There have been some very thoughtful and interesting comments to my Bush Basher quiz. I am grateful for those who took the time to be thoughtful. Thank you. Even those who disagree with me deserve thanks for thoughtful responses.
But only two people directly answered the question, and only those two got it within 25 words. These were:
1) "Stop insisting decisions are black or white and that people are evildoers or valued allies" and,
2) "Lie to their faces until we bring the middle east domino down on their asses."
I'm not sure that the former is any reason to angrily storm to the polls to punish the President and his party, but it's clear enough. The second strikes me as very possibly what Bush is already doing.
Unfortunately, the rest of the Bush critics generally farted around without directly answering the question. They thus appear incapable of making focused, specific, and internally consistent policy recommendations. They also apparently don't know the meaning of "twenty-five words or less."
Inappropriately lengthy and off-target responses seemed to amount to the following:
A) Colin Powell and the State Department should be tougher in their rhetoric with the Saudis.
B) We should insult visiting Saudi dignitaries by never meeting with them in public (leaving me wondering, by the way, if this wouldn't instantly prompt accusations that the President is having sinister secret meetings).
C) We should maybe declare war on the Sauds. I think. Anyway, there is something sinister about efforts to protect people who happen to be blood relatives of Osama bin Laden, so the President shouldn't meet with anyone involved in such a thing. I think.
D) A completely incorrect statement about lack of treachery by prior U.S. allies in previous wars, and a quite brazen suggestion that Democrats should use McCarthyite tactics in upcoming elections.
E) A rambling, non-specific suggestion we should simply use Saudi bases without their permission and, er, invade Saudi Arabia.
F) Another sort-of suggestion that we invade Saudi Arabia. But, once again, not clear enough to make out specifically.
The McCarthyite business was most surprising, if only for its (inadvertant?) honesty. In short, though, it all confirms my suspicion that most Bush Bashers are not very clear about what they want, except they want us to know that Bush sucks.
Still, maybe I'm wrong. I'll try to suspend my judgement a little longer, and give you all one last chance. Here it is:
If you don't like what the President is doing about the House of Saud, please state what you would rather he do, IN TWENTY-FIVE WORDS OR LESS. Be specific.Look, here's an example:
"Signal greater displeasure to the Saudis. Insult their visiting dignitaries. Tell them to prepare for war if they don't reform their ways."
That's only 22 words. But here, watch this:
"Declare war on Saudi Arabia."
Five Words! C'mom kids! I know you can do it if you try!
Last chance: What. Do. You. Want. Him. To. Do?
Any and all responses exceeding twenty-five words (I'll give a "grace cushion" of up to ten extra words) will be interpreted as follows:
"I'm a kneejerk Republican Basher with no specific suggestions. I just want to bash, and don't really care about the war or the nation's future."