Sunday, November 23, 2003

2003: President Bush and Thanksgiving in Iraq



Several years ago, I became fascinated with presidential proclamations, from President Washington in 1789, President Lincoln during the Civil War, and President Reagan in 1988.  
So let’s remember one president who spent Thanksgiving in a very unique way.
We’ve had some talk lately about President Bush and the decision to take out Saddam Hussein.  I continue to support the action. 
North Korea is what happens when you leave people in power who have or look to have weapons of mass destruction. The Middle East would look a lot different today if Iraq was conducting nuclear tests or threatening to hit Israel or others.
Back in 2003, President Bush showed up in Iraq for Thanksgiving. It was a great story and must have been quite a treat for the soldiers enjoying some turkey:  
Mr. Bush sneaked out of Crawford on Wednesday in an unmarked car, then flew to Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, where a few advisers and a small number of reporters sworn to secrecy joined him. They then flew on to Baghdad International Airport, arriving around dusk.
He spent 2 hours 32 minutes in the country, dining with the chief United States administrator there, L. Paul Bremer III, and sharing Thanksgiving wishes with about 600 troops at an airport hangar. Mr. Bush actually helped serve dinner to the troops, who had been told they would be dining with Mr. Bremer and with Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of coalition forces in Iraq.
He also met with four members of the Iraqi Governing Council.
The trip must have raised enormous concerns for the president’s security team. A DHL cargo plane using the same airport Saturday was struck in the wing by a shoulder-fired missile, forcing it to make an emergency landing. Such missiles, reliant on visual contact with their targets, are considered ineffective after dark, however.
For security reasons, the President’s trip was such a secret that even First Lady Laura Bush and his parents were not told about it. It must have been quite a surprise when plans changed from Crawford to Iraq.
Many years later, I say thanks that President Bush took out Saddam Hussein and prevented Iraq from turning into North Korea.  
My guess is that Iraq’s neighbors share my sentiments.

Friday, November 21, 2003

Thanksgiving 2003: President Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq






Back in 2003, President Bush showed up in Iraq for Thanksgiving.   It was a great story and must have been quite a treat for the soldiers enjoying some turkey.

For security reasons, the President's trip was such a secret that even First Lady Laura Bush, and his parents, were not told about it.    The announced plan was a trip to Crawford, Texas, but Air Force One turned east to Iraq.

A few years later, President Bush wrote about Iraq in a great book.   

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Friday, March 21, 2003

Saddam Hussein is dead and gone


It was March 19, 2003 or the day that President Bush led military forces into Iraq.  At the time, I supported the military decision because the US could not give Saddam Hussein the benefit of the doubt after 9-11.  

Everything changed in 1998 when Saddam kicked out the inspectors and gave everyone the finger. By late '98, it was clear that Saddam Hussein had no intention of respecting any international agreement or the cease fire that ended the First Gulf War.


Between '93, when the cease fire when into effect, and 1998, Saddam shot at US planes, did not allow UN inspectors access to Iraq's labs and military bases plus tried to kill the first Bush during a private visit to Kuwait.  Last but not least, he did not comply with any of the cease fire requirements.  This is why the Clinton administration supported The Iraq Liberation Act or making regime change the policy of the US.

Saddam was given one more chance in September 2002.  This is when President Bush went to the UN and enumerated all of the violations.  The UN then passed one more resolution calling on Saddam to do his duty or face consequences.  The inspectors went back in after a 4 year absence. Once again, Saddam did not allow the inspectors to move freely and do their work.

So President Bush acted and Saddam was removed!   The bottom line is that the world is better off without Saddam in Iraq.

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Saturday, February 01, 2003

2003: Columbia exploded

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We woke up to a terrible report about Columbia.     
On this day in 2003, television crews captured Columbia‘s tragic disintegration upon reentering the earth’s atmosphere. All aboard were killed. 
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Monday, January 13, 2003

We remember Robert Stack (1919-2003)

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We remember Robert Stack who was born in Los Angeles on this day in 1919.    

Many of us remember Stack for the role of  Eliot Ness on the wildly popular television series, "The Untouchables "(1959).   

He died in 2003.

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Sunday, January 12, 2003

We remember Maurice Gibb (1949-2003)


Maurice Gibb of The Bee Gees died on this day in 2003.  It was a sudden death unlike Robin who battled cancer for over a year.  The news flash was a shock to say the least.

Maurice was known as the "Man in the middle".  He did not do a lot of lead vocals.  His contributions were the indispensable 3rd voice in the group's harmonies and arranging their hit songs.  He played bass, guitar, piano and organ.

We remember "It's just the way", one of Maurice Gibb's best lead vocals & "Toast and marmalade for tea", a song that Maurice produced for Tin Tin.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column.




We remember Maurice Gibb (1949-2003)



Related image
Maurice Gibb of The Bee Gees died on this day in 2003.  It was a sudden death unlike Robin who battled cancer for over a year.  The news flash was a shock to say the least.

Maurice was known as the "Man in the middle".  He did not do a lot of lead vocals.  His contributions were the indispensable 3rd voice in the group's harmonies and arranging their hit songs.  He played bass, guitar, piano and organ.

We remember "It's just the way", one of Maurice Gibb's best lead vocals & "Toast and marmalade for tea", a song that Maurice produced for Tin Tin.

This is a great CD box set that covers four decades of hits and songwriting.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column.
 



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