Did George Bush do the right thing...

[joe hx]

...at least in his own head? Did he believe that invading Iraq was in the interest of national security? Or is he truly sinister??

Same thing with Pres Obama. Many people don't like his spending, and neither do I, but I do thing he thinks he's doing what is necessary.

[BroomJockey]

"No one ever goes into battle thinking God is on the other side."

Not to go Godwin, but a valid comparison is Hitler thought he was doing what was best for his people, at least to start. Same with most dictators. Whether he still believes it to be correct or not, you'll never heard him admit anything less than full faith in his actions. He wouldn't want to disgrace his family line.

[Talon]

Believe?

Ever hear of the novel "Wizard's First Rule"? It states that people often believe something because they want to believe it, or they are afraid it might be true.

I'm sure GWB did believe he was justified, as all tyrants do. The real question is could he actually back up his "belief" with irrefutable facts?

No, and he wouldn't even try. Then one of the professional liars at Faux Noise would throw an adult temper tantrum and demand to know why the questioner hated America and all that bollocks.

[guywithashovel]

He might have. I voted for the man when he ran for president in 2000, and in the early years of his presidency, I was actually pretty impressed with his performance, and I was glad to have him at the helm. It really seemed to me that his heart was in the right place, and that he had the best interests of the people at heart. And perhaps he always did, despite all the stuff that happened.

Also, George W. Bush was a pretty big spender, too. That actually kind of entertains me. Back when he was running up the deficit, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and all the other wingnuts defended him tooth and nail. But now that a Democratic president is spending money like a teenager with a credit card, the deficit is suddenly a problem and spending needs to be controlled.

[BroomJockey]

It really seemed to me that his heart was in the right place, and that he had the best interests of the people at heart.

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." He may have meant well, but he had no plan. Also, there's the whole "Fuck Iraq" angle he had.

[joe hx]

but he had no plan

from what I understand, his plan was "remove saddam, install democracy"
and that's about as detailed as it was. he and his admin seemed to think that saddam was the sole problem of the middle east. who cares about shiites and sunnis (his attitude)

Also, George W. Bush was a pretty big spender, too.

that's what gets me with republicans. they *claim* they're all about small gov't, etc, etc. but they're just democrats in republican's clothing

[BroomJockey]

from what I understand, his plan was "remove saddam, install democracy"

1. Remove Saddam
2. Install Democracy
3. ???
4. PROFIT!!!


Sorry, I had to.

[AdminAssistant]

Y'know, the more I think back on it...I really do think George W. did have the best of intentions at heart. And really, I don't think he's to blame for all of this....mess, at least not solely. Unfortunately, he had a Vice President who makes Emperor Palpatine look lovable. Cheney and Rumsfield were the true architects of the war in Iraq.

[joe hx]

1. Remove Saddam
2. Install Democracy
3. ???
4. PROFIT!!!

i normally don't use this phrase but lol

Cheney and Rumsfield were the true architects of the war in Iraq.

true. very poor architects, but architects nonetheless.

in fact i honestly believe cheney's hunting accident wasn't an accident. however, i'll hold my judgment since i don't have all the facts...

[Flyndaran]

I distrusted him from the moment I learned of his existance. I have my problems with overly religious people in general, but I absolutely loathe the Jesus addicts. They usually recover from major drug addiction and float into supporting christianity with a blind passion. They actually want opposition so they can feel vindicated when they TRIUMPH over it!
His willful ignorance about science and the rules of evidence were just the matches to the previously mentioned dynamite.

[Tanasi]

I distrusted him from the moment I learned of his existance. I have my problems with overly religious people in general, but I absolutely loathe the Jesus addicts. They usually recover from major drug addiction and float into supporting christianity with a blind passion. They actually want opposition so they can feel vindicated when they TRIUMPH over it!
His willful ignorance about science and the rules of evidence were just the matches to the previously mentioned dynamite.

So how do you define an "overly religious" person?

[Flyndaran]

So how do you define an "overly religious" person?

To be painfully honest, anyone that lets religion dicate any of their choices, or behavior. But that view is definitely the minority, so I just mention it in passing to keep myself honest. I don't like hiding personal things that others may see as faults.
I see religion as a delusion usually harmless, but too often used as a weapon. Bush used it as a weapon to harm and kill close to if not over a million innocent people.

[Slytovhand]

I'll go with Flyn on this... not because of it as a general attitude, but because of a specific one. The guy was president. That should mean that you actually take other opinions into account. You don't allow your beliefs, and yours alone, to dictate policy.. and in that he failed miserably (as well as other reasons).

So, perhaps yes, he might have had his heart in it, but he needed to listen to his head! I'm pagan, but that should in no way mean I should start dictating my morals and ethics on the monotheistic community when if I became world leader.

[Flyndaran]

I'll go with Flyn on this... not because of it as a general attitude, but because of a specific one. The guy was president. That should mean that you actually take other opinions into account. ...

But the nation elects individuals because it believes the individuals will ultimately make decisions themselves. You shouldn't be upset, because he did what he was elected to do. Nowhere in the constitution does it say that a sitting president must accept others' more educated opinions.
I guess I would prefer more of a group of co-presidents, but that's not how this nation is set up.

[Slytovhand]

Yeah, fair enough... politics is just another popularity contest... it's got very little about one's abilities.