When Bush Speaks Nations Jump? Republicans Take Credit For the Sun Rising

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When Reagan was president he had assumed office by claiming Carter was weak on defense and he set out on a mad rush to inflate the defense budget, claiming that the Soviet Union posed this huge threat to our security. A few years later, when the Soviet Union was collapsing under the weight of its failing economy caused in part by their quagmire in Afghanistan, Reagan took to the podium and 'demanded' that Gorbachev 'tear that wall down'. When the Soviet empire finally gave way to its own internal, self-inflicted morass, Reaganites claimed that because Reagan had spoken, Gorby quaked and folded. Never mind that the original estimates of the military 'threat' from the Soviets was inflated and fudged by administration analysts. Nonetheless, goofy conservative hacks still credit Reagan for talking the wall down.

Now, Walkman Bush wants to steal a page from Reagan's script and claim credit for events in Lebanon which seem to be compelling the Syrians to rethink their military-induced dominance over the government there. Clearly the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri has sparked a revolution of sorts that is compelling the Syrians to loosen their grip on Lebanon. But Bush, never missing an opportunity to cast himself as a national hero, has taken to any podium or microphone that he can find to 'demand' that Syria withdraw its troops from Lebanon. No action has been taken by this administration to effect this, just talk. Talk until the country turns blue.

Ever gracious, Bush is even willing to let his squeeze Condi share in the rhetorical glory. Bush took a moment today to throw Rice a bone. Bush: "Our Secretary of State is returning from her trip to Europe. I will visit with her tomorrow afternoon. I talked to her on the phone yesterday. I applauded the press conference she held with the Foreign Minister from France, where both of them stood up and said loud and clear to Syria, you get your troops and your secret services out of Lebanon so that good democracy has a chance to flourish. (Applause.) Syria, tear down that wall!

Oh, he did take a moment to spread the credit around a little more. Bush: . .I look forward to continuing to work with friends and allies to advance freedom -- not America's freedom, but universal freedom, freedom granted by a Higher Being. (Applause.) Bush, Condi, and God. Talking the enemies of freedom down.

God, help us.

[Swamp Rat]

1. "Republicans Take Credit For the Sun Rising"

That would make a good title for an Onion article. :)

[Turbineguy]

2. Well, yes but

If there was a rash of murders in my neighborhood, I'd take extra care in locking my house at night. So yes, in effect Bush is influencing Syria, but as a criminal, not as a statesman.

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3. Bush the Right Stalker

What a clown!