Bush Legacy in Gaza

[Crabtownboy]

The shoe throwing episode in Baghdad almost quaintly summed up the disaster the Bush administration leaves in its wake in Iraq--thousands dead in an ill-conceived and ill-planned invasion, thousands more dead in the explosion of sectarian and factional violence unleashed by the power vacuum, the strategic gains handed to Iran on a silver platter, the moral abomination of Abu Ghraib, and on and on. The "democracy" Bush created is one where Iraqi journalists exercise their rights of free expression by hurling potentially deadly objects at people they are quizzing at press conferences--in this case, the president of the United States, no less. It's hardly sufficient to say that that disgraceful gesture is a sign of Iraq's progress-- "things are better than they were under Saddam Hussein" is hardly the standard by which we should judge our performance in Iraq.



But the more tragic wreckage Bush leaves behind is in Israel-Palestine, as evidenced by the latest spasm of violence including the latest and ultimately futile Israeli blitz on Gaza against Hamas with the inevitable victims of "collateral damage." After too many Israeli invasions and incursions and bombing raids to count over the last six decades, somehow it's hard to be optimistic that the latest one will finally silence the Palestinian bombers and rocketers so Israelis can live in peace. The Bush administration's inexcusable neglect is partly responsible for the carnage we're seeing in Gaza today-- Katrina-like botch-ups are the legacy of this administration in the Middle East, too. Bringing peace to the Middle East is no easy task but it's a pathetic testimony if you don't even try.

http://mideast.blogs.time.com/2008/12/29/bush-legacy-in-gaza/

 

[Pastor Larry]

It is unfortunate that Bush did not take a stronger stand against the Palestinian terrorist who have constantly attacked Israel.

I have to wonder though how credible this writer is if he thinks a shoe is a "potentially deadly object." That is a laugher. What world is he living in when an immature journalist throwing a shoe is potentially deadly? That is not a comment on democracy as much as it is on immaturity of the reporter who apparently has nothing substantive to contribute so he throws a shoe.

 

[Crabtownboy]

It is unfortunate that Bush did not take a stronger stand against the Palestinian terrorist who have constantly attacked Israel.

I have to wonder though how credible this writer is if he thinks a shoe is a "potentially deadly object." That is a laugher. What world is he living in when an immature journalist throwing a shoe is potentially deadly? That is not a comment on democracy as much as it is on immaturity of the reporter who apparently has nothing substantive to contribute so he throws a shoe.

Not to argue, but if the shoe had hit Bush in the temple it could well have killed him. I read of a man who was killed in an automobile accident by a flying tissue box that had been in the rear window. It hit him just right in the back of his neck to kill him. Humans can be very tough and also very fragile.

I agree, it is a shame that the first years Bush was in office he basically said that the dispute between Israel and Hammas was not his problem, they could solve it themselves. That was the first decision he made that made me begin to wonder about his foreign policy philosophy and decision making ability.

 

[J.D.]

I saw in another thread that someone said that Bush's meddling around with mid east politics (pushing democracy in Gaza) contributed to the current fighting. But here I find that is lack of involvement is the cause.

Apparently, Bush causes evil in the world when he breaths in AND when he breaths out.

You people are beyond irrational.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

The "Land for peace" deal, by Rice & Bush, have been disastrous for Israel, and here is one example where you may be correct. I blame Bush more for this problem than Iraq, but that isn't to say it is all his fault. But Israel, right now, would do good to ignore the world, and take care of herself.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I saw in another thread that someone said that Bush's meddling around with mid east politics (pushing democracy in Gaza) contributed to the current fighting. But here I find that is lack of involvement is the cause.

Apparently, Bush causes evil in the world when he breaths in AND when he breaths out.

You people are beyond irrational.

No, I think Bush & Rice deserve a lot of criticism for the pressure they put on Israel to make this failure a reality.

 

[KenH]

I saw in another thread that someone said that Bush's meddling around with mid east politics (pushing democracy in Gaza) contributed to the current fighting.

A solution, such as the two state solution, needed to be have been implemented first before democracy was pushed on the Palestinians. Simply holding democratic elections doesn't solve problems.

 

[J.D.]

No, I think Bush & Rice deserve a lot of criticism for the pressure they put on Israel to make this failure a reality.

I understand your criticism. My point is that Bush-haters critisize him if he does something, or nothing. He can't win either way.

If a tree falls in the forest, and Bush is not there, did he cause it anyway?

 

[Bro. Curtis]

No, but this time the criticism is well placed.

BTW, I'm no Bush-hater. I hope I'm not seen as one.

 

[J.D.]

A solution, such as the two state solution, needed to be have been implemented first before democracy was pushed on the Palestinians. Simply holding democratic elections doesn't solve problems.

Is the U.N. willing to recognize a "state" that does not have democratically elected officials?

 

[KenH]

Is the U.N. willing to recognize a "state" that does not have democratically elected officials?

Yes. For example, Cuba is in the U.N. The U.S.S.R. was in the U.N. Communist China is in the U.N.

 

[J.D.]

No, but this time the criticism is well placed.

BTW, I'm no Bush-hater. I hope I'm not seen as one.

I know you're not a Bush hater. I just get tired of the lib/dem mantra. Blame it on Bush. Blame everything on Bush. Hay, he even made a hurricane hit New Orleans because he hates poor people. Didn't you hear about that?

 

[J.D.]

Yes. For example, Cuba is in the U.N. The U.S.S.R. was in the U.N. Communist China is in the U.N.

When did that happen. I mean TODAY - what does the U.N. want? What is their official policy?

And besides, Cuba is ostensibly a democracy. Didn't they vote 99.99 percent for Castro? (which was immediately followed by a reduction in the Cuban population of .01 percent).

 

[Crabtownboy]

I know you're not a Bush hater. I just get tired of the lib/dem mantra. Blame it on Bush. Blame everything on Bush. Hay, he even made a hurricane hit New Orleans because he hates poor people. Didn't you hear about that?

Can't blame Bush for the hurricane. :laugh:

But his administration didn't respond very well to the damage done by the hurricane.

It is his record, this last 8 years, so he is responsible for it. As I've said, at least Truman was honest and said, "The Buck Stops Here."

Bush didn't do everrything wrong ... just an awful lot of what he did turned out wrong.

We all have bad days, but a bad 8 years? :laugh:

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Actually, Bush did exactly what he was supposed to do. The local gov'ts, and the people who refused refuge are more to blame than Bush is.

 

[Pastor Larry]

Not to argue, but if the shoe had hit Bush in the temple it could well have killed him. I read of a man who was killed in an automobile accident by a flying tissue box that had been in the rear window. It hit him just right in the back of his neck to kill him. Humans can be very tough and also very fragile.

By this definition, anything can be a potentially deadly weapon. Even a gnat might fly into your mouth and cause you to choke. But that doesn't make it a deadly weapon. That comment was a silly attempt to undermine what good has been done.

 

[Crabtownboy]

By this definition, anything can be a potentially deadly weapon. Even a gnat might fly into your mouth and cause you to choke. But that doesn't make it a deadly weapon. That comment was a silly attempt to undermine what good has been done.

I wasn't defending the journalist's "poetic license" in his choice of words. Not sure about the gnat ... a fly maybe. :laugh: I know I'd rather not be hit in the head by a shoe. Bush did show very quick reflexes. Not everone would have reacted quickle enough to dodge, not just one, but two shoes.

Remember the shoes we used to call hob-nail shoes ... but then they would be very hard to throw as they were kind of heavy, especially the steel toed ones.

Seriously, I am very sorry the last 8 years were not better for both the US and for the world.

 

[J.D.]

Can't blame Bush for the hurricane. :laugh:

But his administration didn't respond very well to the damage done by the hurricane.

It is his record, this last 8 years, so he is responsible for it. As I've said, at least Truman was honest and said, "The Buck Stops Here."

Bush didn't do everrything wrong ... just an awful lot of what he did turned out wrong.

We all have bad days, but a bad 8 years? :laugh:

Some wackos actually said that he "seeded" clouds to steer it. But that's why we call them wacko's. Unfortunately, some of them are congresspersons.

 

[chuck2336]

Can't blame Bush for the hurricane. :laugh:

But his administration didn't respond very well to the damage done by the hurricane.

It is his record, this last 8 years, so he is responsible for it. As I've said, at least Truman was honest and said, "The Buck Stops Here."

Bush didn't do everrything wrong ... just an awful lot of what he did turned out wrong.

We all have bad days, but a bad 8 years? :laugh:

I was on one of the evac helicopters brining in aid and lifting folks out and we were fired upon by the people we were there to help. After that day was done, I went home and did not return. By the way I did not see President Bush or any of his administration there.

 

[just-want-peace]

Interesting that N.O. was the only "disaster" from the hurricane that the Gov't was responsible for.

Basically all the other areas that were hit seemed to bounce back.

Guess it was because Bush hated the A-A's in N.O., ya think?

I'm with J D and Curtis on this one; his road-map to peace was a slap to the face of God, and he will be held accountable for it, but conversely, as JD says, he's damned if he does or doesn't, to the left.

No way he can do anything right in their eyes. (It's one of symptoms of the disease of "liberalism", better known as BDS!)