Is Bush Losing It?
I have been a staunch fan of the war on terror. We are at one of those moments when the "big stick" is required to get our point across. Sadly, in this world there are people who will respond to no other form of discourse, except to teach them a lesson in the raw power of force. In doing so we run many risks, but to do any less would have simply given the impression of weakness.
The issue of the captives at Guantanamo is no easy one to address. I have previously linked to an excellent article that addresses many of the issues. Granting them POW status is a mess that could cost us more than we would gain. On the other hand it is important that we set a higher moral ground than our enemies. We should be the beacon of freedom and justice that others look towards.
In the SOU speech Bush pushed things over the line. I have never been impressed by the of intelligence of GW Bush. He is not his father. Bush Sr., was one of the brightest Presidents we have ever had. Sadly, intelligence is not all the job takes. What GW does do is surround himself with bright people who can provide him with the intellectual foundation he lacks. That does not mean that I agree with what those people come up with. So far on domestic issues, this has a been a very weak and ineffective Presidency.
Our President has crossed over the rhetorical line. His "Axis of Terror" line is counter-productive. It's as if he is bent on breaking the progress that has been made with Iran and North Korea. In the past 5 years both countries have made attempts to reform and join the company of nations. As for Iraq, I have nothing but contempt for its leaders. Focus on Saddam and provide another lesson that can have productive results. Instead what Bush has done is anger our allies, and provide our enemies with more proof of who they think we are.
Iran has done nothing overt in years. They have a leadership that is locked in a political war with the religious conservatives. What do we hope to accomplish...provide support for the radicals? In North Korea you have a starving country that needs to find some way out of the ideological cave it has hid in for so many years. Do we think that this will be productive? Perhaps Bush hopes that an active nudge will push things along. It may be arrogance to assume that fear will produce positive results. Will American patriotism drive good behavior? I suspect not. What cost are we willing to pay for all of this. It is unlikely; that without a clear defined event like 9/11, that we will get anywhere near the kind of support for military conflict.
At home we have a President wrapping himself in the rhetoric of war. The flag rests heavy on his shoulders. The call for extreme patriotism stinks of an era just before my childhood. When one man, in league with weak willed men turned this nation upside down in calling out our 'enemies.' His name was Joseph McCarthy, and he is one of the great black marks on the history of the USA. His reign of terror caused many Americans to question the most basic freedoms that this country was founded on.
Bush has let loose the puritanical fundamentalism of John Ashcroft on this country. The modern day Hoover. A man so prudish that he felt compelled to put curtains over the exposed breast of a classical sculpture of "Justice." He has sought to extend the power of the Police, FBI, CIA to new levels. Ashcroft is the most dangerous man in America. Fear the passion of a zealot for he would happily give away all for the illusion of security.
I supported Iraq, I supported Somalia, I supported Bosnia, I supported Panama, I supported Afganistan, I supported Haiti, and I supported Kosovo. I have stood behind the men and women of our Military Forces. I am a student of history, a student of military history. I understand the use of force and its purpose. I also understand the danger of its misuse. The consequences of lives wasted in a politicians rhetorical dreams.
The American people are pondering the meaning of all this. Be careful George W. Bush. November is an election. Your father lost his grip on the Presidency in spite of his win in Iraq. The American people will vote with consideration of yours and your henchmens actions. Do not think that we will be easily fooled!...mj
12:10:17 PM 
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