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September 24, 2006
Reality Kicks Bush’s Ass
Shakes here…
“You know, I’ve heard this theory about, you know, everything was just fine until we arrived [in Iraq], and that, you know, kind of that uh stir up the hornet’s nest theory. It, it, it just doesn’t hold water as far as I’m concerned.” — President Bush, August 21 (video here).
Today: Spy Agencies Say Iraq War Worsens Terror Threat
A stark assessment of terrorism trends by American intelligence agencies has found that the American invasion and occupation of Iraq has helped spawn a new generation of Islamic radicalism and that the overall terrorist threat has grown since the Sept. 11 attacks.
The classified National Intelligence Estimate attributes a more direct role to the Iraq war in fueling radicalism than that presented either in recent White House documents or in a report released Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee, according to several officials in Washington involved in preparing the assessment or who have read the final document.
…An opening section of the report, “Indicators of the Spread of the Global Jihadist Movement,” cites the Iraq war as a reason for the diffusion of jihad ideology.
How’s that theory holding water now, Mr. President?
September 24, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
The problem, as I view it, is that virtually all the actions of this President in the region are fomenting instability and hostility that may soon reach a point of no return. Even worse, the efforts of this administration are failing to create a wedge between extremist leaders and their populations. On the contrary, the language used by this administration, coupled with the perception that the U.S. is engaged in unwarranted and ideological aggression, has served to push otherwise moderate populations into alignment with radical governments and extremist organizations.
As I attempt to grasp the magnitude of allowing this President unfettered authority between now and the end of his second term, I can't help but wonder what it would take to dissuade a man with his level of certainty and conviction from undertaking the actions that will facilitate the ideations he seems convinced have been presented to him through a mix of fate and faith.
History may well record this chapter as a period of unparalleled extremism. Worse yet, the United States may well be viewed as the primary force in facilitating that eventuality. George Bush, when asked about his legacy, seems content to respond that while he can't predict the future he believes his actions will prove to be pivotal. He may well be correct but, in this instance, I would suggest he recall the expression, "Be careful what you wish for".
Read more here:
Posted by: Daniel DiRito | Sep 24, 2006 11:31:56 AM
I'm reminded again what a blessing we had in this country when we had a free and functioning press. :(
The bites in the ass reality has in store for us are going to be really painful. Propaganda can only hide them for so long.
Posted by: shargash | Sep 24, 2006 1:07:56 PM
Iraq was going to fall apart sooner or later. unresolved issues might not have been so visible under saddam, but they would have come out sooner or later. only getting past them gets iraq to a prosperous future.
Posted by: dan | Sep 24, 2006 6:23:52 PM
Dan, I think I see your point, but doing it the way we did created instant chaos. Chances are that had Hussein remained in power, within the constraints of no-fly zones and such, eventually giving way to some successor to Hussein, the issues facing Iraq might have remained at a simmer but wouldn't ever have included so much terrorism aimed directly at ruining the country through sectarian war. Nor would the position of the US have been ruined the way it has been in several ways. Slower efforts at containment and gradual change would have been wiser. I don't think it was a good risk.
Posted by: Sanpete | Sep 24, 2006 6:46:08 PM
How’s that theory holding water now, Mr. President?
What do you mean, "now"? Where do you think he heard that theory?? In the NIE, of course. He didn't buy it then, which was "now" for him.
Posted by: Grumpy | Sep 24, 2006 9:46:52 PM
We don't have the data on no invasion of Afghanistan and/or Iraq tho' do we?
Posted by: slickdpdx | Sep 24, 2006 11:20:22 PM
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