Bush Concludes Mideast Trip With Few, If Any, Gains

Wrapping up a five-day tour of the Middle East, President Bush on Sunday told his Arab allies that expanding democratic reforms and isolating the "spoilers" -- Iran and Syria -- were crucial steps to a secure and prosperous future for the region.

Bush spoke at the opening of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in this Red Sea resort town, where 1,500 policymakers have gathered. More lecture than rallying cry, Bush's speech stuck to familiar themes: Iran's nuclear program, more civil liberties, a bigger role for Arab women, free trade, and progress on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by the end of the year.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[tcolgan001]

What is everone talking about? Bush's trip was hugely successful.

What was his purpose in going?

Well, since we know he went and praised the Israeli's and criticized the arabs, then it's obvious that his trip was not to solve any issues in the Middle East, but to for another purpose.

Perhaps to show that the Republicans are tough on terrorism so that Americans will re-elect them to office and maintain their power?

Remember, McCain was just in the region for the same purpose.

In that sense the trip was immensely successful. Stage One in focusing the next Presidential election on the fear factor. The Republicans only hope in staying in control.

[wedgie]

I can only hope the entire country is PAYING ATTENTION.

**

[Yola]

What a waste of our tax money! He should have had a video conference because he accomplished NOTHING!

[shadow7]

Few Gains? Does the word 'gains' even belong in the headline? "Few" suggests several....more than one....some. Bush not only made NO gains.... he once again made a complete fool of himself, and by default us all. Did you read about his last speech in Egypt? It's not to be believed....but decries the possible claim of a 'few gains' in a trip that was a total failure.

Must read: The Mad Hatter Lectures the Arab World!
http://tvnewslies.org/tvnl/index.php/editorial/reggies-commentary/20-regs-thoughts/1783-sinking-to-new-depths-the-mad-hatter-lectures-the-arab-world

[SaskiaStars]

Talk about appeasement- anyone on this thread care to guess with country gets the second highest amount of money from the US? The Country that gets the most financial assistance is Israel and the Country that gets the next highest amount is Egypt- why you ask? This is the epitome of appeasement - giving something to appease a country into not attacking Israel.

[ajax2]

'Bush Concludes Mideast Trip With Few, If Any, Gains'
Bush proves that appeasement doesn't work.

[MilwaukeeDan]

After reading most of the comments here, you would think that Bush was a total failure in life and his presidency, NOT TRUE. The true hardcore 5% have benefitted greatly($$$$) from his "leadership", the other 45% bought the wedge issues Rove put forth(god, guns, gays, terror, ect). The foreign and domestic policies his government has championed have gone unchallenged(getting out of Iraq soon?). This administration has pretty much done what it pleases from day one. They will leave a country in great debt, major economic troubles and wars and occupations(NATO) throughout the world. But they wont care, they were in charge of the greatest transfer of wealth from average Americans to the super rich in the history of the world. Just an example, anyone ask Paul Bremer were the billions lost in Iraq went? And he got a medal, just like George Tenet, who was in charge of the greatest inteligents failure in American history. The irony of it all.

[jerrypenguin]

I couldn't be more in agreement. As a paragon of wealth accumulation success, one need not look beyond the Bush family. Currently, the brilliant software entrepreneur, Neil Bush accumulates millions from his software applications that support the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT. How can we forget the Neil Bush association with Silverado Savings and Loan? Let's remember the alleged Bush family association with BCCI. Could the wife of JEB Bush be a convicted felon? Who ever heard of Dressler Industries (Dick Cheney) and the association with Haliburton? How can anyone forget the Carlyle group? How about Marvin Bush and Winston Partners? How did Samuel Prescott Bush make money from the WW I armaments industry? How much did Prescott Sheldon Bush make from his close association with NAZI Germany? The list is almost endless.

This is truly a "successful" family. They are winners. When will the people that passively support this family awaken? Only then, will the family may get all the attention and rewards it deserves.

[MilwaukeeDan]

JP, it's unfortunate that "success" in this country is all about money. From the brain dead jock with a multi-million dollar contract for playing a kids game to the robber barron CEOs that destroy lives with one pen stroke. When will Americans awaken? Will it be too late?

[MACS]

.
Just one more in a long list of bush diplomatic successes.

ROFLMAO
.

[billmire]

Few gains? He did a great job for Obama! I hope he goes again next month.

[HumeSkeptic]

We should be thankful that he didn't succeed in whatever he was trying to achieve. When Bush succeeds, America loses.

[wedgie]

Perfect.

**

[iBgood]

This is not news since bush has been a professional failure his entire life.

[champislove]

The fact that Bush came back for his middle east trip empty handed is not a surprise. That's what we get for sending a BOY out to do a MAN's job. That's what we get when we send a BOY .The dumbest, person ever to live in the white house.The dumbest person ever to send over sea's to work for us.

[mickyx65it]

Bush and the zionists want war, war and more war.

[CheneysACoward]

Come on give The Chimp credit for something.....Gas went up 7 cents while he was "visiting" his friends.

[jerrypenguin]

He can be given credit for much more than the decline of the US dollar and commensurate price increases. The photograph, taken at a resort inaccessible to mortal mankind, shows him wearing a patriotic American flag lapel pin.

[loki]

They are kidding right? They really dont think Bush accomplished much on this trip??
How about agreeing to give billions of US tax payer dollars in the form of 24/7 very long term major US military presence to "guard" Saudi oil interest.

How about trying to getting a quiet ok from the major Middle east leaders to possibly launch an invasion of Iran before he is out of office. And again like his daddy, leave the US in a war when presidents change. If it goes well, he will take the credit, if it ends bad, blame it on the poor schmuck in the white house when Bush left. I hope he didnt get the ok from anyone, but you know Israel is behind it 100%, and I am sure for the Arab countries he was trying really hard to promise a piece of the prize ' if ' its a successful invasion and take over. But I am sure the US will renege on the deals 'if ' successful.

I also wonder if he is making deals for safe countries that he and his minion could flee to if, but highly doubtful, he is ever prosecuted for his crimes against the US people, the US constitution and laws, the people of Iraq, and the people of the world.

[watchingthings]

What Arab Allies? The Saudi family is hated by the majority of the Saudi population. This "post turtle" will have absolutely nothing of consequence to put in his library.

[eugenegerard]

You really didn't think this piece of work was going to accomplish anything, did you? Even his Saudi butt buddies are getting tired of him.

[robbor]

Bush Concludes Mideast Trip With Few, If Any, Gains

yeah, wonder what this worthless junket cost the American taxpayer.

[thepoliticalcat]

Well, we did get treated to the exquisite sight of that asshat grovelling and begging his old buddies, the Saudis, to increase production and lower oil prices. And what did he get for his pains? They flipped him the rigid digit. But he doesn't care. He's got Pappy's money to live on, plus his presnitwitial pension, while the rest of us watch the dollar tank and the economy slip to subterranean levels.

Remember how he was gonna "jawbone" those Saudis to keep us rolling in cheap oil? Yeah.

[HatingTheGame]

Talk about appeasement! Groveling in front of the country that (allegedly, since some of them are still alive) sent most of the (supposed -- since their names weren't on any passenger manifest) highjackers on 911.

Maybe we should call him appeaser in chief.

[darthmaul]

"Mission Accomplished." Be grateful his trip is over with minimum damage. Some people might be dissapointed that Bush accomplished nothing. Just the fact that he didn't do much damage, except to the office of presidency with his "appeasment" statements, is something to crow about with this guy.

At least he didn't get us into another war or enrage any of our allies or countries that are important to us. i think that they pretty much know that this lame duck can't fly, and can't even quack!

[Rog49Thomas]

To mangle a well known quote from the area

"Why is this trip different from all others?"

That of course is not fair, for a man who has made imagined accomplishments the hallmark of his Administration, I'm sure that Pan has notched a few more.

[peterg76]

He didn't invade any new countries - we're ahead.

[gevan]

He gained super cred with the winghnuts and crapheads who populate our political landscape, didn't he?

[JessWonderin]

"Lookie, I went to Egypt and got ma picher took!"



Least he could have done was shoot a round of golf with Betrayus in the Green Zone and have turkey with this troops . . . .

[amanda85]

"Bush Concludes Mideast Trip With Few, If Any, Gains"

Well, I'm pretty sure the US didn't gain anything, but there have been something of value for the Bush crime family to justify the trip...

[Wiarton]

The coming attack on Iran will cause a meltdown crisis in this country.

[politicod]

Had he simply not done anything except been a lame duck President, there would be much to talk about, but when historians start digging, there will be much to talk about and almost all of it will be bad. First, a ruinous foreign policy characterized by our diminution in the world; an economy experiencing a perfect storm: a credit crisis, a mortage crisis, and and selling at $130/a barrel; our civil liberties diminished. So many problems it is difficult to enumerate here, except to reprise something Hillary Clinton said, "don't expect too much, it's going to talke a while to clean up the mess."