Bush & the Limits of Debate (article covers everything)

[ProSense]

Covers attacks on Kerry, Murtha and Gore, signing statements and Alito, WMD and DSM, nothing is missed.

Bush & the Limits of Debate

By Robert Parry
January 16, 2006


America’s “unitary executive” George W. Bush says critics of the Iraq War, who suggest that he lied or had ulterior motives, are “irresponsible,” “partisan,” hurtful to U.S. troops and thus helpful to the enemy – and should expect to be held accountable.

In a Jan. 10 speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bush marked out the parameters for an acceptable Iraq War debate, excluding those who “claim that we acted in Iraq because of oil, or because of Israel, or because we misled the American people.” On the other hand, Bush said it’s permissible to “question the way the war is being prosecuted.”

But that safe zone isn’t exactly safe either. People, such as Rep. John Murtha, who favor prompt withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, can expect ugly personal attacks from Bush’s surrogates.

In a smear reminiscent of Campaign 2004 when Republicans mocked Sen. John Kerry’s war wounds, a right-wing news outlet, Cybercast News Service, has publicized accusations that Murtha misrepresented wounds he suffered during combat in Vietnam for which he received two Purple Hearts.


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http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/011606.html