Bush Barbarians At the Gate

I always believed that society and civilization would move forward and advance.  It would not be a steady advancement; there would be setbacks, wars and disease. But from one generation to the next, the condition of mankind progresses.

After all, many devastating diseases were eradicated, electricity and telephones brought to the far corners of our nation in the twentieth century, and recently, to most corners of the world.

And humanity is smarter. We know what provokes and what incites people to violence, despair, anger and revenge.

I was never so innocent to believe that every moment would make the world safer; I was raised in the shadow of the nuclear bomb. But my belief was steadfast that societies and civilizations would advance, become more humane, more generous, more caring and more intelligent, especially when dealing with sensitive matters.

I still believe that.

I am also convinced that two or three hundred years from now, when historical analysis is finalized, the Bush administration will be noted with the Hitler years as two of the major setbacks in the advancement of mankind. 

This is not to say that the atrocities of Hitler are in any way comparable to the the miscalculations of the Bush Administration.  It is to say that the enormity and barbaric decision making of the Bush Administration had the same consequences in turning the civilized world into chaos and despair.

From allowing the advent of war without knowing the difference between a Sunni and a Shiite, to executing Saddam Hussein on the eve of a significant Muslim holiday, it is evident that ideology, perseverance, and warmongering can be overwhelmed by an even more significant driver, stupidity.

Comments

[nonheroicvet]

I know that in 2008 I want national leaders who aren't afraid of their own shadow. After listening to Bush, Cheney and their team for six years I am convinced these people are scared of almost everything (the word coward comes to mind). I don't see how anyone can lead when they are in the grip of fear.

[Paul H]

According to Juan Cole, It's only "the eve of a significant Muslim holiday" if you're a Shia. If you're a Sunni, it's *on* that same "significant Muslim holiday."

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/12/30/saddam/print.html

"The tribunal also had a unique sense of timing when choosing the day for Saddam's hanging. It was a slap in the face to Sunni Arabs. This weekend marks Eid al-Adha, the Holy Day of Sacrifice, on which Muslims commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son for God. Shiites celebrate it Sunday. Sunnis celebrate it Saturday –- and Iraqi law forbids executing the condemned on a major holiday. Hanging Saddam on Saturday was perceived by Sunni Arabs as the act of a Shiite government that had accepted the Shiite ritual calendar."

Happy civil war, every body!

[james wigderson]

"I am also convinced that two or three hundred years from now, when historical analysis is finalized, the Bush administration will be noted with the Hitler years as two of the major setbacks in the advancement of mankind."

Are you stating that objectively, and if so what criteria are you using? Or is it just hyperbole?