Bush's Lessons for McCain

Last night at the RNC, President Bush argued that John McCain is ready to lead America in the 21st century, in part because he "understands the lessons of 9-11." If what Bush means is that McCain understands his Administration's lessons of 9-11, then yes, the senator from Arizona has been a quick study. Here are just a few of the things Senator McCain has learned from President Bush following 9-11:

Immediately after September 11th, McCain's focus wasn't on those who attacked us. He looked instead to Syria, Iran and Iraq.

"That's where the tough part of this whole scenario is going to begin. And that is that, after the Taliban are overthrown -- which I believe they will be -- I have very little doubt in my mind -- after bin Laden is either taken prisoner or killed and his network is destroyed, then what's next? Obviously, Iraq is still bent on -- Saddam Hussein is still bent on developing weapons of mass destruction. Obviously, the Iranians are still supporting terrorist organizations, as are the Syrians. That's where the tough choices and decisions are going to be made."

McCain and the Bush Administration's decision to turn from the terrorist threat to Iraq has resulted in the death's of over 4,000 Americans, a cost of over $1 trillion dollars, and the loss of good-will around the world.

After September 11th, McCain insisted on connections between Iraq and Al Qaeda, allegations which turned out to be completely false.

"Sept. 11, 2001 showed that al-Qaeda is a grave threat. Saddam Hussein has the ability to make a far worse day of infamy by turning Iraq into a weapons assembly line for al-Qaeda's network."

Of course, the bi-partisan 9-11 commission came to a very different conclusion, finding no "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and al Qaeda.

In the volatile Afghanistan-Pakistan region, home to those who attacked us on September 11th, McCain said that the U.S. could afford to simply "muddle through."

"I am concerned about it, but I'm not as concerned as I am about Iraq today, obviously, or I'd be talking about Afghanistan. But I believe that if Karzai can make the progress that he is making, that -- in the long term, we may muddle through in Afghanistan."

Today, the consequences of McCain's "muddling through" are dire. The Taliban are resurgent, and Al Qaeda "is improving the last key aspect of its ability to attack the U.S."

Looking at this list, there is a very clear difference between learning Bush's lessons' from September 11th, and learning the right lessons. John McCain has learned plenty of the former, but of the latter, he falls pretty far short.

Comments

[LeftRight]

" "Sept. 11, 2001 showed that al-Qaeda is a grave threat. Saddam Hussein has the ability to make a far worse day of infamy by turning Iraq into a weapons assembly line for al-Qaeda's network."

Of course, the bi-partisan 9-11 commission came to a very different conclusion, finding no "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and al Qaeda."

This is the WORST lie to come out of that whole shameful time. The fact of the matter is that bin Laden and Hussein HATED each other. They hated each other worse than they hated us! In fact, if Hussein had had a nuclear bomb, but no way to get it here; and bin Laden could get the bomb here, but had no bomb; they STILL would not have cooperated!!!!

[martinchill]

bush also chastised those of us on the ANGRY LEFT.

so i say GRRRR.

[grendl]

McCain isn't a very astute student.

Because he didn't learn his lesson in Viet Nam, the lesson that bloodied this nation's nose and shattered the illusion of invincibility we had. Because John McCain says we didn't lose that war, but were not allowed to win it, showing a profound ignorance regarding the goals of this nation in Viet Nam.

Killing the Viet Namese was not the goal of the United States in Viet Nam. Just as killing Iraqi's is not the goal of the United States in Iraq, just as bomb bomb bombing Iranians would not be our goal in Iran.

No the goal of the U.S. in all three countries was delivering the doctrine of democracy, in lieu of fascism, or communism, or fundamentalist Islamic rule. But McCain doesn't realize democracy in this country came from within our populace, from the hearts and minds of the people who comprised it. It wasn't crammed down our throats by paramilitary, or bombardment.

It won't work in Iraq for a very simple reason. Those who comprise the rival sects have to believe the most fundamental tenet our forefathers posited as self evidenciary- that all men are created equal - in order for Democracy to stand a shot in hell.

Ask a Sunni if a Shiite is his equal, or a Kurd, and you will be laughed from here to Mecca.