GOP Leaders Blast Bush on Iraq, Cite Incompetence and Mistakes

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leading members of President Bush's Republican Party on Sunday criticized mistakes and "incompetence" in his Iraq policy and called for an urgent ground offensive to retake insurgent sanctuaries.

Now I don't think that launching a new offensive is the answer, either, but at least they are starting to admit that Iraq is a MESS!

Ten Cuidado del Nombre Bush

Great ad. My kids love this. My four-year-old has even figured out how to navigate to it and launch it himself. It's replacing Noggin.com as the favorite website for the younger set. I like it, too.

Ten Cuidado del Nombre Bush

Iraq or Vietnam

Just in case you were wondering, as best I can figure, the current casualty rate per number of troops deployed in Iraq is getting close to level for Vietnam in 1965. In 1964 there were 206 killed in Vietnam. By 1965 that number was 1863 killed out of some 200,000 deployed.

Bush's team is made up of old cold warriors who have replaced the principle of "containment" and the "Domino theory" with the principle of "preemption" and "Al Queda = Saddam Theory." Compare Bush's convention speech to this statement by McGeorge Bundy, Johnson's advisor: "that in the final analysis, the United States was the locomotive at the head of mankind, and the rest of the world the caboose." He assumed that American-style democracy would always be preferred. It was a justification for the war of the 1960s and it has become the justification-of-the-month for the quagmire in Iraq.

Need another parallel?

Johnson (Bush) made a nationally televised address, deliberately distorting the facts and inflating the case. Congress granted him sweeping military powers under Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Resolution Authorizing Use U.S. Armed Forces against Iraq). From "The Vietnam War and the Tragedy of Containment" by Michael O'Malley

American Casualties in Iraq

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
September 18, 2004

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Christopher S. Ebert, 21, of Mooresboro, N.C., died Sept. 17 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Ebert was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Coalition Military Casualties
Total US Military Killed in Iraq: 1032
Total Coalition Military Killed In Iraq: 1167
Total Killed so far this month: 58
Total Wounded: 7032
Total Wounded so far this month: 138

From the Peoria Journal Star, September, 14, 2004
Civilian Contractor Killed
Todd Engstrom, who turned 35 on Sept. 4, was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle on its way to Balad, Iraq, his father, Ron Engstrom, said Wednesday.

Total Civilian Contractors Killed in Iraq: 155

Taliban Return

Remember Afghanistan? Remember the Taliban? Remember Osama bin Laden? Or Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar? Remember the folks who brought us September 11? Well, they’re back. Our leaders dropped that mission well before it was "accomplished," and now we have neither the troops or resources to do anything about it. Please can we get rid of the morons who brought us this disaster?

Reuter: Taliban Say Attack Shows They Can Strike at Will

Iraq: The worst mistake?

If you think we are safer with Saddam gone, then read this article. Even if you don’t think we’re safer, read this article. What was the biggest mistake made in Iraq? Intelligence failures over WMDs? Failure to plan for the post-war? Underestimating the cost? Not enough troops? Neglecting Afghanistan? No, no, no, no, and no. Read this article. to find out why virtually all military and intelligence professional are arguing whether the Invasion of Iraq was worst decision since Vietnam or the worst decision in American history.

As a political matter, whether the United States is now safer or more vulnerable is of course ferociously controversial. That the war was necessary—and beneficial—is the Bush Administration's central claim. That it was not is the central claim of its critics. But among national-security professionals there is surprisingly little controversy.
Except for those in government and in the opinion industries whose job it is to defend the Administration's record, they tend to see America's response to 9/11 as a catastrophe. I have sat through arguments among soldiers and scholars about whether the invasion of Iraq should be considered the worst strategic error in American history—or only the worst since Vietnam.
READ MORE by James Fallows in this month's Atlantic Monthly, "Bush's Lost Year

Counting the Casualities in Iraq

We have a Kerry sign in our front room window. Kind of threw the local GOP state senator out canvassing our neighborhood this morning off his stride. Haha. But my husband wants to add another sign, just a number, the number of killed in Iraq, which he'd update as the number changed. I think it should be more explicit and would add a separate sign listing the number of wounded as well as a sign for the number of Iraqis killed.

Kerry Deserved Medals Says Navy

The Navy's conclusions: "Our examination found that existing documentation regarding the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart medals indicates the awards approval process was properly followed," the Navy's inspector general, Vice Admiral Ronald Route, said in a memo written to Navy Secretary Gordon England."

In other news,
Florida's high court says Ralph is on the ballot. Win some, lose some.
Bush administeration slashes funding for FAA. Oh, that's really not a good idea.

Bush, Drunk or Sober?

My DKos diary asking questions about Bush and his drinking were picked up by Steve Gilliard. With Pictures even.

My first DKos diary in months.

The kids are now in school and I have a new computer. I posted my first diary at DailyKos in months. It made it to the recommended diaries and got a hundred comments. Not bad. Please check it out. Next I update things around here and tomorrow I start emailing the media about Bush and his drinking.

Six months later

Back in January I injured my back snowshoeing up the hill to visit our neighbors. My back got better, then worse, then a little better, then a lot worse. I kept going to the chiropractor, until he gave up on me and sent me to get cortisone injections. They didn't work, so now I'm looking at surgery. Stretching and PT haven't made a difference. Acupuncture isn't helping. So it's surgery sometime in the next couple of months. But we just got a new laptop and a wireless station so I can sit in bed and blog. I may be down, but I'm not out.

The Future

[Update: The future is now.]

I have been thinking a lot about the future. I was emotionally devastated by Gov. Dean's lost to John Kerry. It has taken me until now to even be able to write about it. I've been following developments with Dean For America, and Trippi's Change For America, and now Democracy For America. There are still so many issues that are important to me as a mother.

Let me tell you a story. It's about my four-year-old.

You know how four-year-olds can get completely obsessed with something. For some kids it's dinosaurs; for one of my nieces it was frogs; for another niece it was Barbies. For my son, it's fish. We watch "Finding Nemo" also everyday. Thankfully it's a really good movie. While we were on vacation, we took him to see an IMAX film about coral reefs. He was in heaven. He has several books now on coral reefs, and can even find his favorite, the Great Barrier Reef, on the map. He can tell the difference between a parrot fish and a butterfly fish. His favorite fish are the deadly but exquisite lionfish.

A few days ago he said to me, "Mommy, ocean warming and overfishing are killing the coral reefs." And it's true. They are dying. In thirty years they will all be dead. My son will be 34.

One thing I keep hearing about John Kerry is that he has an exceptional record on the environment. I do not like his votes on Iraq and on a lot of other issues, but if his presidency can turn around environmental disaster that is the Bush administration, then he has my support. Bush certainly isn't going to do anything to save the coral reefs.

I don't know where I want to focus my efforts. I don't know where I could do the most good. What I'm really itching to do is organize another fund raiser. One thing I discovered through my involvement with Dean for America is that I like putting on fund-raisers. But who or what should I raise money for? John Kerry? Joe Hoeffel who is running for Senate against Arlen Specter here in Pennsylvania? Our local Democratic Party? Howard Dean's new organization?

As I try to decide, I have started a new blog on my garden, at least for this spring. There is so much happening in the spring that my once a month column in our local paper just misses. On this blog I can post more frequent columns, as well as photos, which the paper rarely has room to publish. I can also do photo essays on topics like pruning roses bushes, something it is easier to understand when you can actually see it. There is a place for readers to leave comments and ask question, too. I will updated it at least once a week, and hopefully more often than that. I'll run it through the spring, and if folks like it, I'll keep it going.

Anyway, that is the goal. When my April newspaper column runs, everyone will know about it, but I'd really appreciate some feedback before then. When you have a few minutes and enjoy gardening, would you mind taking a peek at it and letting me know what you think.

Thanks

What's Next?

I am awaiting Gov. Dean's announcement on March 18th before I decided what I am doing. I have very mixed feelings about how things have turned out. I am planning to vote for Gov. Dean on April 27th in our PA primary, and for John Kerry in November. But beyond that I don't know how involved I will be. I am waiting to see what Gov. Dean says on the 18th. Then I will decide.

Getting Organized for Super Tuesday

For a quick plan to GOTV today and next week read the entry below. For Super Tuesday and beyond, please read this organizing plan. If it's to be, it's up to you and me.

How to win delegates for Dean on Feb 3

For those of you in a state with a primary on Tuesday, February 3rd, there’s still time to help Howard Dean win delegates. Remember that he doesn’t have to win the state to get some delegates.

Here’s what we as individuals can do right now to nominate Howard Dean. It doesn’t take Joe Trippi or any one else to lead us. We care about this country, and we don’t need the money, the staff, and the TV ad to make a difference, much as they may help.

Joe Trippi first saw a grassroots campaign in 1980 when my mother was running one for Ted Kennedy in Santa Clara County, California, and Joe was a student volunteer from San Jose State University. She had no paid staff, and no one from the national campaign was telling her how to do things or giving her any money or any supplies. And there was no TV advertising. She won that county (250,00 population) for Kennedy. And I’m going to share with you how she did it, step by step here. This is a distillation of how campaigns used to be run before big money took campaigning away from the people. But for February 3, read on.

Just get a friend or relative to help you. Or find another Dean supporter in your area using the tools on DFA. It’s best to work in pairs, one on each side of the street. This saves time and keeps you safe. On Saturday and on Sunday go door-to-door. Ask if these are any registered Democrats in the household. Speak only the registered Democrat. Identify yourself: "Hi, I’m _________. I live here in our town (or down the block or whatever.) I’m a volunteer for Howard Dean and I wanted to ask if you plan to vote on Tuesday." Stick out your hand when you introduce yourself. You want to get the person to tell you his/her name. Smile and be friendly. After all you’re a neighbor. Carry a little notebook and write the name down. Than ask if the person is planning to vote for Howard Dean. If the answer is no, don’t waste time arguing.

If the person is undecided put in a few good words for Dean.

Examples: "As governor of Vermont, he got health insurance for all the children and prescription coverage for 1/3 of the seniors. He’s the only one who has produced real results in health care coverage.

Or

"He’s campaigning on the money of people like you and me. His average contribution is $77, not the thousands of dollars from the fat cats that are funding the other candidates and have controlled Washington for too long."

Or

"Howard Dean is a fighter. He came out of Vermont to battle the big guys. They’re trying to bury him. The media has distorted everything and attacked him nonstop. But he’s in there fighting hard for you and me. The other candidates are funded by special interests even if they talk about the people."

Get the idea? Keep it short.

If they mention "electibility," point out that record turnout in Iowa and New Hampshire proves that anyone can beat Bush, and we should vote for someone who is really on our side.

If you get a question about where he stands on an issue, tell the voter the Web address or give them a piece of literature. Of course, if you know the answer just tell them, but don’t get into a discussion. You need to keep moving to find the Dean supporters.

If the voter is favorable to Dean, try to get a phone number. Just say, "I’d like to give you a call on Tuesday, just a reminder to vote." If the voter is strongly favorable, try to get him or her to finish walking door-to-door the street you’re on!

If you get some names of people who favor Dean, when you get home look them up in the phone book. Monday night call them no later than 9:00 p.m. to remind them to vote.

On Tuesday, go to vote after 4 p.m. At your polling place, ask to see a list of who has and who has not voted in that precinct. Most polling places provide such lists. If yours doesn’t, start calling your pro-Dean voters about 5 p.m. to see if they have voted, need a ride, need a babysitter, need directions to the polling place. Without being offensive, get your voters to the polls.

If your polling place keeps a list of who has and has not voted, check to see if your pro-Dean voters have voted yet. If not, get on the phone, just like in the above paragraph.

If the weather is too rotten for you to walk your neighborhood door-to-door or you’re too rural, try a table at your indoor mall. Download some Dean material, make a sign tonight, and get over to that mall Saturday morning. Call the mall management today and get permission. In some states the courts have ruled that malls are the equivalent of public streets and therefore malls can’t prohibit political speech — which is what you and your Dean sign are. But don’t get into an argument about this or break any local laws. Now is not the time.

Don’t be discouraged if you meet a lot of apathy or ignorance. Remember that only about 1/4 of those who are eligible to vote actually register and vote. In fact, that’s what we’re trying to change! It may take longer that this one campaign but with the Internet and each other we can do it.

We've come this far. We've found each other. To paraphrase from Lord of the Rings, even the least of us can change of the course of the future!