I forgot about the now infamous (and forgotten) blackout of 2003. On August 14, the lights went out. 50 million people in Ontario and eight U.S. states lost power. Most had power restored the following day. An antiquated power grid caused the blackout. No one has fixed it.
The blackout was the first in a series of infrastructure failures during the Bush years. The failures themselves were not his doing. However, the president has done nothing to improve infrastructure. In fairness, neither has anyone in congress.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Bush and Iraq
In 1991, Saddam promised to leave Iraq open to inspectors. Failure to comply opened the door to further military action on the part of the coalition. Saddam kicked out the inspectors. This led a post-911 paranoia in the American Administration. Saddam must have something to hide. All the major intelligence agencies believed he had WMD. The US pushed for an invasion. There had been nearly 20 UN resolutions, a Clinton-era statement that regime change in Iraq was the goal of the US government, a force authorization from Congress, and the 1991 cease fire agreement. Despite protestations of the left, the war was legal.
Many have accused Bush of lying about WMD to justify the war. The big lie was not about WMD, but that Bush lied. Everyone believed Saddam had WMD. Saddam himself said he was planning on restarting his nuclear program and nuclear materials were taken out of Iraq in 2008. There was no lie on Bush's part. However, the administration did juice up the information. Also, they gave a half dozen reasons to go to war. One of which was WMD.
Whatever the reason for war, the initial invasion resulted in a quick defeat for the Iraqi army. The US blitzkrieg known as "Shock and Awe" ended the conventional war in record time. Bush would declare victory on an aircraft carrier under a banner titled "Mission Accomplished." It was only the end of the first round in Iraq and Bush later admitted the banner and victory declaration was a mistake.
The success of the invasion led to the fall of the Hussein government and celebrations throughout Iraq. Uday and Qusay Hussein died in a shootout with American troops. Saddam was captured in his "spider hole." The crimes of the Hussein regime were brought to light. Iraq had been liberated. The US did not know what to do next. Then, an insurgency began.
In 2004, a pesky insurgency expanded. The Bush Administration did not have a plan to deal with this contingency. They went to war with too few troops for occupation duties. They sent the Iraqi Army home. The dismissed Iraqi army could have been used to maintain the peace. Instead, their weapons went to the insurgents.
By 2006, the insurgency had grown into a major problem for Bush. The insurgent leader, Al-Zarqawi, was killed, but the insurgency breathed still. Despite his death and Saddam's execution at the end of '06, the Bush Administration showed no vision for victory in Iraq. In November, the Democrats retook congress due to GOP scandals. Bush had to act.
In 2007, Bush ordered a surge. Democrats declared it a failure immediately. However, it succeeded. As of today, Iraq is safer than before the surge. The future of the conflict will soon be in Obama's hands. Bush has helped setup a Democratic Iraq. If that becomes a stable democracy, then his legacy improves dramatically.
The fact Bush attempted to "nation build" and "spread democracy" to the Middle East is another paradox. During the 2000 campaign, he attacked Clinton-era nation building. These types of policies usually come from the left. Bush resembles Woodrow Wilson. Many Bush speeches during this period sound like they were written by Wilson during World War I. Wilson wanted ethnic determination and to spread democracy to end the chances of another global conflict. Bush has proposed similar policies. If you like Wilson, you should love Bush!
What is the Bush legacy in Iraq? That is to be determined. One lesson reiterated by this war is the country can not wage war with too few troops. Despite the initial success, boots were needed to maintain order. Iraq is now a fledgling Democracy and that is a positive step. However, the future is unwritten and Iraq's future is still clouded.
Many have accused Bush of lying about WMD to justify the war. The big lie was not about WMD, but that Bush lied. Everyone believed Saddam had WMD. Saddam himself said he was planning on restarting his nuclear program and nuclear materials were taken out of Iraq in 2008. There was no lie on Bush's part. However, the administration did juice up the information. Also, they gave a half dozen reasons to go to war. One of which was WMD.
Whatever the reason for war, the initial invasion resulted in a quick defeat for the Iraqi army. The US blitzkrieg known as "Shock and Awe" ended the conventional war in record time. Bush would declare victory on an aircraft carrier under a banner titled "Mission Accomplished." It was only the end of the first round in Iraq and Bush later admitted the banner and victory declaration was a mistake.
The success of the invasion led to the fall of the Hussein government and celebrations throughout Iraq. Uday and Qusay Hussein died in a shootout with American troops. Saddam was captured in his "spider hole." The crimes of the Hussein regime were brought to light. Iraq had been liberated. The US did not know what to do next. Then, an insurgency began.
In 2004, a pesky insurgency expanded. The Bush Administration did not have a plan to deal with this contingency. They went to war with too few troops for occupation duties. They sent the Iraqi Army home. The dismissed Iraqi army could have been used to maintain the peace. Instead, their weapons went to the insurgents.
By 2006, the insurgency had grown into a major problem for Bush. The insurgent leader, Al-Zarqawi, was killed, but the insurgency breathed still. Despite his death and Saddam's execution at the end of '06, the Bush Administration showed no vision for victory in Iraq. In November, the Democrats retook congress due to GOP scandals. Bush had to act.
In 2007, Bush ordered a surge. Democrats declared it a failure immediately. However, it succeeded. As of today, Iraq is safer than before the surge. The future of the conflict will soon be in Obama's hands. Bush has helped setup a Democratic Iraq. If that becomes a stable democracy, then his legacy improves dramatically.
The fact Bush attempted to "nation build" and "spread democracy" to the Middle East is another paradox. During the 2000 campaign, he attacked Clinton-era nation building. These types of policies usually come from the left. Bush resembles Woodrow Wilson. Many Bush speeches during this period sound like they were written by Wilson during World War I. Wilson wanted ethnic determination and to spread democracy to end the chances of another global conflict. Bush has proposed similar policies. If you like Wilson, you should love Bush!
What is the Bush legacy in Iraq? That is to be determined. One lesson reiterated by this war is the country can not wage war with too few troops. Despite the initial success, boots were needed to maintain order. Iraq is now a fledgling Democracy and that is a positive step. However, the future is unwritten and Iraq's future is still clouded.
Bush: Year 3
Continuing our look back at the Bush Years, 2003 was dominated by the Iraq War. That will be covered in a separate entry. Non-Iraq news was dominated by health issues.
The Bush Administration passed the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. This program is the biggest government program since the Great Society. The program is popular amongst seniors, but will prove expensive in the long term. It comes as a surprise to many that a Republican president would push this especially during a war. However, the social conservative wing of the GOP is liberal on government intervention and social programs. In this way, the Social Conservatives are no different than liberals.
The other major health issue tackled by the Bush Administration is African AIDS Relief. Bush is the first president to really address AIDS in Africa and Third World poverty relief. It is one of the issues that the left give him credit on.
Lastly, the Columbia disintegrated upon reentry in February.
The rest of the year was all Iraq all the time.
The Bush Administration passed the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. This program is the biggest government program since the Great Society. The program is popular amongst seniors, but will prove expensive in the long term. It comes as a surprise to many that a Republican president would push this especially during a war. However, the social conservative wing of the GOP is liberal on government intervention and social programs. In this way, the Social Conservatives are no different than liberals.
The other major health issue tackled by the Bush Administration is African AIDS Relief. Bush is the first president to really address AIDS in Africa and Third World poverty relief. It is one of the issues that the left give him credit on.
Lastly, the Columbia disintegrated upon reentry in February.
The rest of the year was all Iraq all the time.
Friday, December 12, 2008
How to Grade a President
Most people are not trained to think critically. Most just react emotionally. Also, most people have short term memories. They can't remember what happened an hour ago, let alone 5 years ago. So, with that in mind, here are some criteria for grading a presidency...
Not necessarily in any order.
1. How many bills are passed that the president supports or opposes.
2. What gets passed.
3. Long term impact of policies and decisions.
4. Ability to deal with crisis.
5. Ability to predict a crisis.
6. What the president vetoes.
7. Are the vetoes overridden?
8. Do the president's policies hold up to court challenges?
9. Ability to inspire.
Not necessarily in any order.
1. How many bills are passed that the president supports or opposes.
2. What gets passed.
3. Long term impact of policies and decisions.
4. Ability to deal with crisis.
5. Ability to predict a crisis.
6. What the president vetoes.
7. Are the vetoes overridden?
8. Do the president's policies hold up to court challenges?
9. Ability to inspire.
Bush in Review: Afghanistan
One major event in 2001 was the invasion of Afghanistan and Fall of the Taliban. The Taliban are a modern day Islamic Nazi political/religious group. They committed many atrocities across Afghanistan. The U.S. overthrew them. They literally ran to the hills. Unfortunately, many Taliban and El Queda members escaped. Osama Bin Laden himself escaped heavy bombardment at the Battle of Tora Bora. On the plus side, the US and NATO overthrew a barbaric regime. On the other hand, many of them escaped.
In 2003, a counterinsurgency began. A stalemate has developed. However, there are some positives to report. Afghanistan has held free elections and will probably continue to do so. Also, some Taliban groups have opened negotiations to end hostilities.
The War in Iraq has pushed Afghanistan to the sidelines. However, with Iraq apparently winding down, Afghanistan should start moving back to the front burner.
As a side note, 911 was the first time the NATO charter had ever been invoked to defend a member nation.
In 2003, a counterinsurgency began. A stalemate has developed. However, there are some positives to report. Afghanistan has held free elections and will probably continue to do so. Also, some Taliban groups have opened negotiations to end hostilities.
The War in Iraq has pushed Afghanistan to the sidelines. However, with Iraq apparently winding down, Afghanistan should start moving back to the front burner.
As a side note, 911 was the first time the NATO charter had ever been invoked to defend a member nation.
Bush: Year 2 (2002)
Year two was dominated by the War on Terror. In January, Bush made the now infamous "Axis of Evil" speech. He tied Iran, Iraq, and North Korea together in the same fashion as Italy, Germany, and Japan during World War II. He was trying to be bold and Reaganesque. It was Bush's attempt at an "Evil Empire" speech. The problem was Iran and Iraq hated each other. There may be some connection between Iran and North Korea though.
The Bush Administration opened the Gitmo Detention Facility. Human Rights groups and liberals complained. However, where were these people to go? When the facility closes, where will the bad guys go? Originally, they were going to go through military tribunals. There is precedent for this. Nazis captured in the US had military tribunals. The courts have since ruled that they have constitutional rights. So, Bush has kept the nation safe. However, the courts overruled some of his methods.
Bush also opened the Department of Homeland Security. This was a pet project of Senator Joe Lieberman. Conservatives have talked about closing departments and downsizing government. Yet, Bush created a new cabinet department. On the downside, it creates a new bureaucracy and expands government. On the plus side, it should lessen interdepartmental squabbles and ease information sharing.
In other foreign policy matters, Bush withdrew from the ABM Treaty. The treaty goes back to 1972. The main sticking point was missile defense. This was a bit silly. The missile defense system could end up the American Maginot Line. Massive missile strikes or suitcase nukes render the system null.
Lastly, Worldcom went bankrupt. Again, mismanagement and Clinton era corruption at Worldcom and in the government led to this.
Year 2 was mixed. Withdrawing from the missile treaty was wrong. The Department of Homeland Security was not needed. Although, there was a need to end interdepartmental squabbles and increase information sharing. Gitmo kept bad guys out of the field, but made the US look bad. The Axis of Evil Speech was a bit silly.
The Bush Administration opened the Gitmo Detention Facility. Human Rights groups and liberals complained. However, where were these people to go? When the facility closes, where will the bad guys go? Originally, they were going to go through military tribunals. There is precedent for this. Nazis captured in the US had military tribunals. The courts have since ruled that they have constitutional rights. So, Bush has kept the nation safe. However, the courts overruled some of his methods.
Bush also opened the Department of Homeland Security. This was a pet project of Senator Joe Lieberman. Conservatives have talked about closing departments and downsizing government. Yet, Bush created a new cabinet department. On the downside, it creates a new bureaucracy and expands government. On the plus side, it should lessen interdepartmental squabbles and ease information sharing.
In other foreign policy matters, Bush withdrew from the ABM Treaty. The treaty goes back to 1972. The main sticking point was missile defense. This was a bit silly. The missile defense system could end up the American Maginot Line. Massive missile strikes or suitcase nukes render the system null.
Lastly, Worldcom went bankrupt. Again, mismanagement and Clinton era corruption at Worldcom and in the government led to this.
Year 2 was mixed. Withdrawing from the missile treaty was wrong. The Department of Homeland Security was not needed. Although, there was a need to end interdepartmental squabbles and increase information sharing. Gitmo kept bad guys out of the field, but made the US look bad. The Axis of Evil Speech was a bit silly.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Bush: Year 1
Since his administration is coming to an end, it is a good time to review the last eight years. Instead of doing everything at once, it might be more interesting to review it year by year. His early years were very successful while the second term has had issues. Also, it is sometimes hard to gauge the full impact of a presidency until they have left the scene and been gone awhile. Reagan is now considered great. Nixon is much more sympathetic. Clinton's reputation has gone down the toilet as a result of taking on Obama. Bush's reputation may depend greatly on Obama. If Obama comes off incompetently, then Bush is probably elevated. If Obama comes off as the next FDR, then Bush suffers. Either way, it will probably take a generation (and a lot of declassification) to get a full picture.
2001:
Bush began his term with a nice inaugural address. Most inaugural addresses are forgettable. W's first (and second) were better than most. However, no one outside of historians will remember either of them. Despite the controversy surrounding his presidency, Bush decided to act as though he won in a landslide and his address reflected both that confidence as well as the nature of his election.
Bush had two major issues to deal with right away. First, the economy was in recession. As a result, he pushed for and got his tax cut package. It really can not be underscored how this has helped. 911 really hurt the economy. The tax cuts saved a major economic downturn. It was not until the credit markets collapsed that the economy truly soured. Even then, the tax cuts were seen as positives. Obama has refused to repeal them.
The second issue was the Chinese. They decided to test Bush right away. They captured a spy plane and refused to let the crew go. Eventually, they were released.
Domestically, the first year of the W. Administration witnessed the collapse of Enron. Many blamed this on Bush, but this was something festering for awhile under the previous administration. That administration looked the other way as they received campaign donations and other Enron favors.
The administration also passed No Child Left Behind. For some reason, Bush felt it necessary to push for and support a Ted Kennedy creation. Ironically, teachers blame Republicans for this. Although many thumbed their noses and voted for it, No Child is hard left legislation. It involved federal involvement in local schools. Nothing is more antithetical to conservatives. Preliminary evidence shows No Child might actually be working. However, it is one of those things we will have to wait and see on.
Bush attempted to reach out to African Americans. He placed more people of African descent into positions of power than any administration in history. Powell, Rice, Paige and others filled out the President's brain trust.
Then came 911. Bush's response to 911 was as well as could be expected. He rallied the nation and gave a powerful speech at the site. Afterwards, the administration passed the Patriot Act. It was controversial, but has apparently worked. Despite some complaints, it did not crack down on civil liberties.
911 also brought on the Bush Doctrine. There have been several Bush Doctrines, but this one states the US has the right of Preemption. If there is a threat, the US can take it out. Bush was simply codifying something presidents had used for years. It helped lead to the Iraq Invasion.
Overall, Bush's first year was successful in terms of getting things done. The ultimate result of Bush policies such as Preemption and No Child Left Behind, have yet to be realized.
2001:
Bush began his term with a nice inaugural address. Most inaugural addresses are forgettable. W's first (and second) were better than most. However, no one outside of historians will remember either of them. Despite the controversy surrounding his presidency, Bush decided to act as though he won in a landslide and his address reflected both that confidence as well as the nature of his election.
Bush had two major issues to deal with right away. First, the economy was in recession. As a result, he pushed for and got his tax cut package. It really can not be underscored how this has helped. 911 really hurt the economy. The tax cuts saved a major economic downturn. It was not until the credit markets collapsed that the economy truly soured. Even then, the tax cuts were seen as positives. Obama has refused to repeal them.
The second issue was the Chinese. They decided to test Bush right away. They captured a spy plane and refused to let the crew go. Eventually, they were released.
Domestically, the first year of the W. Administration witnessed the collapse of Enron. Many blamed this on Bush, but this was something festering for awhile under the previous administration. That administration looked the other way as they received campaign donations and other Enron favors.
The administration also passed No Child Left Behind. For some reason, Bush felt it necessary to push for and support a Ted Kennedy creation. Ironically, teachers blame Republicans for this. Although many thumbed their noses and voted for it, No Child is hard left legislation. It involved federal involvement in local schools. Nothing is more antithetical to conservatives. Preliminary evidence shows No Child might actually be working. However, it is one of those things we will have to wait and see on.
Bush attempted to reach out to African Americans. He placed more people of African descent into positions of power than any administration in history. Powell, Rice, Paige and others filled out the President's brain trust.
Then came 911. Bush's response to 911 was as well as could be expected. He rallied the nation and gave a powerful speech at the site. Afterwards, the administration passed the Patriot Act. It was controversial, but has apparently worked. Despite some complaints, it did not crack down on civil liberties.
911 also brought on the Bush Doctrine. There have been several Bush Doctrines, but this one states the US has the right of Preemption. If there is a threat, the US can take it out. Bush was simply codifying something presidents had used for years. It helped lead to the Iraq Invasion.
Overall, Bush's first year was successful in terms of getting things done. The ultimate result of Bush policies such as Preemption and No Child Left Behind, have yet to be realized.
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