# What has George W. Bush done right? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 26, 2006, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938 "2006-10-26T03:25:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/101 "2006-10-27T12:06:18Z")
You guys don’t understand. According to Bush: “you have a better hand when more people are playing your same cards.” Get it now? Wait: what? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/102 "2006-10-27T13:07:52Z")
[QUOTE=Sevastopol] These are of course only matters of opinion, yet the tide of opinion has gone steadily one way and it isn’t **Quartz’s** [/QUOTE] So you’re saying that staying in Iraq isn’t a mistake? From the time of the invasion to the capture of Saddam, Bush’s ratings were rather high, weren’t they? So if he’d got out then, we’d all still be saying what a wonderful job he’d done. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/103 "2006-10-27T13:20:24Z")
Some Mod can close the thread after this definitive contribution. 😉 [Bush single-handedly saved our asses from The Second Coming](http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/116038288540580.xml&coll=2) > [@](#): > > Voters should oust congressional Republican leaders because U.S. foreign policy is delaying the second coming of Jesus Christ, according to a evangelical preacher trying to influence closely contested political races. > > K.A. Paul railed against the war in Iraq on Sunday before a crowd of 1,000 at the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, his first stop on what he hopes is a 30-city campaign. > > The Houston-based preacher said he believes that the Bush administration has delayed the second coming because U.S. foreign policy has blocked Christian missionaries from working in Iraq, Iran and Syria. Bushie - he’s doing a heckuva job. Now if only he’ll do something to stop me worrying about Godzilla attacks. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/104 "2006-10-27T14:52:02Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Just to be clear, the cite I linked to said that a majority didn’t support the war before the invasion, but that turned around briefly after the invasion. I suspect that because things looked pretty good the first few weeks. Anyway, suffice it to say that world opinion was largely against the war, and not by some slim margin, either. [/QUOTE] If by war, you mean Iraq, then I agree. GWB had some _lukewarm_ support now and then, but certainly no longer. **RedFury** , this is **GD**. Here in GD you made a statement "There is not a single country (other than the USA) where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq. " Now, a zillion cites and quotes saying that the Iraq war was generally unpopular worldwide only prove that -\*that the war was generally unpopular worldwide \* . To which I think we all agree. But so far, you haven’t shown that "There is not a \*single country \* (other than the USA) where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq. ". NOte that asking you to prove your assertion that "There is not a \*single country \* (other than the USA) where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq. " is hwaaaayy different from me making a claim that “in your world were people cheering all over the place in favor of the invasion and thinking the rest of the world was cheering along with them”. In fact, dudes here have proved you wrong. Australia for instance as \*\*Age Quod Agis. \*\* and other have pointed out. The problem is that you made a specific claim “not a single country”, instead of a general statement. Your \*specific claim \* was not only unprovable by you, but simply false. OTOH, no one has a problem with the general claim that the invasion of Iraw was unpopular. So, instead of posting a zillion cites that prove your \*general assertion \* right (and which we all agree with), why not just post and concede your \*specific statement \* was incorrect? **elucidator**. “So Furry Red asserts one hundred percent opposition, and you guys prove conclusively that he was wrong! wrong! wrong! and its only about 95%? Have I got that about right?”- Exactly. This is **GD**. We _live_ to pick nits like that. 😛 95% does not = 100% _“Mostly dead”_ ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/105 "2006-10-27T19:08:20Z")
> [@](#): > > **RedFury** , this is **GD**. Here in GD you made a statement "There is not a single country (other than the USA) where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq. " Other than than thanking tons you for letting me know my whereabouts (I get lost a lot on The Internets, thought I was at The Playboy Mansion) that remains a true statement as shown by the gazillion cites provided. If it sticks in your craw, try some Coors. > [@](#): > > In fact, dudes here have proved you wrong. Australia for instance as \*\*Age Quod Agis. \*\* and other have pointed out. In fact, in your frothing zeal to prove me wrong all you’ve done is prove yourself wrong: note that the **Quod’s** quote was readily rebutted by **John Mace** with the following cite: [Australia](http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/05/03/australia.iraq.troops/) Might want to chill a bit bit _dude_, and read what your’re responding to. We do that in **GD** you know. > [@](#): > > The problem is that you made a specific claim “not a single country”, instead of a general statement. Your \*specific claim \* was not only unprovable by you, but simply false. Afrraid I’m going to need a cite for the above claim. How do you you like them apples? > [@](#): > > OTOH, no one has a problem with the general claim that the invasion of Iraw was unpopular. Must be just me then, but you appear to be in a bit of a lather yourself. :::shrug::: > [@](#): > > So, instead of posting a zillion cites that prove your \*general assertion \* right (and which we all agree with), why not just post and concede your \*specific statement \* was incorrect? Because as the facts show, it most certainly isn’t amongst rational people: [Iraq Poll 2003](http://www.gallup-international.com/ContentFiles/survey.asp?id=10) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/106 "2006-10-27T19:27:34Z")
[QUOTE=RedFury] [Iraq Poll 2003](http://www.gallup-international.com/ContentFiles/survey.asp?id=10) [/QUOTE] What I find even more interesting in that poll is how many people would’ve been against the war even if the UNSC had sanctioned it. > [@](#): > > The survey results show that approximately half of the citizens in the world are not in favour of military action against Iraq under any circumstances. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. I have to assume that they really don’t mean “under any circumstances”. BTW, that poll does put Australia at \> 50% support, although just barely. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/107 "2006-10-27T19:41:54Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] …BTW, that poll does put Australia at \> 50% support, although just barely. 😉 [/QUOTE] Just like you, **John** , to bother downloading the Zip File. Then again, I’d expect no less from you 😉 Having said that, caveat emptor: Only **33%** of Australians supported an American invasion _wihthout_ UNSC authorization. Again, you might remember a similarity with American public opinion up until Bush’s bluff was called. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/108 "2006-10-27T19:47:20Z")
[QUOTE=RedFury] Just like you, **John** , to bother downloading the Zip File. Then again, I’d expect no less from you 😉 [/quote] No, I just clicked on the summary-- I think it was called “press release”. I was too lazy to deal with the zip file. > [@](#): > > Having said that, caveat emptor: Only **33%** of Australians supported an American invasion _wihthout_ UNSC authorization. Again, you might remember a similarity with American public opinion up until Bush’s bluff was called. Well, this is all academic. Not even Americans support the war anymore. I would say it had to be one of the worst policy decisions this country has made in my lifetime, if not the worst. I literally cried this morning (no exageration) reading a news article about the deaths over there. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/109 "2006-10-27T19:50:13Z")
[QUOTE=RedFury] In fact, in your frothing zeal to prove me wrong all you’ve done is prove yourself wrong: note that the **Quod’s** quote was readily rebutted by **John Mace** with the following cite: [Australia](http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/05/03/australia.iraq.troops/) [/QUOTE] From that cite: "After initial opposition to war plans, \*support for the U.S.-led action increased to a majority \* during the early phases of the invasion which began in March 2003. " Italics mine. Thus, even though it was only for a period- there _was_ "a single country (other than the USA) where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq. " And then here: [http://www.gallup-international.com/download/GIA%20press%20release%20Iraq%20Survey%202003.pdf](http://www.gallup-international.com/download/GIA%20press%20release%20Iraq%20Survey%202003.pdf) “Apart from the USA only in Australia the majority of the population (53%) think that their county should support possible military action”. (Romanai and the UK were very close, support being the plurality). And, note that poll was taken of just 41 countries- there’s around 200 of them. So- can you show what the poll results were in the other 160 nations? Are you sure about Saint Kitts and Nevis? How about Azerbaijan? Bahamas? Thus, you are wrong- Australia did support the invasion by a majority, thus “there _was_ a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq” . And, although it is true that 39 other nations didn’t\* -we really don;t know enough about them to assume "There is not a single country (other than the USA) where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq. " \*some were close, and with several choices given a plurality does equal _general support._ ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/110 "2006-10-27T19:55:55Z")
Nibbled to death by ducks, eh, **Red**? ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/111 "2006-10-27T20:19:11Z")
Original post I defended and fully cited: [QUOTE=col\_10022] There is not a single country (other than the USA) where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq. The governments may have supported the US for other reasons **_but there wasn’t popular support for it anywhere outside the USA_.** [/QUOTE] bolding/italics mine. My and **col\_10022’s** contention stands pristine. [QUOTE=Dr Deth] Thus, you are wrong- Australia did support the invasion by a majority [/quote] Hard of hearing are we? **Conditional** support as per your own cite: > [@](#): > > … **If sanctioned by the United Nations** approximately one third of the citizens interviewed > are in favour of military actions. Especially Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands feel that **UN > backing is a necessary condition.** Colorful effects all mine. Since there NEVER WAS UN APPROVAL for the invasion, the approval becomes totally meaningless as that was a NECESSARY condition to those polled – drum roll , please --in **AUSTRALIA**. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/112 "2006-10-27T20:20:23Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] Nibbled to death by ducks, eh, **Red**? [/QUOTE] Naw…water off my back is more like it 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/113 "2006-10-27T20:36:57Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Well, this is all academic. Not even Americans support the war anymore. I would say it had to be one of the worst policy decisions this country has made in my lifetime, if not the worst. I literally cried this morning (no exageration) reading a news article about the deaths over there. [/QUOTE] Sorry to hear, **John** , but trust me you’re not the only one. Not that it should make you feel any better, but know that there are plenty of us out there that share similar feelings. ::🤗:: If that’s alright coming from a straight, bald old dude. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/114 "2006-10-27T20:44:36Z")
[QUOTE=RedFury] If sanctioned by the United Nations approximately one third of the citizens interviewed are in favour of military actions. Especially Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands feel that UN backing is a necessary condition. Since there NEVER WAS UN APPROVAL for the invasion, the approval becomes totally meaningless as that was a NECESSARY condition to those polled – drum roll , please --in **AUSTRALIA**. [/QUOTE] Except that Australia still had a majority support for the war right after the invasion, and clearly there was no UN sanction. Thus, “There is not a single country (other than the USA) where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq.”= wrong. (since you like color) And, how about those other 160 nations not even polled? Can you show there was no support there? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/115 "2006-10-27T20:46:31Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Well, this is all academic. Not even Americans support the war anymore. . [/QUOTE] True, and I conceded as much. I did not and do not support the Invasion of Iraq, myself. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/116 "2006-10-27T21:44:32Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Thus, “There is not a single country (other than the USA) where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq.”= wrong. (since you like color) [/QUOTE] Methinks this is what kindergarten was like. The phrase, as originally written (meaning **pre-invasion** ), stands as true now as it did when originally written. Here’s an article – colorful chart included – that might help clear-up your cluttered thinking on this matter. [A REVIEW OF WORLDWIDE POPULAR SUPPORT (or lack of it) FOR WAR ON IRAQ](http://www.eriposte.com/war_peace/iraq/iraq_war_worldwide_support.htm#1) Have fun checking out Australia’s position. TTFN ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/117 "2006-10-27T21:55:35Z")
_“Ground control to Major **John** …”_ ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/118 "2006-10-27T22:07:20Z")
[QUOTE=RedFury] The phrase, as originally written (meaning **pre-invasion** ), stands as true now as it did when originally written. Here’s an article – colorful chart included – that might help clear-up your cluttered thinking on this matter. Have fun checking out Australia’s position. TTFN [/QUOTE] Very nice. For one poll, taken in January 2003. However, other polls (cited above), taken at later times show differently. The Newsweek poll showed a Majority supported the war in Australia after March but before May, that is just after the invasion started. Now, if you had said “There is not a single country- _of 1/4 of those polled_- where there was a majority that supported the invasion of Iraq as \*a unilateral action \* _as of Jan 2003_.” then you’d be right. But since you have no data at all on 3/4s of the worlds nations, and at least one nation- Australia did supprt the Invasion for a time- you’re wrong. Look, your statement was overbroad and over-generalistic. Just admit it, and stop what appears to be weaseling. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2006, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/119 "2006-10-27T22:15:39Z")
Geeez! And all this time I’ve been labouring under the wrong impression that it was **'luc** that was "easily distracted. * * * [QUOTE=DrDeth] Look, your statement was overbroad and over-generalistic. Just admit it, and stop what appears to be weaseling. [/QUOTE] I’d rather die first. Sword in hand and all that of course. BTW, got a mirror handy? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938/120 "2006-10-28T00:35:17Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] _“Ground control to Major **John** …”_ [/QUOTE] I have no idea what you’re talking about. 🆒 Thanks, Tom. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938.md?page=7)