WASHINGTON — My agents report that President George W. Bush even now is contemplating memoirs. When it comes to writing memoirs, I humbly submit that even a commander in chief should take counsel from an editor-in-chief, especially if the editor-in-chief is an admirer.
As the retiring president heads back to Texas, he might bear in mind that his presidency was unusually turbulent. His memoirs will be the record of a president whose time in office began and ended with two stupendous crises that only Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan experienced in modern times, though the chronological orders of their crises were more orderly. They moved from financial crisis to geopolitical crisis. Mr. Bush's first crisis came in his first year, with 9/11 — a contemporary Pearl Harbor more treacherous than the first Pearl Harbor. His second came in his last year, the subprime mortgage day of reckoning — the credit freeze — ultimately the worst financial crisis in a century.
In recent interviews, Mr. Bush has sounded glum. As an editor, I advise him to review the facts and take heart. Both of his crises originated in his predecessor's administration. His memoirs must make that clear. In fact, it is his duty to set the record straight. Gentleman that he is, Mr. Bush is going to have to find the right tone in laying out that fact. He must not appear to be defensive or to be scapegoating. After all, he arrived at the White House after America's foolish holiday from history. It is perfectly appropriate that in the holiday's aftermath, its revelers be held accountable.
There is not much he can say about the subprime reckoning except that his 2002 budget was critical of the excesses of Fannie and Freddie. In 2003, his secretary of treasury was equally critical and called for regulation, to which Rep. Barney Frank retorted, "I do not think we are facing any kind of a crisis."
On the other hand, the 43rd president should have a lot to say about his response to 9/11, the war on terror, and the toppling of Saddam Hussein. Those were the major undertakings of his administration, but given his apparent glum humor, I am not sure he will address those matters with the requisite confidence. Early this month, he told ABC News that his "biggest regret" as president was how he handled intelligence estimates of Saddam's weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Bush, the post-9/11 world was a world that demanded from you "action this day," and you passed the test.
After 9/11, no one knew where or when the next attack might come.
Saddam, our longtime antagonist, actually applauded the attacks, an indiscretion duplicated by no other international figure, save Osama bin Laden. Moreover, Saddam purposely duped world leaders and his military leaders into believing that he had weapons of mass destruction. Now we know he did not have them ready to go, but we also know that he had them available on short notice. He could have sent chemical and biological weapons in a matter of weeks to terrorists or to his intelligence agents for attacks on American soil or almost anywhere else.
The evidence is available for anyone who wants to review it. Last summer, The Associated Press reported that a "secret U.S. operation" had transferred 550 metric tons of "yellowcake," "the last major remnant of Saddam Hussein's nuclear program," to Montreal for peaceful purposes. So contrary to what your opponents tell you, Mr. Bush, the strutting tyrant did have the makings for nuclear weapons. Withal, he had biological and chemical weapons available in a few weeks' notice. That is a key finding of the Iraq Survey Group.
When the president gets back to Texas, I encourage him to read the really splendid memoirs "War and Decision: Inside the Pentagon at the Dawn of the War on Terrorism," by his undersecretary of defense for policy, Douglas J. Feith. It convincingly explains the justification for war with Saddam. Quoting the Duelfer Report on the findings from the Iraq Survey Group, Feith records that at the time of our invasion, "Iraq still possessed small but significant dual-use facilities capable of conversion to small-scale BW agent production." Small-scale, but such agents are enormously dangerous. The report continues, such dual-use facilities "could be converted for BW agent production within 4 to 5 weeks." "In sum," Feith writes, "the Iraq Survey Group confirmed Saddam's intention and capability to produce biological and chemical weapons."
Though stockpiles of such lethal weaponry never were found, we have plenty of evidence that Saddam had the facilities, the materiel, the personnel, the capability and the intent to create biological weapons. Feith writes that when Saddam had rid himself of sanctions, the evidence is he would have revitalized his WMD programs. Nothing would stop him but war.
In preparation for the Bush presidential memoirs, I suggest Mr. Bush read the Feith memoirs. Finally, Mr. President, in the spirit of the season, this politically correct editor-in-chief wishes you merry … and happy … .
R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. is founder and editor-in-chief of The American Spectator and an adjunct scholar at the Hudson Institute. To find out more about R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
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Sir;... A short lie is better than a long book since the former is easier to get over with, and on with one's life... I trust everyone has heard enough from that stinker; but if it is his pay off time, then let money flow... He can't hurt us now, and all he can do is remind us of how much as a nation we love self injury..I know it is sick, and I want us to be well... . So, to my president I say:... Good bye.... Bye Bye... Good bye... Black bird. For his service to America some one should put his face on Monopoly money.... Thanks...Sweeney
Comment: #1
Posted by: James A, Sweeney
Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:30 PM
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Dear Mr. Patrick J. Buchanan
With utmost pleasure I have received from my dear old friend Mr. Robert Carter, US citizen, living in Houston, your published article “the Party is over”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20809.htm
My name is Manfred H. Hermann, German citizen, and living for over 25 years in different countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, and U.A.E.
Of course I have been visiting your country for many times, too.
However, presently or better to say finally for the last 17 years I am living in Moscow, Russia.
I totally agree with you that the people should be on the elevated platform of judgment. The fact that US citizens once more are degraded to the level of a spectator should make the US - Americans start to think and consequently react.
Nothing in live is for free, one always has to pay a price – may it be cash, health, freedom or integrity.
In such days, where citizens have to spend their daily live in tent – villages like refugees, phrases such as:
- In every crisis there is a new chance for the future -
are used frequently.
Such phrases are being used from officials and public persons to distract from facts and sweep true responsibilities under a big heavy carpet, hoping that somebody else will fix the problem or at least take the responsibility for it. (Dug and cover)
Ever since 3000 B.C. entire civilizations and so called Superpowers as the ancient Egyptians, Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, the Han Dynasty, Inkas, Spain, Napoleon, Portugal, Tsar Nikolaus II, the British Empire, the KuK Monarchy, Emperor William II, Adolf Hitler, GDR the USSR and many more have been wiped out for the same reasons:
Greed of rulers for wealth and power
Ignorance of rulers for the needs of the own population
Fear and ignorance of the population towards the rulers
The loss of values
How can a nation believe that there is no conflict off interests and the independence of decisions is secured, if the presidential election campaign is costing millions of dollars, sponsored by multinational companies and lobbies? If it is acceptable to the American public that big money can buy the key to the Oval Office than the American public should not be surprised that obligations have to be met.
The New York Times wrote on July 18th. 2004 that the entire American press has not been critical enough how the Bush administration reasoned the war in Iraq. It was known by than, that Iraq had no biological or nuclear weapons, which was given as the reason for invading Iraq. Yet the American public has re-elected the Mr. Bush for Presidency. Who will take responsibility for:
USD 3 trillion total cost so far
30634 wounded American soldiers
4521 killed Coalition Soldiers, 4207 of which are American soldiers
8760 killed Iraqi Soldiers and Police-forces
1001 killed Members of private Security and Military companies (i.e. Blackwater Worldwide)
As per ORB (Opinion Research Business) between 946,000 and 1,120,000 Iraqi have been killed between March 03 and August 07
This war is not an isolated incident but a consequence of lacking values and some weird self understanding. This war is a second Vietnam which in a similar way and manner has been swept away and covered. Until today the USA has not had the decency to give any aid to the many victims they have caused for no good reason what so ever other than self-righteous bigoted ideology.
In 1963 the world was on the edge of the 3 world war and the first atomic war when the USSR placed missiles in the front garden of the USA.
Today the American public accepts without any criticism that the USA is placing Missiles in the front garden of Russia.
One gets to ask what kind of nation is it, that wants to be a superpower but refuses to sign the Rome Statutes. On May 6th, 2002, the U.S. formally notified the United Nations that the U.S. does not intend to become a party to the Rome statute. This way Mr. Bush avoided to stand accused by the ICC of being a war criminal. Furthermore it is clear evidence that the Bush administration has planned their Invasion well in advance under any circumstances and how they want to conduct this issue.
A nation which accepts that international law and human rights are ignored as it is done until today in Guantanamo Bay has forfeit the claim of being a super power.
A nation that stages a war like a Hollywood science fiction film has lost its sense for respectability.
A nation that accepts death sentences should not pray for god to save America.
A nation that treats 8 Year old children in the same manner than adult criminals have lost the sense for humanity.
A nation that accepts boot-camps for children have lost any sense for any respect for live.
How can such a nation claim to be a world leader if this nation does not even treat their own children with respect?
A nation which needs to wear weapons in their every days live are scared of their community.
A nation that does not take care of those in need is no more than a crowd of individuals without any common interests that ought not try to bully other nations to the same system.
The one who places shareholder value above everything else justifies the exploitation of every working man and woman.
A nation where the only value is money is lost.
Certainly all of that is known by the American folks. The world of today needs a strong USA but based on solid ethic principals to keep other countries from adopting even more and most of all, to keep a balance.
When nowadays citizens from around the world are blaming their governments for not doing any better we should never forget, that any Nation around the world always gets the government it deserves.
Let's hope for the better - be it in USA, Russia, China or any European country.
Exciting and boring events which we where facing during the last year with extremely outstanding and different circumstances, followed with emotions, successful moments, hope, love, hate, give and take, loosing and winning.
Disregarding those circumstances and special moments, we shall always remember that time is the only value we don't have unlimited.
No matter whatever will be in 2009, let's simply face it.
We shall and will always find reason for celebrating the most valuables……
……….Health, happiness, love, family, friends, luck and joy.
I am whishing you and your family a HAPPY NEW YEAR
and remain with kind regards from Moscow
Manfred Hermann
Comment: #2
Posted by: Manfred H. Hermann
Mon Jan 5, 2009 2:49 PM
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