Transcript of Bush speech
Sunday, December 18, 2005; Posted: 11:23 p.m. EST (04:23 GMT)
President Bush said Iraq's election was a great step forward but much work remained to be done and had to be done. The White House released this transcript of the televised address from the Oval Office Sunday night.
Thanks for that first sentence, CNN. You make it sound like what he says is true. Whatever. Bring this shit on.
Good evening. Three days ago, in large numbers, Iraqis went to the polls to choose their own leaders --
Oh happy day, and it only took 2000+ USGIs and a tens of thousands of Iraqis to die. Oh yeah and 200+ billion American tax payer dollars. I'm glad they're enjoying what we bought for them in cash and blood.
a landmark day in the history of liberty.
Ah yes, the "history of liberty". I love the smell of political bullshit rhetoric during prime time!
In coming weeks, the ballots will be counted, a new government formed and a people who suffered in tyranny for so long will become full members of the free world.
Say, Bush, when is that going to happen here?
This election will not mean the end of violence.
Wow, so it's a really effective election then, huh? Glad we spent so much to get it for those Iraqis.
But it is the beginning of something new: constitutional democracy at the heart of the Middle East.
Say, Bush, about that "Constitutional Democracy" does it guarantee they won't ever suffer unreasonable search?
And this vote -- 6,000 miles away, in a vital region of the world --
He means it's got Oil. Vitality=Oil.
means that America has an ally of growing strength in the fight against terror.
...and the lack of oil. Come on! Trot out this terrorism BS? What are a few thousand terrorists going to be able to do against the mighty United States? Not much. But you go on trotting out your boogie men and it'll be the dumb, docile, typical American citizen who will do the fear dance for you. Just keep reminding us of 911 and we'll let you break whatever laws you want--even if they're written in the US Constitution, itself.
All who had a part in this achievement -- Iraqis, Americans, and coalition partners
All two of them.
-- can be proud. Yet our work is not done.
You mean there's a bigger mess we can make of the Middle East?
There is more testing and sacrifice before us.
MORE? When you first sold us this damn mess, you and your Neo-Con-Men said this whole Iraq thing would be a breeze. The old In and Out in no time at all. How many more years are we looking at? How much more money? How much more blood?
I want to know in pints, dammit.
I know many Americans have questions about the cost and direction of this war.
I don't. I know this thing is costing way more than the $60 billion I seem to recall Mr. World Bank Wolfowitz promising us and I can pretty much see the direction of this war--straight down.
So tonight I want to talk to you about how far we have come in Iraq, and the path that lies ahead.
Wow, you've actually planned for a path ahead this time? Do your generals know about it this time?
From this office, nearly three years ago, I announced the start of military operations in Iraq. Our coalition confronted a regime that defied United Nations Security Council resolutions, violated a cease-fire agreement, sponsored terrorism and possessed, we believed, weapons of mass destruction.
And in the process of doing so violated the UN Charter, a document that we helped write. A document that promises that military force will not be used on a sovereign member unless said member attacks first. The UN Charter goes by another name on occasion. Some call it International Law. I capitalize the first letters of each word in International Law because that's the respect it deserves. Sure, the UN isn't perfect, but it's the closest thing we've got to a body that gives a voice to everyone on Earth.
In invading Iraq, a country a great many of us said was no threat to us, you have removed some of that voice. Sure, Saddam was a despot, but there are better ways to remove a tyrant than invading his country illegally.
After the swift fall of Baghdad, we found mass graves filled by a dictator,
That's great, I wonder who has killed more Iraqis at this point--Saddam, or American shells? Remember, the Depleted Uranium (DU) used in Desert Storm? Well, odds are, it inflated the cancer rate in Iraq dramatically. I think I read someplace that it went up by 7 times it's rate from before the war.
Maybe it's just Philip Morris setting up shop there?
we found some capacity to restart programs to produce weapons of mass destruction, but we did not find those weapons.
"Some capacity"?? Come on, you are so grasping at straws, man. When we all told you that he had no WMD because we could see no evidence of it, Uncle Tom Powell got up there and lied for you, saying that Saddam used mobile Chem Weapons train cars. Puh-lease--who does Saddam get support from? A James Bond bad guy? Mobile weapons labs??
It is true that Saddam Hussein had a history of pursuing and using weapons of mass destruction.
Yes, that's true--care to admit who he got them from back in the 1980s? Here's a hint:
OOPS! Yeah, that's right. That's Donald "Hot Buttered" Rumsfeld on the left there pressing the flesh with Saddam and no, Rummy is not wearing a joy buzzer. You can read more about Rummy's ass-kissing visit with Saddam at the [http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB82/|NSA website] --that's the National Security Archive.
Ain't the Internets great?
It is true that he systematically concealed those programs, and blocked the work of UN weapons inspectors.
Former weapons inspector, former US Marine and former Bush voter, Scott Ritter seems to have had a [http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0721-02.htm|different opinion] back in 2002, but you didn't listen to him or the scores of others who were saying the same thing.
It is true that many nations believed that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction.
I quote Tom Cruise's character in the movie A Few Good Men: It doesn't matter what we believe, all that matters is what we can prove!
So, prove it, bitch.
But much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong. And as your president, I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq.
Wow! You're actually admitting responsibility for something? Does this mean you'll actually resign for fucking up so royally?
Yet it was right to remove Saddam Hussein from power.
Who's right? Yours? It's no one's right but the Iraqi people's to remove Saddam from power. They don't like their guy--let them deal with it. I don't see how we should lose money and lives on getting some other country their freedom, especially WHEN THAT'S NOT WHY YOU TOLD US WE WERE GOING IN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WHY WON'T ANYONE IN THE PRESS PUT YOUR FEET TO THE FIRST ABOUT THIS?
He was given an ultimatum -- and he made his choice for war.
Actually, I've read a couple of stories, one at the [http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=News&id=200681|ABC News website] and another at the [http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1079769,00.html|Guardian website] that report that Saddam was trying to surrender shortly before the full on Iraq Attack by USUK forces. He didn't choose to be invaded and he may have tried to choose to surrender. But you chose to err on the side of death, rather than lives.
Now thousands and thousands of families will never be the same.
And the result of that war was to rid the world of a murderous dictator who menaced his people, invaded his neighbors, and declared America to be his enemy.
And again, HOW IS THIS OUR BUSINESS?
Why is OUR MONEY AND BLOOD TO BE USED TO RID THE EARTH OF THIS MAN?
Besides that, when's the last time he invaded anyone? In fact, I seem to recall [http://www.thememoryhole.org/war/powell-no-wmd.htm|a post] over at TheMemoryHole.org that quotes both Powell and Rice as saying back in 2001 that Saddam was contained and was not a threat to his neighbors or anyone else. There's even video of them both saying so.
Saddam Hussein, captured and jailed, is still the same raging tyrant -- only now without a throne. His power to harm a single man, woman, or child is gone forever. And the world is better for it.
Too bad we can't say the same about you. You're still indirectly responsible for every American GI death in Iraq from spring 2003, on. You're also indirectly responsible for tens of thousands of dead Iraqis, too. And don't forget the lesser, but still substantial crime of misleading those who elected you. I'm sure those Supreme Court Justices are real pissed at you right now.
All right, maybe they're not...
Since the removal of Saddam, this war -- like other wars in our history -- has been difficult.
That's funny, because you and your boys said it wouldn't be.
The mission of American troops in urban raids and desert patrols -- fighting Saddam loyalists and foreign terrorists -- has brought danger and suffering and loss.
Uh, you forgot about the insurgents. You know, those local guys who want their country back and what America out? They probably don't want Saddam back in, they just want you out of their hair. Oh yeah, and those "foreign terrorists"? I remember a WaPo [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111602519.html|article back in November of this year] reporting that most of the insurgents captured by US forces were Iraqis--in fact, [http://thepete.com/iraqi-insurgents-not-al-qaeda/|I blogged about it back in June] after reading [http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050613-102755-6408r.htm|a blurb] from www.UPI.com posted at WashingtonTimes.com.
This loss has caused sorrow for our whole nation -- and it has led some to ask if we are creating more problems than we are solving.
I don't ask, because I don't care. I just know what is legal and what is morally right. All life is sacred. Sure, at times we must take it but we don't do so as lightly as you have, Bush. Oh and when we do, we follow the Law and only fire when fired upon.
That is an important question, and the answer depends on your view of the war on terror.
Oh, you mean that thing that doesn't really exist? The enemy that could maybe, if they got lucky, take out a whole American city and that's about it?
Grow up, Bush. Your "scary stories" won't work on me.
If you think the terrorists would become peaceful if only America would stop provoking them, then it might make sense to leave them alone.
I don't give a crap about terrorists. They can kiss my true American ass. What I care about are the laws of society--of a so-called civilized society. To be specific, a society who's leader is not above the law.
Follow the law and I'm happy. This is because I am a civilized man. I follow the laws and only see the breaking of laws as a necessary thing when the laws are truly unjust and unfair and written by corrupt lawmakers who have been bought off by corporate pimps. Sound familiar, Bush?
'Campaign of murder'
Gotta love these "theme headlines" CNN throws in. I wonder if Bush is paying them for their fine work.
This is not the threat I see. I see a global terrorist movement that exploits Islam in the service of radical political aims -- a vision in which books are burned, and women are oppressed, and all dissent is crushed.
"Global"?? Can you or anyone tell us just how many terrorists there are in the world? Thousands? Tens of thousands? You don't dare tell us because the true numbers won't be threatening at all.
Terrorist operatives conduct their campaign of murder with a set of declared and specific goals -- to demoralize free nations, to drive us out of the Middle East, to spread an empire of fear across that region and to wage a perpetual war against America and our friends.
Why would we believe that? We got out of Saudi Arabia and that didn't make them happy. Isn't that funny? You go on and on about how pulling out of Iraq is giving terrorists what they want, yet [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2984547.stm|you pulled America out of Saudi Arabia].
These terrorists view the world as a giant battlefield
No, that's you and your Neo-Con-Men friends at the NewAmericanCentury.org. Go download their PDF called "Rebuilding America's Defenses" I've read it. It talks about building up a powerful US military that can strike anywhere in the world and support a multi-theater war. That is to say, a war in more than one major area of the world. Like WWII where we had a Pacific and a European military.
-- and they seek to attack us wherever they can. This has attracted al Qaeda to Iraq, where they are attempting to frighten and intimidate America into a policy of retreat.
HA! So you ADMIT IT! They were attracted to Iraq AFTER WE INVADED! So, they weren't there before, even though [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030306-8.html|you said they were].
The terrorists do not merely object to American actions in Iraq and elsewhere -- they object to our deepest values and our way of life. And if we were not fighting them in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Southeast Asia and in other places, the terrorists would not be peaceful citizens -- they would be on the offense, and headed our way.
Oh yeah, all... what? 2,000 of them? 10,000? 100,000? We have more people in one American city than the Earth has in terrorists. I'm not scared of even a few hundred-thousand terrorists.
September 11th, 2001 required us to take every emerging threat to our country seriously, and it shattered the illusion that terrorists attack us only after we provoke them.
HA-HA! There it is!! You couldn't go a whole speech without mentioning 911, could you?
Hell, if the same old jokes keep making people laugh, why come up with new ones?
Oh and by the way, Osama claimed plenty of provocation for 911. Hell, all you have to do is look at American military involvement in the Middle East over the past 20 years or so to see why they're so pissed. Hell, we practically installed Saddam, man. We armed him against Iran while we armed Iran to keep them at each other's throats. This keeps oil prices inflated and oil men and military contractors rich. You wouldn't know any oil men or military contractors, would you, Bush?
On that day, we were not in Iraq, we were not in Afghanistan, but the terrorists attacked us anyway -- and killed nearly 3,000 men, women, and children in our own country.
Wow, fully two-thirds of the number of Americans that died on 911 have now died in Iraq. Are we going to make it an even 3,000 for full-on illogic? You're right, we weren't in Iraq and Afghanistan. We were only boxing Iraq in and had trained Mujahadin in Afghanistan to win the war against the Soviet Union's occupying forces there. You are so full of crap, man. You think no one out here knows even recent history!
Yep, you read it right--we trained and armed the Mujahadin in Afghanistan--you know who was a Mujahadin fighter in Afghanistan? Osama bin Laden. We helped create our future enemy. Much like we did with Saddam in arming him back in the 1980s. Should I show that pic of Rummy again?
My conviction comes down to this: we do not create terrorism by fighting the terrorists. We invite terrorism by ignoring them.
Uhhh... excuse me? That phrase makes no sense.
"We do not make a sandwich by eating a hamburger."
"We invite sandwiches by not eating them."
Jon Stewart is on vacation for the next two weeks, so I'll say it:
WAAAAAAA?
Seriously, let's break your words down, Bush. Check it out:
You said: "we do not create terrorism by fighting the terrorists."
K, now you're going to tell us how we do create terrorists, right?
Nope: "We invite terrorism by ignoring them."
Neither of these sentences makes any logical sense.
We create terrorists by ignoring their concerns. By removing their voices from any decision making equation. No, they don't have to have control, but if they have a voice and can be heard and their words considered, they will not look good killing us anyway.
Think about it. You wouldn't hurt someone unless that someone was forcing you to. This is what terrorism is. These people have no control and they are backed into a corner. They can't vote you out of the White House, they can't protest you out (though many Americans have tried) so they decide to use violence.
What other option do they have?
I'm not saying terrorism is right. I'm just suggesting a way to deal with them that doesn't involve making tens of thousands of dead people.
But I get the impression that you'd rather make more dead people.
And we will defeat the terrorists by capturing and killing them abroad, removing their safe havens and strengthening new allies like Iraq and Afghanistan in the fight we share.
"Strengthening new allies like Iraq and Afghanistan?" Are you on crack? We TOOK THEM OVER. They're not allies, they're COLONIES.
This work has been especially difficult in Iraq -- more difficult than we expected.
"I figured this part out all by myself! I'm quick that way, heh-heh-heh!"
Reconstruction efforts and the training of Iraqi security forces started more slowly than we hoped. We continue to see violence and suffering, caused by an enemy that is determined and brutal -- unconstrained by conscience or the rules of war.
Hey! Just like US!! (I don't need to remind you of Abu Ghraib and the [http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/11/17/1515223|illegal white phosphorous you used on Iraqi civilians in Fallujah], do I?)
Some look at the challenges in Iraq, and conclude that the war is lost,
Hey! That's me!
and not worth another dime or another day. I don't believe that.
"Because I'm an idiot. Heh-heh-heh! Just kiddin'!"
Our military commanders do not believe that.
What do you expect them to tell you? And what are they saying differently to [http://news.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=us/0-0&fp=43a6716d5cd2efed&ei=HXumQ4DuGLSi6AG678GLAg&url=http%3A//www.villagevoice.com/news/0551%2Crozen%2C71115%2C6.html&cid=1102994849|Representative Murtha]? I'll tell you what they're saying to Murtha: we're done. Let's get out of Iraq. We've lost the support of the locals--we can't win without that. We're done.
Our troops in the field, who bear the burden and make the sacrifice, do not believe that America has lost. And not even the terrorists believe it. We know from their own communications that they feel a tightening noose -- and fear the rise of a democratic Iraq.
So, now you know what terrorists think? Your intel is good this time 'round? You let 911 happen and were TOTALLY WRONG on the WMD in Iraq but you know the terrorists are scared.
Oh and by the way, NONE OF THIS MATTERS.
YOU BROKE THE LAW. [http://thepete.com/uns-annan-iraq-attack-illegal/|INTERNATIONAL LAW], [http://thepete.com/bush-43-admin-lies-breaks-fed-law-again/|DOMESTIC LAW], AND YOU VIOLATED THE [http://www.impeachbush.tv/|PUBLIC TRUST].
Regardless of political party--it's the government's job to impeach your ass and Cheney's fat ass.
The terrorists will continue to have the coward's power to plant roadside bombs and recruit suicide bombers.
I love it when people call terrorists cowards. Ever walked into a pizza place and blow yourself up for what you believe to be a higher cause?
Now, I'm not saying violence is ever the right thing to do. In fact, it's my firm belief that 99% of the time violence is the lazy way out. But what do you do when you have no other options?
AGAIN: I'M NOT ENDORSING TERRORISM. JUST EXPLAINING HOW THEY'RE NOT COWARDS. I'M NOT SAYING THEY'RE HEROES, EITHER.
They're sad, deluded people to think violence, in this case, solves anything.
And you will continue to see the grim results on the evening news. This proves that the war is difficult -- it does not mean that we are losing.
Uh... so what shows that we are winning?
Behind the images of chaos that terrorists create for the cameras, we are making steady gains with a clear objective in view.
Great, but again, why couldn't the Iraqis get their own freedom? Why do we have to pay for it?
'Three-pronged strategy'
CNN seems to think there's some sort of strategy being used in Iraq by you, Bush! Pretty cool--you're payments are really paying off! Hahahaha!
America, our coalition,
So, America and Britain.
and Iraqi leaders are working toward the same goal -- a democratic Iraq that can defend itself, that will never again be a safe haven for terrorists,
Like it is now.
and that will serve as a model of freedom for the Middle East.
Oh, you'd like that wouldn't you?
Even if you get that, you realize that you are still an international criminal who has lied to/misled his own people to get them to support this absurd war for US power over the Middle East.
You have lead this attack on the sovereign rights of Middle Eastern citizens and leaders with a policy of "the ends justifying the means."
It's OK that we broke International Law, because we'll bring democracy to the Middle East. It's OK that we spy on Americans--it saves American lives.
Your argument is faulty because it ignores basic human and sovereign rights. The ends NEVER justify the means. Following this argument allows you to commit any crime, any atrocity as long as the end goal can be defined as positive.
Why not bring world peace by killing everyone on Earth, Bush?
We have put in place a strategy to achieve this goal -- a strategy I have been discussing in detail over the last few weeks. This plan has three critical elements.
Wow, you've spent a few weeks coming up with your plan? That's so long!
/ sarcasm
Well, a few weeks is longer than you spent planning things so far. I guess I shouldn't complain.
First, our coalition will remain on the offense -- finding and clearing out the enemy, transferring control of more territory to Iraqi units, and building up the Iraqi security forces so they can increasingly lead the fight. At this time last year, there were only a handful of Iraqi army and police battalions ready for combat. Now, there are more than 125 Iraqi combat battalions fighting the enemy, more than 50 are taking the lead and we have transferred more than a dozen military bases to Iraqi control.
Wow, sounds like we can pull out soon. Hey, didn't you say like most of the terrorists leading Al Qaeda had been captured or killed? So, is The War Against Terror almost over then? When can we expect to see victory there. Hey--did we ever win the War on Drugs?
Second, we are helping the Iraqi government establish the institutions of a unified and lasting democracy, in which all of Iraq's peoples are included and represented. Here also, the news is encouraging. Three days ago, more than 10 million Iraqis went to the polls -- including many Sunni Iraqis who had boycotted national elections last January.
That's nice, BUT YOU'RE STILL A CRIMINAL, BUSH.
Iraqis of every background are recognizing that democracy is the future of the country they love -- and they want their voices heard. One Iraqi, after dipping his finger in the purple ink as he cast his ballot, stuck his finger in the air and said: "This is a thorn in the eyes of the terrorists." Another voter was asked, "Are you Sunni or Shia?" He responded, "I am Iraqi."
That just warms my heart, Bush... BUT YOU STILL BROKE THE LAW.
Third, after a number of setbacks, our coalition is moving forward with a reconstruction plan to revive Iraq's economy and infrastructure --
Ah yes, the one we destroyed and are now paying American contractors big bucks to rebuild for us.
and to give Iraqis confidence that a free life will be a better life.
Assuming that they're not one of the unlucky tens of thousands who are killed by American forces.
Today in Iraq, seven in 10 Iraqis say their lives are going well -- and nearly two-thirds expect things to improve even more in the year ahead. Despite the violence, Iraqis are optimistic -- and that optimism is justified.
Is it justified? Who's doing your polling over there, Bush, Fox News? I'd like some more facts to back up these claims of yours Bush. Pardon me for not trusting your intel.
'Defeatists'
I love that, we're not dissenters, to Bush and/or CNN, we're defeatists. This isn't about winning or losing, it's about the law.
In all three aspects of our strategy -- security, democracy, and reconstruction -- we have learned from our experiences,
Uh, don't you mean "mistakes"?
and fixed what has not worked.
Really? Kinda hard to tell there, bud.
We will continue to listen to honest criticism, and make every change that will help us complete the mission.
No you won't! You've been ignoring our honest criticism for years! You just label anyone who dissents as partisan and wrong without ever considering what we've been saying.
Well, guess what, Bush. We've been right every step of the way and you've been wrong every step of the way. You haven't made one accurate call.
Yet there is a difference between honest critics who recognize what is wrong, and defeatists who refuse to see that anything is right.
I don't care about what is right, to be honest, because all I see is you breaking laws and getting away with it. Domestic, International, it doesn't matter, you've broken them and you're still in power. I don't care if suddenly every insurgent in Iraq suddenly traded their weapons in for lollipops and elected you God of Iraq--you still broke the law!
Defeatism may have its partisan uses, but it is not justified by the facts.
There's that word! "PARTISAN!" I knew you couldn't escape a whole speech without using that word and 911. Oh and by the way, you don't have the haven't demonstrated a firm grasp of the facts yourself over the years. You like to say you have but in reality, your attitude is, well, "it is not justified by the facts."
For every scene of destruction in Iraq, there are more scenes of rebuilding and hope.
Can you say: "IRRELEVANT" ?
Say it with me:
I R R E L E V A N T
Here's another word for you:
JUSTICE.
For every life lost, there are countless more lives reclaimed.
Wow--talk about a statement you can't really back up with any facts. Just how do you prove that? I guess we're just supposed to take your word for it?
Oh yeah, and doing that has really worked out in the past.
And for every terrorist working to stop freedom in Iraq, there are many more Iraqis and Americans working to defeat them.
Right, so WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG?
And why do we have to break so many laws in the process while we completely outnumber them?
My fellow citizens: not only can we win the war in Iraq -- we are winning the war in Iraq.
Wow--that's not what my intel says.
And again, you broke the law--several times. You could turn Iraq into a giant meadow of daisies and it wouldn't change the fact that you broke the law.
It is also important for every American to understand the consequences of pulling out of Iraq before our work is done. We would abandon our Iraqi friends -- and signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word.
They already know that.
I'd be surprised if anyone outside of America still believes that we stand for life and liberty what with all these people who are dead and how much liberty we've shattered both home and abroad.
We would undermine the morale of our troops -- by betraying the cause for which they have sacrificed.
You've already done that by lying to them about that WMD.
You saw what you wanted to see. You gave them orders and more than 2000 of them died.
Don't pin this on us, coward.
We would cause tyrants in the Middle East to laugh at our failed resolve, and tighten their repressive grip.
OH, NO!! TYRANTS LAUGHING AT US!!
THAT'S TERRIBLE!!
WE'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO GO BACK OUT TO THE PLAYGROUND, AGAIN!
You're scared of what a bunch of dictators think about America?
You are no American, sir. You disgust me. You believe in an America so weak that a few thousand terrorists have hope of doing us in. You believe in an America where you can spy on any and all of us should you decide it's required--no warrant necessary and no laws necessary, either--for you, anyway.
We would hand Iraq over to enemies who have pledged to attack us -- and the global terrorist movement would be emboldened and more dangerous than ever before.
Yeah, when they're actually a threat to the United States, I'll start to quake in my boots. Until then, this American believes in attacking only after he is attacked.
To retreat before victory would be an act of recklessness and dishonor and I will not allow it.
You are such a child.
You don't know what honor is.
You couldn't serve your country during Vietnam IN THE GUARD. You vanished before your time was even up! Hell, I spent more time in ROTC than you did in the Guard.
Clearly, I know a lot more about being a true American than you do, Bush.
We are approaching a New Year, and there are certain things all Americans can expect to see. We will see more sacrifice -- from our military, their families, and the Iraqi people.
I stand corrected, you have made one accurate call--sadly.
More will die.
But will you ever face justice?
We will see a concerted effort to improve Iraqi police forces and fight corruption.
Wow, there's corruption in Iraq? Believe it or not, I hadn't heard that. Let me guess, for every corrupt Iraqi official there are three that aren't on the take?
We will see the Iraqi military gaining strength and confidence, and the democratic process moving forward.
Meanwhile, more laws are broken at home and the American people lose confidence in the government. Good plan, Bush.
As these achievements come, it should require fewer American troops to accomplish our mission. I will make decisions on troop levels based on the progress we see on the ground and the advice of our military leaders -- not based on artificial timetables set by politicians in Washington.
Again, Murtha's contacts in the military seem to be encouraging a "sooner than later" pull out strategy. So, you can start listening to the guys Murtha's talking to any time now.
Our forces in Iraq are on the road to victory -- and that is the road that will take them home.
You are such a DICK.
What is this? The plot to Saving Private Ryan? Only a child fails to consider futility. Do we need to wait until Iraq IS another Vietnam? Or can we stop before it happens?
Remember, us "defeatists" have been right all this time--every step of the way. You've been wrong. Should we wait for you to get something right for once? Or impeach your ass, now?
Oh wait, to impeach we need politicians in government willing to do their jobs. Even the Democrats don't have enough spine to stand up to you Republicans. So sad.
'Have patience'
Gee, just short of three years waiting for a win in Iraq. I think that's enough patience, don't you?
Oh yeah and: YOU'RE STILL A LAW BREAKER.
In the months ahead, all Americans will have a part in the success of this war. Members of Congress will need to provide resources for our military. Our men and women in uniform, who have done so much already, will continue their brave and urgent work.
So, how am I having a part in the "success" of this war?
And tonight, I ask all of you listening to carefully consider the stakes of this war, to realize how far we have come and the good we are doing and to have patience in this difficult, noble, and necessary cause.
WRONG. This is not a necessary cause. None of this has been necessary. None of the death, none of the money spent, none of the destruction. You chose this, Bush. No one else.
I also want to speak to those of you who did not support my decision to send troops to Iraq:
HEY! That's ME!
I have heard your disagreement, and I know how deeply it is felt.
Ohhhh, I don't think so. If you did, you'd admit you broke laws and resign.
Yet now there are only two options before our country -- victory or defeat.
Wow--you are smart! Those are pretty much always the options you moron.
And the need for victory is larger than any president or political party, because the security of our people is in the balance.
How do you figure? What the hell does Iraq have to do with me?
NOTHING.
Iraq couldn't bomb us, shoot missiles at us or anything like that. yet somehow our security is in the balance? How do you figure? Is this the terrorist threat myth again?
Same old material...
I do not expect you to support everything I do, but tonight I have a request: do not give in to despair, and do not give up on this fight for freedom.
Wouldn't dream of it, Bush. You and your "terrorists" can't scare me. There's no despair in my soul. I think America's fight for freedom will be successful, but this win will come sooner if you get impeached for breaking those laws and betraying the public trust.
Americans can expect some things of me as well. My most solemn responsibility is to protect our nation, and that requires me to make some tough decisions.
Like the ones where you break the laws of our nation?
I see the consequences of those decisions when I meet wounded servicemen and women who cannot leave their hospital beds, but summon the strength to look me in the eye and say they would do it all over again. I see the consequences when I talk to parents who miss a child so much -- but tell me he loved being a soldier, he believed in his mission and Mr. President, finish the job.
I'm pretty sure there are at least a few USGIs who would disagree with that sentiment.
I know that some of my decisions have led to terrible loss -- and not one of those decisions has been taken lightly.
Right, is that why during a briefing Condoleezza Rice was giving to three Senators in 2002 you stuck your head in her office and said [http://www.salon.com/books/review/2005/10/07/packer/index_np.html|"Fuck Saddam. We're taking him out."]?
I know this war is controversial -- yet being your president requires doing what I believe is right and accepting the consequences.
Saaaayyyy, what about those consequences?
You have to admit, Bush, for truly screwing up as much as you have, even by accident, you'd be fired from a McDonalds or a Blockbuster Video pretty fast. Yet, where are the consequences for you? And they called Bill Clinton "Slick Willy."
And I have never been more certain that America's actions in Iraq are essential to the security of our citizens, and will lay the foundation of peace for our children and grandchildren.
That's great, but I don't care. I want the rights of my grandchildren to be secure, thank you very much. Their security they can worry about when they're adults. But what is security with no rights? You spying on us takes away yet another. Sure, parts of the Patriot Act have been blocked, but how long will that last?
Next week, Americans will gather to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah.
So, ALL Americans are either Christian or Jewish?
More bad intel there, Bush. ;)
Many families will be praying for loved ones spending this season far from home -- in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other dangerous places. Our nation joins in those prayers. We pray for the safety and strength of our troops. We trust, with them, in a love that conquers all fear, and a light that reaches the darkest corners of the Earth.
What the fuck are you talking about, man? Has the acid kicked in? How about praying for freedom and democracy to reign at home? How about a presidential election where we can all feel safe that it wasn't fixed? How about a United States of America where the guy in the White House doesn't break the law and get away with it multiple times?
Yeah, let's pray for that!
And we remember the words of the Christmas carol, written during the Civil War: "God is not dead, nor [does] He sleep; the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on Earth, good-will to men."
The "Right" prevails? Nice.
Thank you, and good night.
WHAT? NO "GOD BLESS AMERICA????"
You SATANIST!
Look, dude. You've been a dictator from day one. Every step of the way, we knew you were bad news and many of us spoke out. We knew that you were up to something when you joked on CNN back in December of 2000 that things would be a lot easier if America was a dictatorship--[http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/2002/10/29_Dictator.html|just so long as you were the dictator].
So many of us knew, but we were all written off as crackpots and conspiracy theorists, but in the end, we've been right all this time now.
This isn't an "I told you so" moment. Believe me, I wish we had all been wrong and that Bush turned out to be a really good leader for America and the world.
Clearly, that's not what has happened.
In 2000 and 2001 there was no formal, independent investigation by the US Government into election irregularities and in 2004 when more were reported, attempts for an investigation were voted down by Republicans. In 2001, after 911, Bush wanted to invade Iraq, but instead invaded Afghanistan a country that still has Taliban fighters floating around. Just do a [http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=Taliban&btnG=Search&sa=N&tab=wn|Google News search for "Taliban"] and see how they're still keeping the US military and NATO busy over there.
It took bush another year-and-a-half to rally the American people behind an Iraq Attack thanks to Saddam's WMD. So many people said he didn't have any, but Bush only listened to those that said he did and ignored the rest. He erred on the side of killing.
Now, he's been authorizing domestic spying on Americans who interact with people outside the US. I have friends in Japan and the UK, am I suspect? I've exchanged a couple emails with an Iraqi or two, have I been spied upon by the NSA?
How bad does this have to get?
I apologize for any typos. I didn't have time to proof this more than a spellcheck before posting. I just wanted to get this up ASAP.
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