Even Wilson, Roosevelt and Truman, whose wars were of a scale beyond anything up to their times, or since, really, had to keep things running on the homefront. The buck stops in the Oval Office...every buck, and that includes Social Security and the economy, international relations AND military actions.

There are always uncertainties when fighting a war. The problem with this war is that we fought the initial phase, which was to defeat the military forces of Saddam Hussein, very well. We however did not have the force structure in place when the government fell to establish and maintain control of the country.

That failure has created additional American and Iraqi casualties, has extended the time in which our forces will be need in Iraq, has delayed the reconstruction of the infrastructure and may very well unravel the new government if the terrorists continue intimidating and threatening the fragile government that is an established.

If Bush had listened to his military advisers and provided the force levels necessary to establish and maintain control when the Saddam Hussein government fell, many of the troops in Iraq would be stateside today and we would not have had 1,600 dead and 35,000 injured.

Last I checked the ceasefire signed in 1951 was between NK and the UN.

Yeah, but the US had (and subsequently lost) the most combat troops of any UN nation in the Korean War (besides SK, of course), and we've been the ones who've helped SK to maintain the peace since 1953.
The UN makes its noise but does nothing, as usual, leaving it up to us to do their enforcing for them, while at the same time complaining about our methods and bitching us out for it.

The most important issue today in North Korea is the apparent lack of progress in restraining their nuclear program. Although in theory I agree that China is has the best shot at controlling North Korea, they appear not to be willing to apply the kinds of practical restraints that would change North Korea's policy. Our problem is that we do not seek alternate policy options when the one we have been following is not working. I don't know what those options might be but to continue with the 6 party talks as our only option when there is simply not working is counterproductive! We have the same problem in Iran. We are getting no where in containing their progrem and there the Russians seem to be one of our best options but they are not helping. The Bush policies with both these countries has been a failure over the past four years and we do not appear to, have any other options that we are willing to try!

The Bush policies with both these countries has been a failure over the past four years and we do not appear to, have any other options that we are willing to try!

--COLGene


And, of course, the Clinton administration's efforts and policies toward these nations were extremely productive, right?

Thanks for the feedback Lucas--and everyone else!

It's been done so many times before, so I don't want to re-debate the invasion of Iraq. Whats done is done. Unfortunately, I think some of the more depressing points Lucas made, specifically, the reality that the world has changed as has America's reputation in the world, is very true. It appears that the whole planet is content to sit and allow tyrants and despots arm themselves to the teeth to do Allah-knows-what to western infidel-land.

If we managed to push through the invasion of Iraq on what was apparently pretty thing intelligence, why aren't we doing more against two very clear-cut cases? North Korea is rattling the saber, popping a missile off at Japan last weekend, and claiming to be planning a nuke test. Why does this seem to be so far down on the priority list? And that's not even mentioning Iran!

Rightwinger

Who is president of the United States today? You Bushies always go back to the same thing when you can't give a good reason for why the Bush policies are NOT working - the prior administration. North Korea and Iran have advanced their programs according to intelligence during the Bush administration and he that is president. It's up to him not Bill Clinton. It's about time we start recognizing that what Bush is doing is not working and since he is the current president IT IS HIS JOB. I wonder where that sign "The Buck Stops Here" is? I wonder which desk Bush placed it on. WE need to move it back to his desk!

Who is president of the United States today? You Bushies always go back to the same thing when you can't give a good reason for why the Bush policies are NOT working - the prior administration. North Korea and Iran have advanced their programs according to intelligence during the Bush administration and he that is president. It's up to him not Bill Clinton. It's about time we start recognizing that what Bush is doing is not working and since he is the current president IT IS HIS JOB. I wonder where that sign "The Buck Stops Here" is? I wonder which desk Bush placed it on. WE need to move it back to his desk!

Get a grip, will ya? To say that if the NK's don't want to listen at the talks is all Bushs fault is just plain ridiculous! And I don't see you showing "why" the policies aren't working either.

drmiler

It is NOT my job to deal with North Korea and Iran. It is on the other hand the responsibility of Bush to effectively deal with these countries. Talk is fine if it works but it has not done a thing for either situation. Bush rushes to war with a country that was no real threat and talks with two others that are a threat to the United States. IT is "you boy" who needs to get a grip and try some policies that work for a change.

It is NOT my job to deal with North Korea and Iran. It is on the other hand the responsibility of Bush to effectively deal with these countries. Talk is fine if it works but it has not done a thing for either situation. Bush rushes to war with a country that was no real threat and talks with two others that are a threat to the United States. IT is "you boy" who needs to get a grip and try some policies that work for a change.

--True COL, it isn't your job, and thank god for that.

--How can someone deal effectivley with nations that don't cooperate, its like dealing with a young child...or a teenager... Lets see, options in dealing with NK; Military Action, Talk, Embargo, etc... There isn't much else...and giving in doesn't seem to be an option..

Sounds like we should give George Bush a pass on just about every. He can't deal with foreign-policy. He went from a surplus to a budget deficit. He watched the trade deficit increase from 400 billion a year to 600 billion-a-year. He can not come up with a solution to Social Security the majority of people agree with. He can't seem to protect our borders. He can't fix Medicare and Medicaid. He can't stop the loss of American jobs to other countries. Seems like George W. Bush can not do much of anything.

I just hope we don't turn into the EU and roll over and allow everyone to do whatever they want. Europe has apparently decided that if a nation does something threatening, they will 1) try to bribe them--sorry, provide them "economic incentives" I believe is what they call it, and of then doesn't work then 2) let them do whatever the hell they want even if its a threat to their own security. Please, Dubya, don't let that happen.

He can not come up with a solution to Social Security the majority of people agree with

--Have the democrats, last i heard, it wasn't just the presidents responsability to come up with suggestions....congress needs to help.

He can't seem to protect our borders.

--When has any president been able to do that succesfully, try living down near the border, or talk to my step-brother...

He can't fix Medicare and Medicaid

--Both were fine when started, but then those in charge F**ked it up...[not referring to bush]

He can't stop the loss of American jobs to other countries.

--How can he stop the job loss, what is he supposed to do, ban job exporting, do you know how many people would cry fowl...., its the companies faults, they are going to continue to go elswhere if it is cheaper...

Bush is the one that brought up Social Security and suggestions to solve the problem that make it worse. I would like to see some additional solutions brought up from both Democrats and a moderate Republicans. The issue of Medicare and Medicaid were never resolved and fact are much bigger problems of Social Security and Bush ignores Medicare and Medicaid as if the problems don't exist. After 9/11 to say the president of the United States can't take action to protect our borders is lame. Bush said he needed 10,000 more border guards and then fails to ask for the money to hire them. WHY? He had China added to the WTO even though the negotiations started during Clinton administration. China now accounts for one third of our total trade deficit. China violates the trade agreement, currency exchange and property rights and the president fails to use the corrective options he does have under the trade agreements. Bush does nothing as China has destroyed our clothing industry. Now the Chinese are going to attack automobiles - General Motors and Ford are next. I notice you didn't mention the federal deficit. I guess Bush had nothing to do with that either. Based on what Bush has not got control over why do we need the president at least not one is is an effective as George W. Bush has been. We can consider outsourcing the office of President to China, India or maybe Mexico.

I see this is another chat with a crazy bush hater. no matter what you say all you get back is the same insane answer
how's the weather?

BUSH BUSH BUSH ....BAD BAD BAD

How was your trip?

BUSH SUSH BUSH BUSH BAD BAD BAD ..

How is your wife?

BUSH BUSH BUSH BAD WRONG BUSH BUSH BUSH,
WHY do you guys keep trying to reason with the unreasonable?