32 Bush Lies And Policy Failures

[Mr-Blonde]

By Andy Ostroy

President Bush's campaign mantra in the 2000 election was that he and the Republican Party would "restore honor and integrity to the White House." Five and one half years later, it's utterly mind-boggling the amount of lies, controversies and scandals that have been perpetrated by Bush and his closest aides. It's even more unsettling when we realize the dire straits America is in today at the hands of this incompetent, dangerous administration.

Let's review Bush's impact since 2000 at home and abroad, in no particular order:

1. Lied about WMD.
2. Unilaterally invaded a sovereign nation without provocation and justification.
3. Lied during State of the Union speech re: Niger Uranium.
4. Responsible for pre-9/11 intelligence failures in White House, CIA, FBI.
5. Allowed 9-11 murderers to remain free while diverting precious military and financial resources to his vanity war in Iraq.
6. Lied about Saddam/bin Laden connection.
7. Turned Iraq into a terrorist breeding ground.
8. Lied about nation-building.
9. Opposed creation of 9-11 Commission and Homeland Security Department.
10. Disrespected and alienated the U.S. from French, German and other key allies.
11. Lied to Americans about the real cost of war.
12. Fostered an environment of torture at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.
13. Lined Halliburton's pockets in Afghanistan and Iraq with fat no-bid contracts.
14. Under-manned and under-equipped our armed forces in Iraq, resulting in unnecessary death and injuries.
15. Ignored the nuclear build-up in both Iran and N.Korea; marginalized Kim Jong Il.
16. Shunned Kyoto Treaty.
17. Lied about effects of man-made pollutants on the environment to support corporate pals.
18. Lied about the insolvency of Social Security.
19. Gave huge cuts to the wealthiest taxpayers.
20. Lied about true cost of health care bill.
21. Lied about Free Trade stand.
22. Bitterly divided the nation along religious, party and sexual preference lines.
23. Guilty of numerous cronyism appointments (Homeland Security, Supreme Court, etc)
24. Rewarded failures of Condi Rice and other cronies with key promotions.
25. Dreadful energy policies lead to record gas and oil prices.
26. Responsible for the largest debt in U.S. history.
27. Colossal failure of preparedness, rescue and relief during Hurricane Katrina.
28. Fostered a culture of corruption among GOP and top leadership (Tom Delay, etc).
29. Allowed Donald Rumsfeld to keep job despite utter failure in Iraq.
30. Presided over the U.S.'s lowest popularity throughout the world.
31. Saw No Child Left Behind fail.
32. Lied last week about Iraqi troop strength during Saturday radio address. Directly contradicted by testimony given earlier in the week by Gen. Abizaid.

This is just a partial list, mind you. One can only imagine what our country will look like by the time he's done. Somebody please wake me up in 3 years. --posted September 8, 2005

[JohnTheHenchman]

So?

[Mr-Blonde]

Originally posted by JohnTheHenchman
So?

Did you vote for Bush?

If so does this list make you regret it?

[outsyder]

How about something a lot less objective and a lot more credible?

[Mr-Blonde]

Originally posted by outsyder
How about something a lot less objective and a lot more credible?

Whether you feel the source is credible or not doesn't change the fact that all of the items on this list are either whole truths or have some basis in fact.

[jeo4]

Some of these are really grabbing at straws, if not outright incorrect/untrue. Specifically:

2
4
7
10
15
24 (This really stands under the umbrella of 23, so I didn't count it.)
25
27
30
and 31

Also, please explain item 28 to me. Give me some details

And I'm not downing the entire list (hell, I agree with most of it), but to assign sole blame for some of these issues to the President (especially after decades or more of negligence on some of these issues) is really ignoring much deeper problems within the government, including the bureacracy, red tape, and lack of follow up on others trusted with assigned positions. Not naming names, but honestly...let's assign blame where it is due here, not just to the one guy at the front of the line.

[Mr-Blonde]

Originally posted by jeo4
Some of these are really grabbing at straws, if not outright incorrect/untrue. Specifically:

2. This one only makes sense when you consider that the stated reasons for invasion (WMDs, alleged links to 9/11) are false
4. It is well documented that Bush discounted any evidence that conflicted his rationale to invade Iraq
7. There is infinitely more terrorism in Iraq now due to the invasion than there was pre-invasion. It has become a terrorist training ground.
10. Us-Euro relations are at an all-time low. Donald Rumsfeld was often quoted as calling France and Germany's opposition to the war as "Old Europe thinking." Popular opinion of the US's policies in Europe is at an all time low.
15. Supposedly Bush's main reason for invading Iraq were it's alleged WMDs yet North Korea and now Iran freely admit to developing nuclear technology yet there has been no rush to invade either. Not that I believe it would serve our interests to do so but it only serves to show that Bush has always been determined to invade Iraq by any means necessary.
24. http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0429-27.htm
25. Probably alluding to Bush's laissez faire attitude in the face of oil industry price gouging and in the wake of natural disasters like Hurrican Katrina. Of course the fact that Bush has many lobbyist friends in the oil industry also is suspect.
27. Self explanatory, and yes there were failures at all levels of government however two days after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, President Bush went on national television to announce a massive federal rescue and relief effort. But orders to move didn't reach key active military units for another three days.
30. This refers to polls that have been conducted of US opinion abroad. And it is the lowest it has been since such things have been recorded.
31. http://www.massteacher.org/news/headlines/news_2005-06-23.cfm

Also, please explain item 28 to me. Give me some details

I'd have to agree that this one is really stretching. The Democrats are just as guilty of corruption IMO.

[Thrizzle]

The man spends 40% of his time vacationing, how bad could things be?

[JohnTheHenchman]

No I didn't vote for him, but still, it's as though he's the first president to have failed policies.

You know what I think is funny though? Compare the number of people in his administration who were convicted of crimes to several of his predecessors. People call him corrupt lol

[someguy]

I don't see your logic John

'Well he's a shitty president, but hell we've had lots of other shitty ones so who cares?'

[jeo4]

Originally posted by Mr-Blonde
2. This one only makes sense when you consider that the stated reasons for invasion (WMDs, alleged links to 9/11) are false
4. It is well documented that Bush discounted any evidence that conflicted his rationale to invade Iraq
7. There is infinitely more terrorism in Iraq now due to the invasion than there was pre-invasion. It has become a terrorist training ground.
10. Us-Euro relations are at an all-time low. Donald Rumsfeld was often quoted as calling France and Germany's opposition to the war as "Old Europe thinking." Popular opinion of the US's policies in Europe is at an all time low.
15. Supposedly Bush's main reason for invading Iraq were it's alleged WMDs yet North Korea and now Iran freely admit to developing nuclear technology yet there has been no rush to invade either. Not that I believe it would serve our interests to do so but it only serves to show that Bush has always been determined to invade Iraq by any means necessary.
24. http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0429-27.htm
25. Probably alluding to Bush's laissez faire attitude in the face of oil industry price gouging and in the wake of natural disasters like Hurrican Katrina. Of course the fact that Bush has many lobbyist friends in the oil industry also is suspect.
27. Self explanatory, and yes there were failures at all levels of government however two days after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, President Bush went on national television to announce a massive federal rescue and relief effort. But orders to move didn't reach key active military units for another three days.
30. This refers to polls that have been conducted of US opinion abroad. And it is the lowest it has been since such things have been recorded.
31. http://www.massteacher.org/news/headlines/news_2005-06-23.cfm



I'd have to agree that this one is really stretching. The Democrats are just as guilty of corruption IMO.

2. They never invaded unilaterally. Britain was there every step of the way. And he also relied on intelligence sources of theirs.

4. That has nothing to do with 9/11. And if he gets the blame, then Bill Clinton gets even more blame for never following through on any of the previous attacks.

7. Not entirely. Al Qaeda is still smarting from being booted from Afghanistan, and they wanted to retaliate. Obviously, I disagree with the war from the point of view we both seem to agree on (the Bush personal agenda). But I don't blame him for this behavior. I blame al Qaeda.

10. That came from Donald Rumsfeld, though. This would have been reason enough for me to give old Donnie his pink slip. But for that matter, I don't entirely agree with the way France and Germany disrespected the US, either. This works both ways, not just one.

15. For Bush to call both nations part of an "axis of evil" doesn't exactly marginalize either nation. Iran is also faced with another problem...the students and young people there are wanting more freedom and less government control. What I think is happening here is a possible change of leadership that will allow for amendments to their laws (if not a revolution itself) and also open Iran to the western world. This may solve the problem of proliferation on its own. I think that America should push for that, as opposed to waging another costly war. This may be the first smart thing the Bush administration has done, beyond invading Afghanistan and toppling the Taliban.

24.It's still cronyism, any way you slice it. And I still believe it falls under item 23 on your list myself.

27. Agreed, but I still say the problem should have been addressed by state and local governments instead of just the White House. Again, I think we are on the same page, but I want to emphasize the level of localized corruption and bureaucracy that hindered the rebuilding or reinforcing of levees when they needed it. And that was long before this adminstration took office.

30. The Cold War seemed to be a more questionable time for the US. Any nation with a notion to favor Communism saw their ideas replaced by a dictator of America's choice in some instances.

31.This is one state compared to another forty nine, though. And unfortunately, it is a state patently against the current administration. I'm not saying partisan politics are the only reason that this study came out so negatively, but I'm not sold that this is a failure yet. But it may be well on its way, if this story is any indicator of performance on national levels.

28. Don't worry, though...corruption is alive and well in the Republican party no matter who is in charge. :p

[JohnTheHenchman]

Originally posted by someguy
I don't see your logic John

'Well he's a shitty president, but hell we've had lots of other shitty ones so who cares?'

Come on, we knew in 2000 what we were getting.

[someguy]

Not really, he played on the Christian Conservative vote and that's why he edged out.

[JohnTheHenchman]

I just don't know what to say if people really expected him to do anything better than his father. He's the Fredo of the Bush family.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by JohnTheHenchman
Come on, we knew in 2000 what we were getting.


Not if you were watching the exit polls

[Lynn7]

I'm thinking- what lies and what scandals? Did Michael Moore write that list? It's all a matter of differing philosphies.

[Mr-Blonde]

Originally posted by Lynn7
I'm thinking- what lies and what scandals? Did Michael Moore write that list? It's all a matter of differing philosphies.

1. Lied about WMD.
3. Lied during State of the Union speech re: Niger Uranium.
6. Lied about Saddam/bin Laden connection.
32. Lied last week about Iraqi troop strength during Saturday radio address. Directly contradicted by testimony given earlier in the week by Gen. Abizaid.

These were definite lies.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by Mr-Blonde
1. Lied about WMD.
3. Lied during State of the Union speech re: Niger Uranium.
6. Lied about Saddam/bin Laden connection.
32. Lied last week about Iraqi troop strength during Saturday radio address. Directly contradicted by testimony given earlier in the week by Gen. Abizaid.

These were definite lies.


I side with John Kerry on this one, and say that it's short-sighted to simply accuse him of lying. Clearly, Bush, as a matter of benefit of doubt, could have been misled himself.

There are more pressing issues regarding his attack on Iraq that are ignored for what ultimately sums up to a baseless character attack.

Bush's defense against him being accussed of lying is sound, and only because saying he lied is such an incomplete assessment of what happened, and is so easy to discredit.

Lied? That has evidence to the contrary.

Acted without a clear plan, and a lack of support? Now we are getting somewhere.

Bush would totally lose at the game of Risk, but I would imagine he'd be fun to play with - especially in his partying days.

[Mr-Blonde]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
I side with John Kerry on this one, and say that it's short-sighted to simply accuse him of lying. Clearly, Bush, as a matter of benefit of doubt, could have been misled himself.

There are more pressing issues regarding his attack on Iraq that are ignored for what ultimately sums up to a baseless character attack.

Bush's defense against him being accussed of lying is sound, and only because saying he lied is such an incomplete assessment of what happened, and is so easy to discredit.

Lied? That has evidence to the contrary.

Acted without a clear plan, and a lack of support? Now we are getting somewhere.

Bush would totally lose at the game of Risk, but I would imagine he'd be fun to play with - especially in his partying days.

Okay-- buying into your arguement it only serves to demonstrate how utterly inept his administration is and how they were unable to discern the intelligence that was presented correctly. Bush went into Iraq with blinders on. So they go from outright liars to inept bumbling fools. I feel better. :rolleyes:

[jeo4]

Originally posted by Mr-Blonde
Okay-- buying into your arguement it only serves to demonstrate how utterly inept his administration is and how they were unable to discern the intelligence that was presented correctly. Bush went into Iraq with blinders on. So they go from outright liars to inept bumbling fools. I feel better. :rolleyes:

Maybe it's a little of both. Deception and foolish decisions.

[Mr-Blonde]

Originally posted by jeo4
Maybe it's a little of both. Deception and foolish decisions.

I don't belive the administration was decieved for a minute. They chose to disregard the CIA intelligence that said there was no verifiable proof that Sadaam had WMDs. They chose to ignore the fact that the CIA put Saddam's alleged nuclear capabilites as years off. Just like they chose to put America into a costly and useless war.

[The Postmaster General]

Maybe it's a little bit of "Hear no evil, see no evil.", "Ignorance is bliss." and "What you don't know won't hurt you - So don't tell me shit" -- All rolled into one.

These are all common philosophies practiced in big buisiness (or the mafia)

Let's not forget - He was a hard partying business man first, and a born-again humanitarian second.

[Mr-Blonde]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
Maybe it's a little bit of "Hear no evil, see no evil.", "Ignorance is bliss." and "What you don't know won't hurt you - So don't tell me shit" -- All rolled into one.

These are all common philosophies practiced in big buisiness (or the mafia)

Let's not forget - He was a hard partying business man first, and a born-again humanitarian second.

Just because he chooses to run his administration by this retarted philosophy in no way absolves him of the consequences of his actions. That's like saying that the guy driving a car that runs over a pedestrian is not guilty because he was looking the other way at the time. The buck ultimately stops with Bush.

[jeo4]

Originally posted by Mr-Blonde
I don't belive the administration was decieved for a minute.

By deception, I meant the adminstration deceiving us.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by Mr-Blonde
Just because he chooses to run his administration by this retarted philosophy in no way absolves him of the consequences of his actions. That's like saying that the guy driving a car that runs over a pedestrian is not guilty because he was looking the other way at the time. The buck ultimately stops with Bush.


You are too angry to even realize that I'm agreeing with you by way of a more complex, and detailed understanding of Bush's actions, which in the end will prove more effective toward debunking his defense (which he has successfully defending the "lying" accusations - with full effect.)

If it makes you happy, I think Bush is a big poo-poo head as well as also having a more indepth and less superficial understanding of what happened.

Calling Bush a liar is the equivilent of jumping the shark at this point, because there isn't enough sound evidence to support it, other than the way things look - I am suspicious of his doings too. That is clear in my comparison to the tactics that I say he may be usiing to those of the mafia. All sitting around and calling him a liar is going to do is polarize people and prevent people from seeing the actual truth of the matter - many of the actual shit deeds he has performed in regards to this war, which I pointed out earlier, but are being diluted by a quickness to resort it all to one word that we used to throw around in elementary school. I think the reasons he appears to be lying are far more damaging that whether or not he is actually lying.

Maybe he is lying, but his defense remains sound, and is the very defense that has gotten criminals off for decades in American politics. Nixon pulled the same defense, but had the misfortune of solid evidence to contradict him. With Bush it's all hear-say, and no substantial evidence. As I pointed out in my very first statement in this thread, which I'm losing interest in, was in noting that Kerry was smart enough to not resort to mudslinging because he damn well knew that Bush has successfully shown that he didn't lie.

Kerry, although he didn't win, won far more support by way of breaking down Bush's actions into ineptness, puppetry and a level of trickery. Too bad Kerry couldn't stop being an arrogant dick head for long enough to get more people to listen.


"...water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius." Translation from Sun Tzu's Art of War.

"But I gotta jump." - The Fonz just before people lost interest in his show.

[Mr-Blonde]

I hear you Bubba. Think of this as my political rant session.

[The Postmaster General]

T'is most def. a rant worthy time - no arguements there.