Sunday, September 05, 2004
Hypocrisy
George W. Bush is a hypocrite.
During his nomination acceptance speech four years ago, then Governor Bush said "I have no stake in the bitter arguments of the last few years. I want to change the tone of Washington to one of civility and respect." Less than one year into his Presidency, President Bush had the unmistakable opportunity to accomplish his stated goal. If ever the citizens and Congress were ready to work together, it was on and immediately after September 11, 2004.
The President had received a windfall of goodwill and political capital. Instead of setting a new tone for Washington, he and his administration bumped the divisive rhetoric up several notches. When faced with criticism from the left and the right, Attorney General Ashcroft characterized opponents of the Patriot Act as "aiding the terrorists."
In his address to a joint session of Congress on September 20, 2001, President Bush said "We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the destruction and to the defeat of the global terror network."
Soon after the initial invasion of Afghanistan, President Bush quickly shifted his focus and the great majority of the country's military resources to Iraq. Some Bush apologists continue to try to make the case that Iraq was involved in the 9/11 attacks, but the facts never supported that claim. Even President Bush finally admitted that Iraq had no involvement in the 9/11 attacks. Meanwhile, senior Al Queda leaders remain at large, and the President has reversed course regarding Osama bin Laden. After proclaiming that Osama bin Ladan was "Wanted: Dead or Alive," , President Bush later said (Q #14) "I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him..."
Another central campaign theme for President Bush four years ago was the promise to avoid unilateral military action and nation building. During his debate with Vice President Gore on October 3, 2000, then Governor Bush said "If we don't stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we're going to have a serious problem coming down the road."
While a few other countries signed on (some under duress) for the war in Iraq, the US for the most part went into Iraq alone. The US military remains in Iraq still trying to secure peace and rebuild a nation. In addition to Iraq, the President also issued direct threats to Iran and North Korea during his State of the Union address on January 29, 2002. Another empty promise from the President.
President Bush knows that promises of a civil tone in Washington, devoting full resources to track down those who attacked the country on 9/11, and avoiding sending our soldiers into harm's way for nation building all sound like good ideas to most people. He is quick to say what people want to hear, and his inner circle is quick to call him a man of conviction. While I have no doubt that he has convictions, they do not appear to include backing up his words with actions.
President Bush likes to call Democrats who change their minds flip-floppers. I wonder what he calls the face he sees in the mirror, Hypocrite-in-Chief?
During his nomination acceptance speech four years ago, then Governor Bush said "I have no stake in the bitter arguments of the last few years. I want to change the tone of Washington to one of civility and respect." Less than one year into his Presidency, President Bush had the unmistakable opportunity to accomplish his stated goal. If ever the citizens and Congress were ready to work together, it was on and immediately after September 11, 2004.
The President had received a windfall of goodwill and political capital. Instead of setting a new tone for Washington, he and his administration bumped the divisive rhetoric up several notches. When faced with criticism from the left and the right, Attorney General Ashcroft characterized opponents of the Patriot Act as "aiding the terrorists."
In his address to a joint session of Congress on September 20, 2001, President Bush said "We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the destruction and to the defeat of the global terror network."
Soon after the initial invasion of Afghanistan, President Bush quickly shifted his focus and the great majority of the country's military resources to Iraq. Some Bush apologists continue to try to make the case that Iraq was involved in the 9/11 attacks, but the facts never supported that claim. Even President Bush finally admitted that Iraq had no involvement in the 9/11 attacks. Meanwhile, senior Al Queda leaders remain at large, and the President has reversed course regarding Osama bin Laden. After proclaiming that Osama bin Ladan was "Wanted: Dead or Alive," , President Bush later said (Q #14) "I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him..."
Another central campaign theme for President Bush four years ago was the promise to avoid unilateral military action and nation building. During his debate with Vice President Gore on October 3, 2000, then Governor Bush said "If we don't stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we're going to have a serious problem coming down the road."
While a few other countries signed on (some under duress) for the war in Iraq, the US for the most part went into Iraq alone. The US military remains in Iraq still trying to secure peace and rebuild a nation. In addition to Iraq, the President also issued direct threats to Iran and North Korea during his State of the Union address on January 29, 2002. Another empty promise from the President.
President Bush knows that promises of a civil tone in Washington, devoting full resources to track down those who attacked the country on 9/11, and avoiding sending our soldiers into harm's way for nation building all sound like good ideas to most people. He is quick to say what people want to hear, and his inner circle is quick to call him a man of conviction. While I have no doubt that he has convictions, they do not appear to include backing up his words with actions.
President Bush likes to call Democrats who change their minds flip-floppers. I wonder what he calls the face he sees in the mirror, Hypocrite-in-Chief?
