Tuesday, February 1, 2005

Bush's Inauguration speech 2-1-2005

1, February 2005                              Bush's Inauguration speech
It is baffling to understand the psyche of Indo Republicans who gushed over President Bush's inauguration speech (I-Abroad, January 28) desperately trying to find the right superlatives -"incredible, fantastic, awesome" - who were so moved by Bush's visions of spreading freedom and democracy. Are we Indians still carrying the burden of a conquered nation? Have we not yet jettisoned the ghost of British colonialism? How can so many intelligent medical doctors - who have reached the zenith of their respective medical specialties - be so naive. Dr. Zachariah and many of his elk have donated millions to the Republican Party who have repeatedly demonstrated their religious intolerance and duplicity in retaining the reins of power. Why does a coveted seat close to the president have such appeal? Have we forgotten George Bush's famous proclamation that Jesus Christ was his favorite philosopher? Would Jesus condone mendacity and the appalling abuse of Iraqi prisoners and detainees at Guantanamo Bay? Would Jesus approve of the 'shock and awe' destruction of Iraq and the death of 1,000,000 of its citizens? Why are we so vocal in our denunciation of the despicable crimes of Saddam Hussein but remain silent to the crimes committed by the Bush Administration and coalition forces in Iraq, and Afghanistan?
Bush used so much biblical, evangelical rhetoric in his campaigning and inauguration speech that one may have thought he was trying to upstart Reverend Billy Graham! The Christian Right and the Bush political machine are in tight embrace. This does not bode well for people of other faiths. The faith-based initiatives (FBI's) have disproportionately directed large sums of federal dollars to fund Christian institutions under the guise of supporting social programs, with virtually no oversight.
Remember Bob Jones, president of Bob Jones University letter to President Bush, ".. .God has graciously granted America a reprieve from paganism, " - urging Bush to pass legislation and appoint judges to conform to biblical norms!"
It is cruelly ironic that Bush's speech was replete with visions of freedom and liberty while so many Muslim men in the US, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay languish behind bars denied legal representation and are brutally tortured by their captors - in clear violation of international law.
There is joy and relief in the White House because Iraq held its first free election but regrettably this is a fig leaf to justify the illegal occupation of Iraq. Forgotten are the 1,400 of America troops that have died and thousands upon thousands of our troops that have been maimed. Nearly one-quarter of a trillion dollars of our tax money has been poured into this sink hole called the "war of liberation." The grand design to rob Iraq of her precious oil resources has failed. President Bush and his cultist band of neo-conservatives have committed crimes against humanity and must be held responsible.

Paul Bremer, the former 'czar of Iraq', issued a litany of proclamations prior to his departure, ceding control and ownership of much of Iraq's future wealth to US corporations. Also included, were tight legal provisions granting immunity from prosecution for military and corporate wrong doing for the next 40 years.  The Center for Public Integrity has maintained an excellent set of data tracking these provisions and the ongoing malfeasance of US corporations. Thus, the ongoing raping and pillaging of Iraqi resources is all but assured. Failure of US corporations to employ local Iraqis in the reconstruction projects has contributed to the extremely high unemployment rate of 70%. No spare parts were allowed to be imported from countries that did not support the war contributing to the dramatic increase in reconstruction costs. I would respectfully urge all the good doctors who were so vociferous in their admiration and support for President Bush to look beyond the rhetoric and examine the shameless, undemocratic polices of this administration.

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