Political Forum
     

Go Back   Political Forum > General Political Chat > Political Opinions & Beliefs


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31 (permalink)  
Old 07-01-2008, 10:39 AM
Greco Greco is offline
Sr. Correspondent
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 491
Greco is a glorious beacon of lightGreco is a glorious beacon of lightGreco is a glorious beacon of lightGreco is a glorious beacon of lightGreco is a glorious beacon of light
Credits: 7,851
Default

The dots are starting to connect.

The Iraq war has often been referred to as the greatest foreign policy blunder in our nation's history. There's no denying that 100% of the claims made by George W. Bush, as sole justification for launching his war, turned out to be 100% false. On the surface that would certainly seem to make the case for our nation's biggest foreign policy blunder, but there are some curious other factors to consider.

As our massive military might quickly crushed the ineffective and weak Iraqi military, for a time anarchy reigned in Baghdad. Remember all the looting and rioting? Our military stood idly by as chaos ruled. Except, and this is telling, our troops were ordered by the Bush administration to protect one and only one entity in Baghdad. It wasn't a hospital, a museum, or any of the infrastructure, it was the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

Following our invasion, rapidly the Bush administration starting issuing no bid contracts worth billions of dollars to Halliburton and KBR, both American oil related corporations Dick Cheney had led, and corporations he owned stock in, and still does. Since then, the Bush administration has continued renewing, and issuing additional no-bid contracts to Halliburton and KBR.

Within days of invading Iraq it became obvious to the world that all the Bush claims used to justify starting this war were totally wrong. No weapons of mass destruction, no potential "mushroom clouds", no "clear and present danger to the United States", no al-Qaeda connection, no connection to the 9-11 attack on America, none of the claims were accurate. Immediately the Bush administration shifted gears and attempted to create new, after the fact, excuses for launching this needless war. Republicans jumped on the band wagon and saturated the media with new justifications.

But the Iraqi Oil Ministry was secure. The multi-billion dollar no-bid contracts were flowing to Halliburton and KBR as we floundered around trying to figure out what to do next.

In the weeks, months and years that followed it went from bad to worse. Although al-Qaeda was virtually non-existent in Iraq before Bush's invasion, they showed up. A civil war erupted and headless bodies on the streets of Baghdad became commonplace. With all that blundering, from the very reasons to even start, to the horrific civil war, logic would indicate the Bush administration would be hunting the door to extract themselves from the deteriorating mess they created.

Not so. George W. Bush and the Republicans turned up the knob and pushed harder to make the case, with newly minted justifications and rationalizations, for staying. It goes against logic, but maybe not.

As we entered the presidential race the Republican nominee, John McCain, actually tried to make the case that we should stay in Iraq for one hundred years or longer.
Later during another campaign stop John McCain made a stunning remark. He abandoned all the previously manufactured, after the fact Republican justifications for the war, and admitted it was about the oil.
We also know that John McCain, the Republican nominee, has received more campaign money from the oil and gas industry than any other senator in America. He's received more oil and gas money than any candidate running for president has ever received. We also know that big oil companies have recorded profits greater than any corporation in the history of the world has ever seen. We also know that Republicans passed laws giving big oil companies billions of dollars in tax breaks. We also know that oil prices have reached pricing levels at the highest in history. We also know gas prices have reached historic highs and are still climbing.

It's hardly a secret that Iraq has the world's third largest oil supply.

Now we've learned that our State Department, an official branch of our government, has been "advising" the Iraqi government on the issuance of no-bid contracts to big oil companies. The New York Times has a story today on that subject. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/op...ml?ref=opinion

It's come full circle. Iraq had vast untapped oil reserves, but American oil companies weren't included in the development. We started a war with Iraq. Dick Cheney's oil company immediately started receiving billions of dollars of no-bid contracts. The reasons for starting the war were swiftly changed.

The Republicans started their efforts to convince Americans we should never leave Iraq. Big oil companies flooded the campaign accounts of Republicans, including the Republican presidential nominee. The price of oil rocketed up. The price of gasoline soared and continues to climb. Record profits are recorded by big oil companies. The Republicans passed laws granting billions of dollars in tax breaks to big oil companies.

John McCain then announced we should stay in Iraq for one hundred years or more. John McCain admitted we went to war with Iraq because of oil. The the Bush administration dispatched our diplomats in the State Department to "advise" the Iraqi government on the issuance of no-bid contracts to American oil companies to develop new oil fields.

Meanwhile, lost in the public's awareness... 4,113 Americans have been killed in Iraq, and 30,333 Americans have been wounded. The Iraq war continues to bankrupt our treasury. As of today, every man, woman and child in America owes $1,721 to pay for this war. Every household in America owes $4,681 to pay for this war. As of today we've now spent over $533 billion on this war, and the numbers climb at a rate of $341.4 million per day.
http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home

The Republicans created this situation. The Republicans continue to support this war. The Republicans want to continue this war for one hundred years or more.

What have we gained from this "investment" created by the Republicans?

All of our intelligence agencies are in agreement that the Iraq war has made America less safe. The Iraq war has served as an al-Qaeda recruiting tool and the real terrorist organization that attacked us is now larger than before 9-11. The Mideast is de-stabilized and rogue nations like Iran and Syria have grown in influence in the region. Oil is now at historic highs. Gas prices are at historic highs and continuing to climb. Big oil companies are raking in unprecedented profits. Big oil companies are receiving billions of dollars in tax breaks. Big oil companies are now going to receive no-bid contracts to drill in Iraq. We're now in the deepest debt any nation in recorded history has ever witnessed. And 4,113 Americans have paid for this with their lives.

If that's not a compelling case for needing a change in direction in America nothing will convince you. If you can, in your heart, claim that the Republicans that did this to us deserve four more years to plunder our nation and kill more Americans then you need to find a better moral compass. We're at a crossroads and if we don't make the right choice, unless you own an oil company, you're not going to enjoy your "victory".
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Red Cross - Donate Today    Save the Rainforest
  #32 (permalink)  
Old 07-01-2008, 10:41 AM
lavell12's Avatar
lavell12 lavell12 is offline
Analyst
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,615
lavell12 has much to be proud oflavell12 has much to be proud oflavell12 has much to be proud oflavell12 has much to be proud oflavell12 has much to be proud oflavell12 has much to be proud oflavell12 has much to be proud oflavell12 has much to be proud oflavell12 has much to be proud of
Credits: 9,087
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Daybreaker View Post
Wilson, JFK and Polk got millions of Iraqis killed?
millions of iraqis haven't been killed during this war either. saddam might have but not bush.
Reply With Quote
  #33 (permalink)  
Old 07-01-2008, 10:52 AM
Greco Greco is offline
Sr. Correspondent
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 491
Greco is a glorious beacon of lightGreco is a glorious beacon of lightGreco is a glorious beacon of lightGreco is a glorious beacon of lightGreco is a glorious beacon of light
Credits: 7,851
Default

You can't deny that 4,113 Americans have been killed. Just like the debt Republicans gave us, just like the oil prices Republicans gave us, just like the gas prices Republicans gave us, the American death count will continue to rise.
Reply With Quote
  #34 (permalink)  
Old 07-01-2008, 11:01 AM
Whaler17's Avatar
Whaler17 Whaler17 is offline
Guru
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,914
Whaler17 is a splendid one to beholdWhaler17 is a splendid one to beholdWhaler17 is a splendid one to beholdWhaler17 is a splendid one to beholdWhaler17 is a splendid one to beholdWhaler17 is a splendid one to beholdWhaler17 is a splendid one to beholdWhaler17 is a splendid one to behold
Credits: 13,327
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greco View Post
Wouldn't it be great to turn on the television and hear George W. Bush give the following speech?

"My fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed, actually taking place about six years ago. Since that time we have destroyed their economy and infrastructure, displaced 2.3 million Iraqis, caused 1.2 million Iraqi civilian deaths, created a 40% unemployment rate, and allowed a civil war to become unleashed."

"It's become a fact I can no longer deny that this was a needless war of choice I was led into by Vice President Dick Cheney and others. By now we're all aware that 100% of my claims, used as sole justification for starting this war, turned out to be 100% false. It's also accurate to observe that all of our own intelligence agencies have agreed that this needless war has made America less safe, and served as a recruiting tool for al-Qaeda causing their ranks to swell."

"I realize I failed to bring peace to the region, as I promised would happen. Actually, this needless war has de-stabilized the Mideast and allowed dangerous nations such as Iran and Syria to grow in stature and power. I also admit I gave Osama bin Laden a free pass by diverting our troops to my needless war. I can't fix this mess I caused, so someone else will have to clean up after me. I'm ok with that, you should be too."

"It's no longer worth the effort to deny that I sent our troops into war without adequate body armor, and armor for their vehicles. In my defense, I couldn't ask my fellow Republicans in Congress and the Senate to continue approving tax cuts for millionaires and fund life-saving armor at the same time. I made the decision to put important things first. After all, I'm "the decider."

"Some day I hope to feel some degree of shame over the 4,100+ American deaths I caused and the over 30,000 wounded, crippled and maimed troops I used for my own purposes. Not today, but maybe sometime in the future. It's embarrassing to be aware that you know I've squandered our treasury on this needless war and your grandchildren won't be able to have it paid for."

"Since Congress finally decided to reflect the will of the vast overwhelming majority of those they represent, and has decided I can't borrow any more billions from Communist Red China to keep this fun war going, I'm going to once again declare "Mission Accomplished". This time, as you can tell, I'm not using the troops as props, nor do I have on my G.I. Joe costume."

"This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days. It's is now time to begin the reckoning."

"Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of former campaign contributors I have awarded billions of your tax dollars to with no-bid contracts. This list is long. Halliburton, KBR, and Blackwater are some of the names listed there. The other list contains many of those former campaign contributors I rewarded billion of your tax dollars to that have intentionally, and repeatedly defrauded our nation with cooked books and fraudulent billing practices. Halliburton, KBR, and Blackwater are some of the names listed there."

"Let me start by saying that effective immediately, those campaign contributors on both lists still need our help to replace the lost revenue I created for them. We will no longer issue no-bid contracts to them, but I'm asking Congress to reward them with special tax breaks in perpetuity, equal to the amount of lost revenue ending my needless war will create. I recognize this will be a challenge to secure the necessary votes, but do me this favor."

"To our former allies, that I held in such disdain, frequently ridiculing publicly, whoever follows me in this job may chose to repair some of the damage I caused. I'll admit, virtually the entire planet now hates us, and I suppose it's fair to observe that the overwhelming majority of the world's leaders were right about this being a needless war, but try to get over it. I don't lose any sleep over that, plus I'll be gone soon enough."

"I had hoped that my legacy would be that of a great Commander In Chief. I frequently boasted 'See, I'm a war president'." Apparently that's not gonna happen. So I'll accept the legacy of holding the unique position as the worst president in America's history. That alone should keep me prominent in history books."

"As I prepare to leave the White House, I'd like to thank my daddy's pals at the Supreme Court for giving me this opportunity. I'd like to thank my long time friends and campaign contributor, Diebold, for coming to my aid in Ohio in 2004. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Whoever replaces me in this job needs to appreciate the opportunity I've created for them. I've failed in foreign affairs. I allowed our infrastructure to crumble from lack of funding. I wreaked havoc on our educational system. I created more unemployment, and lowered the standard of living for our middle class. I managed to lose two wars simultaneously. I inherited a budget surplus and managed to turn it into the largest debt any nation in recorded history has ever witnessed. I tried to abolish our Bill of Rights and habeas corpus, which worked for a while. I helped ship million of good paying jobs overseas."

"I ignored all health care issues for Americans. I politicized all branches of our government with incompetent campaign supporters. There's entirely too much talk about our our struggling economy. You just have to 'catapult the propaganda' and no more problem. Just look at the nice energy policy we created. Don't you share the same pride as me in seeing my oil company pals rake in all those record profits? It works for Dick and me."

"I helped shove through de-regulations that made the safety of our food supply, pharmaceuticals, pet food, toothpaste, and children's toys questionable. With cooperation of my Republican buddies in Congress and the Senate we initiated de-regulation of decade's old banking laws that created our housing crisis. I brought torture to our government, even authorizing acts other war criminals have been convicted of. I authorized the treasonous act of divulging the identity of a covert C.I.A. operative because her husband told the public about my yellow cake from Niger lie."

"On one episode of the old television show 'Dallas', that great Texan J.R. Ewing once said, 'Once you get past ethics, the rest is easy'. I've always been fond of that quote."

"On and on. You have a lot to thank me for. Whoever replaces me will have to address the messes I've made, and just succeeding with only a few, I've given you so much to work with, is gonna make you look really, really good."

"You'll miss me. Trust me on this. I've brought smiles to millions as I've tried to actually speak without coming across as an idiot. Just because I said things like, 'Is our childrens learning?', and 'All human beings begin life as a feces.', doesn't mean you know I knew what you meant to think when I thought you understood I knew the nuances you intended to project."

"As I prepare to leave the White House I want to take this opportunity in my final address to the nation to express a thought that's guided me through my two terms. My final message to the American citizens is a quote I'd like to borrow from that great American, Dick Cheney, 'Go f**k yourself!"

"I'm outta here."
HAHAH

Smoke and mirrors!
That is what you use when your candidate sucks and you have nothing of susbtance to fight with! you start stuttering and saying oh yeah... wwwwelll loook at that guy......

hahahahaha! Entertaining, I'll give you that!
__________________
Not many people know this, but I'm really famous!
Reply With Quote
  #35 (permalink)  
Old 07-01-2008, 11:16 AM
ABoyNamedSue's Avatar
ABoyNamedSue ABoyNamedSue is offline
Site Moderator
Guru
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: In Republic of the United States of America
Age: 38
Posts: 3,627
fiji de saxony
ABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond reputeABoyNamedSue has a reputation beyond repute
Credits: 5,519
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greco View Post
Just like the debt Republicans gave us
Dare ya to list ONE thing Bush did, to increase our debt, that congress did not approve (that's republicans AND democrats).

Quote:
just like the oil prices Republicans gave us
Dare ya to list ONE thing Bush did, that congress did not approve.

Quote:
just like the gas prices Republicans gave us
Whoops...you just proved that you know nothing about economics.
__________________
"It's the rich people's fault they earn more." - Makedde
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Oh, Great.... DiscerningBlog Political Blogs 0 04-07-2008 02:10 PM
Bush Delivers A Great Speech chip Political Opinions & Beliefs 0 01-10-2007 05:22 PM
David Duke Delivers Speech in Tehran, Calls for Free Speech 88punx Latest World News 27 12-15-2006 07:30 AM
Michael Steele's Great Speech catzmeow Elections & Campaigns 2 09-01-2004 11:54 AM
Great Op-Ed JP5 Current Events 1 07-29-2004 06:42 PM

Sponsored Links

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0
Template-Modifikationen durch TMS
vBCredits v1.3 ©2007 by Darkwaltz4
Advertisement System V2.1 By   Branden