JLF: State of the Union, Part II: 2002. JLF's Response.
Johnny Lead Foot here, and I'm taking on Bush's State of the Union...
The first of the month, John continued an 8-part series that explores President Bush's addresses to the U.S. population called State of The Union, from his first inaugural speech in 2001 to his State of the Union in 2008. John brilliantly pasted Bush's words. Just his words. He left it up to us to figure out what to make of them. I had to comment on the General's comments. Enjoy. The bold is necessary for my fury.
President George W. Bush
State of the Union
2002
"As we gather tonight, our nation is at war, our economy is in recession, and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers. Yet the state of our Union has never been stronger." Why could he admit we were in a recession back then and not now?
"We last met in an hour of shock and suffering. In four short months, our nation has comforted the victims, begun to rebuild New York and the Pentagon, rallied a great coalition, captured, arrested, and rid the world of thousands of terrorists, destroyed Afghanistan's terrorist training camps, saved a people from starvation, and freed a country from brutal oppression." Afghanistan wasn't fixed then, and it has only gotten worse. That band-aid our country slapped on it did nothing.
"Terrorists who once occupied Afghanistan now occupy
cells at Guantanamo Bay." And we'll keep them there, regardless of... anything. Fuck them.
"America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. We'll be partners in rebuilding that country. [...] Today women are free, and are part of Afghanistan's new government." Last month, more U.S. troops died in Afghanistan than in Iraq, even though they the number of troops in Afghanistan is a fraction of what's in Iraq.
"When I called our troops into action, I did so with complete confidence in their courage and skill. And tonight, thanks to them, we are winning the war on terror. The man and women of our Armed Forces have delivered a message now clear to every enemy of the United States: Even 7,000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in caves -- you will not escape the justice of this nation." The main thing about our justice? It's not thought out. At all. We're almost proud of it.
"I assure you and all who have lost a loved one that our cause is just, and our country will never forget the debt we owe Michael [a CIA officer and Marine who died in Mazur-e-Sharif] and all who gave their lives for freedom." That's why Bush won't let their caskets be photographed.
"What we have found in Afghanistan confirms that, far from ending
there, our war against terror is only beginning. [...] Thousands of dangerous killers, schooled in the
methods of murder, often supported by outlaw regimes, are now spread
throughout the world like ticking time bombs, set to go off without
warning." If only we knew how it was just beginning! By this time, plans were already in place to take on Iraq.... but Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rice, Tenet, Rove, et al. hadn't told us yet.
"North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.
"Our first priority must always be the security of our nation, and that will be reflected in the budget I send to Congress. My budget supports three great goals for America: We will win this war; we'll protect our homeland; and we will revive our economy." Or, not.
"It costs a lot to fight this war. We have spent more
than a billion dollars a month -- over $30 million a day -- and we must
be prepared for future operations. [...] We need to replace aging aircraft
and make our military more agile [...]. Our men and women in uniform
deserve the best weapons, the best equipment, the best training -- and
they also deserve another pay raise." Yeeeeaaaahhhhh. About those weapons? Not so much. About it being expensive? You have no idea, W.
"My budget includes the largest increase in defense spending in two decades -- because while the price of freedom and security is high, it is never too high. Whatever it costs to defend our country, we will pay." And we'll give the rich an insane tax break! I think they should pay 20% in federal taxes. Wait... make that 19%! F it all! 17%! Done. That's insane enough. (That is what the richest Americans pay in federal tax. I paid 34% last year. Rush Limbaugh paid 17%.)
"My budget nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland security, focused on four key areas: bioterrorism, emergency response, airport and border security, and improved intelligence. We will develop vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases. We'll increase funding to help states and communities train and equip our heroic police and firefighters. We will improve intelligence collection and sharing, expand patrols at our borders, strengthen the security of air travel, and use technology to track the arrivals and departures of visitors to the United States." The only thing that came true here is... nothing. The only thing that almost came true is tracking the shit out of everyone in this country. More money to Bush's friends who helped build the billion-dollar Patriot Act!
"[T]he final great priority of my budget is economic security for the American people. To achieve these great national objectives -- to win the war, protect the homeland, and revitalize our economy -- our budget will run a deficit that will be small and short-term, so long as Congress restrains spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. We have clear priorities and we must act at home with the same purpose and resolve we have shown overseas: We'll prevail in the war, and we will defeat this recession." The deficit will be small and short-term? How about record breaking and without an end in sight? Oh, and the recession is still around.
"Americans who have lost their jobs need our help and I support
extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health care
coverage. Yet, American workers want
more than unemployment checks -- they want a steady
paycheck. When America works, America
prospers, so my economic security plan can be summed up in one
word: jobs." Unemployment was a high 5.5% in June, 2008. Mission accomplished, Mr. President.
"Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil." Funny when it's the dirty work, Bush says Congress has to do it. When it's fun stuff, like starting a war, he says he has to do it. But when it turns out to be the wrong thing, like invading Iraq, then it was Congress' fault. It's a very difficult relationship of blame/passing the buck Bush has with Congress.
"Through stricter accounting standards and tougher disclosure requirements, corporate America must be made more accountable to employees and shareholders and held to the highest standards of conduct." This was a few months after Enron's collapse, so Bush is acting tough on those "money guys." Again, this was all talk, because even the slightest oversight in the housing market would have caught the insane building bubble before it burst. Another great one, Mr. President.
"Members, you and I will work together in the months ahead on other issues: productive farm policy, a cleaner environment, broader home ownership, especially among minorities, and ways to encourage the good work of charities and faith-based groups." Or we can tilt the farm policy to help the largest farm owners with subsidies that will disrupt the entire world's food supply, destroy the environment by ignoring its problems and sell homes to people who aren't qualified.
"I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to one American for the strength and calm and comfort she brings to our nation in crisis, our First Lady, Laura Bush." What? I guess she's our Lady Di now, but without the charm, charisma, brain power, empathy, intelligence, grace, drive to do good-will or capacity for inspiration.
"My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years -- 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime -- to the service of your neighbors and your nation." This is actually brilliant idea. Seriously. I'd be a big fan of obligatory community service for every 18-year-old American. I think that might change the world and bring a perspective to the U.S. that is sorely missing. No wonder nothing came of it.
"America will lead by defending liberty and justice because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere." Except gays. They shouldn't have all the rights of the rest of us who are normal.
"No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no intention of imposing our culture. But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance." As long as you believe in Bush's religion. Otherwise, you might be offended by his constant bringing up of HI God. Oh, and atheists? You can f off.
"Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have discovered again that even in tragedy -- especially in tragedy -- God is near." See, atheists? F off.
"We choose freedom and the dignity of every life." Except those on death row. F them. And gays.
"We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. And in this great conflict, my fellow Americans, we will see freedom's victory. Thank you all. May God bless." May He, W.
Always your pleasure.
- JLF
Find me on Facebook.com, and join the HAWTaction.com Reader group. My name there is Johnny LeadFoot (they didn't allow the space).
"America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. We'll be partners in rebuilding that country. [...] Today women are free, and are part of Afghanistan's new government." Last month, more U.S. troops died in Afghanistan than in Iraq, even though they the number of troops in Afghanistan is a fraction of what's in Iraq.
"When I called our troops into action, I did so with complete confidence in their courage and skill. And tonight, thanks to them, we are winning the war on terror. The man and women of our Armed Forces have delivered a message now clear to every enemy of the United States: Even 7,000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in caves -- you will not escape the justice of this nation." The main thing about our justice? It's not thought out. At all. We're almost proud of it.
"I assure you and all who have lost a loved one that our cause is just, and our country will never forget the debt we owe Michael [a CIA officer and Marine who died in Mazur-e-Sharif] and all who gave their lives for freedom." That's why Bush won't let their caskets be photographed.
"What we have found in Afghanistan confirms that, far from ending
there, our war against terror is only beginning. [...] Thousands of dangerous killers, schooled in the
methods of murder, often supported by outlaw regimes, are now spread
throughout the world like ticking time bombs, set to go off without
warning." If only we knew how it was just beginning! By this time, plans were already in place to take on Iraq.... but Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rice, Tenet, Rove, et al. hadn't told us yet."North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.
Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while
an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom. Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to
support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop
anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a
decade. This is a regime that has already used poison gas to
murder thousands of its own citizens -- leaving the bodies of mothers
huddled over their dead children. This is a regime that
agreed to international inspections -- then kicked out the inspectors.
This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world." Started telling us! Problem is... turns out Iraq really didn't have anything to hide. Oops!
"States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis
of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world." So, let's start a war!
"Our first priority must always be the security of our nation, and that will be reflected in the budget I send to Congress. My budget supports three great goals for America: We will win this war; we'll protect our homeland; and we will revive our economy." Or, not.
"It costs a lot to fight this war. We have spent more
than a billion dollars a month -- over $30 million a day -- and we must
be prepared for future operations. [...] We need to replace aging aircraft
and make our military more agile [...]. Our men and women in uniform
deserve the best weapons, the best equipment, the best training -- and
they also deserve another pay raise." Yeeeeaaaahhhhh. About those weapons? Not so much. About it being expensive? You have no idea, W."My budget includes the largest increase in defense spending in two decades -- because while the price of freedom and security is high, it is never too high. Whatever it costs to defend our country, we will pay." And we'll give the rich an insane tax break! I think they should pay 20% in federal taxes. Wait... make that 19%! F it all! 17%! Done. That's insane enough. (That is what the richest Americans pay in federal tax. I paid 34% last year. Rush Limbaugh paid 17%.)
"My budget nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland security, focused on four key areas: bioterrorism, emergency response, airport and border security, and improved intelligence. We will develop vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases. We'll increase funding to help states and communities train and equip our heroic police and firefighters. We will improve intelligence collection and sharing, expand patrols at our borders, strengthen the security of air travel, and use technology to track the arrivals and departures of visitors to the United States." The only thing that came true here is... nothing. The only thing that almost came true is tracking the shit out of everyone in this country. More money to Bush's friends who helped build the billion-dollar Patriot Act!
"[T]he final great priority of my budget is economic security for the American people. To achieve these great national objectives -- to win the war, protect the homeland, and revitalize our economy -- our budget will run a deficit that will be small and short-term, so long as Congress restrains spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. We have clear priorities and we must act at home with the same purpose and resolve we have shown overseas: We'll prevail in the war, and we will defeat this recession." The deficit will be small and short-term? How about record breaking and without an end in sight? Oh, and the recession is still around.
"Americans who have lost their jobs need our help and I support
extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health care
coverage. Yet, American workers want
more than unemployment checks -- they want a steady
paycheck. When America works, America
prospers, so my economic security plan can be summed up in one
word: jobs." Unemployment was a high 5.5% in June, 2008. Mission accomplished, Mr. President."Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil." Funny when it's the dirty work, Bush says Congress has to do it. When it's fun stuff, like starting a war, he says he has to do it. But when it turns out to be the wrong thing, like invading Iraq, then it was Congress' fault. It's a very difficult relationship of blame/passing the buck Bush has with Congress.
"Through stricter accounting standards and tougher disclosure requirements, corporate America must be made more accountable to employees and shareholders and held to the highest standards of conduct." This was a few months after Enron's collapse, so Bush is acting tough on those "money guys." Again, this was all talk, because even the slightest oversight in the housing market would have caught the insane building bubble before it burst. Another great one, Mr. President.
"Members, you and I will work together in the months ahead on other issues: productive farm policy, a cleaner environment, broader home ownership, especially among minorities, and ways to encourage the good work of charities and faith-based groups." Or we can tilt the farm policy to help the largest farm owners with subsidies that will disrupt the entire world's food supply, destroy the environment by ignoring its problems and sell homes to people who aren't qualified.
"I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to one American for the strength and calm and comfort she brings to our nation in crisis, our First Lady, Laura Bush." What? I guess she's our Lady Di now, but without the charm, charisma, brain power, empathy, intelligence, grace, drive to do good-will or capacity for inspiration.
"My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years -- 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime -- to the service of your neighbors and your nation." This is actually brilliant idea. Seriously. I'd be a big fan of obligatory community service for every 18-year-old American. I think that might change the world and bring a perspective to the U.S. that is sorely missing. No wonder nothing came of it.
"America will lead by defending liberty and justice because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere." Except gays. They shouldn't have all the rights of the rest of us who are normal.
"No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no intention of imposing our culture. But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance." As long as you believe in Bush's religion. Otherwise, you might be offended by his constant bringing up of HI God. Oh, and atheists? You can f off.
"Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have discovered again that even in tragedy -- especially in tragedy -- God is near." See, atheists? F off.
"We choose freedom and the dignity of every life." Except those on death row. F them. And gays."We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. And in this great conflict, my fellow Americans, we will see freedom's victory. Thank you all. May God bless." May He, W.
Always your pleasure.
- JLF
Find me on Facebook.com, and join the HAWTaction.com Reader group. My name there is Johnny LeadFoot (they didn't allow the space).
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