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We created this page in an effort to show as clearly as possible why it is important to vote against Bush in this election.
We are trying to be as even-handed as possible, and in an effort to ensure that our biases are not hidden, we have color coded
the text in this document.
Factual statments will be in this color,
quotes will be in this color, and
opinions (and quotes and facts we are too lazy to find a source for) will be in this color.
North Korea
Bush says, "The minute we have bilateral talks, the six-party talks will unwind".
Kerry says, "I want bilateral talks which put all of the issues [...] on the table".
But, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committe (a Republican) agrees with Kerry:
"it is vital that the United States not dismiss bilateral diplomatic opportunities that could be useful in reversing North Korea's nuclear weapons program and promoting stability"
and "the mere initiation of a bilateral dialogue [...] does not compromise our national security interests".
Bush says, "It's not going to work if we open up a dialogue with Kim Jong Il. He wants to unravel the six-party talks, or the five-nation coalition that's sending him a clear message".
But, China has organized bilateral talks between N. Korea and other countries, and it has not affected the multilateral talks.
"China, host of the six-way talks [...], is making final arrangements for the Japan-North Korea talks as well as other bilateral contacts".(source)
Bush is probably right that bilateral talks would not work, at least with his administration.
North Korea's diplomatic spokesman "called Bush 'an idiot, ignorant, a tyrant and a man-killer.
Bush's assumption of office turned a peaceful world into a pandemonium unprecedented in history as it is plagued with a vicious circle of terrorism and war,' continued the statement, adding that Bush's aides and allies are 'a typical gang of political gangsters.'"
Iraq
Bush has claimed we are "turning the corner" in the war in Iraq, but the war has steadily gotten worse.
Bush claimed that things would get better after we killed Saddam's sons, they didn't. He claimed they would get better after
we captured Saddam, they didn't. He claimed they would get better after we handed over the government, they didn't.
According to data collected for the administration, by Kroll Security International, there are about 70 attacks a day on U.S. and coalition forces,
compared to 40-50 attacks a day before the transfer of authority to the interim Iraqi government.
Moreover, the data indicate attacks in "nearly every major city in central, western and northern Iraq."
In recent weeks, there have been an average of 22 attacks per day on troops in Baghdad (source).
Bush has not done a good job leading us in the War in Iraq. Even if you think we needed to attack Iraq, Bush has mishandled
the war, ignoring such basic planning as an exit strategy.
The vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (a republican), charged that the president is playing political games by
postponing further funding requests until after the election, to try to avoid reopening debate on the war's cost and future (source).
25% of US causualties in Iraq would have been prevented, if the funding request for armor had been approved and carried out (source).
Flip Floppery & Mixed Messages
Bush claims that Kerry sends mixed messages about the war on terrorism, and that this lessens our chance for
sucess. But Bush himself has sent mixed messages about the war on terrorism. Bush said, "I want justice"
he was determined to capture Osama bin Laden "dead or alive." Six months later Bush said, I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him... I truly am not that concerned about him."
In April 2004, Bush said that we could win the war on terrorism. Then, on August 30, he said "I don�t think you can win [the war on terror]."
The next day, he said "Make no mistake about it, we are winning and we will win [the war on terror]."
If you think Kerry has been inconsistent and weakened our chance for success, how is what Bush has said any different?
In addition Bush has flip-flopped on numerous other issues:
Top 10 Bush Flip-Flops
Numerous other Bush Flip-Flops
Lets face it "flip-flopping" on an issue where the situation has changed, or more evidence has developed is not neccesarily
a bad thing.
As Emmerson said, A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
On a lighter side, here's all you need to see about Bush's Flip-Floppery: A Daily Show link. (sorry, you need Real Player).
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