Bush blasts Latham's troop withdrawal plan

[CShine]

US President George Bush early today condemned Opposition Leader Mark Latham's plan to bring home Australia's troops from Iraq by Christmas as "disastrous".

"It would be a disastrous decision for the leader of a great country like Australia to say 'We're pulling out,' Mr Bush said after talks with Prime Minister John Howard. Labor's plan, if carried out, would dispirit "those who love freedom in Iraq".

"It would say that the Australian Government doesn't see the hope of a free and democratic society (in Iraq), leading to a peaceful world. It would embolden the enemy who believe that they can shake our will. You see, they want to kill innocent lives because they think that the Western world and the free world is weak, that when times get tough we would shirk our duty to those who long for freedom," Mr Bush said.

The extraordinary intervention into Australian politics came after Mr Howard indirectly raised Mr Latham's promise to bring home the troops by Christmas if he wins the election later this year. "It is the worst time imaginable for nations to be showing any weakness in relation to our goals in Iraq," Mr Howard said.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/04/1086203575179.html

[lapfog_1]

1. I hope that this gets Latham elected

as a protest vote against Bush by our Aussie friends.

[0007]

2. It will!!

[damnraddem]

3. Oh yes, IT WOULD be disastrous ...

for Dubya. Just another Dubya disaster, piled on all the others.

[northern]

4. Hopefully

The Aussies have had enough of the Bushista arse licker Howard.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi northern!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Florida_Geek]

5. Does anybody know when

the Australia's elections are?

[rooboy]

8. The election date is Howard's decision...

and he knows he's in desperate trouble. Popular belief here is that he's trying all sorts of short term measures to boost his popularity and have an election in August.

Personally I think he's screwed no matter when he goes. And when he's out of office, I hope the local kids go down to Howard's house late one Saturday night and leave a big, steaming Flaming Edgar outside his front door.

[Eye and Monkey]

14. and a Flaming Edgar would be - ?

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

16. I've never heard the term "Flaming Edgar" before,

but there's this prank kids play in America where you put a paper bag full of dog shit on someone's front step, set it on fire, and ring the doorbell. The sucker opens the door, instinctively tries to stomp out the fire, and ends up spraying offal everywhere. I assume that's what a Flaming Edgar is.

[rooboy]

17. That's good enough. n/t

[Eye and Monkey]

20. Oh! you mean a "Burning Bush"?

[Jack from Charlotte]

21. When is the LATEST date Howard can call for an election? Also,

what is the likely date? Just wonder vis a vie the US election because I'd love to see another enemy of The AWOL/Moron win one.

[LittleApple81]

6. Isn't it embarrassing to read that transcript? " kill innocent lives"

what does that mean? Don't you kill people, not lives?

..."the Western world and the free world is weak" ?????? WHAT??????
_______________________________

And, by the way, it was not an extemporaneous discussion. It was answering a question from an Australian journalist after Howard/Bush speeches in the rose garden. This is the rest of the answer:

" .And I -- anyway. "

Q Mr. President, can I ask you and Prime Minister Howard -

PRESIDENT BUSH: No, you can't anymore. Thank you all very much for coming.

[MisterP]

13. where's the transcript?

[rocktivity]

7. Bush wants to kill "innocent lives" too, apparently

The least he can do is be grateful they're not leaving on June 30. 'Tis better to me smart than strong, you miserable failure, you!

:headbang:
rocknation

[struggle4progress]

10. Latham stands firm on troop withdrawal

OPPOSITION Leader Mark Latham today stood by Labor's call for Australian forces to withdraw from Iraq by Christmas despite scathing criticism from US President George W. Bush.

Mr Latham said the Opposition never wanted Australian troops in Iraq in the first place.

"We intend to have them home by Christmas," he said in a statement.
<snip>

"I look forward to the day when we can put the mistakes of Iraq behind us and a Labor government can work with the United States to further strengthen the intelligence, strategic and cultural relationships between our two countries.
<snip>

http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,9742815%5E421,00.html

[foreigncorrespondent]

11. Go fuck yourself bush*!

You can campaign for little Johnnie fuck face as much as you want, but guess what you idiot? YOU ARE FUCKING HATED IN MY COUNTRY! You just HANDED the election to LATHAM! THANK YOU!

[MisterP]

12. foul sack of week-old haggis!

[no safe haven]

15. Bush has a score to settle with Latham.

Before Latham became Opposition Leader, in February 2003 he
denounced GWB in no uncertain terms. (Simon Crean was the then
Opposition Leader.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003/02/item20030207081745_1.htm 

[snip]

Mr Crean has also played down comments made by Labor
frontbencher Mark Latham in Parliament this week describing
George W Bush as the most incompetent and dangerous president
in living memory. 

Mr Latham says his comments have not upset Mr Crean, and says
he is just voicing the views of his electorate.

"I stand by the comments that I made entirely, and [I'm]
supported I must say by very strong reservations in my
electorate about the capacity of the American President,"
he said.

[rooboy]

18. Welcome to DU, nsh!

:toast: :hi:

[no safe haven]

19. Thanks roo

A nice cold one all round.