Is Bush The Worst President...In The Last 50 Years?

how many people on these boards are aware of what Australia, and our prime minister John Howard, has committed to the causes of Bush?

when i see American news shows/stories , its always made mention of our "great allies" Germany and England in the "coalition of the willing" but never ever does Australia get a look in.

Bush does pay us lip service through the local news wires from time to time. But when I look at the big picture, these times seem patronising.

What sort of understanding do you guys have of our involvement?

John Howard is a very similar leader to Bush, largely disagreed with on the matters of support for the war (and for everything else Bush desires for that matter, its like he's mini me sometimes) but without enough quality opposition to hold him to account. He's stayed in power via solid economic performance, even though he gets obvious mixed reviews for his "christian" conservative outlook (anti gay marriage etc).

Anyway guys just curious.... War is not an option, or at least it shouldnt be

 

honestly, the average american probably knows very little of it. it's all seen as an american offensive with some help from the British. clearly that's not the reality.

 

madmax,

this does not surprise me.

 

That is what drives me crazy about meeting many Australians abroad. Some tend to LOVE to lecture Americans, including myself, about Bush this and Bush that and how we're ruining everything and such. Of course I didn't vote for Bush, never have, never will, and donated $$$ to his opponent each time. But stating that doesn't usually interrupt the rant of the drunken electrician from Darwin once he gets going.

Well - you're in the same boat over there with Johnny Howard and I knew that, which was always my retort. Of course it didn't shut them up, but what can you do.

 

I'm not going to get into why I disagree with your "grades," but clear something up for me, if you would. What , exactly, did you give Bush Junior?



Keep D&D Civil.

 

I think he gave John Wayne a C- .

 

Hell, compared to Junior, I'd give Big John a C+!

(Junior deserving a grade lower than Nixon's)



Keep D&D Civil.

 

are you suggesting im lecturing you? or that we're nothing but alcoholics?

As madmax stated, very few americans are aware of australia's commitment of troops, political and financial support etc.

im not here to lecture just to provide a different point of view and educate those who may never have met a drunken electrician from Darwin.

i realise americans who come here cop stuff from people. I for one wouldnt do that , im all about treating you as an individual , not an american, or a Bush lover!

in fairness to those who express themselves that way , alot of it comes from a desperate desire to be heard amongst a nation that isnt even aware what we do for them (as afforementioned, see previous post)

But yet they need to realise the best thing to do is just worry about Australian issues and let the US take care of their own.

 

First, I would hardly say Germany has been a "great ally" on the war in Iraq, since they have opposed it vehemently and have provided zilch by way of troops.
As nice as it is that Australia stands with us, having 570 troops in Iraq is not really that newsworthy. You don't hear about Mongolia, Bulgaria, and El Salvadore's involvement either. The fact is, the war in Iraq is being fought by US forces (in six fugure amounts) with help from the Brits (around 10,000). Nobody else has even provided half of what the UK has. That is why you see that kind of coverage.

 

i usually disagree with anything that you post, but u summarized my thoughts. I think we're soulmates.

 

Surprising, No. Barkley spoke his mind and I would tend that most would agree that the republican party as put a **** product out there as of late and deserved to be bashed, even by republicans

 

its more like 13-1400 troops and has been at stages over 2000.

including my very own brother in law.

 

I meant to give him the same grade as Carter, C-, tried to sell that they were both principled but ultimately naive.

Also forgot to grade Kennedy and Eisenhower. Both solid Cs, probably a little less impressive, productive or principled (as Presidents) then they seem to be remembered by their respective ideologues. After Florida in 2000, there's probably real merit in questioning whether Kennedy actually won (but not as much in whether he should have). And ironic to consider that Nixon was too dignified to fight Kennedy, but too petty to ignore McGovern.

 

The source I was using didn't count people based outside Iraq but in theatre, nor people on ships in the area. That may be the difference in our numbers, though I am not positive on that. Be that as it may, the point is that the US has more than 100 times that, and Britain has like 5-10 times that, so the contributions of the other members of the coalition has more political effect than military.