Panic on the Hill - Republicans are reassessing Bush’s leadership skills

[dArKeR]

WEB EXCLUSIVE
By Eleanor Clift
Newsweek
Updated: 4:44 p.m. ET May 21, 2004

May 21 - Like the movie, "No Way Out," Iraq can only get worse; it can't get better. Gen. John Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command, said as much when he testified this week before the Senate Armed Services Committee that the violence would increase after the June 30 handover and that the Iraqis won't be ready to assume responsibility for security until April 2005.


Who is President Bush kidding when he talks of turning over sovereignty to the Iraqis?  No one yet has been identified to give power to, and the Pentagon's love affair with Iraqi exile leader Ahmad Chalabi is over. American troops stormed Chalabi's residence and offices in Baghdad, a remarkable reversal of fortune for a man who was on the U.S. payroll until this month, and who provided most of the phony intelligence that formed the Bush administration's basis for war. 

The Bush juggernaut looks like the Keystone Cops. What's going on would be pure farce, except it's tragedy because so many people are dying. Missiles slam into what Iraqis said was a wedding ceremony, leaving women and children among the dead. Israel is going crazy in the Gaza Strip, bulldozing Palestinian homes and shooting into a crowd of peaceful demonstrators.  At home, gas prices are rising to an all-time high and in Canton, Ohio, a steel plant that Bush touted as a model last year announced it was closing, costing another 1,300 jobs in a state that has already lost 170,000 in the manufacturing sector.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5032508/site/newsweek/

I claim that I posted more than 2 years ago that Bush is psychotic and he would NOT even get the Repuke nomination. Let's hope I'm wrong.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. It only took 3+ years?

[stepnw1f]

2. 3 years and Billions of Dollars

not mention the most precious of all sacrifices: humans.

[KissMyAsscroft]

3. It's a big scam...

It's a big maufactured conflict they had planned with Chalabi. It's being orchestrated to make it look like Chalabi is not a puppet of the US government, so when power is turned over to him the Iraqis will think he is on their side.

This whole thing is staged, and members of Congress are participating. I think Hastert is in on it.

[rooboy]

4. If that scam is true...

then it will last for about 10 minutes. The Iraqis don't like or trust Chalabi. Period.

[Disturbed]

5. Iraqis are stupid?

Anyone think that the Iraqis will buy into the scam
artist Chilabi's schtick?

My guess: Al Sistani is biding his time. In July he will call for the Jihad against the Oppressors. Sunnis, Kurds and Shi'ites will work out
a confederation and demand that the US & UK colonizers leave with 30 days. If the US & UK along with the minor players don't leave there will a mass uprising which will overwhlem the colonizing military.

[Disturbed]

6. Leadership?

That's a freakin' pathetic joke. W is a puppet mouth piece and a nmiserable failure at even that. This shallow dolt couldn't lead a team at a burger joint.

[Spinzonner]

7. Wouldnt they have to find them first ?

and you thought finding the WMD's was a fool's errand ...

[SharonAnn]

8. Bush has NO leadership skills. He never did have them.

He's a "con man". All he does is figure out how to get somebody else's money into his pocket. Look a this entire life, that's what he's done his entire life.

He does "distraction", "entertainment", "religion", and "mock seriousness" but they're all distraction.

[wabeewoman]

9. Kudos to Newsweek

Every major story I've read here has linked to Newsweek today. Its nice to see some news media doing a good job.

[Miss Authoritiva]

10. "A perfect storm of bad events"

And all the events were brought on by the Bush Administration itself.
Now that's irony for you.

[Tellurian]

11. kick

[Catt03]

12. Good article

I like Clift's writing.

Surprised about Newsweek though...at least lately. I always thought of it as being a conservative magazine

[trof]

13. Meet Iraq's new leader:

Phone call from Bremer

Hello?

Hello, Jibran?

Yes?

This is Paul Bremer. Do you know who I am?

Sir? The United States Presidential Envoy to Iraq? Is this you, sir?

Yes, Jibran, it's me.

Oh my, sir. Why have you called me? What can I do for you?

I'm glad you asked. You know that we're turning the government over to your people on June 30? Only problem is...we don't know who to turn it over to. Your name came up.

But sir, I am only 17. I am delivery boy for Pizza Hut in the Green Zone. Since last week. It is my first job. I think you have the wrong Jibran, sir. I am Jibran al Habib.

I understand that, Jibran. You come highly recommended by the Pizza Hut manager, Nizzar al Habib.

Uncle Nizzar?

That's right. He says you are very dependable. A smart boy. Look Jibran, we had a long list of possibilities. For one reason or another none of the others were available. Some had previous plans, or elderly parents to care for, or a dentist's appointment...whatever. We even talked to your Uncle Nizzar, but of course he has the Pizza Hut to run.
It's come down to you.

But sir, I know nothing of government. How can I do this?

Not to worry, Jibran. We'll have plenty of...um...advisors to...uh...help you out. Don't worry about a thing. We think you're just the guy. What do you say?

Well sir, if you will help me, I will do my best, insh'allah.

That's all we ask. I'll be in touch.

[opihimoimoi]

14. In the end, it will be something very close.....