Throw Out the Trash Pt. Two

The Infinite Echo
B. Thomas Cooper
Editor

Somewhere in the halls of Washington, a stench hangs heavy in the air. It is the stench of corruption and incompetence, and like no other in our grand history. But fear not America, we can overcome this. The answer is simple. When the trash begins to stink, it’s time to throw it out.

Of course, there are always bad actors in both parties. Regardless of party affiliation, we should never be afraid to purge our government of those who have abandoned their posts. Indeed, the Republican controlled congress has done just that, repeatedly playing the terror card whenever their motives are brought into question. Meanwhile, the US Constitution lies in ruin.

According to the governments own reports, George Bush’s invasion of Iraq has already cost America the lives of over three thousand soldiers, but instead of making us safer as promised, it has actually increased the threat of terrorism at home.

Still, it’s not Mr. Bush who is up for re-election in two weeks. It’s those scallywags in Congress who must prepare to face the wrath of angry voters.

And it’s not about congressman Foley, or Iraq, or Gitmo, or even Jack Abramoff. It’s about the kind of leadership that would allow these scandals to become the rule, rather than the exception.

This week we learned George Bush has jettisoned his “stay the course” mantra. Why now Mr. President? The US has already lost more lives in Iraq and Afghanistan than on 9/11.

And it’s not about “cut and run”. Ideally, we would turn security of Iraq over to the Iraqi government sooner, rather than later, but leaving too soon might leave the Iraqi security forces ill prepared to deal with a crisis we created.

Face the facts, kiddies. This is our own fault. We cannot blame our jingoistic foolishness on a handful of dead hijackers. We played along eagerly. We need to face our failures.

So what’s the solution?
Well, for starters, we can go to the polls in November, and show those scallywags in Congress who really calls the shots in this country!

We can kick the trash to the curb.

B. Thomas Cooper

The Infinite Echo
http://theinfiniteecho.blogspot.com/

Gitmo Prisoner Abuse Continues

The Infinite Echo
B. Thomas Cooper


President George W. Bush says the US does not conduct acts of rendition, but of course, it does. It has repeatedly been caught red handed. Bush knows his assertions are untrue. He cares not. He is a blatant liar.

George Bush denies any knowledge of detainee abuse by US soldiers, but he knows. Damn straight he knows. He simply has no respect for the truth.

George W. Bush also knows that thousands of innocent people are dying for all the wrong reasons, but he simply doesn’t care. He has always been willing to murder anyone who stands between him and his twisted ideals, and nothing has changed except the number of dead that lie in his wake.

Only an absolute fool would defend or support the transgressions of the current administration. The Bush legacy will be measured in spilled blood.
He has isolated the US from the rest of the world. We are now the bane of the international community. We are the wolf at the door.

Reports of detainee abuse at Gitmo continue to surface. A Marine who recently visited the Guantanamo Bay detention center alleges guards at the prison bragged about routinely abusing prisoners. One guard admitted to intentionally slamming a cell door on a detainees head.

In truth, countless US and international laws are being ignored. Human rights violations have become systemic. With no clear exit strategy, US troops in Iraq have become disillusioned and desperate. We are witness to America's darkest hour.

Bush and his cronies continue to insist that it’s all about protecting the homeland. He claims we are taking the fight to the terrorists before they can bring it to us. He admittedly doesn’t even know who or where they are, but he’s determined to kill them anyway. It’s all in the pursuit of freedom and justice…

nod, nod… wink, wink

The Infinite Echo
http://theinfiniteecho.blogspot.com/

The Man Who Lost The War

The Infinite Echo
B. Thomas Cooper


Many in Washington share the blame for US failures in Iraq, but none more so than Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. From the beginning it has been his baby, and his battle plan, As Secretary of Defense, he alone shoulders the responsibility for the endless parade of disasters in Iraq. Donald Rumsfeld stands front and center. He is without question, the man who lost the war.

US ground troops prepared for the invasion of Iraq by racing their Hummers across the Nevada desert. They did not prepare for an insurgency, as they were told not to expect one. Instead, they were told they would be greeted as liberators. Rumsfeld now steadfastly insists that no-one at the time could have predicted the size or intensity of the current insurgency. A grave error indeed. Rumsfeld ignored the first rule of combat… never underestimate your opponent.

The dead keep piling up. Iraqi hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and still no running water or reliable electricity. Violence continues to escalate, with August of 2006 proving to be the deadliest month in Iraq since the invasion began. There are no victories, no winners. According the US Pentagon, the streets of Baghdad were safer than the streets of our own nations capital prior to the invasion. Sadly, such is obviously no longer the case.

Still, Rumsfeld continues to willfully send our young men and women into a hostile environment to be maimed or possible murdered. He has shown little remorse the mess he has made. True to form, he refuses to appear weak, when in fact, his conduct has been nothing less than cowardly. Indeed, failure in Iraq is not an option, it’s a fact. One need not strain to hear the fat lady sing. She is well through the second refrain of her swan song. Through acts of arrogance and pride, the cause is lost. There will be no victory, nor vindication. The situation cannot be salvaged, and for that, you can thank US Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. Or perhaps it would be more accurate if we simply refer to him as the man who lost the war.


The Infinite Echo
http://theinfiniteecho.blogspot.com/