PDA

View Full Version : Bush at War


Easy Mac
02-26-2004, 10:55 PM
I'm wondering if anyone else here has read this book yet. I had to read it for a Presidency class and found the book very enjoyable. Its amazing to read it and think that things moved so quickly. It didn't really change too much of what I thought, but I stilled enjoyed the book.

As to President Bush, he's a little weird in the book. At times he's very assertive and knows what he wants, but at other times he almost looks for his cabinet to lead. I respect the fact that there were things he wanted to do and he did what he had to get them done. He just seemed too aloof me for me.

I really regained a lot of respect for Colin Powell that I had lost before the Iraq war. It seems like the Bush team just threw him out there whenever they needed something from outside the White House. They didn't seem to care about Powell, and he seemed generally frustrated that he was rarely listened to within the President's circle.

Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Wolfowitz are officially insane. I have no respect for any of those 3. They wanted Iraq since day 1 and were going to do anything to get it. They blankly state that they need to go into Iraq just so it looks like the military is accomplishing anything. They had too much influence and have hurt Bush more than they've helped.

Condi Rice came off pretty well, but she was just there. She was more of amediator during the buildup and execution. I'm not really sure what her job is. She seemed like a nice person, she was just the moral compass really.

I liked our covert operations in Afghanistan, I love that we slipped so much money to some sketchy people, thats the way to do covert operations.

Anyway, thats my stuff. No real point to this thread other than to post my opinions on the book. Still, its a good, smooth read, and I'd reccomend it to anyone regardless of political affiliation.

AgustusM
02-26-2004, 11:34 PM
I read it and found it insightful, didn't change my opinion much either - but I am going to pretty much pick up and read any Bob Woodward book - he simply has some amazing inside information.

If you haven't read "Veil" I highly recommend you do, I comprehensive look at the CIA under Reagan. I found it very interesting to read about events I was aware of but not very much interested in the 80's (I graduated hs in 84)

The other great book that comes to mind is the Colin Powell Biography I read a few years back after the first gulf war - his story is amazing and inspiring - as a Republican I really wish he would be on the 2004 ticket as VP, but I don't think it will ever happen.

Easy Mac
02-26-2004, 11:36 PM
Cool, I'll have to check it out. I promised God (err, my girlfriend) that I would read at least 50 pages a day during lent since I didn't give anything up.

Dutch
02-26-2004, 11:43 PM
It's a decent read, Woodward seems to be a pretty reputable writer, but it's the first time I've read any of his stuff. I didn't come away with any disrespect for Cheney or Rumsfeld, but I work for them, and generally think they are doing a great job.

[covers head to avoid the rotten vegetables from the gallery...]

Fritz
02-26-2004, 11:44 PM
I think books like this are interesting to read 10 or 20 years later when more information has become available. they are like snapshots of thought.