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If You Were President?
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Ok, I've accepted the fact that Bush is a complete screw up (I voted for him and continue to support him) and that the media's job is to complain and whine (Maureen Dowd would be out of a job if she smiled or said something positive). Having said that, I'm so tired of everyone's criticism of Bush. Quit giving me the "Monday morning quarterback" and tell me what you'd do if you were President? It's fine if you say pull out of Iraq, but give me the 4-5 actions you'd take afterwards to deal with those consequences. It’s very easy to criticize from the sidelines with hindsight, but how about those calling the shots in real time.
About this poster:
Posted by:
Scuba
(male, late-30s)
(Posted 10/1/05)
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Responses (17)
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ronc99
(10/2):
Right on Scuba. Sparky still thinks we are in Iraq for the oil, I guess. But your right, what would anyone else do? There is a small group of people in Iraq, all Saddams henchmen, and AlQuada support. Why can't we, the largest super power in the world stop them? It is because cry babies who are worried someone will get hurt are pressuring the government to leave. Folks, sad but true, people die every day. You have a greater chance of being killed in America then you do in Iraq. Just drive down a highway, or walk down a street you don't know well. You will be shot because your colors are wrong. Wake up everybody, terrorists are why we are there. Not "nuqular" bombs, like sparky calls them. While we are at it, lets leave Bali too, someone got hurt there. And we better get away from Korea, because they are making trouble. Lets just sit at home on our sofa and watch it all being destroyed on our TV sets. Thats a plan, then when they are all dead, we can just go get the oil, huh? If I was presdident, I would be over there urging all the men on, to seek out and find these small groups of people and end it all! We may never completely beat terrorists, but we can make it very hard for them to operate freely, as in the Clinton days.
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Anonymous
(10/2):
..first, I did not vote for Mr. Bush.
...second, isn't it ironic how messed up the Louisiana leadership was/is pre/post Katrina; having said that, with all the criticism of Bush's lack of leadership ability, it is odd that it took his leadership to get those local and state folks on the correct course. If Bush is as bad as is being said, I guess, in this case, the critic's are just "more bad".
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cstraw
(10/2):
I'd:
1. Get the troops out of Iraq and send them to the gulf coast for clean up
2. Make sure every area that was vulnerable to natural disasters have a safety action plan (that actually worked)
3. Give more relief aid to people suffering from poverty in Africa
4. Change the laws so women could be President
5. Tighten up our borders
6. Not give as much $$/support to Israel and instead put it back into our own country (education, health care, etc.)
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hazieG
(10/2):
I agree with you. Personally, I don't support Bush's actions in Iraq, and I wish we would pull out. But I think you make a very good point, everyone should be able to explain how it can be accomplished. Hey, if we get that many ideas on how to get out of Iraq, we can develop a working plan and get out that much faster can't we?
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Jimbo
(10/2):
Before we pulled out of Iraq,it would be important to admit that we made a mistake going in. The whole world knows that already, but they need to hear it from us. Only after that could we appeal to the UN for a peacekeeping force. Better yet, would be to appeal to all the Muslim countries to form an all-Muslim peacekeeping force, since that would tend to calm down the raging passions in that area of the world. After we were out of Iraq, we would focus the billions we are spending on so called "defense" on doing that, defending our soil, not on aggression. We would close American military bases all over the world, and use that money to focus on our own security here. It is important that we realize that the war on terrorism will be a battle for people's minds. It will never be won by aggressive military tactics. One step would be to form an ongoing major conference of the world's Muslim leaders in Washington D.C. (not including known terrorists, of course). The Muslim leaders would be encouraged to brainstorm with our own leaders in how the minds and hearts of Muslim peoples in other countries can be won over to peaceful coexistence. Muslim terrorism is the force that it is because there are millions of Muslims who feel we are their enemy. We need to do a lot better PR work to change that image. Another step would be to back away from our aggressive (and expensive) support of Israel. The Israelis and their ancestors have been battling their neighbors for thousands of years, and it is not all the Muslims' fault. Also we need to undue some of the enormous economic damage this administration has done to us. The first step would be to rescind the tax cuts that were given to the wealthy. Obviously there needs to be overwhelming support for the development of alternative energy sources, to reduce or better yet,to eliminate our dependence on Arabian oil. And education needs to be our first priority in this country, not just given lip service the way it is now.
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Anonymous
(10/2):
I hear you - lately it's just about Bush bashing rather than ideas that might actually work. Everyone knows that the President is just a figurehead of the "behind the scenes" decision makers, but at the moment, he's all we have.
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Scuba
(10/2):
CSTRAW: The last time I read the Constitution the requirements to be President are as follows: 1) be a natural born citizen of the United States, 2) be at least 35 years old, and 3) have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. There is no "law" as you state preventing woman from being President.
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liez
(10/6):
You are soo right, i hate the fact that people always blame bush for everything, and talk about how dumb he is. But when asked about how they would handle the situation, they have nothing to say!!! He's our president, be happy with what you have, and hope that our next president will have the same views as you do
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Anonymous
(10/14):
You're right Liez - we should not blame Bush for being dumb...he can't help it that he is. We should blame the Cheney-Rove gang behind him that tells him what to say and do. (As long as they keep to the five-by-five rule....no words bigger than five letters and no sentence longer than five words.) Bush is just the puppet.
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guinness
(10/26):
1) Make Pot Legal
2) Make hookers legal
3) Make every Monday free Pot and Hooker day, so people can get excited about the start of thier week!
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Jdl1491
(11/17):
I Agree with this post. George W. Bush with his doctrine, clearly states in one part, that the U.S.A., will attack any state/country that threatens the U.S.A. Iraq, Afghanistan were pretty deadly in my opinion. Ticalbits, propaganda?? Do you know the meaning of those words?? Please, George W. Bush, was ELECTED president because most of the U.S.A. thought he was a competetant, and able president. And have a taken a look at Congress so far?? The dems won't even let the Republicans get bills across that could change millions of people. But wait, the Dems don't want millions of people in comfort, they want them in discomfort, so they can blame our president, while our president and his party are trying to make lives better... yup, THANKS DEMS!!!!
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Gomez
(3/1):
Granted Iraq is a messed up situation but I believe that
the U.S has an obligation to try and remedy some of the damage that they have wrought on the country.
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Anonymous
(6/19):
If I was President?
I would sack John Howard The Prime Minister of Australia, since it seems The PM is doing and saying what the current US President tells him to say and do.
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SemperFidelis
(7/16):
A good post Scuba. I know plenty of people in Iraq and it has been a great victory for our troops. Plus, to see the faces of the newly-free citizens while they voted in their first elections without suppression...well it was inspiring. It is like seeing the faces of the homeless in this country when you house them and feed them. When you lift someone's spirit it is a great work of mercy that feeds the soul...theirs and yours!
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anonymously
(4/15):
It's too bad we have so many ignorant morons here that like nothing more than to bash a president who is tough enough to stand up to the evil cowards that want nothing more than to wipe America off the face of this planet, and anyone else who who will not beleive their backward brain washing ways. How incredibly foolish you are. You pathetic simple minded piece of pond scum- that you are...! You might just as well be a part of those deviant barbarians!!!!
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mcduffodonnell
(4/16):
Good point. Anyone can stand on the sidelines and second guess. Seems most of those who object to our presence in Iraq seem to think that the threat militant Islam poses to Western civilization is overblown. Watching McNeal's documentary on PBS last night, it's apparent that this isn't the case. Osama isn't interested in negotiating anything and the sooner we all grasp that reality the sooner we'll find a solution. Passivity certainly isn't the answer.
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president2008
(5/5):
2008 presidential candidate stephen d macmillan www.presidentcandidate.zoomshare.com
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Responses (13)
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sparky6211
(10/2):
I say pull our people out of Iraq and arm all parties to the teeth with low tech weapons and they will kill each other off. Next impeach W. for lying to the country about "nuqular" bomb making in Iraq. That was a cover story that stunk then and is positively putrid now. Next rebalance our government. Turn over the house or senate to the other party. Makes no difference to me which one. The republicans obviously can't handle that much power properly. Just a reminder, "absolute power corrupts absolutely" and the republicans have absolute power.
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KP86
(10/3):
OK Scuba - you must not know anyone in Iraq who is at risk of getting killed or maimed. Easy to think the President is doing the right thing when the impact of his misguided policy cannot touch you personally. I do not think we should have gone in there, but will just as quickly tell you that we cannot leave. We are trapped; our departure will result in civil war, theocracy, annexation by Iran, etc. I'm not sure what we as a nation have gained in terms of national security by going into Iraq -- if anyone knows please do tell me. We've alienated much of the Arab world, have contributed to the deaths of over 100K Iraqi civilians, have lost nearly 2,000 of our own men and women (plus countless others who are forced to live with dibilitating injuries), have significantly increased out national debt, have severely drained the military, and can see no clear way out. I'm sorry, but the decision to go in was so poor that I cannot cut him any slack for being the guy making the decision real time.
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Scuba
(10/3):
KP86: I think you need to re-read my posting above. I'm not commenting on the war, Bush, etc. but rather making a point that all people can do is criticize without offering any orignial/non-original thinking about what to do "tomorrow" and not play the Monday morning quarterback. As a side note, you don't know anything about me or my friends that may or may not be serving in the military - it has nothing to do with my post!!! FYI - I am a strong supporter of the military and have many friends/family that have served or are currently serving.
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KP86
(10/4):
Scuba: Your posting implied that we should give the President some slack because he's the guy in the hot seat making the tough decisions. My point is that the decision to go in was so naive, overly ambitious and reckless that he deserves no slack. Some decisions look bad from any angle, be it from the side lines or in the field. I did tell you what I'd do: stay in Iraq. We will do more harm than good if we pull out right now as the country will collapse. But I'll expand: We must stay on, continue to train Iraqi security forces, develop a strong secular middle class and expand the Iraqi education system. Whether or not democracy in Iraq can work is an open question given the tribal nature of their culture, but it's a start. And I didn't mean to imply that you were anti-military; my point was that for many people in America, what is going on in Iraq is more than an academic question on some website -- they have Soldiers, Marines or Sailors over there.
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Sans
(10/10):
There has been many things that could be done.Bush would not allow it because he did not want to loose the money that he and his Haliburton and other companies that are making money off this. One thing you could do is to bring in the U.N. and the rest of the world. This would minimize the role of the U.S., but with Bush's greed this is not allowed. Also allow the military to make decisions not some CEO that did his best to stay out of the military (Rumsfeld).
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KP86
(10/11):
Sans: Good points, but Sec. Rumsfeld was a Navy pilot for a few years.
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FlemFlanders
(10/11):
First of all I'd round up all the people who LIED and put them on a tee vee show with that Weakest Link lady.
Serves 'em right!
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Anonymous
(10/13):
A bit of an oxymoron Scuba..."Bush is a screw up...I continue to support him". Hmmm perhaps not an oxymoron, but just a statement that is symbolic of 'merica. As for what would I do if I were President... stop being a warmonger, pull out of Iraq and try to save some semblance of dignity before my term is up so I do not go down in history as the most moronic leader that continued an unwinable war which will undoubtedly lead to the financial ruin of the country. Or, as President I could simply continue to speak in five word sentences that make no sense to anyone with an IQ higher than a carrot.
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TicalBits
(10/13):
liez, part of being an American is having the freedom and ability to choose, we don't have to settle for some dumbass just cause he happens to hold the post. Having our own opinions and expectations of the office is what America is supposed to be about. Stop telling us to settle for something we don't believe in.
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TicalBits
(10/14):
ummm..Anon, if you reread my post, I was quoting daddido, then my next sentence read "In case you didn't hear, the Trade Center collapse and Iraq are not connected. No matter how bad it makes you feel."
Sooooo...yeah.
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Anonymous
(10/14):
Sorry TicalBit. Looks like daddido does not know the difference between Saddam and Osama; the WTC or Okalahoma; or Dubya and a handpuppet with Cheney pulling the stings.
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Anonymous
(11/11):
Scuba, you are one fucked up person, how can you support a screw up? You have no idea what is happening in politics. You need to open your pot headed eyes and look around you to see what is happening here and overseas. You don't give a damn about anything except for the stuff that doesn't even matter in life, such as pot and hookers. That is degrading to women who work hard to be where they are now. When you get in the real fuckin world with the rest of us that don't support Bush, let us know.
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Anonymous
(9/2):
I think we need to get a few things clear. First, there would be no breeding ground for terrorists in Iraq if we hadn't gone there to topple Saddam in the first place. Bush and company tell us to stay the course lest insurgents take over, sectarian violence escalate and terrorists infiltrate; but they fail to point out that we're the ones who set the stage for this unstable quagmire. Gee whiz--Bush Sr. and frickin' Dick Cheney acknowledged these potential dangers back in 1994! Granted, Saddam was a ruthless tyrant. But there are so many of these across the globe that they're practically a dime-a-dozen. Saddam, at least, was actually a pro-Western despot! He never comprehended why we attacked him since, in his decrepit little mind, he so desperately wanted to be like us and to have normal relations with the U.S. In any case, we can't possibly go to war with every despot. . . and democracy, by it's very nature, is not a commodity that can be exported by force. It must swell from the grassroots for it to be truly effective, In the meantime, we should appeal to the nations, admit our arrogance and error, then seek for genuine multi-national cooperation to bring sustainable peace to the region. After that, we should take a good long look at reality--seeking to understand other cultures before we take any action. Even if you don't care for him as a presidential hopeful, Dennis Kucinich has a great idea: create a cabinet position in which the customs, history and cultures of different countries are studied. That information would then be presented to every President, politician and other important individuals so that they might be enlightened before they say something insulting or take the nation into a pointless war.
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