by hilzoy
Via dKos, I found this statement, made by our President on this fine December morning:
“And one of the things that has changed for American foreign policy is a threat overseas can now come home to hurt us, and September the 11th should be a wake-up call for the American people to understand what happens if there is violence and safe havens in a part of the world. And what happens is people can die here at home.”
It’s not just that our President has apparently repressed the entire Cold War, when we had entire arsenals of Soviet ICBMs , otherwise known as ‘threats overseas that can come home to hurt us’, trained on American cities. It’s that he said this on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. FDR thought that December 7, 1941 was “a date which will live in infamy”, but he didn’t reckon with the massive historical amnesia of George W. Bush.
And what happens is people can die here at home.
“ye see, otherwise we’d all be immortal, ye see. Kinda like that Highlander movie, which was sweet, ‘cept for that french guy. Second one sucked though, heh heh heh. What was I talking about? Oh ya, Iraq. Just one thing, September the 11th, terrorist, 9/11, ‘merrican people, safe.”
From the same link:
Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die.
“ye see, I can do that ’cause I talk to God, who lets me know what the families who die are thinkin’. Though since God doesn’t like to swear there’s a lot he has to leave out. But I know what they’re sayin’, they’re sayin’, uh, they’re sayin’, well, you know what they’re sayin’, they’re sayin’ ‘Mr. President, don’t make sure we haven’t died in vain for the Iraqis cause.’ And I respect that, and so, we have a mission, and objective, to, uh, to, uh…. San Dimas High School Football Rules!!”
Ugh: are you from the Inland Empire, or has San Dimas’ fame spread far and wide?
Also, how come you’re always the first to comment? 😉
Hilzoy, run out and rent Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. right now!
or read the first few lines of the Wiki Summary 🙂
Ah. My failed education does me in again.
Back when I was at Pomona, San Dimas was a couple of towns down Foothill Boulevard, and had the nearest REI to where I lived. I know it only in that capacity.
I’m looking forward to January 2009, but the election season of 2008 is going to be brutal.
“Can It Be 2008 Now, Please?”
I am with Gilliard. I think Cheney, and maybe Bush resign their offices in 2007.
“Also, how come you’re always the first to comment? ;)”
I am often silent, but I think I am usually the first commenter to read hilzoy’s 3 AM posts. Damn insomnia.
Also, how come you’re always the first to comment? 😉
I’m a reasonable version of “Al” at Drum’s place.
Plus, today and yesterday especially, I’ve been tearing my hair out being on hold and talking with Fedex’s customer service department trying to get a package of mine that’s been in Beltsville, MD since last Thursday morning delivered to my office in downtown DC, which somehow they have been unable to do (an office which, I might add, is in about the most unobscure location imaginable for a non-gov’t office). This has left me so exasperated that I can’t do any work. Hence, more time for commenting.
I agree with Jackmormon. I wish it were 2009 already (or at a minimum November 2008).
Unlike South America where U.S. foreign policy brought the nightmare of right wing military dictatorships down on peasants and farmers without Americans suffering the consequence of installing murderous regimes, foreign policy in the Middle East, and access to rapid travel between the U.S. and foreign nations should have enlightened Americans about a reality that Europeans have known for centuries; the cost of conquest and oppression is vengeance against the security and peace of mind of those who are dominant.
Self-defense, freedom, vengeance and justice are powerful motivations of the oppressed.