LOGO: Truthdig: Drilling Beneath the Headlines. A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman. Winner 2013 Webby Awards for Best Political Website
May 18, 2013

 Choose a size
Text Size

Trending:     chris hedges     economy     elizabeth warren     politics     robert scheer
Most Read

The History That Birthed the Tsarnaev Boys

This Is Water: Fishy Advice From David Foster Wallace

Jerry Brown: California's Mystery Man

'The Daily Show': Stewart Slams Hypocrites Cheney and Rumsfeld

Chris Hedges: The 'Terrifying' State Assault on Press Freedom

Most Comments
Most Emailed

Reports
 * NEW! * How the IRS’ Nonprofit Division Got So Dysfunctional
 * NEW! * Recurring Nightmares? Wake Up and Take Action

Ear to the Ground

A/V Booth

Arts & Culture
Act of Congress
Daily Rituals
The Girls of Atomic City

Digs

Truthdig Bazaar more items

 
Ear to the Ground

Bush Admits He Was ‘Unprepared for War’

Email this item Email    Print this item Print    Share this item... Share

Posted on Dec 1, 2008
Bush
White House / Paul Morse

President Bush reflects on his time in office, airing some regrets and looking to have some say in framing his legacy, during an interview with ABC’s Charlie Gibson airing Monday. Figuring foremost among his regrets, he said, was that he had acted on flawed intelligence about the infamous WMDs (or lack thereof) in deciding to invade Iraq.


ABC News:

“A lot of people put their reputations on the line and said the weapons of mass destruction is a reason to remove Saddam Hussein,” Bush said. “It wasn’t just people in my administration. A lot of members in Congress, prior to my arrival in Washington, D.C., during the debate on Iraq, a lot of leaders of nations around the world were all looking at the same intelligence.

“I wish the intelligence had been different, I guess,” Bush added.

When pressed by Gibson, Bush declined to “speculate” on whether he would still have gone to war if he knew Hussein didn’t have weapons of mass destruction.

“That is a do-over that I can’t do,” Bush said.

Despite failed intelligence and accusations of mismanaging the war, Bush said his decision not to prematurely withdraw troops from Iraq was grounded in his values.

“I listened to a lot of voices, but ultimately, I listened to this voice: I’m not going to let your son die in vain,” he said. “I believe we can win. I’m going to do what it takes to win in Iraq.”

Read more

More Below the Ad

Advertisement


New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.

By titanbite, December 4, 2008 at 4:24 am Link to this comment

The Bush Dynasty is repleat with the fingerprint of war profiteering on a scale that would suprise the average american and place him or her into a mindset of questioning thier own judgement.As it should,we as Americans need to ask ourselves is the perpetuation of this type of politician worth the price?Will our one issue type of voting cost this country it’s sovereignity and It’s dignity.Agian we are reminded of our inability to learn from our past.Take George W.Bush’s relatives for example here you have a lineage that would make the manson family proud.From his Grandfathers alleged involvment in providing weapons to the Nazi’s during WWII,his Fathers C.I.A.ties and the arming of mujahadeen fighters in Afghanistan including the C.I.A.‘s darling Osama Bin Laden to fight the Soviets in the 80’s which was directly responsible for the start of a small radical Islamic faction called Al-Quida.And lets not forget about Daddy’s business dealings with the family of Saud and Mohamed Bin Laden father to Osama and well known Wahabi follower.Also since the apple rarely falls far from the tree lest we forget (if you didn’t already know)Li’l Dubya’s borrowing habits and business acumen.Do you recall two oil companies that George W. operated during the early 80’s?Well he bankrupted both one was called Arbushto oil the other was Harkin oil but before he drove them into the ground he borrowed 300 million from one of Daddy’s good friends nunother than Mohamed Bin Laden Osama Bin Laden’s father who was George H.W.Bush’s old business buddy from the Zapata Oil Co. days.Well to make a long story short Dubya never paid the loan back he gave the loan out as big money advances to his oil cronies in Texas and they couldn’t find an oil spill in a junkyard never mind oil wells that produce.And there you have it a small synopsis of the lives of imperialist war profiteers.Without the strength of the American people in numbers we will never see change in order for the people to regain control over this corperate state we live in we must bring third and more parties into our political system or forever remain subserviant to the Wal-Mart mentality of corperate domination of OUR democracy.When you hear “wake up America” this is why. Good Luck

Report this

By Sepharad, December 4, 2008 at 1:52 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

problemsolver—What’s the next step? Do you know any good class-action lawyers? There are some good defense lawyer orgs. and “specialty” groups like MALDEF), but offhand I can’t think of a group of political class action lawyers. Don’t know where you are, but sometimes city bar associations have referral services or know of lawyers who take specific types of class action, or liberal-type law schools such as Hastings in Berkeley.

That is a great idea, by the way.

Report this

By problemsolver, December 3, 2008 at 8:23 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Let’s not let the bastard escape into his ranch.  How about a tax-payer’s class-action law suit reclaiming damages from 8 years of mismanagement and malfeasance.  And just to be sure that he doesn’t transfer all his assets to Laura first, let the Republican Party be named as codefendants; they aided and abetted this monstrous regime; they fully deserve to suffer the consequences.

Report this

By Sepharad, December 3, 2008 at 4:02 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Folktruther, this is another of those very rare times I agree with you. Question: Is is possible that Obama is appointing these people—eg Jones and Gates—because 1) they have the clout to deal with military and defense establishments and 2) will be wielding that power to further Obama’s agenda and not their own past agendas? I think it’s just possible he has enough ego to imagine he can control them ... but wouldn’t bet my childrens’ lives on it.

Report this

By Steve E, December 3, 2008 at 2:08 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Recently protesters in Thialand demonstrated to the world what true courage is all about. People of all walks of life, woman and children included, protested in a mostly passive manner to oust the sitting Prime Minister who eventually resigned. The Thia Army had little stomach to quash the protesters. But do you see much mention of this great triumph by the Thia people even in the Left Wing Blogs. I believe the Thia people have put the whole of USA to shame. Americans on the whole put up with Bush and his cronies and swallowed the load. Remember the ” Mission Accomplished ” banner? The American Public gave Bush a 95% approval rating at that particular point in time. During the Vietnam era I was proud of the USA for the anti war movement and what was accomplished. Now the American People will stew in their own debauchery save children and the mentally ill. I know, you can blame Pelosi for not allowing any impeachment instead accepting guilt for your own inaction. Just a bunch of war loving imperialists. Now the Chinese and Russians are going to walk all over you.

Report this
Blackspeare's avatar

By Blackspeare, December 2, 2008 at 9:57 pm Link to this comment

Bush said about Iraq, “I wish the intelligence had been different, I guess.”  Too bad there wasn’t any intelligence in the White House.

Report this

By Folktruther, December 2, 2008 at 11:15 am Link to this comment

The Dem purveying of the idea that Bush was dumb, echoed, in the comments below, isn’t true.  Bush was an intelligent Outside Man who conducted a political counterrevolution with Cheney and Rumsfield as Inside Men. They were even more intelligent but thier ideology blinded them to the risks of occuping countries in an era of post-occupation imperialism.

The reason that their policies were so bad was not because they were stupid, but because they served the ruling class, the Haves and Have Mores, under the guise of serving the American population.  To do so they militarized policy as the US power system is reaching the end of its lifetime.

As Obama continues to do.  Many of the neocons have now switched their support to Obama, delighted by his appoinments.  His apologists will continue to emotionally oppose these policies while supporting the Dem administration which continues them.  In the same way that the Roman Emperor Claudius thought of himself as a Republican while a military dictator.  As Obama now is, the Congress and Supreme Court neutered by the Bushite counterrevolution.

Report this
Blackspeare's avatar

By Blackspeare, December 2, 2008 at 11:00 am Link to this comment

By the time the final verdict is reached on Bush II’s legacy we won’t be here.  But more importantly is the thinking and action of his regime.  Like his father once said, “If the people knew what we did, they would hang us!”  And I’m sure in 100 years the truth will be known, maybe.  As for his legacy, G.W. Bush is a shallow person of limited intelligence and as such he really doesn’t care.  When he leaves office he will probably fade away into the shadows with enough resources to support him and his family for a long time.  Like they say, “Its good to be the king!”

Report this

By Alejandro, December 2, 2008 at 9:00 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Not an excuse for murder to my way of thinking. Presidents should be prepared for peace not war. We have institutions that constantly prepare for war. That,s their soul purpose. Joint Chiefs, War Collages, and the CIA’s purpose is to gather intel to pass on to the President to prevent war. Which they did. He and his cohorts fixed the intel to justify an invasion of a Nation that was no threat to America and they knew it. Sending our young men and women to die for a contrived lie, to me is murder as well as treason and George W. Bush and all who new and went along with the decption should be turned over to the Hague to be tried as war criminals and if not,then put on trial here in America for first degree murder.

Report this

By Anna Catherine, December 2, 2008 at 8:20 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Bush couldn’t wait to go to war. He got the “Intelligence” he WANTED which is why it turned out badly. There was never a reason to go to war against Iraq so “intelligence” had to be manufactured. Quite naturally, it backfired. As for regrets, I seriously doubt that he has any. It’s not his style. Regrets are for people with a conscience.

Report this

By Jim Yell, December 2, 2008 at 8:17 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

bush/cheney could not be bothered with military service when they were young, although now that their sorry selves are safe from service they both love to pose as military men. They are the very definition of “Chicken Hawks”.

Bush was unprepared to be anything. His M.O. has always been to pose as a leader, while carefully surrounding himself with people who tell him nothing but what he wants to hear.

Perhaps we will get lucky and once he can no longer interfer with the running of government hard questions will be asked and hard answers will be demanded.

It is no wonder given the history of the Bush and Walker families that little george would grow up to think being president would make him dictator of america.

Thanks to this out going administration America may well end up america.

Report this

By Louise, December 2, 2008 at 6:33 am Link to this comment

“I wish the intelligence had been different, I guess,” Bush added.

Me too Bush, me too. Particularly yours!

“I listened to a lot of voices, but ultimately, I listened to this voice: I’m not going to let your son die in vain,” he said. “I believe we can win. I’m going to do what it takes to win in Iraq.”

Mindless of the fact that winning in Iraq would be a moot point if he hadn’t decided to attack Iraq in the first place!

Boy oh boy ... Bush intelligence defined.

Then just when you think the man cant understand anything, he comes off with a bit of in-sight that say’s he can.

“I think it was a repudiation of Republicans,” he said. “And I’m sure some people voted for Barack Obama because of me. I think most people voted for Barack Obama because they decided they wanted him to be in their living room for the next four years explaining policy.”

Wow!

“One of my parting words to him will be: ‘If I can help you, let me know,’” Bush said.

Double wow!

Maybe Bush will spare Obama from having “Bush policy” explained to him. The rest of us have already consigned nincompoop and incompetent to the memory of really bad. Although should Obama have a critical problem like, “Where did you put the toilet plunger?” I hope Bush will be there to help!

Meanwhile speculation as to who will be his ghost-writer begins. But there’s no speculation about the title:

“My Way or No Way!” subtitled:

“How to be the worst president in history without even trying.” wink

Report this
Purple Girl's avatar

By Purple Girl, December 2, 2008 at 6:32 am Link to this comment

He didn’t know th eIntellegence was bad MY ASS!
When covert funding an doperations assists a murderous regime to retain power for decades, it’s not a matter of faulty intellegence but a matter of Covering Up their Complicity.Let’s all Thank the Republcian aprty for Bin laden, since they are the ones who were helping build his Terrorist organization and Resume throughout the ‘80’s.
Let’s all applaud the Republicans for their complicity in the genocide committed by Saddam Hussien, sinc ethey were filtering Cash, and Weapons (biologicals) in to his Stock piles while fighting the Iranians.
When the Repug Pundits spew the Lie that Dems are Soft on Terror, Let’s all give them the Big Fuck You, since they are the ones who created these Frankensteins to begin with!
These REpugs have been playing Imperialist games with sociopaths,and the American People (and others around the world) have paid for their Crimes with our blood, Money and future solvency.
Noramlly I am against Capitol Punishment, esp the menatlly handicapped, but in W’s case I can easily make an exception.
As for DICK an dhis minions, They should be facing the same conditions those they have unjustly imprisoned and be Hung as Ineptly as Saddam. They not only created these Terrorist regimes (aid & Comfort), they have used them to undermine not only our economy but Constituitonal Rights…They have committed TREASON through their War crimes and Crimes Against humanity (blood for Oil)!!If ever there were reasons to punish in the most Inhumane and painful ways Cheney and his henchmen have met the qualifications.

Report this

By samosamo, December 1, 2008 at 8:19 pm Link to this comment

That PNAC was a straight line shot for grand larceny and a vain attempt to gain a strangle hold on power in congress, the white house and the supreme court. Anything else in the PNAC is just fluff and foo foo BS to impress the media controlled idiots in this country. And I don’t think you will find a better poster child for the PNAC than the current administration which really proves the old addage, ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’.

Report this

By jayson harsin, December 1, 2008 at 7:37 pm Link to this comment

That’s the problem. Yes, he and his Project for a New American Century came to the White House to achieve many goals, one of which was to take over Iraq. In that sense, he was prepared. But not very well for the reality that thousands of now dead American soldiers and Iraqi citizens faced. One wonders how much this remains a game for this simple man and how much an ideological free pass for his robot advisors?

Report this

By 95flhtcu, December 1, 2008 at 7:07 pm Link to this comment

Was there anything he WAS prepared for? Well, yes, funneling money to Halliburton, KBR and Bechtel as well as getting the oil companies back into Iraq. Other than that? No.

Report this

By JimM, December 1, 2008 at 5:53 pm Link to this comment

Let’s all hope he is fully prosecuted for his crimes and serves time just as any of us would do. Arresting this wingnut and prosecuting him and his cabal would send a very positive message to those of us who have been ashamed to call ourselves Americans for the past several years, and to the international community as well.

Report this

By hippy pam, December 1, 2008 at 4:54 pm Link to this comment

Ole bullshits’ FIRST 4 years were criminal-his second 4 year term-which he STOLE-will BE FOREVER REMEMBERED by WE-THE PEOPLE- as “bullshits’ blunder years”......

Report this

By msgmi, December 1, 2008 at 2:39 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Hubris, with a capital H, personified. GW, the Pinocchio of the neoCON 21st century new world order, is trying to salvage his legacy by raining blame on the Intel community for his ‘miscalculations’?  What a scam artist. His timid mea culpa is insulting. GW makes not one mention of the myriad of his handpicked sycophants who helped him dismantle the constitutional checks and balances of government, dilute habeas corpus rights and sabotage the once respected world image of America. His legacy will be that of a blueblood loser whose gut decisions were based on delusional aspirations ever so simiral to other historical wanabes of 20th century Europe.

Report this
G.Anderson's avatar

By G.Anderson, December 1, 2008 at 2:30 pm Link to this comment

Just shut up and go way already… there is nothing you can say at this point that will make any difference… except maybe I resign for the good the country…

But since it’s really all about you… that’s not a possibility…

Report this

By coloradokarl, December 1, 2008 at 2:04 pm Link to this comment

Neo-Cons=Draft Dodging Deferment Junkies…....Having been pushed around and bullied in middle school they came back for revenge and Killed Your Children!!

Report this

By eileen fleming, December 1, 2008 at 1:50 pm Link to this comment

I will never forget candidate Bush claiming his favorite philosopher was Jesus.


A reporter once asked Prez. Bush if he prayed for Saddam Hussein before bombing Iraq.

Bush got that deer caught in the head lights look in his eyes and admitted he had NOT.

Jesus was very clear that to follow him required one PRAY for, DO GOOD TOWARDS and LOVE one’s enemies.

Jesus never said it was OK to bomb, torture or occupy any.

Eileen Fleming, Citizen Journalist and Founder WAWA:
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author “Keep Hope Alive” “Memoirs of a Nice Irish American ‘Girl’s’ Life in Occupied Territory”
Producer “30 Minutes With Vanunu” and “13 Minutes with Vanunu”

Report this

By Ham-Archy, December 1, 2008 at 12:50 pm Link to this comment

Bush guesses that he wished it would have been different. Now the endless propaganda around this has completely blurred history. If you do a little study, you can find that at one time we sold Iraq materials for creating biological weapons, and that Saddam used them in the past. Way past. OK so he must have used it up because when the inspectors went looking all they found was some old equipment. No WMD’s. BUT do you remember THIS?... That just before the inspection got underway there was a special forces op that went into Iraq, in the Kurdish territory, and recovered quite a significant cache of biological weapons that were in the possession of the seperatist rebels. Now my speculation on that is this. The CIA set up an undercover op, posing as blackmarket suppliers, to sell that stuff to Iraq. Remember, sanctions were in place. The kurdish rebels set up an undercover op, posing as republican guard secret procurement team to obtain the stuff on the black market. But it didn’t take the CIA long to realize the mistake, and went and got it back mucho pronto. But the game was in play, and an IDIOT like bush cannot rethink a strategy as fast as the CIA can cover it’s azz and well, all like that. So maybe my imagination has run away, but , just maybe.

Report this

By diamond, December 1, 2008 at 12:42 pm Link to this comment

Bush was ‘unprepared for war’? He and his friends were planning Gulf War II for years. Long before 2001. What he was unprepared for was the insurgency, which any intelligent person would have known was going to happen. Invading and occupying a country only works if a majority of the citizens accept it and you treat the country in question with respect and act like civilized people. None of those things happened in Iraq but why would the neo cons treat the Iraqis any differently to how they treated their own people? The neo cons are not on anyone’s side except their own and their bank balances reflect this fact. They didn’t go into Iraq to help the Iraqis they went there to help themselves - to everything. Bush will never be able to re-write history and history will condemn him, and America, for what he has done. In restrospect his entire term will be seen as a 21st century Dark Ages.

Report this

By ZachP, December 1, 2008 at 11:17 am Link to this comment

H’es so full of shit he could fertilize all the inedible big business corn fields in the country.

Report this

By GW=MCHammered, December 1, 2008 at 10:47 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Mamas don’t let your children grow up to be dummies,
Narcissists that never accept accountability,
Abusers that hyper-toll everyone around them,
Delusional annihilators of anything good.
And when mamas and even papas fail,
So-called health professionals too,
May We The People never lay malignantly sanguine again.

Report this

By BigIslandDave, December 1, 2008 at 10:44 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Oh, his legacy is secure, all right.

Worst. President. Ever.

A gross historical aberration.

And a sick and twisted man-child who did untold damage to the U.S. and the world at large.

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Chucklenuts.

Report this
Newsletter

sign up to get updates


 
 
 
 
Join the Liberal Blog Advertising Network
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.
© 2013 Truthdig, LLC. All rights reserved.