Whom do you think Bush was accusing of believing Iraqis can't self-govern?

[BurtWorm]

He can't possibly have intended his comment for the opponents of the war, who argued that the US had no right change a sovereign nation's regime. So whom did he intend his comment for?

[BlueEyedSon]

1. No one, it's a straw man

[BurtWorm]

3. Do you think he's just nuts, or is there some method to his madness?

Is he trying to stroke someone--some bloc of voters? Or is this just Bush speaking junk off the top of his pin head?

[wtmusic]

2. That tired GOP bandwagon trick

There is no existing group who was the target. He created the problem, and by doing so the solution.

It would really be nice to see something new...

[ewagner]

4. Good question

I've wondered about that and have come to the conclusion that it is one of the favorite techniques used by Rush and other neocons:

The technique is to make an outrageous claim ascribed to "others". Partisans will automatically conclude that the "others" are their opponents, in this case, it is implied that "others" are Democrats.

It's a nasty little technique but it has worked for the Limbaughs, Hannitys and Coulters for years. (I think Coulter was specific in naming liberals)

[BurtWorm]

6. That does seem to be the most generous explanation for it.

Generous in the sense that it gives the Bushists credit for being smarter than they seem. It hasn't really backfired in the mainstream, either, so you could be right.

[Richardo]

8. Bingo! I noticed the same thing....

...they all ascribe outrageous comments to "them" or "liberals" and then refute them.

Good call, ewagner! :thumbsup:

[July]

11. Exactly. The Busheviks call them "some."

"Some say . . . " blah blah blah.

I'm waiting for ONE reporter to say, "To whom, exactly, do you refer?"

Yeah, that'll happen.

[arcane1]

5. he projects with every word out of his mouth

my favorite example was in last year's State of the Union speech, talking about Saddam but equally about his Administration:



Throughout the 20th century, small groups of men seized control of great nations, built armies and arsenals, and set out to dominate the weak and intimidate the world. In each case, their ambitions of cruelty and murder had no limit. In each case, the ambitions of Hitlerism, militarism, and communism were defeated by the will of free peoples, by the strength of great alliances, and by the might of the United States of America.

Now, in this century, the ideology of power and domination has appeared again, and seeks to gain the ultimate weapons of terror. Once again, this nation and all our friends are all that stand between a world at peace, and a world of chaos and constant alarm. Once again, we are called to defend the safety of our people, and the hopes of all mankind. And we accept this responsibility.


http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030128-19.html


I too accept the responibility of saving this country from "small groups of men" who "seized control of great nations, built armies and arsenals, and set out to dominate the weak and intimidate the world"

and I'm looking right at you, George W Bush

[BeFree]

10. That's the gawd-awful truth, arcane1

Remember when Clinton wanted to down-size the military and he got a bunch of grief? The next four years will be the time to make sure no other despot is allowed to have a military large enough to threaten the world as * has done.

Then we start on the nukes, eh?

[ihaveaquestion]

7. The only folks he listens to are his "trusted advisors"

so it must be someone they know.

[ant]

9. his own base

I have heard this "they're not civilized/white enough for democracy" argument before, but it tends to come from right-wingers. Some will say it's the lack of civlization, or an incompatibility with Islam, or just that they're plain old stupid, but whatever the case, there really are people out there who do not think certain cultures can have successful democracies.

Those people don't tend to be progressives, though.

[whistle]

12. What comes out of George Dubya Bush's mouth....

...has absolutely no relevance or meaning to what actions and direction this administration takes. Just look at the record. It is time for a change. Let's put Kerry in the White House and re-establish the democrats as the majority party. This country is in a big mess because of the policies and irresponsible actions by the Bush Administration. The American people need to send a clear message and that message is: No more Bush!