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Some Free Advice for Kerry
While Bush continues to play the blame game on the Abu Ghraib prison torture scandal, the US' world stature falls, Bush's approval dives, and we pretty much insure that nobody will take the US seriously anymore on foreign affairs. Plenty of people have covered the almost unbelievable crimes committed by the US military in Iraq, including Kevin Drum and Billmon. However, what is perhaps most amazing is Bush's refusal to apologize for anything, anytime, anywhere. He just will not utter those words. Somebody should do a search and figure out if he's ever uttered "I'm sorry" in public in his lifetime. Of course, for Bush this really has become pathological. He can only blame (CIA, FBI, Defense, Congress, etc.).
So I have a suggestion for John Kerry. Apologize for the atrocities in Iraq to the Arab people. Go on Arab television, tell them what you would do differently, and say you're sorry for the unbelievable treatment they have been enduring under the current occupation by this administration. Not only will this help the situation and the brewing discontent throughout the world, it will give hope to the middle east for a brighter future. But perhaps most of all, it will show that John Kerry unquestionably has one attribute that George Bush does not--the ability to take responsibility for the United States of America.
Posted on May 6, 2004 12:40 PM
Comments
I'm not so sure this tactic would work on the home front. Yes, it would show the Arab world that Kerry IS capable of taking responsibility for his country...but the Constitution never gave the Arab world any votes in the electoral college if I recall correctly (or, wait, does Bandar get to send electors to Washington?). Moreover, if Kerry were to do something of this sort, it would provide much fodder for the people back home engaged in plausible demagoguery - they could try to somehow pin the blame on Kerry (hey, he voted for the $87billon, before he blah blah blah...). Nothing these GOP-hacks do surprises me anymore. I say Kerry's best bet is to stay out of the line of fire and attack from the sidelines.
Posted by Eric Lombrozo on May 6, 2004 01:26 PM
Interesting points. I do think, though, that with Bush having failed to apologize for 9/11, failure to find WMD in Iraq, now torture in Iraq (and many other things that would have been reasonable) that the American public would see it as a sign of leadership. It would serve to further reveal Bush's inability to take responsibility for anything.
You are indeed correct that the right would try and use it to their advantage...but what would it be? Look at Kerry--he apologized for the US military's torture of Iraqis. Kerry authorized it, whatever. I think it would just make the right look stupid.
Another reason it would make the right look bad is that its the right thing to do, and somebody should do it...normally a senator wouldn't matter, but as the potential new president, it might make the difference.
cv
Posted by cv on May 6, 2004 04:29 PM
Wouldn't it be wiser for Kerry, as part of the Senate, to sign onto a general apology from the U.S. Congress? That is, however, dependent on the G.O.P.-dominated Congress being able to demonstrate the courage and leadership qualities necessary to issue such an apology.
Posted by Karmen on May 6, 2004 04:54 PM
A singular act might isolate Kerry and could be used to make him appear arrogant. Joining with other members of government, and perhaps private parties as well, could have the opposite effect. It might even further isolate Bush. Suppose a delegation of some sort published a statement saying that we citizens of the US repudiate this administration, and want to open separate dialogue with the Arab world... a dialogue that at least has the possibility that it might represent we, the people.
Posted by J on May 8, 2004 12:01 AM
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