Berg's dad: Why I blame Bush for son's death
Nicholas Berg's father has an ax to grind with George W. Bush. Somehow, I doubt Our Sainted President is even paying attention. After all, he's got an election to steal...er, win.
People ask me why I focus on putting the blame for my son's tragic and atrocious end on the Bush administration. They ask: "Don't you blame the five men who killed him?" I have answered that I blame them no more or less than the Bush administration, but I am wrong: I am sure, knowing my son, that somewhere during their association with him these men became aware of what an extraordinary man my son was....
George Bush's ineffective leadership is a weapon of mass destruction and it has allowed a chain reaction of events that led to the unlawful detention of my son. That detention immersed my son in a world of escalated violence (and) were it not for his detention I would have had him in my arms again. That detention held him in Iraq not only until the atrocities that led to the siege of Fallujah, but to the revelation of the atrocities committed in the jails in Iraq in retaliation for which my son's wonderful life was put to an end....
We are fed up with the lies from our government about Nick's detention and we are fed up with the lies from our government about the reasons for this war.... Many people have offered to pray for Nick and my family. I appreciate their thoughts, but I ask them to include in their prayers a prayer for peace. I ask them to do more than pray. I ask them to demand it from the politicians and leaders in the White House and in the statehouses across the world and in the mountain camps where they may hide. And let them know that if you don't get it, they aren't going to work for you as their leaders any more.
Isn't it about time that we held Bush accountable for the lies and deceptions that have led us to this point? How many more American- in uniform and out- will have to die before we finally grasp the reality that this is all about Bush saving face so he can win in November? Perhaps if Bush could have been bothered to go to a funeral or two, he would have been able to see the results of his failed policy.
We deserve the truth. We deserve honest, effective leadership. WE DESERVE BETTER.
How many more terrorist attacks on US soil will it take before you libs wake up and smell the kitty litter?
One? Two? Nuclear? Chemical?
FACT: A number of well organized and well funded groups have declared war on western civilization. They hate us more than liberals hate Bush. They have publicly vowed to kill us in number and seek to destroy our economy and our way of life. These people consider us less than human. Mr. Berg's assertion that his son's murderers developed any level of affinity with their victim is quite unlikely. "To them, we are as dust," said Russian President Vladimir Putin after the 9-11 attacks.
FACT: For thousands of years, most northern African and middle eastern countries have been ruled by monarchies or dictatorships and from time to time, imperialist governance. All use religious devotion as a tool to control the citizens. Rampant discrimination, horrid and brutal punishments are the norm there. Most Americans don't comprehend the vast differences in culture and society.
FACT: Although considered one of the more "westernized" countries in the region, Saudi Arabia publically beheaded over 40 people in 2002, some for offenses as minor as drug smuggling. In many parts of the region, adultery is a capital offense. (Of course, the UN protests these brutal actions.)
FACT: More so than "western immorality" (things like giving women equal rights and accepting homosexuality) ruling bodies in this region fear loosing the control they hold over the populations as a result of an invasion of western freedom and democracy. They fear our freedom!
FACT: Bush put his job on the line from the get go on this and is walking his talk. At every opportunity along the way, his policies and actions have been scrutinized with 20-20 hindsight and overt political motivation.
FACT: Libya didn't coincidentally cough up its nuclear program. Our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan send a clear message to those who have declared war on us, and to those who harbor and support them: "This war will be fought and won on your turf, not ours!"
FACT: Ultimately, only the United States can protect the United States.
Bush didn't make this stuff up folks, it's just the way it is. If we allow our enemy to fight their war on US soil, we will lose. There must not be another 9-11!
Our freedoms are also our weak point. To achieve 100% protection from terrorism would require a sacrifice of freedoms and privacy that make the patriot act look like a municipal parking ordinance. If that happens, the terrorists win anyway.
I pray that everyone that reads this will proudly fly the colors this holiday weekend and remember those who gave their lives so that that We, the People might remain free, and that the peoples of other nations might enjoin in the blessing of freedom.
I pray that we remain free.
All of these facts, and not one line of reasoning that proves that somebody else can't do a better job.
Indeed, James. If there is one thing my weblog has taught me, is that Conservatives seem to feel that burying one in "facts" will carry the day. What I'm interested in is simple: how does this avalanche of "facts" demonsttrate that Bush is not incompetent?
Let me put it another way, and I won't even bury anyone is questionable "facts": Much of our current dilemma, and much of the reason the Islamic world hates us, is BECAUSE of George W. Bush. As I once heard Gen. Wesley Clark say about the Middle East: "You cannot change people's minds by shooting at them." Overwhelming force only means that we can subjugate our adversary. Remove the force, though, and that adversary returns. Apparently, the True Believers have not figure out that fact.
I've learned a bit from Jack's blog too... Chiefly that many many people hate Bush to such an extent that they tune out reality. Radical extremists have hated us over several presidencies, and formally delcared war under Clinton's "watch"
Please let me know which of the above facts you deem "questionable" and I'll be happy to provide additional background information tomorrow. (Today I'll be busy, the little lady tells me that half of our double wide is sagging, so I'll need to jack it up before NASCAR comes on, after the race, I figure I'll go baptize some heathens.)
Sorry to be so serious...
BTW James, I'm sure there are people who could do a better job than Bush, it's just a shame that none of them are running. That will be the subject of a subsequent post. I'll look forward to you reading it and ingnoring it's content completely.
Well, Bob, numbers 1 through 4 and 7 are perfectly correct facts, but irrelevant to the debate at hand. Numbers 5 and 6 aren't facts at all but inferences. Whether or not the steps Bush has taken has improved the situation in the Middle East and ultimately made America (much less the World) safer, is certainly a matter up for debate. And this doesn't get into Bush's fiscal policy which, if left unchecked, could compromise Bush's key policies, including the War on Terror and his own "no child left behind" policy.
The "facts" has been debated on numerous websites, including my own. I've had a lot of constructive debate on this site and others, and I've seen a lot of trolling. Constructive debaters can label ideas as "liberal" or "conservative", but they see strengths and weaknesses in both, and they don't insult the people holding those opinions. Trolls, on the other hand, dismiss people as "libs" or "neocons", accuse them of being asleep at the switch, naive, evil, fascist or unAmerican. I'm always surprised when people are surprised that going into a website with such an attitude leads to an attitude in return.
The truth is, the situation is complicated, and anybody who believes that they have all the answers in a single soundbite is almost invariably out just to be obnoxious. There are no "heathens" to be converted. We are all Americans (well, you are. I'm Canadian) and we're all decent people who, by virtue of this being the Land of the Free, have a right to our opinions, and don't usually come upon those opinions frivolously or without thought. If you really wanted a constructive debate rather than a schoolyard fight (which, admittedly, Jack sort of started, but hey this is his website, and you are under no obligation to read it), you went in with the wrong attitude.
This is hardly a trait limited to conservatives. I've had healthy debates with conservatives on conservative blogs and I've seen liberals go in with the same attitude you've shown above. I suspect the anonymity of the Internet emboldens a lot of us to forego courtesy that we'd show to the people we meet every day in our lives. I suspect if you got to know Jack, here, you'd have a more positive impression of him, as I suspect we'd have a more positive impression of you. On the Internet, it's easy to compartmentalize words. It's easy to dismiss somebody as a liberal or a conservative who hates America or Americans. After all, what are we going to do? Hit our keyboards harder?
Before you label me a simple "lib", let me assure you that I am not. I'm just an average person with an open mind. I certainly don't hate Bush the man, though I do strongly disagree with a number of his policies. I am perfectly happy to engage in constructive debate -- and I have on a number of other weblogs. But if you want to frame the debate in anything other than a simple shouting match, an adjustment in attitude is required. Excorciating "libs" on this weblog to "wake up and smell the kitty litter" shows that you're not going into this with an open mind, or even much respect for the person running this personal website. Do you honestly expect a better response in return?
Wow, finally someone more verbose than I am!
James, you should be aware that "smell the kitty litter" is a TPRS original that I coined from northstar, who recently did a "find and change all" on liberal and replaced it with progressive on his blog. But this isn't about mere labels, it's about survival.
I'm both pleased and honored that you agree with facts "1 through 4 and 7" and submit that your labeling those facts as "irrelevent" in the very same sentence supports the point of my comment.
That you go on to use so many words to label me as a troll compells this published writer to echo a bit of advice, "Less is More."
I am no troll. I am a balding forty-something dude that loves his cat, and his country. I reject the label of conservative (and troll) and seek to offend no one. BTW, I'm fond of Canada too!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go remove the Wide Load banner from my new home.
You may have missed the comment "...which, admittedly, Jack sort of started, but hey this is his website, and you are under no obligation to read it...". I've criticized Jack on his website before, and the attitude I cite applies equally well to liberal trolls on conservative websites as it does here.
The fact that you retreat to saying that you're a published author, as if that gives you extra authority on this debate, emphasizes your negative attitude. I'm a published author too, but that doesn't mean anything. We're both equally adept at commenting on Jack's post, here, and there are no editors here.
Bob- while I strongly disagree with your point of view on this issue, I am flattered that you have paid attention to TPRS closely enough to notice that I have changed "Liberal" to "Progressive" throughout. I did so because I am tired of Conservatives having established "Liberal" as the moral equivalent to "Demented, out of touch child molester". In the interest of accuracy, and to provide less ammunition to those who would argue on style rather than substance, only the name has been changed to protect the innocent (me).
Also, though I have not copyrighted it, "wake up and smell the cat litter" (or "kitty litter", depending on my mood) is also mine. I'm rather proud of it, actually.
I would also like to say that this sort of debate is exactly what I love, though in the future, I would appreciate the elimination of the use of "libs" or "liberal" as a pejorative.
The house rules are pretty simple, y'all: DON'T PEE IN MY SANDBOX. Doing so just may get you banned, although in three years I've only had to ban two trolls.
Party on, y'all....
Fair enough. I'll tone down my rhetoric.
...and apologize to Bob for my overly strong words.
This is already archived, but I hope it finds its way to both James and northstar.
I visited James' site, and am of the opinion that he's a better writer than I.
I've used "...smell the kitty litter" in several of my comments, but only here on TPRS. This is chiefly out of respect for northstar, but partially because no other blog posts so many cat pictures. On a more personal note, I recently installed a kitty door for my cat Theo. The kids and I call it the "Theo-door". As a result, it's been some time since I've actually awoke to the smell of kitty litter!
My initial comment might have been better received without the "libs" lead, and I won't use that label again on TPRS - "progs" just doesn't fit as well with "kitty litter" (something about the Ls.)
Wascally Pwogwessive on the other hand has a certain ring to it, but I'll avoid this as well.
I think 1st Lt. Mark V. Shaney USMC said it best when he said:
"...this is not defined as an absence of war. It is the presence of liberty, stability, and prosperity. In the face of the enemy. Don't buy into the pessimism and apathy that says, "It's hopeless," "They hate us too much," "That part of the men and women serving here in Iraq the enemy wherever you are. You are a mighty force for good, because truth is on your side. Together we will ultimately fail. That is why I am asking for your support. Become a voice of truth in your community. Wherever you are fight the lies of the men and women serving here in Iraq the enemy wherever you are. You are the soldiers at home fighting the war of perception with the media and American people. Our enemy has learned that the people in the highest regard. We love to criticize ourselves almost to an endless degree, because we care what others think. "
Raymond Onar
And as always: "Quidquid excusatio prandium pro!