Posted by Damozel | Two reports from the Department of the Bleeding Obvious:
CNN (via Memeorandum) announces:
More than 7 out of 10 Americans think government spending on the war in Iraq is partly responsible for the economic troubles in the United States, according to results of a recent poll.
In the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted last weekend, 71 percent said they think U.S. spending in Iraq is a reason for the nation's poor economy. Twenty-eight percent said they didn't think so.
The weekend poll, timed to coincide with the Iraq war's fifth anniversary, also showed little U.S. support for the conflict. Fewer than one in three respondents — 32 percent — said they support the war, while 66 percent said they oppose it. (CNN)
Really? 29% of Americans think it doesn't hurt the economy? Were 1/3 of my compatriots dropped on their heads during a crucial developmental stage, or what?
In other news, Ed Henry reports that the costs of the war are "weighing on" Bush's legacy. Will this surprise you? Not if you weren't dropped on your head during a crucial developmental phase.
One of many factors in the economy's slide has been the war in Iraq, with the president himself noting Wednesday it has been "longer and more costly than anticipated."
The biggest cost, of course, has been the loss of life for nearly 4,000 Americans. But there has also been a major economic impact. The conflict has cost American taxpayers about $608 billion, according to the House Budget Committee, and counting.
A shocking number when you consider that Bush's own economic adviser, Larry Lindsey, was pushed out of the White House in 2002 for suggesting the war might cost between $100 billion and $200 billion -- less than a third of the current tab.
But with the president reiterating again Wednesday that he is determined to keep U.S. troops in Iraq until there is victory, it's likely there will be some level of American presence in Baghdad for many years to come, regardless of who wins the White House....
The presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, has said he would keep at least some U.S. troops in Iraq for 100 years if necessary.
And even though Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have endorsed large-scale pullouts of Iraq, such a drawdown will take time.
As a result, economists Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes have estimated the long-term tab on the Iraq war to be in the neighborhood of a whopping $3 trillion. (CNN)
I don't agree that any of this is "weighing on" Bush's legacy. He's been the best president in recent memory---who knows, maybe in all time--- at pissing away to serve his grandiose notions of his own destiny: taxpayer dollars, public trust, good will, faith in the office of the presidency, the stability of the dollar, American credibility abroad, American international standing. Surely being best at being the worst is a kind of a legacy. And I mean this in the kindest way.
RELATED POSTINGS
It's Not a Recession Till they Announce It
CEOs Laugh All the Way to Bank Despite Subprime Crisis
Hello Dear and Respected,
I hope you are fine and carrying on the great work you have been doing for the Internet surfers. I am Ghazala Khan from The Pakistani Spectator (TPS), We at TPS throw a candid look on everything happening in and for Pakistan in the world. We are trying to contribute our humble share in the webosphere. Our aim is to foster peace, progress and harmony with passion.
We at TPS are carrying out a new series of interviews with the notable passionate bloggers, writers, and webmasters. In that regard, we would like to interview you, if you don't mind. Please send us your approval for your interview at my email address "ghazala.khi at gmail.com", so that I could send you the Interview questions. We would be extremely grateful.
regards.
Ghazala Khan
The Pakistani Spectator
http://www.pakspectator.com
Posted by: Ghazala Khan | March 20, 2008 at 02:20 PM