Reid: On Six-Year Anniversary Of 9/11, Bush Again Declared, ‘Bring ‘Em On’
Reid: On Six-Year Anniversary Of 9/11, Bush Again Declared, ‘Bring ‘Em On’
On July 2, 2003, President Bush cavalierly dismissed violence in Iraq when he infamously proclaimed, “There are some who feel like that the conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is bring ‘em on.
His comments were swiftly criticized. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) called them “irresponsible and inciteful.” The UK Guardian dubbed the remarks a “gesture of presidential bravado.” Even Bush himself seemed to regret his comments, telling reporters in January 2005:
Sometimes, words have consequences you don’t intend them to mean. ‘Bring ‘em on’ is the classic example, when I was really trying to rally the troops and make it clear to them that I fully understood, you know, what a great job they were doing. [...]
I don’t know if you’d call it a regret, but it certainly is a lesson that a president must be mindful of, that the words that you sometimes say. … I don’t know if you’d call that a confession, a regret, something.
But as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) reveals in his new book, Bush again used that infamous phrase as recently as 2007. Last night on MSNBC, Reid said that on the anniversary of 9/11 last year, he was “complaining” to Bush about the situation in Iraq. Bush replied, “Bring ‘em on. We’re killing them. We’re killing them.” Watch it:
At the time of Bush’s comments in September 2007, 78 percent of Iraqis were saying that “things are going badly for the country overall.” Iraqi civilian deaths had risen for both the two previous months, and monthly U.S. troop casualties were surpassing those in 2006.
As in 2003, the last thing that Iraqis and the U.S. military needed was to “bring ‘em on.”
Transcript:
OLBERMANN: We really passed that fifth anniversary on the first of this month, since the “Mission Accomplished” declaration on the aircraft carrier. In this book of yours, the new book, “The Good Fight: The Hard Lessons from Searchlight to Washington,” you describe a private meeting that you had with the President — on a different anniversary, which was Sept. 11, 2007 — about Iraq, and he made a statement that you wrote, left you somewhat incredulous.
What you wrote, to quote exactly: “To understand what he said is to understand something profound about the problem at the heart of this administration.”
What did the President say to you last 9/11 anniversary, and what does it tell us about his leadership?
REID: Well, I was complaining about what was going on and he basically said, “Bring ‘em on. We’re killing them. We’re killing them.”
OLBERMANN: Who?
REID: The terrorists.
OLBERMAN: Oh, dear.
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Frankly Harry, the only words this country needs to hear from you is IMPEACHMENT. HEARINGS.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:42 amInteresting, Sen. Reid knows and knew all this about the insane president and to this day still will not block his actions? It it is a sad story about submission, or is it fear? An enhanced stock portfolio due to the war profit? What is it that would make the president of the senate do nothing to take out an insane person that is crushing the US economy, making it so our troops and people alike can never go to another country without being afraid of being captured and tortured and held forever without need for a trial.
It is sad we have no leadership. Just talk. Scared, subservient and spineless.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:44 amWhen, if you had the power, would you end it Sen. Reid?
At least we’ve gone from strongly-worded letters to a strongly-worded book.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:48 amI agree Lady Z….To bad Reid only speak’s up loud and clear when he’s selling his book…We the people paid him to do his job and he has failed miserably…No question in my mind which side of the isle Reid pander’s to and it’s not the Dem’s..He and Palosi should hit the road, selling book’s or what ever and then we can get good representative’s in office…..Blessings
May 10th, 2008 at 11:49 amReid said that on the anniversary of 9/11 last year, he was “complaining” to Bush about the situation in Iraq. Bush replied, “Bring ‘em on. We’re killing them. We’re killing them.”
Only problem is Reid was talking about Iraq, bush was talking about the spineless “impeachment-is-off-the-table-but-give-telecoms-immunity-while-we-fund-the-war dem leadershi(t).
The “savior dems”…what a disappointing collection of toothless, (strongly-worded) letter-writing, poseur, poof-tah invertebrates.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:50 amWhat was this spineless nimrod’s claim to fame that got him the senate majority leader’s post?
May 10th, 2008 at 11:52 am6. Exit Stage Left Says:
What was this spineless nimrod’s claim to fame that got him the senate majority leader’s post?
Best pucker?
May 10th, 2008 at 11:54 amScared, subservient and spineless.
When, if you had the power, would you end it Sen. Reid?
Iraq is one huge, legacy-torching, feces-stuffed falafel awaiting the next president, whoever that is. Bringing the troops home on democratic watch ensures republicans at least another decade of “dems lost the war” talking points, so of course when dems take control, it will be in their best interest to win it, instead of withdrawl. Thousands of lives lost may be one thing – but these bozos think the decorum of the Senate is more important, and republicans will talk badly about them if we withdraw.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:55 am8. barfly Says: Thousands of lives lost may be one thing – but these bozos think the decorum of the Senate is more important, and republicans will talk badly about them if we withdraw.
Which recalls this Tom Tomorrow cartoon…still as relevant now as when it was published…*sigh*!
http://www.workingforchange.com/webgraphics/WFC/TMW060407.jpg
May 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pm#7 great response….LOL.Is that a p or an f…? Think I need to get my glasses adjusted..Again….Blessings
May 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pmTo HELL with harry Reid who has done precisely “dick” to stand up to the Repugs. The Dems better replace his useless ass in the next Congress.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:03 pm10. Witch1 Says:
#7 great response….LOL.Is that a p or an f…? Think I need to get my glasses adjusted..Again….Blessings
“P” for what he does for the administration..”F” for what he does to the American people and the Constitution…;)
(I use hand lotion to keep from chafing m’ankles.)
May 10th, 2008 at 12:05 pm#12 Hanshiro, me to…..Correct you are….Good post’s BTW…Blessings
May 10th, 2008 at 12:10 pmHey! You just wait! Harry’s a former boxer, and only he’s doing the ol’ political rope-a-dope, to get his second wind.
Next year, he’ll…
Well, maybe 2010.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:11 pm#14 LOL…A feather weight, right.? And I do mean right….Second wind.? Hell, he never got his first one…..Blessings
May 10th, 2008 at 12:14 pmtwice… i cringed both times i heard it…
twice, harry said “thank you for ALLOWING me to be here”…
my gawd…
the words are all jumbled in my head how this made/makes me feel…
but zooey sums up one of those feelings perfectly…
oy…
May 10th, 2008 at 12:17 pm6. Exit Stage Left Says:
What was this spineless nimrod’s claim to fame that got him the senate majority leader’s post?
His tongue’s long enough to give a give a prostate massage, and he seems to enjoy the taste of shit…
May 10th, 2008 at 12:22 pmSorry to be off topic
…..but something dawned on me last night, and that is–
What is to stop Clinton from pulling a LIEberman and running in the General as an Independent ?
_AIO_
May 10th, 2008 at 12:44 pmInteresting, Sen. Reid knows and knew all this about the insane president and to this day still will not block his actions?
Reid is more than just another example of the spineless cowards that make up the Demodratic party, Reid actively supported the Cheney written version of the Senate FISA bill, the one that would have given Bush everything he wanted including full and retroactive immunity to the telecoms for their part in the illegal, warrantless eavesdroppinging program.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
May 10th, 2008 at 12:45 pm#18.Is that what a rep. light is.? Just asking.LOL….Blessings
May 10th, 2008 at 12:47 pm#19 Paul, thank’s for the post and link…..Blessings
May 10th, 2008 at 12:50 pmSo to Bush this war is all about body counts. How very Christian of him. The last time we had a body count war (Vietnam) the outcome wasn’t to our liking. But that is the problem with body count. It is the wrong matrix for measuring effectiveness of a policy. Who, beyond some stubborn idiot, would think this way? (The list might have to include a stubborn old fool too).
May 10th, 2008 at 12:57 pm“#18.Is that what a rep. light is.?”…
Comment by Witch 1
I don’t think Hillary is all that right-wing, but what doomed her was assuming the Dem. nomination as inevitable and felt safe to vote for Busch’s war.
She knows she is finished if (when) she loses the nomination, so I think she will pull a LIEberman.
_AIO_
May 10th, 2008 at 1:03 pmI think if Obama wins the election, he should appoint Hillary to the Supreme Court. That would chap the right wing conservative’s A$$ for a lifetime.
As for Bush’s Bravado…let’s see how he feels after the Republican Party is Destroyed in November.
May 10th, 2008 at 1:12 pm#23 I was just giving you some junk, knew what you ment…Sad this race has gone on so damn long and my guy was the first to get kicked to the curb by the media and the Dem’s both…..Have a great day…Blessings
May 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pmthis is relavent to this topic, i guess… needs to be out there…
WEB EXCULSIVE: SAM SEDER INTERVIEWS SEN. FEINGOLD ON SECRET LAW HEARINGS Listen Here
Sen. Russ Feingold held hearings on the Bush administrations assualt on our Constitution by instructing DOJ lawyers to declare everything from a suspension of the Fourth Amendment to torture to who know’s what …legal — all in secret.
http://airamerica.com/content/web-exculsive-sam-seder-interviews-sen-feingold-secret-law-hearings
i don’t remember hearing much about it…
sam posted a wealth of clips on this page of his site, worth a look:
May 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pmhttp://samsedershow.com/node/3036
Bring on the real terrorists (top 5 all-time). As the idiot would say “terrists”: G.W. Bush, Katherine Harris, Dick “strap-on” Cheney, Marvin Bush and Larry “collect insurance money and run” Silverstein.
May 10th, 2008 at 1:20 pmPreznit Moron and his assinine comments.
May 10th, 2008 at 1:27 pmShould we ever find his brash ignorance and simplemindedness fading from our minds, he manages to stir up those thoughts again.
Also, recently, when asked about the time he was asked by Henry for Jenna’s hand in marriage, Bush’s reply was “done deal.” Bush is in a class by himself.
Common sense and self respect, I hope.
May 10th, 2008 at 1:29 pmThank’s Katy, great link’s and post….Blessings
May 10th, 2008 at 1:41 pm“Common sense and self respect, I hope.”
Comment by Marie
I agree, but you have to admit that that is a huge bargaining chip.
I just wonder how long before the media starts talking about the possibility of HRC. as an Independent?
_AIO_
May 10th, 2008 at 1:41 pm#31 Now that you mentioned it here probably, on Monday….The media snoop’s ofcourse will not give you credit for the thought…..That’s how it goe’s in bull shit bush bizarro world….Blessings
May 10th, 2008 at 1:58 pmAIO says: … I just wonder how long before the media starts talking about the possibility of HRC. as an Independent?
many weeks ago… randi rhodes brought it up then, the first i’d heard it said
out loud… and i repeated it here on TP…
oh, you probably mean the MSM, or the SCLM…
May 10th, 2008 at 2:02 pmalphainfinityomega Says:
“Common sense and self respect, I hope.”
Comment by Marie
I agree, but you have to admit that that is a huge bargaining chip.
I just wonder how long before the media starts talking about the possibility of HRC. as an Independent?
_AIO_
May 10th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I think if she switched to Independent, she’d run a serious risk of losing her “base.”
May 10th, 2008 at 2:02 pmIf HRC switched to independent, McCain can start getting fit for his inauguration ball tuxedo now.
May 10th, 2008 at 3:09 pmsee video: Curly quotes, Iran, Israel, Ahmadinejad & the Media President Ahmadinejad and several Iranian officials have repeatedly made clear that they are not threatening to attack Israel. Iranian President Ahmadinejad did NOT threaten to use force against Israel. He DIDN’T threaten to attack Israel. It is outrageous and dangerous how 60 Minutes and nearly all of mainstream media continue to misrepresent what he has said.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:52 pmRe: Billary’s independent run
I say if Billary thinks they can mount an effective campaign owing $25 million on day one before buying an ad or booking a hall, more power to them.
This is exactly why Obama should not offer them any financial assistance, though. Sure as shooting they’d take the money and launch an independent campaign with it.
May 10th, 2008 at 5:40 pm“Bring ‘em on. We’re killing them. We’re killing them.”
I thought I was used to it by now, but this is MINDBOGGLING.
The man is a completely brainless imbecile.
We would be attacked by the citizens of almost every country on the planet if we had done to their country what we have done to Iraq. The g**damn Swiss and Swedes would be attacking us if we “shock and awed” their country, , allowed looting and the breakdown of law and order,imprisoned and tortured their citizens,attempted to sell off their industries, allowed private armies (contractors)to run rampant and started building huge bases in their country.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:41 pmI Tivo Olbermann, and just caught that portion of the interview this morning.
First of all, Sen Reid is not exaggerating when he discusses how meager their majority in the Senate is. They live and die by the mood of Lieberman. Considering that Lieberman is technically a Republican, that’s not too bad.
On the other hand, if you actually listened to the interview, Reid said something that I found very interesting. He stated that along with telecom immunity not being guaranteed in FISA discussions, but that immunity for Bush and Cheney has also not been promised.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:09 amTo sum it up; even if there would be a three way race for the Presidency, I still think McCain would come in a weak third (3rd.).
_AIO_
May 11th, 2008 at 4:37 am“the terrorists”. Will mister Read stop using Bush-speak, please? There ’s not even a homogeneous group of Republicans, but Reid is telling us there’s a homogeneous group of terrorists, “the” terrorists? Give me a break, Harry. Come back when you get a sense of rationality, nitwit. And while you’re at it, whipe that stupid smile off your face which should be tomato-red from shame, giving the Bushies what they want time and time again. The Senate majority is a joke.
May 11th, 2008 at 7:32 amEvery time I see Reid or Pelosi all I think is:
FREAKING ENABLERS!
I have lost all respect for these 2 clowns.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:50 pmThere is currently a Bedava mp3 indirbig flap about the placement of another bridge across the Colorado River at Laughlin, NV/Bullhead City, AZ.sohbet The most logical choice of location is close to being eliminated because, as the local papers have learned but will not print, our good Senator own property on the Nevada side that will garner him mucho dinero when the most expensive and impracticcetal site for the bridge is chosen.
April 13th, 2009 at 1:14 am