It’ll be worse than this. A major troop increase would at least indicate Bush is still trying for a solution. But what we’ll get will be worse; the administration will just keep muddling along like it has been over three years now in an apparent inability to grasp the obvious fact - if something isn’t working, you should try something else. But Bush is still incapable of admitting he’s made a mistake.
The terrible tragedy is that at the current casualty rate, about 1500 American troops will die between now and the day Bush leaves office.
Pfft. You aren’t actually silly enough to believe that the January Delay is actually due to needing more time. Are you?
Everything ever since the war started going south (ie. Since the “Mission” was “Accomplished”, if you know what I mean) everything has been “just give it a little longer”.
Just wait for the Iraqi Security Forces to stand up
Just wait for the election.
Just wait for the Iraqi Security Forces to stand up
Just wait for the constitution.
Just wait for the Iraqi Security Forces to stand up
Just wait for the permanent election.
Just wait for the Iraqi Security Forces to stand up
The next-to-last one was, of course…
Just wait for the ISG report
Now we get to wait for the Decider to Decide his Decision which will involve a political version of Three Card Monty. Of course, unlike our friends in the subway this version will be executed clumsily and, when everyone (except Shodan, naturally) easily points out the Lady they won’t pay up or pretend the cops are behind us - instead they’ll just claim we were supposed to find the Joker.
Just wait. Everything will turn out fine. Bend over and take it now and you’ll get your reward later. That method has worked for religions for thousands of years - why won’t it last a political party for another two?
I think he’s going to. He may see his choice between staying the course which isn’t working, pulling out which he won’t do, or bringing in more troops.
For the sake of argument, let’s say he proposes to send in more troops. What do you suppose Congress would do and what would be the public reaction? I’m thinking the Congress will grudgingly give in and the public will be outraged.
Okay, and with Christmas you really think that’s going to happen? You may as well say, “If that fucker breathes any time between now and then I’m gonna be mad.”
Sure, he’s a worthless bag of shit. I think that’s what this thread is all about.
However, millions who said, “Tax cuts! That’s all that really matters. Yeeehaw!” shortly before casting their votes can be seen as quite culpable, too.
What difference can it make whether or not he takes a vacation? This crapola with “consulting” is all Washington Kabuki. He has a photo op of going to the State Dept to “consult”. Who’s he kidding? Condi is there every fucking day, is there something she cannot say or divulge save within the actual physical confines of the State Dept building? Please. The notion that The Ditherer is getting new info is absurd and insulting. There is no new info, nothing happened yesterday he doesn’t already know about, nor within the last week. The appropriate memo has already been typed, his speech has been written, he is stalling for time.
And it could have a dramatic and unexpected effect. If the insurgents of various stripe fall for this bit of political theater, they may think they have a rare opportunity to affect his mind. Such as it is. They may be willing to absorb the casualties of a “Tet offensive” assault on Greenzonia. God Help Us, they may even be willing to make a truce, a common cause against the invader.
And then, brothers and sisters, the trajectory of The Shit will intersect the locus of The Fan.
Depends on how far out in time you’re talking. Isn’t 2007 spending already set? He’ll just spend money he doesn’t have if necessary. If Congress wants to cut off funds, then we’re talking about a longer timeline. And you’d never get a funding cutting bill thru the Senate as it is composed now anyway.
Bush wants another $100 billion for the war not in the budget.
As for all of FY2007 spending, most of the spending bills were never passed by the Do Nothin’ Congress. There is a Continuing Resolution in place until mid-February to keep the government running. However, since the Do Nothin’ Congress failed to pass the spending bills, when the new Congress convenes they will have to introduce all new budget legislation. If Bush doesn’t reintroduce his budget, the Democrats will have free rein.
I believe it was Rep. David Obey (D) of Wisconsin who warned Bush and the Republicans that they abrogated all rights and responsibilities for the budget when they failed to do their work. I take that to mean the government will run entirely on a CR for the fiscal year or the Democrats will put the screws to pork barrels and Bush’s desires. Whatever way it stacks up, there’s going to be quite a bit of pain for everyone involved.
Nope, the republicans failed to move on 9 of the 11 annual appropriations bills this year. The continuing resolution they passed only funds government through Feb. 15, 2007.
Then there’s the 100 billion or so Bush is expected to ask for to fund TWAT beyond what’s budgeted. I expect that’ll cause trouble if he continues to be a stupid-head about Iraq.