NYT editorial: Bush's UN speech "lead balloon," praised own policies

[DeepModem Mom]

President Bush's Lead Balloon

Published: September 22, 2004

We did not expect President Bush to come before the United Nations in the middle of his re-election campaign and acknowledge the serious mistakes his administration has made on Iraq. But that still left plenty of room for him to take advantage of this one last chance to appeal to an increasingly antagonistic world to help the Iraqis secure and rebuild their shattered nation and prepare for elections in just four months. Instead, Mr. Bush delivered an inexplicably defiant campaign speech in which he glossed over the current dire situation in Iraq for an audience acutely aware of the true state of affairs, and scolded them for refusing to endorse the American invasion in the first place.

Even when he talked about issues of common agreement, like the global fight against AIDS and easing the crushing third-world debt, Mr. Bush seemed more interested in praising his own policies than in assuming the leadership of an international effort. The speech would have drawn cheers at an adoring Republican National Convention, but it seemed to fall flat in a room full of stony-faced world leaders....

***

Mr. Bush might have done better at wooing broader international support if he had spent less time on self-justification and scolding and more on praising the importance of international cooperation and a strengthened United Nations. Instead, his tone-deaf speechwriters achieved a perverse kind of alchemy, transforming a golden opportunity into a lead balloon....


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/22/opinion/22wed1.html?hp

[opihimoimoi]

1. Poor Bush; he thought he was gonna get flower leis and fine wine

but instead got lead Balloons...I Hope he tries to fly themmm.

[Julien Sorel]

2. He didn't care what kind of reception they gave him.

The only thing he cares about is how his speech impacts the election. After reading a transcript of it, nothing could be more obvious. He is utterly and completely amoral, and wouldn't care if Iraq was plunged into civil war for the next 50 years as long as he gets 4 more.

[BootinUp]

4. how true. n/t

[opihimoimoi]

10. Utterly Selfish to a Mega Fault Level....Cares not for Humanity in favor

of ones Self.... All those that closely support this Notion of Greed have no Idea of the long term damage and impact he causes with this Unilateral Selfishness and Resultant Arrogance.

Wow, are WE Nuts or What to even consider this guy???

[EST]

3. This was so nauseatingly predictible

The silk purse into sow's ear prez strikes again. I used to call the douche stupid-I was wrong! He is an idiot, a fool, an ingorant manure-foot lout who should not be allowed around polite company. He might make a fair tech sergent, but certainly not a commanding general!

[Booster]

14. He's going to get us all blown up. He has pissed off the

entire world, and somebody out there just might be at the end of their rope with this dope. We've got to get him out; he's just plain dangerous.

[baltodemvet]

5. For domestic consumption

Everyone understood that this appearance was a campaign appearance-- another thumb in the eye of the international community. After sending his Secretary of State to the UN to lie and smearing Hans Blix (who was right) he goes to the UN to say "Fuck you, Now you need to help me out."

I half wanted the delegates to throw rotten tomatoes but, of course so did Karl Rove. The Bush campaign, I'm sure would have loved it if there had been some incident they could exploit to stir up their base. The wise restraint of those assembled is greatly appreciated.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Does anybody doubt that Bush went to the UN to talk to his Repub

loyalists? That was a campaign advertisement. His dumb voters want to feel that he's tough and protecting them from the big bad UN and other global nasties. They haven't a clue that those ferners are composed of people like them, who see Bush as an antagonizer, not as strong man.

What ever happened to speak softly and carry a big stick?

[George W. Dunce]

8. Is he aware of how

incredibly stupid he sounded when he said "dictators choose aggression over negotiation". Hello !!!! When the speech is giving to him doesn't he read it and say man this makes me sound like an effing moron? Or are they under the impression that the rest of the world are zombies to the truth like half of the people who live here.

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. And even if we're not keeping count of the Iraqis casualties,

other nations are keeping track. What happens when the U.S. is responsible for more Iraqi deaths than Sadaam in a given period of time? What then?

[flordehinojos]

7. It seems like Bush loves to force himself upon others

Bush forced himself on the American people when he stole election 2000. Bush forced himself on the Iraqi people when he invaded and occupied, and continues to occupy, their country. Bush forced himself upon, "a room full of stony-faced world leaders ..." at the United Nations. Bush wants to force himself again upon the American people and to that end, aided and abetted by his poppy and brother and others who have now hitched themselves to the bush bandwago, he plans to steal yet another election, just like the rapist who steals a woman's trust, or a child's innocence. Bush has raped America's and the World's trust as well as our innocence.

Bush is owned by the psychology of a rapist.

[opihimoimoi]

11. 5 Stars to you man for the excellent Post.

Sending Fine Wine and Caviar/Ribs and Salmon smoked just right.

[flordehinojos]

12. Thanks man ... looking forward to the scrumptuous menu ...

:)

[Karenina]

13. Forget the psychology,

EVERYTHING he touches ends up COMPLETELY FUBAR!!! Like, for REAL!