by Thomas M. Bates

This book covers the Bush Administration's last two years in office. The essays focus primarily on the federal government's handling of the crises perpetrated by the preemptive invasion of Iraq. This includes the misinformation coming from the White House, the incompetence of the military, the shoddy intelligence that was party to the decision to go to war, the horrendous waste of funds related to the war and military procurement, the instigation of torture of incarcerated combatants; use of rendition, no-bid contracting, and mercenary forces; excessive force on the collateral civilian population in the war zone, slipshod treatment of our wounded, etc. Generally, over the period from January 2001, and specifically from March 2003, to August 2008 the tawdry behavior of the United States Government under George W. Bush has nearly doubled the national debt, perpetrated two recessions, divorced this country from its allies and undermined a global approach to the deteriorating natural environment. As a result of this administration our country's tarnished image will take years to return to the luster of the 'shining city upon the hill'.