HERBERT: No End in Sight

[dw]

Published: April 2, 2004 in The New York Times

We're told that President Bush watched the television news coverage of the Iraqi mob that attacked, burned and mutilated four American civilians in Falluja on Wednesday. I can imagine the fury he must have felt. But I wonder what specific thoughts ran through his mind, and what other emotions he experienced.

Was there any soul-searching, any second thoughts about whether he did the right thing in launching this war, which he thought was all but over last May but which remains with us, with no end to the carnage in sight? With so many now dead, might the president have felt even the mildest of qualms, the faintest flickering of regret while watching the hideous images from Falluja?

If you talk to the troops who have served in Iraq, you can only marvel at their bravery and commitment to duty, and the lack of bellyaching at the difficult hands they were dealt. I've interviewed several servicemen and servicewomen who have returned from the war zone, including some who were horribly wounded, and I've yet to hear one of them utter any variation of the complaint, "Why me?"

But I inevitably come away from these conversations asking the question for them. Why were they ever placed in harm's way in Iraq? Wednesday's atrocity was inexcusable — unconscionable — and those responsible should be tracked down and punished. But even if that happens, the greater tragedy of the war itself will continue indefinitely.

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[Skittles]

1. Bush doesn't feel a g.d. thing

he has no conscience; it is what allows him to participate in the utter destruction of America.

[The Zanti Regent]

4. Remember what Momma Babs said?

She just didn't want to waste her "beautiful mind" on such travesties.

Mike Dukakkis was right!--a fish DOES rot from the head down...

[dweller]

2. Just like home

<snip>
There were 4,000 marines stationed near Falluja when Wednesday's gruesome attack occurred. But Marine commanders,
as The Times's Jeffrey Gettleman reports, decided they would not intervene to stop the mutilation of the bodies. The
atrocity unfolded without interference.
<end snip>


everyday another unending,
dp

[teryang]

3. Why? Machiavelli 101

The illegitimate leader needed an illegitimate war to prop up his illegitimate regime with faux patriotism.

[The Zanti Regent]

5. Don't you mean "19th Century Faux" patriotism?

I think that fits those liars to a "T"

[teryang]

8. As you say

A timeless technique with a 19th Century flavor.

[grytpype]

6. A strong condemnation.

A revolution is brewing.

[grytpype]

7. Read this interview with Gary Hart.

He has some very harsh words to say about Bush, Cheney, and Rice. Very harsh.

http://salon.com/news/feature/2004/04/02/hart/index.html

[Martin Eden]

10. Great Salon article!

You need to post this as an independent thread.

[Mecil]

9. Or a watergate

Or a watergate...