Quote of the day. And it’s from a former pro-Iraq, pro-Bush pundit.
The president’s press conference with Blair today struck me as revealing – and not in a good way. Bush is right on the basic issue. He grasps the nature of the enemy. But he is so out of his depth – rhetorically, strategically, politically, intellectually – that it is hard to have much confidence in his leadership. This is one reason why I couldn’t endorse him for a second term. He is an incompetent. He is too incompetent to lead the West at this time. He is simply without the skills to navigate the very treacherous waters we are all now in. He is being outmaneuvered at every turn by wily enemies who are becoming more dangerous and emboldened by the day.
Bush, in a word, is overwhelmed. He has no idea what to do except return to the catechism of freedom versus terror, like an ideological security blanket. Of course that is what this is about. The trouble is: freedom is being defended by the incompetent and the clueless. In Bush’s blank, bewildered eyes, you see the image of someone who is finally beginning to see reality. And it’s something with which he simply cannot cope. Our enemies, moreover, see the weakness in the president and they are ruthlessly exploiting it. And we have more than two years left to survive.
When you contemplate the fact that we are facing one of the most complex and explosive moments in the history of mankind, and that the captain of the ship is a frightened frat boy – well, it’s pretty disconcerting. The sky really is falling, at least in the Middle East. And if it falls there, it has major repercussions around the world, and for America’s future. Anyone who dismisses these concerns as alarmist isn’t watching. Over the past few weeks, there has been a massive turning of the tide, and even Bush’s most loyal supporters have jumped ship and admitted Iraq was a miserable failure. The implications for Israel are enormous as Iraq continues to move into the camp of Israel’s greatest enemy, Iran, and as Lebanon evolves (devolves?) from an emerging democracy into a radicalized hornet’s nest sworn to help destroy Israel. “Complicated” puts it mildly. In many ways, it’s the perfect storm, and we have one man to thank for making it possible by emasculating US influence. And all we can do is hope and pray that over the next two years the damage he inflicts is less catastopic than that which he has inflicted in his first six years. And I wouldn’t place any bets.
1
By Johnny K
Maybe we can hope for a massive rout in the midterm elections that effectively signal a vote of no confidence in his Administration, and he could resign…or since he’s not really the one pulling the strings, he could just fire everyone beneath him. Fire Rumsfeld. Hell, throw the eurocrats a bone and charge him with war crimes (and make a Princenton alum look bad to boot!).
If God speaks to Bush, now would be a good time for His Holiness to bring this up.
July 29, 2006 @ 2:19 am | Comment
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By Johnny K
Needless to say, you can count me along with Andrew as one of those who has ‘jumped ship.’
I do love Andrew Sullivan. I’ve been reading him since just before 9/11 and have more or less followed along the same political trajectory.
I love the guy…not in that way….[seinfeld] not that there’s anything wrong with that [/seinfeld]
July 29, 2006 @ 2:30 am | Comment
3
By Bukko in Australia
I don’t put much stock in how Bush looks (possum in the headlights) because I don’t regard him as the real president. Everything that the U.S. has done since Sept. 11 has had Dick Cheney written all over it, with a schmeer of Rumsfeld. It continues a tradition of the V.P. manipulating the incompetent front man that started with Bush the First pulling the Reagan puppet strings.
The Middle East situation is working out perfectly if you’re one of the people stealing hundreds of millions of dollars. Sure, it sucks for the hundreds of millions of other PEOPLE, but they don’t care about them. It also works perfectly if your real aim is to have a nuclear attack against Iran to show “the U.S. is the dominant mad dog on the planet so don’t duck with us!” Everything going according to plan…
Think I’ll go to the video store to rent a copy of “On the Beach”
July 29, 2006 @ 3:02 am | Comment
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By Ivan
Sorry but I just love this thread’s caption.
Me and Natasha, we make big trouble for squirrel and moose!
July 29, 2006 @ 3:22 am | Comment
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By richard
Johnny, that’s exactly why this year’s election is so important.
Bukko, you’re right about Cheney running the show. Let’s hope he stays fit and healthy – it’s a frightening thought that GWB is only a heatbeat away from the presidency!
July 29, 2006 @ 6:25 am | Comment
6
By Dennis
Richard,
No, sky is not falling. Not with China and India, with a combination of over 2 billion people, join the capitalistic society. I think our government really overreacts to the 911 tragedy. Terrorism has always been around and will always be around as long as there is human civilization because there will always be bad people and crazy people. What makes the current terrorism different is that they have access to some of the more advanced weapons. Our goal should be to deny them of chemical as well as nuclear weapons (Yes, the dreaded WMD). We have largely accomplished what we set out to do in Iraq. We made sure that they don’t have WMD and we gave them a democratic government. Now it is really up to them to maintain and expand it. We should get out of Middle East. Period. We should get our troops back home and cut the gigantic defense budget and use the savings for domestic needs (infrastructure, schools, health care, etc.) So what if the Arabs decide to turn every Middle East country into an Islamic Republic. That is their choice. In due time, they will recognize that they need capitalism and democracy. Witness Vietnam, they kicked us out and converted to a communist state. Look what happens now, they welcome American investment and gave a ticker tape parade to Bill Gate.
July 29, 2006 @ 8:55 am | Comment
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By richard
“We made sure there were no WMDs.” Oy. At what price? Hans Blix told us there were no WMDs. Look at the price we paid, and the mess we’re now in, for not listening. If you think we largely achieved what we went in to Iraq for…what can I say? Have you forgotten the promises of a shiining beacon of democracy, and everything paid for with Iraqi oil and peace and prosperity for Iraq? It was going to give us strength agaonst Iran, instead of giving Iran another puppet state. Stop trying to turn chicken shit into chicken salad. It looks foolish. Even Bush’s staunchest defenders are now admitting the war was a completee and total failure, poorly conceived and executed. Celebrate it if you wish. You are only deluding yhourself.
July 29, 2006 @ 12:20 pm | Comment
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By Michael Turton
I am not so sure that Iran is Israel’s biggest enemy. Iran and Israel have a long relationship that goes back to the Shah. During the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s Israel helped Iran with spares for its US-made fighter aircraft (along with Vietnam, which had a enormous supply of US equipment). Yes, there is much they disagree on, and Iranian rhetoric is nasty. But the reality is that Middle Eastern geopolitical strategy dictates an understanding between the two, neither of whom likes the idea of a united Arab state emerging there, for example.
Michael
July 29, 2006 @ 6:51 pm | Comment
9
By Dennis
Richard,
Yes, it is costly to get rid of Saddam. Yes, the democracy that we install in Iraq is feeble at best. But forgive me for being selfish, I think it is time for the American government to take care of Americans first. It is time to declare victory and go home. Stop playing the role of world policeman and super nanny. Concentrate on domestic agenda. Make America a better place for its citizens. Lead by example and not by force or preaching.
July 30, 2006 @ 9:48 am | Comment