C. GATSBY'S Weblog: "you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free. John 8:32

Michael Scheuer, former CIA operative, is correct in his editorial that Tenet shares the blame for Bush’s Iraq War.

However, The Washington Post, which supported the Iraq war (now in its fifth year) from the start, has blood on their hands, too. They mislead their readers by publishing unsubstantiated reports on Hussein’s Iraq prior to the war.

Washington Post, an advocate of war, wrote that prior to the invasion that it was “an operation essential to American security.” After Powell’s speech at the U.N., the WP declared the evidence “irrefutable” and that “a powerful new case” was made implicating Hussein with al Qaeda.

Unlike reporters of the past, who patiently exhausted all avenues in researching a story, Washington Post reporters fell flat on their faces after 9/11. Failing to question nearly all the false claims and propaganda spewed out by the Bush administration, reporters disseminated the misinformation of Bush’s administration word for word.

Washington Post published unsubstantiated reports of Iraqi dissident stories, erroneous nuclear weapons facilities and uranium tubes, and imaginary secret al Qaeda training bases. Most of the stories could have be shown to be false by judicious researching.

Like papers of the former Soviet Union, the Washington Post thought that it was unpatriotic to publish contrary evidence to that of the Bush Administration on page one and imposed a censorship on most stories conflicting with Bush’s rhetoric.

The Washington Post must understand that a democracy flourishes through differing views and opinions, not by preaching the President’s (Bush) line verbatim. Thoughtful criticisms and a vigilant press are necessary to keep the government honest.

Christian Gatsby

USA TODAY applauds Tenet for presenting the truth about how Bush lied us into the Iraq war, but ostracizes him for too little too late.

However, TODAY, which endorsed the Iraq war, has blood on their hands, too. They mislead their readers by publishing unsubstantiated reports on Hussein’s Iraq prior to the war.

Today, an advocate of “regime change,” wrote after Powell’s UN address, that his speech contained “new and forceful evidence” of Iraq’s weapons programs and terrorism links. Today vigorously approved the disarming of Iraq as “a critical component to the war on terror.” The paper gave its blessing to the war as “the best of the bad alternatives.”

Unlike reporters of the past, who patiently exhausted all avenues in researching a story, Today’s reporters fell flat on their faces after 9/11. Failing to question nearly all the false claims and propaganda spewed out by the Bush administration, reporters disseminated the misinformation of Bush’s administration word for word.

Today published unsubstantiated reports of Iraqi dissident stories, erroneous nuclear weapons facilities and uranium tubes, and imaginary al Qaeda training bases. Most of the stories could have be shown to be false by judicious researching.

Today, also, could have done America “a far greater service by challenging group-think and speaking truth to power.”

Today must understand that a democracy flourishes through differing views and opinions, not by preaching the President’s (Bush) line verbatim. Thoughtful criticisms and a vigilant press are necessary to keep the government honest.

Christian Gatsby

Over four years ago, Bush, ignoring facts and fabricating intelligence, thrust our country into a war so feebly designed it quickly turned into a catastrophe. Now, Bush, arrogant as ever, refuses to face reality that his war in Iraq is a no-win situation.

Car bombings are at an all time high. American causalities are climbing, while Iraqi casualties are skyrocketing. Iraqis are less inclined to walk their streets now then under Saddam Hussein, and Iraqis have less electricity (about 4 hours per day) now then before the invasion.

An overwhelming majority of Americans believe victory in Iraq is impossible, while half say the situation in Iraq has gotten worse since Bush’s troop surge. Nearly six in ten Americans side with the Democrats in Congress who want to set a deadline for troop withdrawal.

Bush, ignoring the will of the people in this great democracy, continues to send Americans to the killing sands of Iraq in an open-ended mission with no plan for victory.

The number of American troops killed in Iraq has surpassed the number of victims on 9/11. The cost of the war will soon exceed the ten year Vietnam War. Iraq is in disarray. It’s time we end Bush’s immoral war and begin to heal America’s wounds. It’s about time that someone, the Democrats, stood up to Bush and hold him accountable instead of just rubber stamping his policies.

CHRISTIAN GATSBY

McCain should have learned form his good friend Imus, whom he unconditionally supports, that speaking off the cuff will have severe repercussions.

McCain replied to a question concerning Iran by singing to the tune of the Beach Boys’ song “Barbara Ann” but altering the lyrics to “Bomb Iran.” McCain laughed and then sang: “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb ... anyway, ah ...” When asked if the joke was insensitive, McCain said: “Insensitive to what? The Iranians?”

McCain has made the ultimate mistake of grouping the Iranians and their government together, illustrating his limited understanding of foreign affairs. He does not differentiate between the two and supports the wholesale massacre of innocent civilians. McCain’s immature statement only plays into the hands of the Iranian government. Now, Iran can use his statement as justification for building atomic weapons to safeguard itself from American intervention.

America does not need a clown or an insensitive person as president. Over three-fourths of the world’s population has a negative view of the United States. Instead of healing America after the inept diplomacy and Iraq war by Bush, McCain will only fan the flames of negativity burning around the world, increase Iran’s desire to develop atomic bombs, and become a recruitment tool for terrorists.

Christian Gatsby

Black rights and feminist leaders were quick to judge and then condemn the three young, Duke scholar-athletes of rape before evidence was ever presented for their guilt. Whatever happened to “innocent until proven guilty?”

Will Jesse Jackson and/or Al Sharpton issue an apology to the Duke men for their negative comments? Will they offer apologies like they demanded of Don Imus for his inappropriate remarks? I doubt it. Individuals like Sharpton, Jackson, Ray Nagin (New Orleans-- a “chocolate city” and blaming “whites” for the destruction) and others develop strength by convincing blacks and the lower classes that their despair is the fault of the white man.

It’s true some of the lower classes have had it hard, but the blame can never solely be attributed to the white man.

Americans must learn to listen first, grasp the facts, then reach a judgment and not react first, ask questions later. Until we all work together, instead of advancing are own interests/agendas, and treat all equally regardless of social status or race, then and only then will America be truly a great, fair nation.

by Christian Gatsby

It’s time someone stood up to the bullying tactics of Bush and Cheney. Both continue to intimidate their detractors, use theatrics and name-calling, and play politics as Americans shed their blood in the killing sands of Iraq. Congressional Democrats must continue to pressure the arrogant Bush and not yield from their bill authorizing an American withdrawal next year, which by the way, 60 per cent of Americans favor.

This congress should demonstrate the same resolve as its predecessors shown during America’s last quagmire. In 1971 Congress passed a measure rescinding the Tonkin Gulf Resolution--Vietnam War. President Nixon at the time, even though he did not veto it, refused to respect the measure and continued to conduct the war, citing presidential power to do so as commander in chief of the military. Congress then decided to end the Vietnam War by closing the federal purse strings, putting an end to Nixon’s expanded war.

Bush, like Johnson and Nixon, has dragged America into another quagmire. This time in Iraq. With no end in sight, over 3200 American killed, 25000 Americans wounded, over 100,000 innocent Iraqis slaughtered, over $400 billion spent, Bush wants to keep sending troops and spending billions of dollars, even though he has no exit strategy.

Congressional democrats, once again, must honor the desire of most Americans, and stop Bush/Cheney’s fabricated, senseless war and end the bloodshed.

Christian Gatsby

When will Bush and his fellow republicans stop denying the truth about Iraq?

Sen. John McCain condemned news out of Iraq that he said centered incorrectly on violence, stating from his surprise visit to Iraq, that Americans were not receiving a "full picture" of progress in the security crackdown in Baghdad. Mccain added that it is safe to stroll the streets in Baghdad, for he has done it. However, McCain failed to mention that he was wearing a flak jacket and did not walk alone but was escorted by over 50 fully armed soldiers.

And contrary to Bush and McCain, the violence has not declined. Here’s the grim facts on the first full month, March, of Bush and the Republicans’ security crackdown: 81 American soldiers died as compared to 83 in January and 80 in February; 1,872 Iraqi civilian deaths for the month contrasted to1,604 civilian deaths in January and 1,552 in February. The average Iraqi has less power and water after the Bush’s invasion then before. The average Iraqi only has 4 hours of electricity per day.

Iraqis continue living under a climate of fear and death. Most Iraqis would not agree with Bush and McCain’s positive comments. Iraqis are frightened to go out and about, fearful of being killed.

Bush, Cheney, McCain, and the Republicans need to stop spinning details on the Iraq war and spend more time in fulfilling the desire of most Americans in our democracy who want an end to the quagmire in Iraq.

Christian Gatsby