How's that Axis of Evil Doing Now?
Bush has been saying that the policy of the Clinton administration on North Korea wasn't working, and that is the reason why the third member of the axis of evil tested a nuclear device 6 years after Clinton left office. That's a little bit like blaming FDR for the Vietnam war. At this point, they've had almost as long to fix this alleged failed policy as the Clinton administration had to create it, and the results are: Clinton years - no nuclear devices; Bush years, nuclear devices.
During his press conference today, Bush said that his policy is working because now the Chinese, Japanese and South Koreans are engaged. Well of course they're paying attention - one of their neighbors and sworn enemies just tested a device that could blow them off the face of the earth.
One of the few things that this administration is competent at is taking failures that they caused and claiming them as proof that their way is the only way. In Iraq, the Country is in a state of chaos, so we have to be there. In North Korea, a nuclear bomb has developed so we have to be tough with them.
The truth of the matter is that by virtually any measure conceivable, each member of the storied axis of evil is more dangerous today than it was when that rhetorical flourish was first thrust upon us in 2002's State of the Union Address. No doubt this complete failure will be cited as the reason why we need to continue to stay the course.
During his press conference today, Bush said that his policy is working because now the Chinese, Japanese and South Koreans are engaged. Well of course they're paying attention - one of their neighbors and sworn enemies just tested a device that could blow them off the face of the earth.
One of the few things that this administration is competent at is taking failures that they caused and claiming them as proof that their way is the only way. In Iraq, the Country is in a state of chaos, so we have to be there. In North Korea, a nuclear bomb has developed so we have to be tough with them.
The truth of the matter is that by virtually any measure conceivable, each member of the storied axis of evil is more dangerous today than it was when that rhetorical flourish was first thrust upon us in 2002's State of the Union Address. No doubt this complete failure will be cited as the reason why we need to continue to stay the course.
posted by Bleeding Heart at
9:17 AM
2 Comments:
All very good points. The ineptitude of this Administration just boggles the mind. The good news is the majority of the American people have reached that conclusion.
No doubt you've seen this, but it's a telling story about the foreign policy education of W.
http://roxanne.typepad.com/rantrave/2006/10/all_you_need_to.html
By
PBS, at 1:28 PM
Hmmm. My link didn't work. Here's the text (it's a snippet from Bob Woodward's book):
George W. pulled Bandar aside.
"Bandar, I guess you're the best asshole who knows about the world. Explain to me one thing."
"Governor, what is it?"
"Why should I care about North Korea?"
Bandar said he didn't really know. It was one of the few countries that he did not work on for King Fahd.
"I get these briefings on all parts of the world," Bush said, "and everybody is talking to me about North Korea."
"I'll tell you what, Governor," Bandar said. "One reason should make you care about North Korea."
"All right, smart alek," Bush said, "tell me."
"The 38,000 American troops right on the border." ..."If nothing else counts, this counts. One shot across the border and you lose half these people immediately. You lose 15,000 Americans in a chemical or biological or even regular attack. The United State of America is at war instantly."
"Hmmm," Bush said. "I wish those assholes would put things just point-blank to me. I get half a book telling me about the history of North Korea."
"Now I tell you another answer to that. You don't want to care about North Korea anymore?" Bandar asked. The Saudis wanted America to focus on the Middle East and not get drawn into a conflict in East Asia.
"I didn't say that," Bush replied.
"But if you don't, you withdrawl those troops back. Then it becomes a local conflict. Then you have the whole time to decide, 'Should I get involved? Not involved?' Etc."
At that moment, Colin Powell approached.
"Colin," Bush said, "come here. Bandar and I were shooting the bull, just two fighter pilots shooting the bull." He didn't mention the topic.
"Mr. Governor," Bandar said, "General Powell is almost a fighter pilot. He can shoot the bull almost as good as us."
Bob Woodward
State of Denial
2006
By
PBS, at 1:30 PM
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