I had heard that it was this president's father who suggested a few months back that Rumsfeld should leave. That's when his son came out and told us he was the "decider"; But I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense." George W said in April 2006 when 6 retired generals spoke out against the Secretary of Defense.
The International Herald Tribune tells us that the retired president was speaking in the United Arab Emirates and had just finished a folksy address on leadership by telling the audience how deeply hurt he feels when his son the president is criticized.
"This son is not going to back away," Bush said, his voice quivering. "He's not going to change his view because some poll says this or some poll says that, or some heartfelt comments from the lady who feels deeply in her heart about something. You can't be president of the United States and conduct yourself if you're going to cut and run. This is going to work out in Iraq. I understand the anxiety. It's not easy."This is going to work out in Iraq? FOR WHOM??? He hasn't a clue about the anxiety of a loved one at war and he never will. It's not easy? AndI'm guessing that 41 did not get the message that "cut and run" is no longer the message. He can be forgiven for that, well, maybe not; but he cannot be forgiven for this comment:
When the son's and daughters of this country were sent to Bush's war, there was nothing we could do to be on their side and to help them in any way possible. This administration sent our son's and daughters into this war with inadequate training, inadequate equipment and inadequate numbers and an undefined mission. And while we raised our voices in protest, very few in Washington listened until election day a few weeks back. They got the message that the war is wrong and it is time to bring them home, but did they listen? We will make sure they listened. We said that people would not get elected if Iraq was not on their platform and we were right."When your son's under attack, it hurts. You're determined to be at his side and help him any way you possibly can."
Finally, back in in the UAE
Another hostile audience member, a college student in Abu Dhabi, told Bush that U.S. wars were aimed at opening markets for American companies. He said globalization was contrived for America's benefit at the expense of the rest of the world. Bush was having none of it.
"I think that's weird and it's nuts," Bush said. "To suggest that everything we do is because we're hungry for money, I think that's crazy. I think you need to go back to school."
Someone needs to go back to school and it isn't the college student who made those accusations.
3 comments:
I wonder if we're nearer a time when mothers will ask their sons not to go to war to kill other mothers' sons?
War is obsolete. Since WW2, 9 out of 10 casualties in wars have been civilians, making it slaughter not war.
Iraq may be the tipping point when mothers on all sides see the atrocious futility. I hate to think we need yet another Iraq to get the point.
I do think Dad is in a bit of a difficult position with respect to open criticism of his son. I'm not giving him any credit for defending his son's policies, but I find it hard to be too critical of him for being cautious.
Chance, I agree GHWB is in a tough position, as is the country.
Do you let your little boy continue to play with pointy sticks and continue the war, or do you put the needs of the country before your family?
The Bush family traditions continue.
That's all I'm saying.
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