Bush scolds Congress, talks Iran and Iraq

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: MSNBC

Bush scolds Congress, talks Iran and Iraq
President says a new intelligence report on Iran provides 'a warning signal'

updated 1 minute ago

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Tuesday that the international community should continue to pressure Iran on its nuclear programs, saying a new U.S. intelligence report finding that Tehran halted its development of a nuclear bomb provides an opportunity.

"I view this report as a warning signal that they had the program, they halted the program," Bush said. "The reason why it's a warning signal is they could restart it."

Bush spoke one day after a new national intelligence estimate found that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program late in 2003, largely because of international scrutiny and pressure. That finding is in stark contrast to the comparable intelligence estimate of just two years ago, when U.S. intelligence agencies believed Tehran was determined to develop a nuclear weapons capability and was continuing its weapons development program.

It is also stood in marked contrast to Bush's rhetoric on Iran. At his last news conference on Oct. 17, for instance, he said that people "interested in avoiding World War III" should be working to prevent Iran from having the knowledge needed to make a nuclear weapon.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22095352/

[kysrsoze]

1. You beat me to the post. I knew this was going to come, and not surprised how idiotic

the rhetoric truly is. Essentially, down is up.

[kenfrequed]

2. "I view this report as a warning signal that they had the program, they halted the program," Bush sa

Dear gods.

That line alone is utterly insane.

The fact that some 30 odd percent of the American electorate can't see something wrong with speaks very clearly to the death of critical thinking.

[arewenotdemo]

12. "weapons of mass destruction-related program activities"

They could build "a weapon". Clear enough?

:sarcasm:

[PATRICK]

3. Beneath the cover

reporting on the conference there were very revealing things, none more so than Bush's deep depression- which lightens up my day considerably.

He was vulnerable to let things slip. One that did was when talking aboiut the oppisition to his Iran policy the number one thing that flowed forth was the opposition of the business world. One of the columns of his support has vetoed the war. That was very revealing. Now there is only Dick, Israel, assorted crazies and perhaps a very nervous minority that still might profit from the chaos. The fact that he mentioned corporations first, and plaintively so, spoke volumes.

This looks like a man whose house of cards is coming down, but of course it all revolves around him in extreme pettiness so it is not certain how much hope there is beyond the present fallen mood of Little Boots.

[rodeodance]

4. Topic subject Bush Is Expected to Scold Congress Again

"and it came to pass......"

Forum Name Latest Breaking News
Topic subject Bush Is Expected to Scold Congress Again
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3088719#3088719
3088719, Bush Is Expected to Scold Congress Again
Posted by underpants on Tue Dec-04-07 07:18 AM

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush, entrenched in disputes with Congress over spending and the war in Iraq, wants to intensify pressure on lawmakers when he addresses the media on Tuesday. It will be his first news conference in nearly seven weeks.

The president is expected again to admonish Congress for not sending him spending bills, intelligence legislation and tax-law changes. Bush, taking advantage of his veto power and the largest bully pulpit in town, regularly scolds Congress as a way to stay relevant and frame the debate as his presidency winds down.

Democrats counter that Bush is more interested in making statements than genuinely trying to negotiate some common ground with them.

The news conference is scheduled for 10:01 a.m. EST Tuesday.


Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BUSH?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-12-04-07-47-33

[rodeodance]

5. ‘Nothing's changed’

Bush said Tuesday that he only learned of the new intelligence assessment last week. But he portrayed it as valuable ammunition against Tehran, not as a reason to lessen diplomatic pressure.

‘Nothing's changed’
"To me, the NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) provides an opportunity for us to rally the international community -- to continue to rally the community -- to pressure the Iranian regime to suspend its program," the president said. "What's to say they couldn't start another covert nuclear weapons program."

He asserted that the report means "nothing's changed."

"I still feel strongly that Iran is a danger," he said. "I think the NIE makes it clear that Iran needs to be taken seriously as a threat to peace. My opinion hasn't changed."

First in nearly 7 weeks
Bush called the news conference, his first in nearly seven weeks, to intensify pressure on lawmakers amid disputes over spending and the Iraq war. Taking advantage of his veto power and actively using his high visibility and prestige, Bush regularly scolds Congress as a way to stay relevant and frame the debate as his presidency winds down.

Democrats counter that Bush is more interested in making statements than genuinely trying to negotiate some common ground with them.

[rodeodance]

6. Topic subject I DID have cordial relations with that woman, Mrs. Pelosi...

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject I DID have cordial relations with that woman, Mrs. Pelosi...
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2401175#2401175
2401175, I DID have cordial relations with that woman, Mrs. Pelosi...
Posted by originalpckelly on Tue Dec-04-07 09:38 AM

:rofl:

[rodeodance]

7. Topic subject This Iran report presser is demonstrating some interesting information about this Admi

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject This Iran report presser is demonstrating some interesting information about this Admin
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2401050#2401050
2401050, This Iran report presser is demonstrating some interesting information about this Admin
Posted by riderinthestorm on Tue Dec-04-07 09:28 AM

FWIW, I honestly believe GW Bush did NOT get the NIE until last week. It was witheld by someone and our pretzeldent was suspended out in space these past few months spewing his warmongering for... what reason? By whom?

And someone else made the decision to release that report - not our pretzeldent, I would bet. Gates and/or whoever Gates works for? Bush is simply trying to CYA right now as he has been outmaneuvered. "Someone" powerful doesn't want war with Iran at this time, and they have shut down the faction that does.

The players are moving their chessmen (man?) around in public right now and there is an interesting opportunity here for politically savvy people to gain more insight into whose doing the moving.

[rodeodance]

8. Topic subject **PRESS CONFERENCE** thread?

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject **PRESS CONFERENCE** thread?
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2400747#2400747
2400747, **PRESS CONFERENCE** thread?
Posted by underpants on Tue Dec-04-07 08:58 AM

Anyone know where it is on-line?

[calimary]

10. george, YOU are not going to rally ANYBODY. Give it up.

NOBODY wants to play with you anymore. NO ONE feels like listening to you anymore and they sure as hell aren't going to bow to your "leadership." You have NO influence with anybody or on anybody anywhere beyond the 30 percent here in the "Buy-bull" Belt. And nobody you send will make any difference, either. NOBODY. Think karen hughes and everything she "accomplished" while carrying your colors everywhere. The rest of the world is in a holding pattern waiting for you to leave. You will not be able to get anything further accomplished on the global stage. Across the globe, they're all watching the calendar and merely counting the days til you're GONE. Nobody anywhere outside your own little religious extremist nutcase contingent even believes a word you say anymore. You are IRRELEVANT, george. Or is that Pinocchio?

[Zorra]

9. How, how, how, did we ever let this fascist fool get in the WH?

I don't need to extrapolate, do I?

[focusfan]

18. he got in the W.H because of Harriet Miers and Jeb bush

and don't forget the bullshit on Fox the night of the election
saying Bush won

[anakie]

20. well, around 60-65 percent of Americans

either voted for him or abstained from voting.

Peace

[Finite]

11. so...

that last press conference about Iran, where you were threatening WWIII.. as an outsider (UK) I find it amazing how eagerly and without remorse the republicans and their supporters lie, steal and exaggerate.

[madfloridian]

13. Bush: No change in Iran policy

Source: The Guardian

George Bush today ruled out a change in Washington's Iran policy following the declassification yesterday of a US intelligence report that concluded Tehran had abandoned its nuclear weapons programme in 2003.
The US president denied the national intelligence estimate (NIE) - which said Tehran's determination to develop nuclear weapons "is less ... than we have been judging" - had undercut his administration's repeated assertions that Iran was building nuclear weapons.

"Iran was dangerous. Iran is dangerous. And Iran will be dangerous if they have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon," Bush told his first White House press conference in nearly seven weeks.

He said the US would continue to work to "isolate" Iran, claiming the NIE was a "warning signal" to the international community.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2221665,00.html

---

It does not appear facts matter much to him.

[bif]

14. Nope. Not gonna. change. Ever. Screw the facts/truth.

[LakeSamish706]

15. Some nations need to step forward and isolate the US.. Cut off there borrowing...

power and make them the Banana Republic that they are striving so hard to be. It wouldn't take much at this juncture to do just that, with Bush at the helm the world has lost all respect for the US.

[KansDem]

16. CAN WE IMPEACHMENT THIS S.O.B. YET???

"Bush was dangerous. Bush is dangerous..."

I swear: this pissant needs to be OUT of the White House and IN the docket at the Hague! RIGHT NOW!!! :grr:

[focusfan]

17. Bush is a arrogant son of a bitch

he thinks he can actually tell Congresss what to do.I wouldn't
give him nothing

[truthisfreedom]

19. Sure, they could, idiot. If you keep causing trouble they will. The point is, you're a big fat liar.

So stfu already.

[samsingh]

21. bush has unmitigated gall - he is so repulsive and disgusting

[classysassy]

22. Every one that voted

for Bush,should hang their heads in shame.Bush is a sick man.

[boricua79]

23. "the reason why it's a warning signal is they could restart it"

you don't base a call for war or sanction on a "coulda, shoulda, woulda", Mr. President.

If that's the case, a whole bunch of countries could call for sanctions on the U.S. because they "might" start another war. We've sure proven we're capable and willing with Iraq and AFghanistan.

Fear-based foreign policy never works.

And he's a liar, on top of it. He knew he was hyping bullshit months ago. And he still did it. It's not being deceived by your own "intelligence" now. It's clear and up front. He was LYING to us about Iran...just like he lied to us about Iraq (as the Downing Street Memos proved).

LIAR all around. LIAR LIAR, PANTS OF FREAKING FIRE!

Keep repeating it...ad nauseum.


LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR!

[laststeamtrain]

24. Bush defends Iran policy amid doubts on new U.N. sanctions

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

Bush defends Iran policy amid doubts on new U.N. sanctions
Jonathan S. Landay | McClatchy Newspapers

last updated: December 04, 2007 08:37:21 PM

WASHINGTON — President Bush worked the phones Tuesday to salvage his hard-line policy toward Iran, lobbying foreign leaders for tougher economic sanctions despite a new U.S. intelligence report that concluded that the Islamic republic halted its secret nuclear weapons program four years ago.

Several U.S. officials and experts, however, said that the new National Intelligence Estimate has upended Bush's policy and erased any justification for threatening military strikes. The president will now find it difficult to persuade Russia and China — and even America's European allies — to impose new sanctions on Iran, even though it refuses to heed United Nations demands to stop enriching uranium, they said.

"A new resolution is going to be very hard to get, if not impossible," said a State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Bush showed no sign of backing down.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/22562.html

[SKKY]

25. Ah yes, our beloved president...

...never one to let facts get in the way of his policy. Colbert said it best, "He believes the same thing on Wednesday that he believed on Monday, No..matter..what..happens..on..Tuesday."

[JCMach1]

26. Bush lied to Sarkozy as well... LOL

His calls are going to go over well...

He made Sarkozy look like an idiot lapdog.