Gore Vidal Says Bush 'Wants War to Go on Forever'

Reuters via Lycos.com ^ | 9/9/02

[GeneD]

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. author Gore Vidal denounced President Bush Tuesday as wanting the war on terror to go on forever and said some Americans were delighted that the September 11 attacks had singled out Muslims as the enemy.

Remembering the attacks and the suffering they brought had become something of a "new religion" for Americans, the outspoken writer said in an interview broadcast on the BBC World Service.

"First of all this is the anniversary of what is becoming more like a new religion than anything else in the United States," Vidal, one of contemporary America's most prolific writers and harshest critics, told the "East Asia Today" program.

"Some people in the United States were rather delighted that it (the attacks) mobilized the entire country and focused on a single enemy, which we'd been demonizing for quite some time -- the Muslim world," Vidal said.

"He (Bush) wants this to go on forever. He said to Congress after 9/11: 'It's going to be a long war'. He was thrilled."

Bush launched a global anti-terror campaign after four commercial planes were hijacked on September 11, 2001, and flown into New York's World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside Washington and a field in Pennsylvania, killing more than 3,000 people.

The war began in Afghanistan, where a U.S.-led coalition toppled the Taliban government, which Washington said harbored militants blamed for the attacks. The Bush administration is now considering military action against Iraq, which it says is trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

Vidal, 76, whose historical novels included the best-selling "Burr" and "Lincoln," regularly shocks the U.S. establishment with his controversial comments on politics and social issues.

He was in the news in early 2001 for his criticism of the U.S. investigation of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and his correspondence with convicted bomber Timothy McVeigh before his execution in June of that year. He was in the news again after September 11, criticizing the Bush administration over its response to the attacks.

In the BBC interview, to be broadcast Tuesday at 1400 GMT, Vidal also accused the U.S. government and media of misleading the public about the reasons for the attacks.

"America is a quarter of a billion people totally misinformed and disinformed by their government," he said. "This is tragic but our media is -- I wouldn't even say corrupt -- it's just beyond telling us anything that the government doesn't want us to know."

[GeneD]

These intellectuals will never stop talking -- especially lovers of Timothy McVeigh.

[Peach]

It's hardly worth responding to arses like Vidal. He's so '80's.

[Argus]

Gore Vidal used to be a talented writer of essays and historical novels. He is now a drooling old queen in love with the sound of his own fatuous anti-Americanism.

[mhking]

It figures - his name is "Gore," fer pete's sake!

[cynicom]

Vidal is a cousin to Al Gore. Named after Als grandfather. Rotten apples that hate America never fall far from the same tree.

[habs4ever]

Oh, Gore, of course he wants that, doncha know.Just to bug you and your crones at The Nation.Psss, it's all about...O-I-L....

Now, go back to your daily bouts of heatstroke, you scaborous viper.

[Dr. Frank fan]

He writes interesting, long pop-novels, so he must be an expert in geopolitical affairs as well. Thus it makes sense to ask his opinion about such matters.

That's the 'thinking" here, is it not?

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

- U.S. author Gore Vidal denounced President Bush Tuesday as wanting the war on terror to go on forever and said some Americans were delighted that the September 11 attacks had singled out Muslims as the enemy

This guy sure is a jerk.

This is one American who did not seek a war with anyone.

But now that it has started, let's roll on to victory .......no matter how long it takes.

And Gore, I'd rather be waging war against liberals, communists and queers. :-)

[jd777]

some Americans were delighted that the September 11 attacks had singled out Muslims as the enemy.

I love it. We singled them out?

[The_Reader_David]

Misleading the people about the reason for the attacks? He's a nitwit, but he has a point: all the "religion of peace" stuff is misleading the American people. The reason for the attacks is that al Qaeda takes the Koran at face value and faithfully follows the False Prophet of Islam.

As for the war going on forever, viewed in a broad historical context it has already been going on since the 7th century: the Muslims were winning until about the 17th, despite setbacks off and on, and then they started loosing. They take a long view, we should too.

[PoorMuttly]

Well, I know a LOT of Americans, and probably our president...want Gory to get as far away from US as possible...forever. Hope that helps. Oh, right. I bet he hates cheese..and that a moose bit his sister, then spat her out and died.

Anyone who pays attention to his opinions, deserves to.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I suppose Mr. Vidal thinks that soldiers enjoy war, too? Everyone has an opinion. No maturity or experience is required to wield a pen, more powerful than a gun and in too many irresponsible hands. Reuters...an unreliable source.

[Chi-townChief]

And I'm interested in what Vidal has to say because ... ?

[Rome2000]

Vidal is a cousin to Al Gore. Named after Als grandfather. Rotten apples that hate America never fall far from the same tree

How could Reuters possibly leave out that he is related to the wooden one?.

I don't care at all for his America bashing, but Burr and Lincoln are quite good books.

[Welsh Rabbit]

He, and Norman Mailer (who once punched him), are nearing the end of their lives, and are bitter to realize that they won't be remembered as great writers. Almost no one who is a celebrity in their lifetime is. Once they die, people will forget them quickly, only vaguely remembering them for their unstable personalities.

[Lurker]

Yep. That's the thinking..

Sad, ain't it?

L

[Right Wing Professor]

...whereas it's Gore Vidal that seems to go on forever. Can't he die, or at least shut up?

[cynicom]

Whatever the unwashed masses need to know, the media will tell them, nothing more.

[ladyinred]

This war may have to go on forever. What part about "different kind of war than we are used to" don't these liberals understand? Trust me, Islam will continue to the last man standing.

[another cricket]

We singled them out?

I was under the impression that they volunteered of their own free will to become our enemy.

a.cricket