Highlights

Highlights from the debate.

"They showed up in Afghanistan when they were there, because they tried to beat us and they didn't. And they're showing up in Iraq for the same reason. They're trying to defeat us. "

Yes.

"That's kind of a pre-September 10th mentality, the hope that somehow resolutions and failed inspections would make this world a more peaceful place."

As against blowing the shit out of it? That's worked.

"Of course we're after Saddam Hussein -- I mean bin Laden."

Who are we fighting again?

"And that's what we're doing. We've got 100,000 trained now, 125,000 by the end of this year, 200,000 by the end of next y"

Al Zarqawi has maybe a dozen guys. I reckon a hundred thousand would do it.

"A free Iraq will help secure Israel."

Erm.

"My opponent just said something amazing. He said Osama bin Laden uses the invasion of Iraq as an excuse to spread hatred for America. Osama bin Laden isn't going to determine how we defend ourselves."

Sack your scriptwriter.

"I told her after we prayed and teared up and laughed some that I thought her husband's sacrifice was noble and worthy. Because I understand the stakes of this war on terror. I understand that we must find Al Qaida wherever they hide."

Ah well. In that case, he died for nothing because we found no AQ in Iraq.

"Never wanted to commit troops. When I was running -- when we had the debate in 2000, never dreamt I'd be doing that.
But the enemy attacked us"

None of the hijackers was an Iraqi. No Iraqi or anyone in Iraq even was involved, not in funding, planning or in any way in 9/11.

"First of all, of course I know Osama bin Laden attacked us. I know that."

Yes, but you already showed you can't tell Osama from Saddam.

"And I wouldn't join it. And I understand that in certain capitals around the world that that wasn't a popular move. But it's the right move not to join a foreign court that could -- where our people could be prosecuted. "

For war crimes. Everyone else is willing. Why is the USA afraid to be held accountable? Is the USA above the law?

If the USA is above the law, why should anyone else care about it?

"We'll continue to build our alliances. I'll never turn over America's national security needs to leaders of other countries, as we continue to build those alliances."

Hang on. If you will never give anything, aren't those alliances a teensy bit one-sided?

"We've climbed the mighty mountain. I see the valley below, and it's a valley of peace."

They're singing that one in Falluja right now.

***

I watched the debate. I don't understand much about American politics or how Americans decide what they decide. Americans are largely a mystery to the rest of the world; mostly we wonder how people apparently so fuckwitted could have become so rich. And they are fuckwits. How could they not be? One guy stood up and was a president, the other guy looked like a shifty turd trying to sell us something he knew was rusty underneath. How is it possible that a guy this stupid is even near the hotseat?

Know what it reminded me of? The same rabbit in the headlights look that struck him when he heard about the attack on the WTC.

It matters to us. We're going to be dying for Bush's mistakes. Our cities, our people are under threat because of them. We know that. In straw polls around western Europe, only 4-6% of people say they would choose Bush. We know what we're looking at.

They're liars. It should be enough for their opponents to say they are liars and they've made this place a damned sight less safe. Get the clowns out of here.

It's an indictment of the American people that it is not.

posted by Dr Zen @ 9:31 pm