Bush's Second Year, Keeping the War on Terrorism Alive

Chapter 1 describes Bush’s planned policy for the war on terrorism with a succinct Introduction, followed by detailed criticisms of Bush’s policy especially by Wallenstein, Kuttner and Senators Daschle, Biden and Byrd. Other criticisms voiced include those of ordinary citizens and radio talk show host Gordon Liddy. Attention is also devoted to the proposed, quickly eliminated propagandist Office of Strategic Influence, future “guns and butter” deficit budgets of Bush, Economic Conditions, Resignations and New Appointees.

The second chapter, 2, discusses continuing events in Afghanistan and the pursuit of al-Qaida terrorists. Salient events are described under Background, Pursuit of the War, Karzai’s Election as President, “Friendly Fire” Canadian Casualties, Rules of Engagement, Detainees or Captives at Camp X-Ray, Guantanamo, Cuba, Intelligence Failures, International Security Assistance Forces and Nation Rebuilding, Ex King Mohammed Zaher Shah Returns, End of Twin Towers’ Clean Up and Rebuilding, Osama bin Laden Re-emerges and Pakistan’s Right to Secure its own Borders.    

The drama regarding Bush’s oft-declared determination to engage Iraq in war is related in Chapter 3.  A bit of background including failed attempts to form a coalition of nations, Cheney’s failed 12- nation tour in this regard, British Blair’s support, wide-spread opposition to the war, new policy emphasizing “regime change” and further criticisms of his Iraqi war plans are described. North Korea’s resumption of producing nukes became a disturbing distraction.

After the apparent lack of support and widespread criticism, Bush’s White House embarked on a new marketing strategy for making the case for war. It lobbied incessantly for closer assistance from the “allies,” the UN, U. S. Congress and the public amid continued criticism from all sources including the White House team. Even UN weapon inspector Blix’s report of January 27, 2003 failed to uncover “new” evidence of weapons of mass destruction.    

The next chapter, 4, describes the continuation of Bush’s ineffective and disastrous measures to control legal immigration (students, workers, tourists and business people) and the flood of illegal immigrant lawbreakers into the U. S. despite September 11^th  terrorist attacks and their aftermath.   Instead, the president cozies up to Mexico’s President Fox, pushes for amnesty and other laws favoring “legalization or regularization” of illegal resident lawbreakers, reorganizes the INS and recommends palliative so-called border control measures. Meanwhile more drugs, contraband and illegal immigrants inundate the U. S. via Canada, Mexico and air and coastal ports almost without surcease and adequate inspection.   

Other sundry topics include Bush’s unabashed, biased, pandering celebrations of Cinco de Mayo and Hispanic Heritage Month at the White House, Matricula Consular Identification Cards, Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Immigrant Lawbreakers, Latest INS Policy and Representative Tancredo’s H. R. 2712, Immigration Reduction Act of 2001 and Latest U. S. Census Figures on Immigration. . 

Chapter 5 discusses the new role of defense featuring high technology weapons, reduced size of regular forces, increased reliance on Special Forces, dependence on reservists even in relatively “small” wars and emphasis on a homeland defense “necessitated” by September 11^th terrorist attacks.  The new policy includes the rejection of containment and deterrence, strategy of pre-emptive strikes, unilateralist “share the blame if things go wrong” pro-forma approval from Congress, the United Nations and “allies” in congruence with Bush’s wishes that “their input doesn’t interfere with his decision-making process.”

Other relevant topics include parity of nuclear weapons with Russia, tactical nuke weapons, storage of nuclear waste, mini drone submarine weaponry, sonic bullets, unmanned combat drones, usual token support from “allies,” ABM defense system, “intelligence” agency incompetents, airport screening incompetence, homeland defense emphasis and new Department of Homeland Defense.  The latter is an amalgamation of key law and/or defense agencies into a central department of federal law enforcement with much criticism leveled at “loss of liberties” in the process. Schlafly’s sharp criticism ends the chapter.

Chapter 6 relates international trade under the headings of Trade Deficits, Bush’s Trade Policy with its priority over defense and “disappearance of the middle class,” Fast Track Authority Approval from a rubber stamp Congress, Schlafly’s Criticism of Global Economic Integration, World Economic Forum, Transplanting U. S. Factories Abroad, FTAA and Gill’s Criticism of Free Trade, “Fast Track” Approval, West Coast Dock Strike and Other Criticisms (Bush Allows Mexican Trucks to Travel Throughout the U. S., Coalition Seeks Emergency Stay of Mexican Truck Invasion and 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals Halts Bush Order on Environmental Grounds).