My responses

To Bush's requests (in general): a big "FUCK you", and a little "Hell no".

And now, Trina picks apart that ridiculous speech...

"America has an ally of growing strength in the fight against terror" - Um... last *I* checked, their growing strength was in the fight to get US the hell out of THEIR country.

"... yet it was right to remove Saddam Hussein from power. He was given an ultimatum, and he made his choice for war" - Yes, we went around the UN and gave him an ultimatum, he refused, so we invaded him. HE was clearly the war-monger here...

"The mission of American troops in urban raids and desert patrols, fighting Saddam loyalists and foreign terrorists, has brought danger and suffering and loss. This loss has caused sorrow for our whole nation; and it has led some to ask if we are creating more problems than we are solving. That is an important question. And the answer depends on your view of the war on terror. If you think that terrorists would become peaceful if only America would stop provoking them, then it might make sense to leave them alone. This is not the threat I see." - Yes, W, if one is so stupid and blind as to equate the war in Iraq with the War on Terror, and/or think that we (the public) are naive enough to think that withdrawing from Iraq would halt terrorist attacks, then by all means we MUST keep the troops there! And if you think we're so stupid that we won't notice that your lumping together of the insurgents with "foreign terrorists" was your transition to suddenly making the whole war about terrorists, well I guess your handlers give us too little credit AND have never fucking heard of tivo.

"I see a global terrorist movement that exploits Islam in the service of radical political aims. A vision in which books are burned, and women are oppressed, and all dissent is crushed." - 1)Tell me again what this has to do with the war in Iraq? and 2) HOW does this differ from the goals of YOUR administration?

"Terrorist operatives conduct their campaign of murder with a set of declared and specific goals. To demoralize free nations. To drive us out of the Middle East. To spread an empire of fear across that region. And to wage a perpetual war against America and our friends." - Really? Suddenly the terrorists are Sith lords? Seems to me they want us out, and want to conduct things their own way. Sure, that way is fucked up, but we (America) don't interfere with every fucked up thing that goes on in the world. I'd be pretty pissed at being interfered with too, if I were them. As for the perpetual war thing, I have a feeling that if we cleared the hell out of there and left them to their own devices, they'd lose interest in messing with us. Having too much fun oppressing their own people and all that. You know - like in Africa. We haven't had any African terrorist acts here lately, now have we?

"These terrorists view the world as a giant battlefield, and they seek to attack us wherever they can. This has attracted Al Qaida to Iraq, where they are attempting to frighten and intimidate America into a policy of retreat." - Wouldn't this statement suggest that if we get the fuck out, there will be no reason for Al Qaida to be in Iraq? So wouldn't troop withdrawal be the BEST way for us to drive the terrorists out? Or is it that you're saying as long as we have troops there, they won't attack us here? Sounds like you're admitting to using our boys as decoys, sir.

"The terrorists do not merely object to American actions in Iraq and elsewhere; they object to our deepest values and our way of life. And if we were not fighting them in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Southeast Asia, and in other places, the terrorists would not be peaceful citizens. They would be on the offense and headed our way." - AHA! I was right! So why do I taste ashes... ?

"September the 11th 2001 required us to take every emerging threat to our country seriously. And it shattered the illusion that terrorists attack us only after we provoke them. On that day, we were not in Iraq; we were not in Afghanistan; but the terrorists attacked us anyway." - Maybe because the terrorists were from Saudi Arabia, you fucking moron? Could that be what you're forgetting here?

"We do not create terrorism by fighting the terrorists. We invite terrorism by ignoring them." - And we know this because... we're STILL ignoring them, and fighting in Iraq rather than fighting them, and they continue to be a threat. Gee, go figure!

"And we will defeat the terrorists by capturing and killing them abroad, removing their safe havens, and strengthening new allies like Iraq and Afghanistan in the fight we share." - Yeah, we're doing SUCH a good job of that! Tell me again - where exactly is Osama?

"The work in Iraq has been especially difficult. More difficult than we expected. Reconstruction efforts, and the training of Iraqi security forces started more slowly than we hoped. We continue to see violence and suffering, caused by an enemy that is determined and brutal. Unconstrained by conscience, or the rules of war." - Like that silly, outdated Geneva Convention thingy?

"Some look at the challenges in Iraq and conclude that the war is lost. And not worth another dime or another day. I don't believe that." - Mostly because it's not YOUR dime or day, you asshat.

"Our military commanders do not believe that. Our troops in the field who bear the burden and make the sacrifice do not believe that America has lost." - Maybe true, but they also don't quite have the access to information that you do, or I do. Being in the field, I mean. They DO believe that it sure would be nice for Santa to bring them some freaking armor for Christmas though!

"And not even the terrorists believe it." - Well, according to YOU, their beliefs are wrong anyway, right?

"America, our coalition, and Iraqi leaders are working toward the same goal. A democratic Iraq that can defend itself..." - Seems to me they're already doing an ok job of that!

"... that will never again be a safe haven for terrorists..." - Unlike America, where there are NO terrorists, eh?

"Today in Iraq, 7 in 10 Iraqis say their lives are going well. And nearly 2/3 expect things to improve even more in the year ahead." - And these statistics were obtained... how?

"Defeatism may have its partisan uses, but it is not justified the facts." - which this administration is SO good at gathering... oh, wait. Never mind.

"We would abandon our Iraqi friends, and signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word." - We wouldn't want that to happen! They have SO much faith in us right now!

"We would undermine the morale of our troops, by betraying the cause for which they have sacrificed." - Yeah, letting them come home to their families would be a HUGE downer for them.

"We would cause the tyrants in the Middle East to laugh at our failed resolve..." - And them laughing at us would be SO awful! - "and tighten their oppressive grip." - which now is so loose, it puts the Patriot Act to shame!

"We would hand Iraq over to enemies who have pledged to attack us, and the global terrorist movement would be emboldened and more dangerous than ever before." - So much for all those battalions of trained Iraqis you were praising moments ago!

"We will see a concerted effort to improve Iraqi police forces, and fight corruption. We will see the Iraqi military gaining strength and confidence, and the democratic process moving forward. As these achievements come, it should require fewer American troops to accomplish our mission. I will make decisions on troop levels based on the progress we see on the ground..." - You hear that, boys? You have to earn your way home! Stop screwing around and get busy fixing Iraq! The sooner it's done, the sooner you can come back. No free rides here!

"Not based on artificial timetables set by politicians in Washington" - *psst!* W, they're only artificial if you DON'T stick to them! Just thought I'd let you know...

"Tonight, I ask all of you listening to carefully consider the stakes of this war... and to have patience in this difficult, noble, and necessary cause." - MY answer? I have considered them, and I find your logic and goals wanting. So a big HELL NO on your request for patience, asshole.

"I also want to speak to those of you who did not support my decision to send troops to Iraq." - OK, I'm listening...

"I've heard your disagreement, and I know how deeply it is felt. Yet now, there are only two options before our country: victory or defeat." - Seriously, are you that fucking stupid? No, don't answer that. More importantly, do you and your "people" think that WE are that fucking stupid? Sadly I can see why you might (you DID get reelected after all), but it's not the case. And anything you may say to follow up such an absurd assertion doesn't deserve a response, but I'm sure I'll have something to say anyway.

"And the need for victory is larger than any president or political party..." - And of course, we are all TOTALLY incapable of thinking in any other way. None of us think outside party lines, ever. That you even suggest it is mind-boggling, sir! The notion!

"I don't expect you to support everything I do, but tonight I have a request. Do not give into despair, and do not give up on this fight for freedom." - In terms of the war in Iraq: Request DENIED.