Was he really all that bad? Why are we so very convinced that Bush was a bad president? I mean think about it. What did he actually do that was so wrong? Ok, it's true; there turned out to be no Weapons of Mass Destruction. However, we all have 20/20 hind sight right? Based on what he knew, and the information he had at the time, I think going into Iraq was the right decision. Plus, we've taken a tyrannical dictator out of power. Hussein is no longer in control. "Okay", you say, "but why are we still there". Consider this, if we do pull out now, while we're actually winning, the Middle East will most likely collapse into utter chaos. On the other hand, if we can stay the course we may yet leave a stable democratic stronghold behind in the Middle East. Well, you feel like the War on Terror wasn't successful enough. Why, we have them on the run. Besides, American citizens were attacked in their homeland. Something HAD to be done! There was no way we could NOT retaliate. In conclusion, I'd just like to say, I hope History won’t look too unkindly on George W.
A Missunderstood Administration
By SarahAF - Posted on November 8th, 2008
And Bush knew that. Have you ever read the 9/11 Commission Report? The entire thing is available online: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/911/index.html
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
"However, we all have 20/20 hind sight right? Based on what he knew, and the information he had at the time, I think going into Iraq was the right decision."
It was terrible information and the administration knew it. They were convinced that Saddam was developing these things, but had no evidence. Also, the administration, particularly the office of the VP, put extreme pressure on the CIA to make the information fit. People who disagreed were distanced from the administration.
"Plus, we've taken a tyrannical dictator out of power. Hussein is no longer in control."
Yes, but there are tyrannical dictatorships all over the world. You don't see us doing anything about Saudi Arabia, just to name one. The key issue was that Saddam was a dictator who became problematic for us. He had control over oil fields that, by our own edict, we couldn't access. We used to be very friendly with him and he was still a dictator then.
"Consider this, if we do pull out now, while we're actually winning, the Middle East will most likely collapse into utter chaos. On the other hand, if we can stay the course we may yet leave a stable democratic stronghold behind in the Middle East."
Because there has been almost no political process and our army is basically acting as a police force and is costing us billions, as well as wasting lives. I don't think we should pull out immediately. I do think we need a timetable.
"Well, you feel like the War on Terror wasn't successful enough. Why, we have them on the run. "
No, we don't. The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan. Al Queda is comfortable in the tribal region of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hezbollah has control of the Lebanese Parliament. Hamas has control of Gaza. (not groups that attacked us, but certainly a terrorist group) Our continued and increased presence in the Middle East, which was what Bin Laden was pissed off about from the start, has served as an excellent recruitment tool for these organizations.
"Besides, American citizens were attacked in their homeland. Something HAD to be done! There was no way we could NOT retaliate."
Yeah, but we should have retaliated against the right people.
"In conclusion, I'd just like to say, I hope History won’t look too unkindly on George W."
In addition, I'd like to add...
Collapsing economy.
Massive debts and deficit.
Wide scale violations of the Constitution. (Presidential signing statements. Please.)
Decaying World Image
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson