Is the world better off as a result of Shrub's leadership?

That certainly is a fundamental question. Who but an unrepentant neo-con could answer yes? The world is worse off, and, more to the point, the US is worse off. We have spent trillions, killed, maimed, and traumatized thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Moslems. We have alienated people and governments around the world and increased the number of enemy willing to use terrorism against us. We have trashed constitutional protection of privacy and due process and thrown constitutional balance of power farther out of whack.

If Shrub's comment was serious, he has certainly lost touch with reality.

I really don't think he has ever been in touch with reality. People like to blow him off as just being plain dumb, and while I would certainly agree that he is pretty dim bulb, I think the greater problem is his whole screwed up mindset. I think he's serious when he rambles on about all this in-touch-with-God and spreading-freedom crap. In today's NYT, there was a piece about what he wants to do post-presidency, and his answer was give speeches to make some money, and then move to Dallas and open the Freedom Institute to spread freedom throughout the world. I bet he expects that like in the rest of his life, everybody will prop him up and do all the hard work, but I think once he's done in office nobody will want to touch him with a 10' pole.

It's Labor Day. I'm posting this here since I don't know how else to directly reach you or others involved with Blue Oregon. This involves organized labor in Oregon...

FYI:

For those involved with or who care about the labor movement and haven't heard, there's a major problem in one of the largest unions in Oregon...learn about it here:

http://joemustgo.info

SEIU 503's current statewide president last March submitted an overtime request of 2596 hours (not pre-approved), which totals about $110,000. This was done at one time for a period of 29 months. The 503 Board rejected his claim, but he has filed lawsuits, a grievance, restraining order, BOLI complaint. etc.

Now there's a RECALL signature drive among Members statewide.

See all the relevant details and documents here:

http://joemustgo.info/modules/wfdownloads/viewcat.php?cid=3

Sincerely,

An Infuriated 503 Member

Maybe the fundamental question is this:

George, how many moons can you see from the planet where you live? Because it's certainly not the same planet the rest of us are living on.

I'm curious to know what you all think of this. Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U623_GTYX-8 It's a quick trailer for a new documentary two DC journalists made after spending a year in Baghdad.

"But the fundamental question is, is the world better off as a result of your leadership?”

Kind of reminds me of -- who was it? Reagan? -- who asked "Are YOU better off now than you were four years ago?"

The cool thing about slogans/sound bites that are posed as questions is --

Once asked -- every one who hears it answers it, at least in their mind.

That -- plus repetition -- could frame the debate in all races against Republicans.

IE... against Gordon Smith:

After 12 years of service and especially after 6 years of complete national Republican domination, is your world safer?

Is it?

Randy2

Like his long delayed recognition of alcoholism, W has belatedly come to an epiphany, he's arrogant. He blames it on being a leader. Whatever. It was just reported that his secret trip to Iraq has resulted in acknowledgment that we may be able to withdraw some troops-slowly allowing Iraqis to assume responsibility for their security. Yes-at last. Do not let this opportunity become another source of devisiveness, instead embrace piecemeal replacement of us troops with Iraqis. Congratulate the arrogant for finally seeing the light. Remind them that the disease of arrogance must be overcome one day at a time. Encourage them to seek support through attendance at meetings with like minded power addicts. Arrogance Anonymous. Over time, seeing their efforts at overcoming this addiction, forgive them. For they know not what damage they have done. Recognizing the problem is a start. Encourage recovery for the good of America-support the troop draw down. Do not ever forget though that arrogance knows no party affiliation.

There are lots of comments about Bush's lack of intelligence without defining how intelligence is measured. It is possible to have a high IQ and be capable of monumentally stupid acts. It is probably safer to say the real problem with Bush is a lack of ethics and knowledge, which is different from intelligence. There is also his apparent rejection of generally accepted moral standards. Like initiating an unprovoked war that has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and a couple of million refugees - and still counting in both categories.

You Bush hating, disrespectful people! Shame on your lack of respect and support for your leader any time, but most especially in time of war. Where is your integrity and even a modicum sense of decency? If stupidity were a crime, you'd all do life in prison. Instead of slandering, lying about, and maligning your president, "You should be thankful to him and the U.S. military out there protecting your bleeding heart,liberal,uninformed lives. You are a disgrace to the United States of America. And I'll be glad to buy you a one way ticket to Iraq-if you'll go"-quote from a U.S. seviceman

<hr/>