Here is what I know from reading the newspapers, and listening to FOX news (they wouldn't lie would they?) We invaded Afghanistan to eliminate Al Queda and the Taliban leaders, a reaction to the terrorist acts of 911. We claimed victory. We smoked them out of their caves. We hunted them down, blah, blah, blah. We knew of the poppy fields that are used to produce drugs that are sold as a result, that harm people including Americans. We believed there was a connection between Al Queda and the drug business, that they were funded in part by the drug business. We did not take extensive efforts to stop the drug trade business in Afghanistan that is believed to be funding terrorism. So, if the drug business in Afghanistan aids the terrorists, and we were there, and we knew it, and we did nothing about... What would you think? Would you think Bush and Company was ignorant, stupid, or complicit to the drug business and the flow of money to terrorists? http://www.state.gov/g/inl/rls/rm/2001/sep_oct/5210.htm
Your whole post is based on the premise, that a democratic president has more important things to do then protecting and defending the nation, that a democrat will always flip-flop, hesitate, agonize, endlessly seek UN approval etc. Understanding that this is a basis of the republican reelection campaign and that this is the perception they are trying to create, I respectfully disagree. I am independent and I do not see any evidence of it, other then a bunch of partisan rhetoric. The fact that the Afghanistan war had support of 90% of americans, almost unanimous support of congress and overwhelming support of the world speaks for itself. That must have included some democrats and even evil spanish socialists. The support of Tony Blair also shows, that in war and peace situations party affiliation is irrelevant. Granted I disagree with some of Kerry's voting decisions, I have no doubt he'd be absolutely able to step up to the plate and wage the war on terror just as agressively, though probably smarter. When american citizens are detained for months or years without charges its a violation of if not the letter, then at least the spirit of the constitutuion. I do not have problem having them jailed or executed after they are convicted, I have a problem with people disappearing without a trial. Regarding the budget deficit, its kind of ironic, you're using the war as an excuse, when the war related expenses are not even included in the budget. At any rate, when the country is at war and the surpluses turned into huge deficits, the tax cuts policy must have been reviewed. It's indeed normal to run budget deficit during wars but its the first time in history when the government cuts taxes during a war. And if he did decide to cut taxes he should have at least made sure that it's used to create jobs in this country, not in China and India. You are missing the point, the issue is not whether it's a long term project, it sure is. The issue is whether we're on the right track, whether with each passed day, each billion spent, and each soldier killed we're getting any closer to our objectives. Unfortunately I see no evidence of that.
Now you've added other options. So the choices now are; Bush & Co. were ignorant; stupid; or complicit. Which are you arguing for after "reading the newspapers, and listening to FOX news?"
Geez. Do you mean am I arguing that Bush and company was either: 1. Stupid 2. Ignorant 3. Complicit no, I am not necessarily arguing any one of the three, I don't know what they were thinking. Do you? It could be that Bush is both stupid, ignorant, and complicit. I do think the situation begs a question deserving an answer, don't you? Wouldn't it make sense to stop any activity that helps to fund Al Queda? Do you have any other ideas why we didn't finish the job? Maybe you are among those who believe we needed to get Saddam and all those WMD that were such a grave danger to the entire world so we didn't fishish the job. Well, Bush declared Victory, so why are we not back in Afghanistan burning poppy fields?
ART made an excellent point on another thread: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=455213#post455213 I concurred: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=455257#post455257 After his recent posts on this thread I now conclude that ART, like the others lacking in moderation and uncommon sense is unable to see his own truth. JB
Why haven't we simply gone to South America and burned all the coca plants, say 30 years ago. It could be that that Gerald Ford was both stupid, ignorant, and complicit. Do you have any other ideas why we didn't finish the job? I do think the situation begs a question deserving an answer, don't you?
Your whole post is based on the premise, that a democratic president has more important things to do then protecting and defending the nation, that a democrat will always flip-flop, hesitate, agonize, endlessly seek UN approval etc. Understanding that this is a basis of the republican reelection campaign and that this is the perception they are trying to create, I respectfully disagree. I am independent and I do not see any evidence of it, other then a bunch of partisan rhetoric. While you may "respectfully" disagree, I on the other hand will vehemently disagree with your opinion and analysis. Its more than "partisan rhetoric", its public knowledge. Unless there is someone else on ET that I am not aware of, I think I"m probably the only one here that has served as a Democratic State Vice Chair and also member of the Democratic National Committee. You know that guy on the top of the mountain, he didn't fall there. Neither did I "fall" into those top positions. Kerry, serving in the Senate has been able to maintain some obscurity. His voting record is in perfect alignment with a socialist/communist platform/agenda. Now however as a nationwide Presidential candidate, he's having to justify his voting record which I can assure you is causing him some grief. His best approach is to shift the light to shortcomings of Pres. Bush, however, to their credit, Republicans are not letting him off the hook quite so easily. It is his voting record vs his stance now on different issues that gives the appearance of flip flopping. Either you stand by your record or you don't. Voting on bills coming before the Senate impacts the lives of every citizen in this country. You vote according to your beliefs. The Democratic Party today is not what it was 25 years ago. Today Socialists and Communists are fully embedded and you better take notice of it. It isn't some kind of joke, believe me, THEY aren't joking. Their objective is to turn this country into first a Socialist country, then a Communist country. The opposition they're facing is greater than anticipated, however they are making headway. You CAN boil a frog without the frog knowing whats happening, just turn up the heat a little at a time. What you have to decide is do you want to live in a Socialist country or not. Take off the rose colored partisan glasses and see Kerry's record for what it really is. IMHO Pres. Bush has made some mistakes. However, I am unwilling to embrace a Socialist agenda and lifestyle that will impact the lives of my posterity. A New World Order, a One World Government, isn't something ANY right thinking American should be wanting. It is not intended to be to your benefit.