NationStates Jolt Archive

Bush, trying to somehow save himself from a legacy as the worst president ever, is trying to appoint a War Czar to over see the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. So far, four four-star generals have turned him down. They obviously don't want to touch this thing with a ten-foot pole because they don't want to be a part of the most inane, stupid, retarded dumb-ass administration ever to crawl teh floor of the oval office.


"The very fundamental issue is, they don't know where the hell they're going," said retired Marine Gen. John J. "Jack" Sheehan, a former top NATO commander who was among those rejecting the job. Sheehan said he believes that Vice President Cheney and his hawkish allies remain more powerful within the administration than pragmatists looking for a way out of Iraq. "So rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, 'No, thanks,' " he said.

It's important to note that these generals were people that the administration approached so if any of you Bushites out there try to impune their abilities or patriotism remeber that George Bush disagrees with you and feels that these people are qualified to take the top position in the War On Terror. They, however, don't feel the same way about Bush or his administration.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18026723/

*edit

had to add this.

Kurt Campbell, a Clinton administration Pentagon official who heads the Center for a New American Security, said the difficulty in finding someone to take the job shows that Bush has exhausted his ability to sign up top people to help salvage a disastrous war. "Who's sitting on the bench?" he asked. "Who is there to turn to? And who would want to take the job?"

That's brass, not bras. :p

That's brass, not bras. :p

Damn you!

Edit: nice, deceptive way to get people's attention.

That's brass, not bras. :p

Dammit, I only clicked this thread for pics :mad:

That's brass, not bras. :p
I figured that. I just thought you were trying to make a rap song out of it (bra - czar)
top bra
turn down the czar
think he as bad
as the shah

um
um
uh

la la la la la
how far
can you go
in a car
eating tar

uh

oh

hmmm




yeah I know. I suck at rap.

I figured that. I just thought you were trying to make a rap song out of it (bra - czar)
top bra
turn down the czar
think he as bad
as the shah

um
um
uh

la la la la la
how far
can you go
in a car
eating tar

uh

oh

hmmm




yeah I know. I suck at rap.

Yeah, keep your day job.

Yeah, keep your day job.
thank you, I'll try.
Luckily they've never asked me to perform impro rap. Hopefully (for them and me) they never will.

It's important to note that these generals were people that the administration approached so if any of you Bushites out there try to impune their abilities or patriotism remeber that George Bush disagrees with you and feels that these people are qualified to take the top position in the War On Terror. They, however, don't feel the same way about Bush or his administration.
maybe he's exhausted the supply of loyal Bushmen. or he just wants a new scapegoat.

maybe he's exhausted the supply of loyal Bushmen. or he just wants a new scapegoat.

Rats know a sinking ship when they see one.

They probably didn't get to four stars by being dipshits. They know the thing is a big mess and they know the Bush administration will be pushing buttons behind the scenes and the "war czar" will be taking the flak for everything instead. They might as well go pick out a bum from some DC alley and put him in charge.

They probably didn't get to four stars by being dipshits. They know the thing is a big mess and they know the Bush administration will be pushing buttons behind the scenes and the "war czar" will be taking the flak for everything instead. They might as well go pick out a bum from some DC alley and put him in charge.

Well, these guys are all retired, so it's not like they're looking for promotion. They just don't want to be associated with an obvious loser.

And if this were a Robin Williams movie, that's exactly the zany sort of thing that they would do!

Somewhere, right this moment, some corporate lackey is pitching this script to Robin Williams.

They might as well go pick out a bum from some DC alley and put him in charge.

And if this were a Robin Williams movie, that's exactly the zany sort of thing that they would do!

By the way, don't we already have a war czar? called the commander in chief.

By the way, don't we already have a war czar? called the commander in chief.

Yeah but he's tired of taking responsibility for what he's doing.

Yeah but he's tired of taking responsibility for what he's doing.

When has he ever actually - oh, right, sarcasm.

That's brass, not bras. :p

Oh don't be an as! :p

I'll do it! *commences operation 'suckers-pay-big-monthly'*

I'll do it! *commences operation 'suckers-pay-big-monthly'*

You'd be a terrible war czar! You know damn well those Arabs can give low monthly financing for all types of rugs and carpets! We'd be FUCKED.

You'd be a terrible war czar! You know damn well those Arabs can give low monthly financing for all types of rugs and carpets! We'd be FUCKED.

Bad idea! They could use them to send bombs! Unroll the new carpet *BOOM*

You know damn well those Arabs can give low monthly financing for all types of rugs and carpets! We'd be FUCKED.

:eek: there is but one hope *calls Ian wright*

From the article:

Some administration critics said the ideas miss the point. "An individual can't fix a failed policy," said Carlos Pascual, former State Department coordinator of Iraq reconstruction, who is now a vice president at the Brookings Institution. "So the key thing is to figure out where the policy is wrong."

Well, IMHO, even if you figured out what was wrong, there probably isn't a way to fix it that doesn't end in some bad outcome.

I am imagining now that a lot of the people who used to stay up and watch All The President's Men and beat off are now in orgasmic ecstasy at just repeating the mantra "Bush fucked up!"

Well, IMHO, even if you figured out what was wrong, there probably isn't a way to fix it that doesn't end in some bad outcome.

I am imagining now that a lot of the people who used to stay up and watch All The President's Men and beat off are now in orgasmic ecstasy at just repeating the mantra "Bush fucked up!"

Here's the problem with your little assumption--it assumes that people who have been and continue to be critical of Bush and his policies are partisan above all. It's a failing on your part, because it shows a lack of imagination and a lack of empathy. I'm not happy that Bush turned out to be the worst president in the history of the US. I'd really rather it hadn't happened. The country is worse off for it, the world is worse off for it, and there are hundreds of thousands of people who are unnecessarily dead as a result of it. Only a monster would be happy that Bush had fucked up so horribly.

And yet, you, in a failed attempt to be glib and cute, accuse us of just that. Well fuck you. Human suffering trumps political power. If Bush had turned out to have been a competent leader, I'd have been pleasantly surprised, just like I have been with my Republican governor, Charlie Crist. But I get no joy out of seeing the mess Bush has made of this country, and I certainly am not driven to heights of orgasmic bliss by it.

Bush, trying to somehow save himself from a legacy as the worst president ever, is trying to appoint a War Czar to over see the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. So far, four four-star generals have turned him down. They obviously don't want to touch this thing with a ten-foot pole because they don't want to be a part of the most inane, stupid, retarded dumb-ass administration ever to crawl teh floor of the oval office.



It's important to note that these generals were people that the administration approached so if any of you Bushites out there try to impune their abilities or patriotism remeber that George Bush disagrees with you and feels that these people are qualified to take the top position in the War On Terror. They, however, don't feel the same way about Bush or his administration.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18026723/

*edit

had to add this.

Yeah! No more war pigs of the power, hand of god has struck the hour!

And yet, you, in a failed attempt to be glib and cute, accuse us of just that. Well fuck you. Human suffering trumps political power. If Bush had turned out to have been a competent leader, I'd have been pleasantly surprised, just like I have been with my Republican governor, Charlie Crist. But I get no joy out of seeing the mess Bush has made of this country, and I certainly am not driven to heights of orgasmic bliss by it.

You may not get any joy out of it, but considering the number of posts that gloat about how badly Bush fucked up - well, they seem happy about what a fuckup he is.

You may not get any joy out of it, but considering the number of posts that gloat about how badly Bush fucked up - well, they seem happy about what a fuckup he is.

You see gloating. That's because you have no idea of how your opposition actually feels about the situation. I don't know if that's a failing on your part, or just a lack of desire to understand those people who disagree with you, but it's sad all the same.

You see gloating. That's because you have no idea of how your opposition actually feels about the situation. I don't know if that's a failing on your part, or just a lack of desire to understand those people who disagree with you, but it's sad all the same.

You're making the assumption that I oppose your views on Iraq - that's the first idiotic assumption you've made.

The other idiotic assumption you've made is that I like Bush.

Which I don't.

But you don't see me laughing about how he fucked up, the way so many do.

I saw a lot of it during the election. "Haw! Haw! Bush fucked up!"

How sad for you that you can't see anything except your own idealism.

You're making the assumption that I oppose your views on Iraq - that's the first idiotic assumption you've made.

The other idiotic assumption you've made is that I like Bush.

Which I don't.

But you don't see me laughing about how he fucked up, the way so many do.

I saw a lot of it during the election. "Haw! Haw! Bush fucked up!"

How sad for you that you can't see anything except your own idealism.

You're assigning an emotive value to a critical statement, one that is all your doing and not in the text.

You are mistaking critique for gloating.

You are going from A to C by creating your own B.

In the statement you quoted Nazz didn't state your position but rather commented on how you precieve opposition. This perception, based on your reactions here, would be valid even if you agreed with everything The Nazz said.

As for your claims of pattern, I'd comment that a new person wouldn't have the volumne to make that determination except that you are obviously at this point a re-incarnation. I hope you won't belabor this and just out with who you are so we all can move on.

It's fairly obvious really. 98 posts in 32 threads of which six were started recently by said poster. So RO, who are you a reincarnation of?

Here's the problem with your little assumption--it assumes that people who have been and continue to be critical of Bush and his policies are partisan above all. It's a failing on your part, because it shows a lack of imagination and a lack of empathy. I'm not happy that Bush turned out to be the worst president in the history of the US. I'd really rather it hadn't happened. The country is worse off for it, the world is worse off for it, and there are hundreds of thousands of people who are unnecessarily dead as a result of it. Only a monster would be happy that Bush had fucked up so horribly.

And yet, you, in a failed attempt to be glib and cute, accuse us of just that. Well fuck you. Human suffering trumps political power. If Bush had turned out to have been a competent leader, I'd have been pleasantly surprised, just like I have been with my Republican governor, Charlie Crist. But I get no joy out of seeing the mess Bush has made of this country, and I certainly am not driven to heights of orgasmic bliss by it.
I try not to post hump too much, but exactly. Everyday I hope for good news from Iraq and I'm scared for myself, my country and the world when I see none. This isn't funny, it's tragic. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to live th kind of life I had always hoped to live. This blunder is probably going to turn into the worst mistake in modern history and if I call Bush stupid and retarded and other names it's not because I am happy to see him fail, it is because I'm livid at the fact that he and others in his administration let their own hubris, stupidity and arrogance lead our country and the world into what will probably turn out to be a complete nightmare. If I could wave a magic want tomorrow and have Bush turn out to be a hero that saved the world and have him go down as the best president in history I wouldn't hesitate for a second.

Here's the problem with your little assumption--it assumes that people who have been and continue to be critical of Bush and his policies are partisan above all. It's a failing on your part, because it shows a lack of imagination and a lack of empathy. I'm not happy that Bush turned out to be the worst president in the history of the US. I'd really rather it hadn't happened. The country is worse off for it, the world is worse off for it, and there are hundreds of thousands of people who are unnecessarily dead as a result of it. Only a monster would be happy that Bush had fucked up so horribly.

And yet, you, in a failed attempt to be glib and cute, accuse us of just that. Well fuck you. Human suffering trumps political power. If Bush had turned out to have been a competent leader, I'd have been pleasantly surprised, just like I have been with my Republican governor, Charlie Crist. But I get no joy out of seeing the mess Bush has made of this country, and I certainly am not driven to heights of orgasmic bliss by it.
I try not to post hump too much, but exactly. Everyday I hope for good news from Iraq and I'm scared for myself, my country and the world when I see none. This isn't funny, it's tragic. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to live th kind of life I had always hoped to live. This blunder is probably going to turn into the worst mistake in modern history and if I call Bush stupid and retarded and other names it's not because I am happy to see him fail, it is because I'm livid at the fact that he and others in his administration let their own hubris, stupidity and arrogance lead our country and the world into what will probably turn out to be a complete nightmare. If I could wave a magic want tomorrow and have Bush turn out to be a hero that saved the world and have him go down as the best president in history I wouldn't hesitate for a second.

You may not get any joy out of it, but considering the number of posts that gloat about how badly Bush fucked up - well, they seem happy about what a fuckup he is.

gloating? No.

Validated? Yes.

I had the feeling Bush would be a fuck up from the beginning. As The Nazz said, in this instance, I would have MUCH rather been completely wrong, than 100% right.

While I might feel somewhat validated that I turned out to be right, I would have FAR prefered to be completely wrong.

I am pleased only to the extent that one typically is when his judgement is proven correct. All said and done however, I wish it hadn't been.

There is some value in getting to say "I told you so", there is some satisfaction in that. However what has happened to allow me to say that is a cost I never would have paid to be able to do so, and had I the choice I would have never let it happen just so I can have my smug satisfaction.

Yet, that price has been paid either way, so I might as well say it.

I told you so.

They probably didn't get to four stars by being dipshits. They know the thing is a big mess and they know the Bush administration will be pushing buttons behind the scenes and the "war czar" will be taking the flak for everything instead. They might as well go pick out a bum from some DC alley and put him in charge.

Based on the quality of the people who seem to be in the White House I would not be al that surprised if they did this. And if they did I am not sure anyone would notice the difference really...

I'll do it. Just point me to the controls of the Ion Cannon and get me some Mammoths.

Not even the Overmind could solve this admin's problems and it is a giant brain with billions of zerg behind it.

PsychoticDan and Arthais101 summed up exactly the way I feel about Bush's failures. I'd only like to add for emphasis that the validation I feel at having my predictions about Bush proved right is so bitter that it makes me feel sick -- at heart and to my stomach. If I go on and on about it, it is only to let out my anger and my frustration. There is no enjoyment in it. It is not fun to be Cassandra, to predict disaster and live to see it happen to the people and country that one loves. It sucks royally.

If Bush ever does get the comeuppance he deserves, that will make me happy, but until then -- well, to be totally honest, I don't think I have felt really happy, not once, since the Iraq war started. Bush's crimes and failures and the damage he has done to my country, to my reputation as an American, to my way of life and to the principles I was raised to believe in, have pretty much poisoned my days.

Yeah but he's tired of taking responsibility for what he's doing.

Unless he's on the receiving end of praise or sycophancy, anyway.

PsychoticDan and Arthais101 summed up exactly the way I feel about Bush's failures. I'd only like to add for emphasis that the validation I feel at having my predictions about Bush proved right is so bitter that it makes me feel sick -- at heart and to my stomach. If I go on and on about it, it is only to let out my anger and my frustration. There is no enjoyment in it. It is not fun to be Cassandra, to predict disaster and live to see it happen to the people and country that one loves. It sucks royally.

If Bush ever does get the comeuppance he deserves, that will make me happy, but until then -- well, to be totally honest, I don't think I have felt really happy, not once, since the Iraq war started. Bush's crimes and failures and the damage he has done to my country, to my reputation as an American, to my way of life and to the principles I was raised to believe in, have pretty much poisoned my days.

Chin up, mon brave. Chin up.

Why else would they turn down the spot? They're generals, not janitors. At this point, being War Czar means one thing: Cleaning up the lake of bloody diarrhea that used to be Iraq and Afghanistan.

At this point, being War Czar means one thing: Cleaning up the lake of bloody diarrhea that used to be Iraq and Afghanistan.

I'm pretty sure this is more of a fall-guy position rather than an actual cleaning-up position.

I have no idea what Bush and Co's actual motives are in iraq right now, but they're sticking to them with every bit of strength they have. I don't expect them to invite someone new in and give them a genuine shot at changing anything.

Everyday I hope for good news from Iraq and I'm scared for myself, my country and the world when I see none. This isn't funny, it's tragic. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to live th kind of life I had always hoped to live. This blunder is probably going to turn into the worst mistake in modern history and if I call Bush stupid and retarded and other names it's not because I am happy to see him fail, it is because I'm livid at the fact that he and others in his administration let their own hubris, stupidity and arrogance lead our country and the world into what will probably turn out to be a complete nightmare.

I had the feeling Bush would be a fuck up from the beginning. As The Nazz said, in this instance, I would have MUCH rather been completely wrong, than 100% right.

I'd only like to add for emphasis that the validation I feel at having my predictions about Bush proved right is so bitter that it makes me feel sick -- at heart and to my stomach. If I go on and on about it, it is only to let out my anger and my frustration. There is no enjoyment in it. It is not fun to be Cassandra, to predict disaster and live to see it happen to the people and country that one loves. It sucks royally.

If Bush ever does get the comeuppance he deserves, that will make me happy, but until then -- well, to be totally honest, I don't think I have felt really happy, not once, since the Iraq war started. Bush's crimes and failures and the damage he has done to my country, to my reputation as an American, to my way of life and to the principles I was raised to believe in, have pretty much poisoned my days.

...sometimes, other people post for me.

Not even the Overmind could solve this admin's problems and it is a giant brain with billions of zerg behind it.

:p

Not even the Overmind could solve this admin's problems and it is a giant brain with billions of zerg behind it.

Hell, not even an unlikely alliance of the Overmind, Tassadar, and Emperor Arcturus Mengsk could solve these problems.

Hell, not even an unlikely alliance of the Overmind, Tassadar, and Emperor Arcturus Mengsk could solve these problems.

Funny thing; I imagine Mengsk more like a horrible fusion of bush (generally stuffs things up) and cheney (manages to somehow get in power and survive horrible events).

I'll take the job...hell, I'm even in Washington!

Let's face it - nobody in their right mind wants to be the bagman for this administration. Iraq is a fuckup, mostly because they ignored anyone who didn't say 'Invade!' - people who pointed out that the shi'a/sunni divide would flare up, people who pointed put that it might be a good idea to have a long-term PLAN, people who pointed out that putting millions of people out of work (by disbanding the army and tossing every baathist out on their asses) was a recipe for disaster... Ugh, it frustrates the hell out of me. We could have made this work. We could have left Iraq a better place than when we found it.

I didn't think we had a valid cause for just war in the first place, and from the beginning, I said that the only thing invading would do is grow more terrorists. And guess what? It worked. And now we're stuck in a war we can't win without a drastic change of policy, both military and political, and people are dying by the busload. And still, dubya insists that Plan B is twice as much gunpowder as Plan A. :(

Can't at least one person come in here and talk about how these generals are unpatriotic or that they just suck for some reason or another?:mad:

The situation may be tragic, but if you can't laught at tragedy these days then what else is there?:(

What's amazing about this is when the Dems were calling for a pullout the accusation from the Pubs was that the Dems aren't listening to the generals. What could scream more loud and clear to the administration that no one wants to touch this monstrosity than every general they select telling them to take a hike in no uncertain terms.

It's so obvious that we've had completely silence from all the regular supporters. Hmmm... not hard to figure out why.

Can't at least one person come in here and talk about how these generals are unpatriotic or that they just suck for some reason or another?:mad:

The situation may be tragic, but if you can't laught at tragedy these days then what else is there?:(

Corny's specialty was flaming top brass who were calling for the Bush Administration to pull its collective head out of the collective ass, such as having Bumsfailed sacked. Maybe he can cook up a tirade that'll fill your needs.

:D

What's amazing about this is when the Dems were calling for a pullout the accusation from the Pubs was that the Dems aren't listening to the generals. What could scream more loud and clear to the administration that no one wants to touch this monstrosity than every general they select telling them to take a hike in no uncertain terms.

It's so obvious that we've had completely silence from all the regular supporters. Hmmm... not hard to figure out why.

Umm, maybe they are already retired and want to stay that way? 30yrs of military life wears a man out.

Umm, maybe they are already retired and want to stay that way? 30yrs of military life wears a man out.

You'd think they'd find one... and you think their reaction would be something along those lines. However, the ones vocal now seem adamant on staying out of the quagmire that is Iraq. Basically, they don't want to be stuck with this mess.

You'd think they'd find one... and you think their reaction would be something along those lines. However, the ones vocal now seem adamant on staying out of the quagmire that is Iraq. Basically, they don't want to be stuck with this mess.

Basically they are set for life and have to or have any incentive to accept the offer. Why the fuck would they want the stress of being in command of 140,000 men and have the fate of millions of people in your hands? I believe in the mission and even i wouldn't take the position.

I believe in the mission and even i wouldn't take the position.

You're also forgetting that as czar, you'd be a nice big target to paint for all the failures in Iraq, while the administration can say "Well, we may have screwed up, but it's all you're fault"

Who would want a job as fall guy anyway?

You're also forgetting that as czar, you'd be a nice big target to paint for all the failures in Iraq, while the administration can say "Well, we may have screwed up, but it's all you're fault"

Who would want a job as fall guy anyway?

It's 4 years in and there's probably only a year and a half left to go. It will always be the admin's fault.

It's 4 years in and there's probably only a year and a half left to go. It will always be the admin's fault.

The Bush administration has a history of using fall guys when things go wrong. They'll get some bum and use a media blitz blaming so and so for why everything's gone wrong.

And the American public, being composed of mostly morons with an attention span measured in seconds, will eat it all up.

I don't expect any miracles of enlightenment anytime soon, so no change.

Basically they are set for life and have to or have any incentive to accept the offer. Why the fuck would they want the stress of being in command of 140,000 men and have the fate of millions of people in your hands? I believe in the mission and even i wouldn't take the position.

If this is true, why don't they just say not interested. They didn't. They turned it down and then openly criticized the current situation. They made it pretty clear the reason they turned it down is not the one you cite.

I didn't do 30, but then I didn't get treated the way officers are or paid like officers are. I didn't find 8 years exhausting at all, and often consider returning. My friends who are getting close to retirment age in the military are already looking for ways to ensure they're permitted to continue after that time comes. I don't think you can universally suggest that generals don't want anything to do with the military once they retire.

Umm, maybe they are already retired and want to stay that way? 30yrs of military life wears a man out.

When people turn down a job because they want to stay retired and don't want to get back into the job, they say, "I'm retired and don't wan to get back into the job."

That's not what they'r saying.

"The very fundamental issue is, they don't know where the hell they're going. So rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, 'No, thanks.' I've never agreed on the basis of the war, and I'm still skeptical. Not only did we not plan properly for the war, we grossly underestimated the effect of sanctions and Saddam Hussein on the Iraqi people. There's the residue of the Cheney view -- 'We're going to win, al-Qaeda's there' -- that justifies anything we did.' And then there's the pragmatist view -- how the hell do we get out of Dodge and survive? Unfortunately, the people with the former view are still in the positions of most influence.

Sheehan, a 35-year Marine, served on the Defense Policy Board advising the Pentagon early in the Bush administration and at one point was reportedly considered by then-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

All three are or were admin insiders.

All three generals who declined the job have been to varying degrees administration insiders. Keane, a former Army vice chief of staff, was one of the primary proponents of sending more troops to Iraq and presented Bush with his plan for a major force increase during an Oval Office meeting in December. The president adopted the concept in January, although he did not dispatch as many troops as Keane proposed.

Ralston, a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was named by Rice last August to serve as her special envoy for countering the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, a group designated a terrorist organization by the United States.

Sheehan, a 35-year Marine, served on the Defense Policy Board advising the Pentagon early in the Bush administration and at one point was reportedly considered by then-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He now works as an executive at Bechtel Corp. developing oil projects in the Middle East.

The other two also didn't mention a desire to remain retired, which, of course, would be an uncontroversial statement.

Ralston declined to comment; Keane confirmed he declined the offer, adding: "It was discussed weeks ago."