Well now, it appears that Tom DeLay is not going to run again and has instead, decided to retire. He says that he looked at his chances and decided not to run but I think, secretly, he has been told to get the hell out - he is too hot to handle at the moment, this Republican thing is starting to fly apart, take vacation, let things cool off a while and then pick up where Abramoff left off. I tickles me to see the Bushies engage "spin control" while flying so close to the ground!! We might be able to save the country if everyone did not vote for any incumbents and instead installed all new people in office. First order of the day: demolish all laws that allow the lobbying industry to exist.

Was Iraq a product of Sadam, or was Sadam a product of Iraq? With NSA warrantless wiretapping and torture is the United States becoming a product of Iraq.

Lebanon was an even more diverse country than Iraq and had citizens as educated. Its citizens would have never thought it would have fallen into a violent bloody civil war. The Reagan Administration tried to intervene in Lebanon’s Civil War only to have the Marine Bunker Suicide Bombing occur, at that point the United States quickly retreated. Syria used an Iron Fist method to put an end to the civil war and Lebanon is still occupied by Syria to this day.

Comment of Perry Rich, NC:

“And on a last note, for all you Clinton lovers out there,,, Bill Clinton knew about Al-Quada and did NOTHING, even when they had him and could take him out. Bill Clinton was too DANM busy trying to get his jollies off...and you see what we got for it? 9/11 and thousands of Americans DEAD thanks to Bill Clinton. Thank Goodness Bush has the bones to take the fight to them instead of them bringing the fight to us.”

Bush had a policy of preemptive war, before 911, yet the United States was attached due to the administrations failure to recognize the threat of al-Quada. The preemptive policy was used for justification to invade Iraq to prevent the use of weapons of mass destruction. In both cases the Bush administration failed

Preemption is a good strategy if competently applied. Thus far from prior 911 to the War in Iraq, Bush and his administration have been everything, but competent. Preemption is based on good intelligence and weighing out of conflicting intelligence to the correct conclusion. Simply stated, let the intelligence guide your decision making, do not let your decision guide your intelligence making.

I an utterly amazed at the mindset of 99% of the people that comment on here, they dont listen to what is being said, they can not think for themselves and dont have a clue as to what is actually going on and just believe what that want to believe that fits their point of view and totally ignore anything to the contrary. First Bush said we are going after terrorisim and countries that hardbor terrorist. Iraq not only harbored them but also helped them. Second, Bush nevered said Iraq was involved in 9/11. Bush said they have ties with al-Quada. And for anyone who wants to argure this with me, show me where and when he said it and where I can find it, inwhich I will gladly say I am wrong and you are right. Fourth, Bush always said this will be a long protracted war on terrorisim or did most of you not here this either. Fifth, what i see from most of the people who comment here are people that really dont care about the people in that part of the world or probably anywhere else for that matter. People were being slautered by the thousands for nothing or being of a different mind than that of Saddam. They could not speak their minds like all of you have the right to do. What about all the tourture that went on in Iraq? Maybe thats not your concern either. Sixth, there is alot of good things happening over in Iraq but you never hear about it because its not news worhty of fit into NBC'or CNN's view. And did all you really think that we would just be able to walk in and say ok, do this and that all just come home in a matter of a couple of years? Im glad all of you werent in charge back durning WWII because we would all be speaking German now. And on a last note, for all you Clinton lovers out there,,, Bill Clinton knew about Al-Quada and did NOTHING, even when they had him and could take him out. Bill Clinton was too DANM busy trying to get his jollies off...and you see what we got for it? 9/11 and thousands of Americans DEAD thanks to Bill Clinton. Thank Goodness Bush has the bones to take the fight to them instead of them bringing the fight to us.

To the guy who said let's stop the complaining and if we don't have a solution then shut up! O.K. here's a solution, reverse the tax plan Bush implemented first, that means all you old rich guys are gonna have to pay and so are the corporations, no President has ever ever given tax cuts during WAR! Bring all the soilders back to the border of IRAQ, leave just enough troops to secure their border, the rest come home. Place our troops on our borders, both North and South. Start enforcing the imigration laws that are on the books. When my husbands parents immegrated from Italy, they had to have jobs and sponsers. If not they weren't allowed.
Next, bring in top notch qualified people to reverse the Medicare drug program, cut the fat, take over the budget and reviews of 'ALL' programs. Stop any new trade deals now, until they have a ninty day review and all business that choose to outsource jobs to foreign countries must pay minimum wages! Bet that'l keep them from sending any more of America overseas. Immediately form a qualified group of Medical, Business, and public people to draft plans for a standardized healtcare plan for all americans. Any Business that is not currently covering or offering healtcare to their employees must pay the largest portion of taxes, any oil company that is makeing a profit of 10% or more of their overhead must use that money for scientific investigation of "clean energy", then enforce term limits on all politicians, eight years MAXIMUM for any public office held, and that includes the Supreme Court. Nobody should have a lifetime job! Next all government employees must contribut to the social security fund just like the rest of us bums, and when they retire they get social security plus a small pension, just like the rest of us bums! You enforce all this and believe me you will see many changes in D.C. I'm sure everyone is laughing right now but I say what we have now in this little DICTATOR and his neocrats and the spinless members of congress and senate will never change unless WE THE PEOPLE start holding their butts to the fire! Enough of the corruption, free autos, healthcare, trips etc., let's tell them all you want to work for us then you work by our rules! Thanks Sue F

Some people here have been whining about others "whining." Let's try to support our President's accomplishments:

* As of March 14, 2006 There have been 2,514 coalition deaths, 2,309 Americans

* To date more than 20,000 men and women have been wounded in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq

* According to U.S Senate research, the amputation rate has doubled: 6% of those injured in Iraq have amputations compard with 3% in previous wars..

* As of April 30, there were 268 amputees, 41 of whom had lost two limbs. There are triple amputees, according to Walter Reed Officials. Unfortunately, these numbers will continue to rise.

* Hundreds of soldiers have been severely burned, and some initial reports indicate that soldiers have suffered eye injuries at a rate far higher than any previous war.

* Katrina: At least 1,326 bodies found, hundreds of persons still not accounted for

* UAE firm to transfer port operations to 'U.S. entity' -- we are still watching for the final outcome of this

* (2004) Some 380 tons of explosives powerful enough to detonate nuclear warheads are missing from a former Iraqi military facility that was supposed to be under American control -- Tell George that may be where the IEDs are coming from

* Homeland Security: Duct Tape, George Bush: 1) "I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees" 2) "You're doing a helluva job, Brownie!"

* And the list goes on...

But you are right we can offer a better solution:
Impeach George Bush Now!!! No more incompetency and no more lies.

It hit me yesterday that we have a world leader who, instead of attending to serious problems here and in other countries, is on a PR circuit. Is this what we want from a President? It's disappointing to watch as the Congress stays mostly mum about this abhorrant behavior.

Until Bush can unshackle himself from Cheney & Rumsfeld the same ole, same ole will go on with different bullet points. These are men of many words saying the same thing without the ability to take corrective action when they are off course.
Actions speak much louder than words and the actions to date have spoken. It's like looking behind the curtain at the Great Wizard in Oz. Games Up!!

It's nice to see that America is finally waking up!I am one of many veterans(Army 3rd Infantry) who has said that this invasion was a mistake built on lies. If you care about our troops get them out of Iraq NOW, not thousands more dead and trillions of $$$ later.If you care about America impeach this lying scumbag excuse for a president and put him in jail where he belongs for lying to and manipulating the American people.Out troops are in uniform to protect democracy,not serve the ego of a narcistic sociopath with an inferiority complex who has to slaughter our troops to show his daddy he really is grown up now.

Well, we all had a hand in electing this guy, by commission or omission we are the enablers. The congress, our congress, our representatives, are principally either lock-step empowered-party self-preservationists.....or marginalized spineless self- preservationists. Anyway you look at it we lose..........until we finally get a belly full and do what we have been blessed with the power to do....change it. In the name of every young man and women who are standing in the gap for us this very day......change it.

It is such a relief to see that one of President Bush's campaign promises is actually coming to fruition...remember the one where he said he wants to unite this country? It's happening - Republicans and Democrats are coming together like never before in agreement that this administration has failed its electorate. The President who flew to Washington on the right wing, claiming to be the moral choice, has proven itself less honest (WMD), less lawful (wiretapping), less responsive (Katrina), and less responsible (budget) than any administration in history. As for Iraq (and soon to be Iran), I already fear the eventual loss of my yet-to-be-conceived grandchildren for W's cause. American blood is thicker than water, but apparently not as thick as oil.

I really liked the "energy independence" part of Bushs' state of the union speech. Like everything else he has done, the timing was completely off. The energy independence speech should have been given on Sept 12, 2001. It is nearly 6 years since that date and if we had decided to invest in total energy independence instead of a war, we'd be hurting those people in the pocket book NOW! Of course we're talking about an administration that has taken millions, maybe even billions in campaign contributions designed to keep the status quo intact. I would have no problem with a doubling of the national debt if I had an energy independent country to show for it. If the USA no longer needed to import any foreign oil I think you'd see that bunch in the Middle East dry up and blow away - with the US's oil demands cut out of the world daily consumption, I think we'd see oil prices fall to next to nothing. And here's the hell of it: Americans are some of the most innovative people on earth - given enough time and money, we'd be energy independent with no loss of lifestyle. Then we'd have the world at our door asking us to help them achieve the same thing. Now wouldn't that be refreshing?

David, I think you are heroic to raise this question. I've often wondered myself.

The truth is coming out about the police in Iraq. Many are members of Shi'ite militias. They engage in widespread murder and torture.

The former UN director of a human rights office in Iraq, John Pace, said torture and executions are worse than they were under Saddam. The Sunnis say they have been the victims of death squads.

A large portion of the people killed with car bombs in Iraq have been police. If the police are torturing and murdering the Sunni population, doesn't it make sense for the Sunnis to fight back any way they can?

Bush always calls the enemy in Iraq the "terrorists." But the press has revealed that very few of the fighters in Iraq are foreign. We've been told the insurgents are Saddam loyalists. Why would anybody be loyal to Saddam? It makes more sense, when I look at it, to see these attacks as part of an ethnic civil war.

David, I think you are the most courageous reporter out there. I know you are stuck at the White House, but it would be great for somebody to look into this theory. And this time, report how Bush lies.

To all the passive voters who complain about our government, i.e. Billion spent on Iraq, Illegal immigration, Transportation and runaway government corruption: What is it going to take to make you vote for change?

Writing about it won't do it. What will we do on Election Day?

If prior elections serve as an indicator, we will do nothing except worry about a golf game.

U.S. spending billions to ‘defeat’ IEDs in Iraq

CAN YOU TELL ME WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS????

How about spending billions to help UNITED STATES CITIZENS?? I could find many ways to help like,
HELP THE GULF COAST, HELP WITH HEALTH CARE COSTS AND DEVELOP A CAR THAT DOES NOT RUN ON GASOLINE.

We will never get out of IRAQ. WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE FOR A LONG LONG TIME.

THIS CONFILCT WILL SUCK US DRY..........WE ARE FOOLING OURSELVES IF WE THINK DIFFERENTLY

The message from Iraq is far worse than David Gregory and MSNBC are permitted to give. The media are clearly in the hands of pressure groups, mainly commercial advertisers, who would cut off funds to any news organization that truly told the tragic truth about the situation in Iraq. As has been said before, no sponsor nor any news executive would stand to see, alongside a toothpaste ad, the picture of a child, dead or mutilated by a cluster bomb and lying in agony in an inadequate hospital, as a result of "collateral action". We drop thousands of these, and results are worse than almost any suicide bomb. These pictures exist, and are relatively easy to find in foreign news programs, both from Europe and the Middle East, but they are systematically excluded from the US network news programs, though shown on some of the "counter-culture stateions", such as FSTV or LINK. Also, there is a strong tendency of manage the news reporting by the US military and Pentagon. So the news we are given is almost totally one-sided. Some of the arab news atations, such as Al Jezzira, provide the counterpoint, with graphic images that we never see here. The response to that on the part of the military was to plan to bomb the Al Jezzira stateion in Quatar, as suggested by George Bush and rejected by Tony Blair (in Britain two whistle-blowers who reported that memo between Bush and Blair were imprisoned and the British press forbidden to publish, under the Official Secrets Act - Let us never have such an act here. Bush and Chaney would be in raptures if we had!)
The main point I wish to make it that the news is indeed highly "managed" here. Bush's monotopic and monotonous speeches, presented to hand-picked audiences, are just another example of "spin" by the Admistration. Yet, even with this inadequate reporting, finally the American people and broadcast press are beginning to wake up and see the degree of dissimulation practiced. Let us have a real dialog about why were are there, how we can get out without too much disgrace (not to the troops - they are mostly doing a heroic and nasty job - but to the Administration and the American people who permitted this to happen by their blind ignorance; four years should have been enough} I am reminded of Mark Antoney's speech, in which he said "Then you and I and all of us fell down, whilst bloody infamy flourished o'er us'. It isn't worth it, just for the oil (the only real reason). We must find alternatives.
It will be a test of the integrity of MSNBC whether they include this blog. I am not too sanguine.

“By their response over the last two weeks, Iraqis have shown the world they want a future of freedom and peace and they will oppose a violent minority.”

hmm, that's not the message i get from two weeks of the sunni and shia bombing, murdering, executing, and kidnapping each other. it's a good thing we have dubya to explain these things to us simpletons.

I think George Hill just said it best. Very wise statement.

The United States is facing an energy crisis that threatens to change our way of life forever.

The United States is down to its last 22 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. These reserves have declined by around 20% since 1990. Total U.S. oil production in 2002 was down sharply about 2.4 MMBD, or 23% from the 10.6 MMBD averaged in 1985. U.S. crude oil production is at 50-year lows. Today, the United States is consuming an average of about 19.7 MMBD of which we import 11.2 MMBD or about 57% of total daily demand. Nearly 40% of these imports come from OPEC nations of that, half come from Persian Gulf sources. At our current rate of consumption, should all imported sources of oil be interrupted, the United States would completely consume its proven reserves in as few as three years. As you can see from the above-related statistics, the wolf is at the door!

The Bush administration decided to attack Iraq because it has the second largest proven oil reserves in the world; over 115 billion barrels with as many as 45 to 100 billion more yet to be tapped beneath its western sands. Control of those resources and the contracts to pump, operate, maintain, and ship the oil means tens-of-billions of dollars in profits to U.S. based corporations.

General Norman Schwarzkopf, the commanding officer of coalition forces in the 1991 Gulf War stated in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in February 1990, "Mideast oil is the West's lifeblood. It fuels us today, and being 77 percent of the Free World's proven oil reserves, is going to fuel us when the rest of the world has run dry. It is estimated that within 20 to 40 years the U.S. will have virtually depleted its economically available oil reserves, while the Persian Gulf region will still have at least 100 years of proven oil reserves." Those comments were made over fourteen years ago.

The United States did not attack Iraq because of its chemical and biological weapons U.S. and European Corporations, with the concent of their governments supplied the precursors for, helped build, and used in defense of the country during the Iran/Iraq war. Those WMD were largely expended from 1980 through 1988 with the residual inventory wiped out bu coalition forces during Operation Desert Storm. Saddam had no WMD programs left after 1991. Former Secretary of State James Baker stated as much during a PBS Frontline interview on January 9, 1996, "Oh I would suggest that we won and we won big. He no longer has the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction, he no longer represents the threat to his neighbors that he did before." The United States did not attack Iraq because of its alleged links to the terrorist network that attacked the United States on September 11, 2001. In fact CIA Director George Tenet testified before Congress that Iraq represented no threat to the United States seven months before the 9/11 attacks.

The justifications for the war were conjured up from scraps of cobbled together faulty intelligence by appointees of the Bush administration from the Department of Defense's Office of Special Plans. Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Karen Kwiatkowski who served as a staff officer in that department, related as much in an article written for Salon magazine and published on March 10, 2004. Lt. Col. Kwiatkowski recounted "I witnessed neo-conservative agenda bearers within OSP usurp measured and carefully considered assessments and through suppression and distortion of intelligence analysis promulgate what were in fact falsehoods to both Congress and the executive office of the president." Her assertions were verified by Secretary of State, Colin Powell during his interview with Journalist Tim Russert on MSNBC's Meet The Press on May 16, 2004 when he stated, "I'm very concerned. When I made that presentation in February 2003, it was based on the best information that the Central Intelligence Agency made available to me. We studied it carefully; we looked at the sourcing in the case of the mobile trucks and trains. There was multiple sourcing for that. Unfortunately, that multiple sourcing over time has turned out to be not accurate. And so I'm deeply disappointed. But I'm also comfortable that at the time that I made the presentation, it reflected the collective judgment, the sound judgment of the intelligence community. But it turned out that the sourcing was inaccurate and wrong and in some cases, deliberately misleading."

When the Bush administration launched the attack against Iraq its economy was in tatters from two wars and over a decade long economic embargo. Iraq was destitute and unable to resist aggression. Iraq was plum waiting to be picked. From the beginning the Bush administration had four interrelated goals to accomplish in Iraq, these were, (1). Remove Saddam from power. (2). Install a pro-western, pro-free trade, business friendly government in Baghdad. (3). Reconstitute Iraq's Oil and Natural Gas infrastructure. (4). Get the Iraqi energy resources, which have been largely off the international market for more than a decade, back into the pipeline in order to repay both corporations and country's owed hundreds of billions of dollars accrued during the Iran/Iraq war.

The President and his Men have been wrong on virtually every prediction they have made so far, so it would seem silly to back the same sick old nag. Even if everything worked out for the best, and a workable governing coalition were formed, how long would such a compromise hold? Isn't Iraq simply a "failed state" whose fracture lines no one observed so long as there was a tyrant to hold the Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites together with the politics of terror? We have already thrown away four hundred billions on this ridiculous neo-con pipe dream. It was time to leave a year ago.

Trying PR for Iraq and blaming Iran when comments on our supposed good ecomony confuses most loyal Americans. We fight for democracy in an area that doesn't want it. We here are loosing our own constitutional rights; Pensions:;jobs, affordable housing; medical costs causing bankruptcy; Who is protecting the American working class. Maybe Bush should bomb one of our poorest states and ask congress for money to rebuild it.

I think the line was " shock and awe" and rather than referring to the wonderful killing technology we are so good at, it is more fitting to apply it to our wonderful righteous leader who could care less about what we think rather than enjoy the power that so desired and achieved. They will listen to no one. They can do no harm. They know it all. Well gee I guess everyone else out here who knew Iraq and it's 3 tribes would be a no win resolve just didn't know anything. hmmm. Does God really talk to our fearless leader or is it the other guy?

It isn't just the war, it's everything that this President has done to belittle Americans. The whole world looks upon the US as a super power intent on running the world. Everyone should remember that the President, a Republican, and his republican senate and congress got the US to where we are today. Remember that on the next election day. The richest country in the world and we have hungry people, citizens without health insurance, New Orleans still waiting for help, your privacy invaded, and tax breaks for the wealthy, give aways to the oil companies, and an arrogant self proclaimed dictator in office. I think it's time to take our country back, impeach Bush and clean up Washington.

I don't think we have a government that "fears the people". I think we have a government that arrogantly thinks it knows better and frankly doesn't care what the people think.

Actually, that's probably worse. Probably much worse.

To the few lame defenders of Bush who have posted here, how about telling us something Bush has done right instead of whining because we're not happy with the horrendous job he's done. Don't ask us to catch Bin Laden or solve the unsolvable mess Bush (and people like you who support him) have gotten us into in Iraq. Tell us how you're going to fix your mess. Or stop whining and have the decency to crawl into a hole. You broke it, you own it. Not us.