Give Bush Nothing. The Iraq Supplemental Was The Compromise.

Posted on May 6, 2007
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While delivering his second-ever veto to the Iraq supplemental appropriation to fund his war, the American Pretender asserted in many speech-crafted sentences that the war in Iraq is now the war on terrorism and where we engage Al Qaida:

In Washington last week, General Petraeus explained it this way: Iraq is, in fact, the central front of all Al Qaida’s global campaign.

It seems possible, beyond the hyperbolic rhetoric, “If we don’t defeat them over there, we’ll be fighting them over here,” that Iraq has become the haven for terrorists that the neocons insist it has.

The question is, where is the president’s apology for creating that situation? All justifications for invading Iraq have turned out to be lies, and before the U.S. invaded, Iraq was not such a “haven.”

Much worse, the president has not earned the nation’s trust to accept his administration’s assessment of the current situation in Iraq. In fact, the nation, still smarting from a contentious election and its dubious outcome, was willing to give Bush the benefit of uncritical and unearned support following Sept 11. The administration squandered that support and much more on it’s Iraq adventure and countless cynical attempts to undermine government regulation of the world’s wealthiest corporations.

It is also true that continuing the war provides acknowledged political cover after the fact, and enriches the president’s most valued supporters, including major energy companies, and contractors that supply not only logistical support, but also tens of thousands of mercenary soldiers.

It is hard to know how the administration values the aspects of continuing the war that benefits it politically or lines the pockets of their cronies. It might seem unfair to overstate the impact of these influences; it would also be foolish to overlook them.

Following his veto, it was amazing to witness the contempt with which the president described the motives of Congressional Leaders. He characterized Pelosi and Reid, especially, as making political statements or performing “political theater” in presenting him with a bill that requires the president to begin some withdrawal of forces in October, even with the broad flexibility allowed for in the bill and the potential for future negotiations.

Bush never allowed that Congress, itself, had a valid, principled position on the war. He never acknowledged that many of the congress members that voted for his $124 Billion, did so against personal principles or those of their constituents, in the spirit of compromise. He never allowed that some allowed the vote to pass only because there were some stated limits and benchmarks. Where will those votes go if the president’s, so called, “clean” bill came up for a vote?

Maybe Congress could not override the veto, but Bush must not be allowed to override the will of Congress and the American people. Message to Congress: Stand your ground. Give Bush nothing. The passage of the supplemental with timeline and benchmarks was the compromise. Send it again; or, send less, not more.

Comments

3 Responses to “Give Bush Nothing. The Iraq Supplemental Was The Compromise.”

duke on May 12th, 2007 9:59 pm

hey,dick head..you aint hurtin bush by denying money ,,youre hurting our boys in the field,,just thought id clarify that for you
Shaney on August 6th, 2007 7:58 am

How much we don’t know, will always be the key to limited comparison & judgement. There are far too many secrets & lies to quite know what question as credible or not. I have my own beliefs, but first & foremost the countless lives both foreign & united, taken by this war has been horrific & that it was I detest the most. It is too late too ask why it happened, now is the time to ask what are they going to do, to make it right!
Shaney on August 6th, 2007 8:00 am

As for duke…subtle is the way, we all have an opinion, name calling aint going to get you far! But it sure is a sign of DISRESPECT!