Arguing With Monkeys

I guess this will provide some comic relief for the evening.

So, I receive this email earlier:

Atrios, you may be the dumbest person outside of Canada.

Here's the text of the letter sent by Bush:

March 18, 2003

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President

Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that in the enclosed document, I determine that:

(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and

(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the Un! ited Stat

I'll be watching for a retraction. I know you're a stand-up guy.

The email was in reference to the report by CBC in this post.

So, first I respond with this:

I'm not sure what it is you want me to retract. You mocked the canadian news for saying that bush claimed the constitution gave him the authority. In fact, in the letter, Bush is claiming just that?

(he had basically posted the content of his email, plus the bit I mentioned, in the comments for the post linked above)

Then, thinking that maybe CBC had really gotten the story totally wrong, I tracked down the text to the original letter and sent it to this guy.

I get another reponse:

Here's what the CBC said:

"The Constitution gives Bush authority to "take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those organizations or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001," the note said."

I've given you the letter. It doesn't say anything like that. It merely has a finding that the war in Iraq is consistent with the war against bin laden.

You would know that it doesn't say anything like that if you had investigated a little bit, which investigation would seem to be required when (a) the domestic news media haven't given this item this particular interpretation, (b) the resources are readily available on line, and (c) the particular interpretation is so far fetched. You didn't investigate. I guess that makes you a sick bastard, right?

To which I reply, excerpting the relevant part of the letter Bush had sent to congress:

can you read?


(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH


your letter is cut off.

(italics not in original email)

I then receive:

Are you out of your mind? The authorization to use force doesn't cover actions against terrorists. That's covered by an entirely different resolution.

When will you admit your mistake, you sick bastard?

To which I reply, including the entire text of the letter which was sent:

This is the letter Bush sent to congress:


March 18, 2003

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that in the enclosed document, I determine that:

(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and

(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH



This part in bold is what was quoted [by the CBC] . I ask again, can you read?

Just another day on the internet, I guess.