Is Bush Exaggerating the Threat of Avian Flu for Political Purposes?

[NightOwwl]

Terror no longer works for this president. Most Americans realize he can't protect us in the event of a terror attack or natural disaster. But fear is what Bush does best. And what better way to scare the American people back into submission then to use the threat of an epidemic of global proportion.

Yesterday Bush mentioned the topic in a press conference, and today CNN can’t stop talking about the “deadly flu.” He is giving a (as MSM calls it) “major speech on terrorism” tomorrow. Wanna bet he’ll throw in references to bird flu and death a few times. I don’t trust this administration as far as I can throw them. But is my cynicism blinding me to a legitimate threat? And why can’t I shake the feeling that the Bush Administration looks at this as manna from heaven?

eta: How about some comments with those votes!

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Of course he's using it for political purposes

That's all the asshole knows how to do.

"Fear will keep the local systems in line".

He's nothing buit an evil damn-near-retarded fuckstick.

I trust nothing from him. If he says there might be a huge outbreak of avian flu, I assume that we're safe. If he says there's a big threat of terrattacks, I assume that we're safe.

[triguy46]

9. "...practically orgasmic..."?? Hell, they're in post orgasmic bliss...

They love their men in uniform, don't they? Of course neither has any experience in uniform...

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. They especially love watching them kill and be killed

That's where the REAL BIG orgasms come from.

[Southpaw Bookworm]

2. Bet we'll go back up to Code Orange soon

There's another thread about possible indictments in the Plame case. If that happens, expect some serious shit or at least another videotape from Al-Qaeda.

[orion9941]

3. It's nothing more than Chicken Little politics.

When you are neck deep in the hoopla throw the media a juicy gloom and doom bone that distracts them from the more clear and present danger situations staring them in the face...and guess what? It worked with the media like it always does. Because I have heard more about the damn bird flu than anything else in the media today.

[Inland]

4. It's a real threat; it's the proposed solution that's entirely political.

Terror = invade Iraq

Oil prices = no environmental regs

Bird flu = martial law

Low savings rate, investment = tax cuts to rich, borrow from China

Rebuild New Orleans = no Davis Bacon wages, tax cuts, no bid contracts, a real trifecta.

Every problem means that the conservatives pick an item off the conservative to-do list. Is it a solution to the problem? Not really. It's just something they wanted to do anyway.

[McCamy Taylor]

5. GIven the way military recruiting is going, they will have one per county

when they decide to send the US military to occupy the United States.

:rofl:

[VOX]

6. Both 1 and 2, with a little bit of 3...

In a society that seems to be hooked on fear, the avain flu is another gift to the administration -- "be very afraid, and remember, only we can take care of you." (Try and put that one past the good citizens of New Orleans.)

Unfortunately, it is a fact that the Avian Flu, like most agressive Type A flus, will pose a threat to the very young, the elderly and the immuno-compromised. As always, it's our duty to look after them if they fall ill.

On edit: For most of us, catching the Avian flu would mean the usual Type A flu symptoms: fever, cough, headache, body aches, etc. It's no fun by a long shot, but most of us have been there before, and we will survive this, too. :thumbsup:

[TechBear_Seattle]

7. The potential threat is real, but....

Fearless Leader is making it out to be an immediate danger that will strike all your loved ones down in a gruesome manner if you don't agree to give the president the totalitarian power of a fascist dictator and don't vote a straight Republican ticket in the next election. I voted "Yes. Bush and Cheney are practically orgasmic knowing they can use this as a precursor to a military takeover."

[napi21]

8. Although I voted yes in the first box, I don't think it's to replace

terra, but be included with it!

Anything to keep the American people scared of their own shadow!

Well, they hit the wrong person with me! I live my life the way I want, and if some terrorist manages to get me, although I think there's more liklihood that I'll be killed by lightening, then so be it!

As far as bird flu goes, I've very suspect of all this hoopla about it being an emergency! If it really was, then why hasn't the US stockpiled the vaccine for it? At least I heard we have about 2 million doses.

I think this is another virus that would affect at risk people who already have illness problems, and is no more serious than the flu that hits the US every winter!

[txaslftist]

11. Good poll.

[NightOwwl]

18. Thanks!

:thumbsup: :hi:

[TankLV]

12. Of course!

Next question, please.

[ThoughtCriminal]

13. Remember "Swine Flu"?

another one of Gerald Ford's duds.

[chookie]

14. That's what my 80 year old Dad said today

I thought I was the most conspiracy minded member of the family. I also used to think no one hated Bush and Cheney more than I did, but increasingly people who used to think that they should have a chance to prove themselves are turning to me and telling me how much they despise this administration -- including life-long Republicans and professed conservatives. Today my Dad called me to tell me the flu scare was just a way to get the Republicans' problems out of the headlines by scaring people.

[MsAnthropy]

15. He throws a red herring in every speech

remember the cars that will run on hydrogen in one speech and steroids in baseball in another. Another misdirection play.

[Johonny]

16. Yes

and no. Yes there is a real danger, but the danger does not need to be made a public issue until it becomes a real event happening and not just a possibility. In this case the government should have real plans of action in cases such as this. But there's no need to panic the populous with talk of martial law when there is zero proof the Avian flu is a real threat and not just a potential threat.

[pbeal]

17. no military forces available to enforce Martial Law

Last I checked our Military and military equipment is bogged down 1/2 way across the world.

And even if that wasn't the case the military would be much more vulnerable to the flu than the general population (none of the current NBC equipment can protect against something as small as virus, no vaccine, and troops are billeted in close contact with each other)

besides the fact that Our military isn't big enough to enforce national or even regional martial law in the US.