Helicopter Trifecta

[JailBush]

The significance of the double Blackhawk crash could be enormous, symbolically and politically. Downing two helicopters in one fell swoop may encourage the resistance, and it might also make Coalition troops a little less reluctant to stick their necks out. If it was shot down by Kurds, then it blasts a hole in White House claims that the insurgents are mostly limited to Baathists.

If true, will Team Exxon continue to mess with the Kurds, courting major political problems? If the U.S. pulls back, will Turkey be encouraged to send in troops, fanning the flames?

Also, consider the timing - just days before George W. Bush visits London. The big dummy will be arriving with even more egg on his face.

Wasn't a British helicopter shot down by U.S. troops during the initial invasion? If so, this may reopen old wounds.

Here's yet another thing to consider: Though I haven't researched it, it sounds like Bush hasn't attended the funerals of any U.S. servicemen killed in Iraq. Yet he's allegedly planning on meeting with relatives of British troops killed there.

So will people demand that Bush pay homage to the victims of one of our biggest military disasters in Iraq to date?

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

1. Sounds like you are pleased

"Trifecta"???

I think 12 people died. Cheers, sport.

[JailBush]

2. George W. Bush compared the attack on the World Trade Center

to winning the Trifecta. People fighting against Coalition forces in Iraq could easily see this incident as their Trifecta.

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

3. No shit

I think Bush's trifecta comments have been posted at least 1,000 times here. If you are trying to be clever - well - try again.

It is very bad news when our troops are killed.

[JailBush]

4. Lighten up, Francis.

You sound like you're working for the Pentagon. Learn to read between the lines, and try to be a little less U.S.-centric. It's bad news when IRAQIS are killed, too.

[Patriot_Spear]

5. He's right, you're wrong...

I understand your point, but the bottom line is a bunch of American's just got killed because George Bush* is a fucking idiot.

[JailBush]

7. No, he isn't right.

The helicopter incident was a tragedy for Coalition forces, a victory for the people they're fighting. What's so hard to understand about that? Or should I write, "Iraqis and Kurds are probably in a morose mood because of today's incident in Mosul."

Sheez, the last place I'd expect to encounter thought police is on a chatboard like this.

[Patriot_Spear]

10. Whatever...

The crash was a tragedy for 18 families...

[slor]

9. Yes it is bad news...

so direct your anger at the jerk that started it. He was using the chimp's words against him and you know that.

[Patriot_Spear]

13. It sounded a bit like gloating...

I think we should be deadly serious about the human toll of Bush's* war.

[bluestateguy]

6. Bush and funerals

So will people demand that Bush pay homage to the victims of one of our biggest military disasters in Iraq to date?

In the general election campaign (after Labor Day) he'll attend a couple of carefully choreographed military funerals, with lots of cameras, ad producers and reporters. He and Rove will see to it that Bush only attends a funeral of a hawkish Republican family. I can just see him greeting the mother or widow:
Widow/mother: "Mr. President, don't let the terrorists win. Keep up the fight"

Bush: "We will"

And that will be used as footage in campaign ads.

[JailBush]

8. Just Remember Funeralgate!

When discussing George W. Bush and funerals, don't forget the Southern scandal that escorted him into office.

[KFC]

11. "Trifecta"? Eat Shit

"Downing two helicopters" resulted in at least 12 deaths.

This is not a thing to crow about.

[JailBush]

12. So don't crow about it.

[JNelson6563]

19. get a clue

just following our Dear Leader's example of word choice.

Julie

[tkmorris]

14. I must be missing something

I don't see anything in the initial post that resembles "crowing" about recent events. Of COURSE it's a bad thing that US troops are getting killed. That's the point. It sounds to me as if he (she?) is tired of Bush getting to skate away from that instead of taking responsibility for it.

So am I.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

15. I think I'm missing it too

I see nothing even remotely resembling gloating here.

[JailBush]

18. I think the problem is that certain people have been intimidated or duped

into sticking to a script that can't be exploited by right-wingers. According to this mindest, if anyone cheers an Iraqi victory or says something that might be construed as cheering for the other side, then the right-wingers can say, "See, liberals are traitors!"

In fact, I encountered several threads of this nature when I first joined Democratic Underground, largely focusing on someone who achieved some notoriety ("Starpass"?) from a discussion of this nature. My understanding is that in depth discussions of this topic aren't allowed.

For example, I don't think we're supposed to discuss the wisdom of supporting the troops; I believe the official line is that everyone here supports them - or they keep their mouths shut if they don't support them.

But I think some of the comments on this thread are simply ridiculous. Rather than wait for someone to say the wrong thing, they've taken to interpreting statements to suit their worst fears. This attitude stifles debate and plays right into conservative hands along another avenue. In fact, conservatives could use this very strategy to cow liberals into publicly expressing their support for their troops - even if they're doing Bush's bidding.

Frankly, I could care less what Freeprs think; I just try to follow the rules that govern this forum. If that isn't good enough for the thought police, then one of us should find a new forum.

[secretshopper]

16. British military respect

I noticed that odd incongruity, too. Mr, Bu$h, Why fly thousands of miles to finally show your respect for British soldiers, when you have the plain ol' U.S. kind you refused to serve with right down the street at Dover nightly?

Chicken$h!t Lying Hypocritical Bass Third that you are.

The man who ran on a personal responsibility platform (hey there, no public assistance for you, Unemployed American, it's time for Personal Responsibility) fails to show even the tiniest crumb of personal responsibility for the men and women he has ordered to stand and die. I hope the Brits embarrass him immensely, and for their sake, I hope they give Blair the big boot as well.

Secret Shopper

[JailBush]

17. Ha!

The irony is that Blair could fare worse than Bush, according to an article I read. Remember - the British aren't as stupid as Americans, and they're FURIOUS at Blair. When Bush visits London, he'll be rubbing their faces in it. So, ironically, it's possible that no one is more aghast at Bush's visit than Tony Blair.

And what's with the Queen? Doesn't she care about her reputation?

I wish Princess Diane was still alive. I bet she'd greet Bush with a sign protesting land mines and depleted uranium.