph Hearst tactics.
Does anyone believe that “Turd Blossom” tactics left the White House when he did? Not a chance. Bush’s willingness to trade more American lives so he does not have to suffer the political embarrassment of his failed policies is what is behind his efforts to pass his mess off to the next administration.
Your theses is valid, Mr. Laitres. The Daily Sentinel has just bought into Bush’s efforts to kick the can down the road. And most sadly and certainly, at a cost of more dead Americans.
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 6:00 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
I find it very amusing that one group of people think the Daily Sentinel, widely known throughout Colorado for their hypocrisy, have been Bush administration apologists from day one, and another group of people think it is left wing rag. That tells me it is actually somewhere in the middle and we have the usual suspects upset because the paper does not agree with them.
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 10:34 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
I would suggest that the present and the former administrations both took full advantage of the American Public’s attention span (much like that of a 4-year old after a Red Bull, 6 pixie sticks, and a half-full Easter Basket, watching three televisions, all tuned to different Disney Channels). It’s much easier to get away with lying, corruption, and crimes against the Constitution when people are worried about Brad, Angelina, and Jennifer, or what Paris Hilton is up to.
I believe we get the government we deserve. We’ve been stupid, lazy, and too easily manipulated for too long. And I don’t see a whole lot of difference between the two parties. Oh, they talk differently, but in reality, nothing ever gets changed, does it? Each side blames the other one’s resistance to the changes they keep promising, but never come. And that’s the way they both like it.
As long as they keep us arguing about Red States/Blue States, Dixie Chicks/Toby Keith, or anything else that doesn’t really matter and won’t ever be agreed upon, we won’t pay attention to what’s really going on. And what’s really going on is that we’re getting screwed. But as long as we keep fighting amongst ourselves, they can sit back and laugh. Because we’re not taking a good, hard, look at them.
Yeah, I’m a little bitter. I used to live in New Orleans, long before Katrina. Would Al Gore’s FEMA have (mis)handled it any differently? I doubt it. His FEMA chief would have been a political appointee, as well, probably just as inept.
Do I think Bill Clinton is a liar? Yup.
Do I think George Bush is a liar? Yup.
Clinton dodged the draft with school.
Bush dodged the draft with his daddy’s money.
They’re politicians. Truth is not a priority to them. And not one of them really cares about anyone who makes less than 100K a year, no matter what they say. And as long as we keep fighting with each other over whose side the right one, we’re nothing more than pawns.
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 4:49 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Chancho writes—
From today’s Assoc. Press: “Cheney, Others OK’d Harsh Interrogations”
My first response is does that make it true?
My second response would be so what?
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 5:10 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Wow, feeling for nostalgic for Germany, circa 1936, Herr Rexall?
Just remember, when you say it’s ok for a government to be a Police State, watch out when the other side comes into power. Remember Clinton and the FBI files?? What do you think they would have done with the Patriot Act?
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 5:19 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
You obviously do not understand. If I liked Germany I would be a liberal!
I am saying Harsh interrogations and even torture do have thier place in certain circumstances. Not daily but it can be warranted.
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 5:27 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh, I get it…because Nazi Germany was a haven for gypsies, homosexuals, intelectuals, Jews….they did give them free train rides, after all.
So, torture’s ok…just not daily. Got it. Let’s just hope you catch them on a *good* day, huh? And you still didn’t answer my question…What would the Clintons have done with the Patriot Act? Think about it….Go on, I dare ya….
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 5:35 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh, I get it…because Nazi Germany was a haven for gypsies, homosexuals, intelectuals, Jews….they did give them free train rides, after all.
Your such a funny guy!
You do have a tuff time understanding. I am saying simply that torture has its time and place, period!
What good does it do to answer a hypothetical question?
A good liberal would eliminate the Patriot act and a good conservative would pass it or extend it.
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 5:40 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I think you’re confusing “rhetorical” and “hypothetical”….
“Rhetorical” questions are not intended to be answered.
“Hypothetical” questions are intended to be answered…that’s how we learn.
But, someone who uses “your” in place of “you’re” and “tuff” in place of “tough” might mistake that.
Are you really self-delusional enough (or dishonest enough) to say the Clintons would NOT have used the Patriot Act for their own purposes? Really?
Or is it just that you don’t want to answer the question?
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 5:42 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Although, my misspelling of ‘intellectuals’ kinda makes me a hypocrite, doesn’t it? Dang rational thought….be thankful you don’t have it, Rex.
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I think you’re confusing “rhetorical” and “hypothetical”….
Sorry, I had my mind on that new Tuff Shed I wanted to buy.
You are kind of a nit picker aren’t you??
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 5:49 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Yeah. I am.
And you still won’t answer my questions.
You’re kind of an intellectual coward, aren’t you??
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 5:55 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Shame on you!!
Its not nice to call people names—Tonya and Jami and others are going to come down on you.
Can’t we just all get along? Peace! Love! Rock and Roll!!
Hows that?
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 7:05 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I wouldn’t worry about the drug store cowboy. Rexall’s admitted man-crush on Bush is evidence of his flawed reasoning skills. His comments make Miss South Carolina look like a Mensa poster icon.
You are correct about both sides not telling the truth, Curmudgeon. But you omitted what many have said before. When Clinton lied, no one died. As Bush continues to lie, thousands die. Not only is it reprehensible on a humanitarian level, Bush lies are also a glaring example of evil on a Biblical level.
Posted April 12th, 2008 at 10:42 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I just got back in to town today , sat down to check out the old Community page and came across this thread. Interesting thoughts.
Thanks, ya’ll.
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