On Radio, Bush Cites Progress in Mideast

[Rose Siding]

snip>
Bush cited successful elections in Afghanistan (news - web sites), the Palestinian territories and Iraq (news - web sites). He also cited peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations in Beirut, the Lebanon capital. "And steps toward democratic reform in Egypt and Saudi Arabia," he added.

The president has made spreading democracy abroad a key second-term foreign policy goal.

On Lebanon, he noted that French President Jacques Chirac, British Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites) and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (news - web sites) have joined him in demanding that Syria withdraw its forces from Lebanon.

"Syria has been an occupying force in Lebanon for nearly three decades, and Syria's support for terrorism remains a key obstacle to peace in the broader Middle East," Bush said.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050305/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_middle_east

[prodigal_green]

1. what an assclown

he is taking credit for Lebanon? The Lebanese stood up because a beloved leader was killed. Since the guy was left-leaning, I wouldn't be all that surprised if it were a US hit. We have done NOTHING to help the Lebanese in over 25 years of conflict except get a whole bunch of our guys blown up there.

And ask any woman how she feels about "democracy" in Iraq. Once the most highly educated and liberated women in the Middle East, they are now being forced into Saudi-style Islamic dress.

[otohara]

2. While We've Only Been An Occupying Force In Iraq/Afghanistan

for 2+ years, and that's OK.

[IndianaGreen]

3. Oops, Bush is drinking again!

This man needs to be strapped to a gurney and taken to a mental institution before he gets us all killed.

[alfredo]

4. The american people are not buying it

[karynnj]

10. Sad Graph

How could his popularity have basicly stayed at 50% for the entire year of 2004?

[alfredo]

11. He had help from a compliant MSM

That's the only way it could have happened.

[manic expression]

5. I would like to know how, exactly...

Bush has spread ANY measure of democracy anywhere. If anything, he has destroyed it inside his own country (Patriot act, illegal incarcerations, suppression of protests...the list goes on and on and on....).

HOW IS IRAQ DEMOCRATIC!? One empty gesture, known as the "election", which will never change what is going on in Iraq. Democracy will only prevail in Iraq with the US' permanent departure. Democracy has not and will not be put in place by the US occupation. I don't even know how people are so insane.

[meti57b]

6. progress in what? shooting more journalists?

[chelsea0011]

7. Progress?? There is as much unrest as there always has been

Afghanistan is mostly still run by warlords. Nobody believes in any long stability there. Same for Bush's Iraq. And Israel? Hamas doesn't except the new government of Palestinians. And they are the ones causing most the unrest and bombings. Iran? Never been worse. And that problem is all Bush's. Syria? Never been worse. And that is all Bush's doing. Jordan is the only constant stability in the region. And there has been more stress between Jordan and the USA than at any time. All Bush's doing. And Turkey is the sleeping giant here. What are their plans for Northern Iraq?

[cliss]

8. Look closely at Bush.....

Notice the beads of sweat on his forehead. See the forehead, with deeper grooves from all the worrying.

His eyes have a wild look about them, and they're swollen on top and on the bottom because his medications have been upped. It's taking time for his system to adjust.

Now listen to the words. Read between the lines. Hear the desperation?

There are many things happening very quickly. Venezuela is signing oil contracts with China and India. There was a delegation from India there just this week, and it looked very successful. Hugo Chavez is moving closer to Cuba, and is also looking to writing contracts with Russa.

Iran is entering into agreements with Russia. It also has made a deal with India to supply them with oil and natural gas (they have the world's largest supply of n. gas).

Washington right is taking some huge hits, some really enormous losses. It's getting squeezed as we speak.

Watch them get desperate.

[lebkuchen]

9. What an infant

Bush thinks he'd actually schmoozed and bamboozled "Jacques," "Gerhard," and "Vladimir" on his last visit.

As soon as the Chimp slithered back onto AF1 for the return trip, all three leaders called each other and laughed their asses off at his amateurishness, vowing never to allow feral animals to clear customs again.