A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-05-03...."Bush, Mideast Peace, and Iraq WMD"

JohnHuang2, Dutchess and Billie | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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"Bush, Mideast Peace, and Iraq WMD"

by JohnHuang2

SHARM EL SHEIK, Egypt, June 4 -- Hailing what he sees as "The potential for broader peace among the peoples" of the Middle East, President Bush, in his first thrust into grueling Mideast peace-making, pledged Tuesday that "America is committed and I am committed to helping all the parties to reach the hard and heroic decisions that will lead to peace."

"Today I am pleased to stand with leaders of the Arab world who are committed to these principles," said Bush.

A grim-faced Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's president and summit host, stood alongside the President as he delivered his remarks on the shore of the Red Sea, dimly visible amid dense layers of blinding and choking smoke billowing pitilessly from hundreds of raging Iraqi oil fires, an unprecedented ecological catastrophe sparked by the failed U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

The President's trip to the riot-wracked region, billed as an effort to shore up support for his crumbling Mideast peace initiative, seemed doomed from the start. Anarchy and chaos and lawlessness grips the Arab Street, the growing civil unrest increasingly threatening stability among more moderate Arab/Muslim states, precisely as critics of the failed U.S.-led campaign to topple Saddam, still firmly ensconced in power in Baghdad, had warned repeatedly. As Arab riots spread from Pakistan to Jordan, and Iraqi refugees flood across the border into Amman, the U.S.-led war in Iraq enters week 12, with no end in sight. Prospects of a growing quagmire has war-planners in Washington and London scrambling for cover, hastily cobbling new battle plans together as Coalition forces, in full retreat after stiff Iraqi resistance, run dangerously low on ammunition, food, water and fuel.

After waves of Iraqi Scud missile attacks, Israel, despite calls for restraint, appears poised to retaliate, raising fears of a widening war, potentially engulfing the region as a whole. In northern Iraq, growing clashes between Turkish and Kurdish forces threaten to spiral out of control.

As the war drags on, with hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians reportedly killed by Coalition bombing, inflaming Arab sentiment, the mood on Capitol Hill has swung decisively against the war, as Bush draws fire from both sides of the aisle and pressure mounts for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Meanwhile, military stalemate in Iraq and diplomatic fallout across the globe are taking a growing toll on the President politically here at home, a new Gallup Poll shows.

The President's job approval rating, 2 weeks ago a skyhigh 66%, has since plummeted to 64%, his crumbling fortunes prompted after withering criticism over Iraq from experts of world-wide renown like actor Sean Penn and Congressman Dick Gephardt, regularly briefed on foreign affairs by Barbra Streisand

While 70% say things are going well for the U.S. in Iraq, a powerful 29% say things are not going well for the U.S. in Iraq.

Moreover, while 56% say the "Bush administration does...have a clear plan" for Iraq, a powerful -- powerful! -- minority says the Bush administration does not have such a plan.

The poll suggests a war-weary public, with barely 77% saying "Efforts against terrorism will...require the U.S. to put military troops in combat situations in other countries as it did in Iraq and Afghanistan," while a sweeping 17% disagree.

While a majority agrees with Bush that the U.S. war with Iraq "Will end up solving more problems than it creates," a massive minority of the public agrees with Al Sharpton and Dennis Kucinich that war with Iraq "Will end up creating more problems than it solves."

Underscoring Bush's increasingly precarious political position over Weapons of Mass Destruction, while 58% in early April said war with Iraq "Was justified even if the U.S. does not find conclusive evidence that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction," that number has since tumbled 2 percentage points, down to 56% -- again, Bush's sliding fortunes likely prompted after scorching criticism from towering statesmen like Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. Though mulling a run for the White House, he assures this reporter he has no ax to grind and is doing it for the children.

While 67% say the Bush administration did not mislead "The American public about whether Iraq [had] weapons of mass destruction," a colossal 31% says he lied!

Democrats dismiss this poll as bogus. "It proves the American people are stupid morons!" one Democrat staffer said angrily.

-- Reported by Jayson Blair and Rick Bragg, with Baghdad Bob as stringer

Okay, okay, kidding aside (the poll numbers were accurate, though), what do you call a Mideast peace summit without Arafat, one that cuts Euroweenies out, kicks off smack-dab in the middle of French-hosted G8 summitteering, overshadowed by Bush's globe-trotting, leaving Chirac snubbed and holding the bag but unable to utter a word of complaint; Arab-Israeli talks, only weeks after the fall of Saddam, with Bush's *Road Map* the starting point of negotiations and Arab leaders singing and dancing from the Bush song sheet?

Can you say, Slam-Dunk Home Run?

---

Meanwhile, Democrats demand full Congressional hearings on charges that Bush possibly framed an innocent dictator on charges of possessing Weapons of Mass Destruction when, as any sensible person knows, Saddam fully complied with all U.N. resolutions.

This "administration led this nation into war based on lies," declared an angry Rep. Dennis Kucinich, out to oust Bush in '04. We need hearings!

No word yet on whether Democrats plan to call Saddam to testify.

Sen. Bob Graham, also out to oust Bush in '04, declared that "If we don't find these weapons of mass destruction, it will represent a serious intelligence failure or the manipulation of that intelligence to keep the American people in the dark."

Wow! That Bush fella can be mighty manipulative -- more than you think! So manipulative, in fact, that even while governor of Texas, back in '98, Bush, from Austin, manipulated C.I.A. documents, slipping in forged and "manipulated" material into C.I.A. headquarters in Langley, Virginia, while Director Tenet wasn't looking, all to make poor Saddam look guilty when he wasn't. So well forged were these documents, Bush even managed to fool Clinton into believing Saddam was dirty!

Bill Clinton, in an Oval Office address after ordering military strikes in December, '98, said the "Mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons programs..." (!!!)

Yes, I agree with Sen. Graham and Rep. Kucinich -- let's investigate how Bush cooked the books on Clinton's watch!

Look, it had to be on Clinton's watch -- Bush was too busy these past two years to be cooking the books.

During the summer of '01, evil Bush was too busy meeting with al-Qaeda, putting the finishing touches on 9/11. Yes, BUSH KNEW! Forgot that one, eh?

During the Winter of '01, evil Bush was too busy shredding documents at Arthur Andersen; during the Spring and Summer of '02, evil Bush was too busy planting bogus mass graves in Iraq to make Saddam look bad -- complete with thousands of plastic bones and all! During the Fall of '02, evil Bush was too busy planting bogus torture chambers in Iraq to make Saddam look bad. During the Winter of '02, evil Bush was too busy planting bogus documents at spy headquarters in Baghdad, linking Saddam with al-Qaeda.

All these manipulations, plots, counter-plots, conspiracies -- yet Bush forgot the most important thing: Plant WMD in Iraq!

Sheesh! What a dummy! ;)

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-02-03...Military Monday 06-03-03...Face Off at the Finest 06-04-03...FRPets Finest "I'll Be A Good Boy"

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[Dubya]

Silent Drill Platoon

The United States Marines Silent Drill Platoon is precision, timing, and discipline at its best. The team tours the country performing at special events.

Drill Platoon candidates participate in a four-month Silent Drill School in Yuma, Arizona, where they live and breathe drill work. They maintain their rhythm with no verbal commands or cadence. After drill school, candidates must try out before attaining a position with the team.

Their impeccable dress blue uniforms and perfect timing speaks to the pride and commitment of the entire Marine Corps.

At a New York Giants game in the fall of 2001, fans overcome by the show of patriotism shouted "U.S.A., U.S.A." throughout the drill team's entire performance. Amazingly, the Marines pulled the performance off without a hitch, never once allowing themselves to be distracted by the enthusiastic crowd.

Silent Drill Platoon video

Amazingly, the Silent Drill Platoon maintains their rhythm with no verbal commands or cadence.

[deadhead]

I have viewed the Silent Drill Platoon, very impressive

Thank You Dubya!

[Dubya]

'The President's Own' Marine Band

The United States Marine Band has been part of the events that have shaped our national heritage for more than two centuries. Its omnipresent role in events of national importance has made it part of the fabric of American life.

Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, the Marine Band is America's oldest professional musical organization. Its primary mission is unique-to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

President John Adams invited the Marine Band to make its White House debut in the unfinished Executive Mansion on New Year's Day 1801. In March of that year, the band performed for the inaugural of Thomas Jefferson and has performed for every Presidential inaugural since that time. An accomplished musician himself, Jefferson recognized the unique relationship between the band and the Chief Executive by giving the Marine Band the title, "The President's Own."

FULL STORY
Marine Band the title, "The President's Own."

Whether performing for South Lawn arrival ceremonies, State Dinners, or receptions, Marine Band musicians appear at the White House about 300 times each year. Additionally, the band participates in more than 500 public and official performances annually, including concerts and ceremonies throughout the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Each fall, the band travels through a region of the United States during its concert tour, a tradition started by John Philip Sousa, the band's legendary 17th director.

It was President Thomas Jefferson who proudly proclaimed the U.S. Marine Band 'The President's Own.'

Listen to 'The President's Own' Marine Band playing The Stars and Stripes Forever in Luzern, Switzerland.MP3 works good.

[deadhead]

Came across this photo, and thought of you :-) Hope I was correct in identifying you both in the photo

Colleen

[Dubya]

Your welcome. They are great.

[Temple Owl]

Ink's waiting. She wants to meet Codee and Fred too.

[LadyX]

"and is perhaps the most recognized insignia in the world."

Just returning and catching up.
Saw this post and sat up straight, instantly focused...:))

LOL - it never leaves you - - -

[Dubya]

ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE.

The Barracks of "8th and I" is the oldest post of the Marine Corps. It is historically significant and steeped in military tradition. President Thomas Jefferson helped choose the current location in 1801. He wanted Marines to be "within easy marching distance of the capital."

Located on the corners of 8th and I streets south east in Washington D.C., "8th and I" is home to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Silent Drill Platoon, The Color Guard, the "Commandant's Own" United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and many other outstanding Marine officers and enlisted men and women.

'8th and I'; Sunset and Evening Parades take place nightly Monday through Friday during the summer months.

*If visiting the Washington D.C. area during the summer months, make plans to attend the Sunset and Evening Parades that take place nightly, Monday through Friday.

[Dubya]

MARINE OR SOLDIER?

Turn up your sound.

[LadyX]

"Amazingly, the Silent Drill Platoon maintains their rhythm with no verbal commands or cadence."

After having been the Right Guide in my training at Parris Island and then became a Classroom Subjects Instructor, I was asked to be that in all inspections and ceremonies (as you know, the one dedicating the Iwo Jima Monument) in which the Women Marines participated.

The male Drill Instructor who'd trained me, Sgt. Richard Duncan, formed a Women's Silent Drill Team with eight of us, with me as the Leader.
There are indeed no verbal commands or cadence call from beginning to end, and he took us to the USO's in Savannah and Charleston to perform.
It was something I truly enjoyed.

He loved to relate the fact I established a legend for him, to brag about to the men who thought we were a joke.
In my Basic Training, there were 73 women in my Platoon, and there in June, July and August, because of the heat our drill practice was done after breakfast on the street, or at 1900 on the tennis court.

One evening, Richard was concentrating on the feather merchants (short ones) at the rear of the platoon, out of step, and failed to remember there are two short ends on the court.

Leading as Right Guide, he'd turned me onto one, but was silent when ahead loomed first the end of the concrete, bit of grass - and then the wire court fence.

All of a sudden, he snapped around to shout a "Right Turn, March!" for me - but it was too late.
He loved to pause for effect, and then continue with, "and when I looked, she was going UP THE FENCE, with the next gal planting a foot to follow!"

You, of course, go over the proverbial cliff unless your order is amended..:))

[LadyX]

Oh, Colleen, that is beautiful!!
You are so dear to post that for us "Sistahs"..:))
Can't wait for Nan to arrive and see it!

{{{{{ Hugs for Colleen }}}}}

[Dubya]

Great job Marine.

[LadyX]

LOL - just saw the names, and you are correct.
She is a whole 5 months older..:))

(I was too stubborn to be born at the same time, and have to share a birthday..:))

[WVNan]

Oh wow Colleen! You got it just right! That's us for sure, isn't it Sistah? You see I always laced your shoes for you.

[deadhead]

Hi there, I am so happy that you like the graphic. Thought it was perfect for you and Nan :-) Yep, thought Nan was 5 months older LOL

[deadhead]

"You see I always laced your shoes for you."

You're a good sistah Nan :-)

[WVNan]

Thank you for the gif. It's now on my profile page. Maggie is really the bestest sistah.

[WVNan]

I'm here O fence walker.

[LadyX]

Nan is the bestest Sistah in the whole wide world!!
Saved the gif, Colleen - it was so sweet of you to do that.

[deadhead]

I am so happy that you both liked it and saved it, you have made my day :-) Have a good night

Colleen