Irvine511 said:
what is driving me crazy is that no matter what happens that is progressive in the Middle East, Republicans and the Bush regime not only claims credit for it, but also claim that the war in Iraq is the reason for the progress.
Don't forget Afghanistan.
I prefer the term Bush Administration, it's more accurate.
Irvine511 said:
Libya doing a deal on weapons and Lockerbie so it can back into the international oil market? Must be because Bush invaded Iraq!
Lebanese reacting with revulsion to Hariri's assassination, probably by Syrian agents, and demanding Syria's exit from their country? Must be because Bush invaded Iraq!
Progress in the Palestinian-Israeli peace effort as a result of Arafat's death? Must be because Bush invaded Iraq!
It's not that cut and dry but at some point you have to stop chalking it up to coincidence. I'm not saying we're at that point yet. Who knows, this could all devolve into a nuclear war. History will tell. I hathink we'll know sooner rather than later.
You forgot to mention talk of elections in Egypt and Saudi Arabia (not holding my breath, but the door may be slightly cracked open).
Iran's government may well fall this decade.
To me it's not gloating, it's the vision of the world's most powerful yet most demonized man possibly coming to fruition. He bet his ass (and more importantly, many American lives) on the big idea that freedom brings security and prosperity. He will reap political benefit.
Bush has laid this idea out there speech after speech and you better believe the people of the world hear when any US President speaks. There are many oppressed around the world who hear these words and a seed is planted. People see it happening around them and start to think, yes, it could possibly happen here. They This is powerful.
Irvine511 said:
what's also destructive is the tendency to take partisan political credit for anything progressive, and to blame anything bad on political enemies (both foreign and domestic) who "just don't get it." where is the recognition that Bush's international strategy even MIGHT be responsible for the negative radicalization we're seeing in places like Iran, North Korea, and maybe even Venezuela -- not to mention alienating essential partners in nation-building.
Leaders lead and pay the political price if they're wrong. They take credit if they turn out right. Just a fact of life. You don't expect a love in with Kerry, Kennedy, Pelosi et al. do you? I do lay blame on many of these leaders who put politics ahead of country. (It's a fine line that I believe was crossed. You don't. Agree to disagree.)
Negative radicalization in Iran & North Korea? not a chance!
Nuclearization? Yes. We can talk about Bill Clinton's role in this if you'd like.
I would argue that Bush has helped propel positive anti- mullah sentiment in Iran with his over the top rhetoric.
Irvine511 said:
further, Bush not only takes credit for everything that is going well, and denies any responsibility for things that are going badly (and, let's be honest, how many people really feel that the world is, on balance, headed in the right direction?)
One could argue that the world has been going downhill since time began. That's quite a loaded question, but if what is happening in the Middle East is what I think is happening, I have to say, there may be a turning of a corner soon.
Irvine511 said:
The result is that the first reaction i'm starting to have to good news in the Middle East (or anywhere else) is to think, "How can Bush be denied political credit for this, since you know he's going to claim it." and this is Bush's own political habits that have created this dynamic, and it started right after 9-11."
Then there are many whose first reaction to bad news in Iraq was satisfaction that Bush's ratings would go down.
US presidents make decisions that shape the world and they are ultimately judged by these decisions. Credit will fall eventually where credit is due whether you like it or not.
What I think is a fraud is how campaigning Democrats gave Clinton credit for the early to mid 90s economy yet blamed Bush for the post 9-11 post Enron post bubble recession. Clinton presided over the coming of age of the friggin internet. The false economic bubble followed and burst just in time for Bush.