America as a terrorist network? I disagree. That statement definitely needs qualification.

It's probably out of context, but the gist of the speech was that Iraq is the convergence point of THE two threats to America, al Qaeda and Iran, so we should focus all of our forces there.

The problem is, he doesn't explicitly address how America got to be viewed as the aggressive terrorist network over there. The answer is because he never takes the blame for anything.

So basically, you just called Americans terrorists from a chunk of speech that you yourself admit was out of context, then twisted it to imply that you were justified in saying so because because some nameless person called us the most "aggressive terrorist network over there" all because you think Bush is a blameless liar. This, of course, in opposition to the preceding 42 P'sOTUS that immediately stood up and took responsibility for their wrongdoings.

Nice.

Yes, and thank you.

Let's be careful who we're labeling terrorists here. We both disagree with Bush. Is he a bungling man, incompetent to hold the office of POTUS, while embarrassing us on the world stage? Absolutely. Is he a terrorist? No. Are Americans (via our foreign policy) terrorists? Absolutely not.

I will grant that there are ignorant people throughout the world that DO label us as terrorists, but one needs only to look at our human rights record, the amount of aid we give overseas and the fact that after we "terrorize" a country, we pump it full of money and help rebuild its infrastructure, to realize that putting us on the same level of terrorists is wholly irresponsible.

Let us not buy into the "good and evil," black and white line like Bush likes to. Just because we don't agree with the current administration's foreign policy, does not make them (or us, by proxy) terrorists. I get the impression that we're all Obama supporters (the contributors, anyway)... I, in particular, am because he elevates politics above this name-calling and speaks intelligently to the issues.

Let's try to stick to that.

To be fair, I was just pointing out that Bush was fairly ambiguous on who was doing the assaulting in Iraq, and the label could, in many ways point in our direction -- being the unwanted, occupying Christian (majority) force in a sovereign, Islamic country.

You're right, Toby. If we are terrorists, then we're at least generous ones after-the-fact.

Just for your FYI.

ter·ror·ism:
n. The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.

- American Heritage Dictionary
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/terrorism