Comments makeswell has made

"Incompetence" depends on point of view

Are we defining the Administration's success by its ability to increase national security, to bolster our international reputation, to spread "democracy" around the globe, to grow our economy across all demographics and industry sectors, and to protect US citizens' liberties?  If so, then the Administration certainly appears "incompetent," and quite possibly appears intentionally negligent.

Most likely, however, none of these metrics are what the Administration uses in order to measure success.  The definition of success in this Administration's perspective is bettered defined by the following question:  Are the finanicial supporters of the Administration being given a return on their investment?

To the extent that George Bush and his Administration can answer this qusestion in the affirmative will be the degree to which they see themselves not only as competent but as highly successful.  Think about the most generous supporters and the MASSIVE amount of capital that has been rapidly shifted (and on a sole source no-bid contract basis) back to their bank accounts.  Think of the big Oil companies and the (Carlyle Group funded) defense contractors of the world who stood to gain (and have gained quite a bit) with justified (or otherwise) war somewhere in the middle east.  If anything, finding Osama would only justify pulling our troops out earlier and a drop in future oil prices...

I'm new to blogging so I don't know if its kosher to reference "The Daily Show" (June 14th show) as a news source, but Jon S expressed shock the other day (albiet sarcastically) that someone like George Tenet, who said the existence of WMD in Iraq was a slam dunk, earned a Presidential medal of freedom. http://www.medaloffreedom.com/GeorgeTenet.htm But is it any wonder he did?  Was George being measured on his ability to provide for the nation's security or his ability (and sacrifice of his career) to provide key ingredients in the recipe for transfering wealth to the oil and defense industries?  I would guess the latter.

This suggests to me that this Administration is not only competent but quite brilliant at achieving its goals.On Our ongoing environmental and economic setbacks are the successes of the current administration's co posted 3 years, 4 months ago 6 Responses