You're currently reading an archived version of Jim Hightower's work.
The latest (and greatest?) observations from Jim Hightower are only now available at our Substack website. Join us there!
Excellent news, Americans! At last, BushCheneyRummy & Company have decided that they can no longer “stay the course” in Iraq.
No, wait… I got that wrong. They have decided that they can no longer say “stay the course.” Apparently, Karl Rove has looked at some polls, consulted a fortune teller, and read some chicken entrails – all of which revealed to him that “stay the course” is not working as a political catch phrase. Thus, the bon mot that George W has been hurling at us for months to explain his Iraq “strategy” is dead. “He’s no longer using it,” said Bush’s chief PR flack, Tony Snow.
Enjoying Hightower's work? Join us over at our new home on Substack:
Instead, the new buzz word is “benchmarks.” Bush – previously portrayed as an unretreating, stone-solid war leader – suddenly is being presented as having more moves and flexibility than a ballet dancer – a veritable Balanchine of modern, adaptable war strategy. Now the Bushites say that they are boldly setting benchmarks of progress that the Iraqi government must achieve to continue earning the “patience” of George himself.
Yet, the Bush language-twisters were quick to explain that these benchmarks are in no way meant to be perceived as ultimatums to the hapless Iraqi leaders. So, in other words, “benchmark” is just another way to say, “stay the course.” At least until the congressional elections are over.
Bush, Cheney, and Rummy are playing their same old cynical game, using rhetorical bluster and B.S. as political cover for their failed and disastrous Iraq policy. If the Bushites feel the need for a benchmark about progress in Iraq, they should look at the fact that we’ll soon pass 2,800 Americans killed there by their incompetence and arrogance.
This is Jim Hightower saying… These craven chickenhawks are continuing to play politics with people’s lives, and they won’t change. We the People have to stop their stupidity by throwing the bums out and bringing our troops home.
Sources:
“Staying the course, even if it leads us to failure,” Austin American-Statesman, October 24, 2006.
“No ‘staying course’ for Bush,” Austin American-Statesman, October 24, 2006.