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Bush: Speech or Infomercial?

By Jeralyn, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Tue Jun 28, 2005 at 09:10:21 AM EST
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President Bush will give a televised speech tonight to try to drum up support for his increasingly unpopular war in Iraq. Should he be getting free network time for spin? David Corn shares his thoughts.

I usually blast the broadcast networks when they do not air presidential addresses. But this time around I would find it tough to insist that they displace their usual assortment of sleazy reality shows and loaded-with-gross-details crime dramas for the latest White House word games.

< Homeward Bound from Iraq | Iraq Poll: Lowest Numbers Yet >

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    Bush: Speech or Infomercial? | 36 comments (36 topical)
    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#1)
    by desertswine on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    After Bush's rallying speech, we will no doubt want to invest more money in companies that produce napalm and cluster bombs. There's profit to be had!

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#2)
    by roger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    57% believe that Bush lied. He needs an infomercial!

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    I won't be watching, thats for sure. We all know what it's gonna be.... "Stay the course" "It's hard work" "Victory is assured" "Terr'ists want to eat your children for breakfast, I'm your only hope to survive"

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    you've misunderestimated him before and lost. you might want to check out some of the poll numbers re immediate pullout from Iraq before you count your victory.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#5)
    by desertswine on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    57% believe that Bush lied...
    Why is this only 57%? Why isn't this 100%?

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Why is this only 57%? Why isn't this 100%?
    Because the Downing Street Memo is being ignored.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    because the public is not going to impeach a president over a memo created by British that says nothing exciting? it's not being ignored-it is just irrelevant.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#8)
    by Al on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Poor Ed -- has to do damage control before Bush has even opened his mouth. The Downing Street minutes are plenty exciting, Ed. Go read them.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    because the public is not going to impeach a president over a memo created by British that says nothing exciting? it's not being ignored-it is just irrelevant.
    The public has largely remained uninformed of the Downing Street memo. What the memo says is that Bush and his gang of thugs had long planned to go into Iraq and "fixed" the intelligence to suit their needs. From the DowningStreetmemo.com website:
    The contents of the memos are shocking. The July 23, 2002 minutes detail how our government did not believe Iraq was a greater threat than other nations; how intelligence was packaged to sell the case for war to both Congress and the American public; and how the Bush Administration’s public assurances of "war as a last resort" were at odds with their privately stated intentions. No one in the Bush or Blair administrations has denied the authenticity of any of these documents. Yet the President and those involved in building the case for war continue to simultaneously sidestep the issue while conspicuously avoiding any comment on the legitimacy of the documents. The facts revealed in these secret government documents demand a response.
    Your simplistic neo-con denial doesn’t fit the facts, sweetcheeks.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Irrelevant to people for whom facts in general are irrelevant. Namely Bush and his minions. "Those damn pesky facts keep getting in the way of my agenda!!"

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    a memo written by Brits as to their feelings/opinions regarding American actions? sorry folks-not going to work. we were preparing for war with Iraq before going to UN-what a shock. we were making a case for war-again, quite a shock there. As with Gitmo, you'll find after the first breathless dispatches that nobody cares, not because of their ignorance, but because the story is meaningless.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#12)
    by desertswine on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Uh-oh... low polling numbers?? Time for another color coded terror alert.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Dear Ed, Try reformulate your sentence to include facts . . .something along these lines: "notes written by a national security during a meeting of the cabinet of Tony Blair with the British Head of Foreign Intelligence shortly after his meeting with George Tenet, Director of the CIA." [insult deleted]

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    yeah damn those British. what have they done for us lately? I bet Tony Blair doesn't think about Iraq every day.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    yeah dude, you are harshing my mellow. let me take another hit and repeat my mantra "Bush is Hitler is Stalin is Pol Pot". Then I will feel all warm inside and the worries of the world will go away. Maybe Michael Moore and Ward Churchill will then visit me in my dreams and tell me everything is okay. then I will somehow imagine a memo that says things already being said in our papers at the time it was produced will feel like something new.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Ed, you are so cute when you are wrong!

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#17)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Ed, Why haven't these British officials come forward to contest this memo, if indeed it is just a "creation"? After all, it clearly states the British knew that U.S. intelligence was being "fixed" around a pre-existing plan to go to war. Do you REALLY think this memo was concocted out of thin air?

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#18)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    I don't know-seems likely legit but the reporter created the questions, not me-they just don't say anything not known or speculated on in the press here. they also reflect the British opinion on what America was doing-if a secret memo came out from an American suggesting we were going to the UN again to provide a fig leaf for Blair in terms of his domestic politics, would you be shocked?

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#19)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Ed, the spin is all very cute but I seem to recall a manifesto written by Don Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Richard Perle, and pretty much everyone else who started this war, which had a length section about manipulating public opinion in order to start a war with Iraq. If I told you "I'm going to steal your car tomorrow" and the next day your car was stolen, would you believe me when I said it was just a coincidence? That's basically what you're telling all of us. Forgive our skepticism.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#20)
    by roy on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    scarshapedstar,
    I seem to recall a manifesto written by Don Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Richard Perle, and pretty much everyone else who started this war, which had a length section about manipulating public opinion in order to start a war with Iraq.
    I must have missed that one; got a link?

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#21)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Roy, It's called the "Project for a New American Century". Here's a link from a couple of YEARS ago, describing the Project's early Bush prez fantasies about the middle east. Fantasies that are now, sadly, being played out in the mess that is Iraq. You have to register for free to read it, but it's worth the extra keystrokes. A link for Roy to enjoy

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    I wonder if we'll hear anything like this from Bush? George W. Bush, 4/9/99: “Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is.” (1999 comment from Bush, criticizing Clinton on Kosovo.) Or maybe; George W. Bush, 6/5/99 “I think it’s also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn.”

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Nicely done boobear.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#24)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    I agree, nicely done BooBear. And howsa 'bout these apples:
    George Bush, September 18, 2003: "No, we've had no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with September the 11th," Bush said.
    Scott McClellan today - When asked if the president is willing to admit that there is no specific Iraqi link to what happened on 9/11, McClellan responded that Iraq was a state sponsor of terrorism and that Iraq shared the ideology of those that participated in the 9/11 attacks.
    Either scotty is a moron or he thinks we are. Iraq was a secular state. That's why saddam refused to be allied with al queda.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#25)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    Ed,
    As with Gitmo, you'll find after the first breathless dispatches that nobody cares, not because of their ignorance, but because the story is meaningless."

    I don't know about anyone else, but this story will never become meaningless to me. Why is it cynics so often presume they can speak for everyone? You don't speak for me, Ed.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    tnd..... a meeting of the cabinet of Tony Blair with the British Head of Foreign Intelligence Wait..... is this the same agency that concluded (along with many others) that Saddam had WMDs???? Why is it all you lefties jumped on that as BS but are more than willing to belive this?...LOL Wait...don't answer that...I already know. LOL..LOL..LOL

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    Sailor.... Iraq was a secular state. That's why saddam refused to be allied with al queda. Sailor...sailor..salor Iraq was a terorist state... Saddam aided & harbored terrorist. The same people that are in Iraq now were there before we showed up... Sure, many more streamed across the borders drooling at the chance to kill Americans, as GW said (and should be a no brainer to anyone with brains) it's best to fight them there ...isn't it?

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#28)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    According to the 9-11 Commission report conducted by a non-partisan committee, the following conclusion was reached: The report, the 15th released by the commission staff, concluded, “We have no credible evidence that Iraq and al-Qaida cooperated on attacks against the United States.”

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#30)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    it's best to fight them there ...isn't it?
    BB my friend, it is certainly not better to fight them there. Would you agree that a basic tenet of war is to not make your enemy's job easier? To not let the enemy choose the battlefield or the tactics? Make them cross the ocean. Few could or would.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#31)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    Dark A.... Recent reports state that many of the foreign fighters are using Iraq as a 'training ground' for urban warfare Let's just say for the moment that's true... So what? They're gonna train someplace. These guys aren't going away (no matter who is president) and if you think they are you are sadly mistaken. So what better place to have them congrigate than where we have a strong military presence? The Iraqi people will eventually get tired of being blown up at the local market and start turning these guys in... that is in fact happening more & more.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#32)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    Kdog.... To not let the enemy choose the battlefield or the tactics? I agree... they didn't choose Iraq... we did. As far as the tactics go, you have to fight fire with fire and that my friend is where I think the left is hurting the cause. So we pee on a Koran here & there... big deal! Let our guys do what they must to get the job done. As a Viet Vet, I can tell you that not being allowed to take the war to them "our way", not only prolonged the fighting, but caused many more casualties than needed! Make them cross the ocean. Few could or would. Maybe so... (the 9/11 hijackers aside) but we do have American interests (as well as civilians) all over the world and they are also worth protecting...aren't they? Now if you want to pull up the draw bridge & tell the rest of the world to F-off... I could go that way too. But until that happens, we need to kick ass & take names until they realize just who they are f-ing with! My opinion...

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#34)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    Ok I will bite, please provide me a list of Iraqi suicide bombers prior to 9-11 and all Iraqis accused and or tried for terrorism. Also, please provide a list of terrorists that Saddam harbored. As far as I know, Al Zarqawi lived in Iraq but was not harbored by Hussein. He did not live in a palatial estate nor did he receive special accomodations or protection. As I recall the people that attacked us were overwhelmingly Saudi and definitely harbored by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Prior to 9-11 there is not one recorded incident of an Iraqi suicide bomber. Nor has any evidence been presented that Saddam was harboring terrorists. There is no question that he was sending money to palestinian suicide bombers' families, but not evidence again of Iraq being a haven for terrorists. If you are going to cast spurrilous allegations, you ought to at least provide a list of terrorists he was harboring, lists of terror activities he financed, lists of terror incidents he planned and coordinated and evidence to substantiate. Until then, the allegation should and will be considered false.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#35)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    The latest CIA report empirically states that new Jihadists are being created. The war on terror was developed and sold as one that would weaken and reduce the number of terrorists, it has (as predicted by many on the left) not reduced or weakened terror, it has given it greater life.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#36)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    List of terrorist groups: Al-Qaeda (Afghanistan, Islamists) Osama bin Laden (al-Qaeda leader) Hamas, Islamic Jihad (Palestinian Islamists) Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (Palestinian nationalists) PFLP, DFLP, PFLP-GC (Palestinian leftists) Hezbollah (Lebanon, Islamists) Jamaat al-Islamiyya, Egyptian Islamic Jihad (Egypt, Islamists) Armed Islamic Group (Algeria, Islamists) Kashmir Militant Extremists (Kashmir, Islamists) Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (Iranian rebels) Abu Nidal Organization (Iraq, extremists) Kach, Kahane Chai (Israel, extremists) Chechnya-based Terrorists (Russia, separatists) East Turkestan Islamic Movement (China, separatists) Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Turkey, separatists) Jemaah Islamiyah (Southeast Asia, Islamists) Abu Sayyaf Group (Philippines, Islamist separatists) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Sri Lanka, separatists) Irish Republican Army (U.K., separatists) IRA Splinter Groups (U.K., separatists) Northern Ireland Loyalist Paramilitaries (U.K., extremists) Basque Fatherland and Liberty (Spain, separatists) November 17, Revolutionary People’s Struggle (Greece, leftists) FARC, ELN, AUC (Colombia, rebels) Shining Path, Tupac Amaru (Peru, leftists) Aum Shinrikyo (Japan, cultists) American Militant Extremists (United States, radicals) Ansar al Islam (Iraq, Islamists/Kurdish Separatists)

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#37)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:43 PM EST
    Jlvngstn... BTW ...nice cut & paste from another post The latest CIA report empirically states that new Jihadists are being created. And you of course believe that there would be NO recruits if it wasn't for us being in Iraq? That none existed before we went there? it has (as predicted by many on the left) not reduced or weakened terror, it has given it greater life. Yes ...its' a rallying cry. That's good...let's flush em all out & deal with them there. You, like many lefties are under the misguided assumption that if we just go away they will too... You couldn't be more wrong! Their hatred for the US didn't start with Bush and won't end after he is gone. The sooner you all realize that the better off this country will be.

    Re: Bush: Speech or Infomercial? (none / 0) (#38)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:44 PM EST
    Their hatred for the US didn't start with Bush and won't end after he is gone. The sooner you all realize that the better off this country will be.
    What do they hate about the U.S.? Our freedom? That's easy...we can just get rid of it and all will be forgiven, eh?

    Bush: Speech or Infomercial? | 36 comments (36 topical)