Bush sets record-longest vacation in recent history

[What the Heck]

So Teejay of course the locals in general like what we are doing but has the cost in American lives been worth it? If at the end of the day Iraq becomes more like Iran than USA in form of government.

Possibly not then, but what if Iraq does the opposite you say, and Iran follows suit?

 

[What the Heck]

I just have a question. What if other Presidents had listened to the "polls"? To start with Washington would have declared war on the British, Lincoln would never had gotton to 1863 to free the slaves, he would have quit the war in 1861, and Washington D.C. would probably be the home of the Confederacy (since Maryland and Kentucky would have probably followed). Although that wouldn't have mattered since we would all quite probably be under German rule since, by the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, without Lend/Lease the British quite probably would have been defeated, thus giving Hitler many, many more troops to concentrate on Russia with.

This war right now is not popular - but I say we need to wait to judge if it was right. Current polls have it unpopular, it wasn't so in 2003.

 

[DisDuck]

Well so far the direction is towards an constitution that is not very 'human' rights friendly. Women may have less rights than under Saddam.

Something must here seem to forget and that is the significant religious split between the Sunni and Shia. With the Shia in the majority and percieved slights against the Sunni could lead to internal fighting. Some of what is going on now is exactly that, factional fighting.

Iraq is a made up country and after we leave could go the way of Yugoslavia.

Irans new president just appointed hard-liners to his government. So 'What' I don't think Iran is turning into a Democracy anytime soon. Unless you advocate that we invade Iran? It is one of Bush's 'evil empires'.

Personally, Bush will do nothing to remove troops and leave this mess to the next administration.

 

[DisDuck]

Just saw your last post. Is your degree in History because your 'connection' is out of left-field. Particularly your last piece of information. Germany declared war on us not the reverse. Lend/Lease was controversal but was one of FDR's way of spending us out of the depression.

Another historical note, the US has only been invaded ONCE in our history. In 1812 Britain landed troops on US soil and marched to Washington and burned it. While Japan and AQ have attacked us neither has invaded. Therefore, the idea that Iraq was a threat to US is/was at best laughable at worst one of the biggest lies made my any administration in our history.

 

[Professor Mouse]

This is strange and disturbing even from Bush. Basically, Bush told some reporters that he has to get on with his life and that his exercise program was of greater concern to him than the concerns of a lady who lost her son i Iraq. Bush defends ignoring protest

CRAWFORD, Texas – President Bush, noting that lots of people want to talk to the president and ‘‘it's also important for me to go on with my life,'' on Saturday defended his decision not to meet with the grieving mom of a soldier killed in Iraq.

Bush said he is aware of the anti-war sentiments of Cindy Sheehan and others who have joined her protest near the Bush ranch.

‘‘But whether it be here or in Washington or anywhere else, there's somebody who has got something to say to the president, that's part of the job,'' Bush said on the ranch. ‘‘And I think it's important for me to be thoughtful and sensitive to those who have got something to say.''

‘‘But,'' he added, ‘‘I think it's also important for me to go on with my life, to keep a balanced life.''

The comments came prior to a bike ride on the ranch with journalists and aides. It also came as the crowd of protesters grew in support of Sheehan, the California mother who came here Aug. 6 demanding to talk to Bush about the death of her son Casey. Sheehan arrived earlier in the week with about a half dozen supporters. As of Saturday there were about 300 anti-war protestors and approximately 100 people supporting the Bush administration.

I discounted to some degree the accounts that Bush was not told that the capitol was evaculated several months ago while he was on a bike ride. However, this report seems to confirm the concept that Bush's exercise program has priority over things like worrying about the war in Iraq and potential attacks against the White House and the Capitol.

 

[Lebjwb]

I just have a question. What if other Presidents had listened to the "polls"? To start with Washington would have declared war on the British, Lincoln would never had gotton to 1863 to free the slaves, he would have quit the war in 1861, and Washington D.C. would probably be the home of the Confederacy (since Maryland and Kentucky would have probably followed). Although that wouldn't have mattered since we would all quite probably be under German rule since, by the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, without Lend/Lease the British quite probably would have been defeated, thus giving Hitler many, many more troops to concentrate on Russia with.

This war right now is not popular - but I say we need to wait to judge if it was right. Current polls have it unpopular, it wasn't so in 2003.

Except one thing is perfectly clear; Bu$h is no Washington or Lincoln. To compare him to them is laughable.

 

[momof2inPA]

What about 'em? It's pretty clear that some Iraqi's want nothing to do with a free Iraq (for whatever reason). Some are foreign fighters as well. So? It's also pretty clear that they don't love America either. She's talking about the people in Iraq (Iraqi's) that DO want a free Iraq. Who cares how those killers feel.

Transparent said in an earlier post that Americans in Iraq had not encountered one Iraqi with an "America Sucks" attitude. I was pointing out how ridiculous that statement was.

 

[momof2inPA]

It's a darn shame I can't share all of these emails and letters with you - it would be a real eye opener. According to those that are there right now and get to experience working and gaining relationships with Iraqi's and their families - not one of them has an "America Sucks" attitude.

I'm not going to take the word of *1* Iraqi as the gospel. I'm not sure whether or not you've read about the ongoing project that I've been doing to support the troops - but I have gotten quite a lot of letters from our servicemen from all over Iraq and they pretty much all have the same thing to say about how the Iraqi's feel about us - and ALL of it is very good. Thank you - but I'll trust the word of our military servicemen that experience things first hand rather than the crap the media continually spews day after day.

Here's the whole post, Charade. She's apparently under the impression that the entire country of Iraq is wild about the good ole U.S.A.

I don't know anything about your project, TP, but here are some servicemen's opinions on the Iraq War:

Words from the front-lines
“Will we have another wall for Iraq like we do for Vietnam? I’m not gonna wait for another damn wall for Iraq to be filled with the names of my fellow soldiers, and I hope you’re not either. The cause we fight for is noble and just, it is to save the lives of American soldiers who are tragically dying over here needlessly.” – Leonard Clark, 860th Military Police, Arizona Army National Guard

“I have no idea what we’re doing here, mom. I don’t know why we’re here. We’re not helping anyone – there’s no rebuilding. The Iraqis don’t want us here, they want us out of here.” – Patrick McCaffrey, California National Guard, in a conversation with his mother before he was killed on June 22, 2004.

“We were sent there, and boys are coming back in coffins, all because of a massive lie. … I’m not politically minded in any way, but I’ve got a brain. I’m not anti-regiment or anti-military, but now I can see that we should not have been there in the first place. … We shouldn’t be there and we shouldn’t have gone there. I think it’s important that someone like me says that. I think there should be someone who was a soldier saying that, not someone in a suit and tie, saying it for their own ends, but saying it for the sake of the men and women left out there.’’ – Corporal Dave Corrigan, British Parachute Regiment , 16th Air Assault Brigade.

“Let’s trust the President – about as far as we can throw him. … There was no more hard-core Republican than me until I went to Iraq. I’m against abortion and gay rights, and don’t mess with my guns, but I have grown up a lot. When you have spent a year in hell and you have seen the waste of money I have seen ... I’m neither party now. … What I don’t understand is how we can rebuild everything we are rebuilding over there, but here in America our infrastructure is falling apart. I had to borrow $776,000 for this city for water. They are spending it just like nothing over there. That’s reckless, and that’s wrong.” – Staff Sgt. Paul Bunn, 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas National Guard. He is also the mayor of Bradford, AK.

“Nobody really knows what the soldiers are going through. They see on TV two soldiers get wounded today and they think, yeah, he’ll be all right. But that soldier is scarred for life both physically and mentally. … All the reasons we went to war, it just seems like they’re not legit enough for people to lose their lives for and for me to lose my hand and use of my leg and for my buddies to lose their limbs. I just had a big conversation with my buddy the other day and we want to know. I feel like we deserve to know. – Specialist Robert Acosta, 1st Armored Division

“Don’t bash others because they think this mission is complete crap, because it is. It’s stupid and we’re risking other soldiers’ lives. For what? Iraqi liberation? Weapons of mass destruction? Neither one of those has been even close to being found. Bring soldiers home to protect what we’ve come to love so dearly — the United States, to protect those freedoms we take for granted, to protect our people, our children, wives, sons, daughters and husbands.” – Pfc. Bradley Robb, Camp Striker, Iraq.

“To this day I still think about that raid, that family, that boy. I wonder if they are attacking us now. I would be. If someone took the life of my son or my daughter nothing other than my own death would stop me from killing them. I still cry when the memory hits me. And I cry when I think of how very far away I am from my family. I am not there, just like the boy’s father wasn’t there. I have served my time. I have my nightmares. I have enough blood on my hands. Just let me be a father, a husband, a daddy again.” – Sgt. Zachary Scott-Singley, 3rd Infantry Division.

 

[sodaseller]

I just have a question. What if other Presidents had listened to the "polls"? To start with Washington would have declared war on the British,

Washington was not President during the Revolutionary War. That was long over before the Constitution created the Office of the Presidency as we know it. Terchnically, John Hanlon (if i recall), was our First President in Congress assembled, but he office was relatively powerless

 

[sodaseller]

Source please.

Link

Citing the earmarks of methodical planning, some top U.S. commanders in Iraq fear the insurgency could be the counterattack ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein planned all along, according to a published report.
The officers theorize that the Iraqi government cached weapons before the U.S.-led invasion and planned to employ guerrilla tactics, The Washington Post reported in Thursday editions.

"I believe Saddam Hussein always intended to fight an insurgency should Iraq fall," Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack said in a Washington Post interview from his headquarters northwest of Baghdad.

"That's why you see so many of these arms caches out there in significant numbers all over the country. They were planning to go ahead and fight an insurgency, should Iraq fall," Swannack was quoted as saying.

Link

U.S. intelligence agencies have found increasing evidence that the broad outlines of the guerrilla campaign being waged against U.S. forces in Iraq were laid down before the war by the Iraqi Intelligence Service, government officials said on Friday.

That view is based on interrogations of senior Iraqi officials who are now in U.S. custody and on documents found in Iraq, government officials said. They acknowledged that intelligence agencies had earlier underestimated the strength of the resistance and the degree to which it now appears to have reflected central planning and organization.The conclusion that the insurgency may have been planned ahead of the war points to yet another failure to act on prewar intelligence, a prominent critic of the war effort said Friday.

"Most of the things that happened, such as the level of violence and the difficulty of getting various factions to cooperate, were known and predicted by foreign intelligence services before the war, but this information was systematically dismissed," said Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., who was among those briefed by CIA officials on Thursday

Wash Times

While foreign Islamist extremists have traveled to Iraq to take aim at U.S. forces, American commanders believe that most assaults are by Iraqis. Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno of the 4th Infantry Division in Tikrit said on Oct. 27 that 95 percent of the insurgents were Saddam loyalists. The insurgents, whetherBa'athistsor Ba'athist sympathizers, were beneficiaries of Saddam's rule and complicit in his atrocities. They are guided by the myth that the Ba'ath Party will return.
The location of attacks and the biographies of individual fighters demonstrate that the Sunni Arab minority is the backbone of the insurgency. Although just 15 percent of the population, Sunni Arabs have dominated Iraqi politics, pioneering Arab nationalism and Iraqi patriotism. Many are poor, but like economically deprived, non-slave owning white Southerners during the American Civil War, their identity gives them marginal privileges worth fighting for. One writer summed up the prevailing attitude in much of the Middle East when she sympathetically termed Iraq's Sunni Arabs an "ancient elite."

 

[ThAnswr]

Possibly not then, but what if Iraq does the opposite you say, and Iran follows suit?

Other than wishful thinking, on what are you basing that possibilty. A hard-liner, and possible hostage-taker in 1979, has just been elected in Iran.

The truth is, there may've been a chance for democracy in Iran but for 2 reasons: Bush claiming Iran as part of the "axis of evil and Bush's actions, and subsequent lack of credibility, in Iraq. Bush blew it big time.

Make no mistake about it, both the Iraqi government and the Iranian government are Shiite Muslims and they will form an alliance. They are already calling each other "brothers".

 

[ThAnswr]

This is strange and disturbing even from Bush. Basically, Bush told some reporters that he has to get on with his life and that his exercise program was of greater concern to him than the concerns of a lady who lost her son i Iraq. Bush defends ignoring protest I discounted to some degree the accounts that Bush was not told that the capitol was evaculated several months ago while he was on a bike ride. However, this report seems to confirm the concept that Bush's exercise program has priority over things like worrying about the war in Iraq and potential attacks against the White House and the Capitol.

Bush got on with his life.

On Saturday, he went to a fundraiser at a nearby ranch.

 

[transparant]

Transparent said in an earlier post that Americans in Iraq had not encountered one Iraqi with an "America Sucks" attitude. I was pointing out how ridiculous that statement was.

So because all of the military that I have come in contact with have stated that - it makes it ridiculous? Oh...thats right - they're all brainwashed...I forgot.

Trust me - I know that all of Iraq is not "wild about the good ole USA" Heck...sadly there aren't even American's that are wild about the good ole USA. I'm just pointing out that there is a whole heck of a lot of Iraqi's that ARE wild about the good ole USA - but I know...when you hear those things - I'm sure you put your fingers in your ears going "LA LA LA I can't hear you"

I think you are under the impression that all of the Iraqi citizens hate our guts - how terribly wrong you are.

I was pretty sure that you didn't know about my project either. That's ok...you might not want to - it involves LOTS of positive stories coming out of Iraq from those who are there right now (I know...positive stories = ridiculous right?).

I also understand that there are VETS that oppose the war. But there are plenty...and I mean plenty that do. I have been lucky enough to have met so many local vets at 2 VFW's due to this project that I'm doing - all have stressed their support of our President and our troops in Iraq except for *maybe* 2 and thats being generous. My father is a Navy Chief and all under his command except for one man support our President and our troops.

My uncle is a retired/disabled Vietnam vet and about 3 weeks ago I went on base with him (he still works there) to meet some of the military personal that he works with - to personally thank them - they ended up thanking me for what I'm doing and stressed their support for what is going on in Iraq.

I get emails from mother's of marines (a support group) that thank me for what I've been doing and they have stressed their support for our president and our troops.

Maybe it's just the people that I choose to surround myself with I love our brave servicemen and I feel blessed to know and be friends with so many of them - I hear what they've done first hand over there, and I hear the stories straight from their mouths...and trust me - some are so touching that they have made grown men cry (my husband one of them). They have sat down and have shown me hundreds of pictures of their tours - there are countless pictures of Iraqis old and young hugging them and showing their gratitude. They have said they come across the Iraqi's that are hostile toward them...but the numbers of those that appreciate them are growing larger and larger.

There's nothing more I need to say on this issue...as I know you don't believe it or want to hear it anyway.

 

[Teejay32]

So Teejay of course the locals in general like what we are doing but has the cost in American lives been worth it? If at the end of the day Iraq becomes more like Iran than USA in form of government.

Not sure why you're asking me, and I wouldn't use the term "American lives" like some kind of petty cash we can bestow. I see them as individuals, and many I assume know they're fighting pretty near every evil that exists in the world, there in Iraq...take your pick...I have absolutely no right to speak for those people doing the fighting. It depends. I imagine that if you ask the Iraqis themselves "was it worth it" on their end, you'd get different answers too, depending. Our troops always had it, regardless of how they feel about what they're doing, and now the more I read about Iraqis the more respect I have for them too. That includes many Shiites.

I could write more about that, but it's completely wasted on people who band together to push the idea that the war's been lost already. I don't understand it, and will not waste my time trying to. Carry on.

 

[Professor Mouse]

Bush got on with his life.

On Saturday, he went to a fundraiser at a nearby ranch.

It is funny but none of the conservatives want to talk about Bush getting on with his life. The arrogance that is demonstrated in this quote is disgusting. Rove is obviously too busy meeting with his lawyers to brief Bush on how to handle this issue.

I am glad that Bush is getting on with his life and has put the death of Casey Sheehan behind him. I would not want the death of a service person killed in Bush's unnecessary war to keep Bush from attending fund raisers or exercising. After all, Bush has to

But,'' he added, ‘‘I think it's also important for me to go on with my life, to keep a balanced life.''

 

[BuckNaked]

It is funny but none of the conservatives want to talk about Bush getting on with his life. The arrogance that is demonstrated in this quote is disgusting. Rove is obviously too busy meeting with his lawyers to brief Bush on how to handle this issue.

I am glad that Bush is getting on with his life and has put the death of Casey Sheehan behind him. I would not want the death of a service person killed in Bush's unnecessary war to keep Bush from attending fund raisers or exercising. After all, Bush has to

I've certainly commented on it. I don't see any reason for him to meet with Sheehan again, nor do I expect him to sit in his house all day waiting for her to leave. She's said she's going to stay there all month, so there's no reason he shouldn't carry on with whatever he's doing or planning to do.

 

[Charade]

It is funny but none of the conservatives want to talk about Bush getting on with his life. The arrogance that is demonstrated in this quote is disgusting. Rove is obviously too busy meeting with his lawyers to brief Bush on how to handle this issue.

I am glad that Bush is getting on with his life and has put the death of Casey Sheehan behind him. I would not want the death of a service person killed in Bush's unnecessary war to keep Bush from attending fund raisers or exercising. After all, Bush has to

I'm confused Kyle, I'm not sure which would make you happier, if he stayed hidden under his desk until she left or he drove by her in his darkened limo or flew over her head in his helicopter. But one thing I am sure of, it probably doesn't matter because no matter what, you'll hate this man even if he walked on water. You'd shout "Bush can't swim!!!"

 

[Professor Mouse]

Here is Cindy Sheehan's reaction to Bush's arrogance of getting on with his life. Day 9 at Camp Casey

George Bush took a 2 hour bike ride on Saturday, and when he got back, he was asked how he could go for a two hour bike ride when he doesn't have time to meet with me, and he said: "I have to go on with my life." (Austin Statesman, August 14) WHAT!!!!!????? He has to get on with his life!!! I am so offended by that statement. Every person, war fan, or not, who has had a child killed in this mistake of an occupation should be highly offended by that remark. Who does he think he is? I wish I could EVER be able to get on with my life. Getting on with my life means a life without my dear, sweet boy. Getting on with my life means learning to live with a pain that is so intense that sometimes I feel like throwing up, or screaming until I pass out from sorrow. I wish a little bike ride could help me get on with my life.

The fact that Bush's bike rides are more important to him than the life of an American solider who died in his war tells a great deal about Bush.

BTW, does the line

I have to go on with my life.

remind anyone of a line from the Princess Bride?

 

[BuckNaked]

The fact that Bush's bike rides are more important to him than the life of an American solider who died in his war tells a great deal about Bush.

I wasn't aware that President Bush could bring back Sheehan's son if he didn't ride his bike. He's much more powerful than I ever imagined!

 

[Professor Mouse]

The lenght of Bush's vacation is the subject of this editorial. Like Bush, we're on break, too

Is George W. Bush the wartime president or the vacation president?

That seems like an obvious question following a recent report that Bush has spent more than 20 percent of his time as president hanging out at his vacation getaway on his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

Bush, who has made a point of emphasizing his status as the leader of the nation's war on terrorism, is currently on a five-week stretch at the ranch, a luxury most Americans can only fantasize about. That's the longest stretch away from the White House of any president in 36 years, according to the Washington Post.

The Post noted, "The August getaway is Bush's 49th trip to his cherished ranch since taking office and the 319th day that Bush has spent, entirely or partially, in Crawford -- nearly 20 percent of his presidency to date, according to Mark Knoller, a CBS Radio reporter known for keeping better records of the president's travel than the White House itself. Weekends and holidays at Camp David or at his parents' compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, bump up the proportion of Bush's time away from Washington even further."

This comes at the same time when the almost daily reports of roadside bombings and other insurgent attacks continue to take a deadly toll on United States soldiers and other personnel working to help implement democracy in Iraq. So far, more than 1,800 Americans have lost their lives since the invasion of Iraq two years ago and more than 14,000 have been wounded, many with permanent disabling injuries.

The image of the Republican president callously at play while troops risk their lives is pretty much a political target with a bull's-eye on it for Democrats and other critics of the president.

Indeed, when Iraq war protester and mother Cindy Sheehan wanted to seek an audience with the president last week, she went to his ranch in Texas -- not to Washington.

Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Casey, was killed April 4, 2004, five days after he arrived in Iraq for his tour of duty.

White House officials rightfully note that with today's instant communication systems, the Oval Office is, in fact, wherever the president happens to be. Furthermore, during his stay in Crawford he will continue with daily security briefings, meet with key advisers, make day trips to seven states and confer with foreign dignitaries, according to a Bush spokesman.

"Spending time outside of Washington always gives the president a fresh perspective of what's on the minds of the American people," White House press secretary Scott McClellan told reporters.
...
In truth, though, aren't we all really on vacation from the war in Iraq and shouldn't we feel a little guilty about that? Much like the Vietnam War of the 1960s and 1970s, Operation Iraqi Freedom has become another living room war -- a war that we can digest with our dinner while watching the latest breaking news on television. ...

When we aren't at play, we're pretty much buried in the thousands of routine chores, job demands and other humdrum activities that comprise our daily lives.

Maybe that's to be expected, but it doesn't feel right -- not when thousands of U.S. servicemen and servicewomen in Iraq and other trouble spots are putting their lives on the line for us each day.

I don't think I'll enjoy my vacation until they come home.