Stratfor: Bush Issues Veiled Ultimatum to United Nations

Stratfor.com ^ | 12 September 2002

[NorCoGOP]

Rather than proving the moral or technical need for an attack, Bush checkmated his critics by instead challenging the validity of the very institution they support in hopes of thwarting both despots like Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and perceived unilateralists like Bush.

Daschle and Gephardts' checkmates are next.

The only thing I wish Bush would have said, but didn't:

"These conditions are not up for discussion or negotiation"

[Oldeconomybuyer]

My interpretation of the President's UN speech today is that unless the UN wants to continue on the road to irrelevancy, they better get aboard the Baghdad Express because the American people are sick and tired of Kofi clatches with Saddam and the unilateral train is leaving the station fixin' to put some whoopass on the Iraqi regime.

[Jalapeno]

Daschle and Gephardts' checkmates are next.

Rush Limbaugh went a long way towards this this week with some noce quotes from clinton and Daschle in 98 about how they needed a diversion from Monica dangerous Saddam was and he should be pummeled

[AFreeBird]

The only thing I wish Bush would have said, but didn't: "These conditions are not up for discussion or negotiation"

Twasn't necessary; it was understood to be implied. :-))

And if even that was missed by some in attendence; the look in his eye would have cleared it up for them.

[Tailgunner Joe]

[Oldeconomybuyer]

"These conditions are not up for discussion or negotiation"

I could be wrong, but I believe the UN and its delegates know that US President George W. Bush says what he means, and means what he says.

[Imal]

While I often find myself wincing at some of Dubya's speeches (mainly due to the numerous malapropisms), I saw this one on live TV and found myself immensely proud of the way he presented himself and his no-nonsense message in front of the entire world. Whether or not one might agree with him, one couldn't deny the power of the man or his words.

Rather than get sidetracked by the various arguments against removing Saddam, Bush simply told the world: "This is what is going on, and here's what needs to be done about it." Using no more than the force of his character and persuasion of his honesty, he told them to put up or shut up. Nicely done!

President Bush confronted the UN with something it couldn't comprehend: true leadership. I look forward to seeing more of it in the future.

Imal

[RGSpincich]

While I often find myself wincing at some of Dubya's speeches (mainly due to the numerous malapropisms), I saw this one on live TV and found myself immensely proud of the way he presented himself and his no-nonsense message in front of the entire world.

Bump

[AFreeBird]

You need to read The Eagle Will Not Blink written by a Pakistani Muslim.

Thoughtful, well written, and truthful.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

malapropisms

Ya'll got too much book learnin'.

[AdA$tra]

It did not sound "veiled" at all to me.

[Bigun]

Bush Issues Veiled Ultimatum to United Nations

Veiled??? Good GOD how could he have been any LESS veiled?

[PhilDragoo]

The only thing I wish Bush would have said, but didn't:

"These conditions are not up for discussion or negotiation"

For which we have the useful (though overused) term:

subtext

[El Gato]

Veiled??? Good GOD how could he have been any LESS veiled?

1. He could have turned to Kofi and flipped him the bird.

2. He could have said, "The bombing starts in 10 minutes" :)

[Mr. Mojo]

Unfortunately, I believe what Stratfor meant when they said that the US "essentially will abandon the institution" [The UN] if it doesn't enforce the resolutions is that we'll abandon it on the issue of Iraq, not abandon it altogether.

(For a second or two, I got my hopes up as well).

[PhilDragoo]

Veiled??? Good GOD how could he have been any LESS veiled?

3) He could have strode over to the Iraqi representative and given him the Mother of All Wedgies.

The bombing begins in FOUR minutes.

[TexasCajun]

"Either you are with U.S. or you are with the Terrorist"!!

He made it pretty simple....

[RGSpincich]

Ya'll got too much book learnin'.

Not me, bubba. ; ) I was bumping Imal's phrase.

[Mr. Mojo]

Actually, you're right....Stratfor's analysis was indeed that the veiled threat was to leave the UN entirely. But I don't agree with their analysis (as much as I'd like to). I can't imagine we'd ever actually take that rational course of action.