Politics – Bush's most dangerous legacy is the erosion of America's vaunted traditions of civil rights and liberties.
Karina:
Devil's Advocate: Many Americans passionately disagree with the sentiment expressed in this headline. Some Bush supporters cite the fact that there has not been a terrorist attack on American soil since September 11, 2001 as proof enough that this President is doing his job; others cite the ousting of Sadaam Hussein and the death of Al-Zarqawi as evidence that we are winning the War on Terror under Bush's command. On the domestic front, religious conservatives applaud the President for creating the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (which provides assistance to religious charity and community organizations), for banning partial birth abortions, and for expanding funding for stem cell research whilst restricting the use of human embryos. Many liberals have attacked Bush for using the Federal Marriage Ammendment to supposedly distract attention away from Iraq, but even as he attempts to alter the Constitution to define marriage as a heterosexual institution, Bush has publicly supported the right of each individual state to legalize civil unions. He's the first Republican President to appoint an openly gay man to his cabinet, and he has also pledged $15 billion dollars to international AIDS relief - more money than has been donated by all other nations combined. On the family front, Bush has cut taxes for almost every American, increasing the child tax credit and eliminating the marriage penalty entirely. He also gave a big push to the No Child Left Behind Act, which was sponsored in chief by none other than Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy.
Here are some links to supporters of the President::
"Does anyone in MSM have the courage and the skills to ask whether Eric Lichtblau [author of this story] is a partisan anti-Bush/GOP hack dressed up as a "journalist," willing to write stories that assist terrorists so long as they hurt Republicans?" — Hugh Hewitt
"This blatant, holistic assault on our President and the Republican Party has blinded the perpetrators and crossed the line into treasonous assault on our country. In this time of war, that is inexcusable. We should relentlessly pursue the perpetrators responsible under applicable provisions of US Law. It is imperative to our collective safety." — Marcus Traianus, Red State.com
2006-07-02 11:49:12
well GW certainly gets my vote here..........
the only thing that has even remotely saved the economy in this part of the country was hurricane Katrina..........
i could care less what happens in Iraq over the next 30 years......
what i am far more concerned about is what will happen here in THIS country...........
Oh MY God!!!!! Is this for real? Some unknown hack writes for Little India, and thats newsworthy enough to be lead article on this new Netscape? Who financed this "you pick the news absurdity?" Soros? Huffington? Gore? The DNC? I can't belive that anyone would lend any credence to an article on civil rights, of all things, coming from a rag called Little India. If Mr. Mehra has any spare ink in his poison pen, maybe he could enlightnen the world on the civil rights conditions in his home country. 3 cheers for the caste system.
When are you right-wing fascists going to see the truth about this twit that YOU voted in office? Maybe when they ship YOUR son home in a body bag. Yeehaw!! Let's go get Iran next. Then N. Korea. Then Syria. Then Somalia...etc. etc. etc. (Then Georgia, Colorado, Idaho, Tennessee...etc. etc. etc.) Lemmings.
Bush created a homeland for insurgents in Iraq. There were no insurgents before "Mission Accomplished."
The info about the Saddam and Al Qaeda link was from one known liar who no American had even talked to. The yellow cake story was disproved by the French government, who oversees all uranium production in Niger. I don't know about the aluminum tubes. Anyway, it was all lies. That's why it was "classified."
Halliburton profits are up 600% since Bush/Cheney took office.
Sure, tens of thousands of Iraqis had to die, as well as over 2500 Americans dead, but the profits are astronomical, so I guess it was all worth it.
Bush created a homeland for insurgents in Iraq. There were no insurgents before "Mission Accomplished."
The info about the Saddam and Al Qaeda link was from one known liar who no American had even talked to. The yellow cake story was disproved by the French government, who oversees all uranium production in Niger. I don't know about the aluminum tubes. Anyway, it was all lies. That's why it was "classified."
Halliburton profits are up 600% since Bush/Cheney took office.
Sure, tens of thousands of Iraqis had to die, as well as over 2500 Americans dead, but the profits are astronomical, so I guess it was all worth it.
http://...
Dems and libs...Read this link and weep. You lose. I am tired of the libs using sound bites for their debates like, "Bush Lied!", "There were no WMD's !" "We were all misled by Bush !" Blah-Blah-Bla-Blah...The Dems believed Saddam should have been removed from power and also believed he had WMD's, so please spare me with your lib psycho-babble ! As far as this article is concerned, the quoted source is from some guy at Princeton ! Princeton ? That's basically the central training hub for liberal lunatics...I wouldn't believe ANTHING this guy says about Bush...Clinton and Carter would be my top picks for all-time worse presidents...They simply did nothing for the betterment of this country...And yes, Mark, 2500 Americans dead fighting for your sorry butt to sit here on this comment page and criticize what we are doing over there...Shame on you ! Go to another country and criticize their administration and see what happens.
It's rediculous to think that some prof at Princeton can possibly predict what a sitting Presidents legacy will be. As far as some of the comments made here, I can't believe that you honestly think Sadaam should still be in power. There is overwhelming evidence that he and his sons tortured and killed hundreds of thousands during their time in power. Proof of WND's came out AGAIN this week, and Halliburton happens to be the only company in business that has the ability to do the job. Get your FACTS straight, you might not come off as a such a kook. As far as American Soldiers, last I heard there was NO draft, we currently have an all volunteer force. I agree with you one hundred percent FSU92grad, pack up move, and see how much better your life is.
He is ONE of the worst, to my knowledge. He is bad and doesn't care if we know it. He has had his eight years to complete his mission, profiteering for himself and his inner circle, which includes the Saudis.
The reason for the Irag war has changed so many times that it has become truly embarrassing to this country. Plus, the inconsistencies are worse as there are many other human autrocities occuring in non NON-PROFITABLE countries and nothing is being done.
I know what some economist are saying but I know how my pocket book looks and feels, thin.
I'm neither conservative nor liberal; I admire the likes of Reagan and Clinton(barring lewinsky). Carter was overmatched for the job as was Bush #1 while the likes of Dole and Kerry were train wrecks waiting to happen.
The only people that still completely believe in Bush are the blind Rush Limbaugh's of the world. I know conservatives that can't wait to see Bush go.
Stop voting by party;vote by the person and his/her ideas
the major thing wrong with the Bush administration is Bush!! What did you expect from a guy that stole an election? Get real, the power is not in the electorate's hands anymore, it belongs with the rich. The erosion of the unions in America should be enough proof.
Unbridled capitolism is the same as anarchy, except the rich get to name it!!
I live in Alaska, and I can tell you it isnt getting warmer up here, not with -40 or more in the winter and 50 or 60 degrees in the summer. The Tempatures have been changing for centurys, first warms then cools where do you thank the dino that have been found up here came from they sure didnt come here for the cold weather.
This is like picking a football team to root for and sticking with your decision no matter what. People who voted for Gore in 2000 will focus on everything they can that's against Bush and ignore everything else. It doesn't do any good to point out to them that even Clinton thought Iraq should be liberated. If Clinton had taken the same military action in Iraq that Bush has there would still be insurgents but all the liberals would say, "We just have to stick with this mess until it's cleaned up. Even conservatives in Congress voted for this invasion."
It's not bad enough we went to war on bad intelligence. Many Americans died from faulty intelligence. It doesn't upset people we sold Iraq to Halibuton.
Okay lets come home. We let people starve in Katrina blaming each other. We have given up our civil liberties through wire taps and banking watches. Yes wait 30 years and all will be okay. OH come on - wake up!! Buy his good thoughts and intentions but don't follow him to the loss of what America stands for. Get rid of him and his buddies they don't have your best interest at heart.
Bush gets my vote as one of the BEST LEADERS.
Remember how all the libs proclaimed how AWFUL and wrong President Reagan is/was during his term. Let's see what is Reagans legacy- oh yes, turned America around. Rather than the low steady decline started by democratic president we stopped apologizing for being great as a nation. Reagan restore LEADERSHIP to the US presidency.
Bush's legacy will surely be bringing Islamic world into the family of modern nations and spreading democracy and prosperity to the people of the world who need it most. It is time for the third world to join the capitalist global economy. This is a threat to any Osama of any stripe who want to send 13 yo boys out with AK to do his warlord mentality bidding.
Just as terrorist groups in South America were destroyed by concerted effort so will Al Quida be destroyed by the concerted effort of this president. That's just called LEADERSHIP. Now is the time for America to lead the world to a better future.
Worst President? Let's see...a President who suspended habeus corpus and even had a Senator jailed for speaking out against the country? That would've been Abraham Lincoln. How about a President who suspended the civil rights of over 100,000 U.S. citizens by throwing them into concentration camps? That would've been Franklin D. Roosvelt. Would dropping two atom bombs make a President good or bad? Harry Truman is considered a great President. In fact all these Presidents are considered to be "great", even according to the liberal rag 'Common Dreams'. So is Bush worse than all these great Presidents in comparison? What did Bush do that is worse than what these great men did in order to preserve the country? Yes, history will tell.
Everyone always blames the president at the time. WWI, a democrat president; WWII a democrat; Korea, a democrat: Vietnam, Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world to the brink a nuclear war, a democrat; Bosnia where we still have troops a democrat; count those body bags if you want to use that as a criteria.
Militant Islam,Islamic Fascist,Terrorists,Insurgents etc. whatever you want to call them. I call them Satans face on Earth. Islamist killed over 170,000 black Christians in Sudan & counting. Islamist killed thousands of black Christians in Somalia & counting. Islamist kill thousands of Hindus in Kashmir, India, & counting. Islamist beheading Buddhist police in Singapore & Thailand. Islamist killing hundreds of Catholics in the Philippines & counting. Islamist killing the atheists in Russia & Chechnya (remember all the elementary school kids they killed? I do) Islamist killing Jews in Israel,firing rockets from Gaza even after Israel gave them independence there. I can go on. I'm sorry I had to spell it out for you. Hitler behind nation, Muslims behind a religion. During 8 years of Clinton, Islamist attacked the US at least 6 times (4 of our Embassies, USS Cole,& twin towers) He did nothing. Then 9/11, they killed 3,000+. Thank you Bush for seeing what many Americans fail to see.
To DLSawyer,
Many of the things you point out are completely valid, the problem here is that I don´t even feel secure about voicing my opinion for fear of the fall-out. Big Brother is here brother and 1984 may have come and gone, but it just might be here to stay. This is the central issue, freedom is not free, true. Absolutely true: 5000 men dead on the beaches of Normandy in one day. The sacrifices made for freedom should not be discarded after all the losses, from the Revolution to the present day. The President, right or wrong is the Commander in Chief and as such has to take certain difficult decisions, (many people don´t agree with him and that´s their right as citizens) that´s his job and his call. The worrisome aspect here is the lack of respect for our constitutional system. Without it we are no better than those we refer to as our enemies. Oh, by the way, Hooah, Army of One!
V/r
I think Bush's greatest failure is being weak on illegal immigration. Otherwise I think he is WAY better than that freakshow Gore. And that anti-american Kerry. At least he has the base principles down alot better. Why do all the libs have to have such flimsy arguments? WMD is just what libs WISH we went to war over. We really are there to prevent terrorism. Oh wait that doesn't even matter though, because Congress votes to go to war. And they overwhelmingly voted for Iraq liberation. Then all the dummycrats look around at eachother and realize that they are *gasp* doing the same thing as reps... So they must be the polar opposite and help the terrorists (think Gore speaking in the middle east to ignite hatred for the U.S.). Sometimes I wish the dummycrats would win every now and then, that way they would stop whining over losing. Liberals cannot deal with loss, I keep getting this picture in my head of a baby representing democrats and a pasaphire is like winning power.
The Germans landed saboteurs from U-Boats who blew up the Kaiser docks in NYC during WWI. At the time the USA was still a neutral country. Areas restricted after.
During WWII the Atlantic Beaches were mined and fortified against invasion. That was a restriction on the rights and freedom of citizens. We also had rationing and the draft. Some tried to fight the draft by lawsuit early on. Lawsuits fighting conscription were prohibited during the war by act of congress. This was a restriction of constitutional rights. Without it the war effort would have been hamstrung.
A handfull of German spies were landed along the Atlantic coast in WWII. And as we found them we executed them. They were not granted civil rights or rights granted 'combatants' under Geneva and Hague conventions. They were not afforded same legal rights granted resident aliens or foreign visitors charged with a crime. They were subject to speedy military tribunal and shot if memory serves.
To DLSawyer,
It´s nice to hear an intelligent and informed person voicing their opinion on a website, I appreciate your comments. What you have stated above is true as far as I know. Let´s not overlook a few salient points though: people´s irrational fears during WWII resulted in the imprisonment of 100,000 Japanese-Americans, many of whom volunteered to serve in the US Army (149th regimental combat team, mostly in Italy as I recall.) This was a travesty. The fact that we are at war is no excuse to deprive our citizens of certain rights. Luckily for all of us, the Supreme Court has finally issued it´s opinion regarding the legal procedures to be used with enemy combatants, I hope this will calm some of the clamor. As for the wire-tapping, legal procedures are already in place for this to be conducted in a legal fashion, (i.e.: approved and supervised by a court) why did the NSA go around these rules? It´s my opinion that this shows contempt for the laws of the land.
V/r
Strictly Wizard,
Although many say Eisenhower was "president in the 1950s" he was not actually president from 1950 to 1960. He was president from Jan 1953 to Jan 1961.
Yes, a democrat was president for Korean War. His name was Harry Truman. He was also President the last months of WWII. He was president for most of the three years of the Korean War. Many say he predicated the war by statements he made (and others in his administration made) which said US would respond to communist expansion with force in europe or the Americas (but not elsewhere?). Many say this was interpreted as an invitation by the North Koreans and their Russian allies. Russian volunteers flew MIGs for the N Korean AF during the war...
Contrary to the poor eduction most Americans get we also fought the Chinese Army. Entire Chicom Divisions and Corps after we had more or less defeated the N Korean Army.
Eisenhower was president only the last 5 months of the Korea War. Jan through July 1953
Bush has transcended incompetence and has inhabited the plateau of idiot. I dont know about any of you but the president should be an incredibly brilliant, exceptionally gifted, devoted, and concious individual. Not a humurous slacker, with preteen speaking skills. Most of the time he seems completely obvlivious, and has this trademark smurk whenever he speaks thats annoying and further proof of his insincere and jovial nature. Which his wholly inappropriate for man in the postion that he's in, he is probably one of the most powerful men in the world. I mean I cant even really take him seriously, his position in office is disconcerting. Americans should be ashamed to have such a person representing them, believe me people all over the world are looking at this jester and laughing their toupes off at how incredibly silly he is. He's a clown and he's debasing this countries validity as a super power, his leadership is compromising this countries entire ethical value.
You have to admit example of Japanese Americans being interned is quite a bit different than the example phone calls of conversations of US citizens with members of known terrorist affiliation oversea being recorded by the NSA. The first is an irrational measure to thwart a 5th column. The second is a rational measure to thrwart a 5th column.
DL Sawyer,
I think I may have given you more credit than you deserve, yes, you have some facts in hand but your last comment about Europe not mattering is a bit of a stretch. Yes, we must think for ourselves, our place in the world and so on, agreed. I assume you know what NATO is and how important European countries are to our ongoing efforts with Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom as well as our economy, so how could you make such a statement? As for the phone taps, I do not beleive that extra-legal activity for any purpose conducted by our own government is acceptable. Use the courts, that´s what they are there for. Presidents have been impeached for similar reasons.......
I´m beginning to think you don´t understand the military at all.
V/r
Bad or Good? I just wish he would be truthfull to the public with regards to his actions. I mean come on the Iraq war is just really a business deal gone bad between the Bush's (a.k.a Saudi's) and Sadam. They tried to tell him how his oil should be sold and he wasn't having it. And if your going to use the old bad dictator approach then why dont we help all the other countries that have ruthless dictators... oh wait because we probably put them there. I would just be happy with the bush admin. if they just said hey look my family and some of my friends are lookin to make some fast cash and also the dollar isn't doing so well against the euro so we need to prevent huge oil nations from switching to the euro so we will attack the weakest one to obtain an economic foothold in a region of the world that pretty much hates us and will probably will continue to do so forever because they will teach it to their children and their children's children and so on. So who's comin with me...
As the Commander-in Chief and President he has violated his Oath of Office to Preserver and Protect the Office of President of the USA. He has accomplished this by continuing a horrific war in both Afghanistan and Iraq with no reasonable Strategy nor end in sight. Putting our Brave Heroic Men and Women in Harm's way without an Strategic Plan is Abhorrent, Disgraceful, and Ignorant.
Additionallly he has violated the Constitutional Rights of every American Citizen or Immigrant by Illegally
wire-tapping our telephones without a Court Order as required by Law.
George W. Bush should be brought up for Impeachment Hearings before the House Judiciary Comittee for numerous violations both as Commander-in-Chief and President of the USA.
Maybe in November if the Democrats can regain power the American People can have this "War on Terrorism Halted" and Impeach this moron who was illegally elected in 2000!
now people you really have to get a grip............number one yes he is the worst of the worst..............he does not think he should follow the law in fact he says he has the right to ignore it ............oh we show other people democracy? when all of our rights are being slowly stripped away? we are being force to turn a blind eye towards illegal people which is against the law and should never be tolerated ...............halibutron should not be getting jobs over other companies ..............we do have the right to express our religious beliefs but hey they no longer what us to use the word god and would love to take christmas from us .............but the foriegn people who come here we have to bend over backwards to make sure we dont insult them with thier religion.... we want them to enjoy the freedom to practice thiers...............so why are we slowing having ours taken away? the economy is at it worst............and the one who said clinton did nothing for us? jerk
"Is it possible that we worry about something other than terroism?" Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth
The US pollutes more than any other nation in every form (total, per capita, etc) yet is doing probably among the least to repair it. In Paris, citizens are fined for not recycling. In Norway, people are weening themselves off gasoline. They have plenty of oil yet the government is working to take the country off oil. Bush reneged on the Kyoto Protocol, denies that global warming exists (why? because the bible doesn't mention it?), and refuses to make forward steps to improve the future. Has anyone ever wondered what Bush's raison d'etre would be if not for terrorism and 9/11? It's all he thinks, all he breathes.
"Is it possible that we worry about something other than terroism?" Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth
The US pollutes more than any other nation in every form (total, per capita, etc) yet is doing probably among the least to repair it. In Paris, citizens are fined for not recycling. In Norway, people are weening themselves off gasoline. They have plenty of oil yet the government is working to take the country off oil. Bush reneged on the Kyoto Protocol, denies that global warming exists (why? because the bible doesn't mention it?), and refuses to make forward steps to improve the future. Has anyone ever wondered what Bush's raison d'etre would be if not for terrorism and 9/11? It's all he thinks, all he breathes.
He's a criminal and a traitor to this country.
If any Bush supporter was actually able to read and not just cut and paste RNC & Fox talking points they'd be able to understand what he's done and planned.
All you Bushies need to read Pax Americana and peak oil.
If that's not enough, look at the looming world water crisis.
All this moron wants to do is pack his and corporations with our cash.
He's used every play from Hitlers plan to dominate the world.
Traitor
Bush planned this infusion of cash to Halliburton and other profiteers before he officially announced his first presidential bid. That is why he had many times the campaign fund that any other candidate had ever accumulated .. before he officially announced his bid for presidency. I knew the USA had problems at that point, because the candidate with the most funds wins (even if he does not get the votes). I just didn't realize that the Bush administration would start a war as a means of paying back the contributors until the invasion was already being planned.
I would just like to two ask questions.
One: Why, after all of the lies and illegal activity is this person still in office, or, at the very least why haven't impeachment proceedings been started? And,
Two: Shouldn't the leader of what is probably the mightiest nation on the face of this planet, with such a deadly NUCLEAR arsenal, be able to pronounce the word correctly? It's N-U-C-L-E-A-R, not N-U-C-U-L-A-R!!!
Bush is the worst president in my lifetime.
He appoints personal cronies, rather than qualified people, to important positions in his administration. This has brought us the failed responses to 9/11 and Katrina, a pre-emptive and illegal war in Iraq, deficit spending, a religious theocracy, and violations of the 4th Amendment in which our phone and bank records are matters of "national security". To those who say 'I have nothing to hide', please send me your bank account number. ;)
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." ~ Ben Franklin.
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Then again, if in 30 years Iraq is a thriving democracy Bush will be hailed as a visionary who had the guts to throw a brutal dictator out of power and bring freedom to millions. Only time will tell.