Flashback:"Bush did NOT know there was difference between Sunni & Shiite"

[sabra]

As we hear the words, "civil war" being reported in the MSM, thought I would post this flashback...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/12/8/215257/257

Bush did NOT know there was difference between Sunni & Shiite Muslims until Jan '03

by moonboots
Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 07:52:57 PM PDT

In case you missed it like me, here's more proof our president is in over his head, a national security risk. According to Peter Galbraith former U.S. diplomat on a Channel 4 special aired Nov 21, Bush didn't know there was a difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims as late as January 2003. The report (link to video at the Dossier below) has a lot more ...here's the part where Bush shows again how in over his head he really is.


Oborne: I traveled to Boston to meet a former U.S. diplomat who had been a leading authority on Iraq for over a decade. A chance remark made just two months before the war, hinted at how the complexities of Iraq had bewildered Americans at the highest levels.
Peter Galbraith - former U.S. diplomat: January 2003 the President invited three members of the Iraqi opposition to join him to watch the Super Bowl. In the course of the conversation the Iraqis realized that the President was not aware that there was a difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. He looked at them and said, "You mean...they're not, you know, there, there's this difference. What is it about?"

[Webster Green]

1. I wonder if the chimp has it sorted out yet, in his little chimpy brain

I rather doubt it.

[leveymg]

2. He didn't know who Musharaff is either.

Never travelled outside the U.S. until he was appointed President. Doesn't read newspapers or the "Internets".

Can you imagine a more boring guy to have a beer with?

[sabra]

4. but but but he is a man of "faith" :-)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. Unfortunately, most Americans are just as ignorant

I was to, then I picked up a few books. Shame he doesn't do the same.

[bunkerbuster1]

9. Most Americans don't invade countries.

I think if you're going to invade a country you should at least know something more about it than "their president hates my daddy."

[Viva_La_Revolution]

14. LOL

But we are responsible too. An uninformed electorate is a dangerous thing. It allow bastards like him to ascend to such a position.

[Canuckistanian]

5. He doesn't know Shi'ite from shinola

Doesn't surprise me a bit.

In fact, even if he DID know, I don't think he would care or do anything differently.

[leveymg]

16. That's a keeper. Ding, ding!

But, might be more polite to say Bush doesn't know, "Shi'a from shinola."

Shi'ite is like Trotskyite, some take offense. :hi:

[Canuckistanian]

19. Good point, I never thought of that

But the media use the term Shi'ite all the time, don't they?

[leveymg]

21. I heard Dan Rather pronounce it "Shitty" right after the 1979 hostage

incident started. Was that an accident, or was Dan showing his parochial side?

[Canuckistanian]

22. I remember bumper stickers from that era

"Ayatollah Khomeini is a Shiite head"

[leveymg]

24. Let's not forget, "Bomb, bomb, bomb -- bomb, bomb Ira-a-a-a-n"

Sung to the tune of "Barbara Ann". I think that was by The Cars.

Those were the days. Sigh.

[gatorboy]

6. "Sunni, Shiite ....What's the difference"?

To Bush they're all just brown people...

[bunkerbuster1]

7. Saw this story in Franken's book as well.

Only problem is, it's just (apparently) one person's account.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if it were true, but unfortunately I'm sure the white house would just deny it if they were ever called on it.

Not that our White House Press Corpse ever does, of course.

[anarch]

8. I had forgotten about this

It makes me think of this quote from H.L. Mencken:

The larger the mob, the harder the test. In small areas, before small electorates, a first-rate man occasionally fights his way through, carrying even the mob with him by force of his personality. But when the field is nationwide, and the fight must be waged chiefly at second and third hand, and the force of personality cannot so readily make itself felt, then all the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most easily adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum.

The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.

[KharmaTrain]

10. Think He's Got A Clue What An Alawhite Or A Wahabbi Is?

Doubtful....just they wear curtains, have mustaches and fly airplanes into your head. Well not all of them...there are a few good ones, like is favorite Uncle Bandar that always bail him out when he gets in trouble. He's not an A-rab, he's an "International Partner".

:sarcasm:

[Jacobin]

11. "I didn't know there were blacks in Brazil"

Anyone remember that gem from the Dauphin? Who made that statement to the president of Brazil!!

The guy is intentionally ignorant beyond comprehension.

[formerrepuke]

12. He also didn't know there were black people in Brazil.......n/t

[gristy]

13. I think they took the approach "hey, if we look too closely at what

we're up against in this little Iraq adventure, we'll just find a million reasons why NOT to do it". Better to just get started, since we know we want/have to do this.

[foreverdem]

15. One thing at a time, now

He just learned that mullah isn't pronounced moolah, his little brain can't handle more than a little knowledge at one time. It's wasted on him anyway.

[robbedvoter]

17. Silly W! They bring different kind of candies to the troops: truffles as

opposed to pralines...
Considering that W sacrificed during the war by cutting sweets, one can understand the lapse...

"This is a hard country to defend"

[sabra]

18. doh! LOL

[robbedvoter]

20. Wait until he finds out that there are brown people in UAE! The laughter!

The merriment! The rib poking will be endless!

[centristo]

23. i used to have this daydream during the 2004 election

that I would infiltrate one of his town hall meetings and act like a good little Republican, than wait for the Q & A...

ME: "First of all, G-d bless you and this administration for defending our country."

George: "Thank you. I appreciate those kind words. Heh heh heh."

ME: "You know Gee Dub, I get kind of confused about these A-rabs. Can you explain the difference to me and all of us between a Shiite and Sunni Muslim."

George: "I, er, ah, um...swarm! Swarm!"

Then the Secret Service swoop in and haul me out of the meeting. The crowd chants "Boo" and "Flip-flop" like a bunch of trained howler monkeys. Although the event is nationally televised, only Keith Olbermann airs the alarming footage on "The Countdown".

[AndyA]

25. Oh, of course Bush knows the difference...

The Sunni is up in the sky, and the Shiite goes down the john when you flush... :eyes:

[Wordie]

26. K&R...although I almost would have preferred not to remember this. :(