White House Preparing Strategy To ‘Water Down’ Pessimistic Reports From Iraq
White House Preparing Strategy To ‘Water Down’ Pessimistic Reports From Iraq
The Washington Post reports that a draft version of the Government Accountability Office’s upcoming report on Iraq will deliver a “strikingly negative” assessment of the situation in Iraq. The report contradicts the administration’s claim that sectarian violence is decreasing, stating that “the number of attacks against Iraqi civilians remains unchanged.”
The leaked draft version of the report was sent to the Post by an individual who was concerned the White House may try to “water down” its conclusions. The concern comes on the heels of a report that Gen. David Petraeus “softened” the judgments of the recent National Intelligence Assessment on Iraq and comments by Rep. Tom Davis that the White House would probably “tweak” the “Petraeus report.” The Post explains:
The person who provided the draft report to The Post said it was being conveyed from a government official who feared that its pessimistic conclusions would be watered down in the final version — as some officials have said happened with security judgments in this month’s National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq.
The AP adds further details to the story. According to unnamed officials familiar with the White House’s strategy regarding the GAO report, “the administration is preparing a case to play down the findings, arguing that Congress ordered the GAO to use unfair, ‘all or nothing’ standards when compiling the document.”
An internal White House memorandum obtained by the AP explains the White House’s strategy:
The [White House] memo argues that the GAO will not present a “true picture” of the situation in Iraq because the standards were “designed to lock in failure,” according to portions of the document read to the AP by an official who has seen it.
The benchmarks measured by the GAO were established by Congress in the war supplemental funding bill that passed in May and agreed to by President Bush. In fact, Bush heralded the passage of the benchmarks, saying they laid out a “clear roadmap” that the Iraqi government must meet:
This important bill also provides a clear roadmap to help the Iraqis secure their country and strengthen their young democracy. Iraqis need to demonstrate measurable progress on a series of benchmarks for improved security, political reconciliation, and governance. These tasks will be difficult for this young democracy, but we are confident they will continue to make progress on the goals they have set for themselves.
Now Bush is watering down, tweaking, and backing away from the truth about the situation in Iraq.
UPDATE: More from Bush, in Jan. 2007:
I’ve made it clear to the Prime Minister and Iraq’s other leaders that America’s commitment is not open-ended. If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people — and it will lose the support of the Iraqi people. Now is the time to act. The Prime Minister understands this. Here is what he told his people just last week: “The Baghdad security plan will not provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of [their] sectarian or political affiliation”. (…)
A successful strategy for Iraq goes beyond military operations. Ordinary Iraqi citizens must see that military operations are accompanied by visible improvements in their neighborhoods and communities. So America will hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced.
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
113 Responses to “White House Preparing Strategy To ‘Water Down’ Pessimistic Reports From Iraq”
Register
RSSLogin
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog RollAbout Think ProgressContact Us
Donate
MORE unnamed sources…..
great
August 30th, 2007 at 10:03 amOperation BullshitShovel is a go!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:04 amRun away, run away, little coward Bush! That’s what you’re good at, running away from your responsibilities and promises!
What a pathetic piece of crap liar Bush is.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:05 amMoving the goalposts…
August 30th, 2007 at 10:05 amAnyone surprised by this ‘news’?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:07 amDick and George will be unable to withstand the tide of whistleblowers and inside sources that will wash away their decrepit levees of bu-sh!t.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:08 amIf you cant win the war edit the report, right George?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:10 amThis Administration could be less than honest and forthcoming? I’m shocked, do you hear me, shocked at such a suggestion! (stolen from Cassablanca, not reality).
August 30th, 2007 at 10:11 amI doubt that Dick and George will have any trouble with any ‘whistleblowers’.. thus far, has anything that anyone has said been able to have any effect on their policy or rhetoric? They’re going to do and say what they want.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:14 amTampering with the truth of something which effects the lives of americans and Iraqis can no longer be permitted. When the truth is edited to fiction, then it’s “pure propaganda”. Time to take the Chimp to task on this. Time to impeach him for tampering with truthful evidence.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:17 amThis cabal of neofascists make Hitler and Stalin look like teenagers.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:18 am“…thus far, has anything that anyone has said been able to have any effect on their policy or rhetoric? They’re going to do and say what they want.”
Comment by François
‘Till the levee breaks……
August 30th, 2007 at 10:18 amHe will continue the surge, with a P.R. nod to Sen. Warner by conspicuously bringing 5000 troops home right in time for Christmas. Of course that number will be quietly replaced with increased Natl Guard rotations.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:18 amIf you can’t deny the allegation, deny the alligator.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:19 amI’m a bit frightened of what is going to happen when we elect a new president and we finally learn how bad Iraq really is.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:21 amOf course, I am sure the day after our new president is inaugurated, the Repugs will immediately blame the Dems for their incompentence in managing this war.
This all paranoia.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:24 amYou guys are a bunch of Depressing losers.
Why not commit mass suicide.
TP posters are a cult, just like Islam!
#
Tampering with the truth of something which effects the lives of americans and Iraqis can no longer be permitted. When the truth is edited to fiction, then it’s “pure propagandaâ€. Time to take the Chimp to task on this. Time to impeach him for tampering with truthful evidence.
Comment by veritas — August 30, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Bush has been tampering with the truth since before he got us into this mess. It was widely permitted then, and sadly, is still permitted, because nobody will step up and stop it. Impeachment (and removal) would be nice, but it won’t happen. Democrats in office now have no real balls. Even if Bush did get impeached and removed from office, Cheney would be in charge, and that would probably be worse.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:24 amOf course, I am sure the day after our new president is inaugurated, the Repugs will immediately blame the Dems for their incompentence in managing this war.
No, Fred Thompson is too classy to do that and will keep the rhetoric toned down; a quick talk with the republican majority leaders should do the trick.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:24 amFrançois,
August 30th, 2007 at 10:25 amThat’s a stupid name.
We should leave Iraq so the Muslims all kill each other!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:26 amLloyd Banks,
August 30th, 2007 at 10:27 amThanks!
Sincerely,
François
This all paranoia.
You guys are a bunch of Depressing losers.
Yep, the party of doom and gloom. I couldnt be a liberal, I enjoy my life too much.
Cheers :-)
August 30th, 2007 at 10:27 amSeriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if the idiotic American public elected another Republican as President in ‘08.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:27 am“No, Fred Thompson is too classy to do that and will keep the rhetoric toned down; a quick talk with the republican majority leaders should do the trick.
Comment by Japaner — August 30, 2007″
comedy gold.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:27 amFred Thompson has less of a chance of becoming president than Larry Craig. The man can’t even get his own campaign managed properly. There is no way he could convey anything other than an actors confidence.
Thompson’s record shows he’s lazy and out of touch.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:28 amHey your out of line son.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:29 amCome back here to Paris where the Muslims are taking over!
And GWB expects the people of the U.S. to believe him when he says that Iran poses a nucular threat. Amazingly enough there are some people stupid enough to buy that mule once again. Failed intelligence was the excuse the last time, what will it be this time?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:29 amSeriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if the idiotic American public elected another Republican as President in ‘08.
A statement which would imply that no matter who the American public elects, dem or Repub, they are still idiots. Are you a proud member of the American public?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:30 amWhy are you guys so negative?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:30 amIs life really that bad for you all!
Fred Thompson? I thought it was the libs that relied on Hollywood to prop up their campaigns. I guess flip-flops fit folks of all parties. Next thing you know Ted Nugent will be speaking for the right.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:31 amAnd GWB expects the people of the U.S. to believe him when he says that Iran poses a nucular threat.
The French seem to believe the same thing. Oh oh, time for the left to turn on them too.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:31 amSeriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if the idiotic American public elected another Republican as President in ‘08.
With electronic voting it wouldn’t surprise me either.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:31 amLib Teenie prefers fantasy fun land. Where lollipops fall from a cotton candy sky and only believers in the Gummy Mayor can frolic in the forest of make believe.
I’ll look for real reports on where our money is sent and the status of our military in Iraq.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:32 amTP posters are a cult, just like Islam! ;
cute - transference. Go back to that website that teaches you how to talk like the big boys and get another phrase ready.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:32 amI am a member of the American public, and firmly believe (with Bush being RE-ELECTED as evidence) that the majority of the American public has no idea what is good for them. ‘06 was better with many Republicans being replaced, but still. Friggin Lieberman was re-elected.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:32 amThe French seem to believe the same thing. Oh oh, time for the left to turn on them too.
Comment by Harpo — August 30, 2007 @ 10:31 am
Hmmm, all I’ve ever heard about France from the right is bashing. Now you align yourself with France? That’s funny.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:32 am#
Seriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if the idiotic American public elected another Republican as President in ‘08.
With electronic voting it wouldn’t surprise me either.
Comment by Dave C — August 30, 2007 @ 10:31 am
no shit there.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:33 amThompson’s record shows he’s lazy and out of touch.
In the long run thats irrelevant. Hillary will be your nominee and considering her 49% disapproval rating, we could run the city dogcatcher from Sheboygan and still beat her.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:33 amOnce a liar, always a liar. GWBushit is a liar. Any word, statement, or paper, that he produces is a lie. Liars, this cabal are all liars.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:34 amThe French seem to believe the same thing. Oh oh, time for the left to turn on them too.
Comment by Harpo — August 30, 2007 @ 10:31 am
btw, the NIE judges that Iran is 10 years from having a nucular weapon. Still cherry-picking the intelligence eh?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:34 amDave C,
August 30th, 2007 at 10:35 amSarkovsky is anti Islamo-Fascist.
He see Muslims overrunning his nation.
The French people are waking up to the Islamic threat.
He’s gonna stop Immigration from Muslims countries and bring in Immigrants from Latin America, Christian Africa and Eastern Europe who are culturally more compatable.
Dave C,
August 30th, 2007 at 10:36 amWhy do Leftists like you support the Iranian regime?
Has Iran replaced Cuba as the darling of the Left?
Sounds like a frenchmans wishful thinking. Ill believe it when i see it.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:37 amAnimal Thug, my point is that the right bashes France (or whoever, fill in the blank) when they disagree with GWB and praise them when they agree. It’s just another case of cherrypicking the intel to have it say what you want. In this case you’re totally ignoring the NIE and using France to support the next war. Didn’t you learn anything from the last war?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:37 amIran sucks Nuke em!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:37 amWow — first “tweaking”, then “softening”, now “watering down”. Why don’t we just call it what it is — LYING?
No surprise that a majority of Americans aren’t about to trust this report now, no matter what it says.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:37 amanimal thug - not calling for the annihiltion of iran is NOT support for iran. your simple mind fails to grasp the obvious.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:38 amWow Animal Thug. You got dumb down pat.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:39 amTroll Logic Lesson # 1.
America must take off the gloves and turn Iraq into glass. We must kill, bomb, air raid, attack, and destroy without mercy. We must not be concerned about what the world thinks is brutal. We must not worry about civilian casualties. If we must nuke Iraq to save our mission so be it.
Because if we don’t the deaths of civilians at the hands of Al Qaeda and the civil war will be terrible and a moral blot on America.
How’s that for some warped brain work.
-GSD
August 30th, 2007 at 10:39 am>MORE unnamed sources…..
when they have names like “curveball” it makes them more believable?
we’ll see if anyone denies the authenticity of this…its not hard to believe..there are alot of decent people out there in the government that want this madness to end…the sort of stuff is the “pentagon papers” of the new millenium, and i commend the brave people who leak the ugly truth before it can be smothered in a sickly sweet sugary icing of falsity…
us hippies/weirdo types, we can see dead energy radiating from the eyes and hopelessly clogged chakras of people like cheney
August 30th, 2007 at 10:39 amWhy do Leftists like you support the Iranian regime?
Has Iran replaced Cuba as the darling of the Left?
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007 @ 10:36 am
I don’t. I’m not interested in a 3rd world war. I don’t agree with preemptively attacking a country on the basis of cooked intel. GWB has agreed that the intel on Iraq was flawed. The rest of the world agrees that GWB merely ignored dissenting intel. He’s doing the same thing with Iran. Is it that hard for you to consider that Iran is no different then Iraq? If the cause is just there would be no need to lie to the U.S. & the world.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:39 am“…we could run the city dogcatcher from Sheboygan…”
Comment by Japaner
I’m guessing that would Ghouliani? No, no, wait, I mean Sanitorium!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:39 amDont worry. More people are realizing what a big fiasco this Iraqi freedom crap is.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:40 amGreat. Joker is back.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:40 amNo matter the name you post under, it’s always so obviously your hate-filled, angry, bigoted self
I never called for attacking Iran.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:40 amI actually favor Ecomic strangulation via Disinvestment, seizing Iranian assets and destabilizing their country.
Big difference.
The Left oppooses this and supports Ahmadinejad.
Has Iran replaced Cuba as the darling of the Left?
Comment by Animal Thug
*yawn*
August 30th, 2007 at 10:41 amComment by GSD — August 30, 2007 @ 10:39 am
Yes, those are the choices as far as the trolls are concerned. Either nuke Iraq out of existence or leave and see those poor folks destroyed by civil war. They’re too kind to allow that to happen so the troops must stay in Iraq until every civilian is either killed or seeks refuge in another country. Now that’s progress.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:42 amTrolls are so boring…
August 30th, 2007 at 10:42 amAs a Progressive I support the Iranian regime!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:43 amThey are a peace loving progressive nation.
They have the best Human rights record!
They also have more freedoims than we do.
Women there are more equal than ours!
Iran is a light unto the world!
I never called for attacking Iran.
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007 @ 10:40 am
So what? Who cares what YOU called for. GWB/Cheney are calling for attacking Iran. That’s the point of discussion. So you’re on record being against that. Good to know.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:43 amanimal thug they are not so vulnerable when china and russia stand ready to support them in times of economic sanctions from big bad america. you see? our lack of standing in the world will allow those two nations to thwart any economic sanctions we impose and get away with it. dumbbuscho made it happen.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:44 amDave C,
Obviously you didn’t read what I wrote.
I DO NOT ADVOCATE AN ATTACK ON IRAN!
I CALL FOR ECONOMIC STRANGULATION!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:44 am“Why do Leftists like you support the Iranian regime?
Has Iran replaced Cuba as the darling of the Left?”
Comment by Animal Thug
Funny, coming as it does from a member of the party who armed Iranian terrorists. And then lied about it to the American people.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:44 am>we could run the city dogcatcher from Sheboygan and still beat her.
do you truly beleive that bush, and by extension, the party that knee jerkingly supports his every idiocy, isn’t more hated than hilary?
why do you think your boys aren’t evening mentioning his name in debates? because hes more popular than hilary?
plenty of people hate hilary, sure… but im betting, even with Diebold etc on your side, that there will be lots more people hating everything bush stands for and wanting to get the taste of him out of their mouths by throwing his party totally out of power…
pretty sad that the guy whose leading your polls is a pro-abortion cross dresser, followed in 2nd place by a guy who thinks if your a good mormon you get your own planet to rule when you die…
August 30th, 2007 at 10:45 amComment by “Qbert” — August 30, 2007 @ 10:43 am
Ignore the neocon apologist sockpuppet.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:45 am“I actually favor Ecomic strangulation via Disinvestment, seizing Iranian assets and destabilizing their country.”
the u.s. already did that in the ’50s and that worked out super awesomely.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:45 amanimalthug sanctions ARE an attack. shows your lack of diplomatic knowledge.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:45 amPitiful…just one troll posting under many names.
Oh, they are flooding the thread…hehehe. Sad.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:46 ambobh,
Russia and China don’t support Iran as much as you Leftists think.
Actually Iran gets more from econic activity with Europe.
REad about Disinvestment and then come talk to me.
It’s funny that Leftists like you Support Right-Wing Fascist regimes like China and Russia.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:46 amOh well as long as they dislike America they’re cool!
and about hilary - i dont like her much but lets see just how many republican wifes go out and vote female next year.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:47 ambut they will when it thwarts us you dumbass - get real -thats their m.o.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:47 amTrolls support foot tapping… :)
August 30th, 2007 at 10:48 ambobh,
August 30th, 2007 at 10:48 amWhat is it about Irean that you Leftists like?
Please explain.
Then you Leftists dislike US allies like Colombia and Israel.
Explain the logic?
“It’s funny that Leftists like you Support Right-Wing Fascist regimes like China and Russia.
Oh well as long as they dislike America they’re cool!”
Comment by Animal Thug
So republicans well calling for US disinvestment in China and Russia? I missed that part.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:48 amget a new talking point nazithug
August 30th, 2007 at 10:48 am>As a Progressive I support the Iranian regime!
This factoid just in, from the starchy saracastic wit of “blame bush”….
if you don’t think america should bomb a country, you support that country.
By extension, if you dont think a person should be killed, you support them.
Feeling neutral is not possible. Thank you and have a good day.
Ps..don’t you flaghumpers ever worry that the “freedom” you claim to so desparately want to give iraqis might cause them to end up with a democractically chosen government like Iran, and that is allied with Iran?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:48 amWere you people around in ‘04? How many of you were so certain that Bush wouldn’t be re-elected, as you are certain that Hillary (or some dem) will be elected in ‘08? Just sayin.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:50 am/you attribute a lackof interest in warring against a nation with like? that makes you the idiot.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:50 amDave C,
Obviously you didn’t read what I wrote.
I DO NOT ADVOCATE AN ATTACK ON IRAN!
I CALL FOR ECONOMIC STRANGULATION!
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007 @ 10:44 am
F*ck are you stupid. Try & read this word for word this time…
So what? Who cares what YOU called for. GWB/Cheney are calling for attacking Iran. That’s the point of discussion. So you’re on record being against that. Good to know.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:50 amComment by Dave C — August 30, 2007 @ 10:39 am
I’m pretty sure you’re arguing with The Joker. Good luck with that one, or you could just ignore him.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:50 ambobh,
Russia and China don’t care about Iran.
They only care about themselves.
I understand that Russia and China are now Idolized by you radical Leftists, but they’re not good guys like you think.
If a Democrat was in office and Russia and China were against your party’s policies who yupou still idolize them?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:50 amHmm?
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Don’t feed the troll. Especially this one.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:51 amFunny, a few weeks ago noted “Leftist” George W. Bush was sharing lobster rolls and boat rides with “fascist regime” leader Vladimir Putin.
Funny stuff.
-GSD
August 30th, 2007 at 10:51 am“Oh well as long as they dislike America they’re cool!
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007″
then that must make the white house cool since they’re watering down reports about iraq while there are 150,000 americans there. how’s that supporting the troops?
August 30th, 2007 at 10:51 am“So you’re on record being against that. Good to know.”
Yes!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:53 amI’m an Isolationist.
I want America to pull out of every country were involved with!We should withdraw from NATO, UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO and close our military bases.
We should become self sufficient and mind our business!
Let the world go to hell!
Animal Thug,
August 30th, 2007 at 10:54 amShut it! You’re such a pinko commie bastard. You libtard. All you do is spew this bush hating rhetoric. It’s getting old, you democrat you. You’re such a communist it’s sick.
comedy gold.
Comment by cha cha cha — August 30, 2007 @ 10:27 am
Go back to GBS
August 30th, 2007 at 10:55 amGSD,
We have no beef with Russian or them with us.
It’s a fanatsy on the Left’s part to have Russian and China invade and occupy us!
They can’t and won’t.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:55 amWe should just mind our business and take care of home.
Screw the world!
Let Russia and China take it all, what do I care!
GSD,
Are you talking about the fascist barechested fishing heartthrob of the leftists Vladimir (Rambo) Putin?
I understand GW locked himself in his study for hours looking at those beefcake pictures.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:55 amLet the world go to hell!
As opposed to just letting the U.S. go to hell? That’s the course that’s been set by GWB so far. Isolationism might be preferable to preemptive attacks on other countries but I think you’ll find that it doesn’t work too well for the U.S. Have you checked out your trade deficit lately? Or that fact that foreign ownership of the U.S. is huge? Who do you think owns all of your country’s debt? Try & exist without customers for your products or suppliers for your needs. Some real deep thinking going on here.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:57 amNo Beef with the country that has the largest number of nuclear weapons the world has ever seen. No Beef with them starting up missle tests. No problem with their borders more easliy jumped than ours with unguarded nuke sites.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:57 amI’m an Isolationist.
I want America to pull out of every country were involved with!We should withdraw from NATO, UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO and close our military bases.
We should become self sufficient and mind our business!
Let the world go to hell!
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007 @ 10:53 am
In other words, you’re a complete idiot. Thanks for this - I’ll know to ignore you from now on because you can have nothing of value to contribute to any conversation on foreign affairs.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:57 amComment by smugly
This is hilarious. A.Thug is on your side of the political spectrum. Don’t blame us if your side is becoming increasingly incoherent.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:01 amfor a president and administration that has failed so spectacularly, its ironic that they would accuse anyone of “locking in failure”. They’ve proven all too well, time and time again that they have no concept what is prone to fail, or constitutes failure, and what is needed for success.
They know only what they want - and that is deemed success, and what they don’t want - which is designated as failure - NO FACTS ARE NEEDED OR WANTED.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:01 am.
Dave C,
How dom you solve the issues you mentioned?
Hmmm>
You begin a program of self sufficiencie.
You seize Foreign assets put Tarrifs on their good.
Rebuild factories and use altarnative energy.
It will be painful at 1st but after a few years we will live in a self sufficient economic paradise.
It’s funny that you Leftists support this globalization crap.
Why?
How about America being free of foreign ownership and foreign entanglements.
You Leftists support the eroding of US Independence.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:01 amHow sad!
Psychotics, like Bush are fixated on a certain view of the world and of their place in it. They ignore any and all information that might challenge their delusions. Gradually, they retreat into the inner recesses of their tormented mind and become dysfunctional.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:03 am“It will be painful at 1st but after a few years we will live in a self sufficient economic paradise.”
Dream on. The “captains of industry” would never stand for it.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:06 amThug, that might be hard to do with the $9 trillion in debt you’re currently adding to. And your govt seems to think that taxes are bad so it’s going to be tough to finance significant change while servicing this debt. Couple that with a lack of trade with other countries & your revenue base will be limited at best. Whether you support global trade or foreign ownership is a moot point, a significant % of the U.S. is owned by foreigners & a significant % of your revenue comes from selling to foreign countries. You’d become an Amish country in order to turn this stuff back. I doubt your MP3 playing/XBOX watching/credit card using public will go for that.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:07 amIt’s funny that you Leftists support this globalization crap.
Why?
How about America being free of foreign ownership and foreign entanglements.
You Leftists support the eroding of US Independence.
How sad!
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007 @ 11:01 am
Because we live in the real world. The days when you could even talk about “isolationism” as an economic and sociopolitical possibility are long gone. Globalization is here and it’s going to stay. Now there are a lot of aspects of it that I feel need to be fixed, but to completely throw the global economy away is simply ludicrous.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:08 amAnd the spin begins! CNN, ABC-Disney, the fat boy, Faux, Bowtie (I Beats ‘em Up) Tucker, the whole cast will be out spinning, weaving, and bopping!
August 30th, 2007 at 11:09 amWhy are you guys so negative?
Is life really that bad for you all!
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Let the world go to hell!
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007 @ 10:53 am
———————————————
Gee — what happened to you in a 23 minute span of time? Did your life suddenly get bad?
August 30th, 2007 at 11:13 amGee — what happened to you in a 23 minute span of time? Did your life suddenly get bad?
Comment by missmolly — August 30, 2007 @ 11:13 am
August 30th, 2007 at 11:15 amThe Harrod-Doner endogenous growth model can do that to a guy :D
As a Progressive I support the Iranian regime!
They are a peace loving progressive nation.
They have the best Human rights record!
[…]Comment by Qbert — August 30, 2007 @ 10:43 am
So, hey lets nuke ‘em GDmn it! Lets start a nuclear engagement with Iran’s partners - Russia and China. Lets hike up war spending to $10 Billion/week for both the Iraq and (based on your drift) Iran wars. Oh, sorry. I forgot the GOPrs have gone back on their ‘promise’ of fiscal responsibility and small government as demostrated by the 109th Congress.
Who knows, maybe in 30 years (if we get lucky and are still alive after it all), we would have finished cleaning-up the mess from the repercussions of both wars. And yeah, at that time, we would have total control over the fiefdoms of the middle-east and their oil as well.
What the heck is this nazi-lockstep trolling GOPr smoking?
August 30th, 2007 at 11:18 amIt’s funny that you Leftists support this globalization crap.
Why?
How about America being free of foreign ownership and foreign entanglements.
You Leftists support the eroding of US Independence.
How sad!
Comment by Animal Thug — August 30, 2007 @ 11:01 am
It’s even more funny that you believe it’s the left that supports globalization.
The left hasn’t closed American factories and moved manufacturing jobs to third world countries.
The left hasn’t outsourced customer service and tech support positions to India.
The left hasn’t gotten us into a bottomless pit of debt, allowing China to hold mortgages on us.
The left hasn’t squelched efforts to develop forms of alternative energy, nor have they encouraged sucking down so much in the way of fossil fuels that we are the most dependent nation on earth on middle east oil.
I don’t agree with your isolationist views completely, but you do have a few valid points about oil dependence, alternative energy, and out of control debt. You’re just pointing your finger of blame in the wrong direction.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:23 amComment by toasterhead — August 30, 2007 @ 10:57 am
I agree. He is not worth a drop of spit!
August 30th, 2007 at 11:30 amI agree. He is not worth a drop of spit!
Comment by James Saville Row — August 30, 2007 @ 11:30 am
a thug, qbert etc, are all our favorite play troll, mr. p. Just ignore him and he will get mad, rant, change to a few more names like sonny red and black and then go a way for a while when no one will play with him. Or will call everyone here a racist. He is so predictable.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:37 amAnimal Thug sez:
So, you just steal other people’s stuff.
Remind me of the difference between your strategy and that of our current administration, cuz I’m not really seein’ it…
August 30th, 2007 at 11:38 amAlso - the photo for this entry reminds me of the “Wish You Were Here” album cover. Except George Bush isn’t on fire.
Too bad.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:39 amComment by upside00 — August 30, 2007 @ 11:37 am
mr. p? why d’you call him/her that?
August 30th, 2007 at 11:46 ammr. p? why d’you call him/her that?
Comment by James Saville Row — August 30, 2007 @ 11:46 am
Mr. P, aka Mr. President, aka several dozen other names, is a regular troll who stops by several times a day to derail discussions with right-wing talking points and assorted lunacy.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:48 amThey’d better get out the water cannon.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:58 amThe Congress approved and released money for Bush few months ago,so he can come back with ‘Benchmarks’ met….
The problem is the media keeps talking about the ’surge’,but have little coverage of the ‘benchamarks’ that Bush supposed to meet….
Unless the public know what Bush accomplished,this thing can drag on again for months if not years and more money will be sought by Bush and Cheney.
August 30th, 2007 at 12:13 pmBush for sure will attempt to put a nice face on this ‘Surge’, but the Congress must go back and look at ‘what has been achieved vs. what has been promised’.
The media says it’s going bad, generals have said its bad, TWO NIE intelligence reports said it was going bad, the Senate judiciary committee said it’s going bad… and now the government accountability office says it’s going bad.
How many more times does this asshole need to keep denying it’s going bad?
August 30th, 2007 at 12:54 pm