Media Misleading Americans By Using ‘Surge’ To Describe Bush Policy
Media Misleading Americans By Using ‘Surge’ To Describe Bush Policy
Research compiled by ThinkProgress shows that when “surge” was first adopted by the mainstream media in November 2006, the term was specifically defined as a “temporary,” “short-term” increase in U.S. forces. In fact, we now know that the Bush administration and the most prominent advocates of escalation all reject a short-term increase in U.S. forces. Rather, they advocate a long-term increase of forces lasting at least 18 months.
The media, in other words, has continued to use the term “surge” even though its definition has fundamentally changed.
The choice of words is not an academic point. A CBS poll released Monday found that only 18 percent of Americans support an escalation of forces in Iraq. However, when asked whether they support a “short-term troop increase,” the number jumps to 45 percent approval (48 percent disapproval).
Every time the media repeats the word “surge,” they are helping to mislead the American people about the long-term escalation being proposed. Reporters and news organizations have a responsibility to stop using the term to describe President Bush’s policy.
Details below:
‘SURGE’ ORIGINALLY DEFINED AS ‘TEMPORARY,’ ‘SHORT-TERM’ INCREASE IN TROOP LEVELS:
NOVEMBER 20: NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS MCCAIN WANTS ‘SHORT-TERM SURGE’: “In Washington, a leading Republican supporter of the war, Senator John McCain of Arizona, said American troops in Iraq were ‘fighting and dying for a failed policy.’ But Mr. McCain continued to argue vigorously for a short-term surge in American forces, and he gained a vocal ally in Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina…” [New York Times, Brian Knowlton, 11/19/06]
NOVEMBER 20: CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR REPORTS ON ‘TEMPORARY SURGE’: “Speculation over a temporary surge in troops has been fueled in part by sources close to administration deliberations on Iraq strategy.” [Christian Science Monitor, Howard LaFranchi, 11/20/06]
NOVEMBER 20: WASHINGTON POST REPORTS ON ‘SHORT’ ‘TEMPORARY’ TROOP INCREASE: “Under this mixture of options, which is gaining favor inside the military, the U.S. presence in Iraq, currently about 140,000 troops, would be boosted by 20,000 to 30,000 for a short period, the officials said. The purpose of the temporary but notable increase, they said, would be twofold…” [Washington Post, Thomas Ricks, 11/20/06]
NOVEMBER 21: NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS SENIOR BUSH OFFICIALS BACK ‘SHORT-TERM’ ‘TEMPORARY’ SURGE: “Pentagon officials conducting a review of Iraq strategy are considering a substantial but temporary increase in American troop levels and the addition of several thousand more trainers to work with Iraqi forces, a senior Defense Department official said Monday. The idea, dubbed the ’surge option’ by some officials, would involve increasing American forces by 20,000 troops or more for several months… ‘There are people who believe that a short-term surge would have a beneficial impact, but there isn’t universal agreement on that yet,’ said the senior official.” [New York Times, David Cloud, 11/21/06]
NOVEMBER 21: NBC NEWS REPORTS ON ‘SHORT-TERM SURGE’ OPTION: Let’s talk a bit about some of the plans that the Pentagon is supposedly considering. First of all, sending 20,000 more troops into Iraq, a short-term surge in an effort to try to stabilize Baghdad. [Andrea Mitchell, MSNBC, 11/21/06]
NOVEMBER 22: FOX NEWS REPORTS ON ‘TEMPORARY’ SURGE: “The new Marine Corps commandant General James Conway…said the idea some people are now suggesting of creating a temporary surge of U.S. forces in Iraq could be accomplished with the current force of about 180,000 Marines, but would have an undesirable impact later on.” [Brit Hume, Fox News, 11/22/06, available on Lexis]
NOVEMBER 22: ABC NEWS REPORTS ON ‘TEMPORARY’ SURGE: “A temporary increase in US force levels in Iraq. And what General Conway said is that the Marine Corps could facilitate a temporary surge of no more than 60 days, really. He said that’s about the limit.” [ABC News, Jonathan Karl, 11/22/06, available on Lexis]
IN FACT, WHITE HOUSE IS PLANNING LONG-TERM ESCALATION OF U.S. FORCES:
TIME REPORTS BUSH PLANNING ESCALATION FOR ‘UP TO TWO YEARS’: “Sometime next week the President is expected to propose a surge in the number of U.S. forces in Iraq for a period of up to two years.” [Time, 1/4/07]
DECEMBER 27: ARCHITECTS OF THE ESCALATION PLAN ADMIT IT WILL NOT BE SHORT-TERM: In a joint Washington Post op-ed, retired Gen. Jack Keane and right-wing scholar Fred Kagan said they needed to “cut through the confusion” and admitted a troop increase would require “at least 30,000 combat troops lasting 18 months or so. Any other option is likely to fail.” [Washington Post joint op-ed, 12/27/06]
JANUARY 8: NEW U.S. GROUND COMMANDER IN IRAQ ANTICIPATES ESCALATION FOR ‘TWO OR THREE YEARS’: The New York Times reported on Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno. “The new American operational commander in Iraq said Sunday that even with the additional American troops likely to be deployed in Baghdad under President Bush’s new war strategy it might take another ‘two or three years’ for American and Iraqi forces to gain the upper hand in the war. [New York Times, 1/8/07]
JANUARY 9: MCCAIN SAYS 6 MONTHS IS TOO SHORT & ‘THE WORST OF ALL WORLDS WOULD BE A SMALL, SHORT SURGE’: “There are two keys to any increase in U.S. force levels: It must be substantial, and it must be sustained…The worst of all worlds would be a small, short surge of U.S. forces.” [Sen. John McCain, Sacramento Bee op-ed, 1/9/07]
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116 Responses to “Media Misleading Americans By Using ‘Surge’ To Describe Bush Policy”
Misleading the American people is precisely what the press is for these days, it seems. Note how the misleading is always in Bush’s favor.
January 10th, 2007 at 12:44 pmSo much for pretending to be Bipartisan
http://www.nytimes.com/ 2007/ 01/ 10/ washington/ 10capitol.html?ei=5065&en=43a3f1448e55872c&ex=1169096400&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print
ROTFL
January 10th, 2007 at 12:46 pmWe don’t have a leader. We have a misleader. Par for the effing course.
January 10th, 2007 at 12:47 pmThey’re like trained parrots. Polly want a cracker? Say “surge.” Good girl! Elaine Quihano of CNN even went so far as reporting that Democrats were attempting to “frame” Bush’s plan for a “surge” as an “escalation!” Can you imagine that.
January 10th, 2007 at 12:49 pmSomeone suggested the word escalation be used each time this subject was brought up. It is an escalation, not a surge. Any additional troops put in Iraq, will be there to stay. Bush needs to be impeached, and Cheney and the rest brought down with him, so we can get to the business of getting our country back in order.
January 10th, 2007 at 12:50 pmThe worst of all worlds would be a small, short surge of U.S. forces.†[Sen. John McCain, Sacramento Bee op-ed, 1/9/07]
It would be worse yet, Cheeks, if that described your tool.
Hey, Happy Gay, did you know ROTFL stands for
January 10th, 2007 at 12:51 pmReally Out To F*cking Lunch?
Come to think of it, that describes you quite accurately!
misleading the american folks is exactly what the bush regime is wanting and will keep doing to push the ‘zionist’ agenda.
this ESCALATION is do to take period over the next several months. with 5000 troops leaving asap. matter of fact they are due to fly out as the dicator occupying OUR whitehouse is going to give his mickey mouse agenda to the american folks.
January 10th, 2007 at 12:55 pmForget bipartisanship! The adults are in charge now, the other side has shown itself to be criminal and incompetent and this escalation must be stopped. It’s madness, nothing more, from a madman.
January 10th, 2007 at 12:56 pmHey Hap, meds kicked in yet? Isn’t bipartisanship date-rape? I’m feeling really sorry for the poor repub congreslime, being put on the spot - just like Bush did to Dems in ‘02, before the midterms. Now you’ll get a chance to show us all that repubs are made of sterner stuff.
January 10th, 2007 at 12:58 pmCorporate media/press are paid off Bush Regime whores! Surge is a misleading word to mask the reality of escalation for the Iraq fiasco!
January 10th, 2007 at 1:00 pmWhat’s you point, Happy Guy (assuming you have one…)?
January 10th, 2007 at 1:00 pmDistracting Congress from the Real War Plan: Iran
by Paul Craig Roberts
Is the surge an orchestrated distraction from the real war plan?
A good case can be made that it is. The US Congress and media are focused on President Bush’s proposal for an increase of 20,000 US troops in Iraq, while Israel and its American neoconservative allies prepare an assault on Iran.
Commentators have expressed puzzlement over President Bush’s appointment of a US Navy admiral as commander in charge of the ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The appointment makes sense only if the administration’s attention has shifted from the insurgencies to an attack on Iran.
The Bush administration has recently doubled its aircraft carrier forces and air power in the Persian Gulf. According to credible news reports, the Israeli air force has been making practice runs in preparation for an attack on Iran.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:01 pmIt’s all in the wording.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:05 pmSo let’s just call this a temporary semi-permanent upsizing of the head count in selected military deployments.
Happy Giy,
January 10th, 2007 at 1:07 pmIread the article and unless I missed something it stated that the vote would be an up or down vote on Bush’s proposd escalation of the war. What is partisan about that? They can vote anyway they feel like.
“…they (the media) are helping to mislead the American people…”
So when have things changed? They have been doing that for as long as I can remember. It is called Republican Politics. From “I am not a crook” to “To stay or not to stay, that is the escalation” the media has dished out the Republican slop without ever verifying the truth. It is, however, a sign that DUHbya can keep his word. He promised that he would “change” his course and he is proposing to do just that but not in the direction that was expected. It just proves he is an educated man. He just received his PhD (BS, MS, PHD —Bull Shit, More of the Same, Piled Higher and Deeper) in Liar’s Science.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:08 pmthe press has been programmed from the get go. They used that laughable title “the coalition” continuously. They repeat all the white house’s catch phrases. This is no different.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:08 pmwe are really really really really really sick of war
January 10th, 2007 at 1:09 pm“surge” “escalation” “redeployment” “withdrawal” WHATEVER they want to call it…
…NOT ONE MORE DIME should go to these thieving, mass murdering al Crakker TRAITORS in the WH and Pentagon (criminal military/corporate industrial complex)…
…ANYONE (who isn’t a profiteering scoundrel benefitting from this occupation) supporting ANYTHING Bushiva wants to do (short of resigning and turning himself and his cohorts in to answer for their crimes)…
…IS IDIOTIC, “STOOPID” (sic), DUMB, IMBECILIC, and should be used for fertilizer…
INVESTIGATE
January 10th, 2007 at 1:15 pmIMPEACH
INCARCERATE
IMPOUND
Basra operation to be completed in weeks -Blair
LONDON (Reuters) - British operations aimed at preparing for the handover of security in Iraq’s southern province of Basra to Iraqi authority could be completed in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Wednesday.
“There has been an operation that the British have been conducting in Basra over the past few months which will be completed in the next few weeks,” Blair said, adding he would then discuss future British policy in Iraq with parliament
THIS IS THE WAY TO DO IT
January 10th, 2007 at 1:16 pmLazy, overpaid, complacent media - what ever happened to Mencken’s adage about the press?
‘The press should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable’
January 10th, 2007 at 1:18 pmBelieve it or not Chris Mathews has called the term ” surge ” a White House PR stunt. Even Chris can make sense - once.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:26 pmNot to be a conspiracy theorist, but the CIA is either pumping out the disinformation or lobbying groups and other people are pressuring the bosses of the MSM and the journalists to say surge.
AIPAC and all those mean Neo-Con US and Israelis love to scare the MSM into their place
“The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media.”
January 10th, 2007 at 1:29 pm- William Colby, former CIA director 1971-1975
Junior has taken it upon himself to bring unimaginable damage upon his own country and it’s people at every opportunity.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:32 pmHe’s a criminal of the highest
order and shouldn’t be leading his dog to the front yard let alone
attempting to act as commander in chief.
If he’s got that kind of clout after all he’s done and after what
the last election clearly showed . . . . he’ll self destruct for sure.
Funny how the “liberal” press mostly reports with a right-wing bias. The liberal press has been dead for years. Maybe someday this fallacy will die.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:35 pmWhy do you care about the media? This “surge” will never happen. We now have a Dem controled congress that would never let this war continue. They will be voting to cut all Iraq war money any day now. For them to approve more funding for the Iraq war would make them huge hypocrits. Hell, they ran there campaigns being against this war so for them to support it now would be foolish.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:35 pmThey use focus groups to come up with these terms. Watch “The Persuaders” on PBS Frontline
January 10th, 2007 at 1:39 pmRoger_Roger sez:
We care because a representative democratic republic such as ours is only as good as the information available to its citizens. Poison that information, and you poison the nation, leaving it ripe for the picking by unscrupulous old men who have no respect for the Constitution or the Founding Fathers that authored it.
Every time the media distorts information like this, it drives another nail into the coffin of America.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:43 pmThe Democrats have no intention to “cut all Iraq war money”. Per Speaker Pelosi, we will continue to support the troops that are there BUT the President is going to have to justify an escalation and the funds necessary for such.
PS. They ran “their” campaigns…
January 10th, 2007 at 1:44 pmSurge is getting tired of all this.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:46 pmif the dems are REALLY listening to the american folks they will without any hestitation put a stop to the funding.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:52 pmKikiD sez:
Don’t bother to correct Roger_Roger on his seeming inability to differentiate between ‘there’ and ‘their’…he does it on purpose, so when someone calls attention to it, he can fault the ‘American Education System’ (see here for an example).
In short, yes, he’s that starved for attention. Sad, isn’t it?
January 10th, 2007 at 1:53 pm“Why do you care about the media?”
Good question. In 2000, millions of people somehow came to the conclusion that GW Bush was a likable guy who you would like to have a beer with and millions of people somehow came to the conclusion that Al Gore was a lying, self-promoting creep. How did people come to these conclusions if not for media messages?
January 10th, 2007 at 1:54 pmSo the Dems are flip flopping on the war and now support it? That confuses me deeply. To vote yes to Iraq war money is supporting the war in a HUGE way. WHy are they now going back on the idea of Dems being against this war?
January 10th, 2007 at 1:59 pm“Surge” implies the Bush administration has a withdrawl plan for troops in the near future.
The media should be asking when that will happen, and what goals troops need to meet before such a withdrawl is possible.
What? Bush still has no plan and believes troops withdrawl (or even talk of such) is equivalent of losing something we’re just as unsure of as the point of the war. Well, then how can it be a surge if there is no plan for withdrawl?
January 10th, 2007 at 2:01 pmfrom Jennifer Loven, off the AP wire
“The administration plans to expand an existing program to decentralize reconstruction efforts. Ten units known as Provincial Reconstruction Teams will be expanded to 19, with the additional units based in Baghdad and in Anbar province, seats of most of the worst violence. The teams, under State Department control, will administer some of the economic aid, including an effort to provide small loans to start or expand businesses.”
January 10th, 2007 at 2:02 pmWow! what an expansion! There will be some real opportunity for new AK-47 repair and RPG reloading plants to get up and running.
Hey Happy Guy, are you still here? I have something to say to you.
January 10th, 2007 at 2:06 pmAs President Bush readies for his Wednesday speech announcing the move of 20,000 new troops to Iraq, Democratic leaders say they will hold symbolic votes that force Republicans to take a stand on Bush’s proposal. NYT
Thats the plan Roger.
January 10th, 2007 at 2:07 pmI think David Horsey sums up Bush’s plan pretty good.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?id=1527
January 10th, 2007 at 2:10 pmfrom Jennifer Loven, off the AP wire
“The teams, under State Department control, will administer some of the economic aid, including an effort to provide small loans to start or expand businesses.â€
Comment by RUCerious #37
Hey RUCerious,
I guess they (Iraqi entrepreneurs) missed out on the shrink wrapped bundles of loot L. Paul Bremer, Chalabi and their gang were passing out…
…or “misplacing” during the good ‘ol days of the Coalition Provisional Authority…
…NOW (after four years of thievery and THEIR pockets being “almost” filled)…
…Bushiva and L’il Dick want to spread the wealth by providing a jobs program in Iraq…
…”Let ‘em eat cake”…
January 10th, 2007 at 2:15 pmHe’s rolling on the floor lividly.
January 10th, 2007 at 2:15 pmâ€Let ‘em eat cakeâ€â€¦
Comment by big papa
Speaking of cake, it’s time to round up some grub. TTFN
January 10th, 2007 at 2:16 pmBig Papa
January 10th, 2007 at 2:26 pmThe next big industry
Cake shaped IEDs
Note that the escalation in the War is timed to coincide with big oil companies landing 30-year contracts to extract as much Iraqi oil as possible.
This fits perfectly with the PNAC goal of appropriating the World’s Oil Resources to line their pockets.
January 10th, 2007 at 2:34 pmDemocrats are nothing but another face of the AIPAC coin when it comes to the Middle Eastern affairs. Don’t expect too much from Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Rahm Emanuel.
January 10th, 2007 at 2:34 pmThe big story the lefty media ignores is that the Dems now have power based on being against the Iraq War yet now fully support it. It is the biggest story in a long time. All these anti-war campaigns to get elected to simply go to washington to vote yes for the war and its funding. It is shocking to even me.
January 10th, 2007 at 2:47 pmRRooggeerr,
January 10th, 2007 at 2:50 pmDo you have anything else to add other than “Ican’t beleive that the Dems aren’t acting on the war sooner….”. If you want you can take a few days off and I can just cut and paste your comments every once in a while. Just let me know.
dlet
I thought about offering that option to RogerXerox also. (Of course, I would have done some serious editing first. His posts could be reduced to a few words, like “I am afraid of foreigners, Democrats, gays, and the dark”.)
January 10th, 2007 at 3:01 pmWhy did Roger even wait for them to be sworn in before blaming the Dems for the escalation of the Iraq War? Why not start complaining on November 9, 2006? It would have been just as believable then as now. Shocked Roger? I think your shock came on November 9.. but if you want to play the passive-aggressive hypocrite for us, go right ahead.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:04 pmPLC,
January 10th, 2007 at 3:11 pmThe worst thing is that you know its false concern.
It is shocking to even me.
Comment by Roger_Roger
I told you that you’d be shocked after the November elections, Rog, but I really thought it would have been worn off by now.
Say, doesn’t it just frost your ass to see Nancy Pelosi as Speaker? I mean, Hastert’s fat ass out, and her up there day after day, smiling, kissing, hugging, and more or less taking over? I know that most rednecks sure get pissed just seeing her on TV and sharing the spotlight with President Bush. She is so much prettier and more popular, you know?
I mean, she’s even more popular and than those skanks Ann Coulter or Michelle Malkin! Don’t it just piss you off or what?
January 10th, 2007 at 3:15 pm2006 Warmest on Record in U.S.
Data from the National Climatic Data Center indicates that the average temperature for 2006 was 2.2 degrees higher than the norm and 0.07 degree higher than 1998, the previous warmest year on record. CNN
It’s the Pottery Barn rule Roger. You break it you buy it.
We have bought a quagmire, albeit an oily one, along with 25 million people.
Welcome back BNF=)
January 10th, 2007 at 3:15 pmWhat a dumb ass observation. It’s like we are in High school…you flip-flopped…I’m telling my mom. Here is the real issue mr. play conservative. If you are and not just a koolaid drinking, boot licking nazi then explain how the bill of rights gets taken away under this president. That we leave ou borders wide open. That we give a miniscule tax break to likes of me and you, but get to pay off 7 trillion in dept under this asshole. That we go into Iraq to nation build. Read on:
Executive Order Numbers and Meaning:
10900 - Allows the government to take control over all modes of transportation, highways, and seaports.
10995 - Allows the government to seize and control the communication media.
10997 - Allows the government to take over all electrical power, gas, petroleum, fuels, and minerals.
10998 - Allows the government to take over all food resources and farms.
11000 - Allows the government to mobilize civilians into work brigades under government supervision.
11001 - Allows the government to take over all health, education, and welfare functions.
11002 - Designates the Postmaster General to operate national registration of all persons.
11003 - Allows the government to take over all airports and aircraft, including commercial aircraft.
11004 - Allows the Housing and Finance Authority to relocate communities, build new housing with public funds, and designate areas to be abandoned, and establish new locations for populations.
11005 - Allows the government to take over railroads, inland waterways, and public storage facilities.
11051 - Specifies the responsibility of the Office of Emergency Planning and gives authorization to put all Executive Orders into effect in times of increased international tensions and economic or financial crisis.
11310 - Grants authority to the Department of Justice to enforce the plans set out in Executive Orders, to institute industrial support, to establish judicial and legislative liaison, to control all aliens, to operate penal and correctional institutions, and to advise and assist the President.
11049 - Assigns emergency preparedness function to federal departments and agencies, consolidating 21 operative Executive Orders issued over a fifteen-year period.
11921 - Allows the Federal Emergency Preparedness Agency to develop plans to establish control over the mechanisms of production and distribution, of energy sources, wages, salaries, credit and flow of money in the U.S.A. financial institution in any undefined national emergency. It also provides that when the President declares a state of emergency, Congress cannot review the action for six months.
This is what is store for us! Don’t be fooled by this phoney conservative in office. He stealing our freedoms, and I really love my gun.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:15 pmdlet
False concern - absolutely! Worse, it’s a juvenile put-down that he thinks is so special he has to repeat ad nauseum. Oh, well, trolls are fun to play with sometimes, I guess.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:21 pmthe lefty media -Roger
The media is not really lefty Roger, that is a urban myth propagated by the politicos.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:24 pmThe media, to me, is centrist Roger.
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2447
findings include:
# On select issues from corporate power and trade to Social Security and Medicare to health care and taxes, journalists are actually more conservative than the general public.
# Journalists are mostly centrist in their political orientation.
# The minority of journalists who do not identify with the “center” are more likely to identify with the “right” when it comes to economic issues and to identify with the “left” when it comes to social issues.
# Journalists report that “business-oriented news outlets” and “major daily newspapers” provide the highest quality coverage of economic policy issues, while “broadcast network TV news” and “cable news services” (think FOX) provide the worst.
I feel all giddy today that Bush is going to speak tonight .
Now I know how you Dems felt when Kennedy was about to speak or make an appearance .
It is electric .
January 10th, 2007 at 4:03 pmMedia Misleading Americans
Yes, they typically do.
January 10th, 2007 at 4:22 pmThis just in: “The polling firm of Wymp, Winer, and Trayter, has suggested that Democrats use the term “escalation” when describing the President’s to-be announced policy change this evening. “Escalation”, which appears top by synonymous with “surge”, is another attempt by Democrats to lodge the same complaint, with nothing new added.” That certainly clears up THAT…..
Toooodles……
January 10th, 2007 at 4:51 pmWhen has the popular media as of late done anything but mislead the public?
January 10th, 2007 at 4:56 pmAnd Mighty’s post is relavant in what way?
January 10th, 2007 at 4:56 pmMA, do you think that the Democrats could get every talking head to start using the word “escalation” on cue? Why do you think all of TV’s talking heads started to use the word “surge” at the same time? Was it just a coincidence or something?
January 10th, 2007 at 5:00 pmBluePUP - the talking heads are using the term the WH is issuing in pre-speech statements. But don’t worry, they’ll start using the word “escalation” when they incorrectly parse the Bush speech…..
January 10th, 2007 at 5:08 pmWe are increasing the number of troops and equipment. We are lengthening the time the soldiers are required to be there. We have no new ‘goals’ in mind. That folks, is an escalation.
January 10th, 2007 at 5:11 pmTet Offense part deux
January 10th, 2007 at 5:15 pmTom - Like you would know…..The last escalation in your life probably occurred on the “moving steps” in the department store. I think Progs would be better served taking some credit for the statement just issued by PM Maliki, in which he demands the Mahdi Army give up their weapons.
January 10th, 2007 at 5:17 pmMA: “the talking heads are using the term the WH is issuing in pre-speech statements.”
Exactly, but see, here’s my problem: I don’t remember there being that much cooperation during the Clinton administration.
January 10th, 2007 at 5:18 pmMA, why shouldn’t a person call increasing the number of troops in a conflict “escalation?”
January 10th, 2007 at 5:29 pmThe Tet offensive was a tactical defeat for the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces, but it is widely seen as the turning point of the war that led to the eventual withdrawal of American forces.
The Tet Offensive is frequently seen as an example of the value of media influence and popular opinion in the pursuit of military objectives.
Wikipedia
For Truth. You are right. This could be Tet II, unless the American people, and especially, the media begin to understand the stakes and get on board.
January 10th, 2007 at 5:31 pmPaul, at the time of Tet II, there was an informal “firewall” between news departments and the corporate boards of their parent companies. That firewall no longer exists. There was also a “fairness doctrine.” That no longer exists. The mainstream media may not lead the way this time unless forced.
January 10th, 2007 at 5:37 pmI think Progs would be better served taking some credit for the statement just issued by PM Maliki, in which he demands the Mahdi Army give up their weapons.
Comment by mighty aphrodite
Dear lady - I do know about that. Not the wierd image of the moving steps thingy, but troop escalation. I think Malaki flexing his muscles and demanding security in his country is a very good thing. I truly hope he is the guy to make all this happen. BTW, you really don’t need to be so snotty and rude - do you? When I was young and foolish, I would piss people off and then ask them to listen to my POV. That, of course, was the wrong way to do it. We all can try to value your opinion (Yes, MA even yours), but it would be best to not start off with an insult. It makes the rest of your comment sorta useless. Most folks posting here are loyal, patriotic americans (as I’m sure you consider yourself).
January 10th, 2007 at 6:43 pmBluedog49. I don’t agree with everything you have to say, but at least you are reasonable and what you have to say is coherent. I also appreciate that you don’t call me moron, idiot, loser, etc, etc. I listen to what you have to say. But, I do believe, that whether we have success in Iraq or not, is largerly dependent on what happens in the media.
January 10th, 2007 at 6:50 pmBluedog49. I don’t agree with everything you have to say, but at least you are reasonable and what you have to say is coherent. I also appreciate that you don’t call me moron, idiot, loser, etc, etc. I listen to what you have to say. But, I do believe, that whether we have success in Iraq or not, is largerly dependent on what happens in the media.
Comment by paul
Bluedog49 is a very reasonable blogger. I have learned much from reading his words. I also learn much from Zooey.
As for the media being involved - that is an interesting point because the perceptions we gather from watching and listening to them certainly generate opinions. If we get unfair and unbalanced news, then maybe our perceptions of the conflict will not be based on reality. That is why it is vital we all gather our information from as many sources as possible. Then maybe we could weed through the ‘noise’ and come to more thoughtful conclusions.
January 10th, 2007 at 6:59 pmLike I mentioned in other threads that all this media coverage regarding sending more troops and the debate about pulling the troops was for the purpose of setting the stage for polls that would be used by the Demoncrats to see what they could manage to successfully pull off. They have looked at the numbers and are backtracking and as you can obviously see here hoping to rephrase the question and then go at it again.
The Dems work hand in hand with the media and the pollsters. They never really indicate their true convictions and are a spineless bunch of cowards.
January 10th, 2007 at 7:05 pmInteresting…just now on HARDBALL, Chris Matthews just questioned the nomenclature of ’surge’, since the soldiers will be staying for 18-24 months.
Unfortunately, he didn’t press the issue, but I guess I feel fortunate that he at least mentioned it… :/
January 10th, 2007 at 7:10 pmThe Dems work hand in hand with the media and the pollsters. They never really indicate their true convictions and are a spineless bunch of cowards.
Comment by joeslogic
I didn’t have to wait to long to show you folks what I meant, did I? If we all gathered our news from many different sources, we wouldn’t be posting words like that for all to see. We would thoughtfully decide that some folks disagree with us. We would also think twice about calling loyal, patriotic americans cowards simply because their opinions differ from yours.
January 10th, 2007 at 7:10 pmForget bipartisanship! The adults are in charge now, the other side has shown itself to be criminal and incompetent and this escalation must be stopped. It’s madness, nothing more, from a madman.
George W. Bush is the Duly Elected Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and he MAKES the decisions…. He has decided, a little late I might add that 20,000 more troops will be deployed to Iraq… the Left Wing Liberal Fascists in Congress CANNOT STOP him…. no matter how much they kick and scream like little children!!!!!
Republicans Rule this Country — so GET USED TO IT!!!!
January 10th, 2007 at 7:28 pmInteresting…just now on HARDBALL, Chris Matthews just questioned the nomenclature of ’surge’, since the soldiers will be staying for 18-24 months.
Dear Trip Master Monkey, I would suggest that you turn on FOX NEWS so you can get the FAIR & BALANCED News!!!! Bill O’Reilly is KING of Cable News and has uncovered all of you Secular Progressives as DANGEROUS to the Stability of the U. S. Chris Matthews is a Left Wing Light Weight!!!!
January 10th, 2007 at 7:31 pmThe Dems work hand in hand with the media and the pollsters. They never really indicate their true convictions and are a spineless bunch of cowards.
Thank you Joe for telling the Left Wing Nut Jobs the reality of the main stream news organizations today… They are all run by Left Wing Fascists…. the same as Aacademia in most of our major college and universities — Jammed with Left Wing Liberal Secular Progressives who Brain Wash all of our children with their Left Wing Liberal CRAP!!!!!
January 10th, 2007 at 7:39 pmAs for the media being involved - that is an interesting point because the perceptions we gather from watching and listening to them certainly generate opinions. If we get unfair and unbalanced news, then maybe our perceptions of the conflict will not be based on reality. That is why it is vital we all gather our information from as many sources as possible. Then maybe we could weed through the ‘noise’ and come to more thoughtful conclusions.
WOW, Tom it sounds like you should be watching FOX NEWS, the only FAIR & BALANCED NEWS on Cable TV today!!!! You can a whole lot about a person if you ask him if they watch CNN or FOX NEWS!!!!! All of the Left Wing Liberal Communists watch CNN!!!!!!
January 10th, 2007 at 7:43 pmPaul and Tom, thanks. I appreciate that.
January 10th, 2007 at 7:47 pmNevins: “Republicans Rule this Country — so GET USED TO IT!!!!”
Earth to Nevins: Democrats did not lose a single seat in congress last election. This is the first time in 70 years this has happened. In the house, they went from 32 seats down to 33 seats up. They now have majorities in the House and Senate which means they control the Legislative Branch of government.
Seemed like you forgot, which I can understand since you watch FOX. Just thought I’d remind you.
January 10th, 2007 at 7:56 pmWOW, Tom it sounds like you should be watching FOX NEWS, the only FAIR & BALANCED NEWS on Cable TV today!!!! You can a whole lot about a person if you ask him if they watch CNN or FOX NEWS!!!!! All of the Left Wing Liberal Communists watch CNN!!!!!!
Comment by Sir Greg Nevins
The important phrase I attempted to highlight was ‘getting your info from as many sources as possible’. Your whole rant about my comment didn’t speak to that point at all. You spent all those words and exclamation points, but didn’t address my main concern.
January 10th, 2007 at 8:07 pmEarth to Nevins: Democrats did not lose a single seat in congress last election.
Comment by Bluedog49
Again, Bluedog49 shows his wisdom. Touche. Anything to add Sir Nevins?
January 10th, 2007 at 8:10 pmThis surge is a cruel and hateful joke. How many more people will have to die for Bush’s filthy oil war?
January 10th, 2007 at 8:13 pmThis surge is a cruel and hateful joke. How many more people will have to die for Bush’s filthy oil war?
Where is ALL of the Oil that Bush is supposedly fighting for in Iraq???? The War in Iraq is part of the War on Terror — did you forget that our Country was attacked on 9/11 and 3,000 American were Killed!!!! You are the FILTHY ONE…. Move to Iran if you don’t like the way our Commander-in-Chief is executing the War on Terror!!!!!
January 10th, 2007 at 8:56 pmEarth to Nevins: Democrats did not lose a single seat in congress last election.
The makeup of the 110th Congress is 53.6% Democratic and 46.4% Republicans. In the Senate the Democrats hold 50 seats to the Republicans 49 seats. This is a very SLIM Majority and NO LEGISLATION will be PASSED without the Republicans assistance. The Left Wing Democratic Agenda will go nowhere unless the Republicans in Congress give their support. Then there is the VETO POWER of the President. Watch for President Bush to VETO any bills that are sent to his desk that he believes are NOT in the BEST Interest of the American People!!!! It is very UNLIKELY that the Congress would be able to get enough votes to OVER RIDE any VETO’S by the President…..
Republicans Rule this Country by holding the White House & Supreme Court!!!! There will be nothing but GRID LOCK unless the Republicans CONSENT!!!!! Now DEAL WITH THIS….
January 10th, 2007 at 9:21 pmThats laughable. Too think that the media is somehow liberal is so ignorant of the facts, it’s bootlickers like you two not wanting independent journalist exposing and disagreeing with policies of this president and president before him. Bill “the hummer” Clinton sure thought the media was ganging up on him for getting what his mentor got a daily basis.
The Liberal claim started sometime after watergate and was the brainchild of Lee Atwater, and Ed Rollins to deflect criticism of conservatives by the media. Because the Watergate breakin was viewed as political more then criminal, the media portrayed the crime as an agenda against democrats. As far as I see the media has always been centrist until the cable networks started up. News agencies are owned by big business that have shareholders that want to make some bucks. If we did have a liberal media and it wasn’t mainstream, then nobody would watch it and shareholders would loose what the love so much. Your central thesis that the media is somehow a cabul of liberalism couldn’t be farther from the truth.
You two write like a couple of rednecks, so I have to assume you are? Here’s my question to you. If you think your so conservative and love this country and the second ammendment (your right to bear arms), then why would you stick up for a president that took the second ammendment away in house resolution bill HR6166. Knowing that your rednecks you probably come from left of the bible belt…so get on the internet (that thing with tubes), and Goggle Nafta super highway, then look at who this president gave control too run this highway that starts down in Mexico and ends all the way up there in them canadians coutry. Hot damn, then look who’s ganna run this highway…Americans? Hell no…yah buddy, its gonna be the Spanish, and I’m not talking about the Mexicans. Fu*king wake up. This isn’t high school. These people are trying to dissolve the soverienty of this country. And when your really brave and mommy can help you read this go to:
http://www.cfr.org/publication/8102/
This is your presidents blog site called the CFR. Or better kown as The Council on Foriegn Relations. Do you know what they want to do hickboys? They want to make a united Hemisphere of Mexico, Canada, and the US. Functionally, destroying our soverinty and our borders. Now getting back to that 4 football field in length highway that will allow all those Mexican truckers over into your country to deliver crap made in Mexico on the cheap.
January 10th, 2007 at 10:25 pmLook at now outed former langley student (CIA)Anderson Cooper’s so-called discussion on Iraq, which is typical of the MSM’s parroting the Pentagon’s views.
January 10th, 2007 at 11:04 pmCnn’s usual suspects all way show up & frankly im getting sick&tired of it, GERGEN(pro-war,just do it better); Andrew Sullivan(pro-war, just do it better)and Klein, (pro Iraq war, just do it better and the ONLY mistake, invading in the first place NOOOOOOOO, “we should have sent in more troops”.
NOBODY is ever heard in the U.S. media that says the war was illegal and it was WRONG and it was about OIL, NOBODY.
That is why CNN “news” is just as insidious as FAUX “news”, they have convinced many they are impartial, yet only parrot the same propaganda over and over. Malaki is to blame & “we should have sent in more troops earlier”.
As far as I see the media has always been centrist until the cable networks started up. News agencies are owned by big business that have shareholders that want to make some bucks. If we did have a liberal media and it wasn’t mainstream, then nobody would watch it and shareholders would loose what the love so much. Your central thesis that the media is somehow a cabul of liberalism couldn’t be farther from the truth.
This has got to be the biggest piece os horseshit that I have ever read in my LIFE. All of the News Media (ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC) and every major Newspaper in this Country leans to the FAR LEFT (Wash. Post, New York Times, etc, etc, etc.)!!! FOX NEWS is the ONLY FAIR & BALANCED NEWS OUTLET on the TV.
You two write like a couple of rednecks, so I have to assume you are? Here’s my question to you. If you think your so conservative and love this country and the second ammendment (your right to bear arms), then why would you stick up for a president that took the second ammendment away in house resolution bill HR6166. Knowing that your rednecks you probably come from left of the bible belt…
Please don’t ASS-U-ME that I am a redneck…. I am a highly educated Catholic Conservative and a Loyal Republican!!! I believe in the ideals of the Republican Party –Less Government, Lower Taxes, & a strong military. I have nothing in common with the Democrats who want to TAX THE RICH and GIVE IT TO THE POOR and SPEND, SPEND, SPEND our tax dollars!!!!!
January 11th, 2007 at 1:22 amIf America is opposed to an indefinite war in Iraq, and instability in the Middle East, and if it seeks peace, America must bite the bullet and impeach Bush/Cheney before the chicken hawk duo start another war based on the next lie - or set of consecutive lies.
January 11th, 2007 at 3:43 am[…] This decision to escalate the US military intervention is a direct repudiation of the results of the 2006 congressional elections, in which millions of American voters expressed their opposition to the war in Iraq by putting an end to Republican control of the Senate and House of Representatives. According to Think Progress blog in the USA, the media wrongly describe Bush’s new Iraq war policy as ’surge’ while ‘escalation’ would be correct. […]
January 11th, 2007 at 6:14 amMisleading me! No way! I’m sorry. What did you say? I was talking on the phone setting up a cheeseca*ke factory lunch after my power walk with my three darling children in a park near my 4000 sf home. Oh pardon me, i have an e-mail from my stock broker re: my stock in exxon, oh wonderful news i’m very wealthy. Oh, what were we talking about?
January 11th, 2007 at 12:00 pmImpeach and imprison ASAP. This man and his cohorts are criminals. To put our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters into the middle of a religious war in any foreign country is criminally insane. To do it now puts the blood of every person to die on Bush’s and Cheney’s hands. The Democrats must act NOW!
January 11th, 2007 at 1:14 pm[…] 1. ThinkProgress, “Media Misleading Americans by Using “Surge,”” January 10, 2007 thinkprogress.org/2007/01/10/media-surge-escalation/ […]
January 11th, 2007 at 4:32 pmYes, it seems incomprehensible that anybody (Bush) could be so stupid, evil, or insane to continue on this course–not only regarding the war, but the environment, our economy, our standing among nations. But it makes sense if you understand Bush as a born-again Christian. They can do anything they want to the planet because Jesus is Coming. And they expect “Jesus” to fix everything up and make of our world a heaven on earth. And if they need to provoke Armageddon in order to fulfill their Christian prophecy, they’ll do it. It’s scary, but they’ll do it. Because they “know” they’re right. Just like ancient cultists and modern kool-ade drinkers, they are the most dangerous of all human beings: “True Believers”.
January 11th, 2007 at 8:18 pm[…] A Connecticut rush-hour rally in the center of Hamden managed a very impressive crowd today. Organized by MoveOn.org, the gathering was one of many across the country in response to Bush’s ridiculous call last night for more of the same in Iraq. According to CBS, support for an escalation is in the teens, and it shows. […]
January 12th, 2007 at 3:11 amTo do it now puts the blood of every person to die on Bush’s and Cheney’s hands. The Democrats must act NOW!
Dear Jim Barisano — You Left Wing Liberal ASS HOLES couldn’t fight your way out of a paper bag…. let alone Protect the American People from the Terrorists that want to Kill Innocent Americans!!!!!
January 12th, 2007 at 5:41 amA Connecticut rush-hour rally in the center of Hamden managed a very impressive crowd today. Organized by MoveOn.org,
MoveOn.org is nothing more than a COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION that is trying to DESTROY AMERICA FROM THE INSIDE!!!!! George Soros is an avowed Communist and NAZI Sympathesizer!!!! I say the IRS should Investigate this Organization that is advocating the OVER THROW of the U. S. GOVERNMENT!!!!! This is a COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION and ALL of it’s Member’s are COMMUNISTS!!!!!
January 12th, 2007 at 5:45 amIt’s scary, but they’ll do it. Because they “know†they’re right. Just like ancient cultists and modern kool-aid drinkers, they are the most dangerous of all human beings: “True Believersâ€.
Wow, this is the MOST ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE LEFT WING LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND ALL OF IT’S MEMBERS!!!! WAY TO GO Dorothea!!!!!!
January 12th, 2007 at 5:48 amIf America is opposed to an indefinite war in Iraq, and instability in the Middle East, and if it seeks peace, America must bite the bullet and DEPORT Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid, John (the Gigolo) Kerry and ALL the Left Wing Liberal ASS HOLES in CONGRESS before they shot themselves in the foot!!!!
The Left Wing Liberals in this Country remind me a lot of the Condesending FRENCH FROGS!!!!!
Comment by sassykathy46 — January 11, 2007 @ 3:43 am
January 12th, 2007 at 5:53 am[…] ThinkProgress has argued that media outlets are misleading Americans when they use the term “surge” to describe President Bush’s new Iraq proposal. […]
January 12th, 2007 at 2:53 pmSir Greg - Please take your meds.
January 12th, 2007 at 3:05 pmCongress needs to stop worrying about symbolic gestures and begin to act with real courage. The madman in the White House will not only escalate the war in Iraq, but get us into a wider war with Iran and Syria if he is not stopped now.
January 12th, 2007 at 3:12 pmIt’s just awful to see how relentless Duhbya is in persuing his agenda (as a war mungerer). It’s worse that he’s using the only political capital he’s got left (the Executive branch of government) to exercise his imperial powers. Now that we have regained control of both the house and the senate, and senate Reupblicans are now are joining Democrats to finally do what Thomas Jefferson and others who established the United States Government wanted them to do. Check the ballance of power and hold the executive branch of government accountable if congress believes if the executive branch of government has gone too far.
January 12th, 2007 at 4:23 pmNow that Bush has became well aware of congress (both Democrat AND REPUBLICAN) to hold the purse strings and to stop the executive powers of our government to cease and desist with executive imperial powers, Bush has became even more relentless and more aggressive with help from the media to get his way.
The Zionist Media mouth pieces for the Skinhead Nazies is the only political capital Bush has. CNN (Christian News Network) Nancy Grase, Elaine Quihano, MSNBC (Microsoft Nazi Braodcast Channel) Tucker Carlson, Pat Buchannan, Alison Steward, Monica Crowley, and Andrea Mitchel and Fox News (FO Swastika) Sean Hannity, Bill O’reily and the Beltway Rednecks is all of the skinheads that Bush needs to push his agenda foward.
These are the same skinheads who pushed Hillary Rohdam Clinton to run for office, dispite going after her husband Bill when he took oathe of office in January 1993, the same skinheads who have been saying how “good” the economy is despite the overwhelming majority saying that the economy sucks, the same right–winged skinheads who trashed Speaker of the House Nancy Palozi like a dog, the same skinheads who already took sides with the defense in the Duke Lacrose Rape case.
The Zionist Skinhead Media not only covers Bush’s rear end everytime he is caught in a lie, but the skinhead media would make democrats and Republicans who oppose Bush’s Impearialist zionest agenda as weak on terrorism and unpatriaotic. Remember, This the same skinheads who painted Secratary of State Collin Powell (5 star declarated war General) as unpatriotic. Now their smearing anyone who gets in Bush’s way of a troop surge in Iraq. Now thier puhsing for a war with Iran, all in the name of September 11th. Despite the fact that after all we all know who was really reponsible for what happened on 9/11. You guessed it….. No one other than George W. Bush and his Saudi- Royal Family.
If Mr. Bush wants a surge, why not involve all Americans? Stop importing oil that finances Mideast governments and begin to support energy alternatives for America. I know it will bring gas lines that aggravate all drivers, but this is the sacrifice those without personal involvement will have in this war.
January 12th, 2007 at 5:02 pmWithout oil revenues, maybe the Mideast would have to begin developing their human resources to keep their countries in money. If we leave Iraq, won’t Syria, Iran, and Saudi Arabia have a wonderful time dealing with the problems in Iraq along with no oil income from America?
MoveOn.org is nothing more than a COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION that is trying to DESTROY AMERICA FROM THE INSIDE!!!!! George Soros is an avowed Communist and NAZI Sympathesizer!!!! I say the IRS should Investigate this Organization that is advocating the OVER THROW of the U. S. GOVERNMENT!!!!! This is a COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION and ALL of it’s Member’s are COMMUNISTS!!!!!
Comment by Sir Greg Nevins — January 12, 2007 @ 5:45 am
Sir Greg, you are ABSOLUTELY SICK!!! Just what makes you think that Mr. George W. “I want to take over the world” Bush gives a damn about you and every other human being on this earth? Well, I’ll answer that for you. HE DOESN’T! Not you, not me, not anyone. All he cares about is trashing our homeland (that’s the U.S.A. for all you “first-graders”), promoting disasterous policies (i.e. Iraq, Social Security, Medicaid Part D), letting his corporate “friends” steal from all of us (it’s called war profitteering in case you didn’t know you idiot), and most importantly turn the whole world against us and sold us out. You know what “SIR” Greg? He may be YOUR president, but he’s sure as hell NOT MY PRESIDENT!!!
January 12th, 2007 at 7:05 pmPlease keep away from the burning bush.
January 12th, 2007 at 7:35 pmTHIS PRESIDENT IS ANIXOUS TO KILL MORE AMERICANS AND IRAQIS. ANYTHING FOR THE OIL. THIS MAN? IS AMORAL OR EVEN IMMORAL. GOD MAY TALK TO HIM BUT GOD ALSO TALKS TO PAT ROBERTSON ANOTHER RELIGIOUS FANATIC. IT IS TIME TO IMPEACH THIS ADMINISTRATION. GET THESE TWO SICKIES OUT OF OFFICE BEFORE THEY DO MORE DAMAGE TO THIS NATION.
January 13th, 2007 at 9:26 amESCALATION, SURGE, TEMPORARY,GET REAL. HOW ABOUT RESOLUTION, INSTEAD OF DEATH, DESTRUCTION AND DISMEMBERMENT OF OUR FORCES ,OUR PEOPLE
January 13th, 2007 at 11:18 amIraq is bad enough but navel forces being sent there only means some kind of attack on iran soon. The handlers of Bush care less about american lives.
January 13th, 2007 at 9:40 pmSee the Kovic interview on Truthdig.
As a veteran who believes the troops and their mission are being abused. The naval group sent to the shores of Iran are Iran-bait.
Peaceful overt action is needed.
Stop whatever you are doing during the noon hour every Wednesday and do something. Hold a sign up in a public place stating your oposition and be friendly to all - you will be amazed how much support you will recieve. Do something. I would love to see traffic stop for 15 every Weds at noon. Put your hood up. Peaceful action is powerful. Talk and writing soothes the soul. But action is as action does! Do something. I am.
BOL to us all.
January 14th, 2007 at 7:20 amTo describe the history of Bush The Great (bullshitter) with regard to his forthrightness with the American people we must now say, “Lies, more lies, even more lies, still more lies, liar liar Iraq on fire, damn liar, abominable liar, self-serving-indiscriminate-blood spilling liar, serial killing liar, and last but not least, absolutely-sociopathic-inestimably-immoral-and-arrogantly-loathsome-detestable liar.
January 14th, 2007 at 10:03 amIMPEACHMENT- is the answer, and as soon as possible.
That president does not hear Americans
who belive in FREEDOM and fight for it.
He behaves as a DICTATOR.
We are loosing a lot of lifes every day and create anemies around the world.
Svetlana
January 14th, 2007 at 5:31 pmUnfortunately, the concept of “short” and “long” term are quite vague and can be interpreted in broad ways. Vietnam had been under seige for over 100 years when we arrived on the scene. Were we “short” term or “long” term combatants on that isle? History would show us to be short timers, but the losses of the land, eco systems, life, and the ability of the people to rebel and make right their own govenment while respecting ours may be long-term unintended consequences.
January 16th, 2007 at 2:47 pmThe White House should no longer be allowed to craft the debate form their talking points. This is an escalation, not a surge. Call it what it is. Stop allowing the Republicans to redefine the terms.
I am so tired of Republicans defining anyone who does not agree with them.
Embolders of the enemy
Those who just don’t understand
They who do not support the troops
They who want to see America lose to the terrorists
Cut and runners
Flip floppers
etc.
Perhaps they should just admit that this Presidency has been a disaster for ethics, foreign policy, domestic policy, the US economy, civil rights, immigration, securing the country against future terror attacks, etc.
January 16th, 2007 at 2:55 pmNevins,
Don’t you think that “Sir” in your name is a bit self-aggrandizing? If you are a conservative, Catholic American (as you claim) why would you subscribe to the old-world (European) system of titles for aristocracy? I would be mightily surprised if you had been knighted by The Queen, and even if you had, why broadcast the fact here in America where the system of titles is irrelevant? The queen is certainly not even my leader. Is she yours? As often as I disagree with you viewpoint (although I appreciate reading it), it would be easier for me to accept your comments if you took yourself off your high pedestal and joined us on common ground.
I think self-aggrandizing is what leads George Bush in his daily decision making. Believing that he was chosen by God to be president (and that, in essence, every decision George Bush makes was ordained by God), allows him to make decisions without considering the concequences and believing whatever the outcome is, it was meant to be by The Creator. I don’t pretend to know what God wants in the world politically, but from my understanding of Him, His main goal and hope is Love.
I hope that Love can reign, and soon. I’m not sure politically how to achieve this, but I can be sure that more troops in Iraq will delay the reign of Love.
January 16th, 2007 at 5:07 pmAs a Vietnam Vet and a 34 year employee of DOD, I find this was has done nothing to improve the security of the US and conversely, desimated our military forces.
Two arguments that bonded this country into going to war were:
1. Sadam was building weapons of mass destruction.
2. Irag was training Global Terrorists
These claims were TOTALLY wrong. How could someone make a decision to go to war without CONCRETE facts!!! We all know what happens when we ASS U ME things.
January 17th, 2007 at 12:22 am