Is there anyone in the United States who will actually believe anything George Bush has to say tonight in the State of the Union address?
Oh, yeah, that's right - 40% of the population might still.
Not me. Unh-unh. No, siree.
Not after what he's done to us before. Every time George Bush gets up to speak to us for an inauguration or a swearing-in or a State of the Union address, he lies to us.
Every.
Time.
(Also available at My Left Wing)
Y'see,
There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee -- that says, fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again.
You’ve tried to fool us more than twice, Mr. President. In fact, let’s take a look at the past six of your January addresses to the nation, and check out just some of the lies and distortions you’ve shamelessly spewed from the podium. (The lies will be in bold - "bold-faced lies," as it were):
January 2001 Inaugural Address
[T]his is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.
Liar.
We will show purpose without arrogance . . . And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth.
Liar.
Today, we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character.
Liar.
Government has great responsibilities for public safety and public health, for civil rights
Liar – you don’t believe that.
2002 State of the Union
The man and women of our Armed Forces have delivered a message now clear to every enemy of the United States: Even 7,000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in caves -- you will not escape the justice of this nation.
[W]e will shut down terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice.
Liar – Osama bin Laden.
Our men and women in uniform deserve the best weapons, the best equipment . . .
Liar.
The next priority of my budget is to do everything possible to protect our citizens and strengthen our nation against the ongoing threat of another attack.
Liar.
When America works, America prospers, so my economic security plan can be summed up in one word: jobs.
Members, you and I will work together in the months ahead on other issues: [including] a cleaner environment
Liar.
We have no intention of imposing our culture. But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance.
America will take the side of brave men and women who advocate these values around the world, including the Islamic world, because we have a greater objective than eliminating threats and containing resentment. We seek a just and peaceful world beyond the war on terror.
Liar.
2003 State of the Union
We will not deny, we will not ignore, we will not pass along our problems to other Congresses, to other presidents, and other generations.
The best way to address the deficit and move toward a balanced budget is to encourage economic growth, and to show some spending discipline in Washington, D.C. . . Federal spending should not rise any faster than the paychecks of American families.
Our second goal is high quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
Liar.
Our third goal is to promote energy independence for our country, while dramatically improving the environment.
Oily liar.
Iranians, like all people, have a right to choose their own government and determine their own destiny
- except when you don’t like who they elected, you liar.
And then, of course, there was the Moby Dick of whoppers from the 2003 SOTU:
The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. Our intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production. . . .
From intelligence sources we know, for instance, that thousands of Iraqi security personnel are at work hiding documents and materials from the U.N. inspectors, sanitizing inspection sites and monitoring the inspectors themselves . . .
With nuclear arms or a full arsenal of chemical and biological weapons, Saddam Hussein could resume his ambitions of conquest in the Middle East and create deadly havoc in that region. . . . Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications, and statements by people now in custody reveal that Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of al Qaeda. Secretly, and without fingerprints, he could provide one of his hidden weapons to terrorists, or help them develop their own.
. . . September the 11th . . . Saddam Hussein . . . Imagine those 19 hijackers with other weapons and other plans -- this time armed by Saddam Hussein.
The dictator who is assembling the world's most dangerous weapons has already used them on whole villages . . .
Liar.
If Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm, for the safety of our people and for the peace of the world, we will lead a coalition to disarm him.
Liar.
We seek peace. We strive for peace . . . If war is forced upon us, we will fight in a just cause and by just means -- sparing, in every way we can, the innocent. And if war is forced upon us, we will fight with the full force and might of the United States military -- and we will prevail.
Liar.
We exercise power without conquest, and we sacrifice for the liberty of strangers.
Liar.
From the 2004 State of the Union:
Key provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire next year. . . Our law enforcement needs this vital legislation to protect our citizens. You need to renew the Patriot Act.
Liar.
We're working with Iraqis and the United Nations to prepare for a transition to full Iraqi sovereignty by the end of June.
Liar.
The killers will fail, and the Iraqi people will live in freedom.
Month by month, Iraqis are assuming more responsibility for their own security and their own future.
Liar.
For all who love freedom and peace, the world without Saddam Hussein's regime is a better and safer place.
Liar.
So America is pursuing a forward strategy of freedom in the greater Middle East . . . We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic peace -- a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman.
Liar.
From the January 2005 swearing-in
In America's ideal of freedom, the exercise of rights is ennobled by service,
and mercy, and a heart for the weak. . . [O]ur country must abandon all the habits of racism, because we cannot carry the message of freedom and the baggage of bigotry at the same time.
September 2005:
2006 State of the Union
[T]he terrorists have chosen the weapon of fear.
- not the Republicans? Liar.
If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores.
- yeah, just like the North Vietnamese Communists would be swarming the beaches at Waikiki. Liar.
We're on the offensive in Iraq, with a clear plan for victory.
Liar.
Fellow citizens, we are in this fight to win, and we are winning.
Liar.
[W]e should be able to further decrease our troop levels -- but those decisions will be made by our military commanders, not by politicians in Washington, D.C.
Liar.
[W]e have benefitted from responsible criticism and counsel offered by members of Congress of both parties. In the coming year, I will continue to reach out and seek your good advice.
Liar.
Tonight, let me speak directly to the citizens of Iran: America respects you, and we respect your country. We respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom.
Liar – you have no such respect.
I have authorized a terrorist surveillance program to aggressively pursue the international communications of suspected al Qaeda operatives and affiliates to and from America. Previous Presidents have used the same constitutional authority I have, and federal courts have approved the use of that authority. Appropriate members of Congress have been kept informed. The terrorist surveillance program has helped prevent terrorist attacks. It remains essential to the security of America.
One big, fat, long lie.
Our economy is healthy and vigorous
Liar – only for your super-rich CEO cronies.
Our government has a responsibility to provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility.
Liar.
A hopeful society expects elected officials to uphold the public trust.
That applies to you, liar.
But it’s too late – you’ve already lost the public’s trust.
Huh – y’know, it’s funny, but I'm not even thinking about the fact that the president lied to Congress all those times - that being a federal crime and all. I mean, if it were to come out that he had actually committed several felonies while in office, in front of the whole world, while millions of people were watching? I can only imagine where that might lead . . .
Have fun!