No End of Arrogance
As if we needed more illustration of the arrogance of power among Bush and his allies, the last couple weeks have brought us plenty.
As the scandal involving the firing of U.S. attorneys (evidently for not marching lock-step with the White House) has unfolded, Bush and Gonzales and Tony Snow have once again chosen to deceive and lie at every turn. As Paul Begala noted last week: “You know when they’re lying—their lips move”. Even with many Republicans calling for Gonzales to leave Bush continues to ignore.
After the congress voted to provide an exit date to bring the over-burdened troops home from Iraq, Bush responded with a vow to veto the funding for the troops if any mention of the end to the conflict was attached. He accused the congress of engaging in “political theater” himself surrounded by a few service personnel looking alternately giddy and grim.
Also on the war front, it is now being revealed that the U.S. military used the death of football star turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman to bolster patriotism and support for war. While Tillman was actually killed by U.S. troops, this was not revealed to the public or even to Tillman family until the Army had plenty of time to portray Tillman has a hero who died fighting for freedom. The cover-up involved 9 officers including some generals who all thought it would be best not to tell the tragic but true story as it might undermine the public’s enthusiasm for war.
In another area of amazing arrogance, the White House is refusing to take the advice of their own hand-picked Secretary of Defense who recommended during his confirmation hearings that the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba be closed. Despite the horribly tainted recent history of the prison and the obvious benefits to closing it (both in public perception and our image around the world) Bush says “No.” Nobody’s gonna tell him what to do!
Back on the political front, it is looking like all roads lead to Karl Rove in every scandal from the firing of the U.S. attorneys to the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame. But when Congress decides it is time for Rove to be held accountable, the White House makes a counter offer: Rove will answer questions but not under oath, and in private only, and with no record of the questioning.
As Bush’s approval ratings continue to drop he seems only to become more defiant. He seems to want to coast toward retirement without taking responsibility for the disastrous two terms he has had. He wants the war to go on, with no defined purpose and with no hint of an exit strategy. U.S. presence in Iraq seems to serve little useful purpose. Even the staunchest defenders of the war can’t articulate why we are there. (Hint: meanwhile, the corporations that receive the government contracts for supplying the war are reporting large profits.)
As the scandal involving the firing of U.S. attorneys (evidently for not marching lock-step with the White House) has unfolded, Bush and Gonzales and Tony Snow have once again chosen to deceive and lie at every turn. As Paul Begala noted last week: “You know when they’re lying—their lips move”. Even with many Republicans calling for Gonzales to leave Bush continues to ignore.
After the congress voted to provide an exit date to bring the over-burdened troops home from Iraq, Bush responded with a vow to veto the funding for the troops if any mention of the end to the conflict was attached. He accused the congress of engaging in “political theater” himself surrounded by a few service personnel looking alternately giddy and grim.
Also on the war front, it is now being revealed that the U.S. military used the death of football star turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman to bolster patriotism and support for war. While Tillman was actually killed by U.S. troops, this was not revealed to the public or even to Tillman family until the Army had plenty of time to portray Tillman has a hero who died fighting for freedom. The cover-up involved 9 officers including some generals who all thought it would be best not to tell the tragic but true story as it might undermine the public’s enthusiasm for war.
In another area of amazing arrogance, the White House is refusing to take the advice of their own hand-picked Secretary of Defense who recommended during his confirmation hearings that the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba be closed. Despite the horribly tainted recent history of the prison and the obvious benefits to closing it (both in public perception and our image around the world) Bush says “No.” Nobody’s gonna tell him what to do!
Back on the political front, it is looking like all roads lead to Karl Rove in every scandal from the firing of the U.S. attorneys to the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame. But when Congress decides it is time for Rove to be held accountable, the White House makes a counter offer: Rove will answer questions but not under oath, and in private only, and with no record of the questioning.
As Bush’s approval ratings continue to drop he seems only to become more defiant. He seems to want to coast toward retirement without taking responsibility for the disastrous two terms he has had. He wants the war to go on, with no defined purpose and with no hint of an exit strategy. U.S. presence in Iraq seems to serve little useful purpose. Even the staunchest defenders of the war can’t articulate why we are there. (Hint: meanwhile, the corporations that receive the government contracts for supplying the war are reporting large profits.)
posted by Steve Trumbull | 3/30/2007
