Why do the folks here at DU think that the Bush regime is conniving.... ?

[kentuck]

for political advantage at every waking moment? There is a political motive to their every action? Do they ever do anything that is not politically motivated or manipulated? Are we that paranoid or are they that dangerous?

No doubt, we live in a political world, but there is a distinction in the motives of politicians. Some are motivated to do good and some are motivated to do evil and to disguise their actions with lies and distortions. Is the Bush regime one of the latter?

But such a simple task as going to the AFA and giving out diplomas should not have any political motivations entwined within that small duty. But, we see Bush give a speech about the "war on terror" and compare it to WWII. Then we ask why? Why would he want us to believe that the war in Iraq is part of the "war on terror"? Why do we apply some nefarious political motivation to his actions? Have we ever felt that way about any other politician in history?

[hlthe2b]

1. After watching the way in which they stole the election,

actively bullying their way into the WH at all costs, the future of democracy be damned-- how could anyone ever doubt that they do nothing without a "conniving" agenda?

[2Design]

2. it is all the behind the scenes manuvering ...

They are conniving because
1. signing a agreement with canada to not let in draft dodges in 2001
2. signing a law to allow military access to hs and younger for recruitment in 2002
3. getting legality looked at for ignoring the geneva conventions in 2002
4. get un to sign agreement to ignore geneva conventions in 200x
5. character assinations of anyone who opposes them
6. denial of any responsibility for anything that is no made up
7. for saying they have only begun and references to wWII says they plan on doing just like hitler and invade other countries
9. No WMD
10. fanatical fundamentalist leanings to get votes
11. complete manipulation of media
12. complete strong arm of congress to give them all powers
13. Strong arm of other countries to go along.
14. Threats to withdraw food, supplies, peace keeping forces, etc in order to get their way
15. Outing CIA operative
16. Threats to congress people if they do not vote the way BushCo wants. Threats to family, children, IRS investigation
17. Plane crashes of strong democrats
18. Old girlfriends found shot in the head
19. and I am sure others can add many more.

[RandomKoolzip]

3. Because they've given us abundant license to do so.

n/t

[Terran]

4. They're not motivated by good or evil

(especially not good). Their sole motivation is staying in power as long as possible. Nothing else matters to them. If the smallest act can be perceived as giving advantage to them, or taking it away from anyone else, then they will do it.

[bryant69]

5. The question is

Political motivations vs. Ideological Motivations vs. Personal motivations. I mean the invasion of Iraq certainly had political ramifications (and the Bushies presumably believed that, on balance, the invasion would be a positive for them), but was it motivated strictly by politics? How much of it was based on an ideology that called for a new american power in the middle east? How much of it was to avenge President Bush's fathers? How much of it was to increase the wealth of Vice President Cheney's former corporation?

It's hard to gauge in my mind. But it's clear there is some element of political motivation in almost everything they do. Of course there was some element of that in almost everything Bill Clinton did as well. When you are a politician or an elected official, it is sort of what you are supposed to do (all of Bush's supporter's protestations aside).

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[radwriter0555]

6. YOU need to do some research on karl rove and george bush.

When you know PRECISELY who these guys are, you will understand why we act on the information we get, and the actions of these guys.

You then need to read up http://www.newamericancentury.org and get an idea of who these guys are. I suggest FIRST reading the originating letters from these guys.

[Raster]

7. this entire administration has been built upon guile and deception...

...do you, does anyone have any reason to believe that $hrubco is or will be changing their modus operandi now at one of the most critical junctures?

Everything about this administration is and has been a calculated move or position. Once again, do you sense them changing that now?

[buff2]

8. Why do you feel the need to even ASK those questions?

After almost 4 years of watching this nazi regime destroying every single thing in it's path,and all the evil conniving schemes bu$h has done,why do you question OUR motives in discussing this reign of terror? Geez... :eyes:

[kentuck]

9. Why indeed ?

Because it seems to me to be abnormal, but necessary in these times because I feel that if we do not keep our eyes on them at every waking moment, we may lose our country, and/or our lives. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

[Ernesto]

10. This shit ain't "abnormal"

This is SOP for repukes...Take a look @ the Nixon & Reagan administrations.... It was all about perceptions. And then there is Poppy's little thing (Iran-Contra)....

[kentuck]

12. I never felt the Nixon or Reagan White Houses....

were as manipulative or as dangerous as this one... I am attempting to put our efforts and our thoughts in perspective. I think we are "normal" but their actions and motivations are totally 'abnormal'.

[Raster]

16. I don't believe that gee-dubya, per se, is the dangerous one...

...or one of the dangerous ones. I think he's puppet-boy, just a figurehead. It's poppy, jeb, darth cheney, lynne "she wolf" cheney, rummie, wolfshitz, feith, etc. gee-dubya doesn't have anywhere near the black heart like these folks. He's just the rube they got to front the operation, one the public can identify with.

[kentuck]

17. Just like Reagan, huh ?

Sorry. Ignorance is no excuse. :)

[Raster]

18. just like raygun and you're right, ignorance is no excuse....

...I am, by no means, excusing gee-dubya, I'm just saying he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, or for that matter, the most diabolical. However, he is just as guilty as the rest of these black-hearted bastards, and if, God willing, they get tried for crimes against humanity, gee-dubya should also be tried.

[wtmusic]

11. compassion is not at issue here

* and Friends really don't understand the meaning of the word. They're doing what's right for themselves, and have talked themselves into believing that that's also in the best interest of humanity.

They're not evil--they really don't care about hurting others. They're chronically stupid, chronically greedy, and chronically powerful.

[opihimoimoi]

13. The 4 previous Pub Presidents have one thing in common: Its not whats best

for America but whats best for themselves and their Party. Altruism and benevolence are not their motives/driving force.

Bush 2 is the worst by far. Driven by a desire to CONTROL AND DOMINATE, the NeoCons have taken over our Govt for their gain while we spill our blood and treasure. This is not the way its supposed to be.

[robbedvoter]

14. Power and money for me and my cronies

I was also thinking of mel Gibson's words at the Passion sales event - it can incapsulate the thinking/actions of this gang:

" F-- you! I don't mean f-- you; I mean "f-- you" in general. I don't have to answer any of these questions anymore. I'm a hell of a lot wealthier than I once was."

[kentuck]

15. That could have been said by Dick Cheney...

or numerous other Repubs in this regime..

[sangh0]

19. Here's why

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x599473

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1713467

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1713305

[kentuck]

21. More specifically...

Are they scared of Moveon.org ? Just think. A medium they can't control...How scary.

[sangh0]

22. I'll clarify

the reason why I think they're always conniving is that I've seen how they operate first hand. I've seen that their "opinions" are the result of a fax, and not the result of their reasoning.

[kentuck]

24. I agree with you sangh0...

:) I simply have never seen a bunch that you could not turn away for a second for fear of what they may try to do. They simply cannot be trusted for a moment.

[sangh0]

20. self-deleted - dupe

.

[struggle4progress]

23. Conniving? Who said they were conniving?

Did somebody here at DU say they were conniving?

[kentuck]

I did..

You don't think so?

[struggle4progress]

28. Oh. I thought you asked why folks here used the word "conniving."

Of course, I'm rather new here, but I don't remember anybody using it. I myself don't prefer it as a description of Bush&Buddies because it's a bit too neutral.

[kentuck]

32. I'm sure it has been used at one time or another....

but I was using it as a synonym - not to be taken literally as the sole definition of the Bush sympathizers...We can call 'em crooked, or deceitful, or liars, or whatever best suits you, or we can nitpick and question what the word "conniving" really means? which do you prefer?

[struggle4progress]

34. Well, as a general rule, I'd nitpick. But in this case ...

my original sarcastic remark "Conniving? The Bushistas?" seems to be lengthening the thread without shedding much light, so I'll just say that "crooked, deceitful, liars" suits me fine as a description, and so, in fact, does "conniving."

[sangh0]

25. "Why you!!"

(in my best Curly Joe voice)

:-)

[nomatrix]

26. I think the 12 questions Chalmers Johnson

has for Bush clearly asks the same thing, and he is not here at DU.

I'll post #12 but you should really read the other 11.


http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=1468

"12. Why do you usually give your speeches to the American people before audiences of servicemen and women at military academies, on bases, and the like, where they have been ordered by their superiors to attend and to applaud? Why not give one of your speeches -- especially if you're going to propose reinstating the draft -- at a large state college?"

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

27. Ultimately, I'm not sure which of the "Evil Genius", "Puppet", or "Evil

Puppet" theories is correct (I tend to think "Evil Puppet", with "Evil Genius" being the least likely), or who the puppet masters is or are (Cheney #1 guess, Rove #2, Rumsfeld/Wolfowitz a distant 3d).

But ultimately the results are what they are. It doesn't matter which theory is correct. The damage is as bad. They/it are clearly up to no good. They must go, and all of them.

I do think shrubco is unique among modern administrations in their single minded devotion to propaganda and to controlling all media and suppressing dissent through bribery, intimidation, censorship, and coverup. And until very recently they have had great success at it too. That is what makes them so very dangerous. Maybe Raygunco would have done this if they could have gotten away with it, but the machinery was not yet in place.

I sometimes think the things that shed the most light on shrubco are the "small" things like the yawning boy fiasco on Letterman, or shrubco lying about the British Airways pilot sighting "is that Air Force One?" It shows that they will lie about NOTHING at all, just to score one measly propaganda point, or to keep their opponent from scoring one. Really unbelievable. (Will be happy to elaborate on those incidents here if you don't know what I'm talking about.)

As I watch what is hopefully the collapse of their house of cards, I can almost understand their fanatical devotion to controlling every little thread of the fabric of perceived reality. Because once they begin losing control, it seems like they have control over almost none of it. I really, really, hope the veil is being cast off the eyes of the country.

[Festivito]

29. They come in two varieties: Conning and Conned.

RepubliCONS are either the RepubliCONNING or the RepubliCONNED.

Wish us luck.

[genius]

30. Bush is Hitler's redemption

Hitler can say to God, "See, at least I wasn't that bad."

[John_H]

31. Every ex-official who's written about Rove says EVERY move is political

[MoonRiver]

33. It seems to me that lately they're reacting, rather than acting.

This might mean they're on the defensive, instead of the offensive, which might mean they're actually on the run.

[Cleita]

35. Gee I dunno Kentuck. This country is like a boat going down

a river and finds it's getting closer and closer to the waterfall, yet the captain has thrown away the oars, raised the sail, and the wind is blowing in the direction of the waterfall pushing the boat even faster. Of course the passengers are getting worried so they ask the captain what is going on, so every now and then they throw someone overboard, whom they blame for the problems, but the boat keeps heading for the waterfall. Stay the course says the captain. Don't worry your little tinfoilly hats over that, because there isn't a waterfall there. It's just liberal lies.