Larry, Mo and Curly Go To War

Polls show that the word most closely associated with George W. Bush these days is "incompetent". But it's not Bush alone who bears that burden - his whole Administration is tarred with the same brush. Of course, if Bush had ever held any of these people accountable, things might not have come to this. But it is now quite clear to everyone that the entire administration is completely out of touch.

Here's Bush today explaining his divine vision of a peaceful Iraq:

Others look at the violence they see each night on their television screens and they wonder how I can remain so optimistic about the prospects of success in Iraq. They wonder what I see that they don't.

Actually, George, they wonder why you don't see what they do see: mounting casualties, a divide nation on the verge of chaos, massive debts spiralling out of control... and that's just the USA!

Out of touch? Mentally unbalanced? Or just deliberately misleading?

Here's Cheney yesterday pretending he was dragged into the Vice Presidency against his will:

I made sure both in 2000 and 2004 that the president had other options. I mean, I didn't ask for this job. I didn't campaign for it. I got drafted. And delighted to serve.

Drafted my ass! Cheney hand-picked himself for the job after dissing any other candidates!

Here's Rumsfeld on Sunday comparing Iraq to Nazi Germany:

Turning our backs on postwar Iraq today would be the modern equivalent of handing postwar Germany back to the Nazis.

Even German-born Henry Kissinger says that's a ridiculous comparison.

It's a fantasyland administration, isn't it? Retired Army major general Paul D. Eaton, a highly respected military man, has authored a scathing New York Times editorial demanding Rumsfeld's resignation:

Rumsfeld is not competent to lead our armed forces. First, his failure to build coalitions with our allies from what he dismissively called "old Europe" has imposed far greater demands and risks on our soldiers in Iraq than necessary. Second, he alienated his allies in our own military, ignoring the advice of seasoned officers and denying subordinates any chance for input.

In sum, he has shown himself incompetent strategically, operationally and tactically, and is far more than anyone else responsible for what has happened to our important mission in Iraq. Mr. Rumsfeld must step down.

Meanwhile, Doonesbury has a new poll asking whether Bush should be censured, impeached or neither. The results are interesting. Go take a look.