Bush's Version of "I Didn't Inhale"

[Pexster]

In order to avoid a further thread-crap, here's Bush's version of flip-flopping:

2000 campaign -- No more foreign adventures or experiments in nation-building he declares.

Now -- We've invaded Iraq ("foreign adventure") and are definitely engaged in "nation-building."

In the past, many have countered this criticism with "9/11 changed everything." That argument no longer holds water, as it's become clear that Bush had planned this all along, and just needed an opportunity. O'Neill said it, Clarke said it, and now Woodward (who had unprecedented White House access) said it.

Isn't that just a little more important than which vehicles are in Kerry's and his wife's garages?

[super gerbil]

9-11 did change a lot. It made us realize how big of a threat terrorists really are and how low they will go to kill us.

and that made us go after them

[Chuckiechan]

It depends on whether or not you believe the middle east is better off with as much democrary as Allah allows.

If you are worried about sound bites, it's a big deal. If you understand what runs our economy and how much oil plays a part, then it is a matter of perspective.

It could be argued that the US is in a war to create friendly govenments that control 75% of the world's oil, so hypocrites like Heinz-Kerry can fly around in inefficient private jets.

Let him inhale his own jet fumes!

Before you go there, Airforce One is part of the Presidency as an institution just like the "free rent" in the White House. Incumbancy has it's privilages.

[MTAtech]

Let's not forget:
During the 2000 campaign, Mr. Bush appeared on Larry King Live. King asked Mr. Bush, "If a state were voting on gay marriage, you would suggest to that state not to approve it?"
Bush responded, “the state can do what they want to do.” Now, Mr. Bush wants a constitutional amendment to make sure that states cannot do what they want.

One could fill a book for Bush flip-flops and waffling.

Originally posted by super gerbil
9-11 did change a lot. It made us realize how big of a threat terrorists really are and how low they will go to kill us.

and that made us go after them

SG, I think you are making the common mistake of thinking that invading Iraq had some kind of connection to 9/11. The case was weak in 2003 and it is all but proven that Iraq had no part in 9/11. The plan to invade Iraq happened well before 9/11.

It is also clear that Saudi Arabia has much more of a hand in terrorism in general than Iraq ever did. Yet, they are our allies.

I cannot think of any objective person that could conclude that the U.S. is safer after invading Iraq. As Richard Clarke said in his book, "This unnecessary military adventure, as most of the world realizes, has made us less safe, not more."

[super gerbil]

well isn't Afghanistan a country and the war a "foreign adventure?"

I don't see you making a big deal out of that foreign adventure.

why because it made us realize how big of a threat terrorists really are and how low they will go to kill us.

so 9-11 did change something

Good points SG

First of all, I'm unaware of any State that has "voted" to allow gay marriage, the gay marriages that have taken place have been a result of activist judges and activist mayors/governors etc. If I'm mistaken ... link me please.

Second, removing Saddam from power due to non-compliance with UN demands has been an issue since the first Gulf War. It was widely accepted that Iraq did present a significant danger to the US, even prior to 9/11. Clinton, Gore, and Kerry won't admit it now, but there statements are on record.
There may have been contingency plans (at least I hope so) for removing Saddam prior to 9/11, but the decision was made AFTER Sept 11, and it was sound.

Originally posted by MTAtech
I cannot think of any objective person that could conclude that the U.S. is safer after invading Iraq.

Objectivity would be acknowledging that practically everyone including Clinton, Gore, Kerry, AND Chief UN inspector Hans Blix believed that Saddam did posess WMD prior to the war.

[Chuckiechan]

I cannot think of any objective person that could conclude that the U.S. is safer after invading Iraq. As Richard Clarke said in his book, "This unnecessary military adventure, as most of the world realizes, has made us less safe, not more."

Has your skyscraper count changed lately, MTA? I haven't heard of any domestic terrorist attacks lately.

I guess, to not stir up the terrorists as Mr. Clarke suggests is what Poland did to "not stir up the Nazi's"

[OuTpaTienT]

Ya know, we may not be safer now...but we are certainly NOT any less safe. We were nowhere near safe prior to 9/11, it's just that we were too self-absorbed and blind to understand the danger at our doorstep.

Now, some of us have woken-up and are actively trying to do something about the threat facing our country....and I can only guess the rest of you that oppose such things, are still sleeping.

[TOAD6147]

I'm disapointed, guys. Especially with those that know better. You've let this get off topic. The thread is about Bush flip-flopping like the "No Child Left Behind" lie.

Objectivity would be acknowledging that practically everyone including Clinton, Gore, Kerry, AND Chief UN inspector Hans Blix believed that Saddam did posess WMD prior to the war.

You can beat that dead horse all you want Fingers and it still won't come back to life.

[Pexster]

This point of the thread is not whether the Iraq war was justified or a good idea. The point is that Bush flip-flopped and not because of 9/11. He always had Iraq in his sights, but lied to the American people during his campaign. super gerbil, your point about 9/11 and terrorists is true, but irrelevant in this context. In response to your point about 9/11 and Afghanistan, the people who did this to us were in Afghanistan, and the Taliban refused to do anything about it. So that was self-defense and no one can argue that it was unjustified. Iraq is another story. Apparently this is still news to some, but OBL is not in Iraq.

Fingers, it's true that the official decision was made after 9/11, but the evidence is getting to be overwhelming that Bush was going to do this, one way or another. 9/11 made it easier for him.

edit -- Thanks, TOAD, for helping with the focus!