The View from the Meadow

Observations of the Passing Scene

Political and Social Commentary by Dave Satre

Stay the Course, George
Bush Tries to Weasel Out of His Iraq Policy

Even our Glorious Leader, GW Bush, has apparently finally realized the errors of his ways. Despite years of tough talk and dogged determination to “Stay the Course”, Bush has changed directions and is supposedly examining other alternatives in Iraq. Of course, he hasn’t actually announced any real plans……

Apparently, even GW now knows the present course is leading to a disastrous midterm election for the Republicans in November and, ultimately, his own impeachment. Although Bush’s actions in Iraq have been nothing less than a disastrous string of errors, it is actually time for anti-Bush voters to hope he hangs onto the course -- at least for a couple more weeks. This is the albatross the Republicans deserve to bear and they should be made to carry it through election day.

Taking the country to war in Iraq was such a monumental mistake that Karl Rove’s propaganda is no longer working. The polls show Americans are disillusioned with GW and his boys – the latest results show 64 percent of Americans are against the war in Iraq. Bush’s popularity rating is down to 37 percent, according to today’s Gallup poll.

changing directions, he’s denying he even said it! This administration’s policy of lying to the public on a daily basis has never been more blatant.

Their spin doctors are now actually claiming the term “Stay the course” really meant their course was an adaptive policy, one in which they were constantly adjusting to changes, etc. Well, they certainly do exhibit a propensity for changing political positions when the polls show the need for it. Talk about a “flip flopper,” a term frequently used by GW to attack opponents, including Al Gore and John Kerry. But until now, they’ve been adamant about Staying the Course in Iraq.

Even Republicans are abandoning this sinking ship. These days the most popular campaign tactic for Republican candidates is to tear up all photos showing them with the president and to sever all ties with GW. He’s not only an embarrassment, he’s become a real political liability.

The November 2006 elections are possibly the most important non-presidential elections in this country’s history. It is imperative that the Democrats take control of Congress away from the Republicans. This will stop The Bush Regime from implementing the rest of their agenda in the final years of the Bush presidency, (PNAC) making GW a true lame duck, instead of merely a lame president.

administration’s Continuous Campaign propaganda policy, in which they will say anything -- they lie to the public on a daily basis -- in order to win elections and maintain power.

Stay the Course has been one of GW’s favorite phrases. He likes to use tough military terms when he’s pretending he’s a strong leader and decision maker. He is neither. Mission Accomplished must have sounded good at the time and he apparently loved dressing up in a uniform for the photo op on an aircraft carrier. But that was in May, 2003, a long ago, and its become just another embarrassment for The Regime.
Stay the Course has been Bush’s policy in Iraq for over three years. The nation has heard him boldly repeat the phrase countless times in his daily media sound bites. But now he’s actually denying he ever said it!

Bush has never been able to admit a mistake. His policy has always been to point blame at others, or to attempt to shift attention away from an issue. He gets away with it to a great degree because this nation has about a two-week cultural memory;he can say something one week and then completely contradict himself later – apparently without the media or the public noticing. Especially when The Regime employs the word of the day propaganda techniques of daily repetition: if you say something often enough and loud enough you can convince the public of almost anything. But now he’s claiming he never said it!

This is an incredible example of White House doublespeak. The administration has not announced any definite plans, but they claim they’re looking for a new strategy in Iraq, Apparently, they’re open to suggestions. Something somewhere between Stay the Course and cut and run.

But, it’s going to be difficult for the White House spin doctors to convince the American public that Bush never said, “Stay the Course “ Almost everyone in America has heard him say it and the statements were well documented.

Check this link for videos of GW repeatedly saying, “Stay the Course” and Bartlett’s spin attempt : http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/23/bartlett-stay-the-course/

Bush has a long list of failed slogans. Here’s a walk down memory lane with some of his favorites – all of them lies or failures:

Shock and Awe
Bring It On
Mission Accomplished
Bringing Integrity Back to the White House
Steady Leadership in Times of Change
Conservatives with Conscience ( It should have read: “without conscience”)
Compassionate Conservatism
Axis of Evil
Uniter Not a Divider

Flip Flopper. His favorite attack against opponents. Now, he’s turned out to be the worst “Flip Flopper” of all time. And the most divisive leader in the history of America.

In 2000 GW promised “a humble foreign policy.” The reality is that the Great Misleader’s actual chip-on-the-shoulder, faux-cowboy attitude has alienated most of the world, including our traditional allies. America has never been more disliked and feared by the global community.

It is time for the voters of this country to wake up and take back control of their country. Bring back the America we know and love. Vote Out the Republicans in November.

David Satre
Oct. 25, 2006