Thursday, May 27, 2004
Uncomically Dishonest
A reader writes:
Date: Thu, 27 May 2004
From: "Richard"
To: editor@201k.com
Subject: Laurel & Hardy
Looking at the messy and volatile state of things in the world today, thanks to George Bush, I'm reminded of the early film comedy team of Laurel & Hardy. Their classic film plots were always the same. The two incompetents would get themselves hopelessly intertwined into situations from which they could not easily escape, and Oliver Hardy would always put the blame on Stan Laurel with his trademark comment "Well Stan, that's another nice mess you've gotten us into".
I say to George Bush, "Well Mr. President, it's a nice mess you've gotten us into!
"The world is far less safe today than it was when you embarked on your arrogant, reckless, disastrous foreign policy, spearheaded by your invasion and occupation of Iraq." And, as with the Laurel & Hardy films, in which the ensuing predicaments were telegraphed to the audience, who couldn't possibly foresee the mess in Iraq and the dire consequences that would result? Who, other than those blinded by ideology, those sold on the Iraq war by lies and concocted stories, and those blinded by the thirst to strike at anyone with misdirected revenge for 9/11?
The Bush foreign policy strategy was supposed to make the world a safer place. Does the news coming out this week make you feel any safer? I shouldn't think so. The effect of the ill-conceived Bush Doctrine on foreign policy has turned the world into a bubbling cauldron of potential terror ready to boil over. And that opinion comes from people within his own administration. Does this chilling remark from Attorney General John Ashcroft this week make you fee any safer: "Al Qaeda intends to hit the United States hard in the next few months." (Ironically, among seven key terrorists being sought, none are Iraqi.)
Bush was feeling pretty cocky when our troops marched through Iraq with little effective resistance and he delivered his "Mission Accomplished" speech. He was feeling pretty smug when he said with a smirk "We've got Al Qaeda on the run". And when Saddam was captured he declared that the world was safer. Take another look Mr. Bush. It's time for a reality check.
This week the International Institute of Strategic Studies released findings from their annual survey of world affairs showing that because of the Iraq war Al Qaeda's ranks are growing and they now have more than 18,000 potential terrorists in 60 nations around the world. They say the Iraq war has increased the risk to Western interests in Arab countries. They say the Iraq war has focused the energies and resources of Al Qaeda and increased recruitment. The report says Al Qaeda is intent on killing at least 4 million Americans. And the IISS says it could take up to 500,000 troops to effectively police Iraq and restore political stability. There's more, but I'm sure you get the frightening point that the Iraq war was a mistake. (And the fallout from the prisoner abuse incidents weren't even factored into their report.) Again, who but the blind couldn't see this coming.
Clearly, as opposed to reducing the threat of terrorism, the effect of the Iraq war has been to strengthen, inspire and embolden Al Qaeda rather than cripple them. Sadly for us, contrary to what our out-of-touch President says, Al Qaeda is not on the run, and we're not safer.
The incompetent Bush administration put us into this mess. America deserves a President who can make the U.S. and the world safer. That's why Bush does not deserve re-election.
Richard R.
Fairfield, CT
