2008 Woodie Awards
The Foreign Policy of George Bush(Against)
Kevin Agnese
Issue date: 9/29/04 Section: Perspectives
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When will George W. Bush tell the truth about the situation in Iraq? As the president continues to paint a picture of freedom and democracy, over 1,000 American service members have been killed, insurgents are beheading American contractors, and Iraq is in chaos. President Bush received a National Intelligence Estimate in July, which forecasted many dark days ahead in Iraq, government officials announced on September 15th. The estimate outlined three direct and clear possibilities in Iraq through 2005, one being a civil war. The New York Times, using information from the intelligence estimate, reported on September 16th, "The most favorable outcome described is an Iraq whose stability would remain tenuous in political, economic and security terms." This is the best possible outcome, yet President Bush describes progress and civility in Iraq. At a campaign rally on September 16th, Bush said, "This country is headed toward democracy."
The estimate was prepared by the National Intelligence Council, and was approved by the National Foreign Intelligence Board under the acting director of central intelligence, John McLaughlin. Despite the grim outlook, President Bush asserts that there will be national democratic elections held in Iraq in January. Bush claims this will lead to democracy, but he claimed the same thing when sovereignty was handed to the Iraqis in June.
"I know that the people who are supposed to run that election (in January) believe that they need a longer period of time and greater security before they can even begin to do it, and they just can't do it at this point and time," Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry said last week in a call to radio show host Don Imus. "So I'm not sure the president is being honest with the American people about that situation either at this point."
John Kerry and members of the Democratic Party are not the only ones who are speaking out against the Bush policies in Iraq. In the past two weeks, several Republicans have discussed their frustration with the situation.
The estimate was prepared by the National Intelligence Council, and was approved by the National Foreign Intelligence Board under the acting director of central intelligence, John McLaughlin. Despite the grim outlook, President Bush asserts that there will be national democratic elections held in Iraq in January. Bush claims this will lead to democracy, but he claimed the same thing when sovereignty was handed to the Iraqis in June.
"I know that the people who are supposed to run that election (in January) believe that they need a longer period of time and greater security before they can even begin to do it, and they just can't do it at this point and time," Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry said last week in a call to radio show host Don Imus. "So I'm not sure the president is being honest with the American people about that situation either at this point."
John Kerry and members of the Democratic Party are not the only ones who are speaking out against the Bush policies in Iraq. In the past two weeks, several Republicans have discussed their frustration with the situation.