Against all evidence, some believe Bush to be sincere in his actions....

[kentuck]

They believe that he invaded Iraq in the interest of the nation. He may have exaggerated the reasons for invading Iraq but it was not for any personal reasons. Although the evidence was that Bin Laden and some Saudis were responsible for 9/11, people still supported Bush in his claims that Saddam was supporting terrorism and was somehow connected to 9/11. Against all this evidence, people still supported Bush in his illegal and pre-emptive invasion of Iraq. Why do they still support him?

Because they cannot admit they made a mistake? As obvious as it is to most people, they seem to be oblivious that the rationalizations for war keep changing. The latest being that our troops are a magnet for all the terrorists in the Middle East, and isn't it just brilliant that we have managed to fight them on their own soil rather than here in America? Denial is such a common human trait. Especially when their support has led to deaths of thousands of people - many of them innocents. Without some type of idiotic rationalization, they would probably go insane. At least, the ones that have any sense of decency or moral bearing.

So they continue to support the most incompetent leader this nation has ever had. They continue to deceive themselves. George W Bush could not have had any personal ambitions toward Iraq and Saddam Hussein. He would not do anything that he has done simply to help Halliburton or Bechtel or the Carlyle Group. He did not have a personal vendetta against Saddam, left over from his father's failure to take him out. Big Oil had nothing to do with his invasion. The troops are dying each day to keep our nation from being attacked. George W Bush is an honorable and decent person who would never lie like Bill Clinton did, they tell themselves. They do not understand that they are not only deceiving themselves - they are deceiving the nation.

[bryant69]

1. You know, maybe I'd enjoy being flamed

But consider. Is it important to our cause to prove that maliciousness (as your article seems to indicate) on the part of President Bush? And if so, why?

In my mind i think it would be enough to say that, for whatever reason, he has made bad decision after bad decision, and the point out how he has worsened relationships with the rest of the world, been terrible on the economy, increased the deficit massively, got us in this war.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://Politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[kentuck]

4. I think it is important for people that supported the war and Bush.....

to think of their justifications and their rationalizations. People are dying every day. A little "maliciousness" is a small price to pay to point that out. Perhaps it would be enough to point out that, "for whatever reason, he has made bad decision after bad decision, and the point out how he has worsened relationships with the rest of the world, been terrible on the economy, increased the deficit massively, got us in this war." Perhaps ??

[efhmc]

5. The truth is still the truth and the continuation of bad policies based on

and motivated by the need to appease, satisfy and encourage all the excesses of big business by this administration needs to be exposed. These events happen daily and are not based on "bad decisions" but are based on an agenda that always negates the needs of the people and promotes the constant greed of the big business donors and supporters. Yesterday's lowering of pollution standards is yet another example.

[bryant69]

14. That's a fair point

President Bush's servility to Big Business is certainly a sticking point we need to emphasize--although to the conservative mind being servile to Big Business is something a president is supposed to do, I suppose.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[robbedvoter]

21. It's how Raygun got teflonized against vicious actions, words

The Forrest Gump syndrome that the Rove approved "That's My Bush" was trying to promote. The good hearted doofus - who may kill millions, but, hey, "that's my boosh"

[Cha]

2. there was a poster on DU last night who said he believed

"bush's heart was in the right place".

I let the poster know IMO that being a Liar and a sociopath wasn't a good recipe for having your heart in the right place.

[RobertSeattle]

6. Yep - I've heard that alot

Alot of Repubs like that "Bush's heart is in the right place" blather. They often say it with this dreamy look in their faces - almost like deep down they know it's bullshit. It gives them the ability to "forgive" Bush for all this failings and void his responsibility "since his heart is in the right place".

And of course, rarely is a Democrat given the same "heart in right place" free pass.

[kentuck]

8. Not only does it give them the ability to forgive Bush...

"It gives them the ability to "forgive" Bush for all this failings and void his responsibility "since his heart is in the right place".

It also permits them the ability to forgive themselves....

[PROGRESSIVE1]

9. BINGO!!!!!!!

The masses must make themselves feel good! They don't want to admit that they, Heaven Forbid!!!!!, made a MISTAKE by supporting the war!

[bryant69]

12. Not to be contrarian

But the people you lable Masses are roughly the same people that make up another group called the Voters.

[kentuck]

15. What difference does it make ??

If they are the "masses" or if they are "voters"? If they are voters, it somehow makes their support more valid??

[robbedvoter]

23. Which is precisely why we need to get the truth across

Now by holding ourselves as their betters - just imparting information. It's our mission on an individual level.

[efhmc]

7. A DU poster said that? What the hay is that person doing HERE?

[robbedvoter]

24. Defending Arnuld - I'm guessing.

Big contingent last night - each assigned on different threads: Nazi, Sex, gay marriage etc.

[Cha]

3. Okay! then bush is a "sincere" idiot!

[glarius]

10. Bush out and out LIES...Remember he said about Ken Lay...."all I know

about him is he gave money to my opponent's (Ann Richards) campaign?"
That was a bald faced LIE....Lay was a long time friend and financial surporter of Bush....there are many others, but this comes to mind at the moment...THE MAN IS A L-I-A-R!!!!
edit-- The reason I mention this particular lie is because there is no ambiguity about it....He was lying when he said it and he KNEW he was lying....He KNEW THAT HE KNEW KEN LAY!!!!

[soleft]

11. I actually think he believes he's doing the right thing

Being an addict of limited intellectual capacity, his addictions attributed to dysfuntional upbringing by his parents, he sincerely believes that Jesus Christ redeemed him. The figure of Jesus Christ became his idealized parent figure, and while he completely misunderstands the teachings of the scriptures, his actions are based on the ideology that belief in Jesus is the was to salvation, the United States is a Christian nation and therefore any actions taken by it are justified and necessary.

He's substituted one addiction for another, and whatever motives behind the advise he gets from Rice, Cheney, Rumsfeld, he's able to filter through his messiah complex.

[kentuck]

13. And all his supporters believe he's doing the right thing also?

Why?

[soleft]

22. The pathology is different and varied.

I guess I was commenting more on what I think Bush's motives are than why his supportor can't see his flaws.

There are those who need an idealized parent figure and cannot see Bush's faults the way some will defend an alcoholic parent. This is true whether you believe Bush is a religious fanatic (which I do) or an ammoral corporate whore.

For some it's a gang like, tribal mentality.

[Mari333]

16. I also think a LOT of people are guilt ridden with shame

that they backed Bush, or voted for him...as 1, 2, 3 soldiers die daily, as the economy tanks..they would rather stay in complete denial that they are also responsible for this Hellhole we are living in..
My mother voted for him..she wont even talk about it now...at least she called him "a little Napoleon" ...and is finally waking up...but is afraid of admitting she made a horrific mistake...
Its more then likely the same fear/denial that the German people felt after they were asked "How could you have LET that monster murder so many in concentration camps??" and they all denied they knew about it.

[kentuck]

17. Under such circumstances, are people able to face the truth....

Or are they vulnerable to whatever propaganda helps them to rationalize their support for a criminal and his criminal acts??

[Mari333]

20. Looking in the mirror and admitting one made a mistake,

especially one that causes such anguish, is hard...people avoid emotional pain , and often avoid facing themselves and will buy ANY way out of it....I think thats why Im seeing so much rage lately amongst people...under rage is usually sadness, guilt, and refusal to accept responsibility.

[ronatchig]

18. The hive mind at work

It is high time that we realize that what we are fighting against is indeed brainwashing pure and simple . I have visited and read the postings on DU for two years now and find it a great relief that there are others in this land applying critical thought to the situation we find ourselves in. The sad truth is that many in America are under the influence of a very well funded and well researched brand of thought control. the various media are the portals which convey the messages that the power elite need to control arguements that we engage in.
Here is a link to some thoughtful insight on this "hive mind" mentality:http://www.rense.com/general40/tvjhi.htm

Just let me say that it is important to realize that the machine in the living room or bedroom is more than it appears.

[robbedvoter]

19. I believe he was sincere when he said: "F* Saddam. I'm taking him down"

I doubt "National Security" is a notion he can grasp - it would imply viewing USA as something different that a source of income for BFEE. Hatred and greed are W's very sincere impulses towards that war. Everything beyond that is dressing a sow.

[TreasonousBastard]

25. It has been observed over the past few years...

that Whistle-Ass evidences certain sociopathic tendencies. Back when this inept piece of human detritus was Governor of Texas, there was much discussion over his sociopathic tendencies in the anti-death penalty circles I hang around in. The general consensus was that if he wasn't born with that silver foot in his mouth, he'd be spending most of his life in the slam 'cause he just revels in death and destruction.

Note that he talks well when speaking of revenge, but stumbles when called to be humble or admit mistake or failure. Clinton and Reagan, btw, were masters at the mea culpa, even if they didn't mean it. People responded to that, even if they knew it was bullshit.

Now, there are people holding on to that "heart's in the right place" nonsense as the last refuge of denial. It's tough to respond to only words of vengeance.

[robbedvoter]

26. Exactly. Eversince that gigling during the debates over the guys

being executed I caught on. Apparently Rove noticed the damage too, because in the next debate they had a plant asking: You didn't really enjoy executing people, did ya now?" giving W a chance to tout that mythical heart of his again.
Killing is what makes him tick. There was another revealing line in a Finneman gushing piece after 9.11. After recounting how W was asleep at 10 PM after all that carnage, he further notes that W went into the Natl Security meeting (planning the Afghanistan invasion) bright eyes and bushy tail saying: "Gentlemen, this is why we are getting paid for" Which probably encapsulates the entire misadministration.

[TreasonousBastard]

27. The giggling over Karla Faye Tucker...

was the last straw for a lot of us.

When we saw that clip, we knew what this administration would become.


http://www.nationalreview.com/daily/nr080999.html
http://www.ccadp.org/bushkills.htm
http://www.cuadp.org/bush.html

Not really about Karla Faye, but interesting take nonetheless:
http://www.blackcommentator.com/28/28_guest_commentary_1.html

(on edit, added urls)