Why I no longer support Bush

[apothanein kerdos]

This will definately turn some heads and spark some controversy, but let me explain.

First and foremost, I love Bush as a person and as a brother in Christ. Likewise I don't think he's evil, or should be impeached, or any of those radical things. I think he's a great man with great intentions but poor execution. He is a wonderful person and has been a good president in some aspects, but lately has been a poor president.

First, to Iraq. While we are making progress in Iraq and it is a fight we must continue to fight, Bush is not being active enough in trying to sway public opinion. I'm not going to argue over if we should have gone to war, or if he lied, or any of that, because at this point in the discussion and debate it doesn't matter. What does matter is we are there and have no plan to get out. Where is the plan to solve this and get out? At least provide a plan and sell it to the American people. Even if it is tenative or subject to change, give us something to work with. How long will our already over worked military have to stay there? Just creating a plan would solve for this. We, at this point, have no exit strategy except, "When it's stable we'll get out." That's not good military planning. Bush, being president, has power over the media. If he calls a press conference or wants to make a speech, every station will cover it. He needs to get a plan and promote it or start promoting the plan we have now. The fact he is not doing this is causing great ammount of pain in American moral which is reflecting on our troops. His silence is dangerous to our troops and it needs to stop. WHen he does speak about Iraq he doesn't even need to mention the word terrorism. Just tell us the plan to get out. Because of his handling, I can't support the way he is handling this.

Second, his support of Israel is pathetic. His pressure via the State Department is what has lead to the Gaza pull out and instead of thanking Israel for complying they [state Department] came out with a statement essentially saying, "It's not enough". They aren't pressuring the Palestinians and are ignoring the fact that the Palestinians are already breaking their part of the deal. Instead they focus on Israel and put pressure on an ally to remove itself from lands it won in a war of invasion. Likewise they condemn Israel whenever it strikes back at terrorist activities. Yet this is extremely hypocritical. Israel gets bombed by a suicide bomber and in turn blow up a house that holds terrorist in it and Colin Powell says Israel is too extreme? Well excuse me, but when America was attacked by terrorist we invaded two countries, one of which wsa done on flimsy evidence. This is a perfect case of the splinter in Israel's eye and the delux two story log cabin in America's.

Third, Bush has done nothing to help our global image. Do I care what the world thinks about us, not too much. However simply doing some PR and explaining why we are in Iraq and how we're going to solve it in a clear and concise manner would help aleviate some of the perceptions against us.

Bush has done some good things, and I think he's a great guy. I just don't agree with him as president. Do I think the alternative John Kerry would have been better? No, I don't. However, i can no longer lend support to a president that is failing on some major issues.

Anyway, thoughts?

[refugepsa91]

He can't run again anyway...why does he need public support now...no need to sway the vote...

This is what was said to me by a neighbor...kind of made me think of the person who's last day is it at work...do they REALLY put in 100%? Or do they glide through knowing they aren't coming back anyway.

Just a thought...not Bush bashing.

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[apothanein kerdos]

I know he's not comming back but support comes in more ways than voting. Vocal support, defending some of his actions, voting for the person he supports, etc. I can no longer throw myself behind it.

[dgolvach]

I have supported President Bush on every turn but I cannot understand why he has gone AWOL on the border issue. I suppose that borders are his weak spot weather it is here in Texas or over there In Israel. I am very loyal to my country and thankful to God for having been blessed by living here but I fear for it's future. If I were a Islamic terrorist, I would be delighted with what is happening today. Overthere and here. Its 2 different issues but then its not because the enemy is the same. The will enter into the US it's open borders and they will see this pull-out as a victory due to terrorists.

Dan

[hmh]

I support President Bush. I wonder how much of what is going on is unseen political actions by those around him on some of the issues. As far as supporting Israel, remember God did say that all nations will rise up against Israel. So it really should not come as a surprise that the support for Israel is not there. Border security? Remember, the hispanic population is the fastest growing population in the country right now, so border security is really being paid lip service at the expense of national security. Iraq. No matter what is said, support will wain as long as the negative is only being pasted all over the media. No one will mention that it took 10 years to pacify both Germany and Japan, which we still have bases in both of those countries. So really none of this comes as a surprise to me anyway.

[dgolvach]

Remember, the hispanic population is the fastest growing population in the country right now, so border security is really being paid lip service at the expense of national security. Iraq

A small nuke will not do a "passover" on the American/Hispanic community. The most likely target for such an attack in Houston would be the ship channel which is located next to a good pecentage of our country's oil refineries. There are quite a few Hispanic (illegal and legal) that live in this particular area. If this were to happen, the U.S. will no longer be worth risking your life in a desert border crossing come to because we will have nothing to offer.

Dan

[M45510G1C]

Good to see you're comin around SJ

[nebula]

That's the problem with politics in our country - if you want to excersize your right and freedom to vote, you have to put your support behind someone who is actually running. And if you want your vote to count, you have to back someone who has an actual chance (an independant will never win the presidency - not until they get a fair representation in Congress, anyway). So, you're kind-of stuck with "the lesser of two evils."

[Guest yod]

I don't love the world systems at all but they are what they are and Bush was our only reasonable choice in the last election

[Trust & Obey]

I have supported President Bush on every turn but I cannot understand why he has gone AWOL on the border issue. I suppose that borders are his weak spot weather it is here in Texas or over there In Israel. I am very loyal to my country and thankful to God for having been blessed by living here but I fear for it's future. If I were a Islamic terrorist, I would be delighted with what is happening today. Overthere and here. Its 2 different issues but then its not because the enemy is the same. The will enter into the US it's open borders and they will see this pull-out as a victory due to terrorists.

Dan

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sometimes I wonder if Bush loves Mexico and the illegal immigrants more than his own country and countrymen. He is obviously in Mexico's front pocket... and, one could argue all of Latin America's front pocket with the recent CAFTA legislation.

Or, the Republicans can be so desperate for "the Mexican vote" that they are doing the unthinkable to try and win their support.

Either way, we need to shut the borders. This is one area that I agree with Pat Buchanan on... immigration.