Kerry/Bush, Debate I Wrap-Up

I'm conflicted.  I think Bush is a horrid President, but it is true that Kerry is no saint.  He's going to continue loads and loads of stupid, evil, even racist policies that are already in effect.  However, in the spirit of "We can't have that religious wing-nut in there any longer, especially since he brings along Rummy, Ashcroft, Rove, Evans, the Iran-Contra Crew, et cetera, et cetera," I bring you...what the sage saw in the transcripts.

1. Bush says "The enemy understands a free Iraq will be a major defeat [for them.]"
   • The enemy is not singular, the enemy is manifold.
   • One of Bush's main tactics is to try to lump all separtists, militants, revolutionaries, reactionaries and the plain 'ol oppressed-and-sick-of-it in together.
   • This is false.
   • There are different tactics for each, often enough.
2. Bush says "We're going to reform our intelligence services to make sure that we get the best intelligence possible.
   • This was priority one, it has been over three years.
   • Ask yourself, what could have been more valuable than intelligence?
   • What could have been more important to fix?
3. Bush says of Saddam Hussein al-Majid, "He had the capability of making weapons and he would have made weapons"
   • Bush has never shortened the phrase "weapons of mass destruction" to the three letters "WMD."
   • In his interview with Tim Russert, he once used the phrase "weapons" instead of "weapons of mass destruction" and the sentence became true (i.e. if he had been talking about WMD, he would have been lying).
   • Weapons include rifles and artillery.
4. Bush says "I certainly hope so." in response to the question of whether diplomacy will work in stopping proliferation in North Korea and Iran
   • Hope? Is it up to a coin toss?
   • No sufficient distinction is made between Kim Jong Il and Saddam Hussein al-Majid
   • Why should we believe one and not the other?
   • No explanation is given for similar circumstances and different approaches.