So as Donald Trump continues to ignore history so Jeb Bush looks to rewrite it as he has just engaged the help of his brother George W to win over the good folk of South Carolina in the next primary. Speaking at a political rally last night the man that gave us the Iraqi War and the ensuing hellish wash back that has disfigured if not destroyed millions of people's lives asserted that the Presidency was 'a serious job for a serious man' - well I'm glad that's cleared that up ! It is reassuring to hear that the 43rd President has lost none of his pithy thoughtful eloquence...
Why oh why has Jeb called on his brother to help his ailing and failing campaign? Some would say desperation, others would say that George W in some parts of the US including South Carolina, is still respected by many Republican voters - this point is true. Moreover, Trump's version of history that includes the endlessly repeated story over 'the weapons of mass destruction' has become a running sore that needs to be patched over if 'Jeb is not going to ebb' away from the White House.
Now the story of George W and his 'War on Terror' is an update on my previous blog concerning 'knowing nothing'; This is about a more serious condition called 'knowing something' and that is certainly where you would place good old George W. All crusades need 'legitimacy' especially in the nuanced understanding of democracy that the US has developed over their relatively short history. With God on his side George W desperately needed to explain to the American people as well as the rest of the World that dismantling Iraq in response to the 9/11 attacks was sound even though Saddam and the rest of his brutal regime had nothing to do with this action. Therefore, with Archangel Blair by his side the already discredited information from escaped disaffected Iraqis 'proving' that Saddam possessed the aforementioned weapons was literally heaven sent.
Subsequently, whilst 70% of the UK marched and voted against the conflict, 70% of the US cheered the President on as he launched a war that as yet has no ending. A conflict that has had consequences beyond most people's worst nightmares. The fragmentation of Iraq, which will not be put back together again. The death of hundreds of thousands of Kurds, Sunnis, Shia, Syrians etc etc. The displacement of millions that have had their lives reduced to tented poverty, starvation and/or finally drowning to death off the coast of Greece or Italy in sheer desperation to escape the inhumanity of man. Also remember that 90% of the IS's 'high command' is made up of officers from Saddam's 'defeated military'. Moreover, many of the members of the other myriad of rebel groups fighting in Syria and now in Libya emanated from the dismantling of the Ba'ath Party and death of Saddam Hussein. Also, remember Paris. And just like many preceding 'clashes of civilisation' this Bush given crusade has now sucked into its vortex France, UK , Turkey, Iran and Russia. With the ever increasing prospect of an outright war between Moscow and Ankara. Taking account that Turkey is a member of NATO this scenario is extremely chilling.
So, Jeb Bush the warning should be very clear - be careful what you wish for - since your brother used his Presidential power in an arbitrary unthinking way, egged on by the messianic madness that is Blair, because they knew something. So, Jeb Bush how much do you know! My sense is that although the reappearance of George W will give Jeb a lift in South Carolina and help blunt the blustering of Donald Trump, overall this reawakening of the past will not make pleasant reading for many 'middle of the road' republicans. Mind you what has sense got to do with any of this? It is amazing to see what time does to people's recollections, for did you know - Nixon 'really' didn't know what was going on, Clinton was only being friendly and George W knew he knew something...
Roll on November... and sanity.
KK
Why oh why has Jeb called on his brother to help his ailing and failing campaign? Some would say desperation, others would say that George W in some parts of the US including South Carolina, is still respected by many Republican voters - this point is true. Moreover, Trump's version of history that includes the endlessly repeated story over 'the weapons of mass destruction' has become a running sore that needs to be patched over if 'Jeb is not going to ebb' away from the White House.
Now the story of George W and his 'War on Terror' is an update on my previous blog concerning 'knowing nothing'; This is about a more serious condition called 'knowing something' and that is certainly where you would place good old George W. All crusades need 'legitimacy' especially in the nuanced understanding of democracy that the US has developed over their relatively short history. With God on his side George W desperately needed to explain to the American people as well as the rest of the World that dismantling Iraq in response to the 9/11 attacks was sound even though Saddam and the rest of his brutal regime had nothing to do with this action. Therefore, with Archangel Blair by his side the already discredited information from escaped disaffected Iraqis 'proving' that Saddam possessed the aforementioned weapons was literally heaven sent.
Subsequently, whilst 70% of the UK marched and voted against the conflict, 70% of the US cheered the President on as he launched a war that as yet has no ending. A conflict that has had consequences beyond most people's worst nightmares. The fragmentation of Iraq, which will not be put back together again. The death of hundreds of thousands of Kurds, Sunnis, Shia, Syrians etc etc. The displacement of millions that have had their lives reduced to tented poverty, starvation and/or finally drowning to death off the coast of Greece or Italy in sheer desperation to escape the inhumanity of man. Also remember that 90% of the IS's 'high command' is made up of officers from Saddam's 'defeated military'. Moreover, many of the members of the other myriad of rebel groups fighting in Syria and now in Libya emanated from the dismantling of the Ba'ath Party and death of Saddam Hussein. Also, remember Paris. And just like many preceding 'clashes of civilisation' this Bush given crusade has now sucked into its vortex France, UK , Turkey, Iran and Russia. With the ever increasing prospect of an outright war between Moscow and Ankara. Taking account that Turkey is a member of NATO this scenario is extremely chilling.
So, Jeb Bush the warning should be very clear - be careful what you wish for - since your brother used his Presidential power in an arbitrary unthinking way, egged on by the messianic madness that is Blair, because they knew something. So, Jeb Bush how much do you know! My sense is that although the reappearance of George W will give Jeb a lift in South Carolina and help blunt the blustering of Donald Trump, overall this reawakening of the past will not make pleasant reading for many 'middle of the road' republicans. Mind you what has sense got to do with any of this? It is amazing to see what time does to people's recollections, for did you know - Nixon 'really' didn't know what was going on, Clinton was only being friendly and George W knew he knew something...
Roll on November... and sanity.
KK
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