By DOUG THOMPSON
President George W. Bush tonight will give the American people and the soldiers who serve our country the finger, choosing to ignore their will by sending more young men and women to die in his illegal, immoral and failing Iraq war.
Bush’s speech is an in-your-face rejection of the will of voters who in November tossed out the corrupt, rubber-stamp Republican-led Congress and made it clear they want a swift end to Bush’s Iraq debacle. It is a blatant “go to hell” to the American men and women who have died and will die because of his lunacy.
Instead, Bush will send 10,000 or more American troops into that civil-war torn country by the end of the month and another 10,000 or so by the end of the year.
Bush doesn’t give a damn about the more than 3,000 Americans who have died in his failed war thus far and has no qualms about sending more to die just to support his megalomaniacal Presidency.
These are the actions of a war criminal, not a leader of a nation that used to be the envy of the free world. They are the irresponsible actions of a madman, an out-of-control despot who must be stopped and removed from office by whatever legal means necessary before he destroys what little is left of this country and possibly the world itself.
Democrats say they will “challenge” Bush’s planned “surge and acceleration” plan for the Iraq war but they so far appear to lack the courage to take the necessary steps to stop his insane headlong rush down the path to destruction.
Sen. Ted Kennedy Tuesday introduced legislation to require Bush to seek approval from Congress before sending any more troops into Iraq but it is too little too late. More than half the troops will be in harm’s way before Kennedy’s bill even gets a committee hearing.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid claims he will do “everything in my power” to block Bush’s plans but the key word there is “power.” Bush claims he already has all the power he needs to send as many troops into Iraq as he wants under the authority Congress granted in 2002. He also claims unlimited power as a “wartime President.” While Constitutional scholars question his claim to absolute power, the sad truth is nobody has yet found a way to stop him from doing whatever he damn well pleases.
Bush will proceed with his plans with or without the support of Congress, confident they are powerless to stop him. He may be right. Congress will debate the issue ad infinitum even as more and more Americans die for nothing.
Democrats began backing away from their campaign promises the day after the mid-term elections last November. Talk of a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq vanished in the name of political caution. A vast majority of Americans may want our solders out of Iraq but Democrats to date appear unwilling to act on the very issue that returned them to control of Congress.
Under Republican control, Congress abdicated oversight of the Presidency and allowed Bush to create the most powerful Presidential administration in history. That power continues unchecked by Democratic timidity.
With their inaction, Democrats seem content with following the Republican tradition of handing Bush the tube of KY jelly, bending over, grabbing their ankles and saying “please sir, may I have some more?”
Unfortunately, in the end, it will be the men and women in harm’s way in Iraq who get screwed without lubrication by both Bush and the Congress and the United States.
44 thoughts on “Giving America and its soldiers the finger”
Great rant, Doug, and a lot of great comments, with the exception of two:
I wonder if Mr. U.S. Army Lloyd is willing to tell us specifically how he profits from Bush’s war for oil and how big is his SUV.
Secondly, to those couple of commentors who said we should ask our Congressional parasites to do something: Ha ha ha ha. I hope they have a nice day in the fantasy of their reality.
I once thought, hoped, prayed, imagined, wished there was a decent way out of this shitty mess, but now I suspect Teresa has hit upon the only real solution.
For the record, I didn’t say that.
Congress has no intestinal fortitude. They should simply cut off all funds for Iraq EXCEPT an amount necessary to totally withdraw from Iraq and return to the United States. NOT to withdraw to Kuwait or Bahrain or to Afghanistan or Israel or anywhere else, ONLY back to the US. Like that will ever happen. The whole government is nothing but a bunch of despicable whores for the military industrial complex. They are ALL beneath contempt. There is no language vituperative enough to describe the state of this government. We are desperately in need of a viable third party.
Is it possible for Congress to revoke the power they gave W in 2002? Simply vote to nullify the “blank check”? Take back their “check” in the checks and balances by exercising their authority as being the only branch to declare war?
Don’t ask, don’t tell.
I don’t normally support this completely asinine policy, but in George’s case, hey, whatever works…
https://mindprod.com/politics/bushismsgay.html
It took some time searching on google, but this webpage says just about everything needs to be said.
And since George is “Commander In Chief” of the american military…
George Bush is the biggest threat to the security of the United States by his weakening of our military. As the biggest threat to our security he is entitled now to have his mail opened, his phone tapped, removed to an undisclosed prison, subject to waterboarding, and tried in a closed court without rights.
I applaud you Doug, (hello Ray), David Williams & Steve,
Remember, it all has to do with power & greed. Remember, how Halliburton wanted the pipe line threw Afhgaistan, then Iraq…so many people forget this shit, WHY were there. We are there to make billions for Halliburton, etc…………..Sadman worked for theCIA and was given by our government WMD’s to kill who we wanted to eliminate, against major gains for corporate interests!
Our poor soldiers get everything, including rotted food & everything else(look it up what Cheney’s group provides to our troops) from Halliburton’s contracts with the USA lobbists pulling the strings.
Whoever has bitched at Doug: research, please, you will find the reasons, the why of this whole illegal invasion of Irag.
Does anyone know what the word insurgent means….well acording to Webster it means” a person who takes part in a forcible OPPOSTION or armed RESISTANCE to an established government or authority (BUSH),; rebel. Why aren’t we these now. Remember the 60’s, when we DID make a difference,
Hey Loyd, do you not think that, that US citizens, who don’t become rebel, when they might be forced into the FEMA concentrations camps here the great USA, would not fight for our rights and defend their families, even though it might be like WACO or Riby Ridge?
Congress ok, last year to build more…who do you think they are for? the made up boogyman? The evil started in this country, and has spread out, like an octopus everywhere. Most people throughout this world hate us, with good reason…they see the REAL news, which we do not get.
Wake up, get real, get human, otherwise you will cease to exist.
Pray for peace,
Jennifer/Wisdomkeeper
in march the iraqi government will be voting to give away 70% of iraqi oil revenue in a 30 year deal with the BIG OIL companies. i’m convinced that the oil deal is the real reason for bu$h sending in more troops. if the iraqi government passes the oil deal, the whole country will explode.
and it should.
https://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0107-02.htm…
the whole story can be found at the link above.
Impeach the draft dodgers.
Bill Robinson:
The cocktail party liberals we just put into congress aren’t going to do shit – they’ll yell and holler – claim the high ground and spend millions trying to convince us they’re NOT just like the conservatives we booted out – but peel pack the party label and guess what – the current crop of politicians from the two major parties are all the same – you can interchange them like lightbulbs.
The “patriot act” wasn’t implemented to protect the American people from terrorists – it was implemented to prevent the American people from revolting against the current crop of inbred simple minded twits and twitettes (?) who have their wide, flabby kiesters firmly planted in the seats of power.
I’m with you, though, I’m just so damn dumb I’m gonna keep singing out and trying to make a difference.
Peace
Steve
Bush goes up against the airing on accessible cable tv of the Sopranos. The solution, my friends, as Dylan said, is blowin in the wind. Either watch the Sopranos and suck up to what’s happening for the next 2 years and watch our young soldiers continue to be wasted in a stupid egoists money making venture in the middle east, or take to the streets and demand that they be impeached NOW. Not next year, not next month, not next week. Begin the proceedings and file the Bills of Impeachment now. Today. If not today, then tomorrow. There is just cause. If you don’t think there is just cause, then take your collective heads out of your collective asses and look at the new graves of the three thousand three hundred and fifty eight men and women killed in action according to Department of Defense statistics as of January 9, 2007 at 10:00am.
Putting 10,000 or 20,000 or 30,000 more combat soldiers into harm’s way as targets of IEDs will not make one iota of difference in the outcome of this already lost stupid conflict. What it will do is escalate the costs dramatically, as will the one BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW AID that Bush/Cheney are pouring into Iraq (read that as Bush/Cheney) pockets.
How much do they need? How long are we going to stand their stink?
I am ready to puke.
Send in the Sopranos. The clowns are already here.
thanks Doug,the new problem that “poped up” today is gone…
Antonia Juhasz Sizes Up the ‘Bush Agenda’ — Corporate Globalization, Oil, Wealth and Power — A BuzzFlash Interview. Bush Will Send More Troops to Die in Iraq to Ensure U.S. Marketplace Dominance, Oil Company Concessions in Iraq, and Because He is a Sociopath. All Very Bad Reasons to Send People Off to be Killed
I used to have problems with pop ups on this site until I installed the Google toolbar. Have had zero problems with pop ups on any web page since
The fault lies in our institutions (especially the Constitution). Except for the Bill of Rights, it is a licence for the rich to steal based on land and property. No wonder we ended up with a dope for President.
Unless the congress has the courage to impeach George W. Bush the madness will go on until the next Presidential election cycle has been decided.
Brave speeches on the floors of the house and senate do nothing – action is required – after all – isn’t that why the people replaced so many members of congress? Because they want change! It’s damn well past time for OUR government to listen to OUR wishes and do what WE elected them to do.
To quote Bob Dylan ….
“come senators, congressmen please heed the call. Don’t stand in the doorways don’t block up the hall, for he who gets hurt is he who has stalled. A BATTLE outside is raging. We’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls ’cause the TIMES THEY ARE A’CHANGING”
Contact your Senator and Representative, TELL THEM WHAT YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR VOTE AND THEIR GENEROUS PAY.
Peace
Steve – singer/songwriter/hellraiser
Mr. Loyd,
First let me thank you for your military service to your country.I honor that as I’m sure 99% of all American’s do.
That being said,I must point out that you seem to contradict yourself.The overwhelming consensus in D.C.,and that includes the Pentagon and also the commanders in Iraq is that an escalation of troops at this time will be at best counterproductive,and will really just add to the rising death toll of American soldiers,inflame Iraqi anti American passions even more,and allow the Iraqi government more time and cover to do as little as possible towards making hard and unpopular decisions about their own contry.The only people supporting this escalation are the idiots that created this disaster to begin with.GW is only concerned with his legacy and this is just a desperate move to try and salvage his signature policy.
You also misrepresent Ms.Pelosi’s position.The Democrats are considering refusing to fund any NEW escalation of equipment and deployment of NEW toops to Iraq.They will probably do nothing though,exactly because of people like you. They are afraid that the perception of the people will be as misguided and uninformed as yours is.
Mr. Loyd,I will never understand how anyone in the military can support a poser like W whose family connections helped him avoid real service during wartime and who essentially deserted his peaceful Stateside post before his tour was over.His sacrifice for his country is only surpassed by “Mr.Five defferments,”I had other priorities”,Cheney”who just this week braved the harsh conditions of rural Pennsylvania to once again protect America from terrorism by slaughtering farm raised,tame gamebirds that were released from their cages precisely so they could be ,well,slaughtered.(sorry I got off point but my God ,does the outrage never cease?)
Mr. Loyd, instead of being against educating yourself on subjects that those in charge would prefer that you continue to stay in the dark about,you should research the history of the Bush family.These people are not your friends.They could not care less about you than if you were a speck of cosmic dust on Neptune.You and all us common folk are nothing more than the props in their game of power and wealth and world domination.
It is people like Doug and the regular readers of CHB that care about this country and the well being of all of its citizens.Stop drinking the koolaid.Educate yourself.I know it goes against your training,but stop accepting what you are told.Think for yourself.
Regardless what the pretend patriots,the Rush Limbaughs’,and the chickenhawk neocons say,I,and we of the CHB community love this country more fervently than they will ever understand.We love and BELIEVE in what our constitution stands for.
Tonight,Mr. Loyd,watch and listen to this occupant of the People’s House and see if he says any thing new or different.Really listen.
Peace,David Williams
Re:
Dayton Loyd
US Army, IL
The problem in Iraq is Dipshit Bush and his fellow thugs. Sure, it’s also public apathy and ignorance. Sure, the “true experts” on how to fight a “war” are our
well trained Generals and our “do-as-they-are-told” VOLUNTEER shooters. This is not a “war” in Iraq. It is a private vendetta fostering a horrific blood bath by Bush-and-thugs to assuage his daddy’s “honor”! Your job as Army is, if you agree with the the thug decider, shut up and do the shooting!
Jeesus…then you said ..”It is extremely idiotic that Generals are lead by elected officials that have nothing more than a good face and a silver tong (sic.). And most have no sense at all and are only concerned about staging for the next election.” Are you a citizen of the USA? Our military does not run our country!
We are a DEMOCRACY! Our country is run by civilians! Right now, abysymmally ignorant cretans, for sure. But that is going to change!
Then you said…
“One example is the mere suggestion by the new speaker of the house that if more troops are sent to Iraq that she won’t approve funding to give them the supplies they need to stay alive and accomplish the mission. It makes me very angry that there are people like this out there and people such as yourself that add fuel to the fire and help distort reality to the point that the average person no longer really knows what’s going on. Stupidity comes in many forms and I have seen a lot of if lately coming from those that are well educated.”
Boy..I read two character flaws in this sentence! Besides lying, you don’t like women in leadership roles and you certainly don’t like the “well educated”.
You only like to read what reinforces your existing mushy brain-warps. Volunteer for Iraq, big hero!
We let it happen because ‘they’ have allowed us to have just enough comfort to shut us up.
The real problem facing the Democrats is the number of Bush moles in the Media and the Justice Department. If the Democrats face off with the administration they will be prosecuted and disgraced by the media.
Herein, lies the big problem. A fascist state has no shame. It knows no bounds. Most of you abhor the current situation, but you do not really understand how much Bush and the Neocons control events. The examples are to numerous. They have been apparent for months.
There is a way to stem the tide. We need a massive demonstration of voter will. Call your Congress Person today and ask them to bring our troops home. Also, encourage Congressional leaders to oppose the war in Iraq. And, thank your Senator or Representative for their courage if they do.
What is sad is that someone like Bush, who has never accomplished anything in his life without the help of his Father, money, and political connections, should have been allowed to become President. We, as Americans, should take a good look at ourselves, and ask how we could have let this happen. Unfortunately it will take more then just the loss of 3,000 American lives in Iraq, and the loss of billions of dollars to bring an end to this dark period in our history. The worse part though will be when our children, and grandchildren read about this in school, and ask us how we could have let it have happened.
Mr. Loyd
I must take exception to your comments regarding who is adding fire to the situation in Iraq. Stating that the editor of this article is stupid and only adding confusion to the publics view is assine at best. I won’t argue that most politicians are bought by corporate lobbyists and that they have no honor or true respect for the american public, but for you to include honest journalists in that catagory is as stupid as stupid gets.
I suggest you retract your stupid accusation, not that any intelligent reader actually regards it as anything but bollocks anyway.
Ray
Bush and the NEOCONS have highjacked the nation. He was a front man for the oil company as well as the Texas baseball team, he was used and did use others in return. The Bush crime family did sound extreme but it sounds real now. They have been able to keep the lid on everything, when will it end and the truth come out?
I have no problem reading with NO ads or pop-ups. I use Firefox 2.0 with Adblock Plus and Flashblock. Works wonderfully.
Now, to address the Rant. I believe only one solution will work for this problem, and it’s both illegal to state it or to do it. Sigh……….
My apologies folks. The layout for our pages are controlled by cascading style sheets (CSS) and I made a change this morning to fix a problem on the home page that cropped up with Firefox 2.0. Unfortunately, it caused more problems on the article pages. I think it’s fixed now. Let me know if you have any more problems.
Doug
Tony Snow’s spin on W giving the finger to us: The Prez is giving a hand signal that we’re #1.
Tony Snow’s spin on W giving the finger to us: The Prez is giving a hand signal theat we’re #1.
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