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# Dude, where’s Bush’s memory?
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/dude-wheres-bushs-memory/
- Published: 2007-09-14T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T01:00:49.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

ALL THE WHILE, THE WAR DRAGS on due to Kool-Aid-drinking Republicans and Democrats in search of their spine. Since President Bush bragged, “We’re kicking ass in Iraq,” 28 more GIs have died. Back in 2006, Bush cautioned us to wait for the Baker-Hamilton report, and then just ignored it. As for the Petraeus Report, it turns out the general isn’t the one writing it, the White House is!

How bad is it in Iraq? While Gen. David Petraeus was testifying before Congress, back in Baghdad, his office was blown up. This week, President Bush talked about troop reductions, but, at best, it would be to pre-surge levels. He asked for more time, even though none of his predictions have ever been right. It seems to me if your teenager keeps smashing up the car, you take away the keys — assuming the car’s still left.

Recently a Bush-authorized book came out with the disturbing title, “Dead Certain,” by Robert Draper. On disbanding the Iraqi army — one of the worst blunders of the war — Bush can’t remember whose idea it was. I can understand forgetting your keys, but this? Worse, “W” says that he isn’t sure, but he thinks he was actually against the idea. As I pull my hair out, I shriek, “Why did it happen then?!”

In the book, Bush also shares how he looks forward to making money after his presidency “to replenish the ol’ coffers.” He’s worth $20 million, mind you. He complains that his “Dad and Clinton get 75 grand for a speech!” Actually, oftentimes, it’s more. Is it me or is it unseemly for the President of the United States to be talking about making money while our GIs are dying? At least wait until the war is over. Oh, I forget, it may never be over.

It’s been six years since 9/11 and I’m not sure we even know the truth, other than Iraq wasn’t involved. Someone once joked that to invade Iraq after 9/11 was like invading Mexico after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. My hope, which is obviously wishful thinking, is that next year on 9/11, the troops are finally home. And that includes the Austrian troops, whoops, I mean Australian.

Jack Neworth also writes a TV review column, “Channel Surfing,” for the Entertainment section. He

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/091407-07_01.jpg)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 14, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/091407.pdf?ref=smdp.com)