protestors call Bush "a war criminal"

[mhgaffney]

It was hardly original.

After all, the general who investigated Abu Graib was already on record. Even so, this news on the 4th was like a breath of fresh air. It is high time that Bush be made to feel the heat for his crimes. If Congress can't or won't do it, then the people must find more direct ways.

MHG

Protesters Interrupt Bush Holiday Speech

July 04, 2008 2:52 PM

ABC's Matthew Jaffe reports: Protesters today repeatedly interrupted President Bush's Fourth of July speech at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's residence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

No sooner had Bush started speaking at the naturalization ceremony welcoming new American citizens than protesters began shouting at him, calling him a "war criminal."

The President paused in his remarks and then responded, "To my fellow citizens, we believe in free speech in the United States of America."

One woman moved towards the stage before being stopped by security, but other protesters still made their voices heard.

Only minutes later, another protester shouted expletives at the President, while still another called Bush "a fascist".

By the time Bush finished his 10-minute remarks, at least nine protesters had been escorted out of the event by law enforcement.

Although Bush did not mention the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in his final Fourth of July speech as President, he did thank the troops, while paying tribute to the author of the Declaration of Independence, who died on this day in 1826.

"We honor Jefferson's legacy by aiding the rise of liberty in lands that do not know the blessings of freedom," Bush said. "And on this Fourth of July we pay tribute to the brave men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America," prompting a standing ovation from the assembled crowd.

Bush congratulated the new citizens participating in the naturalization ceremony, more than 70 men and women from about 35 different countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Norway, and Burma.

"From this day forward the history of the United States will be part of your heritage, the Fourth of July will be part of your Independence Day, and I will be honored to call you a fellow American," said the President.

While in Charlottesville, Bush toured Monticello with Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, a Democrat. Early in the afternoon, Bush returned to the White House to celebrate Independence Day, a holiday which falls right at the start of his birthday weekend.

"Thomas Jefferson once said he'd rather celebrate the Fourth of July than his own birthday," said Bush, who turns 62 on Sunday. "To me it's pretty simple, the Fourth of July weekend is my birthday weekend."

Protesters also lined the President's motorcade route, chanting "Arrest Bush" as he drove to and from the Monticello ceremony.

[mhgaffney]

Here is the link
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalra...ters-inte.html

[Northman]

Way to go protestors. Classy.

[mhgaffney]

There was another even bigger story: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, warned Israel in drect language not to attack Iran.

Mullen's statement was important because it broke ranks with Bush's obsequious policies vis a vis Israel. It's about time we had some straight talk on a vital issue.

Mullen also called for a "better dialogue" with Iran. That was something of an understatement -- since at present there is no dialogue at all. Any dialogue would be an improvement over Zippola.

Here's the report.

MHG

Pentagon Warns Against Israeli Attack on Iran
Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen: 'A Third Front ... Would Be Extremely Stressful'

By JONATHAN KARL
July 2, 2008

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, who was in Israel over the weekend, issued a strong warning today about the dangers of a military attack on Iran.

U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman warned against any Israeli attack on Iran Wednesday. At a Pentagon press conference, Mullen was asked, "How concerned are you ... that Israel may undertake a unilateral strike against Iran by the end of the year?"

"My strong preference, here, is to handle all of this diplomatically with the other powers of governments, ours and many others, as opposed to any kind of strike occurring," he answered. "This is a very unstable part of the world. And I don't need it to be more unstable."

Mullen refused to talk specifically about what was said in his talks with the Israelis, but he made it clear wants to avoid military confrontation.

"I've been pretty clear before that from the United States' perspective, the United States' military perspective in particular, that opening up a third front right now would be extremely stressful on us," he said. "That doesn't mean we don't have capacity or reserve. But that would really be very challenging and also the consequences of that sometimes are very difficult to predict."

Mullen said there needs to be better "dialogue" on the Iranian nuclear issue. Asked what he meant, Mullen responded, "When I talk about dialogue -- actually, I would say very broadly across the entirety of our government and their government.

"But, specifically, that would be -- need to be led, obviously, politically and diplomatically," he said. "And if it then resulted in military-to-military dialogue, I think that part of it certainly could add to a better understanding of each other.

"We haven't had much of a dialogue with the Iranians for a long time," Mullen said. "It takes two people to want to have a dialogue, not just the desire on one part."

Mullen's views here seem to be at odds with the Bush administration's policy, which is that there will be no direct dialogue between the United States and Iran on the nuclear issue unless Iran agrees to suspend its nuclear program.

[orinjkrush]

And on this Fourth of July we pay tribute to the brave men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America,"

too bad he shirked his duty: hanging out in the national guard then failing to report for duty, then going AWOL.

Loser. Yeah, sacrifice poor people's kids for your silver spoon oil largesse.

Dickweed.

[mhgaffney]

Here's the link to the Mullen story
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2...5294698&page=1

[orinjkrush]

Originally Posted by mhgaffney

There was another even bigger story: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, warned Israel in drect language not to attack Iran.

Mullen's statement was important because it broke ranks with Bush's obsequious policies vis a vis Israel. It's about time we had some straight talk on a vital issue.

Mullen also called for a "better dialogue" with Iran. That was something of an understatement -- since at present there is no dialogue at all. Any dialogue would be an improvement over Zippola.

Here's the report.

MHG

Pentagon Warns Against Israeli Attack on Iran
Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen: 'A Third Front ... Would Be Extremely Stressful'

By JONATHAN KARL
July 2, 2008

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, who was in Israel over the weekend, issued a strong warning today about the dangers of a military attack on Iran.

U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman warned against any Israeli attack on Iran Wednesday. At a Pentagon press conference, Mullen was asked, "How concerned are you ... that Israel may undertake a unilateral strike against Iran by the end of the year?"

"My strong preference, here, is to handle all of this diplomatically with the other powers of governments, ours and many others, as opposed to any kind of strike occurring," he answered. "This is a very unstable part of the world. And I don't need it to be more unstable."

Mullen refused to talk specifically about what was said in his talks with the Israelis, but he made it clear wants to avoid military confrontation.

"I've been pretty clear before that from the United States' perspective, the United States' military perspective in particular, that opening up a third front right now would be extremely stressful on us," he said. "That doesn't mean we don't have capacity or reserve. But that would really be very challenging and also the consequences of that sometimes are very difficult to predict."

Mullen said there needs to be better "dialogue" on the Iranian nuclear issue. Asked what he meant, Mullen responded, "When I talk about dialogue -- actually, I would say very broadly across the entirety of our government and their government.

"But, specifically, that would be -- need to be led, obviously, politically and diplomatically," he said. "And if it then resulted in military-to-military dialogue, I think that part of it certainly could add to a better understanding of each other.

"We haven't had much of a dialogue with the Iranians for a long time," Mullen said. "It takes two people to want to have a dialogue, not just the desire on one part."

Mullen's views here seem to be at odds with the Bush administration's policy, which is that there will be no direct dialogue between the United States and Iran on the nuclear issue unless Iran agrees to suspend its nuclear program.

The Joint Chiefs want no part of a war in Iran. The Army is next to broke. The USN and USAF are out of spares, ammo, and the equipment is gettin pretty beat up. And they know the American people have no stomach for another crazy Muslim conflagration.

If we were to have done it, we should have done it, right after the statue of Saddam fell. We could have blown through Tehran like knife through butter; turned north and taken Damascus and cleaned the whole "pirates of the Mediterranean" up for a 1000 years. but nooooooo. dickweeds.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by orinjkrush

And on this Fourth of July we pay tribute to the brave men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America,"

too bad he shirked his duty: hanging out in the national guard then failing to report for duty, then going AWOL.

Loser. Yeah, sacrifice poor people's kids for your silver spoon oil largesse.

Dickweed.

QFT.

"War criminal" doesn't even begin to cover it.

[baja]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Way to go protestors. Classy.

Bush does not deserve classy, he should be in prison.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by baja

Bush does not deserve classy, he should be in prison.

Yep.

And anyone who defends Bush and criticizes the protesters needs to take some kind of crash course that explains the difference between blind patriotism and American values.