I am old and I am worried about the mental health of George Bush. He is dangerous.

[David Zephyr]

Many here have posted that they fear that the President is now about to take us to war with Iran, and possibly Syria. It appears that this is what the current Israeli government wants us to do. And they are not alone. The dictators that run Saudi Arabia also would like to see us at war with Shi'a Iran.

Making war with Iran? Yes, I am genuinely concerned that this indeed might be Bush's way to make the mess even bigger and thereby, in his sick mind, draw back some American sentiment toward him as the war becomes more like a "world war". Remember, it was George Bush who last year said that we were already in World War III.

I can no longer ignore the fact that Bush is woefully proud and dangerous, just as was Adolf Hitler. George Bush cares not one bit what the Congress does, what the courts do, what the American people want. He has a delusional opinion of himself that overrides even his generals. He boasted to Tim Russert that he was "a war president".

Friends, we are now dealing with an very unbalanced man who finds himself cornered with no way out and thereby is a very, very desperate man who unfortunately can do a lot of harm, especially since he is surrounded by craven yes-men and yes-women who are terrified to confront him. A cornered man is a desperate man, and my late father always warned me that "desperate men do desperate things."

Should we be afraid? Making war with Iran just may be the "only way out" in Bush's sick mind.

Did you see the guy's face as he made his "speech" tonight? Bush's facial expressions were those of a mad man as he spoke. He truly had a crazed look on his face. It was his expressions and his eyes that left the greatest impression with me, not his words.

Should we be alarmed? Should Congress take notice that they may not be dealing with a coherent man?

[Stephanie]

1. K&R

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CountAllVotes]

9. no joke

I'd be a bit worried myself.

[bdamomma]

3. many of us have said and speculated on this the truth is

yes, he is not well, and dangerous. If it helps at all we must call our Senators and Representatives to tell him we are not asleep at the wheel. This is the time when we must unite and get into the streets.

I wish we could invoke 25th Amendment.

[cui bono]

12. ah, that's it. 25th Amendment, Section 4: Involuntary Withdrawal

It is possible, however, for such a declaration to be made even if the president is fully able and conscious, should the majority of his officers find grounds other than medical disability, such as insanity, emotional instability, or conflict of interests, affecting national security. In any event, the president would continue to discharge the powers and duties of his office until Congress had reviewed the case and voted to strip the president of his powers, thereby preventing the president's officers from exploiting section four to stage an easy coup.

Unfortunately, Congress doesn't have the cojones to mention mental instability, let alone go through the motions of stripping him of his powers.

[Jawja]

57. Invoking the 25th Amendment would

leave Cheney in charge, which is more of the same.

[cui bono]

4. Surely there must be something in the constitution that allows

the removal of a president from office if he becomes mentally unfit to serve. Does anyone know if it is so and how his competence is determined and removal implemented?

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. Amendment 25.4 BUT!....

4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

GWB is batshit crazy, but I'm not sure Cheney is any more stable.

[cui bono]

15. but if he goes ahead with W's war plans the same could be done to him.

I can dream can't I?

[Pacifist Patriot]

16. Go right ahead. I've got the same dream! Well no, actually...

mine involves handcuffs, not straight jackets. ;)

[bdamomma]

41. yes, but george does not think, he acts first, he is all the more

dangerous.

[global1]

23. Cheney Is *'s Insurance Policy......nt

[DeSwiss]

36. And Nancy....

...is just a heartbeat and a short-circuit away from the presidency.
:P

[rhett o rick]

52. Arrest them both at the same time. nm

[CatWoman]

5. David

I'm just going to have to kick his ass for you :)

:hug:

[lvasconcellos]

6. I too am worried

but more than that, angry. I am tired of all the politicians in this country not getting outraged. Are they only concerned with their elect-ability? Obama's reaction was a little too implacable for my tastes. Good rant David!! :headbang:

[babylonsister]

7. I think * made the case for impeachment, especially after hearing the

talking heads. Some pundits I respect are frightened, though I don't know what Faux's spin is.

[Ferret Annica]

22. The theme at Faux

commentary is 'taking care of Iran'...

Be afraid, be very afraid.

[adigal]

48. Chris Matthews looked and sounded frightened

and that made me frightened.

[Me.]

8. Yes, We Should Be Alarmed

And we should be talking to everyone we know and saying that he is, at the very least, no longer stable. But use the word insane, help get it out there. Those who don't see it yet will maybe take a second look with different eyes.

[nolabels]

53. I am not alarmed and I don't know why anybody else should be

This is actually kind of exciting to me. It seems this seven year itch is finally coming full circle. Some or most of us here have been raving that this * dude was REALLY a bad deal for years. It is just now that the world is seeing the world is not flat and what comes around, goes around.

To the freepers, welcome to HELL, it is well served and of your own making x(

[CrazyOrangeCat]

10. He is truly mad.

Not a very reassuring thought, is it?

[Ladyinblack]

13. I think you are on the mark

I believe he is setting us up for a war with Iran and Syria. I believe this country is in very deep trouble and there seems to be nothing to stop disaster. I am truly scared for all of us.

Then I watched a SC mom whose son had joined the service talk about how she trusted this president and how wonderful and insightful he is and how he knows more than we do. Between her and L Graham I think I will claim another state.

[Patiod]

58. Because he listens to and is guided by GOD

Not common sense or sanity.

You know, kinda like Joan of Arc...

[Pacifist Patriot]

14. I, along with quite a few others, have asserted GWB's mental disease....

for quite a number of years. In my humble opinion, he is criminally insane as well as mentally diseased.

NPD, ASPD, BPD....you name it. I think he experiences psychotic breaks on top of whichever personality disorder he has.

[Bucky]

17. Hang in there, David. This speech seems to fit into the usual pattern of an alky unraveling

This looks like a storm breaking to me. I think he's done his worst; from here on out he's a lame turducken--I don't think he's even going to get his full surge on. Iran is entirely undoable by this president. It won't happen, at least not by American hands. Frankly, I'm starting to think that Israel's hands may be tied, too, after their little dance last summer with Iran's proxy army in Lebanon, Hezbollah.

[janx]

18. Yes, David, and now even the talking heads are alarmed.

I posted about it here some minutes ago.

[Jcrowley]

19. It has much to do

with energy, dwindling oil reserves, hyper-militarism and regional water scarcity.

Everything is tied together.

Remove George Bush and the problem still remains the same. Thoguh he should be removed and put in prison. It's up to the people to demand through their direct actions that the screeching US military assault on the planet be be brought to a halt.

We should all be very motivated.

See ya' there

[MN ChimpH8R]

20. Chucklenuts is a certifiable sociopath

and a religiously insane megalomaniac on top of it. He has no conscience, no empathy, and lives in a world of dreams and delerium where Jeebus tells him what to do. He is the perhaps the most dangerous person the world has ever seen. Mao, Hitler and Stalin did not have 12,000 nuclear warheads.

[Patiod]

59. But a lot of people LIKE that he's living in that world

You're supposed to do what Jeebus tells you to do!

(you know, the Jeebus who said "blessed are the armed & dangerous, for they shall kick ass..."

[ChiciB1]

66. Chucklenuts? I Like That! I Used To Call Him El-SmirkleRoy!

I have often used much worse here at home! I can not stand to even look at him!

[femrap]

21. * is a madman.

Either we impeach him or plan an Intervention where he is carted off in a straitjacket.

[Auntie Bush]

24. Or maybe pushed down the stairs

Sorry Agent Mike...I was only fooling!

Or maybe I wasn't.........:shrug:

[bdamomma]

42. Agent Mike will no longer have a job, if we leave this madman

in office. We have a extremist born again in the WH, fueling the fire for the "end times" and he hears voices in his head. He is a danger to all that is for sure.

[David Zephyr]

69. Bush's father orchestrated an "Intervention". It was the Baker/Hamilton Commission.

And he thumbed his nose at his father and James Baker.

Remember, we are dealing with an unreformed alcoholic who was a fall-down drunk for years upon years. He never sought treatment or counseling.

He is dangerous.

[kitty1]

25. We need a public Shrub meltdown now...a good out of control

rant or a bawling session a la Poppy, might get him out of the way and save a lot of lives.

[babylonsister]

26. He did it tonight imo; Iran? Syria?? nt

[Strelnikov_]

27. Hey, He's just trying to protect us from the world-wide islamoid conspiracy . .

to contaminate our precious bodily fluids.

[vickitulsa]

28. Tonight * SAID that we ARE going to attack Iran and Syria.

It bothers me that few even here at DU seem to have understood what were some very plain words from the Chimp's own mouth tonight in his "big speech."

It's not like we who are so concerned simply "fear" that he will order U.S. military forces to attack Iran and Syria -- he said so straight out tonight!

From his speech:

Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity – and stabilizing the region in the face of the extremist challenge. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops.

Then he said this:

We will disrupt the attacks on our forces.

And if that didn't make it clear enough, he went on to say:

We will interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria.

But then he makes it crystal once and for all, using the term "networks" to avoid saying the names of the countries he's already said above, Iran and Syria:

And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.


Now does anyone here, or should anyone in America who heard or who reads this speech have ANY question in their minds that * said clearly that he absolutely intends to DO these things?

It's so plain that he can even respond to those who raise an outcry later upon waking to learn of our bombing Iran that HE DID TELL US BEFORE DOING IT that he was going to do it!

The next paragraph from his speech is just as crystal clear, and he even admits the most revealing REASON for why he plans to broaden the war:


We are also taking other steps to bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the Middle East. I recently ordered the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the region. We will expand intelligence sharing – and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies. We will work with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to help them resolve problems along their border. And we will work with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region.

I don't think there is any question whatsoever that the madman in the White House and those who are just as insane as he is who support and guide him ARE going to escalate and widen the war in the Middle East, no matter what horrors and dangers such lunacy invites upon us all.

[AngryOldDem]

61. How could anyone not miss it?

His "admission" of a "mistake" could be boiled down thusly: "Oops! I should have invaded IRAN instead of Iraq."

Last night was a declaration of war against both Syria and Iran. As I have said many times before, all the Arab world is doing is biding its time until we are so deep and so surrounded there will be no turning back. Care to define Armageddon? We may see it sooner than we think.

[David Zephyr]

70. vickitulsa, you are right on the mark.

This is very similar to the same language that was used before the illegal invasion of Iraq.

I believe he has already made up, what's left of, his mind.

Good post dissecting his speech.

[trekbiker]

73. good analysis. I was struck by many of the things he said. Setting up

Patriot missle systems? He desperately needs to provoke Iran into a strike, possibly a missile strike against our carrier task force or Isreal. If he succeeds in getting them to strike he'll have all the ammo he needs to strike back with the full support of the corporate media. Hopefully, Ahmadinejad is not that stupid. The persions did invent chess afterall and we're sitting here with a pResident that cant even comprehend checkers.

[lady lib]

29. Doesn't he need Congressional approval to declare

and finance a new war? I'm not being sarcastic here, I'm really asking.

[charlie]

30. No

The president can initiate military actions pretty much on his own say-so. He's only required to "consult" with Congress prior to action, and has 60 days to convince them to authorize what he's done, otherwise they can demand withdrawal.

[frogcycle]

31. probably, but

he could certainly order air strikes to "interdict" supplies coming in - like Nixon going into Laos and Cambodia to bomb the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

crossing the borders would be dicey, but he could certainly attack their assets as they enter iraq, which would probably egg them on to do more and provoke a "need" to respond that the congress couldn't argue with

he can at least try

[solara]

33. Unfortunately, he will just say it is an extension of the "war on terra"

I could be wrong on that, but that is what I have been told.

[lady lib]

34. That helps. Thanks.

[crickets]

38. Whoa, WHOA to some of the answers you're getting

I'm sure people mean well on this, but they're mistaken if they tell you no.

The president absolutely needs Congressional approval to declare and finance war, according to the Constitution. Part of the problem in perception is that presidents have weaseled around this too much of late and Congress hasn't pushed back as much as it should, especially when it comes to Shrub.

Article 1, Section 8
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/articles.html

The Congress shall have Power ...

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repeal Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; ...

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

The War Powers Act of 1973
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3050988

SEC. 2. (b)
Under article I, section 8, of the Constitution, it is specifically provided that the Congress shall have the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution, not only its own powers but also all other powers vested by the Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.

---

Not to jump down anyone's throat, but the other part of the problem is that for a long time now there's been a lot of spin in the news about the so-called "president's power to wage war," and it's coming back to bite everyone in the ass. Presidents do not have this power. Only Congress does. Congress just hasn't guarded this power as zealously as they should have in the past. They'd better step up now or we are all screwn screwed.


edit: spelling

[Pacifist Patriot]

46. I'm glad I kept reading. I was about to post, but you covered it nicely.

[progressivebydesign]

55. He did not have explicit approval to attack Iraq.

There was no formal declaration.. remember? All the they voted for was to force compliance with sanctions, etc. All the while the money for Afghanistan's operation was already being funneled into war costs for Iraq. There is no formal declaration of war in Iraq. He will do the usual, and create and provoke, until he can get some type of agreement (not an official declaration) to attack Iran.

[charlie]

65. For all practical purposes, he has the power

Whether he does legally, constitutionally, has long been a bone of contention between the Executive and Legislative branches. I happen to agree that only Congress has the constitutional authority. But until the matter is settled definitely, presidents will continue to initiate wars in all but name as they please.

[lady lib]

79. According to Senator Biden:

SEN. BIDEN: Madame Secretary, I just want to make it clear, speaking for myself, that if the president concluded he had to invade Iran or Iraq in pursuit of these -- or Syria -- in pursuit of these networks, I believe the present authorization granted the president to use force in Iraq does not cover that, and he does need congressional authority to do that. I just want to set that marker.

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001869.php

[Desertrose]

32. A madman surrounded by madmen.....

and cowards.

[raccoon]

45. He must be surrounded by madmen.

I've thought for some time that he's mentally ill. As have many others, apparently.

But his handlers must be too, or they wouldn't be letting him get away with this.

I said to some friends not long ago, if we could travel several decades into the future, or if we live that long, it will be revealed that he was mentally incompetent.

[David Zephyr]

71. Yes, Bush is surrounded by cowards.

And his Cabinet are enabling him because they are so afraid of him.

[Piperay]

35. Chimps a mentally ill

I truly believe it.

[charlie]

37. He's always been mental, Dave

Until lately, he's also been the most indulged, coddled, pampered US president in history, which kept his greater demons in check. He could playact being the decisive, history-making leader and count on basking in beltway hossanas. Now it looks like his sorry life story of failures and bailouts is about to revisit him once again. I doubt his warped psyche can handle being regarded as the ne'er do well he thought he'd vanquished. This is likely to be a really, really, really fucked up year for all of us.

[crickets]

39. I agree, Dave.

Should we be alarmed? Should Congress take notice that they may not be dealing with a coherent man?

Yes.

:hug:

[bdamomma]

43. we should just call our Senators and tell them to invoke the

25th Amendment, and we fear for our lives, and to start to plan to impeach or arrest him, Our security is on the line.

[diane in sf]

40. I wonder if he has the meglomania typical

of tertiary syphillis

[Skittles]

44. he thinks he is a real president

I bet the puppet-handlers and goose-steppers never counted on that

[The Backlash Cometh]

47. World War 3.2

George Bush's war, is the war of constant updates. Syria would be World War 3.3

[GeorgeGist]

49. Is it because we're addicted to oil...

that Congress won't stop him?

[bajamary]

50. Send the Twins

[rgbecker]

51. Doctor certified!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw4Bhmm22xo

[cool user name]

76. That video is fucking crazy!

" ... and so are we."

[progressivebydesign]

54. I fear that Bush's narcissism will force us into another war.

He cannot handle being seen as a total failure. It was torture for him to go on tv like a loser last night. I do fear that he is pushing a war with Iran right now to stroke his failing self esteem. His biggest goal in life is to be seen as a successful president.

Still wondering how the fuck that guy got elected TWICE. I find it so interesting that once he was re-elected, then suddenly everyone turned on him. More fuel to the idea that it was stolen. Twice.

We have to continue speaking out about the march to yet another war. Public awareness is key.

[opihimoimoi]

60. Bush THE BULLY, reveals himself last night.....What you saw last night was a BULLY trying to sell us

something after being caught telling lies in the past....

[dogindia]

56. k&R

[Ian_rd]

62. Many should share your concern

This is man who, and this is undisputed, who considers himself above the law when he deems necessary. Congress has neither check nor balance over him if he disagrees with them, and any judicial rulings against him are considered an attack on the nation by dangerous extremists. He believes he may search and seize without a warrant, detain indefinitely without due process, and torture those who have never been charged or convicted of anything. He may even believe that he is an instrument of God.

And after all this, it is somehow impolite to consider removing this man, this self-stylized infallible and untouchable ruler, from his position.

It's true. This man may in fact be fucking crazy. And hardly anyone in Congress thinks it worthwhile to consider his removal.

[Eurobabe]

63. Well, Biden just put CondiLiar on notice, that this administration CANNOT just go into Iran

this will cause a constitutional crisis. The shit will hit the fan if they try this...

[CountAllVotes]

64. in the name of Jesus

I hope to God you are right!

U.S. OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST NOW!!!!

:dem: :kick:

[smoogatz]

67. What makes you think the Saudi Royals want war with Iran?

Just curious.

[David Zephyr]

72. Here's a few links:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/15122006/323/iran-worried-saudi-s-pro-sunni-iraq-plans.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-10-02-iraq-saudi_x.htm

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2006/11/29/saudi-adviser-lays-out-dire-scenario-for-iraq/

[lovuian]

68. Unbalanced and he is dangerous

These are troubling times but I believe man is entering a time where
we will all have to work together or die

Bush will fail its inevitiable

[cool user name]

74. He's a fucking sociopath ...

[lutefisk]

75. We are screwed- it sucks living in the United States of Arbusto

There is no good way out of this mess. The day Junior was installed was the beginning of the end for this Nation.

[vickitulsa]

77. Great thread ... glad to see it getting so many recs -- and reads!

I think enough people have seen the speech by now, or heard about it from those who did, that the concensus can only build against the madman wanting more war.

I have said a few times starting a couple of years ago that I believe it will ONLY be when enough Americans recognize the narcissistic craziness of this warmonger, when it becomes common knowledge and "everyone knows it," that we stand a chance to get rid of him.

Well, that time has arrived!

I never encounter ANYONE anymore who still insists he is a good guy or a wise leader or that his plans are good for Americans or anyone else.

The only people I can imagine still talking this way would be freepers.

I tuned in to CSpan for a while today and listened to as many Repugs as Dems decrying *'s plans to escalate this war of his ... it was rather eerie.

It is now COMMON KNOWLEDGE that * is insane and headed for more dangerous moves and a wider war. NOW is the time to STOP HIM, Congress!

Speak out, America! -- We need to act quickly before it's too late!

[PATRICK]

78. Functional insanity

It matters whether he is personally, chemically mentally ill. On the other hand there are several factors where he is guaranteed to act insanely whatever the physical prognosis.

He does not deal with reality. He only takes on advisers who agree with him as mush as any mad monarch has ever done. He takes no responsibility nor does he feel any effort on his part is warranted for the most extreme actions as "simple" solutions even if those cannot possibly yield any results. he does not deal with the lone reality that he trades fear and intimidation against having to have any fear or responsibility himself- or doing any work at all for that matter. Plain stupid and nuts.

He could be judged technically sane and intelligent but thanks to extreme abuse of absolute power you don't have to wait. Stupid IS as stupid does when magnified by power and consequence to limits perhaps never seen before in human history. Call it gross incompetence, incapacity, dangerous, criminal. Get the child king we never elected off the top of the mountain.