Open Letter to the President (or, Why Bush Has Lost My Vote)

me | 9/26/2001 | Brent C. Skilton (aka Heisenburger)

[Dog Gone]

The White House made clear that they weren't interested in overthrowing the Taliban in terms of installing a new government and engaging in nation-building. If you didn't pick that up, it's probably because you read a press report instead of the transcript.

We conservatives ought to know better than to adopt the media's spin on things, but I see it all too often. Sometimes we even believe the headlines, as if they somehow carry extra weight.

[sinkspur]

However, McCain is not a weakling, and he doesn't let people push him or his country around. He is most certainly not afraid of war.

You're a hoot.

You don't think McCain would be building a coalition?

Not one bullet has been fired and you're already concluding that the toughest foreign policy team this country has seen in years is "afraid of war."

Your emotion is still getting the better of you, which is why you're behind a keyboard and Bush is president.

Sheesh!!!!

[gwill2]

If you lose faith and vote against someone, that has to mean you prefer someone else. Are you sure who will be running against W in 2004? Or do you plan to just not vote? Would you prefer algore's grasp of the situation? These are serious times! If enough people jump ship in panic, as you seem to be considering, we could even end up with hillary. Yechhh!

[Heisenburger]

There is the financial front -- witness the freezing of terroist assets to the tune of $100 million in the EU just in the past day. There is the domestic front -- the investigative agencies have been very aggressive about finding and detaining possible suspects and accomplices.

History has clearly shown that investigations and economic sanctions do not stop terrorism. Only force can solve the problem.

As for being impatient, I am going on the line coming directly from the mouth of the administration. They have said they will not try to topple the Taliban. There is no disagreement that this is the official line from the White House as this week.

[BILL FROM TROUT CREEK PASS]

I could not agree more!! The time has come and gone for a good strike that the people of this country want and need. This 'pussyfooting' around with the Saudi's is nothing more than President Bush not wishing to mess with OPEC! If OPEC turns against us then there goes the ecomony right down the drain. Rememeber, that is why his Dad lost to Herr Clinton. Between Colin and George I wonder which one is telling the truth and I am seriously wondering if any of them has the balls to do the job right! Yea, we will wait to see as we have no choice now. Another Viet Nam? could very well be.

[mass55th]

This has already been discussed here: READ IT!

[exit82]

Enough talk. Let's ROLL!

[Heisenburger]

Not one bullet has been fired and you're already concluding that the toughest foreign policy team this country has seen in years is "afraid of war."

You're begging the question of Bush's foreign policy team being tough. Clearly, Rice and Rumsfeld are very tough. They understand the reality that we must destroy those states that fund terrorism. Unfortunately, Powell is afraid of ever using force (he was against both the Gulf War and taking out Saddam during the Gulf War). He is the weakest link, and Bush is listening to him.

[jragan2001]

I AGREE TO A POINT THAT WE MUST PLAN AHEAD CAREFULLY TO SEE JUST WHO WE GO AFTER, BUT THE LONGER WE GO ON WITHOUT A RESPONSE, THE MORE SUSPICIOUS I GET. YOU CAN BET MONEY THAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ISRAEL, THEY WOULD HAVE ALREADY HUNTED DOWN THE SUSPECTED TERRORISTS AND BROUGHT PROPER JUSTICE TO THE SITUATION. IT SEEMS THAT ALL OF THE TOUGH TALK HAS AMOUNTED TO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AT ALL. IT LOOKS LIKE MICHAEL SAVAGE IS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID THAT WE NEED A LEADER IN THE MOLD OF A WINSTON CHURCHILL OR A GEN. PATTON. I HAVENT GIVEN UP IN HAVING CONFIDENCE IN PRES. BUSH, BUT WE CAN'T WAIT TOO MUCH LONGER FOR SOME KIND OF REACTION. ALL THE PATRIOTIC FLAG WAVING CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH!! I KNOW MANY WILL DISAGREE WITH THIS POST, AND TRUST ME, I HOPE THAT I AM WRONG ABOUT MY SUSPICIONS.

[Mark17]

I would much rather they lie. Keep those slime balls guessing. None of us have a need to know. It's called, not telling the enemy where and when you plan to hit them. On the other hand, you may have a point on this coalition thing. We need to just hit them, no matter what others think.

[RJCogburn]

Though I voted for him, I have not been a big fan of GWB. In this matter, I think he has done a terrific job to date and I'm planning on sticking with him for now. I suspect that there are a number of objectives he will pursue in their own good time as each success allows.

I think that you are wrong.

[RJCogburn]

WE CAN'T WAIT TOO MUCH LONGER FOR SOME KIND OF REACTION.

We can wait as long as it takes to get it right.

[MichaelP]

I understand your frustration, and your desire for unequivocal words and action from President Bush and his administration. The President and the nondiplomatic members of his cabinet have not equivocated. The job of the Secretary of State is to finess the countries from which we need varying degrees of cooperation. Powell's words have been consistent with that. Like the Gulf War, there is probably some misdirection involved here also.

The battle will be joined in a few days. Don't you think you owe your President the patience, and loyalty, to see how it plays out? There will always be time for recriminations if the U.S. response turns out to be less than we would like. Take heart, and try and believe in your President. I believe he will not let our country down in her hour of need. He is no Bill Clinton.....

Mike

[Oldsailor]

I seem to be reading from some self absorbed person who enjoys seeing his name in print.

How is it you have named yourself to be that expert in this situation as to be able form such an important decision?

I don't mean that your vote means that much as I percieve you to be pretty shallow,
but the plans and actions being taken in this endeavor by our President and Sect.of State.

[Cogadh na Sith]

Here's what Bush actually said:

President George Bush said he was not interested in "nation building" - long-term troop deployments to help rebuild a shattered country.

The best way to fight the "flat evil" of terrorism would be to "ask for the co-operation of citizens within Afghanistan who may be tired of having the Taliban in place or tired of having Osama bin Laden" in their country.

By your repudiation of Bush and his policies in this war, I assume that:

you are FOR 'nation building';

you are FOR long term deployments to rebuild Afghanistan;

and that you are AGAINST:

asking for the cooperation of the citizens within Afghanistan who don't want the Taliban.

Is this correct, or are you just shooting your mouth off?

[RJCogburn]

They have said they will not try to topple the Taliban

Is it in our interest to topple the Taliban? We wish to defeat terrorism. Will that help? Is the Northern Alliance any better than the Taliban...is appears they are similarly brutal and autocratic.

[RightWhale]

getting us bogged down into alliances

There is no coalition this time. Bush is getting permission to use airspace and various ground facilities. In spite of some offers from a few friends of civilization to provide military or logistics support, and from the UN to provide a strongly worded note of censure on terrorism, this is America's fight.

[Heisenburger]

Don't you think you owe your President the patience, and loyalty, to see how it plays out?

I owe him nothing. He is my servant. I am not his.

[pollyshy]

So I can assume that you are going to enlist in the Armed Forces to help this effort? Seeing as how you're a big fan of action, and all...

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

MIKE, WHAT YOU SAY IS TRUE. bUT EVEN THE PERCEPTION OF CAPITULATION IS STILL LOOKED UPON OVERSEAS AS A FORM OF CAPITULATION