Thank God for the Surge!

[Mephisto]

Thank the good Lord for giving our Commander in Chief guidance - otherwise this could be much worse!

Sectarian violence on the rise in Iraq

BAGHDAD, May 24 (UPI) -- Morgue statistics in Iraq appear to show a recent increase in sectarian violence, three months after U.S. and Iraqi forces began a plan to quell such attacks.
The Washington Post reported that the number of unidentified corpses found in Baghdad from May 1-22 matched the number found in all of January, before the security offensive began.

Many of the bodies showed signs of torture and execution, a source told the Post.

The Iraqi commander overseeing the plan said there has been a spike in sectarian attacks by Shiite militias.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/05/24/sectarian_violence_on_the_rise_in_iraq/2640/



Any day now the surge in American troops will yield results and our President will be proven the greatest liberator of the middle east - Dubya of Arabia. ;)

[g4macdad]

Thank the good Lord for giving our Commander in Chief guidance - otherwise this could be much worse!





Any day now the surge in American troops will yield results and our President will be proven the greatest liberator of the middle east - Dubya of Arabia. ;)

:eye-poppi

Yes, blame the religion, (not the men who disobey it), for these unacceptable acts.

You found the solution! :boggled:

[Mephisto]

:eye-poppi

Yes, blame the religion, (not the men who disobey it), for these unacceptable acts.

You found the solution! :boggled:

Then you DO believe that Bush is receiving guidance from God? :boggled:

[hcmom]

I SO do not want to be part of this argument, but I believe that Mephisto may be indicating that the people responsible are claiming that their actions are based on orders from God.

[g4macdad]

Then you DO believe that Bush is receiving guidance from God? :boggled:

If you knew anything about Christianity then you would know the answer for yourself. The same applies to Islam.

But a solution is not what you are seeking, is it? Nice try though.:cool:

[Mephisto]

If you knew anything about Christianity then you would know the answer for yourself. The same applies to Islam.

But a solution is not what you are seeking, is it? Nice try though.:cool:

Perhaps you'd like to "enlighten" me about Christianity, why it is embraced by the right-wing conservatives, and how right-wing conservatives can be both pro-life and pro-war?

I'm dying to hear your excuses.

[Mephisto]

I SO do not want to be part of this argument, but I believe that Mephisto may be indicating that the people responsible are claiming that their actions are based on orders from God.

Bingo! Thanks for the input. :)

[trashy]

Doesn't Bush regularly pray and read the Bible?

[g4macdad]

Doesn't Bush regularly pray and read the Bible?

How would anyone in this forum know?

Judging strictly by his actions I would venture to say he does not. That, I can only say, because I do. But I, and everyone else on this planet can only answer for myself.

Why would you wait for someone else to answer such an important question for you?:boggled:

[slyjoe]

B******t. Why don't you read what Bush himself says about religion?
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/149/story_14930_1.html

[Mephisto]

B******t. Why don't you read what Bush himself says about religion?
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/149/story_14930_1.html

Thanks for that, it's a great link and certainly answers g4macdad's question.


These are the quotes I particularly liked:

In his typical grammar-mangling manner.
"Because one of the great admonitions in the Good Book is, don't try to take a speck out of your eye if I've got a log in my own."


The irony of this statement apparently escapes him:
"I believe mothers and fathers want to raise their children in a free and peaceful world.


Nevermind the fact that so many innocent people have died because of his personal crusade:
"We can trust in that greater power who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true."


I didn't know God was interested in no-bid contracts for Halliburton, oil or the justification for torture:
""Americans do not presume to equate God's purposes with any purpose of our own...."[Prayer] teaches us to trust, to accept that God's plan unfolds in his time, not our own."
--Apology for Abu Ghraib prison scandal, as quoted in the Washington Post, May 7, 2004


Here's an ironic statement, I suppose he's never considered that our troops are in "harm's way" because he put them there!
"I pray for our troops in harm's way.


Oh yeah, well feel this!
"I love the fact that people pray for me and my family all around the country. Somebody asked me one time, how do you know? I said I just feel it."


And this one HAS to be the epitome of an idiot's religious rants.
""Religion is an important part. I never want to impose my religion on anybody else. But when I make decisions I stand on principle. And the principles are derived from who I am. I believe we ought to love our neighbor like we love ourself. That's manifested in public policy through the faith-based initiative where we've unleashed the armies of compassion to help heal people who hurt."



Again, thank the good Lord for guiding our beloved President in his war against evildoers.

[g4macdad]

B******t. Why don't you read what Bush himself says about religion?
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/149/story_14930_1.html

Hmmm. You got me there. I guess I'll become an atheist now.

There is no way Bush would lie about something.

Man, you can't get anything past you guys. So sharp!;)

[Mephisto]

Hmmm. You got me there. I guess I'll become an atheist now.

There is no way Bush would lie about something.

Man, you can't get anything past you guys. So sharp!;)

I guess we just don't "have faith," huh?

[g4macdad]

I guess we just don't "have faith," huh?

Seeing your ignorance on the issue. You seem to rely completely on faith.:eye-poppi

[Mephisto]

Seeing your ignorance on the issue. You seem to rely completely on faith.:eye-poppi

Perhaps you can prove to me using anything other than faith why Bush's belief in God is worthwhile.

[hcmom]

Hmmm. You got me there. I guess I'll become an atheist now.

There is no way Bush would lie about something.

Man, you can't get anything past you guys. So sharp!;)

For the record, I'm not an atheist. I'm not sure what I am, but it isn't an atheist.

If Bush were the only "Christian" (or for that matter, a member of damn near any organized religion) who behaved as if his God were on the sidelines coaching him, the view on religion would possibly be different.

[slyjoe]

How would anyone in this forum know?

Judging strictly by his actions I would venture to say he does not. That, I can only say, because I do. But I, and everyone else on this planet can only answer for myself.

Why would you wait for someone else to answer such an important question for you?:boggled:

I was responding to this quote, not whether or not you should become an atheist. You made a statement suggesting he does not pray or read the bible. To me, the evidence suggests he does. In addition, Bush seems to believe god is on his side, and talks to him directly.

[Mephisto]

In addition, Bush seems to believe god is on his side, and talks to him directly.

Which, I might add, is something he directly has in common with a guy in my hometown who pushes a shopping cart full of his meager belongings and wears a tinfoil hat. ;)

[slyjoe]

I thought the tinfoil hat was to keep out the god rays? I probably need to go back to my tinfoil hat manual.

[Mephisto]

I thought the tinfoil hat was to keep out the god rays? I probably need to go back to my tinfoil hat manual.

:) He told me it was to aid in reception. ;)

[Azure]

So are all the troops that were part of the surge in place?

Or not.

Thought so.

[davefoc]

So are all the troops that were part of the surge in place?

Or not.

Thought so.

Azure, after the primaries when the Republicans who have been whooping out war chants to influence the primary voters put pressure on Bush to change course for their benefit in the general elections, are you going to still be leading the cheer for indefinite occupation of Iraq?

One of the things that seems to be true about occupations is that occupiers always claim that the occupied need to be occupied for their own benefit. Clearly this isn't always true and it might not be true for Iraq now. The indefinite continuation of a corrupt and inept occupation strategy in Iraq by the US doesn't seem to be producing any benefits for the Iraqis and it is costing the US enormously. The Iraq study group offered a sane approach for testing the waters of a new strategy by negotiating with neighboring powers, establishing timelines for troop withdrawal and gradually repurposing US troops.

Initially, this strategy was completely rejected by Bushco. Why? Because Bushco's competence with regard to Iraq has been so clearly established that alternate strategies don't need to be considered or because they have judged that any change in course in Iraq would require them to begin to acknowledge the enormous damage that has been promulgated by their corrupt and incompetent policies?

How many soldiers has Bushco been willing to sacrifice so that their corporate cronies can generate vast profits? How many more American soldiers are Bushco willing to sacrifice to save face?

Clearly the men leading the US today are not honest, but are they deeply cynical and self serving? I think there is strong evidence to suggest that they might be.

[Azure]

You made some great points until you starting going on about Bush and his corporate buddies.

Frankly, the Iraqi people have had 3, or is it 4 years to deal with their problem...so a progress based timeline is best.

And for the record, I have NEVER said that I support indefinite occupation of Iraq, so I really don't understand where that comes from.

But, the last of the troops needed for the surge are going to arrive and be fully prepared in June or July. Meaning they're not there yet. So this BS is pointless until then.

I think Cheney is self-serving...

[shecky]

So are all the troops that were part of the surge in place?

Or not.


No. But surely, the element of surprise is on our side.

[Azure]

No. But surely, the element of surprise is on our side.

:D

Okay...I give up.

I should stop taking this forum so seriously. ;)

[Oliver]

Then you DO believe that Bush is receiving guidance from God? :boggled:


Is there any professing atheist Leader out there? :confused: Sorry, I'm not up to date on this issue.

[g4macdad]

Is there any professing atheist Leader out there? :confused: Sorry, I'm not up to date on this issue.

Chirp, chirp. Nothing but silence:eek: . ROTFL

That wasn't very nice. Ruining their little delusion.

[shuize]

Not sure if this is a result of the surge, but I suspect these guys are thankful:

BAGHDAD - American forces freed 42 kidnapped Iraqis — some of whom had been hung from ceilings and tortured for months — in a raid Sunday on an al-Qaida hideout north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070527/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

[UnrepentantSinner]

Frankly, the Iraqi people have had 3, or is it 4 years to deal with their problem...

What problem? That they've got an occupying army on their soverign territory?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how the warhawks somehow try and put the slow pace of progress on the Iraqis who didn't ask for the invasion or occupation instead of on how the President and Rummy bungled the war from the beginning and fiddled while Baghdad burned until suddenly in mid-2006 they decided to really get serious.

[Azure]

What problem? That they've got an occupying army on their soverign territory?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how the warhawks somehow try and put the slow pace of progress on the Iraqis who didn't ask for the invasion or occupation instead of on how the President and Rummy bungled the war from the beginning and fiddled while Baghdad burned until suddenly in mid-2006 they decided to really get serious.

And I love how the anti-war pundits feel like the US military is responsible for Iraq becoming stable. I know that you all would have LOVED IT if Saddam would have stayed in charge, but he isn't...so bitching about the the 'bungled war' isn't going to help any. The Iraqi people have to decide what they want. Stability? Or a Civil War? More and more it seems like the latter...so why not get the hell out of there.


Stability in Iraq is in the Iraqi peoples hands...not the Bush administration.

[UnrepentantSinner]

And I love how the anti-war pundits feel like the US military is responsible for Iraq becoming stable.

Since the military is training the Iraqi army and police force isn't that ultimately the case? Aren't we having to have an open ended deployment because that's the case?

I know that you all would have LOVED IT if Saddam would have stayed in charge...

Not really, but having seen how things have played out just as the worst projections predicted, I'm of the opinion that while his removal wasn't a mistake, it was ill concieved and ill executed (hell, even his execution was ill executed).

...but he isn't...so bitching about the the 'bungled war' isn't going to help any.

Ah yes, shut up and just support the President. I hear this BS on C-SPAN and talk radio all the time. Thanks, but I'm an American who has free speech (which the hawks always tell me I only have because of those serving in Iraq.. or something like that) and I'm not going to STFU becuase the president and the war supporters don't want to be reminded of how badly they f-ed this war up from about 20 days after the invasion started.

The Iraqi people have to decide what they want. Stability? Or a Civil War? More and more it seems like the latter...so why not get the hell out of there.

It's been four ***** years? How much more time do they need before they decide to s*** or get off the pot? Or is it more likely that stability isn't going to happen anytime soon and we need to decide on withdrawl or an open ended committment. If we're going to pull out, we need to pull out. If we're going to stay, we need 100,000 more troops.

Stability in Iraq is in the Iraqi peoples hands...not the Bush administration.

What happened to Colin Powell's "you break it, you buy it" adage? Or has "the decider" decided that we can break it and expect the owner to fix and pay for it?

This just sounds like more examples of the President, his croneys and supporters passing the buck instead of taking responsibility for something they themselves created.

[Daylight]

Any day now the surge in American troops will yield results and our President will be proven the greatest liberator of the middle east - Dubya of Arabia. ;)

:D What a great joke! You score a 10 on it

For our republican friends with only 6000 years of mental development:

Dubya of Arabia = DoA = Dead on Arrival :D

[fishbob]

And I love how the anti-war pundits feel like the US military is responsible for Iraq becoming stable. . . . . .

Stability in Iraq is in the Iraqi peoples hands...not the Bush administration.

Not the pundits, Bush.
Of course, that was a few years ago. Darn those pesky facts.
Its just his flip-flopperness showing when he say otherwise these days.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Challenging militants who attack U.S. forces in Iraq, President Bush said Wednesday they would be dealt with harshly, and declared, "Bring 'em on."

For the second day in a row, Bush vowed that attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq will not shake his administration's resolve to stay in that country until a strong and stable democratic government takes root.

source (http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/07/02/sprj.nitop.bush/)

Don't hear too much about bringing 'em on anymore either.
Just not fair that all those corpses generated over the last couple of years keep making him look bad.

[Mephisto]

Is there any professing atheist Leader out there? :confused: Sorry, I'm not up to date on this issue.

Are there any leaders out there who openly claim that they receive their guidance from "a higher father?"

[Mephisto]

Chirp, chirp. Nothing but silence:eek: . ROTFL

That wasn't very nice. Ruining their little delusion.

It takes so little to amuse you, doesn't it? I hope I'm not ruining your little delusion; I had other things to do that didn't include hanging on your every word for a predictable repartee.

You should have faith that I wouldn't let your comments go unanswered.

(edited to add) Talked to God lately? Has he answered back?

[Mephisto]

:D

Okay...I give up.

I should stop taking this forum so seriously. ;)

We should certainly stop taking YOU so seriously - what IS that magic number beyond which the indigenous insurgency in Iraq are assured that their actions are futile?

[Mephisto]

Not sure if this is a result of the surge, but I suspect these guys are thankful:




http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070527/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

While they may be, these guys are not . . . :

Car bomb rips through central Baghdad, kills 21

POSTED: 9:25 a.m. EDT, May 28, 2007

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A powerful car bomb detonated Monday afternoon in a busy commercial district in central Baghdad, killing 21 civilians and wounding 66 others, an Interior Ministry official said.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/05/28/iraq.main/index.html


. . . and neither are these:

April Toll Is Highest Of '07 for U.S. Troops

Over 100 Killed in Month; Iraqi Deaths Far Higher

BAGHDAD, April 30 -- The deaths of more than 100 American troops in April made it the deadliest month so far this year for U.S. forces in Iraq, underscoring the growing exposure of Americans as thousands of reinforcements arrive for an 11-week-old offensive to tame sectarian violence.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/30/AR2007043001929.html

You bring up a valid point, however, I wonder what the ratio of happy people to unhappy people is in Iraq?

[Mephisto]

And I love how the anti-war pundits feel like the US military is responsible for Iraq becoming stable.


Okay, you're giving us the impression that you're NOT anti-war . . .


Stability? Or a Civil War? More and more it seems like the latter...so why not get the hell out of there.


. . . and yet, you're saying the same thing those pesky "anti-war pundits" are saying . . .

[Mephisto]

:D What a great joke! You score a 10 on it

For our republican friends with only 6000 years of mental development:

Dubya of Arabia = DoA = Dead on Arrival :D

:) Thank you for the acknowledgment, Daylight - it would be even more humorous if so many people weren't dying.

[g4macdad]

It takes so little to amuse you, doesn't it? I hope I'm not ruining your little delusion; I had other things to do that didn't include hanging on your every word for a predictable repartee.

You should have faith that I wouldn't let your comments go unanswered.

(edited to add) Talked to God lately? Has he answered back?

I talk to mephisto and he answers back. Do you?:cool:

[Mephisto]

I talk to mephisto and he answers back. Do you?:cool:

You do, do you? Sold him anything lately? Did he find it worth much?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephistopheles

[Oliver]

Are there any leaders out there who openly claim that they receive their guidance from "a higher father?"


George Bush: 'God told me to end the tyranny in Iraq'

President told Palestinians God also talked to him about Middle East peace

Ewen MacAskill
Friday October 7, 2005
The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/)

George Bush has claimed he was on a mission from God when he launched the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a senior Palestinian politician in an interview to be broadcast by the BBC later this month.

Full article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1586978,00.html

[Mephisto]

George Bush: 'God told me to end the tyranny in Iraq'

President told Palestinians God also talked to him about Middle East peace

Ewen MacAskill
Friday October 7, 2005
The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/)

George Bush has claimed he was on a mission from God when he launched the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a senior Palestinian politician in an interview to be broadcast by the BBC later this month.

Full article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1586978,00.html

My point exactly! :)

[fuelair]

It takes so little to amuse you, doesn't it? I hope I'm not ruining your little delusion; I had other things to do that didn't include hanging on your every word for a predictable repartee.

You should have faith that I wouldn't let your comments go unanswered.

(edited to add) Talked to God lately? Has he answered back?Gmacdad (he named himself a pimp, not me) is the kind of xtian that helps keep me away from all that silliness - one of him(?) can easily outdo the good work of 5 Macrinas or equivalent.

[Azure]

Okay, you're giving us the impression that you're NOT anti-war . . .


Well it certainly seems like I was painted with that brush above.


. . . and yet, you're saying the same thing those pesky "anti-war pundits" are saying . . .

No. Pay attention now.

While the US military MAY play a certain role in keeping Iraq stable...in the end, it is in the hands of the Iraqi people to create a stable nation.

If they want to blow each other up...that is their prerogative....and over the last 4 years they have shown that blowing each other up is EXACTLY what they want to do.

So are you going to judge me anti-war, or pro-war by what I said above? Since we're in the business of judging people.

[Azure]

Okay, let me clarify once again.

I don't believe it is possible to force democracy, or our way of life onto the Iraqi people. Certainly not through military force. Perhaps through education and such.

That is WHY I believe it is in the hands of the Iraqi people what becomes of Iraq. Not the US military.

Of course, if the US leaves, they might figure out that the fighting amongst themselves is dumb...or they might have an all-out civil war. Either way, we don't really know.

[Darth Rotor]

George Bush has claimed he was on a mission from God when he launched the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a senior Palestinian politician in an interview to be broadcast by the BBC later this month.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1586978,00.html
I see. Have you ever heard the term "skeptical" applied to hearsay?

Palestinian spokesmen and politicians have a record for telling the unvarnished truth that is pathetic.

Sorry, that isn't enough evidence for me to attempt to equate an informal, second hand conversation with a characterization of how GW Bush, however bad he is at foreign policy, used "the word of God" to decide to invade anyone.

Someone a bit closer is where Occam's Razor points me, and his name is Dick Cheney, and another little elf, Donald Rumsfeld.

What is your problem? Do you need cartoon style bad guys for your world?

Mephisto: you are kidding, right? Do you buy this hook, line, and sinker?

DR

[Mephisto]

Gmacdad (he named himself a pimp, not me) is the kind of xtian that helps keep me away from all that silliness - one of him(?) can easily outdo the good work of 5 Macrinas or equivalent.

:)

[Mephisto]

No. Pay attention now.

While the US military MAY play a certain role in keeping Iraq stable...in the end, it is in the hands of the Iraqi people to create a stable nation.

If they want to blow each other up...that is their prerogative....and over the last 4 years they have shown that blowing each other up is EXACTLY what they want to do.

So are you going to judge me anti-war, or pro-war by what I said above? Since we're in the business of judging people.

Well, let's see . . . you're saying that the Iraqi people are the only ones who can keep Iraq stable, you're saying that the US military plays only a "certain role" in keeping Iraq stable (which begs the question WHY a surge will work), and that the past 4 years have been wasted . . .

I couldn't agree with you more!

As for judging you, I haven't yet, but it seems we're on the same side. :)

[Azure]

Well, let's see . . . you're saying that the Iraqi people are the only ones who can keep Iraq stable, you're saying that the US military plays only a "certain role" in keeping Iraq stable (which begs the question WHY a surge will work), and that the past 4 years have been wasted . . .

I couldn't agree with you more!

As for judging you, I haven't yet, but it seems we're on the same side. :)

Ah yes...finally. :D

[Mephisto]

Okay, let me clarify once again.

I don't believe it is possible to force democracy, or our way of life onto the Iraqi people. Certainly not through military force. Perhaps through education and such.

That is WHY I believe it is in the hands of the Iraqi people what becomes of Iraq. Not the US military.

Of course, if the US leaves, they might figure out that the fighting amongst themselves is dumb...or they might have an all-out civil war. Either way, we don't really know.

Fine! There is no problem between us. I asserted since BEFORE the beginning of this war that Democracy can't be forced at the end of a rifle, AND that our job was done after ousting Hussein.

One thing we DO know is that those people who are claiming that an all-out civil war is why we remain have been wrong about every single prediction they've made in this war so far - why do we believe they're right about this one?

See, WE ARE on the same side. ;)

[Azure]

Fine! There is no problem between us. I asserted since BEFORE the beginning of this war that Democracy can't be forced at the end of a rifle, AND that our job was done after ousting Hussein.

One thing we DO know is that those people who are claiming that an all-out civil war is why we remain have been wrong about every single prediction they've made in this war so far - why do we believe they're right about this one?

See, WE ARE on the same side. ;)

I certainly understand your point about the civil war.

Oh well...I don't exactly support a forced troop withdrawal...but maybe it is the best thing.

Glad I'm not in charge.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Okay, let me clarify once again.

I agree almost completely with what you said (which I snipped for space). :)

[Mephisto]

Mephisto: you are kidding, right? Do you buy this hook, line, and sinker?

DR

No, of course I'm kidding, DR - I rely on Dubya himself to mangle his beliefs regarding religion and God.

The spirit of our people is the source of America's strength. And we go forward with trust in that spirit, confidence in our purpose, and faith in a loving God who made us to be free.
-- Dubya can't avoid the Christian overtones of his belief system in his address to the nation on the 5th anniversary of the Sep. 11 attacks, White House, Sep. 11, 2006

I believe government has an obligation to open its coffers for competitive bidding to faith-based and community-based groups in order to make sure America -- America's souls are saved one person at a time.
-- Does he really think that the government should exercise a role in "saving America's souls"? Wow. Nashville, Tennessee, Aug. 30, 2006

The United States of America must understand that freedom is universal, that there is an Almighty, and the great gift of that Almighty to each man and woman in this world is the desire to be free.
-- The USA has to recognize the Almighty? Nashville, Tennessee, Aug. 30, 2006

Churches all across the country are reaching out -- synagogues, people from different faiths understand that it makes sense to help their parishioners realize the benefits of this plan.
-- "Parishioners" of different faiths? Nice word choice. Sun City Center, Florida, May 9, 2006

I based a lot of my foreign policy decisions on some things that I think are true. One, I believe there's an Almighty, and secondly, I believe one of the great gifts of the Almighty is the desire in everybody's soul, regardless of what you look like or where you live, to be free.
-- Dubya doesn't hold back in explaining his faith-based foreign policy, Irvine, California, Apr. 24, 2006

I tell people all the time, you're equally American if you're a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. You're equally American if you believe in an Almighty or don't believe in an Almighty. That's a sacred freedom.
-- Dubya offers some unintentional irony by calling the freedom to be an atheist "sacred", Washington, D.C., Mar. 10, 2006

http://www.dubyaspeak.com/theologian.phtml?year=2006


This is just a small sampling from 2006, we don't have the time here to discuss all of Bush's thoughts about God and the hereafter. ;)

[strathmeyer]

Chirp, chirp. Nothing but silence:eek: . ROTFL

That wasn't very nice. Ruining their little delusion.

Yes, you have totally ruined my delusion. The fact that we never hear about atheist leaders taking advantage of atheist people by using their in-group status to get their way really paints those gosh darn atheists in a bad light. I mean, we never hear about atheists lying to children. What does that tell you? That atheists don't exist. That's right, I said it. All of you and you're deluded little worlds, you come to this board, your get your articles in the newspapers and your leaders print books, but we all know there aren't really that many atheists out there. I mean, people just hate atheists so much yet you never hear about them being in any type of sex scandal, or professing to be atheist but going to church when nobody's looking. And we know it's not that atheists are suppressing the media because we all know who runs the media!

And don't get me started on all the religious wars atheists have started!

All because for an hour and a half nobody listed any atheist leaders in this thread. I couldn't believe that nobody could do it. Atheists must be so stupid. I mean, there's entire webpages that you can go to about this stuff. There's like a little square up in the corner of the picture tube and I type into it "atheist leaders" and it just spits them all out at me, name and all. I look forward to bringing this wonderful technology to the masses.

[PeekaBoo]

But, the last of the troops needed for the surge are going to arrive and be fully prepared in June or July. Meaning they're not there yet. So this BS is pointless until then.



When Bush was selling this escalation back in January, his advisors were already telling him that he had SIX MONTHS to turn things around or Iraq would be lost.

In typical Bush admin. fashion, they even bungled their last ditch chance to win the war.

IMO, their only real goal is to make as much money as they can while they can & run out the clock.

They didn't even talk about an escalation aka surge until the Dems took power & asked for troop withdrawals!

No more of their nonsensical "stay the course" they had to make it look like they were doing something constructive for once.

[Azure]

When Bush was selling this escalation back in January, his advisors were already telling him that he had SIX MONTHS to turn things around or Iraq would be lost.

In typical Bush admin. fashion, they even bungled their last ditch chance to win the war.

IMO, their only real goal is to make as much money as they can while they can & run out the clock.

They didn't even talk about an escalation aka surge until the Dems took power & asked for troop withdrawals!

No more of their nonsensical "stay the course" they had to make it look like they were doing something constructive for once.

Well if Bush would have listened to his military advisers from the start, we probably wouldn't be talking about this right now. I.E. Powell.

Instead we would have a lot of threads started by parky about whether or not the US should attack Iraq.

:D

[jimtron]

Excuse me if this quote has already been mentioned on this thread; if so I overlooked it. Bob Woodward on Bush's decision to invade Iraq:
Interviewing President Bush for his book about the Iraq war, journalist Bob Woodward asked Bush whether he consulted with his father, the former president, in making a decision to go to war. "You know he is the wrong father to appeal to in terms of strength," Bush told Woodward. "There is a higher father that I appeal to."

[Mephisto]

When Bush was selling this escalation back in January, his advisors were already telling him that he had SIX MONTHS to turn things around or Iraq would be lost.

In typical Bush admin. fashion, they even bungled their last ditch chance to win the war.

IMO, their only real goal is to make as much money as they can while they can & run out the clock.

They didn't even talk about an escalation aka surge until the Dems took power & asked for troop withdrawals!

No more of their nonsensical "stay the course" they had to make it look like they were doing something constructive for once.

You're 100% correct and the only difference I see between "staying the course" and the "surge" is the different wording. As Bill Maher said this past week (on his HBO show), "Only George Bush could start a war for oil and not get any."

Can you even believe that when George Dubya came into office gasoline was only slightly over $1.00 a gallon?

(edited to add) btw- welcome to the forum. :)

[Mephisto]

Excuse me if this quote has already been mentioned on this thread; if so I overlooked it. Bob Woodward on Bush's decision to invade Iraq:

I paraphrased the quote, but thanks for his actual words. :)

Too bad that "higher father" doesn't appeal to George Dubya to end the violence. W.W.J.B? (who would Jesus bomb?). ;)

[Mephisto]

Yes, you have totally ruined my delusion. The fact that we never hear about atheist leaders taking advantage of atheist people by using their in-group status to get their way really paints those gosh darn atheists in a bad light. I mean, we never hear about atheists lying to children. What does that tell you? That atheists don't exist. That's right, I said it. All of you and you're deluded little worlds, you come to this board, your get your articles in the newspapers and your leaders print books, but we all know there aren't really that many atheists out there. I mean, people just hate atheists so much yet you never hear about them being in any type of sex scandal, or professing to be atheist but going to church when nobody's looking. And we know it's not that atheists are suppressing the media because we all know who runs the media!

And don't get me started on all the religious wars atheists have started!

All because for an hour and a half nobody listed any atheist leaders in this thread. I couldn't believe that nobody could do it. Atheists must be so stupid. I mean, there's entire webpages that you can go to about this stuff. There's like a little square up in the corner of the picture tube and I type into it "atheist leaders" and it just spits them all out at me, name and all. I look forward to bringing this wonderful technology to the masses.

Can you ever imagine a time where "Godless heathen" might be a compliment? ;)

[Darth Rotor]

No, of course I'm kidding, DR - I rely on Dubya himself to mangle his beliefs regarding religion and God.

You had me worried for a second there.

As you were. :)

DR