It is at this time that Presidents start to think about their legacy. Right now, Bush has two choices. He can be remembered as the most incompetent in modern history, or he can be remembered as the person who transformed the Middle East. The first is most likely. The second is almost impossible, given the results to date. Unfortunately, right now he is like a drunk gambler down on his luck, everything in the pot, and needing to draw three cards to get a straight flush. The chances are not
quite impossible, and he has nothing to lose. That is actually scarier than anything else if you think about it.
Also in today's Daily Pulse- abortion, immigration, and CARTOONS!
Enjoy.
The Mercury News
So far, there seems to be confusion between the Niger story and Valerie Plame's name. Bush admitted leaking the Niger story (though he claims it wasn't "leaked," since he "declassified" it- but doesn't "leak" mean 'anonymously telling a reporter?'), but so far that has not been connected to Plame's name. That said, there can be little doubt that Bush selectively "declassified" bits and pieces of a report and leaked it to a reporter for political purposes. That, alone, should be enough to have our nation enraged.
Why Was Bush Pursuing 'Leak'?
... If the president was aware that he had already declassified Valerie Plame's identity before it was reported by Robert Novak, why didn't he speak up at the first hint of controversy? ... Why did he authorize an encourage the all-out search for the source of the ``leak'' when it involved material that he had already declassified? ...
The credibility gap widens with each new revelation of the president's behind-the-scenes activities.
Charles Chew
San Jose
The bottom line on the trailers is really very transparent- propaganda, pure and simple. Either Bush was outright lying or ignoring anything that didn't suit his political need, but the need was to create FEAR, and Bush would stoop to any level to create it. Here is my own cartoon on the issue (it is really not possible to publish an entire cartoon and stay in fair use, so I limit cartoons here to my own, or anything the artist approves):
Statesman Journal
My first question is why is immigration suddenly such a problem? It has been going on for a long time. The answer, of course, is that the Republicans have identified another hate issue to drive the poll numbers. The real problem, as I see it, is that the media has bought the "issue" hook, line, and sinker, and keeps running immigration stories instead of 'look, a manipulative meme' stories.
Help immigrants Become Citizens
...
I have no problem with people coming to America. I don't even have a big problem with them coming without knowing English. But when they come illegally, don't pay taxes and expect the benefits of citizenship without the responsibility, I have a problem with that. Why should my tax dollars be going to support people who are here illegally? ...
-- Jason Richard Taylor, Keizer
Statesman Journal
Even Reagan got worse press than the Moron in Chief. I have trouble even imagining the nation-wide howl that would arise had a Democrat lied about one-quarter the things Bush did, or demonstrated even a tenth the incompetence.
'Liberal' Media Gave President a Free Pass
... The media should inform us, and question and hold accountable those in power. The media have done neither, and given Bush a free ride since before the 2000 election. ...
Every move Bush has made since day one has decreased our security, yet the mainstream media do not challenge the spin that comes from the White House. The misinformation is coming from Bush, not the media. ...
Mr. Tanksley ponders the result of "dumbing down the citizens." It's obvious: five-plus years of the most dishonest, corrupt, secretive and incompetent presidency since the 1800s.
-- Dave Hunt, Salem
The Enquirer
The real problem with the gross partisanship we have now is that it makes actual analysis impossible. If Bush whipped it out and voided on the steps of the Vatican during Easter Mass at least 35% of the people in the country would defend it as "strong, confident, self-assured." Bernstein, in Vanity Fair, points out that it took rational bipartisanship to even look at Nixon's crimes.
Valid Reasons to Oppose Bush on Iraq
John Turney's take on the supposed "hatred" of the president by the American public ("Debunking myths about the Bush administration, April 10 "Your voice") contains a few factual and logical errors.
Iraq being compared to Vietnam has nothing to do with the enemy being fought, or why we are fighting. It has to do with the lack of planning on our administration's part, both in how we would occupy Iraq and how we would exit Iraq once it is freed. Like Vietnam, the invasion of Iraq was being micromanaged by the civilian administration. ...
These lies by the Bush administration are a betrayal of the American people.
This debate should not be about the "left" and "right," or which side is right. It should be about what is right for America. If that includes "crippling" the president, or hating him, then so be it. As Theodore Roosevelt said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
John Danhires of Anderson Township works as a network engineer.
The Clarion Ledger
Bush won't be impeached unless the '06 election is a referendum on impeachment. Personally, I think that a poor basis for election, as the country is likely still exhausted from the Clinton debacle, and believes impeachment during wartime, no matter how heinous the sins, is bad for the country.
Impeach Bush, Save Our Planet
Impeach George Bush!
Enough is enough! If we want our country to continue to be a world leader and looked up to as a place that cares about other people we must get rid of this small minded person. ...
Nate Landfair
Jackson
The Clarion Ledger
I fear we are going to see illegal abortion nation-wide in our lifetime. Right now, the wingnuts talk about "States' Rights," but if they think they have the power, you will see attempts at national anti-abortion statutes.
Don't Make Abortion Illegal as it Once Was
I think everyone is all for "choosing life," and I don't know anyone who likes abortions. That does not, however, mean that abortion should be made illegal again.
Those of us old enough can remember the number of young women that had abortions in hotel rooms, or worse. This would be just as true today. ...
Martha Simmons
Jackson
And as long as we are talking about abortion, please let me tell you again about a cartoon fundraiser to benefit the fight to overturn South Dakota's draconian abortion law. All proceeds will go to the petition drive to overturn the law. For more, go to Hypnocrites and go a few diaries down. That will also tell you where you can make direct contributions.
The original of this cartoon:
is for sale on EBay.
Products with the cartoon are also for sale at Café Press.
The Daily Journal
My own opinion about immigration is really pretty simple- it is economic, and we are ALL for it. We vote for illegal immigration when we buy tomatoes at Wal*Mart, rather than the local farmers' market, when we look for the cheapest concrete company to fix our sidewalks, whenever we vote with our wallets. The solution, also, is incredibly easy, though an anathema to the powers-that-be. Step one- raise the minimum wage. Step two- get rid of the exemptions to the minimum wage in agriculture and service industries. Step three- enforce step one and step two. Bingo! There is no longer a financial incentive for companies to pay slave wages to immigrants. But you know something interesting? Not a single one of those rabid "arrest 'em all" ranting wingnuts are willing to spend an extra nickel for a salad, and that, my friends, is the bottom line.
Immigrants are a Threat to Our Country
In regard to Al Federici's letter "Immigrants here illegally don't steal jobs" (DJ-3/14), I don't know if he is misinformed or not informed, or maybe I can't read the newspaper right. ...
All immigrants should arrive through legal means, otherwise they're considered criminal individuals and a threat to our society. We don't another 9/11 or anything like the narco-terrorists who took over Nuevo Laredo in Mexico, or the MS-13 gang that has targeted our border patrol and shot people for no good reason. ...
Things are just getting worse. If you don't believe all this, contact the FBI and see what they tell you!
Roger Harris
Millville
Let me finish today with another cartoon.