# "Bring 'em on!" **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 3, 2003, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008 "2003-07-03T12:59:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sterra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Sterra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterra)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/61 "2003-07-04T06:06:57Z")
My problem with Bush’s comments is that they are bluster more than anything. To quote [http://www.dailykos.com/](http://www.dailykos.com/) > [@](#): > > The fatal error of Bush’s “Bring 'em On” comment is that besides its cheap talk and bully posturing, is that it isn’t true. We cannot handle what they’re throwing at us. We don’t know who they are and we aren’t killing them in number. They wound and kill Americans every day and escape. They aren’t being killed. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/62 "2003-07-04T06:18:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Netbrian \* > \*\*Are you saying that there was a single point in time that this board DID reflect the population at large? \*\* My guess is that about three quarters to nine tenths of what I’ve read here @ the SDMB, (written by Dopers, not counting drive by trolls and spammers), refelcts more thoughtfulness and intelligence than what I hear from the populatiopn at large and read in the letters to the editor sections of the papers that I read. Frankly, I think that only a relatively small number of opinion pieces by professionals in nationwide nespapers could stand up well to SDMB GD scrutiny. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/63 "2003-07-04T07:23:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lemur866 \* > So **rjung** , the idea he was trying to convey was completely acceptable…it just struck you as inelegant and unaesthetic and cliched. The point he was trying to make was understandable, though I may not completely agree with it – I suppose “tolerable” would be a workable term. And yes, the language was a problem, it was more befit of a drunken louse trying to start a bar fight, not the leader of the world’s biggest superpower. I’ve seen fidgety eight-year-olds forced to endure boring wedding ceremonies with more decorum. ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/64 "2003-07-04T13:45:05Z")
I think those who don’t think the statement has no weight forget that it wasn’t just Americans and Iraqi guerrillas that heard it. I’ve heard a few wonder why the rest of the world regards GWB as a Cowboy or an unsophisticated boob. Statements like these coupled with a plea for help seem to justify that view. He has the diplomatic skills of a 2 year old. He demands everything be done his way and rails against anyone who denys him and then has the gall to request help as if we (those of us who aren’t their now) are doing him wrong. Also he contradicts himself. We could use the help… but we can go it alone. Either you need us or not. Make up your mind will ya! Oh yeah and Sam Stone… back off with the retarded Democrat left labling. I happen, like many other Dopers, to live outside of the US and we are entitled to dislike a world leader who behaves like an ass and treats the world community like his personal toybox. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/65 "2003-07-04T17:42:40Z")
Oh, don’t worry about it **King** , that’s just **Sam**. He figures GeeDubya walks on water, I figure its because he can’t swim. I am rather impressed with the spin control on this, though. There’s nothing like jutting out your chin in folksy defiance. Having kicked the snot out of a half-assed military machine that most likely couldn’t have whipped Belgium in a fair fight, Fearless Misleader shows that he is not a weenie, he will stay the course, he’s not gonna get scared off by any of this “quagmire” talk, nosiree Bob! We’re gonna stay just as long as it takes, and you just _try_ to stop us! ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/66 "2003-07-04T18:00:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elucidator \* > \*\*I am rather impressed with the spin control on this, though. There’s nothing like jutting out your chin in folksy defiance. Having kicked the snot out of a half-assed military machine that most likely couldn’t have whipped Belgium in a fair fight, Fearless Misleader shows that he is not a weenie, he will stay the course, he’s not gonna get scared off by any of this “quagmire” talk, nosiree Bob! We’re gonna stay just as long as it takes, and you just _try_ to stop us! \*\* This sarcasm is actually a good description of Bush’s intended message. I think a majority of the American public support his position. The more the Democrats complain about Bush’s choice of words, the more it will sound as though they are uncertain about staying the course. That’s a losing political position. They have fallen into a political trap. I think the phrase was planned in advance, probably by Karl Rove. This just goes to show that Rove is smarter than the Democratic strategists. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/67 "2003-07-04T18:35:09Z")
I read the reaction of the lefties on the SDMB to Bush’s remark, and my heart sings. Do any of you honestly think that this kind of liberal circle-jerk has any resemblance to how the remark would resonate to the average voter? The Democrats have no chance in 2004 whatsoever, based on their candidates reaction to this. This is like Dukakis doing his gopher impersonation from the tank - except they are all doing it at once. Even Kerry the War Hero. Whadda maroon! “Happy Days Are Here Again, Republican Skies Are Clear Again, The Hard Left Has Gone Off The Deep End Again, Happy Days Are Here Again!” Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/68 "2003-07-04T20:39:23Z")
{{{ **Shodan** }}} Stay Happy . These _are_ the best of times in the best of all possible countries 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/69 "2003-07-04T21:22:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > \*\*I think the phrase was planned in advance, probably by Karl Rove. This just goes to show that Rove is smarter than the Democratic strategists. \*\* **Bingo!** Every once in a great while our friend **December** , or his companions in folly **Sam Stone, Shodan** , or the esteemed **Manhattan** (who abhors and will not tolerate politics on HIS board but sure relieves him self of plenty of opinions every where else) manage to inadvertently disclose a truth. George W. Bush may be a mediocre nonentity playing figurehead for the commercial imperialists but Carl Rove is no dummy. The one thing he known is that the American electorate has the attention span and the intellectual curiosity of a 14 year old boy. Unless the so called radical leftist keep before the public, of which the participants on these boards is a part, the fact that the current administration is playing the country for suckers there will be no end to it. The presidential campaign has begun and right now our President, under the able direction of Mr. Rove, book by the Heritage Institute, screenplay by Cheney and Rumsfeld, financing by Daddy Warbucks, is playing to the peanut gallery. ---
**Author:** ![ChaosGod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ac91a4/32.png) [@ChaosGod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChaosGod)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/70 "2003-07-04T21:22:45Z")
**Shodan** I don’t get your point. You’re happy to have a certified moron running the country? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/71 "2003-07-04T21:31:54Z")
Dennis Millers line on this is best: GeeDubya surrounds himself with intelligent men like a doughnut hole surrounds itself with doughnut. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/72 "2003-07-04T22:09:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spavined Gelding \* > \*\* **Manhattan** (who abhors and will not tolerate politics on HIS board but sure relieves him self of plenty of opinions every where else) \*\* That’s right. I don’t tolerate politics in GQ and I engage in politics here in GD. See, that’s because politics in GQ is against the rules, whereas it is not against the rules here in GD. Here’s another rule for you. Complaints about the administration of this website belong in the Pit, not here. ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/73 "2003-07-04T22:24:27Z")
I may well be wrong, but when a person walks in here and starts slapping derogatory labels on other people he may well forfeit any immunity from criticism and comment he claims in another place. I see no complaint about administration. I see fair comment. If it is seen as anything else there is private E-mail. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/74 "2003-07-05T01:25:57Z")
> [@](#): > > George W. Bush may be a mediocre nonentity playing figurehead for the commercial imperialists but Carl Rove is no dummy. The one thing he known is that the American electorate has the attention span and the intellectual curiosity of a 14 year old boy. Unless the so called radical leftist keep before the public, of which the participants on these boards is a part, the fact that the current administration is playing the country for suckers there will be no end to it. That’s another endearing feature of the left - they think the American public is _stupid_. And they don’t mind telling everyone. They’re the enlightened intelligentsia, and everyone else who doesn’t agree with them is a drooling hick. This too is a good way to ensure a Republican landslide. ---
**Author:** ![Milum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Milum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milum)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/75 "2003-07-05T01:39:13Z")
**Spavined Gelding** sez:\* “… the American electorate has the attention span and the intellectual curiosity of a 14 year old boy.” \* Surething, \*\* Spavined Gelding\*\*, thats why we need real smart liberal thinkers who know what is best to do our thinking for…uh…what were we talking about?..sorry my mind drifted. Well anyway, thank you for your mature intellectual curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/76 "2003-07-05T01:59:30Z")
Please, **Br’er Milum, Br’er Shodan** , please don’ call me no _Lib’rul_ no mo’. I sho’ don’ want to end up in that thar briar patch… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/77 "2003-07-05T02:14:01Z")
Oh? Is it we who try to gull the public with patently false evidence? Was it we who used the State of the Union Address, a ceremony of some significance to the Republic, and reduced it to an occassion for the selling of snake oil? Is it we who are trying to cover our failures with bluster and bravado, and fling patriotic confetti in the eyes of the people? Was it we who sent our children into harms way to protect us from a chimera? I think not. ---
**Author:** ![ChaosGod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ac91a4/32.png) [@ChaosGod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChaosGod)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/78 "2003-07-05T02:17:17Z")
plus, he’s a semi-literate idiot. don’t mis-over-estimate him ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/79 "2003-07-05T02:28:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by manhattan \* > \*\*There is not a single Iraqi (or ally) who heard that statement and concluded that while he wasn’t originally going to attack American troops, he is now because the President egged him on – not a single one. > > The danger to U.S. troops has increased not a single bit. > > And not a single American believes otherwise – not a single one. > \*\* You are mistaken. I am an American, and I do indeed believe that the danger to U.S. troops is increased by pointlessly aggressive and blustering remarks by American leadership. It seems to me that such incautious statements are likely to reinforce the idea among discontented Iraqi civilians that American troops represent an unwelcome imperialist presence. Iraqis are already uncertain enough about the future of their nation, and I imagine that many citizens might well eventually choose to side with and support the local groups rather than the invading foreign power, especially if the leader of that foreign power is prone to make remarks along the lines of, “We’re here to stay; just try to budge us.” ---
**Author:** ![Milum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Milum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milum)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008/80 "2003-07-05T03:32:11Z")
\*\*Terrifel \*\* belives that the Iraqis are already uncertain enough about the future of their nation, and he imagines that many citizens might well eventually choose to side with and support the local groups, meaning Saddam Hussein’s former thugs, rather than support the invading foreign power, meaning the people who freed then from tyranny. I say… \*\* BRING THEM ON ! \*\* :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad::mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-em-on/186008.md?page=5)