Just in case any of you missed the latest "conference" between Bush and troops-

[tenguzero]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1210978

And if you don't like this link, your beloved Fox News is carrying this story as well, along with most other media outfits. Nothing says "Conferencing with the troops on progress in Iraq" like a satellite-linked teleconference. With mostly officers. Oh yeah, and COMPLETELY SCRIPTED. Now THAT'S good policy.

I particularly like the answer of one of the officers, alluding to the anticipated readiness of 1/3 of the Iraqi army for independent operations by the end of the month. I could be mistaken, but is this not the same army that was recently reported on just a month or so ago, by a GENERAL, to have actually LOST ground in readiness?

[PBking82]

I saw the "rehearsal" on the NBC nightly news tonight and this is seriously fucked up. The aircraft carrier parked off of coranado island was one thing(I was in san diego at the time, and saw the fucking thing!!!!!!!) but this is ludicrus. Seriously how can anyone even the fucking jerkoffs that voted for this guy, trust him???? I don't get it all. Peace-

[YogsVR4]

Jesus Christ, you people act like a politician never staged a PR event before Buy a clue.

[DVS LT1]

lol... just when you think these people can't look like any bigger FOOLS! Second City should turn that entire administration into a comedy troupe.



… I really don’t know who to pity more

the people who are forced to live with Bush, or the people who support him.

[tenguzero]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

Jesus Christ, you people act like a politician never staged a PR event before Buy a clue.

If rampant inflation, skyrocketting tuition, high gas prices, and my increased cost-of-living expenses as a result of all this weren't already stretching my $12 an hour paycheck thinner than the paper it's printed on, maybe I would spring for this clue you speak of

Seriously though, we're all aware that politicians frequently stage PR events (kissing babies, buddying up to locals, inquiring: "can I get me a hunting license here" ) etc. But this one just doesn't jive -- considering it's directly related to what is currently a very controversial, very ambitious, very expensive undertaking.

[fredjacksonsan]

Yogs is right. I imagine all of Bush's public appearances are carefully choreographed and rehearsed.

[BNaylor]

So what if it was staged. And even it wasn't what would you expect those Captains and soldiers to say? The war in Iraq is going bad? Regardless, Bush is the Commander in Chief who is in their chain of command so they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. There is no real freedom of speech in the military.

BTW - Those Captains make a hell of a lot more than $12 an hour so they are probably laughing all the way to the bank.

[tenguzero]

So I guess my problem is that I'm actually surprised when I really shoudln't be -- seeing as it's just business as usual

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

Jesus Christ, you people act like a politician never staged a PR event before Buy a clue.

Georgie not only bought, but he rehearsed, and staged his clue.

Now, can we get the money we wasted in Iraq back, so that at least our children can at least afford said clue?

[DVS LT1]

Originally Posted by tenguzero

So I guess my problem is that I'm actually surprised when I really shoudln't be -- seeing as it's just business as usual

That is the best way to describe the feeling...


But your gutt starts to sink when you try to fathom exactly HOW business as usual continues to go on.

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by tenguzero

If rampant inflation

What ramapant inflation? http://www.miseryindex.us/irbyyear.asp

Can you point to where the skyrocketing inflation is located? The last time it even crested 3% (which is still low) was under Clinton.

, skyrocketting tuition

Thats been going on for how long now?

http://www.finaid.org/savings/tuition-inflation.phtml Nothing new here.

Though I am having difficulty finding a proposal by Bush to have tuition increase for state schools - as they are funded by state, not federal, dollars.

high gas prices, and my increased cost-of-living expenses as a result of all this weren't already stretching my $12 an hour paycheck thinner than the paper it's printed on, maybe I would spring for this clue you speak of

I'm sorry that your skills only let you earn $12 an hour.

Seriously though, we're all aware that politicians frequently stage PR events (kissing babies, buddying up to locals, inquiring: "can I get me a hunting license here" ) etc. But this one just doesn't jive -- considering it's directly related to what is currently a very controversial, very ambitious, very expensive undertaking.

Seriously, I can't find anyplace that has the soldiers being told what to say. I also understand that the whole point of the exercise was to bolster support etc. and I will agree with everyone who thinks it was a dumb way to go about it. But, the fact is, this incident is being blown way out of proportion for what it was.

Every politician in an interview or debate, preps the audience. I wish they'd open it up to actual tough questioning. Not only does that rarely happen, it sure isn't going to happen when their is a specific goal in mind. Clinton did the same. The next president will do it too. In all the cases, its not worth the news space its taking on.

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by carrrnuttt

Georgie not only bought, but he rehearsed, and staged his clue.

Yup - sure did. Yet, I still don't see why people are getting all worked up over it. Every politician does the same at all levels. It was done by presidents before Bush and it will be done by them after.

Now, can we get the money we wasted in Iraq back, so that at least our children can at least afford said clue?

I'll prefix this by saying the money wasn't wasted, but I'll play along.

Sure. Stop the FICA and SS ripoff of our income. Then slash medicare by 90% and dissolve the IRS, ATF and DOE. We'd have it all back in a couple months.

[tenguzero]

I'm sorry that your skills only let you earn $12 an hour.

Damn, kick to the nuts! You're in programming or something, right? (correct me if I'm wrong, as this is my assumption.) Well I'm the guy the customers get transfered to when they need help troubleshooting a program that crashed, usually due to faulty coding...

But I digress -- at least I have an OFFICE of my own, so there!

At any rate, am I NOT paying considerably more for even simple services like haircuts and oil changes than I was even a few years ago? Am I NOT seeing my dollar buy me less at the grocery store, restaurant, and pump? Don't get me wrong -- I'm not blaming this fully on economic/government policies (the recent hurricanes have done some pretty thorough ass-kicking.) But the fact remains, prices for the necessities -- food, energy, services -- have gone up noticeably. My spending habits haven't changed, my pay has stayed the same, but I am most definately having more trouble saving than I was before.
http://today.reuters.com/business/ne...S/Mike%20Blake

[ct91rs]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

Then slash medicare by 90%.

Should we just euthanize the elderly?

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

Though I am having difficulty finding a proposal by Bush to have tuition increase for state schools - as they are funded by state, not federal, dollars.

At least in Texas, all schools are now allowed to increase tuition on their own will.