This is for those of you that like your weekends to yourself and don't want to deal with the depression that inevitably sets in after watching the news.
- Condi stopped by to say hi to our mates in England. Hilarity ensues.
- Bush goes to Cancun for Spring Break.
- Censure can only help the President.
- McCain entenches himself further into camp Bush.
- Iraq just isn't working how Condi wants it to.
- Iran: the new
Afghanistan Iraq
Make sure you are holding your buddies hand when you come down so we don't lose anyone on this field trip.
Bush's Vacations in Jeopardy
Can't a man get away from the wretched masses for some time alone to think his thoughts? I'll bet Doc Holiday didn't have to deal with miserable protestors voicing their complaints. All the man wants to do is relax in peace so go back to work and leave him alone. Besides he has made it clear that unless you are thinking with bags of money he doesn't care.
These days he is forced to do his Spring Break elsewhere, Cancun! While he promised reporters "No Speedo suit here," he did not promise not to do body shots off of hot beotches in them little hot thong bikinis. As much as he likes a good Spring Break party, he indicated there was one thing he likes more, "I like a good lobbyist." (actual quote)
He then made another crack about his chosen illiteracy (see: ignorance) saying, "You're going to ask me if I read the book...Little print, no pictures. Go ahead." Later, with a little back-patting remark he commented, "I'm the funny guy." Looks aren't everything, though.
He ended the question session with after calling on someone with this remark, "You've been very anxious," the president said. "This better be a good one. Yes, you've been waving and yelling over there. Waving, yelling, stomping your feet. It's a free society. That's what happens."
In a free society you are thrown scraps when those in charge deem it necessary to placate you.
Censure
Is there anything Republicans, led by the infallible W, can do wrong? Not according to their strategists. Censure? That will only help the Republican cause. According to the latest internet ad, censuring the President for illegal spying on Americans and blatantly violating the Bill of Rights while flipping the bird to the Judicial and Legislative branches of government, supports terrorism. Using the same tired Rovian techniques of obfuscating and painting the Dems as wrong, they tried to Judo throw the issue.
"The risk is enormous to Democrats. Even talking about censure or impeachment threatens to really agitate the Republican base," says Charlie Cook, editor of the Cook Political Report.
How is it risky if the majority of Americans are down with it?
"The best way for Republicans to get motivated in big numbers is that the idea of impeaching Bush makes them mad," said Mr. Cook.
This is part of their rally behind Bush no matter what plan of attack. If it's not working then just push harder. Even as Republicans are avoiding Bush and his reverse Midas touch that turns anything he comes into contact with into mold.
The Shake Up
Realists see Bush's continually tanking numbers as bad for the GOP. How does the administration respond to the revoked mandate? Take the hard line that no one is getting let go so that even a compromise will result in a minor switch-a-roo.
"You're going to have more change than you expect," one GOP insider said.
Really, how big?
Expected to survive the shake-up: Karl Rove, the president's top political adviser, Vice President Dick Cheney's team, and Joe Hagin, Bush's deputy chief of staff, likely will stay, administration sources said.
Hmmm... sounds like business as usual. Names mentioned as possible sacrificial offerings include Presidential press secretary Scott McClellan and Treasury Secretary John Snow. The buzz word surrounding the "shake up" is communication.
"There is a lot of dissatisfaction with the state of communications, the daily communication from the podium, the congressional communications and strategic communications from both in and outside the White House," said one White House insider.
...
Many Republicans have complained the White House has dealt with Congress "as a transmitter but not receiver."
"The Bush White House has dealt with Congress in a highhanded way, and people are angry. But there is no magic cure," said one Republican official.
Magic cure in this case refers to a scenario where a bipartisan government listens and responds to the people instead of ramming unpopular decisions down our throats. That would be magical...if that wasn't how things are supposed to work! There is no evidence that any change in policy is happening or that even fresh blood with different ideas will be brought in. They will continue with their PNAC dream of American Colonialism, irresponsible spending habits, and trampling the Constitution but this time they hope to sell it to us better. "Communication" here doesn't mean a dialogue but a tedious monologue we are supposed to swallow. Look who's on the chopping block. Treasury Secretary John Snow is under scrutiny because
House speaker, Representative J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois, had complained to Mr. Card and Mr. Bartlett that the administration needed to be more aggressive in talking about the economy.
Mr. Bolten...wants Mr. Bush to replace the Treasury secretary, John W. Snow, with someone who can more forcefully communicate the administration's message that the economy is strong.
They don't see policy as the problem, only that it's not sexed up enough.
More Hollow Rhetoric
After an embarrassing week of another classic McCain flip flop staring Falwell, he once again refuses to take a stance on anything...including whether or not he will run for president. Just in case he makes a run, it's important to know that he is as political and unprogressive as they come.
Sunday, McCain continued to apologize for Bush's mistakes hoping to capitalize off whatever political momentum Bush has left when he finally leaves office. This time he criticized people for taking the Presidents cursory evaluation of Putin ("I looked the man in the eye. I was able to get a sense of his soul.") seriously.
"Look, we all say things that are stupid. ... I'm sure that the president has re-evaluated his position in light of Putin's recent actions."
McCain, R-Ariz., added: "It was early in his presidency. The president was trying to develop a good relationship with Putin. ... I don't mean stupid. I'll say it was stupid as far as I'm concerned, but all of us make statements that are sometimes not correct in hindsight."
We all say stupid things but we are not all leaders of the free world. Policy doesn't get made based on our silly cowboy fantasies. That being said, it is disturbing how they don't feel Bush should be responsible for any of his actions. Condi said they made thousands of tactical errors so the current talking point must be "we're only human and make mistakes...besides that was then and this is now".
Condi's Weekend in the UK
From
E&P:
Later, at a press conference, asked to name some of the "thousands" of mistakes she had said the U.S. made in Iraq, Rice replied: "First of all, I meant it figuratively, not literally. Let me be very clear about that. I wasn't sitting around counting. The point I was making to the questioner ... is that, of course, if you've ever made decisions, you've undoubtedly made mistakes.
To paraphrase (not actual quote):
We made mistakes but you shouldn't be counting them. Hell, we're not even concerned with them. It's in the past and we all make mistakes. Let's just move on. Don't take everything that we say as the gospel truth. Besides we make the rules you follow them.
Throughout the trip, she was met by protestors and had to postpone some sightseeing events. Referring to the protestors holding up small coffins, symbolizing the deaths of children from the invasion she said, "Oh, it's OK, people have a right to protest and a right to make their views known." Keeping with the Bush Administration's governing philosophy she did not indicate that these views and concerns would be addressed. She opted for political posturing with statements indicating broad statements like how she will be "glad of the day when conditions permit the closure of Guantanamo," without indicating when that would be or even the conditions that will make that happen. She thinks "it would be wrong to somehow leave Iraq to the mercies of the Zarqawis of the world or the former Baathists who really do want to unravel the political process" indicating that the U.S. has more legitimate claims for governing Iraq than it's citizens.
Proving that their journalists aren't afraid of a confrontation with a leader she was called out on her stated fondness of popular rock group, The Beatles. And just when things didn't look like they could get any worse Straw goes off and calls her Condom in a move sure to infuriate the religious right who see condoms as magical agents of Satan.
As they say in the Bush administration, when the going gets tough, the tough skip town. It was no surprise then that after her failed bluff against Iran and blunderous weekend on the Island, Condi decided to try her hand in Iraq. Her approach appeared similar to a frustrated worker slamming their hand against their computer yelling "Work, Dammit!" One can only imagine that Condi's reception in Muslim Iraq to be analogous to the reception British Muslim's gave her.
Iraq
Despite logical opposition to an extended stay in Iraq, it looks like we will be there for a long time as PNAC gets their permanent bases. As the costs continue to squeeze out badly needed domestic programs, Iraqi operations continue to get a blank check every month. Is this war worth the price tag? These guys don't want to do the moral thing so maybe we can turn them on the fiscal angle.
Was the war inevitable? Eric Alterman presents a list of people who opposed the Iraqi invasion. It is not a "told you so" list but shows that the opposition was there meaning that this decision was not unavoidable.
One thing that can't be denied is the horrendous human toll as Civil War continues to spread despite our leaders contrary assurances. While there is a strong urge to help the people whose country's infrastructure we destroyed to fix Bush's problem, it seems that the longer we stay there the worse things get. What's the solution? Bomb Iran!!!
Iran
After wars in two countries in the Middle East that spread our troops thin and weakened our support in the Muslim world we still aren't deterred from striking Iran. Considering how the planning and invasion of Iraq went, this is a strong indication that this is a done deal. Of course this country is better equipped and determined to strike back. At least we have that missile defense security blanket to keep us safe.
Even if it is only saber rattling, Bush oil buddies are loving every minute of crisis.