home

Great Work, Mr. President

By TChris, Section Foreign Affairs
Posted on Mon Oct 09, 2006 at 08:29:11 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

by TChris

Heck of a job there, Bushy.

Nearly five years after President Bush introduced the concept of an "axis of evil" comprising Iraq, Iran and North Korea, the administration has reached a crisis point with each nation: North Korea has claimed it conducted its first nuclear test, Iran refuses to halt its uranium-enrichment program, and Iraq appears to be tipping into a civil war 3 1/2 years after the U.S.-led invasion.

Isn't it about time for the president to award himself a medal?

< Poll: Dems Lead on Moral Values | D.A. Bumped From Case Over Novel >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Great Work, Mr. President | 26 comments (26 topical)
    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#1)
    by kipling on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 12:35:02 AM EST
    Good idea! He'll probably award it to himself this afternoon. I don't think he's got anything else to do...

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#4)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 05:54:12 AM EST
    T Chris - To a a reasonable person it appears that Bush called it exactly right.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#9)
    by Sailor on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 08:01:19 AM EST
    To a a reasonable person it appears that Bush called it exactly right.
    it's called a self-fulfilling phophecy, in each case his actions have led directly to these dismal results.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#2)
    by profmarcus on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 09:10:48 AM EST
    it's no mystery how the staggering u.s. foreign policy failure on north korea came to be... one, nk doesn't have oil... as george himself said, "why should i care about north korea...?" two, a nuclear-armed nk adds a significant chunk of chaos to an already highly unstable global scenario that's busy creating the very conditions necessary to perpetuate the endless war bushco so desperately desires... everything's going according to plan and we still haven't been treated to the "october surprise..." don't let the polls lull you into even the tiniest degree of optimism... as long as satan's doppelganger, karl, is still sitting in the west wing, we are all still under red alert... And, yes, I DO take it personally

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#3)
    by jerry on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 09:10:48 AM EST
    I just saw a tee shirt that say's Stewart/Colbert in '08. It sounded funny and far fetched, but maybe not. We've got a fool/jester for a leader, maybe a comedian might be a step in the right direction. What else is left to screw up? Maybe it's time for a funny guy, who by the way is very intelligent, reads three news papers a day and can speak four sentences without tripping over his tongue!

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 09:10:48 AM EST
    The axis of defense contractor/war industry revenue generation....that's what it is.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 09:10:48 AM EST
    So if we wouldn't have called them the Axis of Evil then North Korea and Iran wouldn't be steaming toward the bomb?

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#7)
    by Edger on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 09:10:48 AM EST
    Guess there aren't too many 'reasonable' people left anymore. They just don't make 'em like they used to.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#8)
    by jarober on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 09:10:48 AM EST
    This is a bipartisan failure - you might recall that the "Agreed Framework" that Clinton's State Dept worked so hard on was an epic failure, which led straight to where we are today. What would you have done differently? It's easy to cast blame, but direct engagement failed in the 90's, while multi-lateral diplomacy failed today. Other than war (which would have been a very expensive mistake, leading to the deaths of millions of South Koreans), I'm not sure what could have been done to persuade N.K. to stop. They didn't respond to diplomatic carrots; they didn't respond to diplomatic sticks. Sometimes, if a nation is willing to go it alone (as they have been), they can thumb their nose at the world.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#10)
    by scarshapedstar on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 09:10:48 AM EST
    One time, in my younger days, my father told me to clean my room. I replied that my room was part of an Axis of Filth and could not be dealt with. I went on to do everything in my power to dirty the room and sabotaged efforts by others to remove the potting soil, small woodland creatures, port wine stains, et cetera, that I brought in for unknown reasons. Finally, when my father returned to see if I'd finished cleaning my room, I proudly informed him that I had been right about the room all along and he should be thankful I'd done as much as I had. He whipped the hell outta me.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#12)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 09:35:43 AM EST
    scar - And your point is? Your father beat you?

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#11)
    by Dadler on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 10:02:14 AM EST
    Jim, We have thousands of nuclear weapons, what does that make us, thousands of times more evil? If having nukes were the definition of evil, then entire west fits the bill. We are the ones who have made nukes so important, and the rest of the world took our lead.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#17)
    by Madison Guy on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 02:46:50 PM EST
    The former speechwriter who coined the "axis of evil" phrase has some potentially apocalyptic ideas about where to go from here. Ideas like "the threat of American aid to improve Israel's capacity to hit targets with nuclear weapons" are what make David Frum's Op-Ed about North Korea in the Tuesday NYT so dangerously nutty. It's a perfect reminder: Until the U.S. takes Eisenhower's warning about the military-industrial complex seriously, we're screwed.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 03:54:32 PM EST
    Isn't it about time for the president to award himself a medal?
    Yes, the Presidential Bufoonery Medal.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#14)
    by kdog on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 03:54:32 PM EST
    I'm not sure what could have been done to persuade N.K. to stop
    Perhaps if we stopped, and China stopped, and Pakistan stopped, and India stopped. But then we would be holding ourselves and our allies to the same standard we hold N. Korea and Iran....not gonna happen.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#15)
    by scarshapedstar on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 03:54:32 PM EST
    My point is that Bush's bold plan for North Korea was to whine about Clinton, and then whine some more, and occasionally shout some drunken macho crap about how they'd better watch out. And then, apparently without irony, he'd remind us that things could go south and we'd be left without any response that isn't dropped from a bomber. Wow, I'm glad we pay this guy the big bucks for that kind of insight. Please show me what part of Bush's "strategy" we should be thankful for. His response seems a lot like that of the petulant child in my story who takes pride in making a bad situation worse.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 03:54:32 PM EST
    My interpretation of scarshapedstar's post: Dirty Room = Axis of Evil Scar = U.S. / Bush Admin. (less clever though) Dad = Karma Bush Admin. claims Axis of Evil leaders can't be reasoned with and refuse to talk to them. Though they may not be reasonable, and they may not want to talk to the U.S., the U.S. still should attempt diplomacy by way of allied countries like China, in the case of N.Korea, to try to reach some sort of solution that will keep S. Korea, Japan, and China safe. Intelligence isn't 100% clear on whether they actually tested nuclear weapons. It could've been conventional explosives. The last time they tested "nuclear weapons" it looked pretty weak. Still scary, but possibly just a ridiculous Team America scenario. Axis situation definitely looks like a self-fufilling prophecy. (right on, Sailor.)

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#18)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 07:49:10 PM EST
    I guess you guys would also have blamed Winston Churchill for World War Two because his "self-fulfilling prophecies" led Hitler to attack. A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his own people.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Oct 11, 2006 at 06:54:32 AM EST
    Imade my decision by about 9:30 eastern on September 11th, 2001. I have never regretted it. Ends justify means... even if you become what you claim to fight... "Lift your heads. Be proud ... There are devils among us, communists, liberals, Jews, gypsies. Once these devils will be destroyed your misery will be destroyed." Not only haven't you regretted it, it appears you've done everything in your power to avoid having thought about it since. "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." --Albert Einstein ---edger

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Oct 11, 2006 at 07:42:52 AM EST
    Jim? To quote (and partly paraphrase) a commenter from The Swamp: "I only pick on you guys because I like you guys. I think you guys have potential. I want you guys to leave the dark side. Dubya has thrown your party under the bus, and Darth Cheney is driving the bus. Hastert is directing traffic. And the bus is headed for the cliff. It's time to jump. I offer you an olive branch, before it's to late." You have about 3 1/2 weeks left. There is still time for you to pretend you were onto them the whole time. (You can fake this part if it makes it easier). ---edger

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#19)
    by jarober on Wed Oct 11, 2006 at 08:46:18 AM EST
    kdog: "Perhaps if we stopped, and China stopped, and Pakistan stopped, and India stopped. But then we would be holding ourselves and our allies to the same standard we hold N. Korea and Iran....not gonna happen. " Please explain how we would convince China and Russia to forgo nuclear weapons. While you're at it, please find a single instance in history where arms limitations treaties worked. And no, the ABM/SALT/START treaties don't count as working, since the Soviets violated every single one.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#23)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Oct 11, 2006 at 11:07:25 AM EST
    edger - I am what I am and I believe that I am right on the basics. And the basics are simple. At this time we are engaged in a world wide war. Europe has pretty well fallen and the desire for diveristy and "all are equal" has been taken to extremes that the old line liberals, and that be me and some others, can hardly believe. So quote all your little quotes. Yesterday it was that those who believe in the war are not capable of nuanced thinking. Today it is that we make things too complex. Tomorrow it will be whatever your masters tell you it is. As for the elections, who knows. You don't. I don't. We elected Carter in '76 because the MSM protrayed Ford as clumsy. Four years later, after Carter had showed us what clumsy really was, we elected Reagan.. Things change. But one thing won't, dear edger. No olive branch from me to you. None. Nope. Not ever. Nada. I know you, and have known you for years and years. You wrote:
    Posted by edger at September 3, 2005 01:04 PM This may get me kicked off this site, and I'll probably regret saying this later, but here goes... Jim... you know how to use a gun? Bullets are cheap, and plentiful, you can get lots of 'em almost anywhere if you are out of 'em... You only need one, though...
    Do I know how to use a gun? Why yes, I do. And so do the people who are protecting the sheep, edger. edger, can you say, "Baaah!!!!!Baaaah!!!!??" Keep trying. And don't forget to memorize... "And were is the sheepdog? Were is the sheepdog? We need him! Baaah! Baaah!"

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#24)
    by Peaches on Wed Oct 11, 2006 at 12:40:38 PM EST
    When did this turn into Animal Farm?
    the desire for diveristy and "all are equal" has been taken to extremes that the old line liberals, and that be me and some others, can hardly believe.
    Jim, Old Man, the extremist for "all are created equal" and desires for diversity that included the thieves and whe whroes, this extremist was crucified around 2000 years ago. He said things like "turn the other cheek." "Love your Enemy" and other things you would hardly believe to. Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall inherit the Earth. Unbelievable, isn't it.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#25)
    by Peaches on Wed Oct 11, 2006 at 12:40:38 PM EST
    When did this turn into Animal Farm?
    the desire for diveristy and "all are equal" has been taken to extremes that the old line liberals, and that be me and some others, can hardly believe.
    Jim, Old Man, the extremist for "all are created equal" and desires for diversity that included the thieves and whe whroes, this extremist was crucified around 2000 years ago. He said things like "turn the other cheek." "Love your Enemy" and other things you would hardly believe to. Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall inherit the Earth. Unbelievable, isn't it.

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Oct 11, 2006 at 12:40:38 PM EST
    No olive branch from me to you. None. Nope. Not ever. Sigh. Well... that pretty much defines you, no? ;-) ---edger

    Re: Great Work, Mr. President (none / 0) (#27)
    by Peter on Sun Oct 15, 2006 at 08:42:46 AM EST
    actually, it was a great job. but that statement doesn't make any sense if you live in a world where you believe politicians are working in the interests of most Americans. if you live in the reality-based community, you realize how desparate the military/industrial complex is to find some new, massive enemy to justify our stupendous war-making budget. the Cold War was a big like just like the War of Terror. this War of Terror is starting to lose some of its punch, so the m/i complex needs to ratchet up the hate here at home and around the world - to provoke more attacks. it's really very simple. the 'spectre of peace' is always right there on the horizen. think of how the world changes if all of a sudden Americans aren't sh*t scared of some foreign or domestic bogeyman. the m/i complex would no longer be able to justify its existence. generals would lose their jobs, livelihoods, and identities - as would tens of thousands of other war-making americans. regular americans would start paying attention to things here at home, and that would be disasterous for politicians who count on us not paying attention.

    Great Work, Mr. President | 26 comments (26 topical)