Bin Laden says Bush repeating Soviet mistakesSeptember 7, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden, in a U.S. transcript of a newly released video, said President George W. Bush was repeating the mistakes of Soviet leaders by refusing to acknowledge losses in Iraq.
"How similar is your position today to their position approximately two decades ago," the al Qaeda leader said in a reference to the former Soviet Union's operations in Afghanistan.
"The mistakes of Brezhnev are being repeated by Bush, who -- when asked about the date of his withdrawing of force from Iraq -- said in effect that the withdrawal will not be during his reign, but rather, during the reign of the one who succeeds him. And the significance of these words is not hidden."
Bin Laden also said U.S. Democrats had failed to stop the war in Iraq because of the power corporations wield in the United States. U.S. officials have not verified the authenticity of the tape.
"So in answer to the question about the causes of the Democrats' failure to stop the war, I say: they are the same reasons which led to the failure of former president (John F.) Kennedy to stop the Vietnam war. Those with real power and influence are those with the most capital," bin Laden said.
"And since the democratic system permits major corporations to back candidates, be they presidential or congressional, there shouldn't be any cause for astonishment -- and there isn't any -- in the Democrats' failure to stop the war," he says.
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And from the
HeraldSun, Australia, September 8, 2007:
Bin Laden also addresses the American people directly, saying: "People of America: the world is following your news in regards to your invasion of Iraq, for people have recently come to know that, after several years of tragedies of this war, the vast majority of you want it stopped.
"Thus, you elected the Democratic Party for this purpose, but the Democrats haven't made a move worth mentioning. On the contrary, they continue to agree to the spending of tens of billions to continue the killing and war there."
And here's L'il Boots, on his merry way back from Down Under:
U.S. President George W. Bush speaks on day two of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Summit at the Sydney Opera House September 7, 2007. Bush will address a war-weary American public next week to 'lay out a vision' for the U.S. role in Iraq as he tries to sell his strategy in the wake of a crucial report to Congress. (APEC2007 taskforce/Handout/Reuters)
Bush says his resolve on Iraq as strong as everSeptember 8, 2007
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Saturday his resolve to press ahead with the effort to stabilize Iraq was as strong as ever, the latest indication he is unlikely to call for a major change in strategy when he delivers a report to Congress next week.
Bush, after visiting wounded soldiers at Hickam Air Force Base, said he told them he was encouraged by what he saw during his unannounced trip to Iraq last Monday.
"There's no question there's still hard work to do. But my resolve is as strong as it has ever been," Bush told reporters.
George W. Bush's "vision" is our darkest history.