Clarifying the message on the Iraq mission

[BigBadBrian]

Clarifying the message on the Iraq mission
Diana West

January 3, 2005


The year may be winding down, but not the war in Iraq. And if President Bush won the poll that counts on Nov. 2, his re-election by no means eliminates the need for clarity about the Iraqi mission ahead -- particularly here at home. I say this pondering two recent opinion polls, one conducted stateside by The Washington Post, and one conducted by the Military Times of active-duty personnel around the world.

The Post poll, as columnist Donald Lambro has noted, harvested a mass of contradictions. To begin with, 70 percent of the 1,004 randomly queried adults say the rate of American casualties in Iraq is "unacceptable," and 56 percent say the war is "not worth fighting." Which sounds like a political recipe for disengagement. But at the same paradoxical time, 58 percent of the same respondents believe U.S. forces should stay put in Iraq until "civil order is restored," and 48 percent think American efforts to foster democracy in the former dictatorship are making "significant progress."

When it comes to troops polled, there is no mixed message. Sixty-three percent of the 1,423 military respondents approve of Bush's handling of the war, with 60 percent convinced it is a war worth fighting. Among combat vets, that conviction rises to two-thirds. Meanwhile, 75 percent oppose a military draft, while a colossal 87 percent of the military personnel say they're satisfied with their jobs. Only 25 percent say, given the chance, they would leave the service.

The question worth mulling is the "war worth fighting" one, with equivalent majorities in the military and civilian populations at odds over the answer. What do troops overseas know that their fellow Americans at home do not? Silly question. They know a lot of things civilians only imagine about life and death, duty and service, love and loss. And they know a lot of things our media don't see fit to tell us about Iraqi schools, hospitals, town councils, sewers, law, aid and comfort. And I'm thinking they also know a lot of things about the enemy that just doesn't filter through.

Which is where the president comes in -- or should -- to explain. The "insurgency" we hear about is a confusing thing, a misnomer that conjures up a nationalistic force of mustachioed Saddam loyalists plotting to restore the only slightly outdated Ba'athist regime. It is this erroneous image of what is really a melange of Ba'athist elements, international jihadist terrorists and state-sponsored operatives that promotes the dangerous notion, showcased by the Kerry candidacy, that the war in Iraq is a costly "distraction" from the global war on Islamic terror that began in Afghanistan against Osama bin Laden and the Taliban.

The National Review's Michael Ledeen recently highlighted the flaw in the "insurgency" argument by pointing out that the leading force behind the terrorist assault on Iraq is Abu Musab al Zarqawi, who is neither a Ba'athist, nor an Iraqi. He is a Palestinian Arab Muslim from Jordan "who was based in Iran for several years, and who -- when the West Europeans found he was creating a terror network in their countries (primarily Germany and Italy) and protested to the Iranians -- moved into Iraqi Kurdistan with Iranian protection and support, as the moving force in Ansar al Islam."

This makes Zarqawi an emblem for the multinational, Islamo-fascist enemies of Iraqi democracy, which include, according to evidence, Iran and Syria. They also include Osama bin Laden, whose latest purported audiotape dubs Zarqawi his deputy and denounces Iraqis who participate in the upcoming election as "infidels." Terrorism expert Ledeen calls the war in Iraq a regional struggle -- which it certainly is -- while an Islamic scholar such as Robert Spencer may be more apt to see the fight in ideological terms -- which is also correct. The point is that our troops in Iraq are fighting a wider war on violent, nihilist jihad -- that vital struggle for Western survival known antiseptically as "the war on terror."

Just before Christmas, Georges Malbrunot -- one of two captured French journalists who pegged their release by jihadists in Iraq to France's opposition to the war in Iraq -- underscored the reality of that wider war. His captors "were more driven by Islamic holy war than Iraqi nationalism," reported the BBC. "One of the lessons we drew from our captivity was that we were immersed in Planet Bin Laden," Malbrunot said. "We were very aware that it wasn't the Iraqi agenda that motivated our kidnappers, but the internationalist jihadist agenda."

I think any poll would find Americans agree that a war on the internationalist jihadist agenda from Planet Bin Laden is a war well worth fighting.

[Nickdfresh]

Clarifying the message on the Iraq mission

Yeah, right! Ha ha ha ha ha ha.....

[DEMON CUNT]

Two requests BigBlandBrian,

I would take your painfully long cut and paste politicing more seriously if you would include the source (as in which website you copied this from) and offered a personal synopsis.

[Nickdfresh]

And read it before you post it!

[ODShowtime]

did you read this one?

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by DEMON CUNT
Two requests BigBlandBrian,

I would take your painfully long cut and paste politicing more seriously if you would include the source (as in which website you copied this from) and offered a personal synopsis.

Google it up.

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by ODShowtime
did you read this one?

Guess.

[LoungeMachine]

Nope, he didnt.

Too many big words

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Google it up.

You cannot be bothered to name your sources? Ignorant and lazy.

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Nope, he didnt.

Too many big words

Actually, I did...this time.

When I post fewer than five, I read them all.

When I use my "shotgun" approach like I did the other day, there may be one OR two I did not read. I usually read them all, though.

I do, however, post articles I do not agree with just to spark debate. You never know what kind of "fun" or flame-war might ensue. ;)

Dr. Love is one of the few dudes around here to ever consistently see through me on this. It's such a shame he doesn't post here quite as often as he used to. I believe he graduated and got a real job. :D

[ODShowtime]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Actually, I did...this time. When I post fewer than five, I read them all.


I do, however, post articles I do not agree with just to spark debate. You never know what kind of "fun" or flame-war might ensue. ;)

yeah, I've taken some BBB bait in my day. I've learned.

[FORD]

I don't think including a source is too much to ask for. Of course, we both know you pull all this crap off of some Neocon Shitbag website.

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by FORD
I don't think including a source is too much to ask for. Of course, we both know you pull all this crap off of some Neocon Shitbag website.

Or his NAMBLA mailing list.

[LoungeMachine]

Originally posted by FORD

Neocon Shitbag


Redundant.

[LoungeMachine]

Originally posted by ODShowtime
yeah, I've taken some BBB bait in my day. I've learned.

Sadly, that's all that's left from the Right. BBB baiting.

John Ashcroft is busy getting fuked in the ass by his wife's divorce attorny

Wibury is MIA

ELVIS has shot his wad, and now is incapable of anything better than "shut up", and has retreated to his church basement waiting for another young boy

Big Train, the lone voice of reason on the Right has gone underground.


That leaves the second string on the Right. dlr7884 or whatever, Wayne L. and assorted misfits and mouthbreathers.

pathetic.:rolleyes:

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Sadly, that's all that's left from the Right. BBB baiting.

John Ashcroft is busy getting fuked in the ass by his wife's divorce attorny

Wibury is MIA

ELVIS has shot his wad, and now is incapable of anything better than "shut up", and has retreated to his church basement waiting for another young boy

Big Train, the lone voice of reason on the Right has gone underground.


That leaves the second string on the Right. dlr7884 or whatever, Wayne L. and assorted misfits and mouthbreathers.

pathetic.:rolleyes:


It'd be different if there were meaningful discussion on the left, but knuckleboner doesn't post here much anymore either. :(

All we have on the left is FORD and his band of tin-foil-beanie-wearing, boot-licking lackeys, most of whom have multiple aliases on this site. FORD has about five at my last count. God only knows who Demon Cunt and Phil really are. I have my suspicions, though.
:)

There's not much point in debating the venom and hatred eminating from the Left when it is clearly aimed at one political party and the same topic over and over. Most of you guys are rather late in the game here and we've hashed these same topics at least a dozen times. Maybe that's why Dr. Love, knuckleboner, Elvis, John Ashcroft, lucky wilbury, Lincoln, Viking, and others don't come here as often. Simple burn-out.


If you don't like a thread or a post, don't reply. Until then....Fuck off. ;)

[ODShowtime]

I miss Sgt. Schultz. That dude was funny.

[Nickdfresh]

I'll give BBB one thing, he stands in there and takes it and doesn't file the minute someone calls him on his bullshit and double-standards.

Maybe I should switch sides from shits and skins to make things a bit more fair. But I would vomit the minute I had to defend the policies of the current Adminstration shitfest.

By the way, Pulitzer Prize winnin' journalist McCarrens is also MIA? Wow, you guys are jumping from all things NEO CON like rats from a ship.

Agent Zimmerman, where are you?

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
God only knows who Demon Cunt and Phil really are. I have my suspicions, though.

There's not much point in debating the venom and hatred eminating from the Left when it is clearly aimed at one political party and the same topic over and over. Most of you guys are rather late in the game here and we've hashed these same topics at least a dozen times.

I, DEMON CUNT, am the one who has repeatedly given you the proverbial smackdown over and over. You have limped away from thread after thread.

Venom and hatred from the left? C'mon, you do your share of hating. People have been debating these issues for years. To somehow thing that your "copy-paste politicing" should be the end all is typical of right wing arrogant simpletons like you.

The CONS are tired of having to deal with facts and logic so they ran off to the pictures forum to spank it to the "hot asses" threads.

BigBland, either you spam the forum with the thoughts of some rightwing douche, or you offer simplistic analysis as to the state of the forum.

In another words- you have very, very little to say.

[ELVIS]

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
ELVIS has shot his wad, and now is incapable of anything better than "shut up", and has retreated to his church basement waiting for another young boy




That is totally uncalled for...

Last time I checked, abusing young boys was a terrable tragedy within the catholic church. A particular religion that I distance myself from, although I do consider all catholics my christian brothers and sisters...

Fact is, you liberals have shot your wad, LOST, but continue to shoot the same bullshit wad...

Good luck in 2009 !!


:elvis:

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by ELVIS
That is totally uncalled for...

Last time I checked, abusing young boys was a terrable tragedy within the catholic church. A particular religion that I distance myself from, although I do consider all catholics my christian brothers and sisters...

Fact is, you liberals have shot your wad, LOST, but continue to shoot the same bullshit wad...

Good luck in 2009 !!


SHUT UP, boyfucker.

[ELVIS]

Go to hell, pussy!

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by ELVIS
Go to hell, pussy!

I just talked to Baby Jesus and he told me to tell you to...

SHUT UP!

Now forgive me and turn the other cheek like you have been comanded to, you boyfucker.

[ODShowtime]

I prefer to make fun of Elvis for his lame retorts.

[ELVIS]

Like your posts are anything other than lame ??

Most people don't even reply to your bullshit spew...

[ODShowtime]

Originally posted by ELVIS
Like your posts are anything other than lame ??

Most people don't even reply to your bullshit spew...

because they don't comprehend it or they're afraid of getting their ass handed to them.

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh


By the way, Pulitzer Prize winnin' journalist McCarrens is also MIA?

That's probably a good thing. :D

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by DEMON CUNT
I, DEMON CUNT, am the one who has repeatedly given you the proverbial smackdown over and over. You have limped away from thread after thread.

Venom and hatred from the left? C'mon, you do your share of hating. People have been debating these issues for years. To somehow thing that your "copy-paste politicing" should be the end all is typical of right wing arrogant simpletons like you.

The CONS are tired of having to deal with facts and logic so they ran off to the pictures forum to spank it to the "hot asses" threads.

BigBland, either you spam the forum with the thoughts of some rightwing douche, or you offer simplistic analysis as to the state of the forum.

In another words- you have very, very little to say.

The only thing you have done to me is insult me. That to me means little coming from a simple-minded windbag like you. You have no original ideas or content. Insults are all you have. You can't even come up with an original insult once in awhile. Its the same ones over and over.

I rarely respond to you because I know you're incapable of forming a worthy reply, unlike others on this board.

You're nothing. Nada. Zilch.

At least Phil and FORD are mildly entertaining.

At least Nick, LM, and OD are thought provoking, at least some of the time.

You do none of the above.

You're a flea on the Ass of Life.

I actually feel sorry for you. :(

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian

I actually feel sorry for you.

And then you sucked my balls.

[LoungeMachine]

Originally posted by ELVIS
That is totally uncalled for...

Last time I checked, abusing young boys was a terrable tragedy within the catholic church. A particular religion that I distance myself from, although I do consider all catholics my christian brothers and sisters...

Fact is, you liberals have shot your wad, LOST, but continue to shoot the same bullshit wad...

Good luck in 2009 !!


:elvis:

Last time you checked?

Totally uncalled for?

To use YOUR favorite post.......Shut Up.

Fuck you AND your hypocritical posts.

You distance yourself from the Catholic religion?
Fucking priceless.

You are no different from Katydid. maybe worse.

Here's a thought. Instead of being a mod in here, why not devote your time and energy to adopting and caring for all the unwanted babies in the world, since you seem to be so gung ho pro-life.

fucking hypocrite.

[LoungeMachine]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian

At least Nick, LM, and OD are thought provoking, at least some of the time.



The only thoughts I provoke out of you are thoughts of homicide:D

Look, Demon Cunt rocks. And if in some bizarro world he was on YOUR side of the arguments, you'd think so to, B3

The real issue is DC gives no quarter, and deep down that bugs the SHIT out of you, because you are actually a Moderate Liberal;)

There's hope for BigBLINDbrian yet

[ODShowtime]

I want to provoke some more thoughts, but all the anti-bush writers and journalists are all totally burnt out. I saw an article where gw&friends have inflated their estimates of the budget deficit so they would be able to take credit for lowering it more than they really did, but I can't find it anymore.

that and gw is on the DL until the 20th.

[LoungeMachine]

What about his "defibrilator" he has to wear.

Choked on a pretzel MY ASS

[ODShowtime]

Do we have any proof on that? I saw the one picture.

[LoungeMachine]

George W. Bush apparently is wearing a medical device for "persons at risk of cardiac arrest." It is a LifeVest wearable defibrillator. He started using it sometime after his January 2002 fainting spell, which was attributed to choking. Based on photos showing him wearing the device, one can conclude the fainting was due to atrial fibrillation (AF), which his father also had. His father's AF was caused by Graves' hyperthyroidism, which his mother also has. Bush likely has AF and less likely Graves', based on his family history and symptoms. The AF may have caused a stroke or TIA (mini-stroke), of which physicians watching the debates detected symptoms. Observers have noted psychological symptoms consistent with this and with Wernicke-Korsakoff disease.
[December 21, 2004] "The President remains in superb physical condition," said Adam M. Robinson, Jr., commander of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, after the president's fourth annual physical at the center on December 11.

"The doctors said that Mr. Bush had a 'low' to 'very low' risk of coronary artery disease, although they found evidence of minimal calcification of the coronary arteries themselves. As a preventative, they recommended that Mr. Bush take a daily aspirin and a statin, or cholesterol-lowering drug," reported the New York Times.

In contrast, the photos below show Mr. Bush at a presidential debate, with parts of a LifeVest wearable defibrillator clearly visible underneath his suit jacket.

Click on image for a larger version


The LifeVest (left) has an electrode belt with four sensing/ECG electrodes. These send signals to the heart monitor/defibrillator, typically worn like a holster. When the monitor detects a life-threatening heart arrhythmia, it send a signal to the small, handheld patient-interface module. The module provides an audible alarm. The user, if able to do so, depresses two buttons on the module to hold off a shock from the defibrillator. If the user faints and is unable to press the buttons, the defibrillator sends an electrical pulse to the large shocking electrode on the patient's back and a smaller one on the chest. The pulse can be repeated until the heart starts pumping blood effectively, up to five pulses.

In the center photo, showing Mr. Bush and Sen. Kerry at a debate, one can clearly see the shocking electrode between the shoulder blades as well as the electrical cord leading down to the monitor/defibrillator.

The photo on the right, also from the debates, gives another view of the LifeVest components.

Below we see the president adjusting his necktie, and as he does so, revealing the interface module's gray cord leading down to the monitor/defibrillator. The interface module was located possibly behind his tie.



This news could turn out to be the story of the year -- for 2005.

Some time between the fainting (pretzel) incident of January 2002 and the following summer, the president apparently began wearing the device. The photo of Mr. Bush at his ranch was taken on August 9, 2002.

Click on image for a larger version


THE FAINTING INCIDENT OF JANUARY 2002

On January 13, 2002, President Bush lost consciousness while sitting on a couch in the White House, watching a football game. His head hit the floor, resulting in an abrasion on his left cheekbone and a small bruise on his lower lip. The incident was blamed on a combination of (a) Bush not feeling well in previous days and (b) an improperly eaten pretzel. Their combined effect was to slow the President's heart. The description suggests a vasovagal attack: A pretzel lodged in his throat stimulated the vagus nerve to send a signal to his heart, slowing it down and reducing blood flow so much he fainted, according to White House physician Col. Richard J. Tubb, M.D.



Of course, even in this day of e-medicine, it is difficult and uncertain for anyone to diagnose a patient without having access to examination and test results. That doesn't stop physicians and psychologists from trying, especially on someone with President Bush's visibility. Obviously, considerable testing and examination have been done; but the American public does not always have the latest results, as they found out after other presidents, including Roosevelt and Kennedy, left office. Besides photographic evidence, there are observations and quotes from doctors, based on hours of Bush TV appearances, voluminous reports in the media, and the president's own words.

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AF)

In the January 2002 pretzel-choking episode, according to President Bush, the period of unconsciousness was brief -- a few seconds. When fainting begins and ends suddenly, the cause of fainting usually is not what his doctors reported (vaso-vagal syncope) but instead is an abnormal heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation (AF). Chronic AF is consistent with Mr. Bush's requirement for constant monitoring and immediate access to defibrillation. Atrial fibrillation can lead to disastrous consequences if the patient is capable of sustaining a very rapid preexcited ventricular response with conduction over the accessory pathway. The rapid heart rate can produce syncope (fainting); or, more important, AF may cause ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. The LifeVest the president wears terminates ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia (overspeed) to prevent sudden cardiac death. This may be the reason the president wore the device during the debates, even though he risked exposing his vulnerability, especially if the device alarm sounded.

According to the Framingham Offspring study of AF, a person whose parent had AF is 50 percent more likely to have it than the general population. President Bush's father had it during his presidency. While jogging at Camp David on a Saturday afternoon (May 4, 1991), Bush Sr developed shortness of breath, chest tightness, and a general feeling of fatigue. A White House physician discovered Bush had a rapid irregular heartbeat, ultimately diagnosed as atrial fibrillation caused by Graves' disease, a form of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

Vagal-mediated AF is a well described phenomenon and often occurs in older athletes, which our current president, George W. Bush, is. As far as treatment, there are many different drug options. Blood thinners are often prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots. Clotting can lead to strokes, discussed later.

Although atrial fibrillation usually is controllable with treatment, it may become a lasting, chronic, condition. In the president's case, it apparently has, as his physicians evidently have decided to have him wear an external device that can continuously monitor his heart and shock it back into effective operation in case of an attack.

Hyperthyroidism, hypertension, and other diseases can cause arrhythmias, as can recent heavy alcohol use (binge drinking). Some cases have no identifiable cause. The president says that he stopped drinking when he was 40, so binge drinking is not an issue. However, both of his parents have the Graves' disease form of hyperthyroidism and it is hereditary and must be considered.

The earliest photo I have seen of President Bush wearing the LifeVest was the one taken in August 2002. He probably started wearing the LifeVest between the January 2002 pretzel incident and this. The most likely time would seem to be after his June 28, 2002 colonoscopy, for which he was put under anesthesia at Camp David, MD -- that is, some time in July 2002.

At any rate, the president bears watching for symptoms of AF, which include: heart palpitations (sensation of rapid heartbeat), irregular pulse, shortness of breath (especially during physical activity or emotional stress), chest pain (angina), weakness and fatigue, dizziness and confusion, lightheadness, or confusion. If the condition remains untreated, serious complications may occur, including stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.

EVIDENCE OF STROKE OR TIA
The evidence of atrial fibrillation is strong, based on photographic evidence that Mr. Bush wears an anti-arrythmic device, his father's having it, a confirmed sudden-fainting spell, numerous falls, and observation-at-a-distance. The evidence of a stroke or TIA is less strong. It is symptomatic and based observation-at-a-distance -- TV appearances and news reports -- but it is there.

A stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack) is one possible consequence of AF itself. A TIA basically is a mini-stroke.

Many observers, including physicians, have been concerned or even alarmed at the symptoms President Bush has evidenced in TV appearances.

The photo below shows the drooping mouth noticed by Dr. W. Kendall Tongier, M.D. of Dallas, Texas.



After watching the third presidential debate, Dr. Tongier posted on the Dallas Morning News website about his concerns that the president may have had a stroke. Dr. Tongier has been an anesthesiologist for 15 years. His post said:

"Having watched the first two debates from start to finish, I was looking forward to listening to a spirited debate between Bush and Kerry. Unfortunately, I barely heard a word that was said. Instead, I found myself staring at and concentrating on the president's drooping mouth."


"As a physician and a professor, I tend to pick up on signs and symptoms of physical problems better than most other people. I am highly concerned with what I saw. The drooping left side of the President's face, his mouth and nasolabial fold (the crease in the face running from the nostril to the side of mouth) may be indicative of a recent stroke, TIA (transient ischemic attack) or, possibly botox injections. I sincerely hope this was nothing more than botox injections. The other options are truly scary given an upcoming election for president in three weeks."

In a phone interview reported by Salon.com, Dr. Tongier stressed that he's not a neurologist, and no doctor can make a diagnosis from a 90-minute debate. But he did explain why he found Bush's face so distracting on TV: "It struck me across the face to the point where I wasn't really listening to the debate. It looked like the left side of his mouth was downturned. You know how he sneers at times. At first I thought that's what it was, but it didn't change when his face was at rest. It changed when he talked, but you'd expect that. It's the loss of muscle tone there that's really kind of concerning. And it was pretty much persistent throughout the entire debate."


"It certainly could be something as benign as an overzealous botox injection, which causes the paralysis, which is essentially how botox works. A lot of people will get them around the nasolabial fold to decrease those lines. If it's botox, it can be a short-term reaction after an injection. It could last for 24 hours and be gone. But I'd like to see the Bush campaign at least give an explanation."

Not only was there no explanation, but the president delayed his annual medical examination until after the election. Even now, as far as I know, the complete details, including tests made and the metrics of those tests, have not come out -- only a conclusion that he is in "supurb condition." If the speculation is true, the writers of the president's medical report should be held to account for the discrepancies.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat in which the upper chamber of the heart quivers rapidly rather than beats. Even if it does not result in life-threatening ventricular fibrillation, the quivering motion is not forceful enough to send all the blood to the heart's lower chambers (ventricles), and the blood pools, thus allowing clots to develop. The clots can migrate elsewhere, including the neck or brain (in cerebral embolism), and they can cause strokes.

A series of strokes can cause a progressive impairment of brain function known as "multi-infarct dementia."

DEMENTIA

The term "dementia" refers to a group of symptoms involving progressive impairment of all aspects of brain function. Disorders that cause dementia include conditions that impair the vascular (blood vessels) or neurologic (nerve) structures of the brain. Multi-infarct dementia results from the damage caused by strokes, and there is evidence that Mr. Bush has suffered multiple small strokes or TIAs.

One other type of dementia is caused by Wernicke encephalopathy, which is bleeding and swelling of the brain due to multiple brain lesions, caused by lack of thiamine vitamin. The disease often is connected to alcoholism. Mr. Bush drank, often heavily, according many published reports, from about age 20 to age 40. He said himself one time that he couldn't remember a day he didn't have a drink.

A minority of causes of dementia are treatable. Wernicke can be treated with thiamine. If untreated long enough, the disease progresses to Korsakoff's disease, which like most of the disorders associated with dementia are progressive, irreversible, degenerative conditions.

The two major degenerative causes of dementia are (1) Alzheimer's disease, which is a progressive loss of nerve cells without a known cause or cure, and (2) vascular dementia, which is loss of brain function due to a series of small strokes. Vascular dementia may or may not play a role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease: the conditions often occur together and neither can be diagnosed definitively except until autopsy. In those with the genetic and environmental susceptibility to develop Alzheimer's disease, the concomitant presence of small infarcts (lacunar strokes) speeds up the onset of Alzheimer's disease to an earlier age than if it were to occur alone (i.e., without small infarcts).

Dementia may be diagnosed when there is impairment of two or more brain functions, including language, memory, visual-spatial perception, emotional behavior or personality, and cognitive skills (such as calculation, abstract thinking, or judgment). Dementia usually appears first as forgetfulness. Other symptoms may be apparent only on neurologic examination or cognitive testing.

A well-respected psychoanalyst has written a psychological profile of the president, called "Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President" (ISBN: 0060736704).

Justin A. Frank, M.D., is a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at George Washington University Medical Center. Since 1980 he has been a teaching analyst at the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. He is past president of the Greater Washington Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. Dr. Frank lives and practices psychoanalysis in Washington, D.C.

Among the problems Dr. Frank found in Mr. Bush are megalomania, characterized by a Manichaean worldview, delusions of persecution and omnipotence, and an "anal/sadistic" indifference to others’ pain. The Manichaean tradition is a defunct religion with a "good cop/bad cop" theology.

The book follows Mr. Bush from childhood to now and analyzes the drinking problem, the bellicose rhetoric, the verbal flailings and misstatements of fact, the religiosity and exercise routines, the hints of dyslexia and hyperactivity, the youthful cruelty to animals and schoolmates

Below are some of the problems associated with dementias, including vascular and alcoholic (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome). Some of the things in this list were observed by Dr. Franks in Mr. Bush. Other items exist further along in the progression of the disease.

- progressive loss of memory
- inability to concentrate
- decrease in problem-solving skills and judgement capability
- persistence in failed problem-solving modes, "staying the course" at all costs (perseveration)
- confusion
- hallucination, delusions
- altered sensation or perception
- impaired recognition (agnosia) of familiar objects or persons
- altered sleep patterns
- MOTOR SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT
-----gait changes
-----inappropriate movements
-----other impairments of motor system
- disorientation
- inability to generalize, learn, think abstractly, or perform calculations
- MEMORY DEFICIT
----- short term (can't remember new things)
----- long term (can't remember past) Persons with this may make up stories to cover up nothing but the memory lapse itself. (confabulation)
- IMPAIRED LANGUAGE ABILITY
----- inability to comprehend speech
----- inability to read (alexia)
----- inability to write (agraphia)
----- inability to find words (aphasiia)
----- inability to repeat a phrase
----- persistent repetition of phrases or words (Much has been made of President Bush's use of the word "fabulous.")
- PERSONALITY PROBLEMS
----- irritability
----- poor temper management
----- anxiety
----- depression
----- indecisiveness
----- self-centeredness
----- inflexibility
----- no observable mood (flat affect)
----- inappropriate mood or behavior
----- withdrawal from social interaction
----- inability to function in social or personal situations
----- lack of spontaneity

Some of the above have been noted by Dr. Franks in the Bush book. Some have been noted by other MD's and by medical laymen, including members of the press.

Evidence of motor system impairment has been well chronicled by the media. Most of these incidents have come at times of particular stress. They include:

January 2001: While watching a football game, Mr. Bush fainted and injured his face. This was a time of stress, 2 weeks before his post-9/11 State of the Union address.

May 2003: Mr. Bush fell off a Sedgway gyroscopically balanced 2-wheel scooter. Another stress -- 2 weeks before a trip abroad to line up support for Iraq war.

August 2003: Mr. Bush dropped his dog as Barney as Mrs. Bush handed him the dog at the TSTC Airport in Waco, Texas, to the horror of onlooking schoolgirls. In little over a week he would give only his second (the first was to announce the start of the war on Iraq) address to the nation defending the yellowcake/Wilson/Plame matter, the WMD deadend, and the growing insurgency in Iraq -- arguably his most important national address to date. This was a time of stress.

May 2004: Two days before one of very few and arguably the most important prime-time speech of his, in which he defended the Iraq war in the wake of Fallujah and Najaf unrest, Mr. Bush fell and injured his face again. His approval rating was 41 percent, the lowest of his presidency, at this time of stress.

June 4, 2004: Mr. Bush appeared with a scatch on his right cheek. Had he fallen again?

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this organic brain disease include swalling problems. However, this and some of the above are also symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

HYPERTHYROIDISM (OVERACTIVE THYROID)

When one of a person's parents has hyperthyroidism, one cause of AF and the cause in his father's case, the chances are that 50 percent of their children will have it. Both of President Bush's parents have Graves' disease, increasing his chances of getting it even more.

The president's father was diagnosed with Graves' disease, a form of hyperthyroidism in 1991, within 18 months of Barbara Bush being diagnosed with the same thing. The chances of this happening to two unrelated persons in such a short time is about 1 in 3 million. Because of the remarkable coincidence, the Secret Service tested the water in the White House, at Camp David, at the Vice President's residence, and at Walker's Point (Bush's home in Maine) for lithium and iodine, two substances "known to cause thyroid problems." The lead investigator was Dr. Kenneth Burman, then a colonel in the Army medical corps (the same man whom the media is quoting about the thyroid cancer of Chief Justice Rehnquist).

Besides causing atrial fibrillation as it did in the case of Bush Sr and possibly Bush Jr, hyperthyroidism has the following symptoms:

-- Feeling of fullness in the throat

-- Enlargement of the thyroid, known as goiter

-- CHOKING ON FOODS

-- Irregularities in blood pressure and heart rate.

-- FAINTING OR DIZZINESS

-- SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT AND A CONTINUAL FEELING THAT THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE EYES (This could explain the president's rapid eye-blinking, noted in the presidential debates.)

The onset of Graves' frequently is during times of intense stress. Bush Sr fell ill with Graves' and AF during the first Iraq war.

The president's physicians should be looking carefully at his thyroid antibodies and conducting a complete thyroid bloodwork panel in view of his symptoms and family history. Of course, Mr. Bush should level with the American people on this.


OTHER SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM

Enlarged thyroid gland

Rapid heart beat (tachycardia) or heart palpitations

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (President Bush appears to have worn a LifeWest defibrillator since about July 2002.)

Smooth, velvety skin

Tremor of the fingertips

Fatigue

SWEATY PALMS -- This is related to heat intolerance.

Weight loss

Fine brittle hair

RESTLESSNESS -- Some observers noted this during the debates.

Depression

Increased appetite

Changes in sex drive

MUSCLE WEAKNESS, ESPECIALLY IN THE UPPER ARMS AND THIGHS -- The president did drop his 15-pound dog during a handoff from his wife. Also, he has replaced a large part of his running regimen with mountain-bike riding, which, as noted, has resulted in one injurious accident.

Shortened attention span.

HEAT INTOLERANCE -- In the Bush-Kerry camps' agreement for the 2004 debates, one requirement was that the temperature be kept below 70 degrees. This requirement apparently came from the Kerry camp since Sen. Kerry supposedly sweats easily. However, this would also serve Mr. Bush's interest if he has hyperthyroidism.

INCREASED SWEATING

NERVOUSNESS AND IRRITABILITY -- This is one of the symptoms that also has a neurological etiology.

Restless sleep or insomnia -- Mr. Bush does arise at 5 a.m., at least a his ranch.

ERRATIC BEHAVIOR -- This obiously also is a symptoms of Wernick-Korsakoff syndrome (alcoholic syndrome) as well as various dementias including multi-infarct dementia.


CONCLUSION

The president apparently uses a wearable defibrillator, a device to stop heart arrhythmia, as seen in photographs. He has had a sudden fainting spell and other symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AF) and has a genetic tendency for it. Some observers have noted neurological and psychological irregularities and other evidence of stroke, which is a possible result of AF. Some of these irregularities could be caused by Wernicke-Korsakoff's, a disease of inveterate alcoholics. The president has an even stronger genetic predisposition for hyperthyroidism and some symptoms of it, including the heartbeat arrhythmia. Only his doctors know for sure.

[LoungeMachine]

http://atlanta.indymedia.org/newswire/display/35360/index.php

Try this.

It has the photos, including the Crawford ranch one which is weird.

Coincidence???

fuckin' doubt it

[LoungeMachine]

Here's the debate photos and the text from the NASA scientist.

It's there people. IT NOT "BAD TAILORING" there's a device under there

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/10/29/bulge/index_np.html

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Look, Demon Cunt rocks. And if in some bizarro world he was on YOUR side of the arguments, you'd think so to, B3

The real issue is DC gives no quarter, and deep down that bugs the SHIT out of you, because you are actually a Moderate Liberal;)


Thanks Bro-seph! I Actually enjoy jousting with the Big Bland Bri-guy. Unlike many of the Bush-o-trons on the boards, he's got a good head about him.

I am sorry to hear that he's sick.

Get better Brian. I would like to kick your ass some more! :D

[ODShowtime]

Bush's head looked like it was ready to explode during that one debate. And he's clearly not right in the head. Not like anyone gives a fuck.

Hitler was off his rocker too. Wasn't he completely wacked out on speed during the last couple years? That was when he stuck his head into the military's business and helped bring on the demise of his country.