Bush's "conversation" w/troops staged

[WDWHound]

Is there another story besides the one in the OP? Where does it say the soldiers where told WHAT to say? It seems they were told who will address which question and in what order, but it doesn't say they were reading a script. Is there another story published somewhere?

They is no indication they were ever told what to say. I watched the recording that showed when the soldiers were briefed. They were told what they would be asked and how to handle details like passing the mike, but the were not told what to say, at least not during that breifing. The whole thing is based on an unvalidated assumption.

 

[momof2inPA]

They is no indication they were ever told what to say. I watched the recording that showed when the soldiers were briefed. They were told what they would be asked and how to handle details like passing the mike, but the were not told what to say, at least not during that breifing. The whole thing is based on an unvalidated assumption.

And you think the organizers had no idea what the answers would be? If you walked in on your wife in bed with the neighbor would you assume they were just having a nice chat if they weren't in the middle of the act?

 

[robinb]

They is no indication they were ever told what to say. I watched the recording that showed when the soldiers were briefed. They were told what they would be asked and how to handle details like passing the mike, but the were not told what to say, at least not during that breifing. The whole thing is based on an unvalidated assumption.

According to ABC News:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=politics&id=3534788

he president talked to the soldiers and asked them questions in a manner that appeared unrehearsed. President George Bush: "You got something to say Akil?"

But this seemingly spontaneous event began with a rehearsal.

Allison Barber, Dept. of Defense communications official: "I'm interested in how your pre-election operations are going. Can you give me an update on what you've been doing the past couple of weeks?"

The soldiers got the questions in advance and were coached on who would answer.

Allison Barber: "If he gives us a question that's not something that we've scripted, Capt. Kennedy you're going to have the mic and that's your chance to impress us all."

 

[LastTycoon]

Our service men and women have sacrificed a lot to wear their uniforms and I think they deserve to be heard without being scripted by the Administration. I want to hear their story, and I would think that the president would want the same.

You know, it's interesting- even Bush's speech didn't address the soldiers he was supposedly talking to. He said he was thanking them, but most of what he had to say was meant for our ears: "We're facing an enemy that is ruthless and cold-blooded, an enemy that actually has a philosophy, and the philosophy is so opposite of ours." I am fairly confident our soldiers on the front lines know exactly how ruthless and coldblooded the enemy is. They could, in fact, probably teach Bush a thing or two about that. If he cared to hear it. Whatever. It seems to be Bush's main job to lead our soldiers into disastrous foreign policy adventures and then try to sugar-coat things by using them in mawkish, grandstanding publicity stunts.

 

[conciergekelly]

Clinton didn't do the same thing? In 1994, Clinton attended the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Pretending there were no cameras around, he came across some stones while walking by himself down the beach. He knelt down and placed the stones in the shape of a cross. Then he sat there for a while pretending to be sad. The picture of him on the beach in front of the cross he had just made was everywhere. It later came out, that someone had placed those stones there ahead of time and the whole entire thing was staged.

And funny you don't remember that. How come that didn't get the same press as Bush's little pr stunt? I think you proved my point even more. Selective outrage.

So since you were outraged then are you outraged now?

 

[WDWHound]

According to ABC News:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=politics&id=3534788

As I said, they had the questions in advance, but they were not told how to answer. The questions were scripted, not the answers.They were then told that if the president asked an unscripted question, Captain Barber should answer. Again, there is no evidence the answers were scripted, only that they were told who would be acked what so that they would have a chance to prepare thoughtful answers.

 

[snoopy]

You know, it's interesting- even Bush's speech didn't address the soldiers he was supposedly talking to. He said he was thanking them, but most of what he had to say was meant for our ears: "We're facing an enemy that is ruthless and cold-blooded, an enemy that actually has a philosophy, and the philosophy is so opposite of ours." I am fairly confident our soldiers on the front lines know exactly how ruthless and coldblooded the enemy is. They could, in fact, probably teach Bush a thing or two about that. If he cared to hear it. Whatever. It seems to be Bush's main job to lead our soldiers into disastrous foreign policy adventures and then try to sugar-coat things by using them in mawkish, grandstanding publicity stunts.

This one is worth me dusting off my old cheerleader's uniform for. Very well said!

 

[beattyfamily]

As I said, they had the questions in advance, but they were not told how to answer. The questions were scripted, not the answers.They were then told that if the president asked an unscripted question, Captain Barber should answer. Again, there is no evidence the answers were scripted, only that they were told who would be acked what so that they would have a chance to prepare thoughtful answers.

They are just going to ignore what you are saying because bashing our President any chance they can is more fun.

 

[DawnCt1]

I haven't read all of the responses but the charge that it was staged is ridiculous. It was rehearsed. They knew what the questions were and they prepared their answers and they rehearsed those answers. These are young men and women who are not used to being on television and certainly not used to talking to the president. In addition to that, they have to carry on and respond to questions that are delayed by the satelite transmissions. I had to "learn" to talk to my own DH when he would call from Kuwait. DH is often on television, interviewed by our local television news stations over the latest infectious disease or fear. He has done it for many years. It is still not easy. You have to talk into a camera and respond to it like its human. It isn't. These are unnatural situations that require preparation. The soldiers are incensed to hear that the media is presenting this "staged accusation" as not their own thoughts. Most of the soldiers we know, support the mission, support the president and are disgusted by the media presentation of events in Iraq.

 

[snoopy]

They are just going to ignore what you are saying because bashing our President any chance they can is more fun.

Its not fun for me. Its sickening and troubling. Terribly so. So don't put words in my mouth, 'kay?

I'd so rather love the President and stand behind him every inch of the way. That ended when we invaded Iraq. I'm an American who is disgusted that our troops are still over there, but that doesn't make me any less of an American. I don't like "bashing" the President, I like standing up for what I believe in and having my voice be heard.

 

[robinb]

As I said, they had the questions in advance, but they were not told how to answer. The questions were scripted, not the answers.They were then told that if the president asked an unscripted question, Captain Barber should answer. Again, there is no evidence the answers were scripted, only that they were told who would be acked what so that they would have a chance to prepare thoughtful answers.

You are being quite naive on this one, Hound. The answers that were practiced were almost word-for-word as those that were given. There was nothing spontaneous about the teleconference, including the answers that the soldiers gave. For goodness sake, Allison Barber even told one of them when to pause and breathe after speaking one of his lines.

 

[beattyfamily]

Its not fun for me. Its sickening and troubling. Terribly so. So don't put words in my mouth, 'kay?

Defensive, hey? Where did I quote you and then put words in your mouth? Show me, please.

I voiced my opinion, just as you always do. I didn't put words in any person's mouth "kay"?

 

[septbride2002]

They are just going to ignore what you are saying because bashing our President any chance they can is more fun.

Using those mind reading powers again huh?

~Amanda

 

[Alicnwondrln]

They are just going to ignore what you are saying because bashing our President any chance they can is more fun.

thats not really true
but its funny even when they show this claerly staged event on the news even fox last night said it totally back fored on GB and you guys kist keep making excuses for him

 

[beattyfamily]

Using those mind reading powers again huh?

~Amanda

Yeah, I'm getting quite good at it actually!

 

[beattyfamily]

thats not really true
but its funny even when they show this claerly staged event on the news even fox last night said it totally back fored on GB and you guys kist keep making excuses for him

SHow me, please where I made excuses for him? Thanks.

 

[GoldenGate]

I find it pitiful that the appologists are once again making excuses for Bush. Why are you accepting of propaganda? You don't find it scary?

At least they are in the minority now. Most Americans are realizing how incompetent, dishonest and dangerous for the country Bush is now.

 

[DawnCt1]

I find it pitiful that the appologists are once again making excuses for Bush. Why are you accepting of propaganda? You don't find it scary?

At least they are in the minority now. Most Americans are realizing how incompetent, dishones and dangerous for the country Bush is now.[/QUOTE]

Did I hear rants and outcries about Bill Clinton's staged events. Arranging stones on the beach of Normandy as if it were spontaneous, when they had been placed there before his arrival? Dancing on the beach to no music with Hill, when they knew the press had cameras focused on them from afar? The presses staged and planted questions to Rumsfeld with regard to armour?

 

[Tumbleweed]

I don't know why anyone is surprised. All through Bush's campaigns every
speech, every townhall meeting is carefully planned. The audiences are
always carefully screened and you will never see a dissenter.

 

[septbride2002]

Did I hear rants and outcries about Bill Clinton's staged events. Arranging stones on the beach of Normandy as if it were spontaneous, when they had been placed there before his arrival? Dancing on the beach to no music with Hill, when they knew the press had cameras focused on them from afar? The presses staged and planted questions to Rumsfeld with regard to armour?

Someone already won the Clinton award Dawn - sorry you are to late.

And were you angry at Clinton when he did those things? I'm judging by your response the answer is yes. So WHY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH is it not okay for others to be miffed when Bush does it?

Get a new battle cry - your's has gotten old.

~Amanda