In an interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the new head of the Arkansas Republican Party, Dennis Milligan stated that he is “150 percent” behind Bush on the war in Iraq.
Milligan also said that America needs more terrorist attacks on its soil.
That’s not a misprint. He actually said that. Here, see for yourself:
At the end of the day, I believe fully the president is doing the right thing, and I think all we need is some attacks on American soil like we had on [Sept. 11, 2001], and the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate not only the commitment for President Bush, but the sacrifice that has been made by men and women to protect this country.”
Wow… What the hell?
Maybe what Milligan said about President Bush’s latest immigration bill shines some light on his state of mind:
“That is between the president and Congress, and I am just going to let them hash it out and work it out. I just think that is something for probably smarter people than me to figure out. It is a tough situation either way, but something definitely needs to be done.”
Yup, he said it. There’s smarter people than him. BIG surprise…
Sources:
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: GOP chief: New strategy key
Just days prior to his five-nation tour of Latin America, US President George W Bush announced that the United States will expand U.S. aid for education, health care and housing in the region. His “message is simple: the United States has not forgotten its neighbours to the south.” Bush said that “the working poor of Latin America need change and the United States is committed to that change.”
If you’ve been following the news in the past weeks, these issues have truly been in the news lately. Not concerning Latin America, but in the United States.
A great percentage of the American public want change in the American health care system, many wishing for universal health care. Medicare and Medicaid saw their budgets cut for the 2008 fiscal year. Wounded soldiers returning from overseas duty in Iraq and Afghanistan have been ill-treated, poorly compensated for injuries suffered in the line of duty protecting the nation and patriotically following the Bush Administration’s agenda in Iraq. The poor received a break from the Democrat-led Congress in the form of higher minimum wage, which sceptics say will possibly lead to more layoffs and unemployment, as small businesses see their profits fall. The American education system needs more funding to educate to future of the United States to the best of their abilities. All this while the United States spends some $100 million every 12 hours in Iraq. (Newsweek) On top of it all, the surge on Baghdad isn’t producing results, but rather more American casualties (9 US soldiers killed today in Baghdad).
At the very least the Bush Administration and the republicans are showing a humanitarian side, although one could argue that this is mainly concerning the legacy of the dwindling Administration, as it seems almost certain the next Administration will be led by the Democrats.
One would think that issues at home would be more important in securing America’s stance in the world’s eyes in the coming years, as the current administration’s foreign policies have significantly increased the anti-American sentiment all over the world.
Bush’s trip to Latin America comes at a time when Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is stirring up more anti-American sentiment in the region. So is Bush’s announcement and trip to Latin America merely a PR stunt, trying to keep key allies favourable to the U.S.? Do keep in mind that many of these nations Bush plans to visit are oil-producing nations, as well as hosts to many American corporations and vital economic partners.
PR, legacy, oil, money and such aside, the aid to Latin America, although a relatively noble thing for the world’s wealthiest nation (a gesture which should be taken for granted), the announcement comes at a time when there are numerous other problems at home and in other parts of the world where the United States continues to battle. I am not saying the US should shun it’s neighbours to the south, but rather also, in addition to extending a helping hand to those less prosperous in other countries, the United States should shift its primary aid focus on its own people, making the lifes of those who the President represents easier and more align with the image of American prosperity. Keep in mind that this is the man who the rest of the world considers America’s representative. What he does, people think this is the mood and beliefs of the entire nation. There’s still a long time until November 2008…
Source:
VOA News – Bush Announces New Aid for Latin America
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-05-voa51.cfm
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