White House Unable To Find A ‘War Czar’ To Own Bush’s Iraq Failures
White House Unable To Find A ‘War Czar’ To Own Bush’s Iraq Failures
The White House has been quietly attempting to appoint a “high-powered czar to oversee the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with authority to issue directions to the Pentagon, the State Department and other agencies.” It hasn’t publicly disclosed the position, which was today reported by the Washington Post, because it hoped to “find someone President Bush can anoint and announce for the post all at once.”
But so far, the White House hasn’t found anyone willing to take the job. At least three retired four-star generals have turned down the White House’s offer, including a key administration ally and escalation proponent:
Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane: Keane is an “influential member of the Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board” who met with President Bush in December and convinced him to send more troops to Iraq. He was a strong opponent of the Iraq Study Group’s recommendations, giving the report an “F” grade and saying, “It’s a cover story to accept defeat.”
Retired Marine Gen. John J. “Jack” Sheehan: Sheehan rejected the offer because he “believes that Vice President Cheney and his hawkish allies remain more powerful within the administration than pragmatists looking for a way out of Iraq.” He stated, “There’s the residue of the Cheney view — ‘We’re going to win, al-Qaeda’s there’ — that justifies anything we did. And then there’s the pragmatist view — how the hell do we get out of Dodge and survive? Unfortunately, the people with the former view are still in the positions of most influence.”
Retired Air Force Gen. Joseph W. Ralston also rejected the position, but refused to comment to the Washington Post.
A war czar can’t fix the Bush administration’s mess in Iraq. As Carlos Pascual, former State Department coordinator of Iraq reconstruction noted, “An individual can’t fix a failed policy. So the key thing is to figure out where the policy is wrong.”
(Kevin Drum has more.)
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
109 Responses to “White House Unable To Find A ‘War Czar’ To Own Bush’s Iraq Failures”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
So, does this mean the Cod-Piece in Chief is abdicating?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:13 amShrub should start by getting a Czar of Humanity and Common Sense.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:15 amWhat a bunch of wusses! None of these guys are willing to “take one for the team”?
Even Ronnie RayGun had an Ollie North. Perhaps GDumbya should recruit Rush Limpballs or little Seanie Insanity. Too bad that SnowJob is battling the Big C again. He would have been a great “czar” (aka “cannon fodder”).
This whole effort smacks of GDumbya’s cowardice and stupidity. He is the “war czar” . . . the “war president”. He can throw anyone he wants under the bus but the Iraq fiasco rests squarely at his feet.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:17 amOnly yesmen and morons need apply.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:18 amIsn’t this the Sec. of Def. job in the first place. Also, this piss poor excuse for an administration is attempting to add yet another layer of BS with this position. What happened to the republican mantra of less government?
This is bad on so many levels. Republicans better wake up soon because their party is being destroyed from within.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:20 amRumsfeld’s out of work. Still drawing a salary and has an office at DOD, but officially out of work.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:21 amAh, czar politics. Where would we be without our czars. A War Czar can provide a new target for media questions and a green field for political hackery. In future, when asked about the Iraq war, Bush can respond, “Don’t look at me. I’m the Decider. If you’ve got questions about the war go talk to the Gwar Czar, er, I mean War Czar. He’s the guy standing over there next to the Patriot Czar, the Education Czar and the Drug Czar.”
April 11th, 2007 at 10:21 amHow about uberfuhrerczar Cheney?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:23 amHow about Clifford, since he’s already on the payroll. No need to fill out another W4 form. (see : Easter Egg Heads Will Roll)
April 11th, 2007 at 10:23 amI thought the moonbats appointed Nancy Pelosi as surrender czar.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:24 amkeane the military beard for the purge doesn’t have enough faith in his strategy to oversee it?
Now there is a surprise.
Wait what about LIEberman is he available?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:24 amI think Republicans need to stay away from the use of the word “Czar” it will soon become equated with “scapegoat”.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:26 amhttp://www.abcnews.go.com/ WNT/ story?id=3027796&page=1
Feel the surge babies!
April 11th, 2007 at 10:27 amIsn’t this the job the SecDef, the JCS and the Pentagon are already supposed to be doing:?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:27 amIt looks like none of the grown ups want to play with Bush anymore, Patrick-dumber-than-an-insect.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:28 ambush has said repeatedly that the commanders are in charge, and has recently been hyperventilating about what he calls attempts by congress to “micromanage” the war… so the solution to the iraq/afghanistan unholy mess is to put in someone in at white house staff level who will tell the pentagon and state department what to do…? what this demonstrates to me is simply one more effort to politicize every executive branch agency and force submission to centralized political control… what else could it possibly be…?
And, yes, I DO take it personally
April 11th, 2007 at 10:28 amSo where’s the ubiquitous Negroponte, he who skips nimbly among major jobs?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:28 amI don’t blame them for declining the “offer” for this job. They’re wise enough to realize that the “War Czar” moniker is really the “target practice”.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:29 amShorter WH: Scapegoat wanted.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:29 amI thought Bush was already the Failure Czar.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:30 amCalling all trolls! Now is your chance to make an actual difference!
Which one of you fools will step up to be the fall guy?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:30 amBut then again…..
Maybe they’re trying to figure out a way to keep Gonzo on the payroll.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:30 amBring back Rummy as War Czar!!!
April 11th, 2007 at 10:31 amWhere’s Negroponte, he who skips nimbly from major job to major job?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:31 amBig surprise to see Junior hoping another one of Daddy’s people can come clean up his sh*t.
Junior, as per usual, is not up to the job.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:31 am#23: Hahahaha! Rummy was WRONG about every prediction he made about the Iraq War. And you want him back?? You can’t be serious.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:34 amno one wants the job, coz they all know they’ll be HECKUVAJOBBED.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:37 amFor the record, Donald Rumsfeld was the greatest SecDef the U.S. has ever had — BRING BACK RUMMY!!!
April 11th, 2007 at 10:38 amFrom the WaPo article:
Will Cheney go on Meet the Press and complain how Sheehan is validating the terrorist’s agenda? Which, as we now, is the typical sort of response to anyone that has the stones to question the White House’s judgement.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:39 amBush wants to clean his hands of these two wars so he can “concentrate” on F***ing up Iran. Hopefully when that happens, American citizens will wake up and realize that the madmen in the middle east are no different than the ones running their country.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:40 amTypical reuse of a failed business strategy: More levels of upper-level management will smooth things out (now that the marketing effort has failed and everyone knows the product sucks and the company can’t turn an honest profit).
April 11th, 2007 at 10:40 amTHIS SHOULD HAVE A TREAD OF ITS OWN:
Iran may be helping Iraqis build bombs
I don’t know how they can get around the impression that this information was elicited under torture. Yet information from “debriefed” detainees is being cited as fact, and most likely will be used to justify war against Iran.
At least the headline used the phrase “may be” but the U.S. military sounds far more certain:
April 11th, 2007 at 10:40 amBring back Rummy as war Czar -Jake
I don’t even think Rummy is foolish enough to take that job back.
Besides doesn’t George always say that he is the Decider and that he is the war president? I think they should use Ceasar instead of Czar cause whoever is dumb enought to take this job will prolly get a knife in the back.
Patrick1 another misinformed post as usual, did you get that from Rush as well or did you actually manage to think up that by yourself?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:43 amI thought ….Comment by Patrick1
No, you didn’t. No, you don’t. No, you won’t.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:44 amSo, Bush is out looking for another soldier to hide behind. Figures. Maybe, Daddy will find one for him and bail him out - again.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:45 amFor the record, Donald Rumsfeld was the greatest SecDef the U.S. has ever had — BRING BACK RUMMY!!!
Comment by Jake
This must be a fake Jake.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:49 amHow do you figure that? He didn’t listen to the generals who wanted some 250,000 +troops to start with, instead Rummy went with his ill advised shock and awe technological plan. Not to mention Rumsfeld was also responsible for the reconstruction of Iraq that was a total failure. And I guess you forget about Rummy shaking hands with Saddam while loooking the other way when he gassed the Kurds because he was more interesyed in the Aqaba pipeline.
Is Yosemite Sam available? He’d be perfect.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:50 amBring back Mcnamara and that other slide rule team B genius Wolfowitz the greatest war planner and Kissinger protege!!!
April 11th, 2007 at 10:53 amJake is baiting us here - ignore him. He is simply trolling hoping for a bite. Let him give up and go away.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:57 amRumsfield would make a good war czar like Sid Viscious would make a good drug czar.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:58 amIF Democrats a PLAN for dealing with Islamic jihadists, we might have something important to discuss. IF Democrats were interested in preventing possible future terror attacks, we might come up with strategies on which we could agree. IF Democrats cleaned out their ears (or read the tea leaves) when bin Laden and his ilk declared war on us, we might develop a winning strategy. IF Progressives quit cheering for the enemy (based on their collective hatred for George Bush) we might get something positive accomplished.
Sadly, many of the Left scoff when no written evidence if produced re: possible WMD transfers - but are convinced the US government orchestrated 9/11. The Left hate business and love government - and refuse to condemn the largest profiteers of gas prices - the federal and state governments. These same folks must have thought the Mafia sent memos…..
Happy Wednesday, Progs…..
April 11th, 2007 at 11:02 amI nominate Daffy Duck to join the Lame Duck. From his impressive history, we know that Daffy could have his bill shot off and he could still speak his nonsense. That should keep him safe from Cheney.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:03 amIF Democrats cleaned out their ears (or read the tea leaves) when bin Laden and his ilk declared war on us, we might develop a winning strategy.
Comment by valiant venus
Lame-assed argument as usual, Hagfish.
Since you brought it up, WHERE IS OSAMA BIN LADEN?
April 11th, 2007 at 11:06 amI’d like to declare war on him.
#32 — The fact that Iran may be assisting Iraq militarily should come as no surprise to anyone. For one thing, but Iran and now Iraq have Shia majorities in charge of the government. More importantly, over a year ago Iran and Iraq signed a “military cooperation” agreement, and Syria and Iran have also signed a “military cooperation” agreement.
This should raise red flags for anyone who thinks that attacking Iran is a good idea — such as William Kristol and the Bushies. An act like that would put our troops in Iraq in even more dire straits than they already are.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:07 amLiberal prog demons crap terror loving homosexual God-hating traitors!
April 11th, 2007 at 11:17 amIF Democrats cleaned out their ears (or read the tea leaves)…comment by mighty valiant aphrodite venus fake attorney with a fake dead baby
Right there it is, folks. The neocons base their foreign policy on reading tea leaves, not solid facts and evidence. MA/VV, which type of tea do you prefer to used? Myself, I enjoy drinking “Earl Grey” or “English Breakfast”, but I really don’t see the informational value therein.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:19 amWhenever Jack Keane makes an appearance as a military contributor/analyst, the media always mentions that he is a retired general. What they fail to mention is that Keane is employed by URS Corporation, the largest global engineering design firm and a leading U.S. federal government contractor. Keane also sits on the Board of Directors of General Dynamics Corporation, and he’s also a member of the Department of Defense Policy Board, which was chaired by none other than Richard Perle.
John J. Sheehan is also a member of the Defense Policy Board, and he is Senior Vice President for Bechtel Group Inc.
Joseph W. Ralston Timken is a member of CSIS and is employed by Lockheed Martin. He’s also director of The Timken Company and URS Corporation.
Strange coincidence it is that these top former generals head both the strategic planning boards and the reconstruction companies.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:20 amAll these hot heads going on TV raving about the war and what should and shouldn’t be done. Now they are too afraid to sign their name on the dotted line. Oh no, no hypocracy there. These guys get more pathetic by the day.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:23 amGood Morning Lady Z , frost here this morning…Can’t wait for a real spring….
Look’s like all the rat’s are leaving the bush bath tub ship….Even old war horses are no longer willing to back a lame looser….Well, with the exception of the 30% young paid, kool aid drinking nut bag’s like M.A.. How are the kid’s M.A. you know the 3-minus one…Keep up the good work of spreading junk every where, it will insure our large win in 2008….
Blessings all, send healing thought’s to RUCerious and all that need them, Do something for your self today, tell someone you love them and plant something for the future of our planet a tree or a good thought…..Impeach, it will clean up America.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:24 amAm I eligible for the position?
-
April 11th, 2007 at 11:26 amIt comes as no surprise that Bush’s answer to failure is an attempt to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear (midwestern expression).
Not said is whether this position would be sent to the Senate for confirmation or if it would be inside the Whitehouse. Nixon once tried this super-cabinet idea before giving it up.
Plus, isn’t Cheney essentially that person today?
April 11th, 2007 at 11:31 am“Comment by valiant venus — April 11, 2007 @ 11:02 am”
IF Bush had listened to the PDB in August, since it was read to him because he needs to have things read to him and broken down into little words, then 9/11 would have been prevented.
IF Bush had gotten out of his seat when Card told him a second plane crashed into the WTC, and instructed the military to DEFEND this nation we might not be where we are now.
IF Bush had LISTENED to his GENERALS when they told him it would take no less than 350,000 troops to invade Iraq…..
IF Bush had performed a proper investigation into 9/11 we would actually have the coulprits, including Bush, in jail for 9/11! Since AF1 was threatened using CODED LANGUAGE only government officials could have known the code words which makes it an INSIDE JOB. So Bush is a TRAITOR for not stopping, or at least trying to stop it.
IF Bush had not provided FALSIFIED documents, or incomplete, to the Congress we would not be where we are now.
IF Bush had put COUNTRY above PARTY, we would not be where we ar now.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:34 amBlessings all, send healing thought’s to RUCerious and all that need them, Do something for your self today, tell someone you love them and plant something for the future of our planet a tree or a good thought…..Impeach, it will clean up America.
Comment by Sharon
Beautiful day here, Sharon, but cold. RUC will be better before we know it! Much love to you, Great Lady.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:38 amAs usual, the dull wit of PLC misses “the point” of dealing with international terrorism. No surprise there. And then we have Sharon, never too old to blame others for her poor choices in life…Of course she has no clue about dealing with terrorists (except to wish them “Blessings”)..unless they’re about to chop down a tree…..
Tooodles………..
April 11th, 2007 at 11:39 amvaliant venus: IF Bush had listened to the warnings he received concerning an impending al Qaeda attack on the United States. IF Bush’s terrorism task force had met more than once in the first ten months of the administration. IF Bush hadn’t continued to read a children’s book after being told “the United States is under attack.” IF Bush hadn’t failed to prevent the worst terrorist attack ever to occur on American soil. IF Bush had pursued and capture bin Laden as he promised after 9/11. Maybe the country would have a modicum of faith in his ability to lead.
May you and your failed Republican policies have a lovely Wednesday.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:39 am#50 - Nice smack down, Remove Bush.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:40 am“IF Bush had listened to the PDB in August, since it was read to him because he needs to have things read to him and broken down into little words, then 9/11 would have been prevented.”
Which airline was named? Which flight #? Can YOU hear the leftards whining and screaming about the inconveneience to the “Civil Liberties” if MORE thorough inspections had taken place in the disgustingly stupid PC environment?
Good effort!
April 11th, 2007 at 11:41 am“Outsourcing responsibility” is #1 on the list of George W. Bush’s “7 Habits of Highly Defective Presidents.”
For the story see:
April 11th, 2007 at 11:43 am“Iraq and the 7 Habits of Highly Defective Presidents.”
Whenever Jack Keane makes an appearance as a military contributor/analyst, the media always mentions that he is a retired general. What they fail to mention is that Keane is employed by URS Corporation, the largest global engineering design firm and a leading U.S. federal government contractor. Keane also sits on the Board of Directors of General Dynamics Corporation, and he’s also a member of the Department of Defense Policy Board, which was chaired by none other than Richard Perle.
John J. Sheehan is also a member of the Defense Policy Board, and he is Senior Vice President for Bechtel Group Inc.
Joseph W. Ralston Timken is a member of CSIS and is employed by Lockheed Martin. He’s also director of The Timken Company and URS Corporation.
Strange coincidence it is that these top former generals head both the strategic planning boards and the reconstruction companies.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:44 am“IF Bush had not provided FALSIFIED documents, or incomplete, to the Congress we would not be where we are now.”
The same info Bill and gang relied on?……Yawn……….
Your effort is appreciated but not new - I am interested in hearing a “Prog Plan for World Peace”
Later……..
April 11th, 2007 at 11:44 amAnd then we have Sharon, never too old to blame others for her poor choices in life…Of course she has no clue about dealing with terrorists (except to wish them “Blessingsâ€)..unless they’re about to chop down a tree…..
Tooodles………..
Comment by valiant venus
I’m thinking you’ll understand something about poor choices long before you reach Sharon’s age. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to live with yourself that long.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:47 am“Good effort!
Comment by valiant venus — April 11, 2007 @ 11:41 am”
I see….. So there was no exact time, plane number, flght number, airlines identified so we can just forget about investigating and seeing what of this information is true and try to stop it……
IDIOT!
Bush has NO DEFENSE because HE DID NOTHING AT ALL….. Even though Clinton’s outgoing team warned Bush and his team that Al Qaeda was Americas greatest threat…..
All that Bush was interrested in was information regarding IRAQ!!!!
Sorry, but you CHUMP Bush has NOTHING to stand on…..
If he would have tried something, then perhaps…. But we ALL know that he DID NOTHING….. JUST LIKE KATRINA when he told the state govenors that they would have what they needed in a live link to them days before the event…..
April 11th, 2007 at 11:50 amWhich airline was named? Which flight #? Can YOU hear the leftards whining and screaming about the inconveneience to the “Civil Liberties†if MORE thorough inspections had taken place in the disgustingly stupid PC environment?
Good effort!
Comment by valiant venus
You moronic b*tch. You can find any reason to excuse your sorry excuse for a president. Flight numbers!? Are f*cking kidding!? What about time and date? What about the hijackers signing in before the deadly flight?
Your Dear Leader was given the BEST opportunity he was ever going to get to do something — ANYTHING — to prevent 9/11 from happening, but he chose to do NOTHING.
You support Bush’s administration. May you rot in hell beside him.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:51 amOwn his failures ? ! ?
He is a criminal, and a murderer. and should be tried in the court of law.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:51 ammighty buttplug says:
Your effort is appreciated but not new - I am interested in hearing a “Prog Plan for World Peaceâ€
How about ALL you religious wackos just commit suicide, this includes everyone of every faith, that would stop 99% of the wars, as well as solve our global climate issues, population, and pollution all in one. You all seem to think you’ll go to heaven, so why so afraid to go now?
Whats funny is the Jihadists truly believe, and why they are winning the war. Most of you American religious nuts are just cowards, with weak minds, and weaker faith.
Prove your faith Mightycunt, kill yourself and join your dead baby!
April 11th, 2007 at 11:52 am“Your effort is appreciated but not new - I am interested in hearing a “Prog Plan for World Peaceâ€
Later……..
Comment by valiant venus — April 11, 2007 @ 11:44 am”
Easy…..
Get out of the Middle East and stay out of other peoples buisiness….. You know like what the Republicans “claim” they are about…..
Put all our money into our country and work on fixing the issues here…… By this alone, more than 70% of the worlds problems will be gone.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:52 amCripesakes can’t you people cut the guy a break for once??? Bush is already the Brush Clearing czar. He can’t do everything.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:53 am[…] Bloggers’ Opinions: Political Animal; Think Progress; PoliBlog; The Heretik; Sadly, No!; The Carpetbagger Report; The Drudge Retort Technorati […]
April 11th, 2007 at 11:57 amAh yes we have a M.A. getting paid over time on a Wed…That would be a hump one for bush day to all reader’s that follow the usual drival of her spewing lies…BTW sweet cheek’s, I know a lot more about war’s and the wounded than you having lived 3 times as long and being on the side of truth….One other tiny little note for you compressed brain cell’s, I am a busy, happy active old woman with enough buck’s to do what ever I choose…
Your acid attack’s and continued lie’s only provide a huge win in 2008 for our side….At your early stage in life I can only imagine how diffacult it will be for you later on with so much junk cluttering up any thought process but I will send you blessings any way as you will need them….
April 11th, 2007 at 12:02 pmComment by valiant venus
I’m thinking you’ll understand something about poor choices long before you reach Sharon’s age. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to live with yourself that long.
Comment by Zooey — April 11, 2007 @ 11:47 am
VeneralVaginitis already understands poor choices. When she eats dinner and forgets to throw up. When she bought the small trailer instead of the double wide.
When she had sex with her first cousin and then drank alcohol and smoked through the entire pregnancy. When she married the guy she met at the strip club. And when he turned out to be gay she married that guy on death row.
But it is hard for WHITE TRASH to make wise choices.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:03 pmNot even a fool would take this assignment.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:11 pmROTFL! MA/VV is expressing the stance that Bush could not act on the PDB because there wasn’t enough solid information but he could act on the suspicious data on Iraq! Kids - gotta love ‘em.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:13 pmHeh–Bush is just looking for someone to blame for his screw ups and all the screw ups to follow. And they know it. This isn’t a case of idiology, it is a case of finding a believable scape goat with a reputation, such as a general or whatever. And they know it.
Isn’t this just so unbelievable, given Bush’s own shabby military service? He went and deserted. He was not decorated and most of all, did not want to serve in combat–too scared so his daddy saw to it that he was safely ensconced in the ANG. A coward, now thinking he is another Churchill–yea, even better than Chruchill. While they die and die and die, day after day, in Iraq—and in Afganistan–another one of his screw ups.
Isn’t it about time someone questioned his mental condition>
April 11th, 2007 at 12:14 pmbut I will send you blessings any way as you will need them….
Comment by Sharon
That makes you the winner. Blessings to you also, my good woman. And Zooey too, if you’re still out there.
“May God be between you and harm and in all the empty places you must walk.” - Egyptian blessing
April 11th, 2007 at 12:22 pmIsn’t it about time someone questioned his mental condition>
Comment by ataloss
We have been ataloss, we have been. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the first warning signs of dementia.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:22 pmI’ll be the War Czar! Where do I apply? I’ll have the SHia and Sunni’s tonguing each other in a couple of days and the troops will be home next week. Next month, a new Palestinian state and democracy, democracy, democracy!
April 11th, 2007 at 12:24 pmanyone who knows anything about Washington, knows that you don’t have any real authority unless you have control over someone’s budget. If this ‘War Czar’ has no authority to direct military spending, then they will be a eunuch, politically speaking.
Even a complete moron wouldn’t take this ‘job’.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:25 pm“May God be between you and harm and in all the empty places you must walk.†- Egyptian blessing
Comment by J-rock
Thank you, J-rock. I’m on my way out, you have a great day. :)
Peace.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:26 pmInternational Committee of the Red Cross examining an Iranian diplomat who has accused the CIA of torturing him while he was detained in Iraq.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:47 pmThank you, J-Rock, Blessings to you as well.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:47 pmHalliburton Leaves Iran
In a little reported development, Iraq’s Oil Minister has claimed that Iraq has over 300 billion barrels of oil reserves, which would mean the country top’s Saudia Arabia.
Hussain al-Shahristani made the claim to a Lebanese newspaper at the weeek, although there remains confusion as to whether he was talking about confirmed reserves or a general estimate.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:52 pmthese wise words of wisedom apply:
“you can’t polish a turd”
(any associative reference to karl rove is unintentional)
April 11th, 2007 at 12:52 pm.
OOOPS
Halliburton Leaves Iran
Halliburton has said that its subsidiary in Iran had completed all its commitments and was no longer working in the country.
In January 2005, the company said that it would not accept new work in Iran but that it would complete existing contracts there.
http://www.priceofoil.org/
April 11th, 2007 at 12:55 pmWar Czar? What does that even mean?
Last I checked, we had a war czar. It’s called the commander-in-chief. Is Bush admitting he’s not up to the task?
April 11th, 2007 at 12:57 pm.
Well, shit on a stick and call it a fudgepop, Duhhbya the Cheney puppy now wants to outsource his most important constitutional responsibility.
As long as we’re discussing idiotic ideas, how ’bout naming Haliburton - the whole company, not just the CEO - as “CIC” (Corporation In Charge)?
Then, Duhhbya can leave all those annoying life-and-death decisions to the Board of Directors.
For this latest lunacy, I would call Duhhbya: “dumber than a bag of hammers,” but I don’t want to defame hammers.
Or bags.
.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:06 pmThe job description for “war czar” sounds an awful lot like what the current Commander in Chief ought to be doing.
Is Pres Bush trying to pass the ultimate buck?
You can count on it. For this administration, expectations of personal responsibility is what other people (not Republicans) must live up to.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:06 pm.
“Is Pres Bush trying to pass the ultimate buck?
Comment by Gregor Samsa”
Sign on Truman’s desk: “THE BUCK STOPS HERE”
Sign on Duhhbya’s desk: “Buck? What Buck? I ain’t seen no buck. You seen a buck? Damn! I bet some libral stole it.”
.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:13 pmIsn’t that what the Japanese called a “Shogun” until the 20th century? Problem with calling everyone a “Czar” is, as I recall, the Czars became quite inept and the last one was executed with his entire family. Of course, our “Drug Czar” has been a complete failure so there is ample precedent for this move.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:13 pmVarmint Genus,
Care to make a comment on topic, for a change. You know, the fact that Pres Bush has all acknowledged he is in over his head and admitted he needs someone more competent than him to handle the US military as “war czar”?
And how about the fact that this new position would add a new layer to the government bureaucracy, you who are oh so worried about the government size and want to see it get smaller?
Patrick1 and Varmint Genus = Dumb and dumber… sshheesshh…
April 11th, 2007 at 1:13 pmAnd once again, The Onion becomes reality.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:28 pmThe same info Bill and gang relied on?……Yawn………. Comment by valiant venus — April 11, 2007 @ 11:44 am
Yawn, big lie repeated, whatever lying nazi girl. That post just makes you look st*pid and ill informed as usual.
Your effort is appreciated but not new - I am interested in hearing a “Prog Plan for World Peace†Later…….. Comment by valiant venus — April 11, 2007 @ 11:44 am
It doesn’t involve invading the WRONG COUNTRIES, running a war so corruptly that Iraqis complain about the corruption, or creating more terrorists not less from incompetence.
In otherwords, the flying monkeys from your troop are sh*tting on the world, even the scarecrow would do a better job than you *ssholes.
You’re a st*pid c*nt, little girl. Eat a tic-tac, and see a therapist for that Anorexia of yours. Someone that’s 23 like yourself, shouldn’t look like a 12 year old boy, unless you’re going for sex reassignment.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:35 pmHere’s the job description posted at the WH:
Candidate must be able to lie with a straight face;
April 11th, 2007 at 1:47 pmmust have no conscience and be willing to send young men and women into battle and face death so the commander in chief can defend a failed policy and the dumbest foreign policy decision in the nation’s history. A seasoned brown noser is a plus. Must have an IQ of approximately 85 (the president’s IQ). A draft dodger is a plus. No military planning experience necessary.
The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ”What we are so unhappy about?”
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any ! time and see more food in moments than
Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having! thousa nds of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, wh! ile at home w atching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after
9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?
The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?
Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the “Media” told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go.
They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ”other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable” discharge after a few days in the brig!
So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by “justifying” them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t
kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane!
Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.
“With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, “Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?”
April 11th, 2007 at 2:01 pmShort Fred:
The Sun rose today. The birds are singing. Nothing to see here; but close your eyes just in case. Move along, move along….
April 11th, 2007 at 2:16 pm.
Gregor Samsa,
Fred can’t hear you - severe cranial rectumitis.
.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:39 pmFred,
God had nothing to do with anything, GOD is an excuse to not think, or question. Godliness is laziness.
God was invented to answer questions man had no answer to. FACT!
God might have more credibility if it kept up with the times, you know like there’s a new yellow pages every year. The bible should be re-written at least every 3 like the NEC.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:39 pm[…] Posted in Bush Administration, Iraq War, GOP, Government at 12:02 pm by LeisureGuy Read them: (No link: Blogspot is broken again.) It really is quite amazing that General “SURGE ON!” Keane won’t take repsonsibility for his baby. […]
April 11th, 2007 at 3:57 pmperhaps the White house should call in a vegetable to run things , as Zappa said the”… chances are good that a vegetable will respond to you”
April 11th, 2007 at 4:37 pmhttp://edition.cnn.com/ video/ player/ player.html?url=/ video/ moos/ 2007/ 04/ 10/ moos.bush.back.cnn
April 11th, 2007 at 5:42 pmFred would be dead right if even half of us really lived in the model suburbia he describes, or had the $ to participate in it (even when working full-time+)
It’s false as all get out to say that those who disagree with the foreign and domestic policies of the GOP and Bush are sincerely saying anything of the like Fred suggests.
V V - wowee - still shameless after all this time. still twisted enough to imply, with sincerity, that opposing a guy who happens to be president is the exact moral equivalent of aiding and abetting terrorists - I bet you could walk right down the grocery store aisles naked and hang around to ask for coupons at the checkout with that kind of intergalactic gall. - brings only one word to mind, for me to share with you, V V, with my naughty finger vertically extended - (aw you know what it is, and it starts with a big’ol capitol “C”) - fu vv, and fgwb too - Peace!
April 11th, 2007 at 6:23 pmBack on topic - Dubbie is a big wuss and a bigger liar for trying to dump his botched and mangled “war” in anyone else’s lap. he broke it, we’re paying for it, and all should have the right to see his spoiled little punk ass in Court for it.
Funny that no one wants the job - who would, aside from one of those Jack Ripper wackos - I imagine the old Generals are having some mighty laughs (in between the tears for their disrespected wisdom and troops) at dubbie’s expense this week.
Serves him right - just like the spoiled frat-boy that has to give up his playboy days to marry the girl he got drunk and knocked up at the spring formal. (I think the real life dubbie just paid for the abortion when presented with that hurdle)
April 11th, 2007 at 6:29 pm“WANTED: Must be willing to eventually take the blame for everything and become a scapegoat. Inquire within”
I think anyone with an iota of sense sees that they are looking for someone to take over so they can get back to their other duties: Being the Fingerpointing Czars.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:11 pm“War Czar” READ “FALL GUY” for CHIMPya, WHO MUST ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE HE CAN HANG THE BLAME ON FOR HIS OWN FAILED STRATEGIES IN Iraq–SIMPLE AND NASTY!!!!! SO TYPICAL OF THE DOUBLE-CROSSING, DOUBLE-DEALING, BACK-STABBING UNGRATEFUL HYPOCRITES THAT COMPRISE Bushland Uber Allies–NO WONDER THEY CAN’T FIND SOMEONE STUPID ENOUGH TO TAKE THE UNENVIABLE POSITION OF “War Czar”—HAH!!!!!
April 11th, 2007 at 11:27 pmNo one wants the job as Bush’s scape goat, er,… War Czar?
Those of whom are so pro war in Iraq don’t mind running their mouths, but when it comes to taking a stand, backing their words, forget it.
If they think he’s doing such a great job in Iraq, why not take a piece of the credit?
April 12th, 2007 at 1:04 amFred, we are so appreciative of the greatness of this country that we are appalled at the mess that has been made by those who represent us to the world.
Nice slave mentality you’ve got going on though. Must be great to be so blissfully delusional.
Valiant Venus, what exactly is your “plan” for defeating terror? Since you don’t have one, and neither does this administration (hmm…9-11 commission recomendations? When did they begin to get implemented? Lefties loving government so much so that it took a Repug preznot to come up with HOW many MORE governmental bureaucracies?) You are truly pathetic.
How do you sleep knowing that our continued occupation of Iraq is being used as the ultimate recruiting toll of Jihadists?
April 12th, 2007 at 11:13 am[…] turned down the position of war “czar,” according to CBS’s David Martin. He adds that the search for a war coordinator “is a […]
April 12th, 2007 at 4:16 pm[…] Bolton. Jack Keane, designer of the surge. Two men whose performance during their tenure running the Bush […]
April 13th, 2007 at 9:35 am[…] Bolton. Jack Keane, designer of the surge. Two men whose performance during their tenure running the Bush […]
April 13th, 2007 at 9:35 amI love how Cheney and company’s strategies are so ill conceived that the military leaders are defecting left and right.
And yet the Bushgod worshippers still think that their leaders are doing great.
Does anyone ever remember seeing generals jumping ship like this?
April 21st, 2007 at 8:04 pm