cross-posted on Huffington Post
As the rehabilitation tour of George W. Bush finally, at long last, not soon enough for me, ends (we can only hope), tonight we will yet be treated to one more moment of pure alternative universe when our current president says a final farewell. The constant theme from Bush and Cheney, but also their apologists, as well as their bloviating sycophants on wingnut radio, is that Bush will be remembered for keeping America safe. When evaluating President Bush’s presidency, everything for Republicans begins on September 12, 2001.
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Ignored is the PDB: Bin Laden Determined to Attack in U.S. Ignored is that Bush was on vacation when he got that warning, but stayed on vacation and did nothing. Ignored was the fact that Richard Clarke’s position focusing on terrorism, which had been a cabinet level post during WJC’s presidency, was neutered so that Clarke couldn’t even get a substantive meeting on the threats we faced until it was way too late. Ignored is the fact that all summer there were hair on fire warnings about something big about to happen. Ignored is the fact that WJC and his national security team warned Bush about the threats and Al Qaeda, but because of Bush-Cheney’s Anything But Clinton philosophy, they ignored the threats already known and went it alone. People paid with their lives.
Republicans even blame WJC for 9/11, ignoring who was actually in charge the day of the carnage. That said, there is enough blame to go around, it’s just that Bush never accepts any at all. Funny how in 1993, the very first World Trade Center bombing, just months after WJC came into office, was never blamed on Bush 41. …or that the hits we took in Lebanon on Reagan’s watch were never calculated, when so many years later the Republican in office remained clueless about terrorism. Considering it was C.I.A. Director Casey under Reagan that helped fund bin Laden in Afghanistan, this is no small point.
Campbell Brown (video here) quoted Bush from Larry King’s interview this week, where the president said something truly stunning. When asked if we had ever come close to catching Osama bin Laden, the president didn’t have a clue:
King: Did we ever come close?Bush: I don’t know. I can’t answer that.
From “dead or alive” to who knows?
Never addressed by Republicans is how many more enemies the U.S. has today than we did before Bush and Cheney’s foreign policy laid waste to our strategic alliances. To Republicans, led by the noise machine on wingnut radio, helped along by Fox news, everything for George W. Bush begins on 9/12. It’s really the most glaring insult of Bush’s rehabilitation tour. Republicans want people to forget that not only was Bush caught unprepared on 9/11, but that once he regained his composure he not only let the culprit get away, but to this day he has no idea of what progress, if any, we’ve made in catching the man behind the largest post WWII attack on our country’s history.
Even if Bin Laden is simply a symbol at this late date, that the commander in chief of this country hasn’t a clue of our progress to bring him to justice says everything about George W. Bush as he leaves office.
Seven years later, Bin Laden remains the man who got away.
First again. Taylor that was right on. I think you should post it on Huffpo.
It is truly unreal how the Republicans have ignored the fact that Bin Laden is still loose and Bush can’t even say whether we were close to catching him.
And the fact that he was warned about 9/11 and never did a thing about it still stuns me when I read it. A totally incompetent man who should never have been Pres. But the people who put him in will never admit he’s done anything wrong. Or I guess I should say people like Lamebrain, Hannity, Levin, Cunningham and the likes. I won’t include Savage because he couldn’t stand Bush.
And by the way, has a President ever given a farewell address? If I were him I think I would hide.
WJC was criticized when he left for his long good-bye. But at least he had accumulated a very positive record in government before he left.
On your point about 9/11, Betsy, we cannot afford to let Republicans rewrite history that Bush kept us safe, especially considering the legacy he’s leaving Obama.
RT–One thing that I think was really smart on Obama and Biden’s part was to ask Lindsay Graham to accompany Biden to Afghanistan recently. Graham’s ego was definitely stroked and he appears to be more on Obama’s side. He commented last night that he thought Clinton should be confirmed and would be a good SoS.
Quite a contrast to the sharp rhetoric Graham had for Obama when he was campaigning for McCain.
I agree completely, Benny. The fact that Obama is having a dinner for McCain on Monday will also go a long way. Pure class.
comments appreciated:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-marsh/who-was-president-on-911_b_158253.html
Hadn’t heard about the dinner.
Here’s the URL to the PR about it: http://tinyurl.com/8jg7sq
I just put a story up in the headlines too. See the picture of Palin.
Can you imagine Bush inviting Kerry to a dinner like that after he won? …or Gore?
Just commented on your article at Huffpo Taylor.
Anyone watching MSNBC. plane crashed in the Hudson River in NYC.
Motorola will cut 4000 more jobs…
All passengers and crew members are safe. If he had to go down that was the place because there are ferries all around him.
“Even if Bin Laden is simply a symbol at this late date’
I’m not convinced Bin Ladin is still alive but the fact the Clueless George is so nonchalant about the whole thing is appalling… getting Bin Ladin or confirming his demise would be a real blow to the jihadists and a morale boost here at home.
Here’s a bit from an editorial in KaleejTimes (top newspaper in Dubai) giving a look at how they see Bush’s war on terror.
http://tinyurl.com/8ny8gg
“In an interesting opinion piece (the lead article on this page) Miliband has assailed the US war on terror, calling the whole notion of fighting a single enemy in Al Qaeda a ‘misleading and mistaken’ one.
In doing so, the British foreign secretary has not only broken away from the fundamental policy of the US-led Western coalition that includes Britain but also suggests a whole, new approach to fighting extremism and terrorism.
snip
Regardless of what the outgoing US President George W Bush and his allies have to say in defence of the war on terror, it has been anything but successful. Iraq, which Bush claimed was the main front of his terror war, remains a dangerous place five years after the US invasion. And peace eludes Afghanistan as well. In fact, today it’s more dangerous than it had been under the Taleban. More importantly, Al Qaeda remains as strong as ever with its top guns still at large.
On the other hand, massive human rights abuses, a contempt for the rule of law and victimisation of innocents as part of the terror war have made the US and West more vulnerable to attacks from extremist forces like Al Qaeda.
snip
What’s happening right now in Gaza is being watched with great consternation by young, impressionable Muslims around the world. Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza and the world community’s inability to halt it over the past three weeks will harden many a young soul making them a potential recruit for Al Qaeda.
This is why terrorism, as Miliband emphasizes, needs to be tackled at its root. That is, if we really want to tackle it.”
Here’s another bit about how they see Obama’s intended action on Gitmo:
http://tinyurl.com/9yrjuz
“This is perhaps the best news to emerge from Washington in years. As promised during his presidential campaign, Obama’s team of advisors and aides has confirmed that the incoming president will order the closure of the infamous Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba during his first few days in office.”
snip
“The Bay prison camp and the larger US war on terror with its draconian practices like the extraordinary rendition and water-boarding are not only an unprecedented attack on the rule of law and violation of the Geneva Conventions but a betrayal of America’s long cherished ideals and values.
Which is why Obama’s decision to shut down the prison is so welcome.
This is the first decisive step by Obama to end America’s isolation from the rest of the world under the current incumbent. But he has a long way to go to undo the damage his predecessor has inflicted on the US and the world.”
Poor Bush …
On the day he wants to give a prime time farewell speech, he gets preempted by a breaking news story from NY with connotations of 9/11 …
Looks like there is someone way up there who does NOT like shrubs …
Looks like there is someone way up there who does NOT like shrubs …
HillaryClinton4BarackObama | Homepage | 01.15.2009 – 5:15 pm | #
…well his tenure was a train wreck.. budump bump.
amazing photo, right after the plane crash:
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/825/slide_825_14780_large.jpg
That picture was taken by one of the ferry boat owners. MSNBC interviewed him.
Again I have to point out the simple math here.
3,000 Americans were killed on 9/11.
Since then GW has kept Americans “safe” —
and 4,000+ Americans have died to do that.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Bingo, pmichael.
bye, bye Bushie…. don’t let the door hit you on the way out. I’m not buying your revisionist fairy tale.
blah.blah.blah.
Mr. Bush, please leave…
….Bush almost did a Chevy Chase on the way to the podium.
Did you hear what he said about Iraq? Wow.
GeoT | 01.15.2009 – 7:56 pm | #
I saw that. LOL
Where’s the Apollo’s hook when you need it?
O’Reilly said Bush “kept us safe.” Again, starting the clock on 9/12.
Pathetic.
Did you hear what he said about Iraq? Wow.
TaylorMarsh | Homepage | 01.15.2009 – 8:01 pm | #
to be honest I’m not listening…I’ll wait for you to post the highlights/lowlights Taylor.
“good man”… “tried hard…” said O’Reilly.
This is the President of the United States. Seriously, just pathetic.
Chris Matthews is taking him apart.
okay AG I just checked and it’s -13 in Chicago… that’s just insane.
GeoT | 01.15.2009 – 8:08 pm | #
where I am is northwest of Chicago. Its -12, but the windchill is -26.
The windchill will be down to -37 later tonight.
Its been snowing for a few days, but nobody is shoveling or blowing the snow, its too damn cold.
bTW how did Burris vote on the bailout? or did he?
Apparently few people remember his unfavorable ratings were pretty high on September 10, 2001.
Its been snowing for a few days, but nobody is shoveling or blowing the snow, its too damn
cold.
Audiegrl | 01.15.2009 – 8:12 pm | #
should I say anything about the record heat out here in Cal.? :=)
Burris voted for it.
GeoT | 01.15.2009 – 8:13 pm | #
thats just mean.
LOL
Burris voted for it.
Audiegrl | 01.15.2009 – 8:14 pm | #
he also got a standing ovation in the Senate.
OT: I should know this but who’s taking Biden’s seat?
thats just mean.
LOL
Audiegrl | 01.15.2009 – 8:15 pm | #
it’s 70 right now (5:30pm) and I’m on the coast…
sorry, couldn’t resist
Apparently few people remember his unfavorable ratings were pretty high on September 10, 2001.
djjl | 01.15.2009 – 8:12 pm | #
that’s true, 9/11 is what made his rating go up.
I didn’t get to hear HC’s farewell address today, so I listened to it instead of listening to W tonight. Goodbye, good riddance.
He is absolutely lame. I hope we never hear from him again.
Meaning, Goodbye to W, hello to real diplomacy by HC.
Well, I thought Bush’s farewell speech was quite appropriate.
It wasn’t necessarily inspiring. He’s not really that kind of speaker, but it was OK.
I am not a Bush-hater, though.
Never voted for the guy, but I never have understood the hatred stuff.
Never voted for the guy, but I never have understood the hatred stuff. AnninCA
Ann, please allow me (late) to answer your sentiment.
You see – there are very few things more irritating than the combination of ‘arrogance’ and ‘stupidity’ in one person.
And when over 4,000 Americans die (‘over there’ so they won’t have to die ‘over here’ ????) *because* of that unfortunate combination – well people just get a little pissed. GW is a puppet – a puppet that was fed a pack of lies telling him HE was the next Messiah for this world – and he bought it.
And for that he should stand trial.
As well as Cheney and Rumsfeld.
If I never hear GWB’s voice again it will be too soon. Sadly, he may be gone from the national/international scene and we’d like to forget him but the havoc he wreaked on this country and the world will not be forgotten. He dropped the ball from the beginning of his presidency and he continued to drop the ball for the remaining years. I will never forget Katrina. I will never forget his lies. I will never forget he was supposed to be the defender of our Constitution and instead ripped it to shreds. You may be gone Mr. Bush but your name will always be linked with lies and a disregard for what most Americans hold sacred.
he seemed a little stiff to me :=)
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/827/slide_827_14784_large.jpg
Bush’s quiet goodbye
TV networks barely cut away from plane crash coverage long enough for the president’s farewell.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090116/us_time/08599187219600
PM…….I won’t ever get it.
I hold many things sacred, but most important to me?
These young men belive in their cause and so do I.
I believe the surge worked. My only complaint is that Bush didn’t do it sooner.
I have the same feeling about Israel right now.
Push forward.
Don’t back down.
I have lived through a generation of Viet Nam vets, married one, know the story.
Trust me. It’s not so great throwing in the towel.