Richard III Redix
Courtesy of a DC amigo:
Look at this crazy quote of Cheney's in Ron Suskind's amazing and terrifying new book , that appears to be guiding this administration's response to events:
"It's not about our analysis, or finding a preponderance of evidence. It's about our response."
Another way of saying "madness" in this context is "ideological fanaticism and imperviousness to reality," but John Judis opts for the former in his piece "The Madness of George W. Bush" in describing this administration's modus operandi, and writes:
Isn't it conceivable, for instance, that Vladimir Putin secretly desires the downfall of the United States and that under extremely strained circumstances —perhaps a previously undetected brain tumor— he might resort to weapons of mass destruction to effect it? It's not likely, but it is conceivable. And if it is conceivable, shouldn't we do something about it before it's too late? Ah, but Bush looked into his soul.
The point is, the most powerful nation in the history of humankind is being led by a guy just doesn't recognize reality. He (Cheney, Bush's Bible,) is right. Reality is wrong. The experts are wrong. The Constitution is wrong. It's like the Soviet politboro all over again.
Want another? Look at what the guy told those tough questioners at People.
People: "Do you think Gore is right on global warming?"
Bush: "I think we have a problem on global warming. I think there is a debate about whether it's caused by mankind or whether it's caused naturally, but it's a worthy debate. It's a debate, actually, that I'm in the process of solving by advancing new technologies, burning coal cleanly in electric plants, or promoting hydrogen-powered automobiles, or advancing ethanol as an alternative to gasoline."
In the first place, "he's in the process of solving the debate?"
More evidence he's "mad," I'd say. Second, "a debate about whether it's caused by mankind?" Not that Bush cares a whit about evidence, but here's Philip M. Boffey writing for Times Select, with references:
The leading scientific organizations with relevant expertise have overwhelmingly adopted the view that human-induced global warming is a serious problem. The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which has mobilized hundreds of scientists to analyze the evidence, has gotten progressively more concerned; it now holds humans responsible for most of the warming observed over the past 50 years. The science academies of the United States and 10 other industrial nations issued a joint statement last year citing "strong evidence that significant global warming is occurring" and calling for "prompt action" to combat it. The American Meteorological Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Geophysical Union have all chimed in with similar statements. Only the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, with deep ties to the fossil fuel industry, has demurred.
Bush won't care, though. Nothing's gong to happen on his watch and anyway, God speaks through him. The "madness," dishonesty and incompetence of the president has revealed many of his supporters to be mere courtiers, rather than honest critics and intellectuals. Little Roy, to be fair, has done better than most. He writes:
In the last few years, I have gone from lionizing this president's courage and fortitude to being dismayed at his incompetence and now to being resigned to mistrusting every word he speaks. I have never hated him. But now I can see, at least, that he is a liar on some of the gravest issues before the country. He doesn't trust us with the truth.
Here. What is missing from Andy's little history is the reason he's earned the nickname "Little Roy"; specifically, the role he's played in demonizing as treasonous the people who figured out the truth about Bush years before he did. We were "decadent coastal elites" who could not be trusted to support the war on Al Quada, as I recall. Turns out we were right and the country has paid a horrific price for listening to the likes of Little Roy
Look at this crazy quote of Cheney's in Ron Suskind's amazing and terrifying new book , that appears to be guiding this administration's response to events:
"It's not about our analysis, or finding a preponderance of evidence. It's about our response."
Another way of saying "madness" in this context is "ideological fanaticism and imperviousness to reality," but John Judis opts for the former in his piece "The Madness of George W. Bush" in describing this administration's modus operandi, and writes:
Isn't it conceivable, for instance, that Vladimir Putin secretly desires the downfall of the United States and that under extremely strained circumstances —perhaps a previously undetected brain tumor— he might resort to weapons of mass destruction to effect it? It's not likely, but it is conceivable. And if it is conceivable, shouldn't we do something about it before it's too late? Ah, but Bush looked into his soul.
The point is, the most powerful nation in the history of humankind is being led by a guy just doesn't recognize reality. He (Cheney, Bush's Bible,) is right. Reality is wrong. The experts are wrong. The Constitution is wrong. It's like the Soviet politboro all over again.
Want another? Look at what the guy told those tough questioners at People.
People: "Do you think Gore is right on global warming?"
Bush: "I think we have a problem on global warming. I think there is a debate about whether it's caused by mankind or whether it's caused naturally, but it's a worthy debate. It's a debate, actually, that I'm in the process of solving by advancing new technologies, burning coal cleanly in electric plants, or promoting hydrogen-powered automobiles, or advancing ethanol as an alternative to gasoline."
In the first place, "he's in the process of solving the debate?"
More evidence he's "mad," I'd say. Second, "a debate about whether it's caused by mankind?" Not that Bush cares a whit about evidence, but here's Philip M. Boffey writing for Times Select, with references:
The leading scientific organizations with relevant expertise have overwhelmingly adopted the view that human-induced global warming is a serious problem. The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which has mobilized hundreds of scientists to analyze the evidence, has gotten progressively more concerned; it now holds humans responsible for most of the warming observed over the past 50 years. The science academies of the United States and 10 other industrial nations issued a joint statement last year citing "strong evidence that significant global warming is occurring" and calling for "prompt action" to combat it. The American Meteorological Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Geophysical Union have all chimed in with similar statements. Only the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, with deep ties to the fossil fuel industry, has demurred.
Bush won't care, though. Nothing's gong to happen on his watch and anyway, God speaks through him. The "madness," dishonesty and incompetence of the president has revealed many of his supporters to be mere courtiers, rather than honest critics and intellectuals. Little Roy, to be fair, has done better than most. He writes:
In the last few years, I have gone from lionizing this president's courage and fortitude to being dismayed at his incompetence and now to being resigned to mistrusting every word he speaks. I have never hated him. But now I can see, at least, that he is a liar on some of the gravest issues before the country. He doesn't trust us with the truth.
Here. What is missing from Andy's little history is the reason he's earned the nickname "Little Roy"; specifically, the role he's played in demonizing as treasonous the people who figured out the truth about Bush years before he did. We were "decadent coastal elites" who could not be trusted to support the war on Al Quada, as I recall. Turns out we were right and the country has paid a horrific price for listening to the likes of Little Roy
posted by Anonymous | 3:18 PM
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