Posted on 08/17/2021 5:31:26 AM PDT by RandFan
Former President George W Bush is speaking out on the government's collapse in Afghanistan, expressing his sadness over the Taliban’s swift takeover of the country.
Bush and former first lady Laura Bush said in a joint statement issued late Monday that their hearts are heavy for Afghan civilians, Americans and NATO allies.
"Laura and I have been watching the tragic events unfolding in Afghanistan with deep sadness," the former president said. "Our hearts are heavy for both the Afghan people who have suffered so much and for the Americans and NATO allies who have sacrificed so much."
He said that the Afghans "now at the greatest risk are the same ones who have been on the forefront of progress inside their nation,” noting that President Biden has promised to evacuate Afghan civilians, American citizens, and allies.
“The United States government has the legal authority to cut the red tape for refugees during urgent humanitarian crises. And we have the responsibility and the resources to secure safe passage for them now, without bureaucratic delay. Our most stalwart allies, along with private NGOs, are ready to help,” the former president added.
Biden, also late on Monday, allocated $500 million in additional funds for relocating Afghan refugees, including applicants for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).
The war in Afghanistan began under the George W. Bush administration following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The Taliban swiftly took over Kabul on Sunday, leaving Americans and Afghan civilians desperately trying to escape the country.
In the new statement, the former president expressed his confidence in the U.S. military to carry out evaluation efforts and said that he would like to speak directly with them and veterans who served in Afghanistan.
“Many of you deal with wounds of war, both visible and invisible. And some of your brothers and sisters in arms made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror. Each day, we have been humbled by your commitment and your courage,” he said.
Bush also praised the U.S. military’s work over the last two decades to deny al Qaeda a safe haven, build schools and provide supplies and medical care in Afghanistan.
“In times like these, it can be hard to remain optimistic. Laura and I will steadfastly remain so. Like our country, Afghanistan is also made up of resilient, vibrant people,” he said, noting that nearly 65 percent of the Afghan population is under 25 years old.
The former president stressed that he and the former first lady are ready to support and assist in the situation.
In July, Bush warned of the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, saying he’d seen the progress made by Afghan women and girls.
“Laura and I spend a lot of time with Afghan women and they’re scared and I think about all the interpreters and all the people that helped not just U.S. troops but NATO troops and it seems like they’re just going to be left behind to be slaughtered by these very brutal people. It breaks my heart,” Bush said in an interview with DW, a German news network.
I pretty much agree with everything you said.
We must not forget to remind our liberal friends of Mr. “surge”. Obama or “good war”... This is how he sold it to the left.
Bush also had the 1993 WTC bombing before as an example. I don’t think he paid one second of attention to national security before 9/11.
W is too dumb to know better.
Shut up, W. Just shut up.
This is largely his fault. He needs to suck start a pistol.
Did he leave out, sorry, I started this, it's my fault?
incompetent duplicitous
And how does he feel about endorsing the demented pervert Biden?
GTH GWB.
Didn't Bush 1 AND Clinton both provide air cover over the the Kurds in the north and the swamp Shia in the south for 10 years after Gulf War I?
Washington warned against “permanent alliance with any portion of the foreign world”; not exactly the same thing. And it was Jefferson who said “(p)eace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none”. Neither statement implies no engagement with foreign nations, of course.
Bush, either way, had his sights set on Iraq because (as he said himself) of his father. The invasion thereof was completely incoherent; it would have made more sense if taking both Afghanistan and Iraq was part of a pincer strategy to deal with Iran once and for all, but for some reason Iran remains the untouchable rogue state.
Not a peep from obama...not an iota of a peep.
Scum...
“Trump is the exception“
That is a special case, considering that his reelection was apparently stolen.
I dunno, maybe causing all this death and despair, and taking America through the "Bush Family Global Tour of Death and National Disgrace."
What fkn asinine question. Go back to bed.
George W Bush hit his peak performance as a college cheerleader.
This is a guy who never had to fight for himself, as his fathers status just cleared the way. If he could have defended himself, as Trump has, many of his policies could have been a success and viewed as such. But he let people like Ted Kennedy run his name through the dirt. Trump would have slammed Teddy’s face in the dirt.
Who knows... Maybe the CIA was just grooming him as an asset... or future CIA Director.
Twisting nipples of eight year old girls is now an American presidential past time.
The Blue dress looks so quaint and innocent now.
I think that was why Trump is so esteemed. Bush just rope-a-doped. Trump attacked 24/7.
“Bush just rope-a-doped.”
I think a better likeness is those inflatable punching bag clowns for kids.
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