Bush says 'profits trump peace'.

Yeah, thats what he said, now Im looking for a transcript of his address to the nation today so I can prove it to you.
What does that tell us about the "War on Terror"?
If 'profits trump peace' then what does that say about capitalism?

I submit to you that the "GLOBAL War on Terror" is the culmination of 'profits trumping peace'.

He said that speaking in context of complaining about other states:

Q A lot of our allies in Europe do a lot of business with Iran, so I wonder what your thoughts are about how you further tighten the financial pressure on Iran, in particular, if it also means economic pain for a lot of our allies?

THE PRESIDENT: It's an interesting question. One of the problems -- not specifically on this issue, just in general -- let's put it this way, money trumps peace, sometimes. In other words, commercial interests are very powerful interests throughout the world. And part of the issue in convincing people to put sanctions on a specific country is to convince them that it's in the world's interest that they forgo their own financial interest.

And John, that's why sometimes it's tough to get tough economic sanctions on countries. And I'm not making any comment about any particular country, but you touched on a very interesting point.

And so, therefore, we're constantly working with nations to convince them that what really matters in the long run is to have the environment so peace can flourish. In the Iranian case, I firmly believe that if they were to have a weapon, it would make it difficult for peace to flourish. And, therefore, I'm working with people to make sure that that concern trumps whatever commercial interests may be preventing governments from acting. I make no specific accusation with that statement. It's a broad statement. But it's an accurate assessment of what sometimes can halt multilateral diplomacy from working.

www.whitehouse.gov...

It's amazing how context can make a huge difference in the meaning eh?
I think Bush is dead on with that comment in terms of the other countries willingness to cooperate, with regards to their profit margins.

Before the American citizens should allow GW Bush to paint the EU as a hinderence of world peace and an obstacle to the USA’s world plans of liberty and freedom for all! Lets have a look at trade figures.

EU:

Exports:
$1.33 trillion

Main export partners:
US 23.3%, Switzerland 7.6%, Russia 5.2%, China 4.8%

Imports:
$1.466 trillion

Main import partners:
US 13.8%, China 13.4%, Russia 8.2%, Japan 6.2%

Trade deficit = $136 Billion

USA:

Exports:
$1.024 trillion

Main export partners:
Canada 23.4%, Mexico 13.3%, Japan 6.1%, China 4.6%, UK 4.3%

Imports:
$1.869 Trillion

Main Import partners:
Canada 16.9%, China 15%, Mexico 10%, Japan 8.2%, Germany 5%

Trade Deficit = $845 Billion (That's VERY VERY bad)

Iran:

Exports:
$63.18 Billion

Main export partners:
Japan 16.9%, China 11.2%, Italy 5.9%, South Korea 5.8%, Turkey 5.7%, Netherlands 4.6%, France 4.4%, South Africa 4.1%, Taiwan 4.1%

Imports:
$45.48 billion

Main Import partners:
Germany 13.9%, UAE 8.4%, China 8.3%, Italy 7.1%, France 6.3%, South Korea 5.4%, Russia 4.9%

EU total imports to Iran = 27.3% of Total = $12.42 Billion or 1.65% Of EU total imports
EU total export to Iran = 14.9% of Total = $9.41 Billion or 1.36% of total EU exports

EU exports to Iran are mostly transport equipment, machinery and chemical-related products.

Iran's main EU export is pistachio nuts.

My God GW Bush makes me laugh, “Your with us or against us” mentality is pathetic. World stability will not happen if Europe cuts it’s ties with Iran! I can imagine Bushy putting Europe on his “AXIS OF EVIL” list soon, that’s if he finds it on the map!!!

Oh, so what your saying Mr. Bush is that Haliburton's interest trump peace.

Translation: American poor people are sacraficed for the enrichment of Mr. Bush and his Cronies!

Jimmy great post

Where did you get your numbers!

[edit on 2/14/07 by mel1962]

Thanks Mel,

I got the numbers from America's own CIA website

I used CIA Figures so some of my esteemed American collegues could not say I was typing EU propaganda

The whole Haliburton saga is a whole other thread!

Talk about pot calling kettle black;

Iraq total Expots $32.19 billion 84% of which comes from Oil

The US get 49% of all Iraqi export! Hhmmmm how strange

[edit on 14/2/07 by Jimmy1880]

Mod Edit: Big Quote – Please Review This Link.

[edit on 14/2/2007 by Mirthful Me]

Originally posted by mel1962
Oh, so what your saying Mr. Bush is that Haliburton's interest trump peace.

Translation: American poor people are sacraficed for the enrichment of Mr. Bush and his Cronies!

Jimmy great post

Where did you get your numbers!

[edit on 2/14/07 by mel1962]

Actually I think Bush said this-

"One of the problems -- not specifically on this issue, just in general -- let's put it this way, money trumps peace, sometimes. In other words, commercial interests are very powerful interests throughout the world. And part of the issue in convincing people to put sanctions on a specific country is to convince them that it's in the world's interest that they forgo their own financial interest.

And John, that's why sometimes it's tough to get tough economic sanctions on countries. And I'm not making any comment about any particular country, but you touched on a very interesting point.

And so, therefore, we're constantly working with nations to convince them that what really matters in the long run is to have the environment so peace can flourish. "

I don't see any mention of Halliburton or Halliburton's interests mentioned anywhere in his response. I guess foregone conclusions trump context.

Its just the facts, Haliburton is making money on the Iraq war, Cheney is Vice President . . . Hmmm . . . yes we are just imagining things . . . that's all drink the kool aid and sing kum bi ya!

Mod Edit: Big Quote – Please Review This Link.

[edit on 14/2/2007 by Mirthful Me]

LOL what a hypocrit

but you know he sometimes he speaks the truth even though he's to stupid to realise it can be applied against him. Like that time he said you can't have real democracy under occupation, pointing the finger at syria. Or that time he said, "civilised nations do not develop weapons of mass destruction", pointing the finger at north korea. Classic.

It's true, profit trumps peace.

That's why he invaded Iraq and destroyed the peace, to make money.

What i really find funny, is how he thinks that Europe not supporting his wars, is being against peace.

Orwell must be twitching in his grave right about now.


[edit on 14-2-2007 by Syrian Sister]

Simply sad. I can already see this appearing in the next anti-Bush propogranda flick on YouTube. They will take this out of context and use it to prove their point just as the 911 conspiracy movies do.

So he says MONEY tumps peace....sometimes, and then he goes on to say that 'Commercial interests are very powerful interests thoughout the world'

OH WAIT, lets see what he says before that....
"One of the problems, not specifically on this issue, but in general......

Well now that Im sitting here reading this I get the impression that instead of a Global War on Terror, perhaps we need a Global War on Commercial Interests.

eff context for a moment. How does the EU not cooperating mean they are chosing money over peace?
Who the hell has Iran attacked?
So if we want to do some yam bag stomping and the Europeans ain't with us, that just means they're more interested in profit over peace?
Maybe their choosing profit over nonsense, that sounds like a far easier choice.

How can he make such hypocritical statements with a straight face?
Although it's only a written quote, I guess he could've been making funny
faces while he said it.

[edit on 15-2-2007 by Flighty]

Originally posted by Sunsetspawn
So if we want to do some yam bag stomping and the Europeans ain't with us, that just means they're more interested in profit over peace?

Thanks for the laugh man.

Yeah, I dont normally watch Bush, but I listened to him today because his time is running out and I think he is getting desperate.
The reporters did a half-assed job of questioning him, better then their usual quarter-assed job. (Gannon-gate anyone?).
I couldnt believe he let out this gem of a statement.

Originally posted by Sunsetspawn
eff context for a moment. How does the EU not cooperating mean they are chosing money over peace?
Who the hell has Iran attacked?
So if we want to do some yam bag stomping and the Europeans ain't with us, that just means they're more interested in profit over peace?
Maybe their choosing profit over nonsense, that sounds like a far easier choice.

i.e. arms deals, oil deals, etc... are more important to them, than peace in the region. An example would be France and Russian opposition to the war because they had billions of dollars in contracts that they didn't want screwed up, rather than any altruistic opposition.

It's all a horrible indictment on Capitalism. The hypocrisy is stunning.

I suppose the next question should be: Can the world sustain a non-war economy?

Shrub and his cronnies are nothing more than Funnel, Inc., I've been saying so for years now. A War on Terra was only good to gin up patriotic support hyped up by fear and hatreds. But the brick and mortor wars are where the money is to be made. So it's all been carefully crafted for the maximum war machine benefits.

And why does Free trade trump Fair trade only for those who are allowed to be profitable in Global Trade?

Why doesn't anyone ever question the other countries involved? Their reasons for feet dragging and uncooperative stances are every bit as messed up as any critiques of US policy. Our motivation is stabilization and freeing of those under despotic regimes, while France, Russia, China, etc.. are concerned more about their arms and oil deals with these regimes. Where is the indictment here? Oil for food, etc... Where is the disgust with these folks, and why is it that the US are always the bad guys. I'd think the ones arming and propping up these thugs should be held accountable for their lack of social responsibility as well.

ok relax the poster did take the coment out of context which makes all the difference in the world

and if you read the whole text what bush was saying made alot of sense and had an intention of peace

now wether that is what they really want and wether he is sincere , IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT STORY

blue,

Right on!!!!!

You see this is part of the HATE AMERICA FIRST CROWD. It has become fashionable to be part of this crowd. Anything the US does is wrong. That is what it has come down to.

For instance; the grammy awards. Notice how the dixie chicks walked away with all the awards...in the same breath they have to cancel shows because no one is buying tickets.

Look back and read some of these posts, nothing but pure hatred being spewed. look at the one poster who claims never to watch President Bush's speeches, but, of course he watched this one - to prove his point - then he/she goes on to say how news reporters have not been asking tough questions of the President.

Gee, doesn't this sound familiar?

So to conclude, all you have to do to be accepted here on ATS is HATE AMERICA, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, AND FREEDOM.

Now, watch how fast the attacks come.

Thank you Tom, thank you.

I like how 11Bravo is trying to spew propaganda. Can I be cool and call him Hitler?