Bush "don't know whether to shit or throw rocks."

[villager]

Michael Ventura on Bush vs. the world:

Letters @ 3AM

Memo to: Europe, Russia, China

BY MICHAEL VENTURA



It is no doubt quixotic for a columnist on a weekly paper in Austin, Texas, to address the leaders and peoples of Europe, Russia, and China. The likelihood of their taking notice is, to put it mildly, small. But right now, Europe, Russia, and/or China have more power to influence our future than at any time since the Soviets' fall. Will they appease the United States' rush to empire, or perhaps end it? Will Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld wield power irresponsibly through 2008, or will there be a chance to unseat them in November 2004? During these next weeks, Europe, Russia, and China may make choices that decide those questions. So, quixotic or not, here goes. Worse than not being heard is having a voice and failing to speak.

You -- Europe, Russia, and China -- have not been misled by our media's ceaseless cooperation with White House propaganda. You know there are no links between Saddam Hussein and 9/11, and barely any between Hussein and al Qaeda. You know Bush had no evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; if Bush had such information he would have discreetly shown it to your leadership to secure your cooperation and prevent being humiliated by the rejection you handed him at the UN before the Iraq war. You politely use the word "coalition," but you know this is an unprovoked American invasion and occupation, with Britain whoring itself in a desperate bid to retain influence, accompanied by small detachments from small countries that lust for America's favor. You know that if this White House succeeds in Iraq, there will be future invasions, and no one knows who'll be next.


<snip>

At this point, to use a Texas phrase, Bush "don't know whether to shit or throw rocks." Last Aug. 14, The New York Times: "U.S. Abandons Idea of Bigger UN Role in Iraq Occupation." Two weeks and one day later, after a terrible run of anti-U.S. action in Iraq and many casualties: "U.S. Weighs UN Role." Now Bush is floating a proposal for you to bail him out -- for, as was also reported last month (but not loudly): The Pentagon doesn't think it can sustain the present level of involvement in Iraq past next March. March, of course, is smack in the middle of primary season.

<snip>

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2003-09-19/cols_ventura.html

[realFedUp]

1. glad some more columnists are seeing the light

thanks for posting this.

[villager]

4. yr. welcome!

n/t

[gristy]

2. Good article

thx

[priller]

3. The Austin Chronicle is a very liberal, free weekly rag

They don't have any problem drawing a bead on ol' Shrub.

[lindashaw]

5. And neither do I. I sent an e-mail saying it should be reprinted...

in every newspaper in Texas. I live here. We need this.

[villager]

6. yeah -- let's get it run...

...all over Houston!

[Capt_Nemo]

7. The columnist doesn't realize that by now the neo-cons are screwed

either way!

There is a price for the bail-out:
Sharing the spoils.

That will be the end of neo-con world dominion ambitions, for they
will have, from now on, to accomodate their rivals' interests.

The neo-cons tried to terminate the rule of law in world affairs
by making right out of might. Now that they are in a vulnerable
position they will prove their own medicine.

[villager]

8. I think he's arguing that Bush...

...shouldn't have his failing ass bailed out once again, this time on a global level. I realize Li'l Bush is indeed the front man for the neo-con shadow government, so you're right in the sense that we can watch all the PNACkers tumble from Mt. Hubris, now that they've made their own mess, and have to go, hat in hand, to ask for the very "help" they arrogantly ignored...

[DemoVet]

9. I don't think it could be summed up any better

Now the world realizes that the biggest threat to peace isn't Osama or Saddam-a but Dub-ya. I wonder how much longer Continental Europe will remain in NATO, especially now that they don't need us to help against the Soviets. I liked his point that the Bushistas aren't worried about a terror attack on this country, why should they be? Li'l George can just get on his jet and skate off somewhere safe while another 3000 innocent Americans burn to death. As long as they can keep the people scared and unthinking they can hold on. I never heard of Michael Ventura before but I'd love to see more of him in this forum.

I hadn't heard of the Russian-Chinese agreement before, interesting tie-in to all this. The Russians still have the bare bones of a strong defense industry, if they could get some cash I can see them rebuilding their military and challenging us again, this time as part of a European alliance.

[villager]

10. I'll post more Ventura here, DemoVet...

He only shows up in the Austin Chronicle. He oughtta be on Sunday morning cable teevee, asking the questions that really need to be asked...