T H U R S D A Y , S E P T E M B E R 0 1 , 2 0 0 5Bush's Final Exam: Will He Flunk?by Michael in New York on 9/01/2005 08:40:00 PMThe New York Times makes clear this is Bush's biggest testsince 9-11, one that in many ways is more complicated. (Nocountries to invade, at least as far as we know.) One veryannoying passage:It is reminiscent of how Mr.</p><p> Bush has argued that progressis being made in Iraq.</p><p> But as the administration has learnedin Iraq, the imagery of violent chaos, repeated over andover, can undercut even the most frequently cited statistics.And so Mr.</p><p> Bush's biggest risk may be an inability to controlcircumstances that are beyond his ability to shape fromWashington.This is wrong on about eight different levels.</p><p> It implies Bush'sprogress in Iraq is undercut by "the imagery of violent chaos." No,Bush's refusal to FACE FACTS in Iraq is undercut by the daily news ofworsening conditions, increasing deaths, a stronger insurgency andno FACTS to back up Bush's claim that things were peachy.Bush's risk in dealing with Hurrican Katrina is NOT "an inability tocontrol circumstances that are beyond his ability to shape...." No oneis holding Bush accountable for the storm striking land.</p><p> Bush isaccountable for what he CAN control -- his indifference and politics-as-usual attitude even AFTER the storm had struck; Bush's refusal tocut his vacation short until the last moment -- and spendingANOTHER night in Crawford rather than going straight to DC while thewaters were rising and people were dying; the slashing of fundsdevoted to shoring up the levees; the reduced level of National Guardavailable; the possible lack of amphibious vehicles because they'vebeen sent to Iraq; the sluggish response; the incompetent lack ofcoordination that MUST come from the federal government and onand on.</p><p> The facts about all these issues will become clear as soon asthe MSM starts demanding the relevant details.All of these factors are under Bush's control and he can and should beheld accountable for how he performs.</p><p> Listing blocks of ice and a fewgenerators on their way won't make people ignore the facts staringthem in the face.This is Bush's final exam.</p><p> So far, he gets an "F." MORE POSTS ABOUT: KATRINA Add New CommentYou are commenting as a Guest.</p><p> You may select one to log into: Logged in as Logout from DISQUS Daily KosCheers and Jeers: Rum and Coke FRIDAY! - Fromthe GREAT STATE OF MAINE... *Loud andTumultuous Late Night Snark* (With a generousassist from Dan's place) "Yesterday, tocommemorate the 40th an...12 minutes ago HuffPost PoliticsPlayboy's Barbi Twins Target GOP Rep.</p><p> HastingsOver Wild Horses - The U.S.</p><p> House recently passedthe "Restore Our American Mustangs Act," whichwould protect wild horses in 10 western states byproviding additional land and...19 minutes ago FiredoglakeBarofsky Report: What Happened to All That TARPMoney? - The special inspector general for TARPsays Treasury should demand information aboutwhat the banks did with the money they got fromTARP.</p><p> Treasury didn't ...40 minutes agoPlum LineHappy Hour Roundup - *** Ben Smith kind ofagrees with me about Obama not really offering atraditional apology for criticizing the Cambridgecop, and Ben puts it well:42 minutes ago J O H N ' S P H OT O S AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Bush's...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/bushs-ļ¬nal-exam-will-he-... 1 of 57/24/09 10:39 PMCrooks and LiarsDude, Where's My $500,000,000,000? - From anemailer: This is Democrat Alan Grayson askingChairman Ben Bernanke where the Federal Reservesent $500,000,000,000 last year.</p><p> And ChairmanBerna...1 hour agoShow All A M E R I C A B L O G T V Visit our AMERICAblog TV site.see all 329 videos >I collect with vodpod Southern Poverty LawCenter calls on CNN to A two minute explanationof the warped and cynical The economy is better.But....</p><p> Judge order San Diego toget rid of the seals Massive brawl in SouthKorean parliament Mormons may havesecretly baptizedNext 6AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Bush's...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/bushs-ļ¬nal-exam-will-he-... 2 of 57/24/09 10:39 PMEzra KleinTab Dump40 minutes agoWonk RoomF-22 Killed BySeven-Meme Voltron1 hour agoDaily DoseWill Doctors in theHouse, SenateInfluence Debate?2 hours agoThe TreatmentDoes the GOP ReallyHave an AlternativePlan in the Works?2 hours agoManaged CareMattersFresh Health WonkReview awaiting yourperusal12 hours agoG AY P O L I T I C S Visit our new gay politicssection, AMERICAblog Gay.F E E D S Blog RSS AMERICAblog TV RSS Twitter RSSTwitter Feed Get the blog by email: Subscribe me! www.Fool.comAds by GoogleTop AdAdvertise in this spot.H E A LT H C A R ER E F O R MAMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Bush's...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/bushs-ļ¬nal-exam-will-he-... 3 of 57/24/09 10:39 PMS E A R C H AMERICAblog Web SearchS E N D U S T I P S &C O M M E N T Samericablog@starpower.netB L O G A R C H I V E Blog ArchiveS I T E S W E L I K EAir America RadioAlan Colmes' blogAri Melber (The Nation)Ben SmithBicycleMark's blog &podcastBilericoBradBlogBring It OnCarrie FisherCrooks and LiarsDailyKosDan Savage's "Slog"Daou ReportDemocratic UndergroundEschatonEzra KleinFire Dog LakeFiveThirtyEight.comFreeway BloggerThe Gavel (SpeakerPelosi's blog)Good As YouGlenn GreenwaldHoly Bullies and HeadlessMonstersHuffington PostHullabaloo (Digby)Jack and Jill PoliticsJed ReportJesus' GeneralKenneth in the 212Margaret and HelenMatthew GrossMedia MattersMike Signorile's "The Gist"MudflatsMyDDOpen LeftPlum LinePolitical Punch (JakeTapper)Political WirePolitics 1Pop SurfingProgressive Blog DigestQueers UnitedRawStoryRex WocknerRude PunditSmirking ChimpTalk LeftTappedTaylor MarshThink ProgressTowleRoadVetVoice.comWashington NoteWayneBesen.comWonketteWorth Repeating N E W S L I N K SUSWashington PostNYTAP PoliticsReuters PoliticsRasmussen PollsTimeNewsweekRoll CallThe HillABCNews P L E A S E S U P P O RTA M E R I C A B L O GOne-time donation$ Recurring monthlydonation$ Donations are nottax-deductible.L A B E L S Select a labelL A S T 1 0 0 V I S I T O R SRecent Visitors A B O U TA M E R I C A B L O GWhy AMERICAblog?Because a great nationdeserves the truth.What issues do youcover?US politics overall with aparticular focus on theObama Administration, theradical right, and civilrights.Who are you?John AravosisEditorWashington, DCJoe SudbayDeputy EditorWashington, DCChris RyanAssociate EditorParis, FranceRobert ArenaContributing EditorBaltimore, MarylandJacki SchechnerContributing EditorWashington, DCAMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Bush's...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/bushs-ļ¬nal-exam-will-he-... 4 of 57/24/09 10:39 PMĀ© 2009 - John Aravosis | Design maintenance by Jason RosenbaumSend me your tips: americablog@starpower.netAMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Bush's...http://www.americablog.com/2005/09/bushs-ļ¬nal-exam-will-he-... 5 of 57/24/09 10:39 PM
