A reminder to us all

[I AM ME]

November 28, 2003

When discussing the war in Iraq and all of its dirty avenues many Americans take offense to being painted as having been in favor of it or supporting it. The same goes for the invasion of Afghanistan for that matter. Many feel that Americans, as a whole, cannot be so easily lumped into one single category. And they’re right, of course, it is highly unfair.

Unfortunately, just as unfair is how unbelievably easy is it to sway public opinion in the United States and how the national short-term memory seems so easily erased by the most pedestrian of accomplishments.

BBC-President Bush has arrived back in the United States after a surprise trip to Baghdad, where he spent two hours with US troops celebrating Thanksgiving Day. The trip - 30 hours from start to finish - was kept secret until Mr Bush left Baghdad due to security concerns. Correspondents say the visit has caused ripples of patriotic fervour in the US. The news came just as Americans were eating their own Thanksgiving dinners.

Mr Bush told troops the US would not be swayed by ongoing attacks in Iraq. "We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost of casualties, defeat a ruthless dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins," he told 600 US soldiers. The BBC's David Bamford, in Washington, says that politically speaking, this was a spectacularly well-planned event, one year ahead of presidential elections. In America the visit is being hailed as a public-relations coup that was a central topic of conversation around the nation's Thanksgiving dinner tables.

The Washington Post described it as the third key image of the Bush presidency - alongside Mr Bush with a loudhailer atop the rubble at Ground Zero, and the president declaring the war on Iraq a "mission accomplished" on board the USS Abraham Lincoln in May. But it adds that "it is too soon to know whether the image of Bush in his Army jacket... will become a symbol of strong leadership or a symbol of unwarranted bravado".

The New York Times also refers to "mission accomplished", suggesting "Mr Bush may have managed to supplant what has become the single most problematic image of him in this war". Since 1 May, 70 more US soldiers have been killed in hostile action than during the war itself - and November has been the worst month for casualties so far.

This is the same man that did not attend any of the funerals of soldiers who fell in the Iraqi invasion despite the fact that only a river separates his residence and their final resting place.

As I pointed out, how is it so easy to influence people to forget about bad decision making (in regards to both foreign policy and the economy) by launching a well executed publicity stunt?

Where has American’s short-term memory gone?

This is the very same man that lost the popular vote, the vote of the people, by 500,000 votes. The same man that set a new American record for the largest annual deficit in the history of the USA. The same man that during his first year in office spent more time on vacation than any other President in US history. The same man that slashed more unemployment benefits for American workers than any other US President. The same man whose invasion plans led to just over 15 million people taking to the streets in protest, the most people worldwide to at one time and for one purpose do so.

At no time in recorded human history have so many people protested against any one person at the same time. Now that is a feat. No wonder people from other parts of the world have made the mistake of painting all Americans with the same Bush (I meant brush of course).

Let’s forget for a minute that the current membership of the cabinet are the wealthiest in the history of the country or that during his Presidency Mr. Bush has dissolved more international agreements than any other President. Let’s forget for a minute that Mr. Bush is the first President in history to see the United Nations remove the US from their Human Rights Commission and is the only President to withdraw the US from the world court. Let’s forget for a moment that Mr. Bush is the first President to disallow UN election inspectors, which he did during the 2002 elections.

Forget all of that and remember that Mr. Bush flew secretly to Iraq so that he could spend two hours with troops for a photo opportunity. The same Mr. Bush that is the only President in US history to go into hiding when the United States was attacked, using the now known lie that terrorists had the “codes” to Air Force One.

After September 11th the outpour of world sympathy was unprecedented. At no time have so many nations come together to offer assistance or their sympathies than after September 11th.

Think about that for a moment and then read this…

(are you thinking about it?)

In less than one year after that massive outpouring of sympathy the United States became the most resented and disliked nation in the world, making that year the largest failure in diplomatic relations in recorded world history.

How’s your turkey Sergeant?

Americans should know that the majority of the world, nearly 75% of us, consider the President of the United States, George W Bush, to be the single largest threat to world peace and the stability of nations. That’s right, even more than al-Qaeda, Saddam Hussein, and all their buddies combined.

More gravy on your potatoes?

It’s ironic that by appearing in a tent at an airport for two hours one man can make his countrymen forget the fact that during his time in office more of their freedoms and liberties have been removed than at any time. Or that he has prevented an investigation of his office concerning the attacks of September 11th.

Taking all of this into consideration you can see why many people around the world tend to lump Americans together into a single group. Because who in their right mind would stand for this man to be in office? Why, when your last President was nearly driven out of the Whitehouse on rails because he got a blowjob while at work, hasn’t the catastrophe that is George W Bush been impeached?

Next fall the people of the United States have a chance to gain back some of their dignity. Those Americans who dislike being lumped into the same category as their blindly patriotic countrymen by foreigners should remember to register to vote and then go out and pick a new leader. If not, the commentary of the world and the stereotyping of Americans might be more justified than they think. And that’s not to say that a Democrat is going to make everything all right. But as it stands now Mr. Bush has anchored the United States to rock bottom.

All the rest of us can do is hope that showing up to dish out some stuffing doesn’t make the American public forget as easily as they seem able to.

[Venom]

This is the same man that did not attend any of the funerals of soldiers who fell in the Iraqi invasion despite the fact that only a river separates his residence and their final resting place.

What Mr. Good neglects to tell you is that Bush has personally written to the families of the dead and has PERSONAL meetings with them. Mr. Good doesn't know this because its not on CNN or CBC. Its because Bush doesn't bring the media with him on these visits.

http://www.iht.com/articles/119045.html

He's even met with British families:

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L20363995.htm

Mr. Good just like to criticize without having a frickin clue. Get your head out of you ass Mr. Good. "Shut up and sing"

[thirdhour]

If the media doesn't know about these visits, then why does this particular news know about them?

[Venom]

OMG......do I have to spell it out to you? The media knows about everything. They choose what they want to play up or ignore. Some media outlets ran the story. Others didn't! Why? You figure it out! The point is that the President does care and does go out of his way to show that. We've all agreed that the media is despicable. I was making the point that the White House didn't play this up to the media because they didn't want it seen as a publicity stunt. Its genuine. If you can't see that then I feel sorry for you.

[happening fish]

Ohh, well a couple of letters OBVIOUSLY makes the rest of that shit acceptable. You just proved the point of the article. Congratulations!

[Venom]

Ohh, well a couple of letters OBVIOUSLY makes the rest of that shit acceptable. You just proved the point of the article. Congratulations!

Ummm No I didn't. His point was that America (mainly Bush) does things to deflect attention from the Iraq war, like the trip to see the troops. According to Mr. Good the was just a publicity stunt, to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy. He couldn't be farther from the truth. I wouldn't expect a man like Mr. Good to understand what the world is really like. Hes a simpleton. He thinks he has all the answers. I was pointing out one of the MANY inaccuracies in his post. I don't have all night after all. So what Bush didn't goto all the funerals. Its not humanly possible to do so on a Presidents schedule. Instead he has written THEM ALL (not a few) and met PRIVATELY at length with members of their families. Mr Good can try and paint whatever negative picture he wants. If it makes him feel good to do so fine. But to anyone with an ounce of intelligence and knowledge on the facts he looks liks a buffoon. He's lucky he has the right to say what he does. Most of the people he thinks hes standing up for in Iraq and other countries didn't or don't have that right. He speaks against them having that right.

[Venom]

I would like to quote something from the most recent issue of Time magazine. Its from a piece on Bush and his image:

Fair-minded Europeans who read Bush's speech in London last week will surely adjust their image of him. I was particularly struck by this passage: "Because European countries now resolve differences through negotiation and consensus, there's sometimes and assumption that the entire world functions in the same way. But let us not forget...beyond Europe's borders, in a world where oppression and violence are very real, liberation is still a moral goal, and freedom and security still need defenders." Every word of that is true. If Europeans continue to hate the man who said them, they diminish not him, but themselves.

The same is true all over the free world. People don't realize that outside of our everyday lives things aren't as good. Europe especially with all thats going on INSIDE its borders (the forming of the EU where all its efforts are going) is blind to whats happening outside. I think they could care less. They want to belittle America every chance they get because they want to be a superpower as well. Its my opinion that they have grand dreams for their precious EU and will say and do anything to undermine the United States. What France and Germany are trying to do over there should scare you. Not what America is doing for freedom.

[made to heal]

Out of the long post, you picked out the fact that meant the least. Try justifying some of the other statements..I can't understand how you can actually stick up for this man.

[Venom]

forget it its worthless even arguing with people who follow this moron and take what he says as fact. Go read some more Michael Moore.

[I AM ME]

Mr. Good has constantly pointed out in his journals that he does not have all the answers. He is also far from a simpleton. As made to heal has said you picked out one ection of the article and left the rest untouched. If you are so sure of yourself i would sugggest sending your comments to Tyler from his site, as long as they're not persoanlly threatening tyler would probably send it on to matt. Matt used to publicly reply to interesting arguments and emails he recived up untill he had a threat against his wifes life which also had pictures of his home and threats of rape

[Venom]

Americans should know that the majority of the world, nearly 75% of us, consider the President of the United States, George W Bush, to be the single largest threat to world peace and the stability of nations. That’s right, even more than al-Qaeda, Saddam Hussein, and all their buddies combined.

I have better things to do than disect a post that is 100% Bush bashing. I don't need to. I pointed out one lie and heres a second. That should be more than enough to show that Mr. Good doesn't know what hes talking about. He's guilty of reading only leftist biased websites and books and forms his opinions from them. Show me where he gets his information that 75% of the entire world thinks Bush is the #1 threat to "world peace". #1 world peace doesn't exist. As I posted before just because there is peace within Europe and in North America does NOT mean its that way all over the world. You are an idiot if you think it does and guilty of a closed mind. #2 Israel was just voted the biggest threat to "world peace" in the world an that was by 62% not 75%. That fact stems from the anti-semitism that is growing in Europe. You wanna question that I can link you to dozens of news articles of hate crime against jews and the bombing, and burning of synogages in Europe. Chirac finally spoke out about it a week or so ago only after half a dozen were destroyed!

[Eelco]

Well if picking out details from arguments is enough: First you go say about not attending funerals but writing and meeting instead:

I was making the point that the White House didn't play this up to the media because they didn't want it seen as a publicity stunt. Its genuine.

which I'm able to believe, but then you go on about the Thanksgiving trip:

His point was that America (mainly Bush) does things to deflect attention from the Iraq war, like the trip to see the troops. According to Mr. Good the was just a publicity stunt, to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy. He couldn't be farther from the truth

Haven't you just taken down your own argument. If the trip was sincere, would they have invited 12 journalists on board, while they didn't do that with the meeting of the families of the victims. It it's either the one or the other, isn't what you usually say...

As I posted before just because there is peace within Europe and in North America does NOT mean its that way all over the world

There is no peace in Europe. Look at former Yugoslavia, the former Soviet Union and many other places.

There is no peace in the US. Your murder rate is higher than anywhere in the world. At least in wars there's a religious or political background that explains (but doesn't justifies) the tragedies, Americans seem to kill each other just for the fun of it.

He's guilty of reading only leftist biased websites and books and forms his opinions from them

Who says your sources are more accurate than Matt Good's. Aren't you guilty of reading only rightist biased websites and books and form opinions from them?

Europe especially with all thats going on INSIDE its borders (the forming of the EU where all its efforts are going) is blind to whats happening outside

Who are you calling blind? I wonder if you've ever been in Europe, the Middle East or even outside you American town. Do you speak other languages? If your answer is no to all of these, maybe you should think about doing so. It would open up your eyes as to what is really going on in the world, instead of just reading about it.

Finally:

Show me where he gets his information that 75% of the entire world thinks Bush is the #1 threat to "world peace"

That's probably an exageration. Statistics can be bend many ways, but the fact is that a large amount of people in the world see the US as one of the biggest threats to world peace (whether it exists or not). Israel was the biggest threat according to a survey amongst EU-citizens, but the US was a close second. That's rather worrying, whether 50% of the people think so, 75% or even just 25%.

[Venom]

Venom wrote:
His point was that America (mainly Bush) does things to deflect attention from the Iraq war, like the trip to see the troops. According to Mr. Good the was just a publicity stunt, to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy. He couldn't be farther from the truth


Haven't you just taken down your own argument. If the trip was sincere, would they have invited 12 journalists on board, while they didn't do that with the meeting of the families of the victims. It it's either the one or the other, isn't what you usually say...

If he hadn't brought anyone along the media would be more upset at him than it is. The rest of the media was furious that they didn't know about the trip or have the opportunity to go. He was going down the middle and taking a few with him. Otherwise people would be criticizing him for blocking the media. Plus meeting personally with familiy members of the victims is just that PERSONAL. The media has no right to go along on personal meetings. The trip to Iraq was a public event. Personally I don't think the media should have gone, but he had to take some.

Venom wrote:
He's guilty of reading only leftist biased websites and books and forms his opinions from them


Who says your sources are more accurate than Matt Good's. Aren't you guilty of reading only rightist biased websites and books and form opinions from them?

No thats not true. I have read books by Al Franken, Michael Moore, Bill Clinton, etc. I read the NY Times, WAshington Post, CNN, BBC, etc. All left biased.

Who are you calling blind? I wonder if you've ever been in Europe, the Middle East or even outside you American town. Do you speak other languages? If your answer is no to all of these, maybe you should think about doing so. It would open up your eyes as to what is really going on in the world, instead of just reading about it.

I have been to Spain and Germany. I speak fluent Spanish and a fair amount of French.

Why didn't you touch on the rampant Anti-Semitism in Europe today? Its no wonder we are viewed by some as a threat to the peace over there. We have a large Jewish population and we support Israel's right to a state. I would also like to point out that 62% of British citizens support the war in Iraq and President Bush. I'd also like to point out all the Anti-French government books flowing out of France. I haven't seen a poll from France but I'd be interested in seeing how many like Bush or don't like the direction their own government is taking them.

[Eelco]

#2 Israel was just voted the biggest threat to "world peace" in the world an that was by 62% not 75%. That fact stems from the anti-semitism that is growing in Europe. You wanna question that I can link you to dozens of news articles of hate crime against jews and the bombing, and burning of synogages in Europe. Chirac finally spoke out about it a week or so ago only after half a dozen were destroyed!

I'd like to see the links.
I think you and Israel are confusing anti-semitism with anti-Israeli-politics.

Here's an interesting link:
http://www.awaketheweb.com/en/Wereld_ZionismeEnAntisemitisme.html

The attacks on synagoges could have something to do with this, but probably have more to do with the increase of Islamic people here than with growing 'anti-semitism' amongst Europeans.

[Venom]

http://www.theaxcess.net/money_17_1003.html


http://allen.senate.gov/PressOffice/10.22.03b.htm

http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/2003/hrg031022p.html

http://www.obv.org.uk/reports/2003/134_2003_1125.html

http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/dwest.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3282335.stm


The thing I find funny is that Chirac was outraged a while ago that anyone could even suggest that it existed. Now after the truth is evident he changed his stance and is now trying to make it look like hes being tough on it and cracking down. Too bad he didn't realize that heat waves kill people sooner. He may have saved thousands of elderly people too.

[call me andrew]

anti-semitism? i think not. israel is a real threat. fucktards.

[Venom]

anti-semitism? i think not. israel is a real threat. fucktards.

LOL Very insightful statement. I bet your parents are proud.

[thirdhour]

Isreal has huge military power and knows how to use it. If the states didn't support them, and therefore deflect attacks, I'd be scared shitless of them too. I think they have a right to their state, just like Palestine has a right to thiers.


Oh crap, was that too anti-semitist for ya? Too bad, considering I'M JEWISH AND ALL!

[Venom]

Isreal has huge military power and knows how to use it. If the states didn't support them, and therefore deflect attacks, I'd be scared shitless of them too. I think they have a right to their state, just like Palestine has a right to thiers.


Oh crap, was that too anti-semitist for ya? Too bad, considering I'M JEWISH AND ALL!

No how would that have been anti-semetic? I may not understand what the heck you were trying to say but there was no anti-semitism in it. What "states" are you referring too? The United States or other nation-states? And just for the record I agree that the Palestinians have a right to their own state, however they've had a couple chances to have one but they don't want the Israeli's there.

[Eelco]

She means that every time someone says something bad about Israel their being called anti-semetic. The Israeli are hiding behind that, trying to get away with everything.