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    May 09

    Here We Are , Again.

     
     
    Hi , Thanx everyone .. really so glad to receive your comments.
    Just want to tell all of you that here we are together again , for all who seeks the truth everywhere .
     
    Khalid Hammour.
    June 25

    Iraq Model

     
     

    We Just Didn't Say What Kind of Model


    Cartoon
    April 22

    Arab , The Apologization Nation !

     
     From Ali Saad Ali Group

    مع الإعتذار للمعتصم

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    مع الإعتذار لـصلاح الدين

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    مع الإعتذار للحذاء

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    مع الإعتذار للرجوله

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    مع الإعتذار للطفولة

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    مع الإعتذار للكرامة العربية

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    مع الإعتذار للحجاب

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    بدون إعتذارات فقط .. لا تعليق !!!

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    مع الإعتذار للأمان

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    مع الإعتذار للنخوة

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    مع الإعتذار للفزاعات

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    مع الإعتذار لـ الإنسانية

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    مع الإعتذار للحياء

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    مع الإعتذار للقرد

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    March 13

    Talking about قصيدة جمال عبد الناصر

     

    Quote

    قصيدة جمال عبد الناصر

    قتلناكَ.. يا آخرَ الأنبياءْ

    قتلناكَ..

    ليسَ جديداً علينا

    اغتيالُ الصحابةِ والأولياءْ

    فكم من رسولٍ قتلنا..

    وكم من إمامٍ..

    ذبحناهُ وهوَ يصلّي صلاةَ العشاءْ

    فتاريخُنا كلّهُ محنةٌ

    وأيامُنا كلُّها كربلاءْ..

    نزلتَ علينا كتاباً جميلاً

    ولكننا لا نجيدُ القراءهْ..

    وسافرتَ فينا لأرضِ البراءهْ

    ولكننا.. ما قبلنا الرحيلا..

    تركناكَ في شمسِ سيناءَ وحدكْ..

    تكلّمُ ربكَ في الطورِ وحدكْ

    وتعرى..

    وتشقى..

    وتعطشُ وحدكْ..

    ونحنُ هنا نجلسُ القرفصاءْ

    نبيعُ الشعاراتِ للأغبياءْ

    ونحشو الجماهيرَ تبناً وقشاً

    ونتركهم يعلكونَ الهواءْ

    قتلناكَ..

    يا جبلَ الكبرياءْ

    وآخرَ قنديلِ زيتٍ..

    يضيءُ لنا في ليالي الشتاءْ

    وآخرَ سيفٍ من القادسيهْ

    قتلناكَ نحنُ بكلتا يدينا

    وقُلنا المنيَّهْ

    لماذا قبلتَ المجيءَ إلينا؟

    فمثلُكَ كانَ كثيراً علينا..

    سقيناكَ سُمَّ العروبةِ حتى شبعتْ..

    رميناكَ في نارِ عمَّانَ حتى احترقتْ

    أريناكَ غدرَ العروبةِ حتى كفرتْ

    لماذا ظهرتَ بأرضِ النفاقْ..

    لماذا ظهرتْ؟

    فنحنُ شعوبٌ من الجاهليهْ

    ونحنُ التقلّبُ..

    نحنُ التذبذبُ..

    والباطنيّهْ..

    نُبايعُ أربابنا في الصباح..

    ونأكلُهم حينَ تأتي العشيّهْ..

    قتلناكَ..

    يا حُبّنا وهوانا

    وكنتَ الصديقَ، وكنتَ الصدوقَ،

    وكنتَ أبانا..

    وحينَ غسلنا يدينا.. اكتشفنا

    بأنّا قتلنا مُنانا..

    وأنَّ دماءكَ فوقَ الوسادةِ..

    كانتْ دِمانا

    نفضتَ غبارَ الدراويشِ عنّا..

    أعدتَ إلينا صِبانا

    وسافرتَ فينا إلى المستحيل

    وعلمتنا الزهوَ والعنفوانا..

    ولكننا

    حينَ طالَ المسيرُ علينا

    وطالتْ أظافرُنا ولحانا

    قتلنا الحصانا..

    فتبّتْ يدانا..

    فتبّتْ يدانا..

    أتينا إليكَ بعاهاتنا..

    وأحقادِنا.. وانحرافاتنا..

    إلى أن ذبحناكَ ذبحاً

    بسيفِ أسانا

    فليتكَ في أرضِنا ما ظهرتَ..

    وليتكَ كنتَ نبيَّ سِوانا…

    أبا خالدٍ.. يا قصيدةَ شعرٍ..

    تقالُ.

    فيخضرُّ منها المدادْ..

    إلى أينَ؟

    يا فارسَ الحُلمِ تمضي..

    وما الشوطُ، حينَ يموتُ الجوادْ؟

    إلى أينَ؟

    كلُّ الأساطيرِ ماتتْ..

    بموتكَ.. وانتحرتْ شهرزادْ

    وراءَ الجنازةِ.. سارتْ قريشٌ

    فهذا هشامٌ..

    وهذا زيادْ..

    وهذا يريقُ الدموعَ عليكْ

    وخنجرهُ، تحتَ ثوبِ الحدادْ

    وهذا يجاهدُ في نومهِ..

    وفي الصحوِ..

    يبكي عليهِ الجهادْ..

    وهذا يحاولُ بعدكَ مُلكاً..

    وبعدكَ..

    كلُّ الملوكِ رمادْ..

    وفودُ الخوارجِ.. جاءتْ جميعاً

    لتنظمَ فيكَ..

    ملاحمَ عشقٍ..

    فمن كفَّروكَ..

    ومَنْ خوَّنوكَ..

    ومَن صلبوكَ ببابِ دمشقْ..

    أُنادي عليكَ.. أبا خالدٍ

    وأعرفُ أنّي أنادي بوادْ

    وأعرفُ أنكَ لن تستجيبَ

    وأنَّ الخوارقَ ليستْ تُعاد

    March 09

    A Message From Sudanese Person To Georege W.Bush

     
     
     
    Mr President We Are Dying Cause Of Your Policies !
     
    Surely The President Of The United States Will Never Read This Blog , But Its a Chance To Cry & Shout :
     
    Please Stop , Please Its Enough , Enough . We Are Suffering From These Wars . No One Remember In Our History A President That Engaged In Destructions Like You Did , Death Like You Did , Pain Like You Did Except Jenghiz khan.
     
    Its A Message For You Mr George W.Bush From A Sudanese Citizen Watching Anxiously What Is Going To Happen For His Beloved Country SUDAN .
     
    Khalid Hammour
    January 18

    Top 11 signs Dubya thinks he's president of a college fraternity.

     
     
     

    11. Encourages minions to run three miles in 100 degree heat then taunts them as he rides his bicycle.

    10. Greets interns by letting one rip.

    9. Refers to everyone only by the nickname he has bestowed.

    8. Should have been gone after four years, but he just won't leave.

    7. Amasses enormous institutional debt throwing private parties for his friends.

    6. Cheats to secure a second term.

    5. Resorts to belligerence rather than admit a mistake.

    4. Has summers off.

    3. Encourages others to perform community service, but only shows up for the cameras.

    2. Smart kid provides him answers using a hidden audio transmitter.

    1. May be kicked out of his house before the end of term.

    January 14

    THE ARCHITECTS OF IRAQ INVASION : WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

     
     

     

    Click here to comment on this report.

    President Bush has not fired any of the architects of the Iraq war. In fact, a review of the key planners of the conflict reveals that they have been rewarded — not blamed — for their incompetence.

    PAUL WOLFOWITZ

     

    Role In Going To War: Wolfowitz said the U.S. would be greeted as liberators, that Iraqi oil money for pay for the reconstruction, and that Gen. Eric Shinseki’s estimate that several hundred thousand troops would be needed was “wildly off the mark.” [Washington Post, 12/8/05]

    Where He Is Now: Bush promoted Wolfowitz to head the World Bank in March 2005. [Washington Post, 3/17/05]

    Key Quote: “We are dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction and relatively soon.” [Wolfowitz, 3/27/03]

    DOUGLAS FEITH

     

    Role In Going To War: As Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Feith spearheaded two secretive groups at the Pentagon — the Counter Terrorism Evaluation Group and the Office of Special Plans — that were instrumental in drawing up documents that explained the supposed ties between Saddam and al Qaeda. The groups were “created in order to find evidence of what Wolfowitz and his boss, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, believed to be true.” Colin Powell referred to Feith’s operation as the Gestapo. In Bob Woodward’s Plan of Attack, former CentCom Commander Gen. Tommy Franks called Feith the “f***ing stupidest guy on the face of the earth.” [LAT, 1/27/05; NYT, 4/28/04; New Yorker, 5/12/03; Plan of Attack, p.281]

    Where He Is Now: Feith voluntarily resigned from the Defense Department shortly after Bush’s reelection. He is co-chairman of a project at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government to write an academic book on how to fight terrorism. Feith’s secretive groups at the Pentagon are under investigation by the Pentagon and the Senate Intelligence Committee for intelligence failures. [Washington Post, 1/27/05, 11/18/05; Washington Times, 3/3/06]

    Key Quote: “I am not asserting to you that I know that the answer is — we did it right. What I am saying is it’s an extremely complex judgment to know whether the course that we chose with its pros and cons was more sensible.” [Washington Post, 7/13/05]

    STEPHEN HADLEY

     

    Role In Going To War: As then-Deputy National Security Advisor, Hadley disregarded memos from the CIA and a personal phone call from Director George Tenet warning that references to Iraq’s pursuit of uranium be dropped from Bush’s speeches. The false information ended up in Bush’s 2003 State of the Union address. [Washington Post, 7/23/03]

    Where He Is Now: On January 26, 2005, Stephen Hadley was promoted to National Security Advisor. [White House bio]

    Key Quote: “I should have recalled at the time of the State of the Union speech that there was controversy associated with the uranium issue. … And it is now clear to me that I failed in that responsibility in connection with the inclusion of these 16 words in the speech that he gave on the 28th of January.” [Hadley, 7/22/03]

    RICHARD PERLE

     

    Role In Going To War: Richard Perle, the so-called “Prince of Darkness,” was the chairman of Defense Policy Board during the run-up to the Iraq war. He suggested Iraq had a hand in 9-11. In 1996, he authored “Clean Break,” a paper that was co-signed by Douglas Feith, David Wurmser, and others that argued for regime change in Iraq. Shortly after the war began, Perle resigned from the Board because he came under fire for having relationships with businesses that stood to profit from the war. [Guardian, 9/3/02, 3/28/03; AFP, 8/9/02]

    Where He Is Now: Currently, Perle is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute where he specializes in national security and defense issues. He has been investigated for ethical violations concerning war profiteering and other conflicts of interest. [Washington Post, 9/1/04]

    Key Quote: “And a year from now, I’ll be very surprised if there is not some grand square in Baghdad that is named after President Bush. There is no doubt that, with the exception of a very small number of people close to a vicious regime, the people of Iraq have been liberated and they understand that they’ve been liberated. And it is getting easier every day for Iraqis to express that sense of liberation.” [Perle, 9/22/03]

    ELLIOT ABRAMS

     

    Role In Going To War: Abrams was one of the defendants in the Iran-Contra Affair, and he pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress. He was appointed Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director on the National Security Council for Near East and North African Affairs during Bush’s first term, where he served as Bush’s chief advisor on the Middle East. His name surfaced as part of the investigation into who leaked the name of a undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame. [Washington Post, 5/27/03, 2/3/05]

    Where He Is Now: Abrams was promoted to deputy national security adviser in February of 2005. [Slate, 2/17/05]

    Key Quote: “We recognize that military action in Iraq, if necessary, will have adverse humanitarian consequences. We have been planning over the last several months, across all relevant agencies, to limit any such consequences and provide relief quickly.” [CNN, 2/25/03]

    DAVID WURMSER

     

    Role In Going To War: At the time of the war, Wurmser was a special assistant to John Bolton in the State Department. Wurmser has long advocated the belief that both Syria and Iraq represented threats to the stability of the Middle East. In early 2001, Wurmser had issued a call for air strikes against Iraq and Syria. Along with Perle, he is considered a main author of “Clean Break.” [Asia Times, 4/17/03; Guardian, 9/3/02]

    Where He Is Now: Wurmser was promoted to Principal Deputy Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs; he is in charge of coordinating Middle East strategy. His name has been associated with the Plame Affair and with an FBI investigation into the passing of classified information to Chalabi and AIPAC. [Raw Story, 10/19/05; Washington Post, 9/4/04]

    Key Quote: “Syria, Iran, Iraq, the PLO and Sudan are playing a skillful game, but have consistently worked to undermine US interests and influence in the region for years, and certainly will continue to do so now, even if they momentarily, out of fear, seem more forthcoming.” [Washington Post, 9/24/01]

    ANDREW NATSIOS

     

    Role In Going To War: Shortly after the invasion of Iraq, Andrew Natsios, then the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, went on Nightline and claimed that the U.S. contribution to the rebuilding of Iraq would be just $1.7 billion. When it became quickly apparent that Natsios’ prediction would fall woefully short of reality, the government came under fire for scrubbing his comments from the USAID Web site. [Washington Post, 12/18/03; ABC News, 4/23/03]

    Where He Is Now: Natsios stepped down as the head of USAID in January and was teaching at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh’s School of Foreign Service as a Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy and Advisor on International Development. In September 2006, Bush appointed him Special Envoy for Darfur. [AP, 2/20/06; Georgetown, 12/2/05; Washington Post, 9/19/06]

    Key Quote: “[T]he American part of this will be $1.7 billion. We have no plans for any further-on funding for this.” [Nightline, 4/23/03]

    DAN BARTLETT

     

    Role In Going To War: Dan Bartlett was the White House Communications Director at the time of the war and was a mouthpiece in hyping the Iraq threat. Bartlett was also a regular participant in the weekly meetings of the White House Iraq Group (WHIG). The main purpose of the group was the systematic coordination of the “marketing” of going to war with Iraq as well as selling the war here at home. [Washington Post, 8/10/03]

    Where He Is Now: Bartlett was promoted to Counselor to the President on January 5, 2005, and is responsible for the formulation of policy and implementation of the President’s agenda. [White House]

    Key Quote: “President Bush understands that the need to disarm Saddam Hussein is necessary. He has made that case to the United Nations Security Council. He’s made that case to the United States Congress. The entire world rallied behind this resolution that gives him one last chance. He has that chance, but time is running out.” [CNN, 1/26/03]

    MITCH DANIELS

     

    Role In Going To War: Mitch Daniels was the director of the Office of Management and Budget from January 2001 through June of 2003. In this capacity, he was responsible for releasing the initial budget estimates for the Iraq War which he pegged at $50 to $60 billion. The estimated cost of the war, including the full economic ramifications, is approaching $1 trillion. [MSNBC, 3/17/06]

    Where He Is Now: In 2004, Daniels was elected Governor of Indiana. [USA Today, 11/3/04]

    Key Quote: Mitch Daniels had said the war would be an “affordable endeavor” and rejected an estimate by the chief White House economic adviser that the war would cost between $100 billion and $200 billion as “very, very high.” [Christian Science Monitor, 1/10/06]

    GEORGE TENET

     

    Role In Going To War: As CIA Director, Tenet was responsible for gathering information on Iraq and the potential threat posted by Saddam Hussein. According to author Bob Woodward, Tenet told President Bush before the war that there was a “slam dunk case” that Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction. Tenet remained publicly silent while the Bush administration made pre-war statements on Iraq’s supposed nuclear program and ties to al Qaeda that were contrary to the CIA’s judgments. Tenet issued a statement in July 2003, drafted by Karl Rove and Scooter Libby, taking responsibility for Bush’s false statements in his State of the Union address. [CNN, 4/19/04; NYT, 7/22/05]

    Where He Is Now: Tenet voluntarily resigned from the administration on June 3, 2004. He was later awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom. [Washington Post, 6/3/04]

    Key Quote: “It’s a slam dunk case.” [CNN, 4/19/04]

    COLIN POWELL

     

    Role In Going To War: Despite stating in Feb. 2001 that Saddam had not developed “any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction,” Powell made the case in front of the United Nations for a United States-led invasion of Iraq, stating that, “There can be no doubt that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more. And he has the ability to dispense these lethal poisons and diseases in ways that can cause massive death and destruction.” [Powell, 2/5/03; Powell, 2/24/01]

    Where He Is Now: Shortly after Bush won reelection in 2004, Powell resigned from the administration. Powell now sits on numerous corporate boards. He is poised to succeed Henry Kissinger in May as Chairman of the Eisenhower Fellowship Program at the City College of New York. In September 2005, Powell said of his U.N. speech that it was a “blot” on his record. He went on to say, “It will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It’s painful now.” [ABC News, 9/9/05]

    Key Quote:
    “‘You are going to be the proud owner of 25 million people,’ he told the president. ‘You will own all their hopes, aspirations, and problems. You’ll own it all.’ Privately, Powell and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage called this the Pottery Barn rule: You break it, you own it.” [Bob Woodward, Plan of Attack]

    DONALD RUMSFELD

     

    Role In Going To War: Prior to the war, Rumsfeld repeatedly suggested the war in Iraq would be short and swift. He said, “The Gulf War in the 1990s lasted five days on the ground. I can’t tell you if the use of force in Iraq today would last five days, or five weeks, or five months, but it certainly isn’t going to last any longer than that.” He also said, “It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.” [Rumsfeld, 11/14/02; USA Today, 4/1/03]

    Where He Is Now: After repeated calls for his resignation, Donald Rumsfeld finally stepped down on November 8, 2006, one day after the 2006 midterm elections. [AP, 11/8/06; Reuters, 3/19/06]

    Key Quote: “You go to war with the Army you have. They’re not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time.” [CNN, 12/9/04]

    CONDOLEEZZA RICE

     

    Role In Going To War: As National Security Adviser, Rice disregarded at least two CIA memos and a personal phone call from Director George Tenet stating that the evidence behind Iraq’s supposed uranium acquisition was weak. She urged the necessity of war because “we don’t want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud.” [Washington Post, 7/27/03; CNN, 9/8/02]

    Where She Is Now: In December of 2004, Condoleezza Rice was promoted to Secretary of State and is being widely-mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. [ABC News, 11/16/04]

    Key Quote: “We did not know at the time — maybe someone knew down in the bowels of the agency — but no one in our circles knew that there were doubts and suspicions that this might be a forgery. Of course it was information that was mistaken.” [Meet the Press, 6/8/03]

    DICK CHENEY

     

    Role In Going To War: Among a host of false pre-war statements, Cheney claimed that Iraq may have had a role in 9/11, stating that it was “pretty well confirmed” that 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta met with Iraqi intelligence officials. Cheney also claimed that Saddam was “in fact reconstituting his nuclear program” and that the U.S. would be “greeted as liberators.” [Meet the Press, 12/9/01, 3/16/03]

    Where He Is Now: Cheney earned another four years in power when Bush won re-election in 2004. Despite recent calls from conservatives calling for him to be replaced, Cheney has said, “I’ve now been elected to a second term; I’ll serve out my term.” [CBS Face the Nation, 3/19/06]

    Key Quote: “I think they’re in the last throes, if you will, of the insurgency.” [Larry King Live, 6/20/05]

    GEORGE W. BUSH

     

    Role In Going To War: Emphasizing Saddam Hussein’s supposed stockpile of weapons of mass destruction, supposed ties to al Qaeda, and supposed nuclear weapons program, Bush built public support for — and subsequently ordered — an invasion of Iraq. [State of the Union, 1/28/03]

    Where He Is Now: In November 2004, Bush won re-election. Since that time, popular support for the war and the President have reached a low point. [Washington Post, 3/7/06]

    Key Quote: “Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof — the smoking gun — that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud.” [Bush, 10/7/02]

    January 13

    BUSH QUOTES FROM HIS TONGUE TO YOUR BRAIN

     
     
     

    Note: Bushlexia is term created by a loyal Bush Watcher. As it has been variously described, it's a combination of dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, apraxia, illiteracy, ignorance, laziness, passive-aggressiveness, inappropriate humor, and an arrogant attitude of privilege. --Politex

    BUSH QUOTES FROM HIS TONGUE TO YOUR BRAIN


    Bushlexia: "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." --George W. Bush, Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005


    GALVESTON, Texas, April 26, 2005 (AP) - President Bush drew laughs from his audience Tuesday when he asked whether the Galveston area still hosts "Splash Day." The annual beach party that dates to the 1950s does live on -- but now as an unofficial gay and lesbian event. In town to speak about Social Security, Bush told the crowd: "I want to thank the mayor for being here -- Lyda Ann Thomas greeted me coming in. I said, 'Do you still have Splash Day?'"

    The crowd laughed. "You have to be a baby boomer to know what I'm talking about," Bush said. The crowd laughed again. Splash Day once marked the end of school and the beginning of summertime fun. The city backed off from it many years ago when it turned a little too wild, says Christy Benson of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce. It later became a party day for gays and lesbians. Drawing another round of laughter, Bush said: "I'm not saying whether I came or not on Splash Day. I'm just saying, 'Do you have Splash Day?'"


    Quips:
    ""We look forward to analyzing and working with legislation that will make--it would hope--put a free press's mind at ease that you're not being denied information you shouldn't see." --G.W. Bush, Washington, D.C., April 14, 2005

    "I want to thank you for the importance that you've shown for education and literacy." --G.W. Bush, Washington, D.C., April 13, 2005


    Quotes:
    "I repeat, personal accounts do not permanently fix the solution." --G. W. Bush, Washington, D.C., March 16, 2005


    BUSLEXIA: "We got a problem. And it is plain to see. It is such a problem that in the year 2042, the system is going to be broke.* If you're a younger person, you ought to be asking members of Congress and the United States Senate and the president what you intend to do about it." -- George W. Bush, Detroit, Feb. 8, 2005 more

    *That's a lie. Without doing anything, 75% of the needed funds will still be available. --Politex FactCheck.


    "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country." --George W. Bush, Sept. 6, 2004, Poplar Bluff, Mo.


    "Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2004


    "That's why I went to the Congress last September and proposed fundamental—supplemental funding, which is money for armor and body parts and ammunition and fuel." --George W. Bush, Erie, Pa., Sept. 4, 2004


    "I didn't join the International Criminal Court because I don't want to put our troops in the hands of prosecutors from other nations. Look, if somebody has done some wrong in our military, we'll take care of it. We got plenty of capability of dealing with justice." -- George W. Bush, Niceville, Fla., Aug. 10, 2004


    Bush Vows Harm To U.S.

    "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we," he said. "They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." Washington, D.C. 08.05.04


    "[Reagan] didn't take himself so seriously that he got kinda bunched up in his airs," Bush told NBC anchor Tom Brokaw. (NYP, 06.07.04)


    "But the true strength of America is found in the hearts and souls of people like Travis, people who are willing to love their neighbor, just like they would like to love themselves."—George W. Bush, Springfield, Mo., Feb. 9, 2004


    "More Muslims have died at the hands of killers than—I say more Muslims—a lot of Muslims have died—I don't know the exact count—at Istanbul. Look at these different places around the world where there's been tremendous death and destruction because killers kill."—George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004


    Let's Commensurate With Bush

    "I want to remind you all that I -- in order to fight and win the war, it requires a expenditure of money that is commiserate with keeping a promise to our troops to make sure that they're well-paid, well-trained, well-equipped." Bush, 12.15.03


    "As you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say." --George W. Bush, 10.28.03.


    "The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the -- the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice." --Washington, D.C., Oct. 27, 2003 "" --George W. Bush, 10.27.03.

    ***

    "This is historic times....whether they be Christian, Jew, or Muslim, or Hindu, people have heard the universal call to love a neighbor just like they'd like to be called themselves. --George W. Bush, 10.09.03.


    "Washington is a town where there's all kinds of allegations. You've heard much of the allegations. And if people have got solid information, please come forward with it. And that would be people inside the information who are the so-called anonymous sources, or people outside the information—outside the administration."
    --George W. Bush, Chicago, September 30, 2003


    "...that's just the nature of democracy. Sometimes pure politics enters into the rhetoric."
    --George W. Bush, Crawford, Tx., August 8, 2003


    "Security is the essential roadblock to achieving the road map to peace."
    --George W. Bush, July 25, 2003


    Bush Has Steadfast..."It's very interesting when you think about it, the slaves who left here to go to America, because of their steadfast and their religion and their belief in freedom, helped change America."— George W. Bush, Dakar, Senegal, July 8, 2003


    LOOK WHO'S TALKING...""You've also got to measure in order to begin to effect change that's just more—when there's more than talk, there's just actual—a paradigm shift."—- George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., July 1, 2003


    BUSHLEXIA..."All up and down the different aspects of our society, we had meaningful discussions. Not only in the Cabinet Room, but prior to this and after this day, our secretaries, respective secretaries, will continue to interact to create the conditions necessary for prosperity to reign." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., May 19, 2003


    LOOK, A MEANINGLESS PREDICTION..."We are on the look. We will reveal the truth. But one thing is certain. No terrorist network will gain weapons of mass destruction from the Iraqi regime, because the Iraqi regime is no more," the president says. --George W. Bush, Radio Australia


    BUSHLEXIA..."The true strength of America happens when a neighbor loves a neighbor just like they'd like to be loved themselves." --George W. Bush, Elizabeth, N.J., June 16, 2003


    BUSHLEXIA..."I am determined to keep the process on the road to peace." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., June 10, 2003


    "We are making steadfast progress." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., June 9, 2003 more


    BUSHLEXIA DOUBLE-DIP..."I recently met with the finance minister of the Palestinian Authority, was very impressed by his grasp of finances."—Washington, D.C., George W. Bush, May 29, 2003


    "Oftentimes, we live in a processed world—you know, people focus on the process and not results."—Washington, D.C., May 29, 2003 more


    "Israel has got responsibilities," Mr. Bush said. "Israel must deal with the settlements. Israel must make sure there's a continuous territory that Palestinians call home." (The White House, which late in the day produced a transcript of Mr. Bush's remarks, put the word "contiguous" in parentheses after "continuous," to indicate that "contiguous" was what Mr. Bush had meant.) --New York Times, 06.04.03


    "All up and down the different aspects of our society, we had meaningful discussions. Not only in the Cabinet Room, but prior to this and after this day, our secretaries, respective secretaries, will continue to interact to create the conditions necessary for prosperity to reign." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., May 19, 2003


    "We ended the rule of one of history's worst tyrants, and in so doing, we not only freed the American people, we made our own people more secure."--George W. Bush, Crawford, Texas, May 3, 2003


    "I don't bring God into my life to—to, you know, kind of be a political person." --Interview with Tom Brokaw aboard Air Force One, April 24, 2003


    "You're free. And freedom is beautiful. And, you know, it'll take time to restore chaos and order—order out of chaos. But we will."—-G. W. Bush, Washington, D.C., April 13, 2003


    "All of us need to step back and try to figure out how to make the U.N. work better as we head into the 21st century. Perhaps one way will be, if we use military force, in the post-Saddam Iraq the U.N. will definitely need to have a role. And that way it can begin to get its legs, legs of responsibility back." --Azores, March 16, 2003


    "I know there's a lot of young ladies who are growing up wondering whether or not they can be champs. And they see the championship teams from USC and University of Portland here, girls who worked hard to get to where they are, and they're wondering about the example they're setting. What is life choices about?" --Washington, D.C., Feb. 24, 2003


    "It is wonderful to be here at Harrison High. I'm honored to be in the presence of the principal, Donnie Griggers. I want to thank he and his staff -- (applause) -- he and his fine staff for putting up with the entourage." --Kennesaw, Georgia, 02.20.03


    "Now, we talked to Joan Hanover. She and her husband, George, were visiting with us. They are near retirement—retiring—in the process of retiring, meaning they're very smart, active, capable people who are retirement age and are retiring."—Alexandria, Va., Feb. 12, 2003.


    "I want to thank members of my administration who are here who will be involved in the implementation of some of the initiatives that I've outlined to the United States Congress. The Secretary of Education is here, Rod Paige, behind me. John Ashcroft is here... And, most importantly, Alma Powell, secretary of Colin Powell, is with us." --White House, 01.30.03


    "The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness to terrorize himself."—Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 29, 2003


    Should any Iraqi officer or soldier receive an order from Saddam Hussein or his sons or any of the killers who occupy the high levels of their government, my advice is don't follow that order," Bush said. "If you choose to do so, when Iraq is liberated, you will be treated, tried and persecuted as a war criminal." —St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 22, 2003


    "It's money that -- that will recognize that power is best when it's disbursed to the people we're trying to help." —Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 2003


    "Perhaps the biggest problem is that we have passed children from grade to grade, year after year, and those -- child hadn't learned the basics of reading and math." —Washington, D.C., Jan. 8, 2003


    "One year ago today, the time for excuse-making has come to an end." - —Washington, D.C., Jan. 8, 2003


    "I think the American people—I hope the American—I don't think, let me—I hope the American people trust me." -—Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2002


    "There's only one person who hugs the mothers and the widows, the wives and the kids upon the death of their loved one. Others hug but having committed the troops, I've got an additional responsibility to hug and that's me and I know what it's like." —Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2002


    The law I sign today directs new funds and new focus to the task of collecting vital intelligence on terrorist threats and on weapons of mass production." --George W. Bush, White House, Nov. 27, 2002


    Bush Praises Wellstone's Conviction

    By The Associated Press, Friday, October 24, 3:36 PM

    CRAWFORD, Texas (AP)--"President Bush called Sen. Paul Wellstone 'a plainspoken fellow' who did his best for Minnesota and the United States. 'I would like to express my deep condolences for the loss of the Senate,' Bush said shortly after hearing of Wellstone's death Friday. 'And also, I would like to express my condolences to the bereaved family.'"


    "I was proud the other day when both Republicans and Democrats stood with me in the Rose Garden to announce their support for a clear statement of purpose: you disarm, or we will." --George W. Bush, Oct. 5, 2002, Re Iraq debate in Congress White House Transcript


    "There's an old...saying in Tennessee...I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee that says Fool me once...(3 second pause)... Shame on...(4 second pause)...Shame on you....(6 second pause)...Fool me...Can't get fooled again." --George W. Bush to Nashville, Tennessee audience, Sept. 17, 2002, MSNBC-TV --Politex, Sept. 17, 2002, 10 PM

    to hear bush mangle that "old texas saying" click here.


    "Did you catch Dubya calling Saddam a "homocidal maniac" on TV today? Long "o," "homocidal"! --Jay, Sept. 16, 2002


    I just heard Bu$h in his Iowa speech about 'growing the economy' explaining how, if we give more tax money back to busnessmen, that allows them in his words: "to produce a 'gooder' service." He said this three times, so I am sure of what I just heard. I am sure he meant 'produce a "better" service.' Where the heck did he learn english? --Steve Marshall, Sept. 16, 2002

    Actually, Steve, Bush is slurring "good or service." He tried to correct this speech problem last week, and the discouraging results are reported below. --Politex


    ""When they demand or good a service in our society, somebody is more likely to produce it." --George W. Bush, Indiana, circa Sept. 5, 2002. WP, Sept. 10, 2002


    "There's no doubt in my mind that we should allow the world worst leaders to hold America hostage, to threaten our peace, to threaten our friends and allies with the world's worst weapons." --George W. Bush, South Bend, Indiana, Sept. 5, 2002. Official White House Site

    The Bushes And The Carlyle

     
     
    CHRONOLOGY: The Bushes And The Carlyle Group

    by Jerry Politex, Monday, Jan. 10, 2000

    In early September the "Washington Post" published a story about Bush "top fund-raiser" Wayne Berman, president of Park Strategies LLC in Connecticut, whose activities are being looked at by the FBI. One such activity has $50 million in state pension funds being invested through Park Strategies into a Carlyle Group fund. Carlyle is a "Washington merchant bank and client of Park Strategies that retains former president George Bush as a senior consultant." In 1991 Bush had appointed Berman to be assistant secretary of commerce. Last year Berman and retired senator Al D'Amato (R-NY) formed Park Strategies and hired Paul Silvester, who previously was Connecticut's treasurer and was in charge of investing state pension funds. According to the Washington Post, "Silvester was a catch for the firm because of his familiarity with state treasurers from around the country, who control massive pension funds hungry for new investments. Berman too is intimately familiar with many top state officials because he is a leading fund-raiser for the Republican Governors Association."

    The Carlyle Group is also a who's-who of political operatives: "Like Park Strategies, Carlyle also markets its familiarity with government officials--among its partners are former secretary of state James A. Baker III, former defense secretary Frank C. Carlucci and former White House budget chief Richard Darman. The Carlyle Asian investment fund that received the $50 million sum from Connecticut also retains former president Bush as a top adviser, and Carlyle's European fund retains former British prime minister John Major. Both men have made hundreds of thousands of dollars counseling Carlyle on where to invest its money overseas, introducing Carlyle executives to foreign leaders and giving speeches at Carlyle gatherings. Bush's fees from Carlyle are poured into his accounts in various Carlyle funds, which lately have yielded up to 40 percent a year in returns." more

    by Jerry Politex, Wednesday, January 12, 200 9:00

    Bush tells folks outside of Texas that if they don't know what he's capable of doing, they should just come down to Texas and look around. Then they'd know. Some are dismayed by what they've found. On Monday we wrote that in the February issue of "Harper's" Joe Conason's will "report that scant weeks after Dubya was sworn in as first-term Texas governor in 1995, the University of Texas Board of Regents voted to place millions of state dollars with the Carlyle Group, even though Bush had just quit his job as a corporate director of Carlyle-owned Caterair, a leading U.S. airline caterer." more

    an anonymous reporter submitted the following toRed Rock Eater News Service (RRE) newsletter...

    Key Stories And A Money Chart May Be Found At Bush Watch Here.

    Back in January when the administration was new, the Washington Monthly noted (2nd last item)the Bush family business:
    http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/tilting/2001/0104.tilting.html

    The NYT ran a front-page photo of former President Bush with Saudi King Fahd on a trip to Saudi Arabia as part of his work for the Carlyle Group. The ice-breaking story by Leslie Wayne quoted Charles Lewis: "In a really peculiar way, George W. Bush could, some day, benefit financially from his own administration's decisions, through his father's investments. The average American doesn't know that and, to me, that's a jaw-dropper."
    http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/05/politics/05CARL.html

    Judicial Watch commented that the senior Bush's association with the Carlyle Group was a "conflict of interest (which) could cause problems for America's foreign policy in Middle East and Asia". Judicial Watch called on the President's father to resign.

    Without saying 'revolving door, it was noted that the former FCC chair was joining the telecom and media section at Carlyle:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/02/business/02KENN.html

    On May 7, European Venture Capital Journal identified the Carlyle Group as heavy hitters with "an all-star roster of professionals (that) just got stronger":
    http://www.evcj.com/evcj/ZZZW91V8LKC.html

    On May 13 when another conservative world leader cashed in his chips and traded on his former government insider status and knowledge of the regulatory system, the BBC ran a story headlined: Major to chair private equity house

    The London Times followed on May 26, noting that "The employment of Bush Sr has attracted attention, mainly because his son is ultimately responsible for awarding US arms contracts":
    http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,37-2001180089,00.html

    In late September The Wall Street Journal touched on salient aspects of the story last month by highlighting the bin Laden family investments in the Carlyle Group, then dropped it like a hot 'tater. "Bin Laden Family Could Profit From a Jump In Defense Spending Due to Ties to U.S. Bank", by Daniel Golden, James Bandler, and Marcus Walker, The Wall Street Journal, 9/28/01

    After the WSJ story, Judicial Watch spokesman Larry Klayman posted a release uppping the ante. He was again ignored by the mainstream when he said, "This conflict of interest has now turned into a scandal. The idea of the President's father, an ex-president himself, doing business with a company under investigation by the FBI in the terror attacks of September 11 is horrible. President Bush should not ask, but demand, that his father pull out of the Carlyle Group."

    A down under paper picked it up: Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
    http://www.theage.com.au/news/state/2001/10/28/FFX262DBATC.html

    The confluence of Bush and bin Laden family interests was noted briefly in the last item at:
    http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0111.whoswho.html

    Along with others in the world press, India and Pakistani newspapers have either either reported or copied aspects of the perceived conflicts:
    http://www.hindustantimes.com/nonfram/280901/dLAME27.asp http://news.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1197180992

    There's been a little but not much editorial comment:
    http://baltimorechronicle.com/media3_oct01.shtml
    and indignation at the Center for Public Integrity, which was then strangely attacked by a Washington Post columnist.
    http://www.public-i.org/story_01_103100.htm
    http://www.public-i.org/commentary_01_042001.htm
    http://www.public-i.org/story_01_021201.htm
    Charles Lewis of the Center for Public Integrity discusses the revolving door of the Carlyle Group.
    (audio, Democracy, Now!, Pacifica Radio, March 6)

    The WSJ story had legs. For a few weeks in October, the mainstream, including LAT and the Chicago Tribune among others, turned up the heat on Saudi Arabia, so much so that President Bush felt compelled to call the Saudi Prince to thank him for "cooperating" with the investigation to find the perpetrators of the attacks on the Pentagon and Twin Towers.

    On October 25, the NY Times' Elaine Sciolino and Neil MacFarquhar told of the delicate dance: Naming of Hijackers as Saudis May Further Erode Ties to U.S. The story ran with a photograph of Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal with President Bush in the Oval Office, noting that "the Saudis value such personal contacts highly".

    The engine at govexec.com presents and searches tables that sort and order defense contractors. Among many tables that establish the Carlyle Group as the 11th and sometimes 12th leading defense contractor, depending on which branch of the armed forces is the purchasing agent, there's one table that establishes President Bush's family business as the 12th largest missile defense contractor:
    http://www.govexec.com/top200/01top/catmissiles.htm
    But only 32nd in defense contracting of electronics and communications:
    http://www.govexec.com/top200/01top/catelectronic.htm

    The defense angle was covered by Defense News in August:
    http://www.veritascapital.com/view_news.asp?ID=14

    After 9 11, the Carlyle Group pulled the plug on its Web pages, which are still visible in Google's cache but won't be for a lot longer. Bush AND "Carlyle Group" is one possible search term.

    Some U.S. editors are ignoring or downplaying the story while the U.K. and other international press are interested. A topical example from a recent week:

    A buried one liner in a U.S. newspaper notes with no elaboration the revolving door relationship between the administration and the Carlyle Group:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14990-2001Oct30.html

    Forty-five days after the dive-bombing at the Twin Towers, another buried one liner confides that the bin Laden family will no longer be doing business with the Bush family within the Carlyle Group:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59924-2001Oct26.html

    Part of the larger picture is explored at The Ex-President's Club at:
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/wtccrash/story/0,1300,583869,00.html

    If this Guardian story is true, then there was not, as was widely reported, a massive U.S. intelligence failure leading to 9 11.
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4293682,00.html

    Sydney Morning rewrote the above story, crediting the BBC: Before 9 11, Bush told agents to back off bin Ladin family
    http://www.smh.com.au/news/0111/07/world/world100.html

     

    From http://www.bushwatch.com 

    Khalid Hammour

    January 09

    UN and sex abuse in Sudan !








     
     
    From Sudaneseonline.com
    Khalid Hammour
     
     
    January 04

    The Top Ten Funniest Bushisms, Bush Quotes and Bush Bloopers of 2004

     
     
     

    The Top Ten Funniest Bushisms, Bush Quotes and Bush Bloopers of 2004


     

    10) "I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me." 

    —Nashville, Tenn., May 27, 2004

    9) "Then you wake up at the high school level and find out that the illiteracy level of our children are appalling." 

    —Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004

    8) "Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat." 

    Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2004

    7) "It's a time of sorrow and sadness when we lose a loss of life."

    Washington, D.C., Dec. 21, 2004

     
    6) We will make sure our troops have all that is necessary to complete their missions. That's why I went to the Congress last September and proposed fundamental — supplemental funding, which is money for armor and body parts and ammunition and fuel."

    —Erie, Pa., Sept. 4, 2004

    5) "After standing on the stage, after the debates, I made it very plain, we will not have an all-volunteer army. And yet, this week — we will have an all-volunteer army!" 

    —Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 16, 2004

     

    4) "Tribal sovereignty means that; it's sovereign. I mean, you're a — you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And therefore the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities." —Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 2004 

    3) "I hear there's rumors on the Internets that we're going to have a draft." 

    —second presidential debate, St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 2004 

    2) "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." 

    —Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004 

    1) "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." 

    —Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004 

    Bush Address To The Nation ! Full of Mistakes Idiot !

     
     

    Where Wings Take Dream

     An Inspirational New Year's Address to the Nation

    By George W. Bush

       Compiled entirely out of actual Bush quotes,   by InnocentEnglish.com

     

    My Fellow Americans,

    During these holiday seasons, we thank our blessings.1

    I want to thank my friend, Senator Bill Frist, for joining us today. … He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me.2

    Thank you for reminding me about the importance of being a good mom and a great volunteer as well.3

    I'm so pleased to be able to say hello to Bill Scranton. He's one of the great Pennsylvania political families.4

    I’m looking forward to working with him in the United Nations Senate.5

    To protect the United Nations Constitution.6

    I was raised in the West. The west of Texas. It's pretty close to California. In more ways than Washington, D.C., is close to California.7

    I talked to my little brother, Jeb—I haven't told this to many people. But he's the governor of—I shouldn't call him my little brother--my brother, Jeb, the great governor of Texas!8

    Actually, I—this may sound a little West Texan to you, but I like it. When I'm talking about—when I'm talking about myself, and when he's talking about myself, all of us are talking about me.9

    I was raised in West Texas, in the middle of the desert, a long way away from anywhere, hardly. There's a certain set of values you learn in that experience.10

    I'm a proud man to be the nation based upon such wonderful values!11

    I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe—I believe what I believe is right!12 

    I think if you know what you believe, it makes it a lot easier to answer questions. I can't answer your question.13

    I haven't had a chance to ask the questioners the question they've been questioning.14

    The important question is, how many hands have I shaked?15

    I hope we get to the bottom of the answer. It's what I'm interested to know.16

    I suspect that had my dad not been president, he'd be asking the same questions:… How did you feel when you stood up in front of the people for the State of the Union Address—state of the budget address, whatever you call it.17

    In my State of the—my State of the Union—or state—my speech to the nation, whatever you want to call it, speech to the nation—I asked Americans to give 4,000 years—4,000 hours over the next—the rest of your life—of service to America. That's what I asked—4,000 hours.18

    I want to thank leaders of the—in the faith—faith-based and community-based community for being here.19

    Our priorities is our faith.20

    That is called, “A Charge To Keep” based upon a religious hymn. The hymn talks about serving God. The president's job is never to promote a religion.21

    I think the American people—I hope the American–I don't think, let me—I hope the American people trust me.22

    I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness.23

    There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again.24

    It's a myth to think I don't know what's going on.25

    I mean, I read the newspaper. I mean, I can tell you what the headlines are:26

    -This Thursday, ticket counters and airplanes will fly out of Ronald Reagan Airport.27

    -Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country.28

    -Over 75 percent of white Americans own their home, and less than 50 percent of Hispanos and African Americans don't own their home.29

    I glance at the headlines just to kind of get a flavor for what's moving. I rarely read the stories, and get briefed by people who are probably read the news themselves.30

    I'm also not very analytical. You know I don't spend a lot of time thinking about myself, about why I do things.31

    I'm the commander. See, I don't need to explain-- I  do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being president.32

    That's George Washington, the first president, of course. The interesting thing about him is that I read three-- three or four books about him last year. Isn't that interesting?33

    In this job you've got a lot on your plate on a regular basis; you don't have much time to sit around and wander, lonely, in the Oval Office, kind of asking different portraits, “How do you think my standing will be?”34

    There's no such thing as legacies. At least, there is a legacy, but I'll never see it.35

    You never know what your history is going to be like until long after you're gone.36

    I would say the best moment of all was when I caught a 7.5 pound largemouth bass in my lake.37

    That's a chapter, the last chapter of the 20th, 20th, the 21st century that most of us would rather forget.38

    I think we agree, the past is over.39

    There may be some tough times here in America. But this country has gone through tough times before, and we're going to do it again.40

    It's important for us to explain to our nation that life is important. It's not only life of babies, but it's life of children living in, you know, the dark dungeons of the Internet.41

    One of the things I’ve used on the Google is to pull up maps. 42

    Wow, Brazil is big!43

    By the way, we rank 10th amongst the industrialized world in broadband technology and its availability. That's not good enough for America. Tenth is 10 spots too low as far as I'm concerned.44

    We expect the states to show us whether or not we're achieving simple objectives—like literacy, literacy in math, the ability to read and write.45

    You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test!46

    Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning? 47

    The illiteracy level of our children are appalling!48

    Having an education system that's responsive to the child and to the parents will make America what we want it to be—a literate country and a hopefuller country.49

    I aim to be a competitive nation.50

    It's very important for folks to understand that when there's more trade, there's more commerce.51

    We thought we were protected forever from trade policy or terrorist attacks because oceans protected us.52

    I based a lot of my foreign policy decisions on some things that I think are true:53

    -We've got 250 million years of coal.54

    -Those who enter the country illegally violate the law.55

    -Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease.56

    -For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times.57

    -It's important to think beyond the old days of when we had the concept that if we blew each other up, the world would be safe.58

    -I think war is a dangerous place.59

    -The only way we can win is if we leave before the job is done.60

    You know, when I campaigned here in 2000, I said I want to be a war President. No President wants to be a war President, but I am one.61

    I hear there's rumors on the Internets that we're going to have a draft.62

    After standing on the stage, after the debates, I made it very plain, we will not have an all-volunteer army. And yet, this week—we will have an all-volunteer army!63

    Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we!64

    It's in our country's interests to find those who would do harm to us and get them out of harm's way.65

    There's no doubt in my mind that we should allow the world worst leaders to hold America hostage, to threaten our peace, to threaten our friends and allies with the world's worst weapons.66

    The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice!67

    One year ago today, the time for excuse-making has come to an end!68

    We cannot let terrorists and rogue nations hold this nation hostile or hold our allies hostile!69

    You disarm. Or we will!70

    My administration has been calling upon all the leaders in the Middle East to do everything they can to stop the violence, to tell the different parties involved that peace will never happen.71

    I am an optimistic person. I guess if you want to try to find something to be pessimistic about, you can find it, no matter how hard you look, you know.72

    See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction.73

    My views are one that speaks to freedom.74

    There's nothing more deep than recognizing Israel's right to exist. That's the most deep thought of all. ... I can't think of anything more deep than that right.75

    I've reminded the Prime Minister -- the American people, Mr. Prime Minister, over the past months that it was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship.76

    I think -- tide turning -- see, as I remember -- I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of -- it's easy to see a tide turn -- did I say those words?77

    It'll take time to restore chaos and order.78

    Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house—he's lost his entire house—there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch.79

    I can't wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbors back into neighborhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs.80

    We want anybody who can find work to be able to find work.81

    I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family!82

    We ought to make the pie higher!83

    The best way to relieve families from time is to let them keep some of their own money.84

    It's your money. You paid for it.85

    In other words, I don't think people ought to be compelled to make the decision which they think is best for their family.86

    Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream!87

    I hope the ambitious realize that they are more likely to succeed with success as opposed to failure.88

    If you don't have any ambitions, the minimum-wage job isn't going to get you to where you want to get, for example. In other words, what is your ambitions? And oh, by the way, if that is your ambition, here's what it's going to take to achieve it:89

    You work three jobs?… Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that!90

    This is what I'm good at. I like meeting people, my fellow citizens, I like interfacing with them.91

    Let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill.92

    Not to dis my friend, Vice President Dick Cheney.93

    Just remember it's the birds that's supposed to suffer, not the hunter.94

    I'm glad my Vice President is not running for President. Not that he would make a great President.95

    But here’s the thing:96

    I think the president has to be smart.97

    A leadership is someone who brings people together!98

    The goals for this country are peace in the world. And the goals for this country are a compassionate American for every single citizen!99

    We must all hear the universal call to like your neighbor just like you like to be liked yourself!100

    But in closing, the way I see it is I am a boon to the English language. I've coined new words, like, “misunderstanding” and “Hispanically”.101

    Anybody who is in a position to serve this country ought to understand the consequences of words.102

    I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep on the soil of a friend.103

    Thank you, and God bless America.

    Where wings take dream!104


    ~ ~ ~ ~


    Where Wings Take Dream:
    An Inspirational Address to the Nation, by George W. Bush.
    (Compiled entirely from Bush Quotes, by
    InnocentEnglish.com)





    REFERENCES:

    (A word from each quote is in parenthesis for easier tracking)

    1 (Holiday) Fort Belvoir, Va., Dec. 10, 2004
    2 (Frist) Nashville, Tenn., May 27, 2004
    3 (good mom) St. Louis, Jan. 5, 2004
    4 (Bill Scranton) Drexel Hill, Penn., Sept. 15, 2003
    5 (UN senate) Aberdeen, S.D., Oct. 31, 2002
    6 (UN Constitution) Aberdeen, S.D., Oct. 31, 2002
    7 (raised) Los Angeles, as quoted in the Los Angeles Times, April 8, 2000
    8 (brother Jeb) The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer, April 27, 2000
    9 (sound west Texan) Hardball, MSNBC, May 31, 2000
    10 (middle of desert) Washington, D.C., May 5, 2006
    11 (proud man) Washington, D.C., July 2, 2001
    12 (know what I believe) Rome, July 22, 2001
    13 (can’t answer) Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Oct. 4, 2000
    14 (ask questioners) Austin, Texas, Jan. 8, 2001
    15 (hand shaked) the New York Times, Oct. 23, 1999
    16 (answer bottom) as quoted by the Associated Press, April 26, 2000
    17 (I suspect) Interview with the Washington Post, March 9, 2001
    18 (in my state)  Bridgeport, Conn., April 9, 2002
    19 (faith based) Washington, D.C., Sept. 6, 2005
    20 (priorities) Greensboro, N.C., Oct. 10, 2000
    21 (charge to keep) During an interview with German newspaper reporter Kai Diekmann in the Oval Office, May 5, 2006
    22 (people trust) Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2002
    23 (trustworthiness) CNN online chat, Aug. 30, 2000
    24 (Tennessee) Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
    25 (myth) Philadelphia, Dec. 12, 2005
    26 (newspaper) Philadelphia, Dec. 12, 2005
    27 (airport) Reagon National Airport, Oct 2, 2001
    28 (OB/GYN) Sept. 6, 2004, Poplar Bluff, Mo
    29 (own home) Cleveland, Ohio, July 1, 2002
    30 (glance) Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2003
    31 (analytical) Air Force One, June 4, 2003
    32 (Commander) as quoted in Bob Woodward's “Bush at War”
    33 (George Washington) During an interview with German newspaper reporter Kai Diekmann in the Oval Office, May 5, 2006
    34 (in this job) Washington, D.C., March 16, 2005
    35 (legacies) Washington, D.C., Jan. 31, 2001
    36 (never know) Washington, D.C., May 5, 2006
    37 (best moment) on his best moment in office, interview with the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, May 7, 2006
    38 (chapter) Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 24, 2000
    39 (past over) Dallas Morning News, May 10, 2000
    40 (tough times) Waco, Texas, Aug. 13, 2002
    41 (important) Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 24, 2000
    42 (the google) interview with CNBC's Maria Bartiromo, Oct. 24, 2006
    43 (Wow) when shown a map of Brazil by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 6, 2005
    44 (rank) Minneapolis, Minn., April 26, 2004
    45 (state requirements) Washington, D.C., April 28, 2005
    46 (teach child) Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001
    47 (learning) Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000
    48 (illiteracy) Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004
    49 (hopefuller) Washington, D.C., Jan. 11, 2001
    50 (competitive) San Jose, Calif., April 21, 2006
    51 (commerce) Quebec City, Canada, April 21, 2001
    52(protected) Santiago, Chile, Nov. 20, 2004
    53 (based policy) Irvine, California, Apr. 24, 2006
    54 (coal) Washington, D.C., June 8, 2005
    55 (violate) Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 28, 2005
    56 (Africa nation) Gothenburg, Sweden, June 14, 2001
    57 (alliances) Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 18, 2002
    58 (blow up) Washington, D.C., May 1, 2001
    59 (dangerous) Washington, D.C., May 7, 2003
    60  (win) Nov. 3, 2006, Colorado.
    61 (war president) Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 26, 2006
    62 (draft) St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 2004
    63 (volunteer) Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 16, 2004
    64 (enemies) Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
    65 (harm) Washington, D.C., April 28, 2005
    66 (no doubt) South Bend, Ind., Sept. 5, 2002
    67 (vast) Washington, D.C., Oct. 27, 2003
    68 (year ago) Washington, D.C., Jan. 8, 2003
    69 (hostile) Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 21, 2000
    70 (disarm) Manchester, N.H., Oct. 5,
    71 (administration) Crawford, Texas, Aug, 13, 2001
    72 (optimistic) Washington, D.C., June 15, 2004
    73 (free nations) Milwaukee, Wis., Oct 3, 2003.
    74 (views) Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004
    75 (Israel) Washington, D.C., March 13, 2002
    76 (Prime Minister) Washington, D.C., June 29, 2006
    77 (tide turning) Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006
    78 (chaos) Washington, D.C., April 13, 2003
    79 (Trent) Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005
    80 (jobs) Poplarville, Miss., Sept. 5, 2005
    81 (work) 60 Minutes II, Dec. 5, 2000
    82 (family) Greater Nashua, N.H., Jan. 27, 2000
    83 (pie) South Carolina Republican Debate, Feb. 15, 2000
    84 (keep money) Westminster, Calif., Sept. 13, 2000
    85 (your money) LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000
    86 (decision) Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2002
    87 (wings) LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000
    88 (success)  Interview with the Associated Press, Jan. 18, 2001
    89 (ambitions) Speech to students in Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 29, 2002
    90 (fantastic) to a divorced mother of three, Omaha, Nebraska, Feb.4 2005
    91(interfacing)  Pittsburgh, Sept. 8, 2000
    92 (killers) Washington, D.C., May 19, 2003
    93 (dis) Stralsund, Germany, July 13, 2006
    94 (hunting) Roswell, N.M., Jan. 22, 2004
    95 (I’m glad) http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060410-1.html
    96 (here’s) Larry King Live, Dec. 30, 2000
    97 (smart) Larry King Live, Dec. 30, 2000
    98 (leadership) Bartlett, Tenn., Aug. 18, 2000
    99 (goals) Washington, D.C., Dec. 19, 2002
    100 (call) South Carolina, as quoted in the Financial Times, Jan. 14, 2000
    101 (coined) Radio-Television Correspondents Assoc. dinner, Washington, D.C., March 29, 2001
    102 (words) interview with Rush Limbaugh, Nov. 1, 2006
    103 (soil) Washington D.C., June 29, 2005
    104 (wings) LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000

    Is George W. Bush stupid?

     
     

    The Ribald Reign of King George the Second

    Is George W. Bush Stupid?

    What a Stupid Question!

    Over a year ago (March 16, 2002) Donald Riese posted the following challenge to Bush supporters:

    "George Bush is a stupid, stupid man. Part of the fun of this web site is that George has done so much of the work (of exposing himself as a moron) himself: everyone *knows* he's an idiot! But wait--maybe that's not fair; maybe not everyone agrees he's a dolt. I have to say, though, in all my arguments with people who support His Fraudulency, not one person has made a viable argument, articulated in clear English, as to why it's *inaccurate* to say George is stupid. Not one. So I want to hear it. Where are the people who think George W. Bush is *not* very, very dumb? Post your messages here. Convince me. Bring it on. You'll fail."

    Guess what? Over a year later, although we've had between one and two hundred thousand unique visitors in the meantime, we've had only two responses. The first is from from Tristan in Benton, Arkansas. Perhaps we should say "non-response". Here it is:

    "By reading this i have to wonder many things about the author, my biggest question; however, is why the author did not back up his claims with some proof. The author did not give any reasons at all why he believes George W. Bush is "stupid". The reason why is because there is nothing to back up his comments with. All the author is is a very moronic person trying to sound intelligent by 'dissing" our president. So, to prove me wrong back up your statement with some real evidence." - Tristan

    Now, Tristan, the challenge was to prove that George W. Bush is NOT stupid. Is this retort, that we should prove that Bush IS stupid, the best you can do? Are you seriously saying that you cannot come up with proof of George W. Bush's intelligence? Is your only defense of Bush that no one has proved that he's a complete idiot? Is this the best that any Bush defender can do? Seems to be so.

    Well, ok then. It's a slow day, so we'll take your challenge, to demonstrate George W. Bush's less-than-brainy nature. The following points are just for starters:

    Is George W. Bush stupid?

    Let's start with the fact that Bush's advisors won't allow him to make un-scripted appearances. Unlike presidents before him, George W. refuses to hold regularly-scheduled press conferences in which he has to answer unanticipated questions from reporters. Even Bush's appearance at a pre-scheduled "press conference" to inform the nation of his plans to launch an unprovoked invasion of Iraq was exposed as a pre-scripted event by reporters in attendance. The fact that Bush's advisors won't let the President speak for himself in public indicates that they don't think that he's smart enough.

    Is George W. Bush stupid?

    More evidence for his lack of intelligence is his inability to adhere to the basic rules of English grammar, like keeping the same verb tense in a single sentence. George W. Bush commonly mixes the present tense with the past tense. He also mixes up singular and plural, unable to conjugate the most simple verbs in English. The most famous example is Bush's embarrasing campaign question, "Is our children learning?" The correct sentence would have been "Are our children learning?" This skill is taught in elementary school, so why can't George W. get it right?

    Is George W. Bush stupid?

    His ignorance of the basics of history is a pretty clear example of the ways in which his little mind is just not up to the job of President. In February, for example, Bush lectured the Japanese parliament about how the United States and Japan had been allies "for a century and a half", when in fact, the US and Japan have only been allied since after World War II, which ended just over 50 years ago. You'll also remember how when he was campaigning to be President, Bush had no idea who the President of Pakistan was, even though the military coup in Pakistan had recently been front-page news. Campaigning for President and not bothering to read the newspaper sounds pretty stupid to me.

    Is George W. Bush stupid?

    Well, he got below average grades in college and spent half of his adult life as a drunk, and some say a cocaine addict. That's a dumb thing to do, and alcohol kills brain cells, so we know he could have ended up a lot smarter than he is today. Driving drunk, which he admits to doing and has been convicted for, is definitely a stupid thing to do. Of course, his advisors tried to keep that conviction off the public record, which is also what they do with his public comments and speeches - they censor and edit them after the fact, changing the official transcripts to erase his mistakes! His advisors must think he's stupid if they have to fix what he says (it's all documented in the Washington Post - look it up if you can manage it).

    Is George W. Bush stupid?

    He doesn't even understand how the beliefs of his own church are different from the beliefs of other churches, even though he goes to church every week! In 1994, George W said, "The Episcopal Church is very ritualistic and it has a kind of repetition to the service. It's the same service, basically, over and over again. Different sermon, of course. The Methodist Church is lower key. We don't have the kneeling. And I'm sure there is some kind of heavy doctrinal difference as well, which I'm not sophisticated enough to explain to you." He admits he's not smart to understand how Methodist theology is different from Episcopal theology, so how can he understand the nuances of U.S. foreign policy?

    Is George W. Bush dumb?

    He apparently is pretty fuzzy-headed about the economy and basic mathematics. Last year, he was insisting that his tax cuts combined with increased spending would ensure the continuation of a budget surplus. To professional economists, that idea seemed to be kind of stupid. They said so, but George W. Bush dismissed their criticism. Now, it turns out that Bush has admitted that he was wrong, and that the United States will have budget deficits for the next decade because of his fuzzy math. In a show of unbelievably bull-headed inanity, George W. Bush is calling for making these damaging tax cuts permanent. Heck, during the debates, Bush admitted that he had difficulty with math that required a calculator. Is that smart?

    Is George W. Bush dumb?

    He said he appointed Thomas White to be Secretary of the Army because White had great business experience at Enron. Bush said he wanted Thomas White to run the Army like he ran his business. The problem is, White's former employees say that he was dishonest and helped to set up fake partnerships that eventually led to Enron's bankruptcy. White responds that he had no part in the illegal fraud because he wasn't really in touch with the operations of the division he was supposed to be in charge with. So, either White is either a criminal or grossly incompetent. When George W. Bush appointed this man to run the United States Army, it was a very stupid thing to do.

    Is George W. Bush dumb?

    He has no understanding of basic scientific concepts, and even worse, he makes up science in order to support his own policies. He has stated that he believes that creationism has equal scientific validity as the theories of biological evolution through natural selection. He doesn't understand the basic science of global warming, genetic engineering, stem cell research, cloning, abstinence education, contraception and missile shield research. Time and time again, he's gotten the science wrong on these issues, even though the correct information was readily available. We're in the 21st century now, and we need a President who is well-educated and able to critically evaluate the science behind public policy. When it comes to scientific literacy, George W. Bush gets a failing grade.

    In just a few paragraphs, we've been able to cite many examples of George W. Bush's stupidity, ignorance and intellectual laziness. We could go on for much longer. As his inept muddling with U.S. policy in the Middle East has proven, George W. Bush just doesn't have the brains to be a good President. Since he's become President, the economy has faltered, U.S foreign policy has disintegrated into a confused tangle, constitutional freedoms have been undermined, and environmental protections have been destroyed so that Bush's big oil executive friends can make bigger profits for themselves. Heck, Bush couldn't even maintain control over the Senate in a non-election year! His presidency has been a chaotic mess.

    Is George W. Bush stupid?

    What a stupid question: of course he is!

    Now, we encourage you to read the second attempt at proof of Bush's intelligence we've received, thankfully a little bit more substantive.

    Confronted with the lack of any successful response, we must repeat the challenge. Come on, you lovers of Bush, you exalters of George, you devotees of the Lucky Sperm Club, you can do better than this. Give us a viable, well-articulated argument to show us the error of our ways. Show us King George is really a smartie.

    Can you do it, or do you admit that George W. Bush just plain plumb dumb after all?

    Click Here to snap us back into place with your brilliant demonstration of Dubya's sagacious ways. Or, you could do nothing and slink off muttering in defeat...

    Of course, we've had no responses from Bush supporters in the past six months, even though this page is one of the most read of hundreds available at Irregular Times. What gives? Ah, well. With no challenges on this front, we've decided to expand the list of Bush's stupidities for the 2004 election. By November 2004, we are committed to naming 2004 reasons to Boot Bush. Click here to read the list we've got so far. Or Click here to send us your own reason to add to the ever-growing list.

    From irregulartimes.com

    Khalid Hammour

    December 31

    SADDAM .. another Hero Got Off !

     
    The Lion May Sleep , but never DIES !
     
     
     
     
    December 30

    SADDAM !!

     
     
     
    Saddam hanged at dawn
    Saddam was executed at an Iraqi military base in northern Baghdad [AFP]

    Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi president, has been hanged, Iraqi officials have said.
     
    The execution took place shortly before 6am (03:00 GMT) on Saturday at an Iraqi miltary facility in northern Baghdad.
     
    Iraqi television later showed footage of Saddam being placed in a noose by hangmen, cutting away just before his execution.
    The 69-year-old appeared calm, chatting to his hangmen as they wrapped his neck in black cloth and steered him towards the gallows.
     
    Iraqi television later showed footage of his body.
     
    Saddam was convicted last month of the killings of 148 Shias after a failed assassination attempt in 1982.

    Late on Saturday, a defence lawyer said Saddam's body was flown on board a US plane to his family hometown of Tikrit for burial.

    Lawyer Bushra al-Khalil told Reuters the body of the former leader was now in Tikrit.

    Sources told Al Jazeera that Saddam would be buried at his family burial ground in the village of al-Oja near Tikrit on Sunday morning.

    Celebrations

    After the execution, the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki,  urged Saddam's fellow Baathists to reconsider their tactics and join the political process.
     
    "I urged followers of the ousted regime to reconsider their stance as the door is still open to anyone who has no innocent blood on his hands, to help in rebuilding an Iraq for all Iraqis," he said.
     
    In Sadr City, a Shia area of Baghdad, people danced in the streets while others fired guns in the air to celebrate the former leader's death.
     
    Kurds also welcomed the hanging and the office of the Kurdish regional president, Massud Barzani, issued a statement saying: "We hope that Saddam Hussein's execution will open a new chapter among Iraqis and the end of using violence against civilians."
     
    Violence in Iraq continued on Saturday after Saddam's death and at least 30 people were killed when a bomb exploded in a fish market south of Baghdad in the first.
     
    US satisfaction
     
    George Bush said that the execution was an important milestone on the country's path to democracy.
     
    Iraqi Shias in Sadr City celebrated the 
    death of the former Iraqi leader. [AFP]
    "Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself," the US president said in a statement.
     
    An appeals court had upheld the death penalty on Tuesday and the Iraqi government rushed through the procedures to hang Saddam by the end of the year and before the Eid al-Adha holiday that starts on Saturday.
     
    Saddam's half-brother, Barzan al-Tikriti, and a former judge, Awad al-Bander, also sentenced to death for their roles in the killings of the villagers in Dujail, will be hanged after Eid, officials said on Saturday.
     
    Hanging footage
     
    The execution took place at an Iraqi army base in Kadhimiya.

    The base was the former headquarters for Saddam's military intelligence where many of his victims were tortured and executed in the same  gallows.
     
    The northern Baghdad district is also home to one of Shia Islam's holiest shrines.

    Your Views

    "Saddam's death will serve only to hasten World War III"

    Andrew, Isle of Wight, UK

    Send us your views

    The government had kept details of the execution plan secret amid concerns that it may provoke a violent backlash from Saddam's supporters with Iraq on the brink of civil war.
     
    "It was very quick. He died right away," an official Iraqi witnesses told the Reuters news agency.
     
    "We heard his neck snap," said Sami al-Askari, a political ally of al-Maliki.
     
    Another witness said: "He seemed very calm. He did not tremble."
     
    As guards took him to the scaffold, according to witnesses, Saddam said: "There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet."
     
    Criticism
     
    During his three decades in power, Saddam was accused of widespread oppression of political opponents and genocide against Kurds in northern Iraq. His execution means that he will never face justice on those charges.
     
    Others have questioned the timing of the killing, coming at the beginning of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
     
    Saddam insisted during his trial that he was still the president of Iraq. He said in a letter written after his conviction that he offered himself as a "sacrifice".
     
    "If my soul goes down this path [of martyrdom] it will face God in serenity," he wrote in the letter.
     
    'Biased' trial
     
    Saddam's defence team and human rights groups complained that the former Iraqi leader had not recieved a fair trial.
     
    Najeeb Al-Nuaimi, one of the defence lawyers, told Al Jazeera: "There was bias, the prosecution sided with their politicians, it was an ethnically established court with three Shia and one Sunni."
     
    The US-based rights group Human Rights Watch condemned the hanging, saying history would judge his trial and execution harshly.
     
    Richard Dicker, a Human Rights Watch director, said: "Saddam Hussein was responsible for horrific, widespread human rights violations, but those acts, however brutal, cannot justify his execution, a cruel and inhuman punishment."
    December 28

    IRAQ & The Genius President !

     
     
     
       04.11.03: Steve Bell on Bush the war leader
    December 26

    The Stupidest Things President George W. Bush Has Ever Said

     
     
     

    The Stupidest Things President George W. Bush Has Ever Said

     

    10) "Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream." —LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000

    9) "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family." —Greater Nashua, N.H., Jan. 27, 2000

    8) "I hear there's rumors on the Internets that we're going to have a draft." —second presidential debate, St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 2004
     
    7) "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." —Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000

    6) "You work three jobs? … Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that." —to a divorced mother of three, Omaha, Nebraska, Feb. 4, 2005

    5) "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." —Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004

    4) "They misunderestimated me." —Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2000

    3) "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" —Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000

    2) "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." —Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

    1) "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
    December 24

    Israel: America's Shame and Humanity's Stain

    Israel: America's Shame and Humanity's Stain

            

    by Mohamed Khodr

    "I am aware how almost impossible it is in this country to carry out a foreign policy [in the Middle East] not approved by the Jews. [Former Secretary of State George] Marshall and [former Defense Secretary James] Forrestral learned that.... terrific control the Jews have over the news media and the barrage the Jews have built up on congressmen .... I am very much concerned over the fact that the Jewish influence here is completely dominating the scene and making it almost impossible to get congress to do anything they don't approve of. The Israeli embassy is practically dictating to the congress through influential Jewish people in the country"

    Sec. of State John Foster Dulles in Feb. 1957 quoted on p.99 of Fallen Pillars by Donald Neff

    *~*~*~*~*~*~*

    "I've never seen a president --I don't care who he is-- stand up to them [the Israelis]. It just boggles your mind. They always get what they want....If the American people understood what grip those people have on our government, they would rise up in arms. Our citizens don't have any idea what goes on."

    Admiral Thomas Moorer of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (See Washington Report 12/1999, p.124 quoting from Andrew Hurley's book, "One Nation Under Israel")

    *~*~*~*~*~*~*

    "We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the world - no longer a Government of free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of small groups of dominant men."

    Woodrow Wilson [U.S. President during World War I]

    *~*~*~*~*~*~*

    PITY the wonderful, kind, generous, good hearted, peace loving American people as being the only people in the entire world totally unaware of how Israel, a nation whose founding and funding depends on the American taxpayer, so dominates, controls, intimidates, humiliates, and even bites and puts at risk the very lives and hands of the American taxpayers who feed it. While the American people are fiercely proud, independent, and will not submit to any nation or any person who dares stomp on the world's sole superpower, they do submit willingly and unwillingly to the dictates of a foreign nation, Israel, whose economy and political support is the prime priority of Washington D.C., even at the expense of the needs and lives of the American people themselves.

    Inquiring Minds Around the World Want to Know:

    Why are the American people so loved and respected around the world for so long (prior to Israel's founding in 1948) for their freedoms, educational and technological superiority, their friendliness, generosity, and respect for other people's beliefs and needs, are so naive to the destructive influence of Israel's "Jewish Power" upon their domestic and foreign policies? Why are they so blind and uninformed despite having the world's largest and most advanced educational system, the world's largest media outlets, the ability to travel around the world freely, the world's largest interdependent economy that sells to every nation on earth, except to Israel where it loses on trade; a nation with more military bases around the world than any other, a nation of immigrants from around the world, a nation in possession of the wondrous law unavailable to most of the world--the "Freedom of Information Act"--whereby a citizen can seek governmental answers on policies, but doesn't when it comes to foreign policy?

    WHY, WHY, WHY?

    Why has the world been engulfed in continuous wars and conflicts in the Middle East ever since Israel was founded in 1948? Why did Islam suddenly become America's enemy immediately after the collapse of Communism in 1991? Why 9/11? Why is Bush so determined against ALL evidence, logic, and against the wishes of the entire world to annihilate Iraq, a nation his father already destroyed, a nation impoverished with sanctions, a nation that's been bombed continuously for 11 years?

    There is a reason why our government and our media are not asking the most important question regarding 9/11---the question of WHY only America was attacked. There is a reason why President Bush has refused for a long time to appoint an Independent Commission to examine 9/11. There is a reason why Congressional inquiry only focused on the failures of the FBI/CIA/NSC and not the WHY issue. There is a reason why no media outlet is independently investigating this issue. There is a reason why our government quickly and quietly kicked out 120 Israeli "spies" out of the country soon after 9/11, some were caught on videotape filming the crash into the WTC towers and dancing on rooftops (see FOXNEWS 3 reports by Cameron , later deleted from the website). Much more incriminating information on Israel's prior knowledge of the attack has been reported abroad but not here. Why did Israel not inform the United States? There is a reason that Bush appointed Henry Kissinger, a powerful Pro-Israeli Jew to head the Independent Commission but who later resigned rather than reveal his "conflict of interest" nations. The reason is Israel and the answer as to WHY there is new found HATE between the U.S. and the Muslim world is simple:

    Why do THEY hate US?
    ISRAEL, ISRAEL, ISRAEL, ISRAEL, ISRAEL, ISRAEL
     
    Why do WE Hate Them?
    ISRAEL, ISRAEL, ISRAEL, ISRAEL, ISRAEL, ISRAEL

    Despite the fact that most Americans, including our Government understand this truth, America is too fearful to admit that Israel is the barrier between the West and Islam, between perpetual war and peace, and between the interests of the American people and the Pro-Israel politics of our Government too greedy for Jewish money and votes and too cowardly to face the Pro-Israeli Media backlash should they ever so slightly oppose the "Israel First" policy. There is ZERO TOLERANCE in America’s Media for any criticism of Israel. The Political Unemployment line is filled with politicians who fought for America's cause and independence from Israel and who sought peace in the Holy Land. Among them are former Senators William Fulbright, Charles Percy, Reps. Paul Findley and Cynthia McKinney.

    The American Government, Media, Wall Street, Hollywood, and "experts" on television are ensuring through daily bombardment of intimidating sound bytes that the American TAXPAYER, who is the ultimate VICTIM in this charade of 55 years of Israel's democracy and “special relationship” with the United States, will never know the truth about Israel's grip on this nation or if he/she does, that they will never have the courage to ever speak out publicly.

    THE ANSWER MY FRIEND AS TO WHY MUSLIMS ARE DYING EVERYDAY AND WHY AMERICANS HAVE BEEN KILLED BY ISRAEL (USS Liberty in 1967, Marines in Beirut) and will continue to die around the world for Israel’s interests, not America’s, especially in Israel's push for America to attack Iraq, and not North Korea, IS BLOWING IN THE WINDS OF "JEWISH POWER". (See the book: "Jewish Power" by the Jewish American journalist and Editor of the Jewish paper, "FORWARD")

    Powerful Jewish Influence on the western world, especially America, stems from the following foundations:

    1. The HOLOCAUST:

    The murder of millions of innocent Jews in Europe, not America, was among the many genocidal holocausts in history. Jews were murdered, their properties confiscated, and were scapegoated for their faith and ethnicity. Tragically and ironically, Jews in Israel are propagating the same crimes against innocent Palestinians while once again the world is SILENT, but this time America is providing the money, weapons, and protective Vetoes in the United Nation to directly support Israel's Jews in their "Palestinian Holocaust".

    2. The Intimidating Power of the Label “ANTI-SEMITISM”:

    Anyone who dares criticize Israel's policies or atrocities against innocent Palestinians or Muslims is publicly tarred and feathered by the Pro-Israel media, and branded for life with the new and improved Scarlet Letter "A" for Anti-Semitism; a career ending silencing weapon that Presidents, Congressmen, Kings, Prime Ministers, Popes, world citizens, and most importantly American citizens fear most.

    It's time to understand the real meaning of "SEMITE" and for world Jewry to get over their psychological and politically motivated paranoia that the entire world, especially the United Nations, genetically and inherently HATES them because they are God's "Chosen People". The very idea that God, the loving, merciful, omnipotent Creator of all the universe would have an "exclusive" love and relationship to a small group of people, especially people whose relationship with God is one of continuous rebellion, is beyond divine logic. What does such logic leave for Christians who believe in God's only son as their personal Savior? Today, the 13 million Jews around the world are the most prosperous and powerful ethnic group in the world. The existence, the military power, wealth, and brutal behavior of Israel toward its neighbors despite world condemnation is a testament to that prosperity.

    Definition of Semitic: Semite derives from the name of Noah's son, Shem, the father of the Semitic-speaking peoples. Semitic refers to LANGUAGES, not a religion or ethnicity. It refers to the Semitic languages of Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic, Assyrian, Babylonian, Ethiopian and others. It has NOTHING to do with Jews or Judaism. Given that the majority of Jews are neither related to the original Israelites nor speak Hebrew, most therefore are not Semites, while all Arabs are by definition Semites given their Arabic language. SO let's stop this hypocritical manipulation of Anti-Semitism to silence criticism of Israel.

    3. The American MEDIA and HOLLYWOOD:

    ALL of the Hollywood Studios were founded by European Jews while most of America's MEDIA Conglomerates are either owned, controlled, directed, or have a majority of Jewish editors, journalists, or columnists, compared to any other ethnic group. There are Nine Major Media Conglomerates that control most of the world media and almost all are owned or run by Jews. People seem to get a neurological seizure when such factual statements are made but that's the truth. Even Michael Medved, the known Jewish American film critic asks the question, "So What if Hollywood is Run by Jews?", so why should anyone else recoil from such statements. Ironically, the most courageous critics of Israel around the world are Jews, but these Jews are pariahs, called "Self Hating Jews" by other Jews, and are denied access to the American media. Even more ironic is that Israeli Jews and the Israeli Media are the harshest critics of Israel and defenders of Palestinian human rights but no such brave Jew exists in America's media. To Jewish Americans, Israel is their "Wailing Wall" where their money, votes, and protests serve to compensate them for their guilt of not immigrating to Israel and leaving their American wealth. Most Jews around the world are non-religious, in fact almost all the Zionist Jews who founded Israel were non-religious, and many were atheists, Buddhists, or Communists. In fact the majority of the Russian Communists who established the Soviet Union were Jews. NO American who wishes to speak against Israel is allowed to write in the Op-Ed pages of the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal or appear as a talking head on television. If you pay close attention to the "experts" on Israel or Islam on Television you'll find that they're almost always American Jews, Israeli's, or Pro-Israel Christian Zionists like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Franklin Graham, Bill O'Reilly, Cal Thomas, George Will, Charles Krauthammer and so on. 4. CONGRESS: Out of 100 Senators, 11 are Jewish (that's 11% despite Jews are only 1.7% of U.S. population). NONE of the Senators are African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, or Muslim Americans. Congress has been correctly called by Former Secretary of State James Baker as the "Little Knesset (Israel's Parliament)" and by Pat Buchanan as "Israeli Occupied Territory". No American institution is a better pandering doormat to Israel's concerns and needs than Congress. (See quotes on Israel's power on Congress by American statesmen in www.mideastfacts.com)

    The ONLY American Group to have a SPECIAL LIASON OFFICE in the White House is American Jews. No other American ethnic, religious, civilian, or military group has such a privileged or special office with an Assistant to the President for Jewish Affairs in the White House, other than American Jews. No group has immediate access to the President on such issues as foreign policy, budget matters, military issues, aid to Israel, or who Israel deems next to be America's next enemy or a candidate for the all important "Terrorism" list. Saying NO TO ISRAEL automatically puts a person or nation on the "List”

    5. RECYCLED JEWISH INFLUENCE:

    Influential Pro-Israel Jews are constantly in and out of the U.S. Government in jobs important to Israel such as in the National Security Council (During Clinton's term, 7 out of the 11 members of the NSC were Jews), the State Department, Pentagon, Ambassadorships and so on. Such "expert" Jews flow with ease between important national security jobs in the Government and Jewish owned or Israeli funded Washington Think Tanks, such as the Washington Institute for Near East Policy or other Conservative Think Tanks such as the Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, the Cato Institute, the Council of Foreign Relations and others. "Expert" such as: Dennis Ross, Martin Indyk, Steven Grossman, Eliot Abrams, Richard Hass, Paul Wolfowitz, Stuart Eizenstat and so on. For decades American foreign policy positions dealing with the Middle East have always been given to Jewish Americans, such is the "honest broker" policy in the MidEast. It seems there are no other Americans capable of filling such positions. Currently the most powerful Zionists in the government are those who want Americans to die in Iraq for Israel's sake: Eliot Abrams in charge of MidEast policy at the NSC; Paul Wolfowitz at the Pentagon, and Richard Perle of the Pentagon Advisory Council. Neither the President of the United States, nor his Cabinet, nor the United Nations, nor the European Union, nor Russia (the so-called "Quartet" group for MidEast peace) have any influence in the Middle East not approved by Israel.

    6. JEWISH WEALTH:

     Roughly 60% of the donations to the Democratic National Committee is from Jewish donors. America's corrupt campaign financing laws forces candidates to pander to Israel's supporters for money in exchange for all the billions, weapons, and vetoes at the U.N. Israel wants. Now that Bush's warpath on Arabs and Muslims pleases Israel, Jewish Americans are supporting Republican candidates and dumping Democrats their historical allies. To Israel and Jewish Americans there is only ONE LITMUS TEST for their Money, Votes, and favorable Media Coverage: WHICH political party supports Israel the most and allows Israel a free hand to drench the soil of peace in the Holy Land with Arab Christian and Muslim blood.

    Today it's President Bush and the Republican Congress. Bush learned from his father's defeat after Desert Storm four important lessons:

    • Never Cross American Jews

    • Never Cross the Religious Right

    • Showcasing America’s Military Power overseas is popular.

    • Give Tax Cuts to the Rich, they’ll repay you with enormous Campaign Donations.

    Hence Bush's Economic Plan Addressees these Priorities:

    1. Israel is to get $20 Billion in Free Aid this year to support it's Economic Recession, Pay for it's Military Occupation, and provide for Health Care, Housing, and Jobs for its Veterans-----of course while denying needy Americans and Veterans the same budgetary considerations.

    2. Launch War on Islam (estimated to cost $200 Billion or more) to placate the Conservative Religious Right comprising of such Godly Men of Peace as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Franklin Graham, Hal Lindsey, Jerry Vines, Benny Hinn, James Robison, John Hagee and the rest of the Christian "Tele--tubbie--Evangelists" whose aim is to kill Jews, Muslims, and anyone else to bring back the "Prince of Peace". Thus their plan for salvation is paved with war, death, and blood.

    3. Bush is cutting deeply into Domestic Programs such as aid for Heating Oil for the Poor, Education, Health Care, Social Security and Medicare, aid to States, while providing large Tax Cuts for the Rich and for the unpatriotic Corporations sheltered overseas to avoid paying taxes and hiring American Union workers.

    4. An Iraq War will provide billions in profits for Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld Oil Companies as well as the Military Industrial Complex where his father, family, and friends enjoy Board Directorship positions. NO such aid came to the millions of Americans who lost everything as a result of lies, fraud, and bankruptcy of Bush supported Corporations such as Enron.

    OKAY, YOU WANT PROOF OF MY STATEMENTS. I’m glad. It’s about time we don’t just swallow the official government and media “lies” out of intellectual laziness. Our media acts as if we’re too stupid and lazy to search for the truth for ourselves. They depend on it. I would hope that the readers would have the courage and curiosity to search for such facts themselves. One can start with these websites, some are maintained by courageous compassionate Jews:

    ONE IMPORTANT PROOF THAT IN AMERICA "JEWS" ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHER AMERICANS IS THE ILLEGAL AND OUTRAGEOUS PUBLIC FUNDING OF THE 'NATIONAL' HOLOCAUST MUSEUM:

    UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON D.C. (Established by the UNANIMOUS passage of Congressional legislation in October 1980 (Public Law 96-388).

    Although American Jews were not victims of the Holocaust and it was American soldiers who liberated Jews from Concentration Camps, the U.S. Government in response to Jewish pressure, donated federal land (Illegally) and paid with U.S. Tax dollars (illegally) to construct a PRIVATE Holocaust museum on the venerable American National Mall in Washington D.C. After paying for its construction, Congress annually appropriates the majority of the funds (tax money) for the Museum's maintenance. In fact, President Bill Clinton on October 13, 2000 signed Legislation Granting this "PRIVATE" Museum "Permanent Federal Status" which permits Congress to fund the museum annually without any question or review.

    From the U.S. Holocaust Museum Press Release: October 13, 2000

    Washington D.C.:-----President Bill Clinton yesterday signed legislation that establishes permanent status for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which was created to be the national living memorial to the Holocaust and its victims.

    The Museum "serves as a constant and painful reminder that racism, anti-semitism and all forms of hatred are ever-present dangers, and that indifference to hatred makes each of us complicit in some way," President Clinton said.

    The granting of permanent status is significant as an expression of the importance the U.S. government places on the Museum. Permanent status permits Congress to provide funding without having to review the Federal role.

    "The presence of permanent authorization for appropriations signifies that America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust is now an integral part of our capital city. It represents our nation’s permanent commitment to never forget past failures of responsibility and to enlist conscience to uphold life and law permanently. Therefore, the memorial stands so appropriately among our greatest monuments to democracy," says the Chair of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, Rabbi Irving Greenberg.

    "Permanent authorization enhances the Museum’s ability to function as one of OUR government’s most successful public-private partnerships," says the Museum’s Director Sara Bloomfield..... This momentous initiative is another reflection of the strong bipartisan support the Museum enjoys."

    The Museum opened more than seven years ago on land provided by the Federal government, which also contributes towards basic operating costs......The current FY02 budget for the Museum is $55.4 million, with $34.4 million contributed by the federal government and $21.0 million from private contributions.

    Congress deems it unworthy to provide public funding to honor America’s Veterans in Washington D.C. for the following Wars and Sacrifices.

    1. World War I Memorial

    2. World War II Memorial (privately funded)

    3. A Korean War Memorial (privately funded)

    4. A Vietnam Memorial (privately funded)

    5. An African-American Slavery Museum

    6. A Native American Holocaust Museum

    7. A Revolutionary War Memorial

    8. A Civil War Memorial

    9. An American Women Armed Services Memorial

    10. A National Pearl Harbor Museum in Washington D.C.

    So Why a "Holocaust Museum" and not a publicly funded Memorial for American Veterans?

    The answer from one of the most powerful Jewish Americans in Washington D.C., a man no one dares refuse his phone call, not meet with him immediately, or publish his letters or opinion pieces.

    Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (A.D.L.)

    On the Frontline, January 1994 p. 2, gives the following answer to this question:

    "The Holocaust is something different. It is a singular event. It is not simply one example of genocide but a near successful attempt on the life of God's chosen children and thus, on God Himself. It is an event that is the antithesis of Creation as recorded in the Bible; and like it's direct opposite, which is relived weekly with the Sabbath and yearly with Torah, it must be remembered from generation to generation"

    Why should the AMERICAN TAXPAYER fund a private Holocaust Museum while America's own Veterans, men and women who've honorably served this country from the Revolutionary War onward have NO publicly funded monument or museum in their honor? This outrageous shame continues while Congressmen compete to provide more funds to Jewish American Museums around the country.

    Adding insult to injury they shamefully DENY funding of Veterans issues such as health care, pensions, disabilities, and retirement compensation.

    AMERICA NEEDS ITS PROUD VETERANS ONCE AGAIN TO ANSWER THE CALL FOR ITS SECOND INDEPENDENCE.

    This time Independence from a small opportunistic foreign nation called Israel. It's time our Veterans provide the political strength and leadership to reclaim our Government to serve the American people and their needs and not the needs of the 16th wealthiest nation on earth, Israel, simply because of a powerful small Jewish lobby, has received $1.7 Trillion from the American taxpayer since 1949 and continues to receive 40% of all of America's foreign aid while all of Africa and Latin America get pennies per person. Americans are once again being taxed twice: Once for America and Once for Israel, except with Israel this constitutes "Taxation Without Representation" in that Americans have no voice on how their money and weapons are used. Muslim and Christian children are dying in Palestine with America's bullets, missiles, and tanks.

    Is our America "the land of the brave and home of the free" or is it Israel's America "the land of the silenced cowards, the land of Israel's hostages"

    American Veterans have always been ready to defend our nation and Constitution. However, once their job and sacrifice was completed our own Government disowned, ignored, neglected, and denied their just and fair compensation. In fact, World War I Veterans had to resort to marching on Washington D.C. in the "Bonus Army March" of 1932 to demand restitution of unpaid pensions. The Government's caring response was to send in the military to evict them forcefully from the city. Today, America's Veterans are seeking to recreate a second "Bonus March" on Washington of One Million Vets to once again protest our Government's shanty treatment of these courageous American heroes.

    In a recent editorial (1/2/2003) titled "Ill-Treated Veterans", the Boston Globe excoriates President Bush and the country for breaking the promise to Veterans for a life time benefit of health care if they serve 20 years. This is in spite of President Bush's statement to the American Legion during his 2000 campaign that ''we have a responsibility to fulfill the health care commitments made to those who wore the uniform.'' It is shocking that our brave men and women who've served this country honorably have to resort to a class action suit to reclaim their health benefits. (See: http://www.classact-lawsuit.com/response.html)

    Veterans are often homeless, without jobs, training, health care, drug and alcohol addiction, suffer from chronic physical and mental health problems (Gulf War Syndrome, Agent Orange, Radiation Sickness), and have higher divorce rates. According to a recent survey by Rescue Missions: "One in three homeless men at Rescue Missions Are Veterans. While more than 40 percent of Homeless Vets Served in Vietnam alone.”

    An American Veteran wrote a letter to former Republican Senator Alan Simpson seeking relief and assistance for America's Veterans. Here's part of Senator Simpson's response:

    "You made a choice to make the military a career, and no agency can match the benefit level of the military pension. All federal programs are, as they should, being subject to extra scrutiny as Congress looks to regain fiscal sanity in the government."             AUG. 29, 1996

    No American politician would DARE send such a letter to a Jewish American organization or to an Israeli official claiming fiscal responsibility and scrutiny as reasons to deny Israel the Billions it DEMANDS and ALWAYS GETS. For 30 years, Congress was automatically doling out Billions to Israel despite a massive federal budget deficit, massive debt, and massive cuts in domestic programs. Congress takes Israel's "grants" out first from the budget and then balances the budget on the backs of America's Seniors, Veterans, Minorities, Poor, and even America's schools and children. In fact, on April 14, 1999, Senators l Moynihan (D-NY), Fitzgerald (R-IL), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Spencer Abraham (R-MI) introduced legislation exempting all restitution payments to Holocaust victims and their heirs to be exempt from federal income tax.

    American Veterans should be so lucky for willing to die for their country. God Bless America and the World with Peace, Courage, Justice, and Wisdom.

    "The moon gives you light
    And the bugles and the drums give you music,
    And my heart,
    O my soldiers, my veterans,
    My heart gives you love."

    Walt Whitman (1819–1892), U.S. poet. Dirge for Two Veterans (l. 33–36).

    Mr. Mohamed Khodr is an American Muslim physician and a native from the Middle East. He has worked in Academic Medicine and Public health with national and international health experience. He is a freelance writer who often writes columns on the Palestinian cause, Islam and on America's Foreign Policy in the Middle East.

    by the same author:

    September 11

    Is Iran next? The calculus of military strike.

     
     
     

    Is Iran next? The calculus of military strike.

    Tehran has raised the stakes, saying it is enriching uranium.

    By Mark Sappenfield | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
    WASHINGTONTime and again this week, President Bush and his team reiterated their position on Iran's nuclear program: America wants a diplomatic solution, and any suggestion it is moving toward an inevitable strike on Iran is "wild speculation."

    At the same time, however, Mr. Bush has remained steadfast in his statements that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable and "no option is off the table" to prevent it.


     


     

    The news Tuesday that Iran is now producing enriched uranium for atomic reactors - considered a first step toward nuclear weapons - has heightened the sense that America and Iran are on a collision course. A new article in The New Yorker claims that the administration is again on a path to war.

    Yet amid the tumult is an effort to shape a debate that's more robust than the one before the Iraq war. While military action doesn't appear certain, the hint of it raises questions on the use of force, and what it might - and might not - accomplish.

    It seems likely that precision airstrikes could set Iran's nuclear program back at least a year and perhaps several. Whether that delay is worth the probable consequences - the strengthening of a despotic regime within Iran and the increased likelihood of terrorism in nearby Iraq and the broader region - is what's at issue.

    "The military option has a lot of costs," says Michael Rubin, an Iran expert at the American Enterprise Institute here. "But is the cost of the Islamic Republic of Iran having a nuclear weapon greater?"

    Iran closer to nuclear weapon

    Reports out of Iran Tuesday suggested that the country has moved closer to being able to produce a nuclear weapon. Tuesday's announcement claimed that Iran now has 164 centrifuges, which yield more-concentrated uranium. Iran would need thousands of centrifuges to produce enough fuel for a nuclear weapon - and the country's leaders insist that the program is solely for nuclear power - but it is a concern for international officials.

    Few security analysts think Iran would actually use a nuclear weapon against the United States. It is an established nation motivated by self-preservation as much as power.

    Indeed, Iran's terrorist links are capable of causing much more damage than they do.

    But Iran does not desire to prompt the US or Israel to a major response, says Stephen Biddle of the Council on Foreign Relations. "If Iran used a nuclear weapon against New York - or if it could be traced back to Iran - Tehran would fall ... and the Iranians know that."

    More likely, Iran would ratchet up its terrorist activities, knowing that enemies would be less inclined to retaliate strongly against a nuclear foe. For Dr. Rubin, that still makes a military strike "the lesser of two evils" if diplomatic efforts fail.

    With the United States Army fully engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan, airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities are the most likely option. The operation might take five days, says retired Air Force Col. Sam Gardiner, who participated in a war game on the subject in late 2004.

    Some sites, like the centrifuge facility in Natanz, are obvious and would be relatively easy to target. Others are less known or more deeply buried, leading to speculation that the United States might use special nuclear weapons designed to penetrate deep into fortified bunkers.

    While that remains a possibility, Jack Straw, the British foreign secretary, called the suggestion "completely nuts," and analysts agree it would be disastrous for American interests in Middle East.

    The use of conventional weapons is problematic enough. Not only do experts like Colonel Gardiner question whether America could locate and destroy all the relevant targets, but they also wonder whether even a successful attack is worth the cost.

    "None of [the military options] are any good," says Gardiner.

    No matter how precise or limited, any airstrike against Iran is likely to be perceived there as a declaration of war. "There is a tendency to think of it as a quick, surgical action short of war," says Dr. Biddle. "That is a mistake."

    Surely, Iran would retaliate through a more aggressive terrorism campaign, he and others say, and with US troops close at hand in Iraq, they could become the first targets. Iran could also try to close the narrow Strait of Hormuz - through which all Persian Gulf traffic, including oil tankers, must pass.

    Iran's internal strife

    In some ways, though, the greatest effect could be within Iran itself. For years, a younger generation seeking democratic reforms has struggled against Iran's government of autocratic clerics, who espouse the destruction of America and Israel.

    Yet unlike Iraq, a splintered country that was essentially the creation of British imperialism, Iran has a national history stretching back thousands of years to the days of the Persians. As in any country, an attack from a foreign power would likely rally support for the government.

    "Iranians are fiercely nationalistic," says Rubin.

    He believes the US could mitigate that somewhat by also attacking symbols of the regime's repression, such as the ministry of information and the guard towers in the country's most infamous political prison.

    Others, however, see a different lesson from history. When America helped topple Iran's government in 1953, Iranian outrage spawned the hostage crisis of 1979. Now, the US and Iran could be on a course again to poison their relations for a generation.

    The concern is that the US might attack before all other options have been exhausted. Indeed, America and Iran still don't talk to each other diplomatically; they rely on Europe as a mediator.

    Given that Iran is surrounded by American troops - in Afghanistan to the east and Iraq to the west - some suggest that there may still be a diplomatic way forward: A direct US offer to Iran of security guarantees for cooperation with its nuclear program.

    Says Robert Hunter, a former US ambassador to NATO: "If you try and fail, at least you have a circumstance that clarifies the issue."