Helen Thomas: Bush Win Would Mean Dark Times

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by Helen Thomas

There are many reasons -- in foreign policy and on the domestic front -- why President George W. Bush should not be reelected.

Among them is the dominance of the radical right in his advisory councils, who are taking the United States down the wrong road at the start of the 21st century.

The road could lead to more mindless wars abroad and a widening gap between the rich and the poor in this country.

There will be only one way to read the election results if Bush wins: The world will see his victory as an affirmation by the American people of his disastrous preemptive war policy, which led the United States to invade Iraq without provocation.

The U.S. attack on Iraq is a clear violation of international law and has made us helpless to condemn others for similar acts.

If he wins reelection, Bush may see his victory as a signal to follow the neo-conservative dream of a political transformation of the Middle East through military force.

The president also would likely continue his new-style isolationism by giving short shrift to post-World War II treaties, such as those banning biological and chemical weapons. There is nothing to indicate Bush is willing to stop the gross violations of the Geneva Conventions on the humane treatment of prisoners of war.
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If reelected, Bush -- who has injected religion into public affairs more than any president has in modern times -- is expected to continue his messianic mission in the White House. He will blur even more the separation of church and state.

For women and minorities who support abortion rights and affirmative action, there is the scary prospect that the candidate who wins Tuesday may be able to appoint three, perhaps even four Supreme Court justices.

Bush undoubtedly will see his reelection as a mandate to push the country further to the right. And if he elected, he will be answerable to no one.

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1030-24.htm

[Randi_Listener]

1. Ditto, Helen.

She's been in the game for a long time and knows a fucking scumbag when she sees one.

[Placebo]

3. She sure does!

[Bleacher Creature]

2. If the rest of the media had 1/10th the integrity of HT

Kerry would be up by 15 points at a minimum.

[NewJeffCT]

8. no - I don't think it would be that

If the media had 1/10 the integrity of Helen Thomas, Bush would have been challenged from within his own party & soundly defeated... or else, he & Cheney would have been forced to resign in embarrassment with Hastert running as President.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Hats off to Helen!

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. Helen, I LOVE you!

She's so right. She has this administration pegged! No wonder she was relegated to the back row at the WH press briefings.

Go Helen!

[Stuckinthebush]

6. I can't wait for President Kerry

to make sure that Helen gets her front row seat in the press conferences again.

[wishlist]

7. It indeed will be tragic for our country and the world if Bush wins

She is right that nothing will stop Bush from pursuing the most radical RW agenda if he wins. We already saw how he immediately pushed forward with the RW agenda without a mandate 4 years ago, despite promising to be a moderate compassionate uniter. It is frightening to think what he would be emboldened to do if he wins.