Bush Reminds U.S. Country Is at War

[fencesitter]

http://kevxml2adsl.verizon.net/_1_2Y82UI3038IY6TH_31073626_vzn.dsl/apnws/story.htm?kcfg=apart&sin=news_top&qcat=news&ran=16155&passqi=&feed=ap&more=§ion=1

WASHINGTON - President Bush reminded Americans that the United States is a nation at war on the same day his administration proclaimed significant progress in the war on terror but said the enemy has adjusted to U.S. defenses and that "America is safer but we are not yet safe."
"We are a nation at war and America and her allies are fighting this war across the world," Bush said Tuesday at a meeting of the Military Officers Association of America. The speech was the second in a series Bush plans to give in the lead up to the anniversary of the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America.

Earlier today, the administration released an updated counterterrorism strategy. The White House said: "The United States and our partners continue to pursue a significantly degraded but still dangerous al-Qaida network."

*********


The updated White House strategy came in the wake of the release of a new al-Qaida video over the weekend that raised concerns about the possibility of another attack as the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11 approaches. The tape featured an American - believed by the FBI to have attended al-Qaida training camps - calling for his countrymen to convert to Islam.

Asked about this Tuesday, Fran Townsend, a special assistant to President Bush for homeland security and counterterrorism, said she did not think the tape suggested another strike.

"We've seen tapes before. We've seen these sort of releases right near Sept. 11," she said on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"There are no plans to raise the threat (terror) threat level," Townsend said

********

Five years after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon, about a third of the American people think the terrorists are winning, according to a recent AP-Ipsos poll.

Edited to fix link

[xxqqqzme]

1. the terrorists are winning?

what is the prize this week?

Everytime chucklenuts says 'we're at war', I always scream at the screen, it's your war asshole.

Who knew one day I would be screaming at my TV screen?

[saigon68]

22. I remind America "THE CHIMP is an AWOL DRAFT DODGER"

BRING EM ON

[Drum]

2. Congress did not issue a declaration of war,

so I still refuse to acknowledge it as such. We are in a mess, not at war.

[MissMillie]

4. Correct... we invaded and are occupying another country

Congress and only Congress can make a declaration of war.

[Xenotime]

39. EXACTLY! We have no business there or in any other country.

* should be working to rebuild New Orleans or reducing the cost of gas. Not chasing people all over the globe.

[dreamsvsnightmares]

21. Agreed, but since they issued a "Authorization to use force"/

No declaration of war. Why does he have war powers? And why are they letting him use them!

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. Just in case we forgot?

WTF?

[fencesitter]

5. I so trust republicans to keep us safe..

thanks for reminding us to fear the Democrats.

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. That is all they have left is fear

and no one's buying it anymore.

[Tellurian]

50. Wait! oooooh, the War...

gee, thanks for the reminder.

I thought this was about a new movie coming out on friday..

[rodeodance]

6. Five years after Sept 11, U.S. still not safe: Bush

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060905/pl_nm/bush_dc


Five years after Sept 11, U.S. still not safe: Bush

By Steve Holland 1 hour, 7 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Five years after the September 11 attacks, the United States is safer but "we are not yet safe" from a significantly degraded yet still dangerous al Qaeda threat, the White House said in a report on Tuesday.

A "national strategy for combating terrorism" came as the United States marks soon the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks and the Bush administration tries to persuade Americans weary of the
Iraq war to return Republicans to control of the U.S. Congress in November elections.

"Since the September 11 attacks, America is safer, but we are not yet safe," the 23-page report concluded.

White House officials denied the report was driven by election-year politics, in which President George W. Bush is accusing Democrats of being soft on terrorism, and said it had been a product of months of work.

It belittles the report, said White House spokesman Tony Snow, to suggest it was politically driven.

[MissMillie]

7. Translation: "we've had 5 years to make you safe... and we haven't yet...

so re-elect us so we can drag our feet some more!"

[lebkuchen]

8. It's "the long war" according to Bush

He says he doesn't want a draft, so that means divisions are now going on their 4th tour to Timbuktu, and that won't be the end of it.

If you chose the military as a career, this is a bad time to be active duty.

[Straight Shooter]

9. America is a nation in a state of pervasive aggression and hostility.

But we are not at war.

[Spazito]

10. Bingo, well said! n/t

[Ratty]

12. We are not at war

I assume the "war" Bush is referring to is the war on terrorism, not Iraq.

Bush is trying to use war as a justification for assuming wartime powers. The problem with this is that this "war" is nothing like the framers of the constitution ever intended. There is no enemy nation, there are no conditions for victory, there is no end in sight. This is how he believes he can get away with the abuses he's perpetrated on the public and the constitution, but he's wrong. Criminally wrong.

Yes, I agree we are at "war" of a sort. I would not quibble with the administration's use of the term except that they are using it as an excuse to acquire powers beyond what they are given in the constitution. It's a distinction I fear the public doesn't make. To say we are not at war is politically damaging, and to say we are plays right into Cheney's hands.

[TroglodyteScholar]

25. Technically, we literally are not at war...

Congress never made any declaration of war. Instead they just rolled the hell over and gave King George carte blanche.

So much for representation......

[IndianaGreen]

32. It's not my war!

and Bush is not my President!

[libodem]

13. Nice to be reminded

since none of the rich will be making any sacrifice. None of their kids will be going over to have their legs blown off, their brains rocked with closed head injuries, or their families left motherless or fatherless. Dr. Laura who-ahs everyday about being a proud mother of an American soldier. Bet that boy never sees one moment of action.

[KamaAina]

14. KamaAina Reminds Americans That Bush** Lied to Get Us There

We'll find the WMDs right around the time O.J. finds the real killer. :sarcasm:

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

[Bhaisahab]

55. paagal kutta reminds US that their president is a joke n/t

[CANDO]

15. Our President is a Terrorist

He seems more earnest in instilling fear than the terrorists do. "The only thing we have to fear is not enough fear."

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

16. indeed

[habitual]

17. habitual reminds bush that his administration only fools the dumb

but i guess that's all he needs.

[Sadie5]

18. Just in time

I see there is mention of yet another video. The public might buy into this fear tactic, but the thinking portion of the US will see through this. Bush makes me ill when he uses his tired old we are at war phrase.

[antonialee839]

19. Thanks President Chucklenuts! I almost forgot!

[Heywood J]

20. I find that I'm close to pitying him

He seems to much like a petulant child, with all that's going on. His plans have been ruled illegal, his friends and colleagues are becoming more erratic and showing their true colors with every day. Every day brings him one step closer to his eventual forcible removal from office and further disgrace.

In the meantime, he's probably going to use this as an excuse to launch his October Surprise and probably do even more damage to the nation. Has the Iraq death toll exceeded that of 9/11 yet?

I'm reminded of a small child jumping up and down in a supermarket, yelling "PAY ATTENTION TO ME". Whatever I may have thought about Clinton and his issues, that's certainly not something I came away with. That's not an image one should get when thinking of the President.






(ETA: Another link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060905/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_terrorism )

[Dover]

23. There is no "WAR". There is only invasion, looting, abuse and greed.

Was this ever even legally declared a war by Congress? Not unless we redefine the word, and Bushco and his crack team of propagandists have certainly tried.

[samsingh]

24. anyone can declare anything - where's the proof?

what's the definition of progress?

[ixion]

26. if he has to remind people, then there is no war.

period.

[VegasWolf]

27. terra, terra, terra!!!! red alert, red alert, danger, danger!!! nt

[rodeodance]

28. Bush warns of Iraqi caliphate

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060905/pl_nm/bush_dc

Bush warns of Iraqi caliphate

By Steve Holland 59 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush vowed on Tuesday to prevent al Qaeda from setting up a violent, radical Islamic empire based in Iraq, which he said was Osama bin Laden's ultimate goal.


"We know what the terrorists intend to do because they've told us -- and we need to take their words seriously," Bush said in a speech liberally laced with quotes from bin Laden, architect of the September 11 attacks five years ago which killed around 3,000 people.

As he sought to bolster support ahead of November elections, Bush also released a White House national strategy for combating terrorism that said Americans are safer five years after the attacks but "we are not yet safe."

Delaware Democratic Sen. Joe Biden said release of the new report showed that even the White House now acknowledged its previous strategy had failed.

"The president has squandered the opportunity to unite the country and the world, instead he has divided both," he said.

[truthisfreedom]

29. bah-hahaha. bushco needs a moment to think, Senator Biden... just a minute

to gather their thoughts, because they can't figure out what they're saying right now.

[MikeyJones]

30. The idiot didn't realize it when he invaded in 03'......

but he effectively gave Iran de facto political control over Iraq when he invaded. The only difference is the boob doesn't realize there won't be a "bin Ladin" caliphate but rather a Shia caliphate governed from Tehran.

When the Kurdish president hoisted up the Kurdish flag and brought down the Iraqi flag the other day I knew once and for all the country is doomed. All we can do is sit back and brace for the trauma from the fall.

[IndianaGreen]

31. Bush can't tell the difference between Sunis and Shias

to him, they are all fore'ners!

I am amazed he can even pronounce caliphate, it has more than two syllables.

[CJCRANE]

34. Um....

He's just making this sh*t up as he goes along!

[Bhaisahab]

54. Osama wants to establish an "islamic caliphate" in Iraq?

hoo boy. dumb has just been brought to a new low. i can't BELIEVE the "leader of the free world" says things like this. and who buys such juvenile propaganda? is there nobody educated enough in the audience who can laugh back at him when he says such things?!!!

[MikeyJones]

33. Bush: won't allow a nuclear-armed Iran

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060905/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_iran_nuclear

---
Bush: won't allow a nuclear-armed Iran

By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer
1 hour, 16 minutes ago


WASHINGTON - President Bush said Tuesday a nuclear-armed Iran would blackmail the free world and raise a mortal threat to the American people.

"I am not going to allow this to happen," Bush said in a speech on terrorism. "And no future American president can allow it, either."

With allies urging a go-slow approach on pressuring Iran to stop enriching uranium, Bush pledged to work closely with other governments to find a diplomatic solution to the standoff with Tehran over its nuclear programs.

But he also stressed, "The world's free nations will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon."

Iran has refused to stop enrichment as a precondition to negotiations on U.S. and European offers of concessions, including U.S. help with civilian nuclear programs.

"Their choice is increasingly isolating the great Iranian nation from the international community," Bush said. "It is time for Iran's leader to make a different choice."

(.......)
---




Rrrriiiigggghhhhhhtttttt. As if the cowboy had any more political capital to spend in exchange for the fallout over any potential military action against Iran.

[scarletwoman]

37. Yeah, whatever... Actually, I'd prefer Iran to have nukes.

As a baby boomer who grew up during the Cold War, the current course of unrelieved belligerence from bushco and the neocons makes me quite nostalgic for MAD -- to the point where I've come to sincerely believe that a nuclear-armed Iran would have a salutary effect on achieving a state of equilibrium and relative stability in the Middle East.

The best case, of course, would be the global elimination of nuclear weapons altogether -- but there's no escaping the fact that it's just not a realistic scenario at this time. Therefore, second best, it seems to me, is for the sort of balance of power that a nuclear-armed Iran might achieve.

sw

[stepnw1f]

35. A War He Started by Lying to Us All

the fucker needs to be tried for treason.

[Rex]

36. No George, only you and a few others are at war

with humanity! Please fuck off George. No one wants to hear from you anymore. You've damaged America in ways I can't even imagine. S T F U.

[PurityOfEssence]

38. Yes, and you can tell by all the sacrifices being made by the rich

FDR would puke.

[Qutzupalotl]

40. Can't have it both ways.

We're at war? Then why don't we have prisoners of war, entitled to humane treatment under the Geneva conventions?

We're not at war? Then why does Bush have war powers?

I think we're only at war when it's convenient.

[ryanmuegge]

41. Election time: it's time to bust out the stern, strong leader schtick

I guess that tested well with the focus groups.

[treestar]

42. If he has to remind you, it can't be a real war

[Anakin Skywalker]

43. WAR WAR WAR TERRAH TERRAH TERRAH

24/7 from the MSN and Shrub & Co.

Blech!

[Thor_MN]

44. Meanwhile, the Pentagon says it needs to be called something else...

Analysis: Terror war may need name change
By PAMELA HESS
UPI Pentagon Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- The United States should rethink the label it uses for what is known as the "global war on terror," the chief of strategic planning on the Pentagon's Joint Staff said Tuesday.

What is needed, said Army Col. Gary Cheek, is to recast terrorists as the criminals they are.

"If we can change the name ... and find the right sequence of events that allows us to do that, that changes the dynamic of the conflict," said Cheek at the Defense Forum Washington, sponsored by the Marine Corps Association and the U.S. Naval Institute.

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060905-033639-5554r

[yellowcanine]

45. No kidding fuckwit. As if we could forget.

[orpupilofnature57]

46. After the day of infamy F.D.R. never had to remind us , know why?

Because we knew why ,and why don't We now?

[TheCowsCameHome]

47. And we are reminded that Bush is still messing the world up.

[MGD]

48. It is a war and you lost it Mr. President. You just can't admit it.

So you continue to throw lives and tax dollars at it to maintain your political illusions.

[scarface2004]

49. thanks for reminding me...

you fucking asshole...i had completely forgot about it!!

[Triana]

51. Yea? And HE is the enemy (n/t)

[qwertyMike]

52. With Who?

[NightOwwl]

53. Thank you George W. Bush...

...for reminding me for the 5,473,876th time that we are "at war."

If it weren't for you talking about it non-stop, I might actually remember that Congress never declared war...which means that we really aren't at war...which makes you a big fat liar..OMG...my head is starting to hurt!

Remind me again Georgie, my Koolaid is wearing off. :eyes: