Tuesday, January 20, 2009

My take on the Bush legacy and the Obama transition

The paradox of George W. Bush.

34 comments:

Unknown said...

Cathy, you say we have to wait for the final verdict on Iraq, which I agree, but I think its fair to ask if ANY eventuality can justify the staggering cost.

BobG said...

"But there is not a shred of evidence that security-related measures expanding government powers have been used to suppress or punish dissent."

The issue isn't if the Bush administration has abused the new security measures, but if these measures encourage abuse by either the current or by future administrations. Our freedoms are not the result of benevolent governments, but rather the limits we place upon all governments, knowing that excessive power inevitably leads to abuse.

Revenant said...

Cathy, you say we have to wait for the final verdict on Iraq, which I agree, but I think its fair to ask if ANY eventuality can justify the staggering cost.

Staggering cost, hm? As a percentage of GDP we spent 15 times more on the Korean War and ten times as much on Vietnam, and FORTY times as much on World War 2. If Iraq does indeed become a stable democracy, I think it will be hard to construct an argument that "it wasn't worth the cost" that doesn't also label America's involvement in WW2 as "not worth the cost".

Unknown said...

Lets turn it around Revenant. Lets say the going rate for turning militarily weak despotic regimes into democracies is $1 trillion and 4000 U.S. soldiers KIA (plus many more wounded) with a 7 year commitment of over 100,000 troops. How many should we buy? Libya, Iran, Afghanistan (we haven't spent close to that there), Sudan, Somalia, all await.

As for your examples, I don't think they are parallel. I think both involvement in the Korean War and WWII were worthwhile, but I wouldn't dismiss as unserious an argument that Korea wasn't worth the cost. We were, however, protecting an ally from aggressive action by a hostile worldwide alliance. Very different from Iraq (in 2003). As for WWII the ultimate cost for doing nothing there may well have been catastrophic for the American way of life.
You also conveniently measure cost in %age GDP while both your examples come right after a huge downturn in GDP and before 50 years of rapid (and likely unrepeatable growth). And yet, despite this, our government is LESS financially solvent now and can ill afford to be taking on massive amounts of debt to make dubious gambles on non-vital strategic interests.

gamefan12 said...

obama is definitely the better choice. he will definitely do a better job then any of the bush's.
orlando porcelain veneers

月月 said...

jordan 11
jordan 12
jordan 13
jordan 14
jordan 15
jordan 16
jordan 17 rings
jordan 18

janewangleilei said...

jordan 4
jordan 5
jordan 6
jordan 7
jordan 8

janewangleilei said...

abercrombie & fitch
abercrombie and fitch
abercrombie and fitch outlet

combattery84 said...

laptop battery
laptop battery
Power tools battery
Camcorder Battery
Digital Camera Battery
CANON Camcorder Battery
JVC Camcorder Battery
PANANSONIC Camcorder Battery
SONY Camcorder Battery
SHARP Camcorder Battery
CANON Digital Camera Battery
CASIO Digital Camera Battery
FUJIFILM Digital Camera Battery
JVC Digital Camera Battery
NIKON Digital Camera Battery
SANYO Digital Camera Battery
SHARP Digital Camera Battery
SONY Digital Camera Battery
PANASONIC Digital Camera Battery
OLYMPUS Digital Camera Battery
IBM Laptop Battery
acer laptop battery
apple Laptop Battery
toshiba laptop battery
hp latptop battery

combattery84 said...

TOSHIBA Pa3356u-1brs battery
Satellite a10 battery
Pa3331u-1brs battery
Satellite m30 series battery
Satellite pro m30 battery
TOSHIBA PA3399U-1BRS Battery
Portege m300 battery
TOSHIBA PA3285U-1BRS Battery
Canon BP-2L5 Battery
Canon BP-508 Battery
JVC BN-VF707U Battery
JVC BN-VF707 Battery
JVC BN-VF733 Battery
JVC BN-V408U Battery
BN-V408 Battery
CANON NB-2L Battery
CANON NB-2LH Battery
CANON BP-511A battery
laptop battery
ACER Laptop Battery
APPLE Laptop Battery
ASUS Laptop Battery
COMPAQ Laptop Battery
Dell Laptop Battery
FUJITSU Laptop Battery
GATEWAY Laptop Battery
HP Laptop Battery
IBM Laptop Battery
LG Laptop Battery
SAMSUNG Laptop Battery
SONY Laptop Battery
TOSHIBA Laptop Battery
APPLE M8403 battery
APPLE A1078 Battery
APPLE A1079 battery

combattery84 said...

Dell Inspiron E1405 battery
dell 700m battery
dell C1295 battery
Dell U4873 Battery
Dell inspiron 1525 battery
Dell TK330 Battery
Dell M1530 Battery
Dell Latitude C600 battery
Armada E700 Series battery
Compaq 116314-001 battery
Compaq 319411-001 battery
Compaq nc4200 battery
Compaq Presario R3000 Battery
Compaq Presario 2100 battery
Compaq Presario r3000 Battery
Compaq Business Notebook NX9000 series battery
HP 395789-001 battery
HP 446506-001 Battery
HP dv9700 battery
HP F4809A Battery
HP nc8000 battery
HP nc8230 battery

Nike shox said...

As a percentage of GDP we spent 15 times more on the Nike shox Korean War and ten times as much on Vietnam, and FORTY times as much on World War 2.

winnie said...

moncler jacke
outlet moncler
moncler shoes
Moncler

Bandage dress
Herve Leger dresses
Herve Leger

dsquared jeans

Anonymous said...

of military winter boots,service for the Navy, which makes him Ecco Casual Shoes.until 1989 to join NBA. 1987.

Anonymous said...

My family owns several Pillow Pets. For me, they are one of the ultimate gifts you can get someone. Not just for children; these cuddly pillows are for everyone. My husband, my kids and I all enjoy their softness and cuteness. When it comes to affordability in an amazing gift, it doesn't get much better than Pillow Pets.

Anonymous said...

Every product offered by pillow pets jolly giraffe is just as phenomenal as the original pillows. I love how the pillows, blankets, backpacks, neck pillows and even the hats become a child's favorite toy and serve much more than their primary function. My daughter loves turning all of our pillows into pets and playing with them but, when it's time for bed, we all reach for one to use as a pillow. They are, without a doubt, the most comfortable pillows in our house.

aa said...

情趣用品,情趣,飛機杯,自慰器,自慰套,充氣娃娃,
電動按摩棒,按摩棒,跳蛋,AV,
C字褲,情趣睡衣,丁字褲,震動環
情趣用具,lelo,TENGA,

Unknown said...

nice share thanks a lot :)

download free pc games
affiliate review

eaststarsale 02 said...

Oakley Sunglasseswill be the shining star this month ,also maybe last to the end of this summer. Shining star Cheap Oakley Sunglassesnot only cheap oakley sunglasses ,but alsoOakley Sunglasses Cheap in high quality and perfect design. With the best service and fast transportation we always ensured our customers benefit and will also do it in the later time.

eaststarsale 02 said...

Reebok Easytone will be the shining star this month ,also maybe last to the end of this summer. Shining starZigTech Sale not only Reebok Easytone ,but also Reebok ZigTech With the best service and fast transportation we always ensured our customers benefit and will also do it in the later time

Anonymous said...

Hi friend great post . keep it up............
Edegra

Unknown said...

Staggering cost, Cheap wow goldhm? As being a number of Gross domestic product we used 20 periods more on the particular Korean Conflict and also much all the with Vietnam, as well as 40 occasions all theBuy rs goldabout World war ii

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Your work is very good and I appreciate your work and hopping for some more informative posts.
pass turnitin

Tascalijor Landian said...

Thanks for sharing excellent information. Your site is so cool. I'm impressed by the details that you've on this web site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject.
Hire Writing Service

Unknown said...

Those who come to read your article will find lots of helpful and informative tips
Homework Assignment Help

Unknown said...

Thank you for that information you article
kids games online
friv 2
unblocked games
juegos de un show mas

Anonymous said...

Cara Mengobati Ayan Untuk Segala Jenis Umur

Unknown said...

best article for ever Best Candid photographers in Jaipur

WorldNews said...

The best hospital in Vietnam:
chữa viêm họng
bệnh viện đa khoa quốc tế
khám sức khỏe tổng quát
bệnh viện chuyên tiêu hóa
chữa ngộ độc rượu
chữa ngộ độc thức ăn
chăm sóc sức khỏe người cao tuổi
xét nghiệm huyết học

Liam said...

you come across AllAssignmentHelp reviews, you can get to know about the opinion of different consumers about the quality of service they provided them.

RoseSlot2020 said...

เล่นเกมแจกเครดิตฟรี slot online เครดิตฟรี
https://www.live22easy.com/

Elizabeth said...

What a great article you posted here. We've created a free a free typing speed test tool to give you a quick and easy way to test your typing speed online. You can use it when practicing your typing skills to get an idea of how well you are progressing.

Author said...

Just what I was looking for.

LG C2 OLED TV