Ok, I
wish he was talking about the "election" that put him into his second term of office, but he was talking about Iran. I thought it would be interesting to see what this news article (via
yahoo news) would look like if all references to Iran and Bush were removed, and it was someone talking about our 2004 presidential election.
It just seems like it would work so well. So let's take a leap back to early November 2004, and pretend it's, say, Tony Blair in a rare appearance opposing the Bushies. Here's the article, modified by me:
WASHINGTON (AFP) -
British Prime Minister Tony BLair charged that
the U.S.'s upcoming presidential election "ignores the basic requirements of democracy" and accused
The White House of backing international terrorism.
"Today, the United States is ruled by men who suppress liberty at home and spread terror across the world. Power is in the hands of an unelected few who have retained power through an electoral process that ignores the basic requirements of democracy," Blair said in a statement released by the British Parliment.
"The November 2nd presidential elections are sadly consistent with this oppressive record," the British Prime Minister said as American voters prepared for the tightest presidential election in the nation's history.
Blair specifically assailed the tough vetting process that sidelined more than 1,000 candidates, including all of the women hopefuls.
"America's rulers denied more than a thousand people who put themselves forward as candidates, including popular reformers and women who have done so much for the cause of freedom and democracy in the U.S.," he said.
Americans will pick from among remaining candidates, including conservative frontrunner George W. Bush, a former governor long seen as a sure winner of re-election who faces a tough twin challenge from pro-reform and hardline rivals.
There has been an unprecedented cut-and-thrust in the political debate, with crucial issues like renewing relations with the Middle East, the power of America's already in power supreme leader Bush and personal liberties openly debated.
The seven candidates left in the race have all been chosen to stand by the hardline Republican Party in a tough vetting process that left over 1,000 disqualified, including all the women hopefuls.
Amid speculation in some circles that Al Qaeda may target the U.S. after toppling Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Blair declared that "Britain believes in the independence and territorial integrity of America."
"Britain believes in the right of the American people to make their own decisions and determine their own future. Britain believes that freedom is the birthright and deep desire of every human soul," he said.
"And to the American people, I say: As you stand for your own liberty, the people of Britain stand with you," said Blair.
Well, that was an interesting, somewhat cathartic exercise for myself, if only a fantasy.
If only more Americans could see themselves and/or our country from an outside perspective, instead of from inside their insulated, propaganda-infested television culture filled with lies, celebrity weddings and "hit me baby 1 more time" garbage.
It seems so ironic that Bush can comment on the democratic process of another country, but totally fuck our democratic process in the proverbial ass.