Monday, July 12, 2004

Another Great Pro-Bush Argument

George W. Bush can level this accusation at his opponent: "If the Senator from Massachussets is so smart, then how come he didn't use all the resources at his disposal to keep himself out of harm's way during Vietnam. Most people my age -- including myself -- used every possible resource to avoid the bloodshed. That required cunning and imagination. My opponent not only squandered the opportunities that were right under his nose, he actually went out of his way to find the trouble. What can you say about a man who squanders the natural resources he is given and instead insists on doing things the hard way?

Then he has the temerity to come back to the U.S. and complain. Well what in the world was he thinking? Did he think it was going to be a rose garden? Did he think that everyone was just nuts for not wanting to go fight? He's a slow learner, that opponent of mine, and he learns things the hard way. I don't know if that's what you want in a president, but if it is -- if you want someone who won't seize opportunity and who wastes the privileges that y'all would've loved having -- then he's your man.

But if you want someone who saw opportunities for a better life -- especially for himself -- and took advantage of those circumstances because that's what America is all about -- and that's what I did -- then I'd appreciate your vote.

Don't Look Back. Don't Admit Mistakes. Don't Learn.

The 911 commission reveals that FBI agents in Arizona and Minnesota were suspicious of Arab flight students, but their superiors ignored the warnings. Okay, what’s done is done. But this information is valuable in helping to build an intelligence system for the new millenium. I don’t entrust that to an administration that refuses to admit its shortcomings and mistakes. The Bush administration’s never-look-back approach to decision making is not in the best interests of the U.S. We need an administration that will use intellect and cunning, as well as brute force, to create an intelligence infrastructure that will proceed with the long job of dismantling terrorism. Senator Kerry, with his long history of working in Congress, that relies on consensus and team building, is better suited to tackle this new challenge.

What Did You Expect...That They WOULDN'T Bring It On?

Another hostage has been brutally beheaded, and I can’t help but think that George W. Bush’s “bring ‘em on” is partially responsible. This president, who so struggles to use words to express himself, didn’t take seriously his own flippant taunt.

The cost of this war-of-choice is being counted not only in billions of dollars, but in the currency of the 4,000 maimed and killed American military and service personnel. And “bring ‘em on” more and more sounds like the words of a comic book king, not a real leader who knows what battle is like and whose words are carefully measured.

Invading a Toothless Old Tyrant Is NOT the Same as Fighting Terrorists

Saddam Hussein’s performance in court further signifies how cartoonish and demented he is. For all his domestic crimes -- he wasn’t a threat to the U.S. -- at least not one that should have diluted our mission to dismantle Al Quaeda. The Bush administration’s almost childlike attention span ought to inform us that they lack the focus and sophistication to plan and implement a plan that will be durable enough to successfully cripple the enemies who attacked us in 2001. John Kerry, who grew up the son of a diplomat and who understands firsthand the devastation of war, is often criticized as people “too serious.” I am thankful for that. I will support U.S. troops by casting my vote for John Kerry, who has shown every indication of being a commander in chief who is not so flippant with their lives, or the country’s destiny.

George W. Bush -- Recycler

He lied about Iraq's weapons threats. He lied about Iraq's nuclear capabilities. He was insincere about building a real coalition in Iraq. He lost interest in combating the powers that attacked the U.S. in 2001. He recklessly squandered revenues in tax cuts that will lead to impoverished state and local budgets. In 2000 he ran for President with the promise to “restore honor to the White House.” The good news for George W. Bush is that, since he never did so, he can still use it as his 2004 campaign theme!

The Bush Administration Plays Rope-A-Dope With the American Public

The LA Times poll published 6/20 provided a bizarre mixture of numbers. 53% said the situation in Iraq was not worth going to war over; 61% said we’re getting bogged down; Yet 52% think the U.S. is winning the war; Furthermore, only 21% believe that the Iraq war is giving the U.S. a positive reputation worldwide.

This confusing mixture of statistics -- the belief that we are winning it AND bogged down in it -- indicate that most people don’t really know why we are there. That is a testament to two things: The administration’s inability to think this thing through, and their skill at so confusing much of the electorate that they can’t even tell whether we are winning or losing.

Kerry's Policies Will Result in Better Housing, Schools and Infrastructure

After three years of gargantuan tax cuts for the wealthy, it is good to hear that John Kerry’s plans will look at the other end of the economic spectrum.

For instance, his plan to raise the minimum wage 36% over the course of three years. He also plans to double spending on afterschool programs and increase chidl-care tax credits. This is in contrast to President Bush’s policies of spending billions on war, which will not have any positive offset in better housing, schools and infrastructure.

I’m afraid that if he is elected, and without reelection concerns, the President will continue to recklessly wage war and increase deficits in ways that will damage our country worse than any outside threats.

Iran is Becoming Nuclear --- Watch Out Greece!

Iran announces it will resume some nuclear activies and is considering restaring uranium enrichment.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bush administration responds to this threat from Iran by launching an invasion of Greece.

If Whiny Republicans Can't Take Michael Moore Then They Sure Can't Beat Terrorism

Republicans who whine about Michael Moore’s movie should remember that Kenneth Starr spent millions digging up anything he could find to ouster Clinton. They should remember how they laughed when Limbaugh played song parodies ridiculing the homeless and women’s rights. Believe a half -- a fourth of what you see in Moore’s flick -- and it’s still obvious that President Bush hasn’t the context or the right staff to effectively address the serious, complicated problems we face. It’s not too late to stop the diplomatic hemorraghing, but only if we sensibly change course this November.

Say what you want about Moore's flick, but never forget this: The Bush administration reacted to September 11, 2001 by invading Afghanistan and dismantling Al Quaeda camps. They must have had a change of heart when they decided to open up the world’s biggest Al Quaeda recuitment center...in Iraq.

The Bishops Themselves Are Cafeteria Catholics: Let's Turn the Far Right Left

In her 6/27 Plain Dealer column "Withholding Jesus a tricky business," Regina Brett exposes an important point. If those Catholic bishops who want to refuse Holy Communion to Pro-Choice candidates -- but not to Pro-Life candidates who support the death penalty or policies that further hurt the poor -- then the bishops themselves have become “cafeteria Catholics” themselves, selectively choosing who should receive sacraments. I don't like this trend but it can be addressed in a simple way: A vote for John Kerry, who unlike President Bush actually attends church but doesn't wear it on his sleeve, is the best way to begin the trend of taking religion out of the hands of the far right, these modern day Philistines who politicize the intensely private act of worship.

Foolish Spies Just Trying to Please The Boss

The Senate Intelligence Committee issued its report blaming the country’s intelligence agencies for being wrong about Iraq’s weapons’ capabilities.

This criticism falls short.

It should also lambaste the White House. The Bush administration cajoled and twisted and bullied their spies to provide them with data that would indict Iraq so they could get the war they’ve been dreaming about. While the spies exercised poor and unprofessional intelligence decisions, these agencies were basically just trying to keep the boss happy. What we ought to be more gravely concerned about is the Bush administration’s desire to manipulate this data so they could commence with their conquest of Iraq when their true responsibility -- which they childishly abandoned -- was to root out and dismantle Al Quaeda. They proved themselves not worthy of the mission. Let’s give John Kerry -- a veteran and the son of a diplomat -- the chance to put his intelligence and resolve to work for a better America that uses its force and alliances wisely.

Bush's TV Spot -- "Optimists"

I got a big kick out of the Bush reelection TV ad called “Optimists,“ which says (about John Kerry): “Pessimism never created a job.”

Then again, neither has Bush!

Conservatives Aren't Tough Enough to Govern

Conservatives are complaining that it is illegal according to FEC laws to have the likes of Financier George Soros and filmmaker Michael Moore putting their wealth and mouthpiece to the task of moving President Bush out of office.

Where were these “equal time” advocates when Ken Starr, Rush Limbaugh, a Republican Congress spent two terms not only ridiculing Bill Clinton, but trying to oust him from the White Office?

These conservatives sound like a pretty thin-skinned lot to me. You got to be tougher than that to be in the White House!

"Bird thought to be extinct seen again" --- Associated Press

That's what the headline in the paper said: "Bird thought to be extinct seen again." While it turned out to be about the Cozumel thrasher discovered off of the coast of Mexico, I thought for sure it was going to be about Dick Cheney coming out of the woodwork to once again trying tying Saddam and Al Quaeda together.