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Politics : Impeach George W. Bush -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mephisto who wrote (23363)	10/19/2003 3:35:32 PM
From: Mephisto	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 93284

Stressing U.S. Right to Attack Foes, Bush Leaves for Asia October 17, 2003 By DAVID E. SANGER SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Oct. 16 - President Bush embarked on his longest trip to Asia on Thursday by reasserting America's right to take pre-emptive action against its enemies, and with a warning that the world cannot allow Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, to be "defined" by Islamic extremists. Mr. Bush's comments, in a speech here just a few hours before he departed for Japan and in comments to Asian and Australian reporters that were released by the White House, marked an assertive declaration of what he called "a new American strategy" as he headed to several countries where anti-American sentiment runs high. He told the reporters that part of his aim during the trip would be "to make sure that the people who are suspicious of our country understand our motives are pure." Mr. Bush rarely talks so directly about his pre-emption strategy, unveiled 13 months ago in a national security strategy that has come to define a major turn in America's approach to the world. His comments here were notable both for their timing, as he urged Asian nations to enter a new phase of a campaign against terrorism, and for the setting - he delivered them on a stage alongside Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose "Terminator" movies came to define an image of America around the world that is more vivid than most White House policy papers. "America is following a new strategy," he said. "We are not waiting for further attacks. We are striking our enemies before they can strike us again." Among those enemies, he made clear in the interview, are the militant Islamic groups in Indonesia and the Philippines that have been closely linked to Al Qaeda. He said he would use his three-hour visit next week to Indonesia, where he is to land on Bali, the country's primarily Hindu tourist resort, "to make it clear to the world that, by far, the vast majority of Muslims in that country value democracy and want to have a peaceful life." "At the same time, it's very important not to allow a few killers to define Indonesia," he said, adding that he would tell President Megawati Sukarnoputri that "there needs to be a focused, concerted effort to bring people to justice." That could be a particularly difficult message for Ms. Megawati, who is constantly balancing her commitment to fight terrorism with pressure from a significant minority in the country that wants to see it transformed into an Islamic state. Some Asian diplomats have expressed concern in recent days that Mr. Bush's affinity for direct language and his determination to turn an economic policy meeting in Thailand into a forum on security issues could backfire, highlighting the president's public image in the region as a leader who is intent on expanding American influence, by military means if necessary. "The way he chooses his words about North Korea, about Indonesia, will be very important because it will be amplified this week," said one senior Southeast Asian diplomat involved in helping plan the trip, which includes a speech on Saturday to the Philippine Congress. "We've been trying to make that clear to the White House." In California, though, Mr. Bush gave no indication of moderating his tone, declaring that America was still at war, and "wars are won on the offensive." Mr. Bush's speech on Thursday was described by the White House as a policy address, but much of it was identical to recent speeches he has given at Republican fund-raising events, including two here on Wednesday that raised $1.8 million for his campaign. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company nytimes.com

To: Mephisto who wrote (23363)	10/20/2003 10:07:32 AM
From: Skywatcher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 93284

Time for some BOINKIN of BOYKIN CC

To: Mephisto who wrote (23363)	10/21/2003 9:51:40 AM
From: DeplorableIrredeemableRedneck	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 93284

TWO THUMBS UP!

To: Mephisto who wrote (23363)	10/21/2003 11:34:42 AM
From: Skywatcher	Respond to of 93284

and the US shooting of innocents continues day after day...just like Israel....only more like Vietnam....take your pick...they both suck Iraqi Civilians Fall Victim to Hair Triggers 'Regrettable' incidents claim bystanders, police officers, even children. By Fred Abrahams, Fred Abrahams is a consultant for Human Rights Watch. Adil abd al Karim al Kawwaz was driving home from his in-laws' house in Baghdad one night in August with his wife and four kids. It was dark, and he couldn't see the American soldiers from the 1st Armored Division operating a checkpoint with armored vehicles and heavy-caliber guns. No signs or lights were visible, and he did not understand that he was supposed to stop. So he drove a bit too close and the soldiers opened fire, killing him along with three of his children, the youngest of whom was 8 years old. Such accidents are no longer rare in Iraq. They occur at checkpoints, during raids or after roadside attacks as edgy U.S. soldiers resort with distressing speed to lethal force. Even when they have good reason to shoot, soldiers sometimes respond in an excessive and indiscriminate way that puts civilians unnecessarily at risk. The U.S. military does not keep statistics on the civilian deaths it has caused, saying it is "impossible for us to maintain an accurate account." But in two weeks of research last month, Human Rights Watch confirmed the deaths of 20 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad at the hands of American troops since the end of major combat operations in May. In total, we collected reports of 94 civilian deaths in Baghdad involving questionable legal circumstances that warrant investigation. U.S. soldiers are hot, tired and homesick. They face attacks every day from an increasingly organized resistance that melds into the local population and does not care about civilians. But that doesn't mean that coalition forces should be allowed to operate with near total impunity, as they currently are. They are exempt from Iraqi law, and the military is not adequately investigating allegations of abuse. Thus far, the military has publicly announced only five completed investigations into civilian deaths in Iraq. In each case, the soldiers who fired were found to have operated within the rules of engagement. I re-investigated two of the five incidents and found evidence to suggest the contrary — that, in fact, excessive force had been used. In one, which occurred Aug. 9, soldiers from the 1st Armored Division mistakenly shot at an unmarked Iraqi police car as it chased criminals in a van. The Americans killed two Iraqi police officers. A witness said one of the officers was killed after he had stepped out of his car with his hands raised, shouting "No — police!" A third police officer in the car was beaten by the Americans. The second case was the shooting of the Kawwaz family on Aug. 7, which the military called "a regrettable incident" but ultimately determined had been within the rules of engagement. Our research, however, revealed that the troops used overwhelming firepower on a family without first firing warning shots. The U.S. military gave the Kawwaz family $11,000 "as an expression of sympathy." There are numerous other complaints against U.S. troops these days, including many that do not involve civilian deaths. When I waited in Baghdad three weeks ago to see a legal officer from the 82nd Airborne Division at his base, two Iraqi lawyers were with me at the gate, both with armloads of complaints against U.S. soldiers. The legal officer told me that his brigade alone had received more than 700 complaints against U.S. troops, ranging from property damage to car accidents to beatings to killings. The military's public affairs office later told me it had paid out $901,545 in compensation for a variety of offenses committed by American troops. But this is not about money. The excessive behavior of American soldiers is creating animosity at least, and possibly even new recruits for the resistance. Not only individuals but whole tribes are swearing revenge, according to the interviews we conducted. Part of the problem is the reliance on combat troops to perform post-conflict policing tasks for which they are not prepared. Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne or the 1st Armored Division are trained to fight wars — not to control crowds, pursue thieves or root out insurgents. Some military officials recognize the problem and have ordered extra training for combat troops. But as of now, the danger still exists. I met many Iraqis during my visit who were hopeful the U.S. would help build a democratic Iraq. But many were dismayed by the cultural insensitivity and aggression of some U.S. troops that were alienating Iraqis day by day. "I wish Saddam would return and kill all Americans," Adil abd al Karim al Kawwaz's distraught wife, Anwar, told a journalist a few days after the U.S. soldiers had killed her husband and three of their children. Her view is not shared by many, but the number is growing with each civilian killed. CC

To: Mephisto who wrote (23363)	10/21/2003 11:36:33 AM
From: Skywatcher	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 93284

A Controversial Christian Soldier Re "General Casts War in Religious Terms," Oct. 16: A warrior religious fanatic assigned to hunt down a warrior religious fanatic? Have we all forgotten world history, especially the infamous Crusades? Army Lt. Gen. William G. "Jerry" Boykin seems to perceive himself as a soldier of a "bigger God." Super. So does Osama bin Laden. CC