cling film

Apologies for the political post, but I use this blog to vent from time to time.  And there's this thorn lodged in my brain and I need to get it out.

Seriously? Some Republicans and commentators are crediting BUSH for the Osama assassination? Let's see, he ignored the clear memo and plan from the Clinton administration regarding the pending attack, fired the smartest person in the world in anti-terror and the defense of America (Dick Clarke) then ignored the Osama threat to such an extent that a CIA agent demanded a one-on-one to say this was coming to the President's face and he was kicked out with a "now you've covered your ass," then invaded a country that had nothing to do with the attack at all, and then split (read "weakened") the military into two foreign wars that have lasted longer than any in American history and destroyed America's economy in the process. And when W could not get Osama "dead or alive," he ultimately said Osama wasn't much of a threat in the first place. Bush did not "support" our troops, just spread them far and wide and abused the fine print so many could never go home. Now we are recruiting drug dealers, borderline mental patients, and felons along with the future best-of-the-best. Except if that arabic linguist or highly decorated fighter pilot might have a boyfriend then by all means they are not worthy of service.

There is some deep cognitive dissonance at work to give the Bush administration credit for what was an amazing coordination of intelligence and military excellence, and leadership from the White House. This makes me uneasy and fearful of the mental health of presumably intelligent people. Has the propaganda machine successfully made the Republican base's individual self-worth tied inextricably to their belief in whatever they were told but never questioned? Fox "News" is really good at this.

However, almost all other reports reference the difficult leadership decisions made by President Obama, and his personal role in making this a priority and a reality.  Although I personally agree that the lion's share of the credit appropriately goes to the astounding and amazing work of intelligence agencies and the military, their ability to work together, and specifically to some Navy Seals who are so frakking awesome that they a Michael Bay film look like Merchant-Ivory.

I know the Huffington Post leans so far left it looks like one leg is shorter than the other, but they appear diligent regarding their fact-checking and source references (which as a librarian I appreciate) for their original material.

Possibly in response to the GOP's reluctance to give credit where it is actually due, the HuffPo has posted this, which does sum things up rather nicely (meaning "accurate and precise"), if not nicely for those that are unwilling to accept it.

Obama Succeeded Where Bush Failed: Osama Bin Laden Rhetoric And Reality

And regarding that "Mission Accomplished" sign eight years ago? Here's a handy timeline—from 2008 no less— with supporting links, to the many and various things the Bush White House said they really meant when they said Mission: Accomplished. Here's a hint: If someone gives you three different answers to the same question "What did you mean by that?" in as many weeks, they are all made up. And by that I mean lies. To argue otherwise is to clutch desperately, and I have to ask, why do some people need to clutch to W? Even now?

Bush I & II meddled in the Middle East politics and power to the point that terrorism was the locals' only option to fight US intrusive policies (anyone remember those chummy photos of Rumsfeld with Saddam after the US put him in power?), then W ignored the clear and present dangers, fired those that disagreed with him, failed to catch/kill Osama, got us mired into two wars (one of which now was admittedly under false pretenses and worthy of treason if not impeachment), and completely destroyed the American economy in the process. Why cling?

Oh, maybe it has to do with the gay-approving, non-pandering black guy who is smarter than they are. Or maybe it's just a simple case of "I loved Bush therefore he cannot have done wrong."

Yes, and he only hits you because he loves you.