Bush laughs off critics of "spoils of war" contracts

[Cocoa]

In case you didn't see this, it was the snot at his most repulsive. It didn't help having Condi behind him glaring while he was sneering.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=472441

George Bush poured fuel on the flames of the Iraq contracts dispute yesterday with a sneering dismissal of a suggestion by the German Chancellor that the decision to bar Germany, France Russia and Canada from bidding might violate international law.

"International law? I'd better call my lawyer," the American President joked in response to a reporter's question at the White House.

more...

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. There aren't many people in this world who I really, really hate

but he is one of them. I am so ashamed that our country is represented by that man. I can't WAIT for him to be replaced!

[Sugarbleus]

20. I'm totally convinced now...

This maniac in the White House has some serious, SERIOUS....pathology going on!!!!!!!!!

Who was it, Nero?, who fiddled while Rome burned down?

.......Straight jacket please!

Even more disturbing is how repugs think he is just "fine". What does that say about our fellow citizens? OMG!:scared:

[Robb]

37. Bad enough

...I don't agree with any of his policies. Turns out he's also a dick.

[shanti]

40. he was a prick before he came in

and he'll be a prick after he leaves....and he WILL leave, won't he DU'ers!??

[tom_paine]

47. Oh, I think "prick" is pretty mild, don't you?

That's like calling Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos "haughty".

No, the Imperial Family hasn't yet truly reached Caligula/Nero status, but then again the Amerikan Imperial Family is only in it's 2nd generation of open rule.

Caligula was 3rd generation Caeser and Nero was 4th...

Wait for it.

[shanti]

53. well

i was trying to watch my mouth, but perhaps it's not important in chimpy's case! lol!

[Yaoi_Huntress_Earth]

89. I Shutter to Think

What the Bush daughters or one of his nephews would be like.
Love,
Yaoi Huntress Earth

[Cocoa]

106. the banality of evil

I know tons of people just like him, he's nothing special. I think he'll be known in history as the biggest asshole ever to become president.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

55. Zell Miller Likes Bush's Insanity

Last night on Hardball he said that he will vote for Bush, over any other Democrat in the race and that Bush's attitude is very appealing to southerners, who feel that Bush has "some real grit in his craw". (meant as a good thing, I guess)

I think that statement is far more degrading to white southerners than anything Dean said about pick-up trucks and rebel flags.

[Cocoa]

59. Zell's southernisms are so phony

and you're right, he degrades his electorate every time he opens his mouth. I hope they tell him and Bush to get lost. And I hope no one buys his lame-ass book.

[PaDUer]

Serious pathology..

remember that thread awhile ago from a psych who analyzed him? He's probably right on target about him..More psychs should publish they're findings on him even though we know * would NEVER submit to an evaluation let alone have a record on him because if there ever was, that psych would probably have an "accident" or some coroner would submit "normal causes" for undo passing on.

[soothsayer]

2. can't wait until we trounce his ass

god, i hope he feels like the failure he IS when we vote his ass out

[Occulus]

21. Suppose we vote him out,

he says he's not going to leave, and....


aw f*ck. I don't even wanna think that.

[SammyWinstonJack]

99. Well considering the fact that we didn't vote him IN

the first time..............:argh: What makes anyone think the next election or in his case, sElection won't go the same way? * and his merry band of thieves can't afford to lose, think about that.

[MostlyBlackCat2]

45. I want to know why he hasn't been impeached

we impeached the last president for 8 words over an extramarital affair, but we can't seem to get our act together enough to impeach this one for more lies than we can count. Vote his ass out? I'll believe it when I see it. It's not going to surprise me one bit if this country reelects him. I've got my paperwork for canadian immigration on my dining room table right now, and although I'm working on my favorite candidates campaign, and showing "The Truth Uncovered" at my house this week and a few times in January, I honestly don't hold out a whole lot of hope that we will get rid of him. We let him steal the election with little more than a few indignant "hey, that's not fair"s, we let him lie us into an unjust war, we let him cheat the american people out of more jobs than I can count - anyone ever scanned the latest breaking news list lately to see how many job loss announcements there are? And is there really any major expression of anger or resistance on the part of the american people? nope. A few peaceful protests here and there, but why isn't traffic stopped? Why haven't the people shut the place down demanding change? because too many of the people in this country simply do not care. they believe what they are told, and they are sheep. And those are the people who will let him get reelected, whether it's through rigged voting machines or another typical voter apathy election. And if it doesn't happen, maybe I'll think about staying. but i'm not holding my breath.

[BiggJawn]

57. Now-now...Don't call people "Sheep"...

Because you'll piss of the "Swing Voters" and they'll vote for Bush instead of (fill in the blank)....
<sarcasm>

[MostlyBlackCat2]

64. LOL!

Thanks for the laugh. I needed it (obviously!)

[lyonn]

87. We need Senate control

As long as the Repugs rule everything nothing can be done short of what you suggested, stopping traffic, shuting things down, and maybe e-mailing the White House en mass (sp?) like on the FCC situation. That really surprised me when that had results.

[PaDUer]

102. Re-elects him?

he wasn't elected to begin with.

[Maccagirl]

3. When I read that quote on Yahoo it was a jaw-dropping

moment-but nothing like the video of it and that smirk. Lou Dobbs was certainly cheering him on-I had to click before I retched. I don't know how much more I can handle.

[Cocoa]

6. look out for the video

he practically jumped down the reporter's throat, yelled "international LAW????!!!!!"

like he'd never heard of such nonsense. I'm sure the reporter was sorry she asked.

[calimary]

61. No, as a former reporter myself, I'd bet she's not.

She's probably struttin' her stuff today, knowing that HER question provoked that latest soundbite-heard-round-the-world. She's undoubtedly congratulating herself all over the place today. Probably hoping to use it as ammo to show her bosses what a clever, enterprising reporter she is that her questions provoke such a noteworthy response that EVERYBODY else picks up.

When I was a reporter, I can remember a guy named Steve Futterman, who was one of the scrappiest, hardworking people I knew. He was annoying, but he was everywhere. He wound up going to Riyadh during Gulf War One. Remember that oh-so-memorable (and quite wonderful) quote from Norman Schwarzkopf, about what an awful know-nothing of a "soldier" Saddam was? Some reporter asked him for his assessment of Saddam as a soldier and Schwarzkopf went on about how he was not "schooled in the operational art" and not this, and not that, and not a few things, "but other than that he's a helluva soldier" and that last line got a BIG laugh from the press corp there? That was during the post-war press briefing that also included the description of the "Hail Mary play" and all the rest of it. That soundbite got picked up everywhere and run on every newscast, radio AND TV, and in every print medium, in a rather prominent placing, and replayed everywhere. Steve Futterman was the guy who asked that question. He dined out on that for months and gained several levels on the ziggurat among his peers, with bragging rights on that one. What he hadn't already done to try to put himself on the map, he accomplished in this moment.

Remember - those of you/us who are - uh - getting on in years, about how Dan Rather confronted Richard Nixon during that news conference - "Mr. Rather - are you running for something" - response: "No, Mr. President. Are you?" JUST REALLY MEMORABLE, yet again. Another of those Kodak moments that make for grand career milestones. This one will be one of those quotable ones, long after whatever tape of the soundbite itself has been archived and filed away.

[PaDUer]

101. Link for that

video??
Or has it been hijacked?

[jayfish]

38. Same Boat As You.

I kind of brushed the whole thing off as just another Bushism, until I watched the video. It's un-fucking believable to me that people think that this kind of behavior is not only acceptable, but good for the USA. I'll enjoy watching the Pugs scream their empty heads off when the next Democratic President treats their questions in the same manner.

Jay

[young_at_heart]

4. How many times has insulted other countries?

Does he have a purpose to these huge insults? He laughs about it, but many of us are VERY embarrassed.

[joeunderdog]

85. Lots of Americans who do business abroad aren't happy.

The Chimp's arrogance (not to mention stupidity) will be his downfall. Europe and Asia are boycotting America. And while it's not in the news--and what negative press about the Shrub is?--it is in the forefront of the thinking of many people whose business is suffering.

Europe will continue to retaliate with economic consequences. This will hurt the hardworking men and women in every US state. How many more jobs? How many more empty retirement accounts...?

And right amidst an election year.

[grytpype]

5. He gets worse by the minute, I swear.

How long until his sanity is openly questioned?

[frank frankly]

8. i hope it is not long

people are waking up, but to go from sound sleep to rebellion is quite a transformation. dumbya will sure do his best to remind us daily what a moron fascist bastard he is.

really, i have to see this myself. the press better not be sleeping well at night.

[aquart]

13. I question it. Am I in the open?

He doesn't seem much in touch with the actual planet.

[PartyPooper]

7. There is no justice in this world unless * is thrown into the Hague!

He can call his "lawyers"...but, in the end, justifiably, he should be convicted for war crimes against humanity. Throw him into a cold, windowless cell. And, toss away the key. Maybe he can make friends with the rats. (I feel sorry for the rats.)

'Nuff said.

[Djinn]

9. i know this is a bit off but

I personally prefer to see him make "friends" with his cell mate Big Bubba - were he ever to go to prison

atleast then he'd know how the people of Iraq, Afghanistan and the millions of his unemployed countrymen feel

[sasquatch]

10. Let him and Milosavich talk for a while

Maybe Milosavich can sell * for a pack of cigs and a candy bar:evilgrin:

[Yaoi_Huntress_Earth]

90. Better idea

Have him and his rich buddies watch as we take their money to pay off the defficit and auction off their stuff to rich French people.
Love,
Yaoi Huntress Earth

[SammyWinstonJack]

100. EXCELLENT IDEA!

Let 'em live under a bridge somewhere. Why should the taxpayers have to shell out more money for *'s upkeep, even in prison. Homeless and penniless sounds like a fitting punishment for *, I won't hold my breath. But as every repub will tell ya, the Clinton Administration was the most corrupt in US history.............:eyes: And Gore was nothing but a GD liar.........:eyes:

[tlcandie]

11. Since when did Canada become a national security risk to the US?

Taken from the above linked article...

<snip>
Democrats seized on the episode as further evidence of Bush diplomatic blundering. "How do we get a coalition together when we're putting it out on a government website that a country like Canada is a national security risk to the United States?" Marty Meehan, a Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said.
<snip>


I saw him and about lost my lunch. He's like some kid who thinks he's all that at some high school function or something. Prolly playing the cajones bit for Condi in background. It's a manly thing to do...reminds me of a jackass braying. :puke:

[LiberalFighter]

12. That really burned me when I heard him say that!!

Remarks like that makes it difficult to keep the friends the United States does/did have.

That jackass is an idiot and a detriment to the stability of the world.

As for the contracts I see a problem with a country dictating the conditions that other countries must follow in another country. Whistle-Ass must think that he is the ruler/god of the world.

I would love to see a ruler from another country slap that nimwad.

[burrowowl]

14. I try not to hate him,

but my gut does.

International Law means nothing to him. Hell, law means nothing at all to him. He is a pyschopath.

[Manix]

15. What a arrogant sanctimonious asshole!!! We have got to bring this

son of a bitch down.

[NickB79]

16. It was on the news tonight

I couldn't believe the arrogance Bush displayed in responding to that question! It was as if he just flipped Europe the bird and told them to fuck off. What kind of diplomatic talk is that?

And now Bush expects them to turn the cheek and forgive debts against Iraq? Does this man have ANY social skills beyond "gimme, gimme, gimme, mine, mine, mine!!!"???

[grasswire]

17. He rules the world....

...and is becoming ever more brazen and open about it.

He's dangerous.

[baby_bear]

18. I would have sworn this was from The Onion ..... n/t sigh

[imax2268]

19. How does this dumbass...

figure he's going to get any help from those countries if he keeps pissing in their faces...

he should be impeached now before he does anymore damage...

[Sugarbleus]

22. I agree!!

That's exactly what is worrying me everyday. It is still a way to the elections and this guy with his boot lickers in congress and the senate are passing bills that are gutting democracy et al, and doing it 100 mph! WATCH WHAT THEY ARE DOING. While we debate who will win in 2004, they are pulling some shit in the legislature, out of sight and right under our noses!!

:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

[radfringe]

23. international law, domestic law, laws of physic

you know that such little things like laws don't apply to Bush* Inc.

they think they are above the law, laws are just something that applies to the little people to keep them in line

[xchrom]

24. i'm laughing at bush

what a bafoon --i hope they laugh james baker off the international stage when he comes asking for debt relief for iraq.
probably not -- but i can always dream.

[Bhaisahab]

25. funny but true.

hey someone in yahoo message boards has this succint thing to say:

Subject: IF BUSH WERE AROUND IN JESUS' TIME...
by: lostboys_95 (456/The 7th moon of Jupiter)

...He would have contracted Halliburton to crucify him. Then he would have taken the wood from the cross and the spikes and sold them for a buck too.

har de har har!

on a related note, i think the DU forums are nice, but aren't we all preaching to the converted? i suggest we spread the word in yahoo message boards and other such fora where bush supporters are found in plenty with their dittohead logic(?) to refute the truth.

[Ferretherder]

30. Good suggestion, prof.

...and welcome to DU!

[calimary]

93. Hot diggity-dog, an excellent suggestion!

Welcome to DU, professor_pot - the posts here ARE great. But so is your point.

Many of us agree totally, and advocate things to do and things to say and people/organizations to say them to. That's REALLY important. Urgent, in fact. Because we ARE just preaching to the choir when we're ranting here. And some of us are damned eloquent! Welcome, you! And thanks for the yahoo message board relay. Like that thought as well. If he and his WERE around in Jesus's time, we would have called them Pharisees.

[ze_dscherman]

26. I hope they tattoo this sentence on his butt ...

... after he finally gets the sentence he deseves from The Hague.

And "Bring 'em on" onto the other cheek.

[LiberalFighter]

80. Preferably with dirty needles!!

[Capt_Nemo]

27. I'm glad the shrub made it clear, beause now no country dealing with

him will give a f*** if it is acording to International Law or
not and payback is gonna be a bitch... and will hurt the US a lot...

shrub - Hey Pootie Poot, you sold noocular weapons to Iran! You broke
international law, you S.O.B.!

Pootie Poot - International Law? Maybe I should call a lawyer, asshole!

:evilgrin:

[Bhaisahab]

28. hahahaha!!!

that was funny capn nemo! damn it was!

[Malva Zebrina]

29. there ain't no law

like his law--the law of the jungle barbarian. With this "sneering" contempt for international law, he proves that he thinks he got the prize on his own brave, bold initiative, and it is his, all his.

This statement is revealing. From the arrogance of the reply, It really does tacitly affirm that the oil was the reason he attacked Iraq, made up all sorts of lies in order to do so, and stole the oil fields from the Iraqi people--who , it is obvious, he does not think have any claims to that natural resource. It's his--It's mine~! Like playing in the sandbox with other two years old kids--you know. He has absolutely no interest in the men and women in Iraq who are dying daily so he can "sneer" and play sandbox games, make smart assed quips about international law and show how big and brave he was to do so. AWOL barbarian , heartless , little evil man. I would wish someone does call and haul into a court for war crimes. HE would deserve the fate of every other leader who has been prosecuted and found guilty of war crimes. That he lied to the American people about it, surely is sufficient grounds to haul a commander in chief out of office.

[DeepModem Mom]

31. You get almost used to the daily Bush outrages, but then...

something like this just hits you square between the eyes. It's so emblematic of the man -- arrogant, willfully ignorant, narrow, provincial, insulated, isolated, and without a clue about history, geopolitics, or the Enlightenment idea that is, or should be, our country.

[smirkymonkey]

48. Is there anything the International

community can do to stop him in his tracks??

Seriously, somebody has to be able to stop him? Does anyone know what the options are for hauling his ass into International Court?

[davhill]

52. It is already being done

Have you looked at the fall of the dollar lately as investors all over the world are moving money out of the U.S. Of course, we will suffer the consequences of having a bad leader, just as innocent Iraqis suffered from having Saddam.

[smirkymonkey]

63. Yes, I know they can and are

screwing us economically, but can they level any formal charges that the U.S. will have to comply with?

[BiggJawn]

58. Well, first they can invade *US*...

Then try to find Chimpy, kill the Tequila Twins, level Crawford and Kennebunkport, etc., etc., etc.....

[dusty64]

32. This really does

reveal the truth about this "war" and why we are there. Is about looting and money grubbing for rightwing donors and members of our regime. Could it be any more blatant and obvious?

[snippy]

33. The DNC needs to start running an ad with this clip immediately.

This is exactly the type of behavior which perfectly defines Bush and which will stick in the minds of average Americans and make them uneasy about Bush.

This is an incredible gift.

[pinto]

49. would be a great spot...Leader of the Free World?...LOL

[Cocoa]

60. PBS did Bush a big favor

when they played the clip of the very short Q&A, they omitted this part, which in fact was the most newsworthy and revealing. PBS normally airs extended footage, it was very out of place for them to cut this out.

So, I agree, a TV ad may be the best way to get the real Bush out there.

[Fovea]

72. Actually

That sounds more like MoveOn.org nowadays. They are really the voice of Freedom and the Progressive American anymore.

The DLC would not allow the DNC to air that ad.

[snippy]

73. You probably are right.

Using this statement with a description of the number of countries which have stated their willingness to contribute troops to Iraq only if the UN was in charge would make a powerful ad though. It would not have an impact on many republicans, but it could have a hell of an impact with independent voters.

[0007]

34. junior has his ASSCAR driver taking us for a big ride, 'eh?

[tabasco]

35. Bush is screwing our troops - AGAIN !

This makes it even more difficult for the US to get int'l troops to lessen our load. I guess Bush doesn't care about that. He and the rest of the cowardly administration are beneath contempt. The neocons consider our troops expendable.

[snippy]

36. You are right.

The DNC should find the total number of countries which have said they would contribute troops and money if the UN was in charge of rebuilding Iraq. That information should be in an ad which repeats Bush's comments about international law.

[underpants]

39. Uh Mr."President" Article 6 Clause 2

I'm not sure what international law France (I believe) was referring to but if it is any part of the UN Charter or any other treties that have been ratified I'm afraid you are supposed to at least try to obey it.

http://tomdelay.house.gov/constitution/Text/article6.htm

Article. 6. Clause 2
The Supreme Law
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

[Jack Rabbit]

41. I have a direct pipeline to the Frat Boy himself

He just read your post, Underpants. His response:

Supreme Law of the land? I'd better call my lawyer.

[underpants]

50. Outstanding

Did you have to read it to him or did he just take an executive summary?

[LiberalFighter]

81. No! Condiment Wild Rice had to tell him what to say

[smirkymonkey]

42. I Despise Monkey Boy Idiot!!

It one thing to be stupid and evil, it's another to be cocky and arrogant despite one's lack of positive qualities. He enrages me to no end - I really think he has crossed the line into megalomania, if not outright psychosis!!

I hope he meets the same fate as his evil predecessors. :grr:

[Terran]

43. History will not be kind to George W. Bush

Worst. President. Ever.

[Minstrel Boy]

44. unless he gets to end it

And I think he has an apocalyptic itch he'd like to scratch.

[MostlyBlackCat2]

46. right. like it's been so unkind to reagan and bush one.

not. history will paint him in the rosy light they always paint his kind. it will be unkind to people like clinton and carter who tried to do something decent in the world. I think the only reason jfk got mostly off the hook historically was the assasination.

truly cynical today.

[drscm]

51. Ha! Ha! Ha! He is such a cad...I mean card.

Can he say arrogance?

[Minstrel Boy]

54. Riverbend: "Iraq no longer feels like a country-it feels like war spoils"

Riverbend, in Baghdad:

Friday, December 12, 2003
Meanwhile...

We heard the latest statement from Washington about Germany, France, Russia and Canada not being allowed to have anything to do with the reconstruction. Iraq no longer feels like a country- it feels like war spoils: the winning team gets the pickings. So how is the world supposed to be involved in the reconstruction of Iraq when they are being deliberately excluded?

It's a decision like this one that brings to light the complete uselessness of the Governing Council. Why is Washington calling the shots on the reconstruction issues? This means that even after a military occupation, we'll be under an economic occupation for years to come. Why aren't any of the new ministers or GC members saying anything about this? Somehow, I have a feeling that if they have anything to say, it'll be in accordance with this latest decision.
http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

[pinto]

66. thanks for the post, riverbend is great first-hand blog from Baghdad n/t

[webtrainer]

56. the Daily Show, or . . .

broadcast network news, which do you think we'll see the video shown on?

[qanda]

62. Wolf Blitzer had nerve to laugh at this

Today on his show they played this clip and when they came back to Wolf he was laughing at it. Personally, I don't think it's very funny. I think it's juvenile, petty and unbecoming of a head of state.

[moondust]

65. Mr. Banana Republican.

This is the sort of irresponsible behavior you might expect to see in a small child but certainly not in a world leader which, of course, Mr. Banana Republican is not.

[opihimoimoi]

69. Houston, The Prez is off his Meds: AGAIN!!!!!??!!!!!!! WE GOT A PROBLEM

Aboard the: Space Sation Terra Firma 101.5

Refering to tense situation aboard the SSTF 101.5.

SS in trouble, Poor decisions has led to critical probs for crew on board. At last count, crew and families account for 7586978 living souls. Port hanger is damaged by Incident with docking, repairs to last 3 years. Food and other essential neccessities to sustain life are in doubt. No supply ships for 3 years or more. Repairs are very lengthy even at 24/7 schedule with 7 shifts.



"Sooner or later, Commander Bush gonna really blow it. The odds keep getting worse... we gatta do something real quick."

"Look! "They Losing water, air, food. and now, 2nd Lt. Sonya is HAPAI.... Pregnant!!!" "I don understand, they keep making babies when we should not be??"

"OMG, get the Prez onto the Bridge, we need him to make sound decisions."

"He is on the Golf Course, Sir"

"Againnnn?""""

[proud patriot]

67. It was the most disgusting display of arrogance I've ever witnessed

by the bafoon ...He is an embarassment

[TEXASYANKEE]

68. I simply don't understand.

Why his behavior is acceptable, but Dr. Dean's supposeded temper is an issue. I give Condi credit for being able to sit behind him with nary a change of expression. Is she on drugs?

[Virginian]

91. Yes, I believe she is on the same drugs as the Stepford Wives.

n/t

[Imajika]

70. The problem is...

..that a majority of Americans will FULLY agree with his comments and position on this issue.

Bush is stating it very folksy and simply. He is basically saying that nations that did not put their own sons and daughters in harms way to get rid of a dictator in Iraq have absolutely no business benefiting from US tax dollar contracts.

Most Americans are going to agree with this. That is just the way it is. We can explain till the cows come home how this undermines America's international relationships and even the objectives in Iraq, and the average American is not going to care one iota.

Any Democrat making an issue of this is going to look like they are defending France. Bush will win on this sort of issue every single time.

This is just going to be the kind of nonsense we are going to get until either the Bush administration is defeated in 04' or he finishes out his term in 08'. As of now, I sadly believe it is more than likely that he will get 4 more years.

Imajika

[snippy]

74. Democrats should make an issue of Bush sneering at international law.

Democrats should forget about complaining about excluding countries like France from the spoils of war. But lots of countries have offered tens of thousands of troops to go to Iraq if the reconstruction was done under international law and overseen by the UN. We could bring tens of thousands of our troops home if Bush stopped acting like a conquering warlord. Most Americans, though not most republicans, would really like this. This could really hurt Bush among lots of independent voters and could have an impact in several key states.

[Malva Zebrina]

97. that should be shouted by the Democrats from the rooftops

many people will think him just downright folksy and really, really in charge and brave--the Democrats do not point out how he has and is failing in Iraq--how many of our troops are dead to defend those "spoils' How many children have we killed so Bush can jealously grab everything in sight and give it to Halliburton who can rip us off too. They don't--all afraid . If he is elected, it will be the fault of the Democrats to a large extent because they will be seen as "all alike" I see where many of them have given approval to fight "terrorisms" in Syria and Jordan. I conclude they are all warmongers and that is what is very sad. (with the exception of a handfull of the usuals--Byrd, Kucinich etc.)

[Virginian]

92. Thank you congress for limiting the president to two terms.

n/t

[Yaoi_Huntress_Earth]

108. Sigh

I so pray this world will spiritually and intilectually evolve. We so need it.
Love,
Yaoi Huntress Earth

[grannylib]

71. Arrogant little pusbag...

[LiberalFighter]

82. Don't you mean douche bag?

[Lisa]

75. "spoils" is right ... he spoils everything he touches!

This whole mess stinks like rotting corpses. You know, as a Canadian, I honestly don't care if we don't get any contracts -- I'm glad that not many Canadian companies have been whining about how they missed their big chance. But it's just hypocrisy to go on about peace and freedom, and rake in money with the other hand. Get a load of Halliburton wailing that they only made "a few pennies" on supplying the gasoline. If they're that patriotic, they should be willing to take a LOSS if it means helping the troops and making Iraq better.

[DemonFighterLives]

76. I can't understand him

He is seriously off his rocker or he surely doesn't belong where he is.
I'm glad someone else noticed Condi. I was asking my wife what that meant with her shifty eyes. If you haven't seen it I hope you can.
Either she is really disgusted, embarrassed, guilty or scared to death.
What do those shifty eyes mean? Any psychiatrists out there?

[number6]

77. Bu$h smirk the jerk , will pay in the long run..

in the future when we need something,...foget it

they'll get even ...

[Mr_Bleedingheart]

78. please just tell me we are going to get rid of him

with all of the fighting about democratic presidential candidates, I just hope that we can come together after the primaries and get rid of Bush.

Please.

[pinto]

79. Hopefully, you will help get rid of him. As we will all.

[Mr_Bleedingheart]

84. contributing in many ways

yes

[calimary]

94. As are we all. Welcome to DU!

I, too, turn and ask my husband every day - WHEN will it END? WHEN does this END??

It's almost like - on our street. On our street, people speed. Pretty badly and mighty recklessly. We neighbors who live along this street have complained. We've petitioned. We've called. We've called our city councilwoman. We've called the cops. We've written letters. Nothing helps. More than once, I've heard someone say "probably nothing will be done about it until someone gets killed." I now find myself wondering that same thing about our country. WHAT will it take to wake enough people up that we finally get rid of this Robbin' bush and his merry thieves?

Anyway, many are the exhortations to A) Write/email/fax to your congressperson/senator. B) Call your congressperson/senator. C) Write/call/email/fax your local paper - letters to the editor. D) Call a local talk show. E) All of the above, and whatever else you can think of. F) Support your Davids as they face this latter-day Goliath. G) Support those who would/will/can vanquish him.

I hope we ALL contribute in many ways. Many hands make light work - or in this case - regime change.

[The Animator]

83. ..."International law? I'd better call my lawyer," ...

I think we should declare him a threat to the National Security of the United States, and have his chimpy ass thrown into Guantanamo, where he can joke about calling his lawyer all he wants.

It is the height of irony, and cruelty, that he should joke about this while detaining his own citizens and denying them counsel. All this while he continues to put American citizens in harms way, spurning former allies, and putting our country in the targeting reticle of an increasingly angry world.

It still baffles me how the citizens of this country have allowed this to happen. I mean... he isn't even really the President for Godsake!! He should have been forced to resign after all the foul play in Florida was finally uncovered. He has no legitimate claim to our White House and yet he sits there like he owns the damn place.

WE OWN IT, the American taxpayers do, the American soldiers for paid for it in blood own it, the American voters own it. The American voters are the ones who are supposed to decide who gets to live there. Why the hell is he even still there! Why does the Democratic Party have to have a primary, the imcumbent is really AL Gore!!

[calimary]

95. Welcome to DU! You ask good questions.

Why indeed. This should all be moot. We shouldn't even be having this discussion. He should be back in Texas minding his pigs and Gore should be preparing for his reelection campaign. He shouldn't even BE there in the White House. It's NOT his.

[milkyway]

86. With one remark, he stood naked for all the world to see his true nature..

For those who were unsure, it became utterly clear to them that Bush views all people of the world with nothing but contempt.

This a**hole has contempt even for our troops in Iraq. They are just to be used for photo-ops and discarded like a used condom. Hazardous duty pay? Veteran benefits? VA Hospitals? The truth on why you're in Iraq and for how long? Kiss my ass, suckers!

Yesterday, the mask came off for good. This should haunt him more than "Mission Accomplished." That showed us his arrogance, ignorance, and stupidity. This shows all that and much more. And to think one reason that some people voted for this creep was that, although they knew he wasn't the brightest light on the Christmas tree, he was a "people person" who could cajole people into getting what he wanted. They voted for Bush over Gore because they thought Bush was a better schmoozer! And, boy, he sure did seem like it when he was hanging out at the ranch yucking it up with Putin. But the act didn't last for long, just until he gained enough political capital so that he didn't have to fake it anymore.

BTW, nice to see the Independent run this story, but why on earth do they say Bush "joked"? He wasn't kidding around. He meant it. Also, I know this is not really LBN anymore, but I couldn't help throwing in my two cents.

[young_at_heart]

88. You said the truth...."the act didn't last"

It's so very easy to manufacture vote-getting words and it worked. He has his "act" down pat now. He continues to insult literaly everyone (unless they're wealthy) and people just ignore it or laugh with him. It's difficult to imagine a more disgusting representative of our country!

[opihimoimoi]

96. But did we or did we not sign that treaty calling for equal treatment??

WE sign something into law then when it behooves US, we ignore it??

How arrogant is that? Bush is taking us down a lonely and dark road and the gas tank is on low.

[tabasco]

104. Well-said, milkyway.

It is truly embarassing to have this low-life as our "leader".

[Seldona]

98. Anyone have a link to the video?

Cannot find it, and I missed it.

Thanks in advance.

[truth2power]

103. I didn't see it either.

Would appreciate a link.

[Duncan Grant]

105. STATE DEPARTMENT TRANSCRIPT 12/11/03 (but couldn't find a complete video)

http://www.usa.or.th/news/wf/epf404.htm
*EPF405 12/11/2003
Transcript: Bush Defends U.S. Decision on Iraqi Reconstruction Bids
(Speaks with reporters Dec. 11 following meeting with his Cabinet) (1070)

>snip<
Q: Sir, Chancellor Schroeder says international law must apply in this case. What's you're understanding of the law?

THE PRESIDENT: International law? I better call my lawyer; he didn't bring that up to me. I asked President Chirac and Chancellor Schroeder and President Putin to see Jim Baker, to talk about debt restructuring. If these countries want to participate in helping the world become more secure by enabling Iraq to emerge as a free and peaceful country, one way to contribute is through debt restructuring. And so Jim Baker, with the consent of the Secretary of State, is going to go over and talk to these leaders about that. But I don't know what you're talking about, about international law. I've got to consult my lawyer.

Q: Can I clarify one thing?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, you may clarify something.

Q: Thank you very much.

THE PRESIDENT: Depends on what it is, though. (Laughter.)

Q: Same issue.

THE PRESIDENT: Okay.

Q: You seem to be saying that the boots on the ground are the only qualifications for -- but what about the forgiveness of debt? Isn't that a fairly substantial --

THE PRESIDENT: It is, it would be a significant contribution, for which we would be very grateful. What I'm saying is, in the expenditure of taxpayer's money -- and that's what we're talking about now -- the U.S. people, the taxpayers understand why it makes sense for countries that risk lives to participate in the contracts in Iraq. It's very simple. Our people risk their lives. Coalition -- friendly coalition folks risk their lives, and, therefore, the contracting is going to reflect that. And that's what the U.S. taxpayers expect.

Thank you, all.

END 10:56 A.M. EST

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

[underpants]

107. Honestly he sounds like a mafioso in that.

It is, it would be a significant contribution, for which we would be very grateful.