One of the things that has really bugged me with George W. Bush's Presidency is the willful misleading of the American people. Sure, it is easy to say that most Presidents (nay, most politicians) mislead the people from time to time, but rarely are the stakes so high.
According to this sobering PIPA study:
Even after the final report of Charles Duelfer to Congress saying that Iraq did not have a significant WMD program, 72% of Bush supporters continue to believe that Iraq had actual WMD (47%) or a major program for developing them (25%). Fifty-six percent assume that most experts believe Iraq had actual WMD and 57% also assume, incorrectly, that Duelfer concluded Iraq had at least a major WMD program. Kerry supporters hold opposite beliefs on all these points.
PIPA is a non-partisan group that studies public opinion on Foreign policy. It is associated with the University of Maryland. So why is this happening? Well, also according to the study, both sides agree that the reason for this is that Bush and Cheney keep saying that these things are true. For the record, these things are NOT true.
This is why I have become so involved in this election cycle. I feel that I was duped before the Iraq war. I, like many, was simply scared of what was being said and predicted by my government. This was especially true when Colin Powell gave his UN speech. I respected Colin Powell and was trying my hardest to give him the benefit of the doubt. When I found out the truth I wanted to make sure someone took responsibility for these grave, grave mistakes.
The best way to fight this lack of responsibility is to do everything I can do to get these guys out of office. John Kerry is the best weapon to get them out. As if no one knew, or as if it mattered... I am officially endorsing John Forbes Kerry for President of the United States. I urge you to join me in voting for the Kerry/Edwards ticket.
Posted by dmason at October 22, 2004 12:19 PM