What Was He Thinking?
There have been at least three “what was he thinking” moments in the Bush presidency. I realize some Democrats would put the number in the hundreds and some Republicans would say zero but these are the ones that struck me. All involve an inability to see the “Big Picture”
PORTGATE
Let’s start with what it’s not about. It is not about the specifics of security, Islamaphobia, union jobs, who’s managing what and all the other babel that fills the Sunday talk shows.
Big picture common sense dictates that because the United States is in a long-term war against Islamic Fanatics it makes no sense to have any Arab country involved in our ports. Bush should have foreseen the chaos coming and certainly should be able to envision the problems if something bad happened at a port under Arab management. It doesn’t matter whether he knew this deal was approved or not. He is the president. Just say that after further review it’s not in the best interests of our country. A knee jerk defense of the criticism and the use of the V word is not good leadership. No one realistically expects any president to get all decisions right. We do except them to seriously take criticism that comes from both sides of the aisle and the American people.
Regarding some of Bush’s selling points
A. UAE is a good ally. Nonsense. Has the UAE done the following?
- Issued a Fatwa calling for the death of Osama Bin Laden and the other usual suspects
- Issued a Fatwa denouncing suicide bombers as violating the teachings of Islam and unworthy for entrance into heaven and the plundering of virgins.
- Sent members of their own military to Iraq to fight along our soldiers
I didn’t think so.
B. Canceling the port contract would be discrimination against Arabs (Islamaphobia) Let’s nip this discrimination nonsense in the bud.
If you’re an Arab that is a citizen of the United States and I discriminate against you only because you’re an Arab that’s Islamphobia. That’s considerably different than refusing to grant contracts to Arab countries filled with a populace that still roots for Osama and has provable ties to 9/11. Just because the UAE is not the 7th century tribal country that Iran is does not make them our Great Britain.
And if the above is not enough to convince someone that Port Gate is a bad idea I have two words for you. Jimmy Carter. He thinks it’s a good idea and he has never been right regarding anything that has to with the security of the United States.
Harriet Miers
This move was the biggest disappointment because Bush had total control over the outcome. What was he thinking? The president’s job is to nominate a constitutional scholar that will become a steward of our country’s constitution. Someone who’s knowledge of the words and writer’s intent is in a class of few. Nominating one of your employees who is clearly unqualified is an insult to the American people and the Founding Fathers. This is not a criticism of Meirs, it is a deserved criticism of Bush. Fortunately, he got a “do over” as he probably will on Port Gate.
Capturing Saddam Alive
What was he thinking?
If Bush didn’t give the order for him not to be taken alive, why didn’t he? If he did and some soldier initially screwed up, there was time to fix it. To capture him alive and then keep him around for this circus trial that Saddham controls is insane. Who’s the victor and who’s the defeated. Bush needs to read some Biblical history.
How much of this insurgency could have been avoided if Saddam was pulled out of his foxhole dead. Stop treating this man like a local bank robber. Imagine the reverse if Iraq invaded the U.S. and captured our president. Our enemy only understands and respects one thing.
In conclusion, what was he thinking?
Dooley
3/4/06
There have been at least three “what was he thinking” moments in the Bush presidency. I realize some Democrats would put the number in the hundreds and some Republicans would say zero but these are the ones that struck me. All involve an inability to see the “Big Picture”
PORTGATE
Let’s start with what it’s not about. It is not about the specifics of security, Islamaphobia, union jobs, who’s managing what and all the other babel that fills the Sunday talk shows.
Big picture common sense dictates that because the United States is in a long-term war against Islamic Fanatics it makes no sense to have any Arab country involved in our ports. Bush should have foreseen the chaos coming and certainly should be able to envision the problems if something bad happened at a port under Arab management. It doesn’t matter whether he knew this deal was approved or not. He is the president. Just say that after further review it’s not in the best interests of our country. A knee jerk defense of the criticism and the use of the V word is not good leadership. No one realistically expects any president to get all decisions right. We do except them to seriously take criticism that comes from both sides of the aisle and the American people.
Regarding some of Bush’s selling points
A. UAE is a good ally. Nonsense. Has the UAE done the following?
- Issued a Fatwa calling for the death of Osama Bin Laden and the other usual suspects
- Issued a Fatwa denouncing suicide bombers as violating the teachings of Islam and unworthy for entrance into heaven and the plundering of virgins.
- Sent members of their own military to Iraq to fight along our soldiers
I didn’t think so.
B. Canceling the port contract would be discrimination against Arabs (Islamaphobia) Let’s nip this discrimination nonsense in the bud.
If you’re an Arab that is a citizen of the United States and I discriminate against you only because you’re an Arab that’s Islamphobia. That’s considerably different than refusing to grant contracts to Arab countries filled with a populace that still roots for Osama and has provable ties to 9/11. Just because the UAE is not the 7th century tribal country that Iran is does not make them our Great Britain.
And if the above is not enough to convince someone that Port Gate is a bad idea I have two words for you. Jimmy Carter. He thinks it’s a good idea and he has never been right regarding anything that has to with the security of the United States.
Harriet Miers
This move was the biggest disappointment because Bush had total control over the outcome. What was he thinking? The president’s job is to nominate a constitutional scholar that will become a steward of our country’s constitution. Someone who’s knowledge of the words and writer’s intent is in a class of few. Nominating one of your employees who is clearly unqualified is an insult to the American people and the Founding Fathers. This is not a criticism of Meirs, it is a deserved criticism of Bush. Fortunately, he got a “do over” as he probably will on Port Gate.
Capturing Saddam Alive
What was he thinking?
If Bush didn’t give the order for him not to be taken alive, why didn’t he? If he did and some soldier initially screwed up, there was time to fix it. To capture him alive and then keep him around for this circus trial that Saddham controls is insane. Who’s the victor and who’s the defeated. Bush needs to read some Biblical history.
How much of this insurgency could have been avoided if Saddam was pulled out of his foxhole dead. Stop treating this man like a local bank robber. Imagine the reverse if Iraq invaded the U.S. and captured our president. Our enemy only understands and respects one thing.
In conclusion, what was he thinking?
Dooley
3/4/06
posted by Dooley at 9:47 PM
