Why is Bush really doing this?

[Blue_Roses]

The timing of this "escalation" is just like him. He feels pushed into a corner and he does what any self-serving bully does in this situation, he cries wolf. If I didn't know better, I would think his motives for this would be from pissiness instead of logic. But no, not Bush. He's not known for acting like a spoiled brat who cries when he doesn't get his way...nah...:sarcasm:

So that leads to the ever increasing question we hear roaring nationwide: WHY NOW?

A newly elected Democratic-controlled Congress couldn't have anything to do with it. Naw. Bush has said he will "work" with "them." Hmm...so, when this Congress puts it's foot down and says "no funding" if there is a troop escalation, then will Bush and his "buddies" say, "we told you so" and "oh, yeah, those good-fer-nothing Democrats have cut off funding for the troops-- we told you they are un-American"? :eyes: Yep, I believe I see it coming. Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly are pissing in their pants right now at the excitement of saying, "we told you."

And then there is the question: WHY 20-30,000 troops? Where will they come form? Our troops are already over-extended on their tours in Iraq. It's ridiculous.

Tonight should be interesting but get ready, 'cause this looks to be the first of many playground bullying antics that Bush will do in order to keep from looking as incompetent as we all know he is.

[cwydro]

1. I truly think

he wants this to be someone else's problem. Therefore, keep dragging it out until he is no longer in office and he can skip merrily away. He's had that pattern his whole life.

It makes me sick. Really.

[Blue_Roses]

5. I really don't think he "thinks"...

He's so incompetent it's beyond reasoning.

[cwydro]

16. Hmmm,

you have a very good point there.

[global1]

2. It's A Big Game Of Chicken.....

both sides are taking a calculated risk. *Co is hoping that it can blame the Dems for not funding or supporting his escalation and things go badly. The Dems will take it up to this point and then let * have his way and they are hoping that things go south so they could say they gave * one more chance and he failed again.

Unfortunately - it is a game of chicken being played at the expense of our troops.

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. He's acting like a compulsive gambler

in many ways, IMO. Except he's using our 'blood and treasure' as he rolls the dice.

[slackmaster]

7. Good analogy

Much like a person who picks stocks based on a false perception of his or her intuition as being superior, or that the non-existent "law of averages" must eventually lead to a win.

[maxsolomon]

4. politicians lie, bush is a politician

sometimes politicians tell the truth with lies. bush only lies.

he's doing it now because he can control the agenda if he does it now. taking an agressive stance to make the congress play defense.

its a cynical ploy that will cost lives & money, but its the beginning of a 2-year strategy that they've been preparing these last two months when we've all been thinking they're dawdling.

expect stonewalling of any & every investigation all the supreme court, where the chips will be called in to protect * and his puppetmasters until jan 19, 2009.

this isn't going to be easy, but the dems are making a good start by refusing "surge" & sticking to their 'escalation' frame.

[slackmaster]

6. I believe the proper diagnosis would be "functional fixedness"

For those who lack a formal education in psychology (I have a degree but have never applied it professionally), the Wikipedia definition will suffice:

The concept of functional fixedness originated in Gestalt Psychology, which is a movement in psychology that emphasizes wholistic processing where the whole is seen as being separate from the sum of its parts. Duncker defined functional fixedness as being a "mental block against using an object in a new way that is required to solve a problem." This "block" then limits that ability of an individual to use the components given to them to make a specific item, as they can not move past the original intention of the object....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_fixedness

[klook]

8. His Saudi masters must want this

As noted by Greg Palast, the Bush administration works for them.

[whistle]

9. Bush is doing this because he is certifiably insane along with an equally

...insane Dick Cheney. Both of them must be impeached now!

[shanti]

10. $$$$$$

ALWAYS follow the money trail.

[Jim Warren]

11. Remember what the Pentagon brass said early on.......

the ones that rummy knew would not cooperate and he forced into early retirement?
Some called for a force of 450,000 to invade and OCCUPY for any length of time a country with the geographical/political/historical landscape of Iraq.

bushco knows that 20,000 more troops are only canon fodder this late in the game.

He's stalling. Trying to discern exactly their agenda at this time is not yet clear yet.

[LynneSin]

12. So he can let the next president deal with this mess

He's hoping it'll be another Vietnam or Somalia where the next guy(or gal) will get the blame for the war going horribly wrong

[WinkyDink]

13. To protect the up-coming transfer of Iraqi oil to the foreign owners.

[lebkuchen]

14. I wonder why Bush feels he must give a speech about it

He must know everyone is opposed to escalation. So, why does he feel he must go on stage to present his care? It's not like he's going to change anyone's mind. It's not as though he ever gave a damn about public opinion. Americans will be just as, if not more, opposed to escalation after the speech than before.

Since Bush is the decider, why doesn't he decide and simply act upon the decision? Why the pretense of a "fireside chat?"

[RaleighNCDUer]

15. Because it is a real rush to get on TV and LIE to the entire country

and to know that you're lying, and to know they they know that you are lying, and yet they will not call you on it.

That feeling must be just short of godlike.

[Blue_Roses]

17. Because he thinks it appeals to our senses...

I think he he believes by going to public with it, he is drumming up support.