Bush Says Powell’s Criticism Is ‘Unacceptable’
Bush Says Powell’s Criticism Is ‘Unacceptable’
Yesterday, Gen. Colin Powell sent a letter to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) sharply criticizing President Bush’s plan to establish military commissions. Powell wrote, “The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism. To redefine Common Article 3 would add to those doubts. Furthermore, it would put our own troops at risk.”
During today’s press conference Bush said that criticism like Powell’s was “flawed logic” and “unacceptable.” Watch it:
Transcript:
QUESTION: Mr. President, former Secretary of State Colin Powell says, The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism. If a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former secretary of state feels this way, don’t you think that Americans and the rest of the world are beginning to wonder whether you’re following a flawed strategy?
BUSH: If there’s any comparison between the compassion and decency of the American people and the terrorist tactics of extremists, it’s flawed logic. It’s just — I simply can’t accept that. It’s unacceptable to think that there’s any kind of comparison between the behavior of the United States of America and the action of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children to achieve an objective.
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I listened in on that press conference this morning. Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry to report that the POTUS is a whiny titty baby.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:22 pmIf anyone has a firm grasp on “flawed logic” it’s bushco!
September 15th, 2006 at 1:22 pmI find bush unacceptable and completely devoid of logic
September 15th, 2006 at 1:24 pmAnd your strategy to achieve an objective has not sacrificed any innocent people, Mr President?
September 15th, 2006 at 1:24 pmBush is feeling the pressure and he’s starting to lash out at his own people. KEWL!
September 15th, 2006 at 1:25 pmClassic. He’s unable to respond on substance, so he uses a strawman argument instead.
No, Mr. President, Colin Powell is not trying to make that comparison. The comparison he’s trying to make is between our ideals and our actions.
“We’re not as bad as they are” is not a defensible moral stance.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:25 pmWhat? Who said anything about comparison? Talk about your flawed logic.
George, it’s about the Golden rule – you know, “do unto others…”
September 15th, 2006 at 1:25 pmHmmm … let’s see here:
Tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians (women and children included) have been killed in order for the U.S. to achieve it’s “objective” in Iraq.
Hundreds of detainees have been held without charges and tortured.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands lost their homes after Katrina, and have yet to recover.
More than 45 million Americans have no health care.
Is that the “compassion” of which Bush speaks?
I don’t think that word means what he thinks it means …
September 15th, 2006 at 1:25 pmIt appears to me that the president is struggling to maintain compusure and not blow up at the reporters.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:27 pmOkay, sounded to me more like he was trying to back peddle from when he compared American’s who opposed the war to Hitler (?) appeasists. He didn’t say a damn thing about the letter or Colin Powell, did he? He was answering a question that wasn’t even asked, and just took the opportunity to try and make his previous comment “go away”.
WTF is wrong with this psycho sack of lies in a suit?
September 15th, 2006 at 1:27 pmPresident Bush’s insisitence on abandoning basic human rights principles, including the fair and humane treatment of prisoners, that made America the most respected nation on earth is what is unacceptable.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:27 pmFlawed Logic…
This is one area I would say El Presidente is an expert in…
MMMmmmmm… Soma…
September 15th, 2006 at 1:27 pmThe sore 0f the Iraq war is wide open . The real debate has just begun we will see who is on the side of the country or who wants to defend the mad feurer reegardless of the consequences .
September 15th, 2006 at 1:28 pmI heard Bush’s whiny speech this morning described as “aggressive” and “confrontational”. The only reason he’s so passionate about torture is that he’s trying to protect his own sorry ass legally. First he insists that terror threats HAVE to be dealt with militarily, then allows Rumsfeld to bring our military to the breaking point. Now he wants to retroactively change laws so he can’t go to jail for approving torture.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:29 pmSo that is what a commander in Eunuch looks like.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:29 pmUnholy+Moses said it before I could, and since I agree with every word – kudos.
No comparison my ass…
September 15th, 2006 at 1:31 pmMy favorite comment is his justification for increasing troop levels in Iraq. . . . because it’s what the generals need. Did he really say you can’t use politics to fight a war, and that a commander-in-chief really needs to listen to his generals? Is this the same commander-in-chief who has ignored the advice of his generals prior to and for the duration of the war in Iraq? And who used politics to start and wage a war?
September 15th, 2006 at 1:31 pmThe President is absolutely correct. No one can seriously dispute a single word he said there.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:32 pmWhy is the “were not as bad as them” argument acceptable to any self respecting American?
September 15th, 2006 at 1:34 pmThe reporter isn’t making a comparison between U.S. tactics and terrorist tactics. He’s asking Bush to compare a scaling down from Geneva concepts on torture to methods that terrorists wouldn’t hesitate using. Bush can’t make the distinction. He has a mental block the width and depth of a New York garbage dump site. This inability is disconcerting and of course, depressing.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Talking turd in a suit.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:35 pmUm, saying we can violate our own moral, ethical and legal standards because we’re not as bad as al Qaeda, et al., is what ya might call, y’know, moral relativism.
Weren’t the Republicans all up in arms over moral relativism when Clinton was in the White House and people said, “So he lied about an affair. What’s the big deal?”
Only know we’re talkin’ ’bout torture ‘n stuff.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:36 pmDerelict On Detainees THE TRUTH HERE ON THE BILL
The irony of this legislation, in short, is this: A group of moderate conservatives are signing a blank check over to the president to detain U.S. citizens forever and to subject millions of non-citizens into a second-class criminal justice system. Precisely what the Bush administration has done to merit this extraordinary level of confidence is unclear. What is clear is the dramatic break from America’s traditions of liberty from unchecked indefinite detention.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:37 pmDid W’s lip curl up when he used the word “logic?” His answer to the question was completely illogical. He is evidently willing to slur his own former Secretary of State. Oh yeah, you’re either with us, or against us.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:38 pmAs long as we’re fighting “them” in Iraq they cannot physically come here. Although they can blow up stuff in several other foreign countries like Italy and England to name a couple; there is this invisible force field that stops ‘em from coming here as long as we’re at war over there.
Although millions of other folks can legally and illegally cross our borders by air, land, and sea, this magic force field prevents terrorists from doing the same thing as long as we’re at war in Iraq. As soon as we leave, this magic force field will disappear.
Do I correctly understand the reasoning of the President of the United States?
September 15th, 2006 at 1:38 pmExley (No. 18) – perhaps you meant to say “No one is allowed to dispute a single word he said …”.
Sorry, but th’ Bushwhacker seems a little thin skinned these days, ’specially when anyone, y’know, expresses an opinion.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:39 pmThe President is absolutely correct. No one can seriously dispute a single word he said there.
Comment by Exley — September 15, 2006 @ 1:32 pm
Unfortunately his answer had nothing to do with the question!
Saying that we are not as bad as the terrorists does not mean that we have not at least partially compromised our moral superiority.
I know… I know… Colon Powell is a traitorous Islamo Fascist sympathizer.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:41 pmLOL
Good one bush, I mean, if you say it, it must be true.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:41 pmWhere’s the disclaimer that “watching this video will make you want to bash your head in with a mallet?”
September 15th, 2006 at 1:42 pm“Unacceptable” eh? Hmmmmm – what’s he gonna DO about it?
September 15th, 2006 at 1:42 pmKing George, who would Jesus torture?
September 15th, 2006 at 1:43 pmBush said that criticism like Powell’s was “flawed logic†and “unacceptable.â€
Bush never served in combat – what did we expect to hear anyway? His kids are never going to serve, his grandchildren will never serve, what does Bush care? Our military consists of expendable lives in his mind – poor people.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:45 pmExley has got some bushspunk drying on his chin. Clean that shit off dude.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:46 pmThis bill would make America on par with the Isrealis banging up Innocent Palestinians forever, If your country wishes to do such an awfull act then be it on your own heads…… Im sure most European countries will cancelll many extradition treaties with America ………you will be on your own there
September 15th, 2006 at 1:48 pmMr. President, allowing you to torture in our name is unacceptable. If we do that, we are letting the terrorists win by throwing out all that America stands for. You are no patriot. This is the land of the brave, not craven torturers. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, and we have seen our fears and they are YOU.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:48 pmSo Colin Powell’s comments were unacceptable and flawed logic. I see an implosion coming.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:50 pmEven though he’s from Connecticut, he’s got that Southern redneck thing down: “I don’t need no advice from the help, especially my old house slave! What’s that ignorant negro givin’ me advice for anyway?”
September 15th, 2006 at 1:51 pmLet the idiot keep shooting holes in his canoe. Its pretty bad when your own party (especially these guys) gets tired of following you over cliffs. God bless Ann Richards.
I guess conflation is the big idea now. I think when others doubt the motives of America, they’re doubting the morals of the Administration and not “the American People” as Bush likes to suggest.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:52 pmAlbert, you made me realize that at this rate Bush will be forever tied to torture in the history books (amongst many other atrocities of course).
I mean, is that what he wants?! There’s a legacy for ya.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:55 pmBush forgot to mention that Powell is giving encouragement to the terrorists, making a new 9/11 attack more likely, playing politics, etc etc.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:55 pmMy favorite part of this press briefing was when Bush said that we could not go into Pakistan after Bin Laden because Pakistan is a sovereign county… we can’t just invade sovereign counties.
The Irony was so powerful that I almost shit myself… yet not a single reporter called King George out on this statement.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:58 pmOh, Exley, you’re so cute when you’re blindly supporting Bush. :-D
MAGIC NUMBER: 1!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:01 pmI think George W. Bush will go down in history as one of the great thinkers of the Bizarro World.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:06 pmBush should simply stop catching terrorists and simply start executing them. Instead of taking them in for a “talk”, simply kill them where they stand. At least it would get the Dems and McCain off his back.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:06 pmAt risk of being bitch-slapped, I actually think Powell was wrong to say the world is questioning the moral basis of the GWOT. The world is questioning the way we are doing it. They are questioning tactics, which in some cases, I’m afraid to say, are immoral.
In simple manichean terms – this is specially for resident trolls – just because terrorists are bad, doesn’t mean that everything we do in response to terrorism is good. That’s the point, and its especially the point with respect to torture.
Still, that doesn’t excuse this idiotic rant from Shrub. Though it is about as good as it gets from a senile, cokehead, alcoholic, religious, fundamentalist, trust-fund baby, Rove glove-puppet.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:06 pmWhoo, boy. The truth is out at last. I don’t think he realizes what it was that he said. “It’s just- I simply can’t accept that.” And that, friends, is the key sentence here. He is telling the absolute truth here. And what he said right after that, is just as true. “It’s unacceptable…”, he means it. He has created his own reality, and anything that contradicts it, he sees as a ‘threat’. This one paragraph from him has me really scared. He is clearly at the end of his mental rope, and when he finally snaps.. oh GAWD… I can’t allow myself to even go there. I’m not kidding. I wish I was.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:07 pm#18 Exley
The President is absolutely correct. No one can seriously dispute a single word he said there.
Some would say that we have to torture innocent men, women and children–even infants and senior citizens too frail to walk on their own–in order to fight an invisible enemy called “terrorism”. I disagree.
How about you, Exley? Do you agree with me, or do you agree with those confused people in the administration who want to torture innocent men, women and children–even infants and senior citizens too frail to walk on their own–in order to fight an invisible enemy called “terrorism”?
Just a simple answer, please. Agree with me or agree with the baby-torturers in the White House?
This ’strawman’ game is fun. I can see why Bush, Rove, Snow, etc. love to play it ALL THE FREAKIN’ TIME.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:09 pmSure wish somebody would’ve explained to Colin…
…when you play with sh*t…
…you stink…
…He should never have accepted the devil’s invitation…
…the DEMONS (Bushites) are liars and scumbag sh*t…
…like their apologists and supporters…
…guess Colin realizes that now…
September 15th, 2006 at 2:12 pmThis draft-dodging cowardly torturing f**k can’t even bullshit “logically”. Colin Powell never referred to the “compassion and deceny of the the American PEOPLE”, he referred to the dangerous incompetence of the American PRESIDENT and his destructive torture policies! Why doesn’t the press point out to Mr. Bush that his intellectually dishonest non-answers are “unacceptable”? Powell never compared Americans to terrorists…… BUSH DID!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:13 pm#44 Roger_Roger
Bush should simply stop catching terrorists and simply start executing them. Instead of taking them in for a “talkâ€, simply kill them where they stand. At least it would get the Dems and McCain off his back.
When you say “catching terrorists”, are you talking about people that are known for absolute certain to be terrorists at the time they’re caught, or are you including all those others who were thrown into Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, including the many hundreds of prisoners who were released without charges?
About how many actual terrorists–people who committed acts of terror–would you say we’ve caught, so far?
September 15th, 2006 at 2:17 pmI truly hope this incompetent mofo blows up and loses it completely at his next press conference. In fact, I’d love to see someone like Colin Powell stand up to him face to face and call him on his BS.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:17 pmHe’d rapid blink a few times, freeze for a moment, then scream
“It’s just a goddamned piece of paper!!@”
bush must think he CAN’T make a mistake…..in that case it should be easy for him to walk on water….unfrozen. Go ahead bush,show us some miracal in front of the press core…what a fool.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:18 pmLet me see if I get this: if king George can’t continue his torture program, he will give up on interrogations completely. OK America, now which party do you trust to protect you the most?
September 15th, 2006 at 2:20 pmThis clown is in the tightest corner of his life. He has no brains, and the rove response has always and will continue to be to attack the messenger. Americans have wised up clown boy. . . . I guess jumping up and down in the grocery store got a him a candy bar when he was five years old, but now it just doesn’t work!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:21 pmcareful what you wish for with powell – he’s no choirboy. google him and my lai…
September 15th, 2006 at 2:22 pm#47 Your contention that this administration wants to torture innocenet men, women, senior citizens and infants is….bizarre, to say the least. Unhinged, to say the most.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:25 pmGeorgie sure seems to get testy these days when he’s asked a question he doesn’t like. Where’s the smirk and giggle? He’s having even more trouble than usual speaking english. He doesn’t look and sound like just an idiot anymore, he’s an angry idiot. I think Cyra’s right, he’s on the verge of snapping.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:25 pmHow is killing generations of people from DU scattered all over the world better than what “terrorists” have done?
How is dropping a cluster bomb in a small town and killing 29 women and children in an attempt to flush out one “insurgent” running into a building in that town better behavior than what “terrorists” have done?
How is 3,000 dead 9/11 victims worse than 100k Iraqis?
Truly this whiney little bitch has a problem understanding logic.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:26 pmBush really is an idiot. After firing an experienced person such as Powell and replacing him with a college professor, then firing his son from the FCC it is odd that it took Powell this long to stand up to the little wooden head.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:26 pm#42…Jane…Yep! Tonight could be a BIG night! I am ready for a full-fledged celebration tonight!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:27 pmSomeone was nipping at the sauce before he went outside to talk to the reporters. Whenever the president begins to slur his s’s, you can tell he’s had a a nip. My guess it was bourbon and branch…or just bourbon.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:28 pmPresident poopy panties has killed more than his fair share of innocent women and children. Pot meet kettle.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:29 pmBush dodged the question, as usual.
The question was about how we behave and how that could impact the moral compass of this nation in the eyes of other nations that we have to work together with on a whole host of issues, leaving us with a weakened hand in those dealings. It is a serious question that deserves a serious answer. Instead, Bush simply changed the subject to a question not asked.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:31 pmi watched that bs report this morning and what a load of shit.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:34 pmSay what you will about this Buffoon-in-Chief, but he does have God on his side.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:34 pmTesting…..Did any one catch the short line ” we didn’t start this war “…Sorry folk’s I fell out and started calling him a dumb sob, we didn’t start it you crazy basterd, you did…..The TV didn’t answer…. Heard it all and he became more insistant and shrill as the speech continued…….Let’s see if this get’s posted..Blessings
September 15th, 2006 at 2:35 pmAttack the messenger to deflect blame. Nothing new there.
Now this is unacceptable:
9 thousand seriously injured troops in Iraq
8 billion dollars per month being spent on the Iraq war
7 .9 trillion in outstanding debt
6 years the republicans have been in control of all 3 branches of gov’t
5 + 4 = 9 billion missing from Iraq construction funds
4 more years of the same
3 hundred thirty three deaths in Afghanistan
2 thousand six hundred seventy eight American soldiers have died in Iraq
1 thousand seven hundred twenty three deaths from Hurricane Katrina
It’s time to vote out the republican majority in November.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:41 pmThe cabal is retreating to its hole.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:47 pmPick up your orange jumpsuit at supply, troop. Your on your way up! The river.
#56 Exley
Your contention that this administration wants to torture innocenet men, women, senior citizens and infants is….bizarre, to say the least. Unhinged, to say the most.
You missed the point. It’s no more bizarre or unhinged than to say the Democrats want to help the terrorists. The Dems (and Powell, McCain, Warner, and Graham) would love to have an honest debate. Bush won’t have any of it.
Now answer the question. Do you agree with me, or do you agree with the baby-torturers in the White House?
(keyword: strawman)
September 15th, 2006 at 2:51 pmDoes anybody else think Bush is kind of treading on thin ice to throw Colin Powell under the bus? I mean, the guy polls about as good as Jesus. Aren’t even the stalwart Bush 30% gonna a do a Scooby-doo “urrh?” when they hear they’re suppose to hate Powell now?
September 15th, 2006 at 2:52 pm#71
I think the one thing that trumps everything else in the Decider’s decision-making process is the inability to admit that he’s wrong. It affects his speech patterns. Remember the flubbed “Fool me once…” bit? He choked on the words “shame on me.” He just couldn’t say it.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:02 pmBush and the Reichpublicans are self-destructing. Maybe this was part of their plan. If their new world order didn’t work they all commit political suicide.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:02 pmIsn’t it wonderful to see the Republicans eat their young!
September 15th, 2006 at 3:06 pmBush’s right. There is no comparison. Bush has killed far more innocent women and children than the “terrorists” could ever hope to.
Exley, I’m disappointed in you. How can you read the War College Report and still support Bush?
September 15th, 2006 at 3:09 pmWho’s killing innocent women and children? How many civilians have died since Bush invaded this non-threatening country? The man is sick and is delusional.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:09 pmIt’s “his way or the highway” and, of course, Powell’s statement of truth is unacceptable. Just wait until Powell spills it all – it’s coming…..and the sooner the better.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:09 pmBesides, one with such a shallow sense of morality would see emphasis on morality as “unacceptable”, wouldn’t they?
September 15th, 2006 at 3:10 pmWatch for Big Oil to drop those prices another forty cents\gallon or so…
I mean really folks, you can’t slam Powell after he lied for arBusto Inc, and not expect more dittos to become dittX’s or XDitt’s or popped Zitts, or whatever…
Hand count paper ballot and ThinkProgress might have just been that… a thought progression, and nothing more…
Lowry and Kristol should contemplate that, multiplied by factors they shirley have not considered…
Fools-
September 15th, 2006 at 3:14 pmPowell should take off the gloves and tell every secret about the criminal Bush Regime to the press > Colin has nothing to lose, since he is already being swift-boated now!
September 15th, 2006 at 3:17 pmAfter 6 years Colon Powell is finally showing some integrity.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:17 pm# 70….I am not sure to what you want me to respond…You wrote:
“Some would say that we have to torture innocent men, women and children–even infants and senior citizens too frail to walk on their own–in order to fight an invisible enemy called “terrorismâ€. I disagree.”
Well, I too would disagree with anyone who said that. However, I am unaware of anyone — especially anyone in this administration — who has said anything remotely like that. So, I am uncertain as to your point….
September 15th, 2006 at 3:18 pm#71 – I don’t think the 30%ers will do the ‘urrh’ thing until he throws them under the bus. Of course he has in many ways, but until they actually feel contact with the front wheels, and even then. His insanity will have to have a very direct and undeniable negative impact on them personally. And then there’s the difficulty in finding something that they can’t deny……
September 15th, 2006 at 3:19 pmIf you say the word “liar” in an elevator these days, people know who you are referring to. If you say “torture” at a party these days, they chime right in. If you say the word “crooks”, they know you’re talking about Republicans, and if you say the word “idiot”… well…. ? Who do you think of?
September 15th, 2006 at 3:23 pmHe’s a liar, a crook, and idiot, a fascist, and a fool. And he’s the President of the United States, the most powerful man in the world. One little soldier, retired, who used to work for him speaks out against torture and it’s “unacceptable”. To me, that just means that Powell is probably telling truth.
“If there’s any comparison between the compassion…
withholding suspects without charges, mental and physical torture and coersion of prisoners, usage of cluster bombs and depleted uranium shells, etc.
…and decency…
attacking Iraq for no apparent reason, making statements such as “Islamic Fascism”, ” war for civilization”, etc.
….of the American people and the terrorist tactics of extremists, it’s flawed logic.”
Oh, Boy…………Georgie must have been sleeping in his courses in logic.
I hope he doesn’t mean all American people and just the philistine neoconservatives!!!!!.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:23 pm“Unacceptable”
That’s a word I like to hear from a man on a slippery slope.
I can’t wait for Keith Olbermann tonight…
September 15th, 2006 at 3:24 pm#75 BnF…Admittedly, I have not completed reading the War College report. I will do so this weekend (Woohoo! Big weekend planned!) … But based on what I have read so far, the report only indicates that the administration did a poor job in planning for the aftermath of deposing the monstrous Saddam Hussein. The War College paper does not dispute the necessity or correctness of the decision to remove Saddam and the way that mission was carried out (which was immensely successful). Thus, while I can say that yes, while this administration and this president has made mistakes (and they freely acknowledge that), I still support the president and his policies and goals. I know of no one who supports a particular political leader who agrees with that leader 100% of the time or does not recognize that that leader can and has made mistakes….
As for the first part of your posting, BnF … Come on. That is is just silly and overwrought demagoguery. It has no basis in fact. You know better than that.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:28 pmSo now he’s shown a new side. 3rd grade teacher form the 1930’s. Unacceptable!
He’s not to coherent these days. There probably is something wrong with him. He needs to step down.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:29 pmHi Exley,
Ready for sheep shearing season? If you stay still you won’t get any nasty nicks, or lose your naughty bits.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:38 pm#82 Exley
Well, I too would disagree with anyone who said that. However, I am unaware of anyone — especially anyone in this administration — who has said anything remotely like that. So, I am uncertain as to your point….
Oh, that’s okay. When you use a strawman argument, you don’t actually quote the person you’re arguing against. You pretend that they said something ridiculous and then shoot it down.
So, when Bush or Rove or Cheney or Boehner or whoever has stooge duty at that particular time gets up and tries to deflect legitimate criticism by pretending that their opposition is saying something that they really aren’t, that’s a strawman argument. Are you starting to follow this now?
Just remember, when you hear one of them start a sentence with “Some say we should…” or “There are those who would…”, there’s a strawman coming. And, in reality, there isn’t anyone who ever advocated what they’re about to say. It’s crap. Just like the crap that Bush spewed in his non-response to what Powell said.
September 15th, 2006 at 3:39 pm#82
Well, I too would disagree with anyone who said that. However, I am unaware of anyone — especially anyone in this administration — who has said anything remotely like that. So, I am uncertain as to your point….
Comment by Exley — September 15, 2006 @ 3:18 pm
How can you not understand his point?
He wrote:
Now answer the question. Do you agree with me, or do you agree with the baby-torturers in the White House?
(keyword: strawman)
look up “straw man argument” on the web for Christ’s sake. Come on man. In fact, here you go.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man
September 15th, 2006 at 3:41 pm#47 Your contention that this administration wants to torture innocenet men, women, senior citizens and infants is….bizarre, to say the least. Unhinged, to say the most.
Comment by Exley
Exley-kid, Do us all a favor. Look up the following three words and them come back for comment.
Straw man
September 15th, 2006 at 4:17 pmFacetious
Sarcasm
#90, 91…Oh, okay…Sorry. Very tired today….I was missing the point…Now I get it. Well, okay, while you certainly can criticize Dubya for evading the question, you can’t disagree with the substance of what he said.
September 15th, 2006 at 4:21 pmYeah, and I’m sure that a certain family in Mahmudiya would agree wholeheartedly… that is, if they weren’t, you know, dead.
September 15th, 2006 at 4:36 pmDemocrats are the whiny titty babies, and they now believe their own propaganda that they are going to take over the house and senate in November.
Man those suicide hotlines. The Dems are going to need them.
September 15th, 2006 at 4:39 pmxly, the President did a wonderful job of dodging the question. Powell is finally speaking out and I can guarantee he will hold his ground. Bush dodged the question and the biggest concerns of Powell and others with far superior military knowledge than anyone in the Bush administration is the treatment our soldiers may face in FUTURE conflicts. Thinking ahead is something this administration should have done.
September 15th, 2006 at 4:40 pmMaybe the reporters are afraid to call him out because they know he will have a melt down right there, and that would harm national security. Also you have to have enablers to have an alcoholic family work.
Ok just dreaming, they are all bought and paid for.
September 15th, 2006 at 4:40 pmExley,
Good thing there are a lot of people willing to put time and energy into you.
You need a lot of work.
September 15th, 2006 at 4:42 pmI’ve been hearing a certain amount of right-wing ranting about dropping nukes on the whole region. Is it possible that there a couple of innocent women and children over there?
September 15th, 2006 at 4:43 pmHe seriously has some sort of mental problem and it appears to be getting worse as time goes on. I can’t believe that there is no movement to remove him from office.
September 15th, 2006 at 4:44 pmExley
September 15th, 2006 at 4:50 pmSURE we can disagree with the substance of what Bush said – he said “If there is any comparison”, meaning there wasn’t but he has to make it appear that there was so he could disagree and try to make Powell’s position weaker. Strawman argument and totally bogus.
#98…For Truth … “You need a lot of work.”
Well, that certainly appears to be true for today…
September 15th, 2006 at 4:52 pm[...] video link [...]
September 15th, 2006 at 4:55 pmExley,
Thus, while I can say that yes, while this administration and this president has made mistakes (and they freely acknowledge that),
They only freely acknowledge mistakes after irrefutable evidence is brought forth. This is one of the most secretive administrations in the history of the U.S.
I still support the president and his policies and goals.
Yet his policies and goals are fascist.
I know of no one who supports a particular political leader who agrees with that leader 100% of the time or does not recognize that that leader can and has made mistakes….
Yet to support a political leader who initiates a war of aggression…where the intelligence was being fixed around the policy of going to war…whose “mistakes” include international war crimes…
As for the first part of your posting, BnF … Come on. That is is just silly and overwrought demagoguery. It has no basis in fact. You know better than that.
Ok. Terrorists, 3,000 innocent men and women (9/11): Bush 100,000 innocent men, women and children (Iraq War).
Terrorists used 4 hijacked commercial airliners. Bush used depleted uranium, cluster bombs and white phosphorous.
And the War College Report shows that the failure to plan for the realities after the invasion was not a mistake. It can only be viewed as an intentional disregard for the consequences of Bush’s invasion of a sovereign country.
September 15th, 2006 at 4:57 pm#99
I’ve been hearing a certain amount of right-wing ranting about dropping nukes on the whole region. Is it possible that there a couple of innocent women and children over there?
Nope. Every last one of them is a terrorist. We wouldn’t nuke them if they weren’t terrorists. Right?
September 15th, 2006 at 4:59 pmHe really let it all hang out on a question from David Gregory who specifically inquired about rewriting the Geneva conventions – he more or less said that countries should be able to write their own version of the articles.
September 15th, 2006 at 5:05 pmThe man is coming apart now – a few more of these pressers and he may be seen being carried off by aides to an “undisclosed location.”
BnF
Bush 100,000 innocent men, women and children (Iraq War).
Absurd and phony numbers….And you know that. Stick with the facts.
September 15th, 2006 at 5:08 pmWar on terrorism is bogus:
September 15th, 2006 at 5:08 pmhttp://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/comment/0,12956,1036687,00.html
Bush and all the reich winger’s here are far to high maintainance for me. Like the chimp in charge they never speak straight talk they do their little stupid talk like they don’t understand and then just repeat the same old bush cabal point’s…..Time to get in every one’s face and make the point’s.
This is the worst president in the history of our country, bush and his merry bunch of war monging fool’s have caused mass genocide in Iraq, N.O. and Lebanon by design or neglect, they have raped our country and trashed our constitution. Any one who back’s them is a traitor to our country just like they are…Time to clean house and start the war crimes trial’s…..Blessings..Peace
September 15th, 2006 at 5:23 pmIt’s so much fun to finally watch the Chimpster implode. I just wish he hadn’t killed so many people while we were waiting.
September 15th, 2006 at 5:37 pmIsn’t this argument a tactic to double-team
attention away from Democrats. So they’re arguing…
It’s fun to watch them “explode”, but it shouldn’t
September 15th, 2006 at 5:44 pmlet them grab control of the framing. They BOTH
still should come off looking as bad as they smell,
but Powell — always trying to come out of it
looking like the rose he doesn’t smell like.
Bush’s presidency is unacceptable.
September 15th, 2006 at 5:47 pmThis is almost too much to take! This man, this stupid, stupid, little man, uses more logical reasoning fallacies than anyone! He barely says anything coherent and when he does there is a fallacy involved.
Him commenting on someone else’s logic is this week’s sign that the apocalypse is upon us!
September 15th, 2006 at 5:48 pmWhy is this man still President?
September 15th, 2006 at 5:49 pmBush = Caca
September 15th, 2006 at 5:51 pmThis guy is really geeting me pissed. He has’nt got the brains to understand simple words and yet again today he insults the bulk of Americans who reject his idiocy by saying we are too stupid to understand article #3 of the Geneva Conventions so the chimp is going to explain them to us.”Let me see if I can put this in words you’ll understand…” The only thing I don’t understand is why this guy has not been impeached or at least run out of town. But there are still the brain dead out there who eat up every word he says. Now who is stupid?
September 15th, 2006 at 5:51 pm#1 !!!!!! Whiny titty baby!!!!!! as are his shills, apologists, and sycophants!!
September 15th, 2006 at 5:56 pmppl exley gets paid by the GOP to come here and annoy you. Just ignore him…he will go away.
DON’T FEED THE TROLLS…IT ONLY ENCOURAGES THEM.
You won’t get discourse, intelligent conversation or anything of substance from Exley or anyone else of his/her ilk, for their JOB is to argue with you and to repeat GOP talking points at every possible turn.
September 15th, 2006 at 6:10 pmWhat a pack of weirdos here!! Of course there is NO comparison between the moral ideology of the terrorists who proactively kill their own and others and the U.S. policies! There are stinking liberals here and throughout this country who prostitute themselves and the good of the nation just to make a political point against the President. It’s no wonder most of the world hates us: we’re shooting at ourselves instead of our self-described enemies. And yes, the liberal Dems are “…what I’m talkin’ about…”
September 15th, 2006 at 6:14 pm[...] What’s flawed is this President’s ability to act as if he believes his own lies. Watch his performance as he responds to Colin Powell’s criticism of his War on Terror. [...]
September 15th, 2006 at 6:19 pm#107 Exley
#
BnF
Bush 100,000 innocent men, women and children (Iraq War).
Absurd and phony numbers….And you know that. Stick with the facts.
Comment by Exley — September 15, 2006 @ 5:08 pm
Before a bunch of us go out and dredge up a number of sources for that 100,000 figure, I’d just like to know why you would say “Absurd and phony numbers”. You say it as if you have information to the contrary.
I think you might be shocked to know just the number of children who have died over there from dehydration and other ailments resulting from our destruction of and failure to rebuild sources of drinking water and water purification plants. Consider that a half million of them died between 1991 and 1995 as a result of UN sanctions. What do you think depleted uranium and other contaminants have done to them since 2003? In 2003, the under-5 mortality rate for Iraq children was about 15 times what ours is. I’m guessing that a very low percentage of those Iraqi children are terrorists.
September 15th, 2006 at 6:27 pm#122 e wyatt, be gone and kiss you’re dictator’s ass you traitorest troll…
September 15th, 2006 at 6:28 pmYour so called Christian value system needs a good firm reivaluation Bush you are nothing but a world thug. Nothing you have done in the past few years will benifit the world or your country in anyway. There are other ways to get what you want. Anyway what is terrorism? are you not terriorists yourselves in Iraq and many other countries? This is unaceptable bully behaviour.
September 15th, 2006 at 6:45 pmOHMIGOD YOU’RE RIGHT EXLEY!!! 100,000 is absurd. I was refering to numbers published 2 years ago. They’re so out of date! I should have known better. What do you think? Think they might have gone down in the interim?
100,000 Civilian Deaths Estimated in Iraq
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 29, 2004; Page A16
September 15th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Your so called Christian value system needs a good firm reivaluation Bush you are nothing but a world thug. Nothing you have done in the past few years will benifit the world or your country in anyway. There are other ways to get what you want. Anyway what is terrorism? are you not terriorists yourselves in Iraq and many other countries? This is unaceptable bully behaviour.
Comment by Void — September 15, 2006 @ 6:45 pm
Absolutely dead on… Best comment I’ve read so far! NO DOUBT!
September 15th, 2006 at 7:04 pmEx; instead of being a keyboard commando blindly obeying your fuhrer, perhaps you should run quickly to the nearest army recruiter, I hear they are looking for some good unquestioning robots.
September 15th, 2006 at 7:08 pm#127
Absolutely the best comment I’ve read so far.
The truthiness of it is absolute. We’ve become what we’re fighting.
September 15th, 2006 at 7:09 pmLower than the ant in the gutter
Bush is right. There’s no comparison. We’ve taken the lives of hundreds of times more innocent civilians than these upstart terrorists. What nerve!
September 15th, 2006 at 7:12 pm#73; Repubs committing suicide? Blowing their brains out like Hitler in 1945? This is going to be good, I’m getting popcorn.
September 15th, 2006 at 7:16 pmE Wyatt comment makes no sense. All I got from it is that he hates liberals.
September 15th, 2006 at 7:17 pmOtherwise it is incoherent and illogical.
That is one hardheaded man…
September 15th, 2006 at 7:27 pmExley, BnF – as BnF notes, the number was published in the British medical journal, The Lancet, in October 2004, based on a study of fatalities attributable to the U.S. invasion from March 19, 2003 through the summer of 2004. The number may not have been entirely accurate, because the researchers had to glean information from a wide variety of sources. But, the report’s methodology and its conclusions were entirely reasonable, given the difficulty in gathering information on combat-related fatalities … AND, although the number may have been a bit high it could, by the very same token, have been a low estimate. (As I recall, the authors of the study suggested that it was, in fact, a LOW estimate.)
A couple of further points: The folks who ran this study had previously done similar research on deaths in, I believe, Burundi, and the U.S. government cited their work with approval. Also, the study focused on deaths associated with the initial invasion, as opposed to the insurgency.
Given the additional thousands of deaths, the 100,000 figure is, in all likelihood, on the low side when it comes to overall civilian deaths since the start of the invasion.
September 15th, 2006 at 7:34 pm#107 – Exley,
September 15th, 2006 at 7:41 pmI agree, 100,000 is a gross undercount. Current UN and Doctors Without Borders estimates are about twice that from violence and another 300,000 from starvation and infection.
Blowing everything way out of proportion. Listen to the rhetoric, not that bush says anything that effectively, and you will see that “unacceptable” is not referring to Powell’s statement. Come on People, we MUST filter everything we hear and read.
September 15th, 2006 at 7:56 pmNo, he said criticism like Powell’s is unacceptable.
Close enough though, they are playing with Atom Bombs.
September 15th, 2006 at 8:22 pm[...] Think Progress » Bush Says Powell’s Criticism Is ‘Unacceptable’ (tags: politics terr) [...]
September 15th, 2006 at 8:32 pmBush is some kind of Christian. The terrorists are some kind of Muslims. They are fighting over their idiot-logical beliefs. For god’s sake, stop the religion and you stop the fighting! It’s that simple.
Oh! And will someone please rid us of the Bushites while we are at it?
September 15th, 2006 at 8:42 pmSure Bush seemed bungling and combative and impatient, but please note, when his response came out he managed to turn the criticism of his policies into a criticism of America! Listen to it again. He’s sort of an idiot genius.. or a genius idiot. The Fox will get that last few seconds of soundbite, and we’ll see them playing Bush scolding this reporter for calling America a nation of terrorists.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:01 pmGeorge Bush is a walking, talking, living, breathing pure example of flawed logic.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:11 pmI am still perplexed that this stupid jackass is this country’s leader. Could the American public have elected a less intelligent or ess apt public speaker? This guy is someone who has proven himself to be a liar and deceiver. Jesus, he’s most likely guilty of far worse things which the public has been kept in the dark about.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:15 pmHow much worse could he do in order to be thrown out of office. The man and his cabinet have been CAUGHT red handed in outright LIES! He and his cabinet, more or less, gave the New Orleans (and surrounding areas hit by Katrina) the MIDDLE FINGER.
This guy could get on camera, tell the American public to go screw themselves, and somehow, he’d still be in office for another term. He pretty much thinks he can do what he wants, when he wants, and the American Public just LETS him get away with it!
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
If Bush hasn’t already blown a fuse, he’s damned close to it. Did anybody see him today, he was unhinged.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:35 pm#144 Doug: Don’t you think by now that “stupid jackass” is being a tad bit kind? Just kidding. You hit the nail on the head. There are a lot of perplexing things coming out of the ‘Black House’ these days. But one thing that Bush is forever counting on is this nation’s seemingly unbridled ability to succumb to fear. That’s been his (and his PNAC cronies) lightning rod for over 5 years and it will be even more so in the coming weeks leading up to the mid-term elections in November. This man is nothing more than a turd in a nice suit. Ann Richards (R.I.P.) said it best, “he was born with a silver foot in his mouth.”
Every chance you get from now until the mid-terms (and after for that matter) remind everyone that you talk to that the people in this country, for the most part, are better than George Bush and that this is still the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE! And we intend to keep it that way!
As far as I’m concerned George Bush can take his fear-mongering and shove it straight up his ass!
September 15th, 2006 at 9:41 pmforgot to delete the “+”. I sure hope TP gets it’s server problems solved soon.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:42 pm#145 Shaq: It won’t be long now. They’ll probably find him cowering in a corner somewhere babbling to himself over and over, “I’m the decider, I’m the decider, I’m the decider…”
September 15th, 2006 at 9:45 pmWhat most Americans would have heard is “we are special, the rules do not apply to us because we are special”. This would have played well to most self absorbed American hypocrits.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:48 pmIt really is amazing that the Republican party is so full of imbiciles that this was the best that they could come up with for a presidential candidate. And then because they believed he was such a sure winner they had to tamper with ballots and then cry to the Supreme Court to make sure that their candidate got in. What a Lame Old Party.
September 15th, 2006 at 10:19 pmHEY COLIN, HOW’S THAT SWIFT BOAT FEEL UP YOUR COLON. You are about to get the Kerry treatment. It’s a shame it took you so long to speak up. You were on the inside and could have stopped the Iraq war but they buffaloed you into going against your own morals and your brother soldiers. You are just as responsible for this moral outrage against our country as the chimp. If you want to impress me start telling the truth of how they got you to change your mind about Iraq, also tell the American people that this president and his cronies had their eye on Iraq all along and that everything else was a big lie. You didn’t have the courage to do it before so don’t think you can cleanse yourself w/ a little bit of dissent now. If you want to cleanse yourself come clean w/ everything.
September 15th, 2006 at 10:23 pm#151 phillyfan: Thanks for saying what I’ve believed since his UN speech. Colin Powell went from probably one of the most trusted people in America to one of the most vilified. Now I thing he’s trying to regain his stature by telling the truth in incriments. He needs to let it all hang out if he wants to get back in America’s good graces. I think he was used and manipulated because of his previous image. I just hope he’s as disgusted as I am at what happened to him and how he was hung out to dry by Bush, Cheney, Rummy and the rest of the PNAC cabal.
Spill it Colin! Regain your integrity and dignity!
September 15th, 2006 at 10:40 pmPowell has finally stood up because he can’t tolerate any more damage done to the military. He knows his reputation is tarnished but this is a very telling and important stand. Watch for Sunday’s pundits to address this if they have the balls.
This could be very big. Powell won’t back down from a fight if swift boats (brown shirts) go after him.
September 15th, 2006 at 10:53 pmPowell lost a ton of credibility after his disgraceful performance at the UN. Since then we have found out that he didn’t even believe his own speech. Nonetheless, he is still honest Abe compared to the rest of that crew of thugs.
September 15th, 2006 at 11:10 pmEven if Colin does speak up, his son will alert the media to squash it before it gets heard. Careful, Colin. He’s picking out a nursing home for you, now.
September 15th, 2006 at 11:20 pmThis entire bunch in office may open a can of worm’s thay can’t put the lid back on if they do to Powell what they have done to others…The public will forgive Powell for his little indiscretion of backing the dumbass president and his evil crowd but they will not forgive bush/cheney/rove/rummy/rice and others if they go after Powell……The diffrence being he held the military honor the commander in chief and served long and well. This bunch in the black house has never served and caused way to much damage to get away with…..No I won’t chastize Powell any more . I will keep pounding away at these lieing thieves he worked for…..Blessings….Peace, right after impeachment
September 15th, 2006 at 11:38 pmPowell lost a ton of credibility after his disgraceful performance at the UN. Since then we have found out that he didn’t even believe his own speech. Nonetheless, he is still honest Abe compared to the rest of that crew of thugs.
Comment by JPark — September 15, 2006 @ 11:10 pm
I don’t buy that. He is worst than them–He knows better and has been in combat and seen the horrors of war. What he did is sick. He could of stood up and been a true hero. No, he makes over $50,000 per speech. At least bubble boy has no clue. Alfred E Newman–What me worry?
September 16th, 2006 at 12:08 amI guess so Joefriday. He knew he was lying. He has absolutely no excuse for the blood on his hands.
September 16th, 2006 at 12:11 amLet’s talk about the angry white guys like jason hindler. Hindler spent the bulk of his life kissing corporate ass and just woke up and realized he let life slip past him and now he is mad. You know Hindler it is even worse than that–there is no after life. You let all those brown eyed girls pass you by. However, the good news MA thinks the world of you. Party on dude.
September 16th, 2006 at 12:18 amLOL, Hendler is a big favorite of the women.
September 16th, 2006 at 12:32 amJPark,
Ahem. *arms crossed, foot tapping*
September 16th, 2006 at 12:46 amZooey, come on. You can’t tell me Hendler doesn’t make you hot!!! I have heard misogyny is a HUGE turn-on.
September 16th, 2006 at 12:57 amJPark,
Yeah, he makes me hot. After he’s been around, I want to douse myself with gasoline, and strike a match.
You’re single, right…?
September 16th, 2006 at 1:39 amSo the Dictator in Chief is blackmailing Congress….again……
If you don’t let me interrogate the way I want to, I won’t interrogate any terrorists at all. Black or White; my way or the highway.
He has already lost. Earlier, he agreed to revisions of interogation policy in the Army manual, only to reneg and piss off any Congressman of integrity.
September 16th, 2006 at 1:52 amWouldn’t it be something, if this Presidency ends with a Military/Congressional/Judicial coup?
September 16th, 2006 at 1:55 amWho’s “BUSH?”…
September 16th, 2006 at 3:18 amBush sympathizers, ie. exley and roger roger, you will hang with the rest. two words for you and not very original but to the point…….. F$CK YOU!!!!!
What freakin alternate reality do you clowns live in? How in hell can you still defend this ass? Does he still even represent your beliefs? Doubt it. Unless you like to change your beliefs everyday to match the new, usually contradictory, talking points from pig face Rove. Eat SH*T apologists, you will reap what you sow. You are the losing team, reap it.
September 16th, 2006 at 3:35 amBush sympathizers, ie. exley and roger roger, you will hang with the rest. two words for you and not very original but to the point…….. F$CK YOU!!!!!
What freakin alternate reality do you clowns live in? How in hell can you still defend this ass? Does he still even represent your beliefs? Doubt it. Unless you like to change your beliefs everyday to match the new, usually contradictory, talking points from pig face Rove. Eat SH*T apologists, you will reap what you sow. You are the losing team, reap it.
September 16th, 2006 at 3:35 amSorry about the double post, what is up with technical side of TP lately? Oh, I would also like to include the swine Hendler on my list of apologists. Peace and grease.
September 16th, 2006 at 3:54 amBush is the antichrist. He may well prove to be worse than Hitler, both in his intent, and in the effect his “leadership” has on the humanity he mistakenly thinks he leads. Clinton was a blow job loving, highly intelligent dude. Bushlet is leading us down a path towards true suffering. History will revile him.
September 16th, 2006 at 7:55 amBush is trying to escape prosecution retroactively for the war crimes his adminsistration has committed by changing the Geneva convention no less, a move that will guarantee for our own service men the sadistic treatment we are now doling out on poor bastard Muslim taxi drivers in Gitmo. Everyone should write letters to their editors, congressmen & senators to prevent this from happening. We don’t want Bush & Rummies date at the Hague tribunal to be delayed.
September 16th, 2006 at 8:30 amI sent this earlier today via a separate page on your site. It had no “Post – I agree” button. I agree!
Terrier
Whose logic is flawed?
“…compassion and decency of the American people and the terrorist tactics of extremists…” “…behaviour of the United States of America and the action of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children.” (President George W. Bush, 15th Sept. 2006.)
I am not a Muslim. I am not a terrorist sympathiser. But I find the killing of innocent Iraqis as outrageous as the activities of al-Quaida. Worse still, this illegal war (for which the UK’s Prime Minister is equally culpable) is making the USA and the rest of the world increasingly unsafe and susceptible to terrorist attacks.
America used to be the most admired and respected nation on the planet. After six years of this administration, it is despised, ridiculed, mistrusted and resented around the world. And, of course, Bush and his sycophants don’t give a damn about world opinion – witness the appointment of John Bolton as ambassador to the UN.
Terence Cartwright
September 16th, 2006 at 9:53 amUnited Kingdom
The President is absolutely correct. No one can seriously dispute a single word he said there.
Comment by Exley — September 15, 2006 @ 1:32 pm
Exley, an assertion is not a proof nor an argument…
September 16th, 2006 at 12:19 pm[...] President Bush, responding to Powell’s criticism, said: “If there’s any comparison between the compassion and decency of the American people and the terrorist tactics of extremists, it’s flawed logic. It’s just — I simply can’t accept that. It’s unacceptable to think that there’s any kind of comparison between the behavior of the United States of America and the action of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children to achieve an objective.” [...]
September 16th, 2006 at 12:25 pmIt’s well past time for revolution in the streets against our neocon overlords. Revolution like that of the Romanians and Russians in 1989. A march of a million screaming, angry Americans into Washington might be a good start. Exactly what a far-smaller and poorer nation, Romania, saw in Bucharest in 1989. A million Americans yelling for Bush to get out of town, just as a million Romanians successfully yelled for Ceaucescu to get out of town.
September 16th, 2006 at 12:38 pm#128, 137….Nice try, but your selective quoting of The Post article in quite disingenuous…As the remainder of the article clearly demonstrates, that number is unreliable and the study that produced it deeply flawed…As I admonished earlier, stick with the facts:
“The analysis, an extrapolation based on a relatively small number of documented deaths…
Other experts immediately challenged the new estimate, saying the small number of documented deaths upon which it was based make the conclusions suspect.
“The methods that they used are certainly prone to inflation due to overcounting,” said Marc E. Garlasco, senior military analyst for Human Rights Watch, which investigated the number of civilian deaths that occurred during the invasion. “These numbers seem to be inflated.”
The researchers and the Lancet editors acknowledged that the study has clear limitations, including a relatively small sample of violent deaths that were examined directly and the researchers’ reliance on individual memories for some information.
But Garlasco of Human Rights Watch said it is extremely difficult to estimate civilian casualties, especially based on relatively small numbers. “I certainly think that 100,000 is a reach,” Garlasco said.”
September 16th, 2006 at 1:53 pmDid anyone notice he didnt answer the question, by far? The question was dont you think (the people) are beginning to wonder about a flawed strategy–and HE says the American people are good, the Muslims and Arabs are bad. The question was about George Bush, not about the American people and the “evildoers”. Oy
September 16th, 2006 at 2:05 pmThere are times when intelligent people say something so insightful that the moment you hear it, examples of evidence start popping up immediately and profoundly.
I wrote an essay a few days ago and quoted Noam Chomsky saying:
No one really expects such a statement to be utterly and immediately backed up by evidence.
As everyone here knows, President Bush said: “If there’s any comparisons between the compassion and decency of the American people and the terrorist tactics of extremists, that’s flawed logic. I just simply can’t accept that. It’s unacceptable to think that there’s any kind of comparison between the behaviour of the United States of America and the actions of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children to achieve an objective.â€
The part to take note of is President Bush using extremists and comparing them not to American foreign policy, but to the American people, as if the foreign policy and the civilians are one and the same.
Again from Chomsky: “For a dedicated totalitarian, ruling powers are to be identified with the people, the culture, and the society…†It’s so uncanny, I think Noam might have paid him to say it.
Well…maybe George, too, will find somewhere a wider vision.
September 16th, 2006 at 4:47 pmWhat would one expect from a President and Vice President who are both “lying yellow belly cowards” ??? Bush is beginning to lose it. Of course he never really had it to begin with,,,I’m talking intelligence here.
September 16th, 2006 at 5:50 pmThe two men (if you can call them men) have done more to damage the United States than any terrorist even dreamed of. We are despised throughout the World, our economy is about to implode with debt, and our military is stretched to the limit. What terrorist could ever accompolish this?
Jimmy Carter is turning into a “great statesman” while the “decider” goes into terminal meltdown. Go figure!
This guy is not making any sense. I have no idea what he is talking about. Seems like some blabbering stammering baboon that doesn’t understand English.
September 16th, 2006 at 6:36 pmExley,
I attempted to post a lengthy response to 176, as there are numerous articles on the internet citing civilian casualties in addition to the Lancet Study.
For whatever reasons, that post did not make it onto this board.
But since you support Bush so much, I pray you stand trial with him for the mass murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children. May God show you the same compassion you show others.
September 16th, 2006 at 7:34 pmhttp://thumbsnap.com/v/5GJpB2ET.jpg who blew up the twin towers
September 16th, 2006 at 7:55 pminside job ,flowed logic this bush is sick
http://thumbsnap.com/v/5GJpB2ET.jpg
September 16th, 2006 at 7:57 pmwhat flawd logic ,bush is a madman i gues its logical to blow your own citizens up
SUSA, your logic is “flawed logic†and “unacceptable†– the last time I checked blabbering stammering baboons do not understand English. No baboons understand English, and this baboon certainly is one of them!
September 16th, 2006 at 10:17 pmANIMAL TORTURER AS CHILD
PEOPLE TORTURER AS PRESIDENT
BUSH IS CRIMINAL FROM HEAD TO TOE
September 17th, 2006 at 5:14 amWhy is everyone so surprised? Failed team owner, failed oilman, former fratboy, and a National Guard no-show. We elected a loser, and that’s what we got!
September 17th, 2006 at 5:35 amBush is a NWO illuminati moron with no talent whatsoever, except, for screwing the good hardworking people of the US and killing innocent people in other countries to further his handler’s demonic control and greed. The US as a country has deteriorated culturally, spiritually, politically and morally under Bush and his phoney christian crusaders. I pray that things will change for the better, but realistically, I know the damage has already been done and will never be undone. Which is the reason why I left the country where I grew up…
September 17th, 2006 at 9:08 amPut it in this perspective; A terrorist captures one of YOUR family members , hacks, cuts and eventually chop their head off then posts it on Al Jazera and the internet. Realize there is NO ‘MORAL WAY’ to handle or negotiate with these individuals. Applying energy or considering a moral high ground, PUBLIC OR WORLD OPINION is ludicrous! Eradication is the only solution they have left us (there is no grey area) their position is interested only in YOUR DEATH, DEMISE AND FEAR. The oposing position is to legislate and politicize while we watch world freedom erode. Is it MORAL to let their Jihad begin in other counties? Particularly if they lack the ability to protect themselves? I wonder what America would be called and accused of then?!
I am thankful some Americans understand the importance of preserving our (and the worlds) quality of life. Remember, these individuals and groups are NOT interested in conversion, butdeath to those who don’t share their religious beliefs.
SMARTEN UP AMERICA! Let a man with leadership LEAD the rest of the world (and your KIDS) can thank him later.
September 17th, 2006 at 12:31 pm#186 – WE did not elect anyone. I know that I did not.
Or do you presume to know how everyone voted?
There are those of us that chose not to place any of these jackasses in power. We gave them no power over ourselves nor did we place them in power over our fellow citizens.
But you voters get out and vote, vote, vote and drag us all along for the ride.
I am sure I will get beat up here in this forum, but I personally do not vote. And that is because I hold the belief that I do not have the right nor the wisdom whatsoever to go into a little booth, pull a lever, and put someone else in charge of my fellow mans lives.
From a true Libertarian standpoint ladies & gentlemen Democracy just ain’t that grand. It is a system where 51% can tell the other 49% what to do. With my beliefs I invariably find myself in that 49%
And there is nothing, absolutely nothing, free about that.
In case you do not know, voters were in the minority in the last Presidential election. Only 40% of Americans chose to participate in that farce.
And the results of that election was split pretty evenly.
So, we have a situation where 1 out of 5 adults in this country get to tell the rest of us what to do.
Once again, there is nothing free about that.
Until Americans wake up and refuse to give these individuals power over themselves and their property we will ALWAYS have these scenarios arise in the future.
If you voted for Bush I can see you making the statement that ‘I’ voted for Bush.
Don’t dump this mess at the doorstep of the rest of us who NEVER supported this system.
September 17th, 2006 at 3:18 pmONLY LOGICAL SOLUTION IS TO IMPEACH BUSH
September 17th, 2006 at 4:31 pmONLY LOGICAL SOLUTION IS TO IMPEACH BUSH
September 17th, 2006 at 4:31 pmthe voting machines are rigged by the neocons stop fooling your self that the elections are fair who controls the voting machine ,easy to hack in to
September 17th, 2006 at 7:54 pmBush and the Reichpublicans are self-destructing. Maybe this was part of their plan. If their new world order didn’t work they all commit political suicide.
Is this what is happening?
September 17th, 2006 at 8:14 pmOh my God, I hope so. Are they finally unable to take the pressure of such blatant lies?
If They are not going into self destruct mode, will somebody PLEASE START THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS? Dont worry about looking unpatriotic. WE ARE ALL WITH YOU
Another temper tantrum from our idiot president, what a suprise.
Why do we even need a president?
September 17th, 2006 at 8:59 pmDavy de Verteuil
September 17th, 2006 at 9:55 pmtrinidad W. I.
Americans deserves this maniac! After all they became Americans by virtue of their horror visited on others. Bush is just an open manifestation of who America really is. Settlers void of compassion and a veracious appetite for others land blood and freedoms. Its about time America got exposed to Americans as we in the 3rd world already KNOW.
Australians New Zealanders and the whole Brutish Ops! British off-springs of rampant murder mayhem and thievery through Colonial settlements.
There’s no more disguises (democracy) no real generosity (Aid-s) fake security (endless violence) of which America was established and inflict.
Bush is right – it is time America goes public- internationally public!
Why do AmeriKKKans continue following this cretin. IMPEACH BUSH!! THEN PUT HIM ON TRIAL WITH SADDAM!!!!!
September 17th, 2006 at 11:19 pmTranslation: The comparison is evil. You don’t want to be considered evil, do you ? Stop asking the questions, and we’ll stop insinuating things.
September 17th, 2006 at 11:50 pmPresident Bush has wheeled out a straw man: a terrorist possessing knowledge which if forced from his evil lips will save millions of lives.
To give the president the benefit of this frightening possibility, I propose that Congress enact a law authorizing the president to sanction the use of any means, torture included, to secure information that will save these millions.
To ensure that torture is only used in such a dire situation, the law would further provide that were such methods used, the president would be require to demonstrate—beyond a shadow of a doubt—that such lives have been saved via his authorization. And, if the president is unable to provide such proof, he would immediately be subjected to the exact same methods that he has sanctioned.
By establishing sole accountability right at the top, underlings would be protected from prosecution for actually performing the procedures. This is what George W. Bush is most concerned about, isn’t it?
This new torture law might also provide that on a voluntary basis avid Bush supporters would be permitted to demonstrate their undying faith in the president by willingly suffering any discomfort that ensues from an errant use of torture—but this is only offered as a comforting thought.
September 18th, 2006 at 7:23 amExley #18… you are right no one can dispute asingle word he said, it is when he starts stringing words together he loses credibility
September 18th, 2006 at 9:09 amWho kills innocent women and children? Who kills innocent women and children? Who drops cluster bombs in residential neighborhoods? Who drops white phospher bombs in urban areas? Who drops 2,000 pound bombs where civillians gather? Who does daily air raids on city streets? Who kicks in doors and takes innocent people as prisoners, terrorizing and raping and murdering, destroying or occupying homes, sniping old women with high powered rifles, shooting at ambulances, shooting at members of the press? Dear God, know that I never once agreed with these demons in D.C.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:35 am“It’s unacceptable to think that there’s any kind of comparison between the behavior of the United States of America and the action of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children to achieve an objective.”
This, from one of the main people who helped plan and carry out 911.
September 19th, 2006 at 1:02 amWe would have been much better off with Powell as our Commander in Chief. His comments were reasoned while those of the President are petulant and embarrasing.
September 19th, 2006 at 10:12 amI am terrified, and something has to be done to stop the terrorists. Not just the ones who blew up the trade center, but the ones who are dismantling my country one right at a time. Impeachment and war crime trials are the only answer. I am afraid he is not nearly as dumb as he sounds. In a few short years he has taken the land of the free, shredded the constitution (figuratively), and NOTHING is being done to stop him. Acts like his are the reason impeachment powers are in the constitution!
September 20th, 2006 at 1:52 am#181,
In other words, BnF, you have no facts or figures to contest any of the information I have provided.
A very weak and pathetic posting on your part, BnF….Better luck next time, junior.
September 21st, 2006 at 4:10 amI like to think that Bush is an essentially decent man, but after seeing him twist the words of one of the men most loyal to him into something he can yell at…it’s getting difficult to give him that benefit of the doubt.
January 16th, 2007 at 10:37 pm