Strange

[whosinpower]

In the run up to the Iraq war, much was discussed and hashed out - but we all knew the war WAS going to happen - did not matter what Hussein did or said, did not matter what the UN inspectors found or did not find - is was a done deal.

How many senators and congressmen voiced opposition so strongly that it brought the business of governance to a halt? Where was the talk of how much it was going to cost? Where was the concern of the exit strategy?

It did not matter how much it cost the treasury, how long it would take, how many lives it would cost, what ill effects it would have on the military. It did not matter how many it would cripple, or the ramifications of the worldwide economy when Iraq's oil ceased pumping and the price of oil skyrocketed to over $150/barrel.

I am just thinking of the timeline - between the decision made - and the senate and congress making it happen. How long did it take?
Did it take almost 2 years of infighting? What reconciliations were made in an effort to make sure the war happened?

Why is selling war easy for the american government to do - and yet it is almost impossible to write a law that would ensure all americans had accessable and AFFORDABLE health care? It has been almost 2 years. And we have seen good intentions morphed into a reform law that does everything for the private insurance firms and precious little for the american citizen.

I'm just saying....that seems a bit strange.

[PufPuf23]

1. The 21st Century Status Quo in the USA is not pretty. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

2. You know what else is strange? There were incredibly large anti-war protests that were IGNORED by

the media.

Do you remember ANY anti-Iraq war people being given air time on the major cable outlets? I don't.

Yet, now, the "tea party movement", which at best seems to draw maybe 1/50th of the turnout of the smaller anti-Iraq war protests, is given wall-to-wall coverage. And all you had to do to become a cable tv "authority" on health care was show up at a town hall with a misspelled sign and a funny hat, and start screaming.

Most people probably don't know that the largest peaceful assembly on the DC mall EVER happened in 2004-- 1.2 million people marched for reproductive rights.

Most people don't know because, again, the media ignored it-- CNN spent the day talking about Estee Lauder's death and trolling NASCAR races for drunk Bush voters.

It is odd, isn't it?

[Echo In Light]

3. Yes...'odd' in a very predictable way

[tblue37]

4. Because the people and corporations that own the US government

stood to make billions in dirty money as war profiteers. Few senators or congressmen were willing to put up obstacles to that wholly desired outcome.

[riderinthestorm]

5. Sigh. Tomorrow's March 20th. Great thoughts today. K and R. nt

[ShortnFiery]

6. Many of us veterans here signed letters and urged people to NOT support the Iraq Invasion.

Our warnings fell on deaf ears.

Even one courageous retired Marine Corps General resigned his position as an Middle East Envoy and WARNED that invading Iraq should NOT be a priority, but he too - was IGNORED.



I don't know about the other military veterans here, but I believe now, just as confident as I was with regard to passing the Iraq War Resolution, that this upcoming HRC bill is a HUGE MISTAKE.

Believe it or not, I hate watching these SLOW TRAIN WRECKS.

The Liberals have been correct time and time again, yet you NEVER listen to us.

Worse, when everything inevitably blows up in your face, you blame either the GOP or those of us to the left of center. :(

1) It's was NADER'S fault that Gore lost the election? NOT that Gore ran a centrist "lackluster" campaign that did not reach out to "the base."

2) It's all BUSH's fault that we invaded Iraq? No, did you forget the "useful idiots" who voted for the IWR and continue to vote for funding our occupations overseas?

3) It's all Bush's fault that we are in debt? No, President Obama ensured that Wall Street is still "sitting pretty" with little to no oversight to date. There's no regulation yet and the people who helped cause the melt down is filling his cabinet.

4) We have lost some of our liberties because of Bush? No, Obama could help rescind the Patriot Act in a heartbeat.

5) It's all Bush's fault that we still have Don't Ask, Don't Tell? Nope! With one mere executive order, President Obama could courageously do the right thing and encourage the Congress to follow-through in short order.

NOW we're being sold this TROJAN HORSE that essentially equates to gifting the Insurance Cartel BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of our hard earned dollars with no REAL OVERSIGHT.

Can anyone else see a pattern here?

[Javaman]

7. Because dying grandmothers on TV don't play as well as explosions. nt

[Echo In Light]

8. .