Nomenclature matters: It's "Bush's War"

[TygrBright]

I'd like to try a wee experiment in meme-origination. From now on, rather than referring to That Mess Over There as "Iraq War" or "the War in Iraq," etc., I'm going to place the responsibility squarely where it belongs. It's "Bush's War." When I discuss Bush's War I'm going to use the term frequently, and refer to Bush's War verbally as well as in writing. I don't want America or the world to EVER forget who is responsible for this mess.

And I'd really like to see others discussing the media coverage of Bush's War, what's going on with Bush's War veterans, how the military is handling recruitment and retention for Bush's War, how our other elected leaders are supporting or opposing various moves in Bush's War, etc.

What say you, DUers? Is this a meme that will take on life and fly around the 'Net?

speculatively,
Bright

[hobbit709]

1. I usually refer to it as

bush's stupid little war.

[BonnieJW]

2. Actually

the most accurate term would be Bush's Occupation

[kentuck]

3. TygrBright...

Longtime...no see. Good idea. Welcome back.

[TygrBright]

4. Well, thanks, Kentuck...

I've mostly been lurking in the Groups, lately, but I have stuck my oar in now and then. But wow, knowing someone notices it's ME makes me feel special de tout! Thanks for the day brightener!

appreciatively,
Bright

[TygrBright]

5. See, here's the deal:

It's becoming abundantly clear that blivet & co have NO intention of cleaning up the mess they are so gleefully perpetrating before they leave office, which will mean that blivet's Democratic successor will be stuck with this nasty mess.

When that happens, I want no one to forget where the mess came from. If the "Bush's War" title is firmly established by then, it will help considerably, I should think.

strategerically,
Bright

[mcscajun]

8. Nailed it, you did.

"Bush's War" should be used in all places and all cases from now on. Because we all know that some Democrat will be stuck with the 'blame' for this down the line when Bush is finally gone.

Thanks for the new meme.

Kicked and Recommended. This needs Visibility.

on edit: I'm going to work it into my sig line, too. :)

[Harry Monroe]

6. It is "Bush's War"...

...but don't forget who rolled over, played dead and gave him the go ahead to launch "his" war. Congress is equally to blame, Republican AND Democrat. This is the "government's war". It was also aided and abetted by the spineless media, who failed in their duty to speak out, investigate and ask intelligent questions as to WHY in the run up to war and it is the "people's" war, insomuch as those who supported this war and also failed to hold their elected representatives accountable. The responsibility for this war is indeed ultimately Bush's, but all above also bear responsibility.

Former Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson (1892-1954) once said: "It is not the function of the government to keep the people from falling into error, but rather it is the function of the people to keep the government from falling into error."

If we fail in this duty, we have failed our democracy and jepordized our rights,and then we deserve what we get for failing to keep watch over our government, no matter what party is in office. In the most basic sense, the government and this Administration are our employees and they all work for us, not the other way around. Often this if forgotten.

[annabanana]

9. yes, yes.. but we're discussing

sound bites here....

[Harry Monroe]

13. Is that supposed to be sarcasm??

It's not about soundbites, it's about getting people to actually do some critical thinking; without this we easily let politicians and the media do it for us. Soundbites are part of the problem. The dumbed down populace of this once great nation can't hold a rational thought for longer than 30 seconds with all the fragmented crap and static out there; soundbites are the "Cliff Notes" of the political landscape and don't get people to think but to react to a quick, pointed, distilled and "spinned" message which may be true or false; one didn't have time to think about the message and the person couldn't hold the thought any longer than that anyway!!!

[bvar22]

33. Many Democrats voted NO on the IWR!!!!!

The Democratic Party Honor Roll
These Democrats should be remembered for their principled stand against the WAR Machine.

IWR

United States Senate

In the Senate, the 21 Democrats, one Republican and one Independent who courageously voted their consciences in 2002 against the War in Iraq were:

Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii)
Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico)
Barbara Boxer (D-California)
Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia)
Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota)
Jon Corzine (D-New Jersey)
Mark Dayton (D-Minnesota)
Dick Durbin (D-Illinois)
Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin)
Bob Graham (D-Florida)
Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)
Jim Jeffords (I-Vermont)
Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts)
Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont)
Carl Levin (D-Michigan)
Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland)
Patty Murray (D-Washington)
Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island)
Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland)
Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan)
The late Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota)
Ron Wyden (D-Oregon)

Lincoln Chaffee (R-Rhode Island)


United States House of Representatives

Six House Republicans and one independent joined 126 Democratic members of the House of Represenatives:

Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)
Tom Allen (D-Maine)
Joe Baca (D-California)
Brian Baird (D-Washington DC)
John Baldacci (D-Maine, now governor of Maine)
Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin)
Xavier Becerra (D-California)
Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon)
David Bonior (D-Michigan, retired from office)
Robert Brady (D-Pennsylvania)
Corinne Brown (D-Florida)
Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)
Lois Capps (D-California)
Michael Capuano (D-Massachusetts)
Benjamin Cardin (D-Maryland)
Julia Carson (D-Indiana)
William Clay, Jr. (D-Missouri)
Eva Clayton (D-North Carolina, retired from office)
James Clyburn (D-South Carolina)
Gary Condit (D-California, retired from office)
John Conyers, Jr. (D-Michigan)
Jerry Costello (D-Illinois)
William Coyne (D-Pennsylvania, retired from office)
Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland)
Susan Davis (D-California)
Danny Davis (D-Illinois)
Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon)
Diana DeGette (D-Colorado)
Bill Delahunt (D-Massachusetts)
Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut)
John Dingell (D-Michigan)
Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)
Mike Doyle (D-Pennsylvania)
Anna Eshoo (D-California)
Lane Evans (D-Illinois)
Sam Farr (D-California)
Chaka Fattah (D-Pennsylvania)
Bob Filner (D-California)
Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts)
Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas)
Luis Gutierrez (D-Illinois)
Alice Hastings (D-Florida)
Earl Hilliard (D-Alabama, retired from office)
Maurice Hinchey (D-New York)
Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas)
Rush Holt (D-New Jersey)
Mike Honda (D-California)
Darlene Hooley (D-Oregon)

Too bad only the Democratic Warmongers were allowed on the Talking Head Shows.

[annabanana]

7. I like it. Short, VERY easy to remember, easy to say..

It does no good to pick at it and complicate it. YES it is an occupation.. but the word "war" is already out there..

We want to make sure everyone remembers that it was a war of choice.... It was not done to protect America, and it doesn't deserve one single American life.

(Yes, yes... Iraqi lives either, but remember who we're talking to)

[ElboRuum]

10. I don't like it.

A really good meme makes it stand out as a negative even among its proponents. By calling it Bush's War, you basically vindicate it in the minds of people who think that Bush is just a swell guy. It lacks a certain punch, too.

A good meme cuts to the heart of what it describes, and does so derisively, preferably with cutting humor, so what is it that the Iraq War really is?

Is it a war for control of energy resources?
Is it a war for the start of an imperial hegemony in the region?
Is it a war for its own sake?

Well, what IS it?

Find that, stick skewers in it from multiple angles, and you'll have your meme.

[annabanana]

11. The numbers make it good.... People HATE this war...

Public suppport for Bush's War is way way low, and to pin it securely to his miserable ass is only fitting.

of course we could call it
Bush's Big Blunder, if that's what you mean.

[ElboRuum]

37. Kinda... yeah... you're going the right way...

Like I said to the other respondent, using 'war' in the meme is probably a bad idea, simply because its just the sort of thing that Bush's proponents, what few are left, are likely to embrace. However, calling it Bush's Big Blunder might not be specific enough. We could effectively tag that meme to his entire Presidency.

[Harry Monroe]

41. Maybe we shouldn't mince words...

...call it Bush's colossal fuck up, or something like that. Oh wait that could also be tagged to his Presidency!!

I'm sure others could come up with better monikers to hang on this travesty; I'll try to think of others, but I need that 2nd cup of coffee this morning. Let's hear from others!!

[mcscajun]

12. I don't agree. Nobody ever tagged a President's name to a war

EXCEPT in derision or opposition.

No Contemporary, anyway. History is a different matter.

[ElboRuum]

36. True...

But most neocons don't have what we'd call a realisting view of the present or a reasoned historical point-of-view. Neocons and their followers are pro-war. They'd be pleased to embrace such a meme. In fact, using the word 'war' in the meme is probably a bad idea for this very reason.

[Exultant Democracy]

26. I saw someone mention the PNAC down-thread, would the PNAC war

suit your need? Probably, but I also think it would have a harder time catching on.

[ElboRuum]

35. PNAC...

Too... obscure. If you can believe that. I have a feeling that if you used this acronym around some of our less polically aware members of society, they'd be like... "PNAC? Whazzat?" Have you ever heard this referred to in the mainstream media? I know I missed it if it were mentioned.

No. Most people in this country still believe that everyone has the same agenda, so the entire concept of a PNAC would probably be viewed as conspiratorial tin-foil-hat shit. Something you definitely don't want in a meme.

[BR_Parkway]

14. Actually, it's the Republicans war - don't forget that they lockstep voted

for it and deserve their share of the infamy.

[Radical Activist]

15. But so did too many Democrats.

Another example of how playing it safe hurts in the long run.

[BR_Parkway]

20. No arguement there - but pointing it out right now doesn't help us regain

Congress. Once we have it back and can actually start reforming - then we can pressure Dems to remember that they represent us - not the corporate masters they've been following. Hopefully Holy Joe goes down in such flames as to put the fear in the rest of them that We the People are pissed, and we won't hesitate to put a quick stop to their 'entitlement incumbency' attitude. You do the job, or we fire you and find a replacement. Rinse and Repeat. Eventually they'll get the message.

[Harry Monroe]

16. The Democrats in Congress..

..that "rolled over and played dead" instead of showing backbone and political courage also are complicit in this dark shameful chapter of our history. Although we may wish to, we also should never forget that they failed us when we needed them most; we needed proper representation in Congress on this issue and they utterly failed. Asking questions now and standing up to this fiasco is admirable, but they still shoulder much of the blame for this and we should hold them accountable for their actions as well.

[bvar22]

34. Agree.

Bush* is already TOAST!
The Republirats are already scurrying away from him. Don't let them blame Bush* for the WAR.
This is the Republican's War.

The Democratic Party Honor Roll
These Democrats should be remembered for their principled stand against the WAR Machine.

IWR

United States Senate

In the Senate, the 21 Democrats, one Republican and one Independent who courageously voted their consciences in 2002 against the War in Iraq were:

Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii)
Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico)
Barbara Boxer (D-California)
Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia)
Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota)
Jon Corzine (D-New Jersey)
Mark Dayton (D-Minnesota)
Dick Durbin (D-Illinois)
Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin)
Bob Graham (D-Florida)
Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)
Jim Jeffords (I-Vermont)
Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts)
Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont)
Carl Levin (D-Michigan)
Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland)
Patty Murray (D-Washington)
Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island)
Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland)
Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan)
The late Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota)
Ron Wyden (D-Oregon)

Lincoln Chaffee (R-Rhode Island)


United States House of Representatives

Six House Republicans and one independent joined 126 Democratic members of the House of Represenatives:

Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)
Tom Allen (D-Maine)
Joe Baca (D-California)
Brian Baird (D-Washington DC)
John Baldacci (D-Maine, now governor of Maine)
Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin)
Xavier Becerra (D-California)
Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon)
David Bonior (D-Michigan, retired from office)
Robert Brady (D-Pennsylvania)
Corinne Brown (D-Florida)
Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)
Lois Capps (D-California)
Michael Capuano (D-Massachusetts)
Benjamin Cardin (D-Maryland)
Julia Carson (D-Indiana)
William Clay, Jr. (D-Missouri)
Eva Clayton (D-North Carolina, retired from office)
James Clyburn (D-South Carolina)
Gary Condit (D-California, retired from office)
John Conyers, Jr. (D-Michigan)
Jerry Costello (D-Illinois)
William Coyne (D-Pennsylvania, retired from office)
Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland)
Susan Davis (D-California)
Danny Davis (D-Illinois)
Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon)
Diana DeGette (D-Colorado)
Bill Delahunt (D-Massachusetts)
Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut)
John Dingell (D-Michigan)
Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)
Mike Doyle (D-Pennsylvania)
Anna Eshoo (D-California)
Lane Evans (D-Illinois)
Sam Farr (D-California)
Chaka Fattah (D-Pennsylvania)
Bob Filner (D-California)
Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts)
Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas)
Luis Gutierrez (D-Illinois)
Alice Hastings (D-Florida)
Earl Hilliard (D-Alabama, retired from office)
Maurice Hinchey (D-New York)
Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas)
Rush Holt (D-New Jersey)
Mike Honda (D-California)
Darlene Hooley (D-Oregon)

[4bucksagallon]

17. PNAC comes to mind. Who bought into that one?

Wolfowitz, Perl, Cheney, Rumsfeld etc. and to a lesser extent Fox News etc. Bush is not smart enough to have anything tagged with his name, even a war. Neocons bought it hook line and sinker. Next up, my bet, Iran......... if they are not stopped. Don't tell me they think we are too overextended militarily to go it alone. They're crazy and I would not put it past them. Hopefully, reinstatement of a draft is coming and that is the only thing, I think, that will stop them.

[opihimoimoi]

18. Bush Blunders: Katrina and Iraq, Not listening to 9/11 warnings,

dissing the Hart/Rudman Commission, and one too many Photo Ops.

[TygrBright]

19. A little kick to keep this one going...

...and I'm gonna KEEP kickin' it for a whole day, dammit.

We have to pin this one to blivet so securely that no amount of Rovian spin can unpin it. Yes, PNAC provided the ideological justification, yes the GOPpies cheered it on, yes, the pink tutu Dems rolled over for it, yadda yadda yadda, but it's

BUSH'S WAR

...forever and ever, in my book.

vindictively,
Bright

[TygrBright]

21. How many Americans killed in Bush's War to date?

Anyone have the figure offhand?

(Thassa KICK, for them as don't recognize 'em when they see 'em.)

nimbly,
Bright

[TygrBright]

22. And a wee boot...

...for the suppertime crowd.

helpfully,
Bright

[mcscajun]

23. This one needs another kick...and more votes (*hint to late arrivals*)

:kick:

[Marrak]

24. Bush&co War

<>

...WTF?...:kick:

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mcscajun]

27. How about you

1) start writing your own stuff.
2) stop spamming the boards with the same post.

[TygrBright]

28. And another small kick...

...for the nighttime crowd.

determinedly,
Bright

[sutz12]

29. I kinda like it. K & R

It helps separate out the "War on Terror" from Bush's War in Iraq. The American public is trying and starting to grasp that "Bush's War" had nothing to do with the War on Terror, it just made it worse.

[Contrary1]

30. I'm with you

Been referring to the fiasco as "Bush's War" for some time now.
Even my Repub acquaintances don't call me on it.

Don't know if that means anything or not, but I like to believe it does.

[elehhhhna]

31. Iraq & our mil are Bush's TOYS

[TygrBright]

32. One final kick (I promise) for the overnight gang...

...remember, this fiasco has to be tied to blivet like a tin can to a junkyard dog's tail. If we can get this meme to stick, then when he leaves the mess for his Democratic successor to clean up, it's BUSH'S WAR being sorted out.

No matter how many collaborators helped, or sat back and let it happen, it's BUSH'S WAR, it wouldn't have happened at all without him having stolen the election and sold his bill of goods to the military and lied this war into existence, and lied thousands of civilian Iraqis into death and disaster and thousands of American families into loss and pain.

Bush's War. His. He OWNS it, whether he likes that or not.

adamantly,
Bright

[alvarezadams]

38. Wouldn't it be better to call it

the "Republican's War"? After all Dubya isn't up for reelection and we have a midterm coming up.

[Harry Monroe]

42. Not a good moniker...

...since it will be thrown back in the Democrats faces that there were also a majority of Democrats in Congress who rolled over and played dead and voted for this tragedy.

[Reckon]

39. Excellent.. TygrBright

The "Bush War" is supported by the "Bush Cult".

I intend to tie Republicans and their supporters to the "Bush Cult" -- A label that must live long after GW is out of office because the Fundies are the core of the twisted religious "Bush cult".

You will get a shocking response when you label someone as being apart of the "Bush Cult", especially Christians. The cult label is something they do not want to be associated with -- A label we must not allow them to escape. Use it as often as possible.

We must forever tie the fundies to the failures of the "Bush Cult".

We must forever tie the republicans to the failures of the "Bush Cult".

We must forever tie their supporters to the failures of the "Bush Cult".

[MissMarple]

40. Bush's Iraq War. It works for me.

He wanted it, he got it, an international disaster, a human tragedy, a blow against democracy.