Posted on 12/06/2006 2:06:31 PM PST by Sabramerican
JOHN Bolton's resignation as the American ambassador to the United Nations makes it official: The Bush administration is now drifting idly toward a mixture of centrism and impotence.
In less than a month, two of President Bush's stronger and more independent aides - Donald Rumsfeld and Bolton - have been dispatched. Rumsfeld's designated successor, former CIA head Robert Gates, is a leading member of the Beltway's permanent bureaucracy.
The administration seems to be waiting for the Baker-Hamilton commission of old Washington hands to dictate U.S. policy on Iraq. Leaks from the commission suggest it will recommend a gradual U.S. withdrawal camouflaged by negotiations with Iran and Syria over a new Mideast grand bargain.
All of this feeds an exaggerated defeatism in the United States over Iraq.
.....
Rumsfeld's abrupt firing was an act of flagrant disloyalty to a loyal subordinate. The defense secretary had made his share of mistakes - notably, his failure to crush looting immediately after the fall of Baghdad - but he had followed the president's policy faithfully.
.......
We don't know for certain the reasons for Bolton's departure: Either the White House wasn't prepared to fight for him, or he was no longer prepared to lend his voice to the diplomatic charade over Iran and North Korea. Either way, his departure demonstrates timidity on the administration's part. The net result will be that Bush has one less loyal subordinate in the shrinking ranks of his own administration.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
"Glancing the iceberg" is exactly right. GWB was frank about it but at the very same time tried to have life go on and not worry us with the details. A bit like not showing the bodies in the air falling from the tower. I sometimes had the feeling he did not want to "arrouse" us.
That said, GWB I do believe will someday be seen as the visionary who did not articulate his vision. That is a weakness of this WH. They say too little, too late and lose the PR war.
This damned infernal citizenry is addicted to PR. The collective IQ must be 70 and the attention span is very short. And the politicalization of the war was the critical factor I think.
I hope I am wrong. But I expect a bad outcome over years, a slow bad outcome. I hope I am wrong.
Why did you believe he would push an agenda like Reagan's? We were no longer in the Cold War (one of Reagan's big issues). President Bush planned to lower taxes (he did), pass an education bill (he did), and strengthen the military (he did). If you didn't pay attention to his proposals for the education bill, that is YOUR fault, not his.
As far as social programs, he has done more to promote a culture of life than any president, including Reagan. He signed a law against partial birth abortion, as well as instituting several socially conservative policies by executive order.
No one ever claimed that President Bush would be "just like Reagan." Bush was very up front about the policies he was going to promote.
It is fine if you don't agree with the President. However, to intimate that he misled you is not factually accurate, and to say that he has done nothing for social conservatives is patently false. By the way, other than talking, what did Reagan ever DO about any social conservative issues?
Elitist junta! Exactly.
I have been watching them, wondering, what in hell.
You don't know what you are talking about. That is what has cost you ME. Not that you care about that, I'm sure. I have lost respect for your ability to judge what is actually happening. I'm sure I'll be savaged by someone for saying that. So be it.
I don't care...I don't answer to you...stop pinging me.
Mo1 told you the same truth I did. Why not attack her for doing it? But as you say, I'll never post to you again as long as I live. Happy?
Brought me back to a comment he made a few years ago........that he was surprised that the democrats didn't ask him to appear at their convention.
That told me his heart was with the dems and he took the opportunity to appear at the RNC convention to facilitate sales of his book.
Of course, the media had lots of help from our so called elite pundits and talk show hosts.
Sadly, our troops will pay a heavy price for 'I told you so' and 'let's punish the President'
Our troops have been betrayed, our allies, and the free world that depends on us for their lives.
As for the EU, they can't take control of the terrorists in their own country, yet these lamebrains want the UN involved in security in Iraq?
And their characterization that there is no water, no electricity, etc etc etc in Iraq?
Ignoring the tremendous work done by our heroes. Built schools, hospitals, infrastructure, more power now than when Saddam was in charge.......
Damn all these idiots to hell for all I care.
Time to pull the plug on the TV set.
He made it clear that he wanted to resign several times in the past and the President implored him to stay.
I suspect this time, the President thought it would be a good time for a new Defense Secretary.
No one can fill Rumsfeld's shoes, but I prefer to wait for something real to criticize about Gates rather than bash him now for something he MIGHT do in the future.
Yes I do notice that fact! I also notice most of them were not around posting here to tell us of all of our evil BEFORE the election!!
LLS
Why did you ping me to this? You don't know a thing about me or whether or not I'm a housewife. And I can assure you, I am definitely not desperate.
You on the other hand...
You were PINGED to the desperate housewife drivel, Peach?? Just...just...ahhhhhhhhhh, I'm speechless (and that doesn't often occur). Did you know there's a post in which this person discusses the need to remain civil in these debates?? No, really, I promise I'm not joking.
LOL. I can see that the same posters are posting the same drivel and the only reason I'm back is because posters like you give me hope :-)
It was a mutual decision........I believe Rummy's own words were that 'fresh eyes' were needed.
Why do you continue to post misleading comments about that situation, Dog?
Are you seriously still the same Dog?
"Happily ever after" 30 year marriage to a real man, great life, great kids, great friends, great life, the joy of the Lord, and being called a 'desperate housewife' by an anonymous loser-boy on the Internet.
It's a hilarious situation, Peach if you look at it objectively. I actually went to bed laughing. :)
Any freeper who wanted Rummy to continue, knowing the hell he would be made to endure with RAT control of Congress, must not think much of him.
We were all deeply disappointed that he left, but after reflection on the situation, those of us who really do CARE about the man, are glad that he can finally rest.
There are some that believe that because they hate the President and Rummy
Then there are other FReepers who wanted Rummy to stay because he's the best man for the job ....Which I agree with
It's just that the cards were not in our favor after the election results
I have to disagree .. it's not fair to paint all FReepers into that category
There are some that really wanted Rummy to stay because he's the right man for the job .. and also because our side tends to roll over for the dems on other issues
I can't fault them for being upset.. I'm not happy about him leaving either
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