Bush's "conversation" w/troops staged

[septbride2002]

Was I angry at Clinton for his road shows? No, it was laughable. The president presented the soldiers with questions that he had, that perhaps the American people had and they prepared their answers. What is so offensive about that? Particularly during a teleconference that is being televised nationally with the President of the United States. Heck, I would rehearse my answers too and I am hardly shy.

Okay fine - we'll just laugh at Bush then. Shouldn't be hard - I laugh at him during every press conference. Aw, laughter really is the best medicine.

The problem is the answers were PRE-SCREENED to make sure they conincided with the message Bush wanted! They weren't real answers when they have to be tested by his watch dog group. Am I the only one who sees this?

~Amanda

 

[septbride2002]

Cheryl, the soldiers have expressed anger today because they feel the press is representing their answers as not their own. They answered with their own opinions, no one elses.

Proof? I haven't read anything about this? Or are you just speaking from your insider information?

~Amanda

 

[sodaseller]

Proof? I haven't read anything about this? Or are you just speaking from your insider information?

~Amanda

They will be expressing their outrage publicly as soon as Allison Barber vets it

 

[RickinNYC]

That's true! I've been avoiding these kinds though...not sure what got into me!

As have I to be honest. But because this involves military servicemen and women, the situation got me angry. I'm of the opinion that whether this Q&A was staged or not, the fact that our soldiers were used for this purpose (P.R.) got me pretty ticked. And the fact is, staged or not, those soldiers are the ones that lost out, no matter which side you support.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, my Dad, brother and sister-in-law are all career military. I love them, have deep respect for them and the work that they do. As I do for service folks in general, and their families; they have a special place in my heart and prayers. To think that they can be used to further the career of any politician just turns my stomache. And that goes for any political party that does so.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Okay fine - we'll just laugh at Bush then. Shouldn't be hard - I laugh at him during every press conference. Aw, laughter really is the best medicine.

The problem is the answers were PRE-SCREENED to make sure they conincided with the message Bush wanted! They weren't real answers when they have to be tested by his watch dog group. Am I the only one who sees this?

~Amanda

If anyone has an issue with pre-screened or pre-scripted teleconferences, than they will have the same problem with Hillary Clinton, Teddy Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, John Kerry and all the other politicians.....heck, even George Washington staged the Crossing of the Delaware River!

 

[beattyfamily]

As have I to be honest. But because this involves military servicemen and women, the situation got me angry. I'm of the opinion that whether this Q&A was staged or not, the fact that our soldiers were used for this purpose (P.R.) got me pretty ticked. And the fact is, staged or not, those soldiers are the ones that lost out, no matter which side you support.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, my Dad, brother and sister-in-law are all career military. I love them, have deep respect for them and the work that they do. As I do for service folks in general, and their families; they have a special place in my heart and prayers. To think that they can be used to further the career of any politician just turns my stomache. And that goes for any political party that does so.

I understand why you feel the way you do, although I may disagree, I do understand. My DH is a Gulf war veteran and others in my family were in the military...so I know how military issues can get you upset when you feel strongly about something that's been done to them. I feel the same way about our military as you do.

 

[mrsltg]

I should really stay away from these posts but sometimes I just can't help myself...

Ok, listen up because I'm going to let ya'll in on a GREAT BIG SECRET - Everything is scripted. Everything. This is politics, not a chat with your neighbor. You know every Congressional inquiry where you cheer for your Senator or Representative because they ask some hard hitting question? It's all scripted. You know when you cheer for Joe Average Citizen testifying? It's all scripted. The entire thing. Start to finish, top to bottom. Both "sides" get together and submit questions and answers. Welcome to politics. The President of the United States doesn't have 30 minutes to spend listening to people take too long to think of a question, speak too fast, too slow, etc etc etc - now, before you get your undies all wadded up, I am not saying that he can't devote time to his soldiers, just that the conversation needs to move. Heck, before I can get onto a conference call with my CEO we have to submit questions that he can have a prepared answer for so that the call flows and all of the "hot topics" are hit on. This is called an "agenda" and yes, every successful meeting has one and it's followed. I don't care who's President, everyone of them is going to do the same thing. As far as "scripting" someone to take a breath and/or pause, this is what you do when coaching someone to speak publicly. We had someone from our company testify a few weeks ago, he was advised to keep his speech slow, and to breath normally.

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled "I hate Bush" "He's the greatest President ever" thread.

Erin

 

[RickinNYC]

I understand why you feel the way you do, although I may disagree, I do understand. My DH is a Gulf war veteran and others in my family were in the military...so I know how military issues can get you upset when you feel strongly about something that's been done to them. I feel the same way about our military as you do.

See? We agreed twice in the same thread!

Now, let's talk about having a house full of poodles. Ummmmm....

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Thanks, Dawn. I was wondering how the soldiers involved felt about this. I haven't read or seen anything that states they were told what to say--only when.

I have no problem with the rehearsal and understand the reasons for it. I just think it's a shame that the attempt by the press to make the President look bad has ended up making the soldiers appear incompetent.

ITA

The vast majority of the soldiers are proud to serve this nation in the Iraqi war and under our Commander in Chief.

The anti-military (by their own admission) media is at in again.

 

[RickinNYC]

ITA

The vast majority of the soldiers are proud to serve this nation in the Iraqi war and under our Commander in Chief.

Funny, everyone I know that's come back from overseas says the exact opposite.

This is a poll I'd love to see!

 

[Teejay32]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, my Dad, brother and sister-in-law are all career military. I love them, have deep respect for them and the work that they do. As I do for service folks in general, and their families; they have a special place in my heart and prayers. To think that they can be used to further the career of any politician just turns my stomache. And that goes for any political party that does so.

Whose career is being furthered?

 

[RickinNYC]

Whose career is being furthered?

Let me change that to further a political career and/or damage control.

 

[DawnCt1]

The problem is the answers were PRE-SCREENED to make sure they conincided with the message Bush wanted! They weren't real answers when they have to be tested by his watch dog group. Am I the only one who sees this?

~Amanda

No, the Bush Bashers see whatever they want to see. Apparently, this is what you want to see.

 

[DawnCt1]

Proof? I haven't read anything about this? Or are you just speaking from your insider information?

~Amanda

I heard it on the news this afternoon.

 

[RickinNYC]

No, the Bush Bashers see whatever they want to see. Apparently, this is what you want to see.

Just thought it interesting to change one word:

No, the Bush Supporters see whatever they want to see. Apparently this is what you want to see.

Not fighting! Just thought it fascinated me. Sorta like a shiny new coin.

 

[toto2]

I think that we see this story in the media is because of accumulation of things.


At one point , people get fed-up with " propaganda", and the Bush team seem to be very good at it.

On September 30, the nonpartisan, investigative arm of the U.S. Congress, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) , found the Education Departement "guilty" of propaganda by posting false news reports in different media ( TV, paper , radio, and the deprtement even paid a Tv commentator to speak positivaly about "No child left behind" , without him divulgating that he was paid to do it.

You have the Jeff Gannon incident , and the "embeded "journalist during the war , the town hall meeting with only screened people , and a prisident that seem to be incapable to answer spontenaously to questions if they dont have to do with what he does on his vacation , and at one point , it will get people tired of being feed only propaganda !

 

[DawnCt1]

Ok, listen up because I'm going to let ya'll in on a GREAT BIG SECRET - Everything is scripted. Everything. ...............
I am not saying that he can't devote time to his soldiers, just that the conversation needs to move. Heck, before I can get onto a conference call with my CEO we have to submit questions that he can have a prepared answer for so that the call flows and all of the "hot topics" are hit on. This is called an "agenda" and yes, every successful meeting has one and it's followed.
Erin

Erin, exactly right! Heck, I would attend company Safety meetings which had limited attendance, and those followed an agenda!

 

[Teejay32]

Let me change that to further a political career and/or damage control

oh good. You rant about damage control, I rant about controlled damage. Doesn't seem that far apart really.

 

[RickinNYC]

oh good. You rant about damage control, I rant about controlled damage. Doesn't seem that far apart really.

didin't realize i was ranting.

Edited to add: WHAT? I have no idea what that means? Wait, I know what that means... but WHAT?

 

[Laurajean1014]

Funny, everyone I know that's come back from overseas says the exact opposite.

This is a poll I'd love to see!

I don't see any facts that regard you statement as true. Is this your opinion or do you have information? The NY media today has been saying that 10 out of 12 armed forces returning home, are supportive of their efforts and the US Government.