Washington File

When an opportunist President of a strong country like U.S.of A. goes to war quick and strong and by any kind of luck, bad more than good 2-0 at this time and when his name is B.U.S.H.( Building Unites States Hell ) Not surprised at all to hear these reports issued by FBI, rather late but at least public to some extent, saying all he said and keeps saying are lies, like his beloved father, so please, don't let this coward and scared to death paranoid get back to the White House, he will finish the job of spending all the good American's money in no time and his control will be total with his friends the rich and powerful large corporations CEO's, it was his goal from the very first moment he jumped in the race for presidency, so please don't let him and his bunch of (........) get back after the next elections. He'll get all of you Americans for good...and hated everywhere on this planet and forever.

It does my heart good to read the thoughtful comments herein. What most Canadians find hard to grasp is the deep seeded apathy of a great many US citizens. We are perhaps the most propagandized "democracy" that ever existed. Our civil rights are being trampled on and those who protest are likely to be labeled as being soft on terrorism. Few of us seem to realize that terrorism, an ideology, has always been around in one form or another and don't make the connection that to be at war with an ideology, means that we will be perpetually at war. I love my country but am feeling more and more like a voice crying out in the wilderness. We as a nation seem to be more interested in Paris Hilton's underpants than the future of our society.

Therefor my dear northern neighbors, it should be of no surprise to you that we tolerate being lied to or have information of this sort withheld from us on a regular basis. One of our favorite expressions is "politicians are all alike". Besides the new fall TV shows are being aired. I live in as small comunity and don't know anyone that has read, watched or discussed the Senate report, except the multitude of TV News Commentators on our confrontational news TV shows.

Steve from Halifax is completely correct. Democratic societies have the ability and obligation to enlist the consent of the people on matters that affect the very fabric of their lives. Misleading the public to gain that consent goes against the most basic of democratic principles. While ridding the world of tyranical regimes is not an unjust cause, doing so under false pretences is. It seems that the "War on terror" has taken on a blanket meaning allowing actions that may have previuosly faced tougher scrutiny. Don't get me wrong, the world needs to be cleared of terrorists, and I have the utmost repect for the individuals laying their lives on the line to do so. However, governments lying to their people to gain consent for war is completely unacceptable. However, it seems this sentiment is not shared by everyone. Could this possibly be due to the fact that many people do not realize they were lied to in the first place? Hopefully the release of the Intelligence Committee's report will work to change these misconceptions.

I find it remarkable how easily people will tolerate a leader who knowingly lied to them. And if you refuse to admit he lied despite seemingly everyone but the administration knowing what the administration was saying was nonsense, then you surely must admit he has gotten everything wrong. There were no weapons of mass destruction. Saddam posed no threat to the United States. It was not a quick or easy occupation, and you were not welcomed as liberators. They promised the war would cost less than ten billion dollars, a sad pathetic joke. It will cost more American lives than the 9/11 attacks did, ruin the lives of thousands upon thousands more, has killed far more Iraqi civilians than Americans, and for what?

For nothing. You have destablised the Middle East. You have not made America safer. You have not only failed to make Iraq safer, you have essentially ensured its destruction and splitting into two or even three states, which will have dire ramifications all over the Middle East. You have destroyed the illusion of American invincibility and stretched your forces so thin that countries like Iran can thumb their nose at you.

After putting American troops in harm way, the Bush administration has then shown a complete lack of concern for their lives, not only urging terrorists to attack them, but slashing veteran's benefits, refusing to listen to experienced generals on troop deployments in favour of a civilian's armchair strategy, refusing to provide adequate armor, and forcing retired veterans who have done their service to the country and those who have PTSD (who cannot be recruited, by military guideline) back into action.

And, of course, by ignoring the real terrorists to chase after a personal grudge, George W. Bush has allowed Osama bin Laden to stay free for five years.

Is there anything his administration has actually succeeded at in the "war on terror" other than, in fact, starting a war?

Well, duh, we've known this for some years now. This report isn't anything new at all, but what's interesting is that Americans are only getting to it now. Do they not pay attention when their president speaks? George W Bush did mention several times that the Hussein regime had nothing to do with 9/11, even though he infers and implies the exact opposite at every opportunity. At the heart of every debate on terrorism is the implied question of whether we are safer. Our failed missions to Afghanistan, the complete collapse of Iraq and the balled up invasion by proxy of Lebanon have amply demonstrated just how vulnerable we really are militarily, and in the case of Lebanon, proved that a dedicated militia can achieve undreamed of success against a well armed foe. That doesn't make us safer at all: we'ver never been less safe. Thanks George, we couldn't have done it without you.

Why does it take our corrupt governments to admit to something that we, the humble global public (excluding the "fearmongered", brainwashed Americans), have known all along? Henry Blix told us there was no connection, Al Qaeda and Saddam told us as well, so why would we believe the self-interested, warmongering oilmen in the Bush administration?

There are a lot of dealings concealed in the dark recesses of the White House that will emerge over time and confirm the world's suspicions.

I couldn't disagree more with Bob Hicks. No one disagrees with being "tough" on terrorists. But what this report, and others, confirms and (finally) reveals is that Bush and other senior members of his Administration essentially had to mislead the public to justify the invasion of Iraq - a pretence to "get" Hussein. Is that what democracy is supposed to be about? Smacks of the "manufacturing consent" arguments put forth by Noam Chomsky. We the public are not smart enough to buy into legitimate reasons for such actions, so we have to be lied to and manipulated into supporting false reasons for going to war. I am sick and tired of such people using the tired rhetoric of being "soft" on terror (and all that implies)because we are disgusted with the lies and manipulations used by Bush et al to justify their actions in Iraq. Tell me the truth. Make reasoned arguments. Don't misrepresent your own intelligence, and then when it all goes wrong, turn around and blame the very same intelligence agencies for screwing it up! And don't keep using the same lies - 5 years later - to avoid responsibility.

Mr. Hicks...there is nothing anyone can do to sway the mind of a Bin Laden...they do not have to answer to anyone, they are idealists and their ideal includes the destruction of our society. This is why the world supported the invasion of Afganistan...Al Queda was and is a threat to world security.

However, Iraq is and was not Al Queda. Saddam is and was not Bin Laden. The American administration's war on terror has killed a great many of the lunatics who would like to see us all dead, however because it included Iraq in the war, it has also created a HUGE amount of animosity among moderate Muslims, bringing them into the fold when they initially were not.

The world was behind America's foreign policy after 9/11...it is now largely against it. Does that make you feel safer?

And Mr. Hicks, I especially like your final solutions...1) ignore the Congressional inquiry into WHY the war began (even though I am sure most American's would want to hear it) simply because GWB is taking it to the "terrorists" and 2) anyone who disagrees with you should just shut up and leave the country, because you are right, and we are wrong. Now that is Democracy at its finest.

All of the extreme Muslim Fundamentalists have the same agenda - "kill the infidels" and keep women as slaves. Saddam Hussein was not an extreme Muslim, just a power monger on the same page as Bin Laden. All of the democratic countries are infiltrated (Canada arrested 17 in May with plans to blow up major buildings). So why the witch hunt against George Bush? He is keeping them busy away from the States. Are you looking for a President who is soft on terrorists, or are jounalists just trying to keep their own names in the news. Maybe you should move to Columbia or perhaps Indonesia where ordinary citizens fear for their lives because obviously you don't appreciate the safety you have endured because of a government who looks out for you.

Now, now Henry, you really should stop focusing on the negative...let's be more cheery...how about "Congressional Report Cover Page Dispalys Beautiful Hues of Red and Blue"...or "Senator Snow Is SOOO Cool"...or better yet (now this one I know Alex from Ottawa is going to appreciate) "9/11 Intelligence Report Does Not Implicate White House in Deliberate Use of Poor Intelligence"

That last report you are referring too truly is the most important question to date on the makings of the conflict in Iraq.....PLEASE put it on your (Henry Champ) calendar to update your blog when it finally does get released. Unlike some, many of us would like to hear your opinion on the matter.