In W.Va., many Bush backers balk at $87b to rebuild Iraq

[underpants]

Some really good quotes in here. If these people are saying this W has trouble ahead. Not to long of a read.


By Peter S. Canellos, Globe Staff, 9/30/2003

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2003/09/30/in_wva_many_bush_backers_balk_at_87b_to_rebuild_iraq/

"People are losing confidence in the fact that the troops aren't coming home, and we should have gotten more help before going over there in the first place," said Martinsburg's mayor, George Karos, 72, a Navy veteran who owns one of the city's prime gathering places, Patterson's Drug Store.

A Democrat who voted for Bush in 2000, Karos pauses when asked whether he would back the president again. "At this juncture, no," he said.

But one number is stuck like a chicken bone in the throats of dozens of Martinsburg residents: $87 billion.

But war and its various costs have had a transforming effect. For many voters, the $87 billion is a direct link between Bush's decisions and their own pocketbooks

"Put it to the homeless before you send it over there," Bosley said.

"There are some things more important than money," said David Wilt, manager of Potomac Video.

"Economically, Clinton was the best we had," said Matthew Robertson, a nursing home aide. "We can't afford what Bush is doing."

[el_gato]

1. they buy into a war based on lies

and then wonder why it didn't come out right

dipshits!

[davidinalameda]

4. blame it on the people that were lied to

rather than the ones who did the lying

[Jinx]

17. lies

I have no problem blaming it on the people who believed the lies. They wanted to believe the president, in the face of all the evidence to the contrary. They were warned again, and again, and again that there was no proof. Instead they turned on the UN, they turned on Democrats, and now we're in the lovely position that we're in. "I was lied to" doesn't wash with me - I NEVER believed the WMD argument and I'm hardly a brain surgeon.

[sonias]

2. We can't afford what Bush is doing

Well we can all agree with that statement from the article. Sad to say that it takes people being hurt personally in their own pocketbooks or their families and friends being in the line of fire for them to pay attention. I think we have their attention now. Please, please take your country back. Unfortunately we are all going to suffer for more than a year before we see a hope of recovery with a new president.

Sonia

[The Magistrate]

3. And They Will VContinue To Do So, My Friend

The cost of this venture, in current economic conditions here, is a particularly potent political line. For effectiveness, it will leave moral concerns in the dust.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[remfan]

5. Interesting because that's in DC's backyard

and part of WV's 2nd District - the only one of the 3 represented by a repuke. If he's in trouble in the eastern panhandle, he's in trouble all over.

[McDiggy]

6. ...

There are actually some people that have proposed Bush bomb WV just so we could reap the benifits of being reconstructed.

The rate at which we are being raped of our natural resources is similar to Iraq, too....

[davidinalameda]

7. people have been saying that for years

I know of a few places that they could hit first

I'm originally from Tyler County so I know the state pretty well

and welcome to DU BTW

[carpetbagger]

9. Think about what you wish. WV's been there before.

http://www.wvculture.org/history/journal_wvh/wvh50-1.html (long)

On September 1 (1921), DeHavilland DH-4B bombers, each equipped with front- and rear-mounted machine guns and carrying tear gas and fragmentation bombs, began the three hundred and twenty mile flight from Langley Field to Charleston..... The bombers and their crews became an instant hit with the local population who had never seen so many military aircraft at one time in one place. Although neither the DeHavillands or Martins ever used their armament, they performed several reconnaissance missions and enjoyed the unique distinction of being the first air unit to participate in an American civil disturbance. Mitchell subsequently boasted how the "`Mingo War' provided an excellent example of the potentialities of air power, that can go wherever there is air, no matter whether they be over water or land."42

(Seriously, It's great to see an article talking about discontent for Bush in Berkeley Co. I knew one of the people quoted, and I'll tell you, things are looking bleak for Bush if it's actually the man of the same name I knew.)

[papau]

8. I like Stevens(R-AK) re witnesses against $87 B not being scheduled

Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) is Chairman of The Senate Appropriations Committee and Senator Robert Byrd (D-VA) is the Ranking Member. On Wednesday, during hearings on the Bush request to allocate $87 Billion for Iraq, the following exchange took place:

Senator Byrd: "Do you plan to call anyone to testify that doesn't support the President's position?"

Senator Stevens: "No, I will only call witnesses that support the eighty-seven billion dollar reguest."

Remember when the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committe felt like they were obligated to represent the entire country by holding a balanced hearing?

Do you think this deserves a letter to the editor of your local paper, perhaps contacting Senator Stevens and maybe saying that his attitude is totally unacceptable and outrageous?

The Honorable Ted Stevens
United States Senate
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
[phone]
[phone] FAX

Webform to email the senator:
http://stevens.senate.gov/webform.htm

[tabasco]

10. WV - a state with zero reasons to go for Bush.

But it did. More people that need to learn the difference between republican propaganda and the truth.

[underpants]

11. NRA money

Bought, wrapped ,and delivered. Same with Tennessee. All based on FEAR of losing "gun rights" that was never anyone's plan.

As UVa Political Science professor Larry Sabato (everyone see him as a moderate)says,"If you don't think election can be bought you are fooling yourself."

[Mari333]

12. DA YUM...some of these people are not the brightest bulbs in the box

reminds me of my family...they squint and only want to see what they want to see...
and listen to AM hate radio for their news. Hillary bashers, etc..
Guess they need to get hit even harder in the pocketbooks to awaken..
In the meantime, soldiers die for nothing .

[Boomer]

13. How freaky to read this...

... since I happen to live in Martinsburg. I know all the stores and places, and probably some of those people who were quoted.

Evidently a lot of those 70% of Americans who believe Saddam was involved in 9/11 happen to live in Martinsburg. <sigh> At least the working class folk are starting to get a clue that they are uncomfortably near the front line of Bush's class war. And I can vouch for the hungry in town -- the last food pantry drive was a bust and the shelves are nearly bare.

Wish they'd interviewed ME, though. I would have added a little more balance to the equation. Obviously they missed the Democratic bumper stickers plastered on our living room window.

--Boomer

[underpants]

16. Welcome to DU

My family is form the Milton/Huntington area (I hapen to be wearing a MU golfshirt as I type) so I have spent a lot of time in WV.

The reason I posted this is that the people of WV (regardless of the jokes) are very mainstream. What you read in this article may be seen as "misinformed" by some but they should recognize that these are the opinions being expressed by Joe Sixpack and the Mrs. all over.

[kskiska]

14. A friend just returned from W.Va.

for a family visit. She says that people there are NOT happy with * at all. He barely won that state last election anyway. If he'd lost it then, Al Gore would be president today.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. We will win WV along with OH, NH, and PA

FLorida they can have. They'll steal it again anyway.