by sixtimeseven » Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:31 pm
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="font-size:small;">The (most recent) criterion given by the Bush administration for withdrawal of American troops are: 1) that Iraqi military forces be adequately trained and equipped to protect the Iraqi borders and provide security in wake of the insurgences within the country's borders, and 2) that Iraqi police forces be trained and equipped to handle domestic safety and security.<br><br>Let's step back and take a deep whiff of reality here.<br><br>We are talking about a bureaucracy which has operated for 30 years wherein corruption has been the status quo. We're talking about military rank and file that--not so long ago--commonly surrendered on the battlefield to American news people. We're talking about a police force that--until recently--was skilled at intimidating, torturing, and killing innocent, unarmed civilians, yet ineffective dealing with rampant violent crime and the epidemic of firearms in their city streets.<br><br>Faced with these realities, how could the Administration's academic criteria ever come to pass? Where are our leader’s heads? Where are the voter’s heads? Where are our JOURNALIST'S heads? We could withdraw from Iraq tomorrow with the same net result as if we were to remain as occupiers for another decade--sans the bars and brothels.<br><br>While on the subject, let us review the President’s report card to date on some other issues:<br><br>Success against 9/11 terrorism--Osama bin Laden, International Public Enemy Number One--a 48 year old, gray-haired, A-rab, who walks with a limp and tucks his beard into his gunbelt. Not only is he still at large four years after the attack, he's operating a satellite video recording studio from the Flintstone's old neighborhood.<br><br>Largest yearly deficit ever -- $449,000,000,000.<br>Largest deficit over a four year term -- $1,523,000,000,000.<br>Largest debt for one year. (deficit + debt + interest on debt) -- $1,200,000,000,000. (1.2 trillion dollars = 1200 billion dollars).<br>Largest trade deficit with one country in a year. China -- $150,000,000,000.<br>Largest trade deficit with one country. -- $750,000,000,000, also with China.<br>Largest number of outsourcing jobs lost in one year. -- 870,000.<br>Largest number of manufacturing jobs lost in a four year period. -- 2,750,000.<br>Lowest increase in wages over 4 year period. -- 0.5% (1 half of one percent).<br>Largest total percent of increase of in health care costs over a 4 year period -- 63%.<br>Largest increase of Medicare plan A costs over one year -- 17 %.<br>Largest increase of Medicare plan B costs over one year. -- 37%.<br>Largest number of people without health insurance. -- 48,000,000.<br>Largest consumer price increase for gasoline over a 4 year period -- $1.40 per gallon (100%).<br>Largest consumer price increase for home heating oil over a 4 year period. -- $1.24 per gallon (90%).<br>Largest number of suicide bombings in a US occupied country over 7 months--Iraq -- 950.<br>Smallest number of allies of the US entering into a pre emptive war -- 32. All but 4 sent fewer than 500 people.<br>Largest amount of money ever missing in a government contract with no bid, accountability, or investigation -- $8,000,000,000. Halliburton contract 2003-2005.<br><br>Our own intelligence sources say there are now more than 30,000 terrorists in Iraq who were not there prior to the coalition invasion. The DEA tells us that 87% of the world's opium now comes from Afghanistan, a number that was below 50% prior to American involvement; and more cocaine now flows through Houston than through Cartegena, Columbia.<br><br>The President’s statement, “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!” of two years ago is a little worse for wear, and is wearing rapidly on the American public, in all aspects.</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><br> <p>Some people are like Slinkies--not really good for anything, but they still bring a smirk to your face when you topple them down a flight of stairs.</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p097.ezboard.com/brigorousintuition.showUserPublicProfile?gid=sixtimeseven>sixtimeseven</A> at: 8/20/05 5:23 am<br></i>