Bush's "conversation" w/troops staged

[septbride2002]

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!

Excellent Point Laura Jean! And I agree 100% and I have mentioned before (although not on this thread) I am against these pre-screened interviews and staged moments. It is ridiculous and shows that they honestly don't think the American people are more then a bunch of 13 year olds. Although I'm not sure I agree with you about George Washington.

What Dawn, and beattyfamily don't understand is that for me, and I think for snoopy (although don't presume I speak for her), is that we are sick and tired of politicians doing this period - regardless of political leaning. I'm sorry that I was to young to take up interest in the Clinton Administration. Which is what is extremely frustrating to me when these threads turn into "WELL WHAT ABOUT SO and SO" because I've only been of voting age for the last 8 years. So I've really only had a chance to watch Bush.

That all being said - I still don't agree with Bush doing this and I'm not going to stick up for, or try to exchange one sin for another when it comes to Clinton. Just once I would love it if a person on the right posted, 'You know what - I don't agree with that either.' It is frustrating to post about something you disagree with, despite political affiliation, that there isn't some Bush Fanatic posting back that all you want to do is bash Bush. WRONG! I WANT POLITICIANS TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS, I WANT THEM TO STOP LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, I WANT THEM TO STOP ACTING LIKE WE ARE BUNCH OF 13 YEAR OLDS AND LAY DOWN AND TELL US WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING RATHER THEN WHAT THEY WANT US TO HEAR. AND IF I HAVE TO START WITH BUSH TO GET MY POINT ACROSS I WILL. BUT THE BUSH FANS ARE SO BUSY TRYING TO TEAR US DOWN THAT THEY DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO READ WHAT IS IN FRONT OF THEIR FACE! AND THAT MY FRIEND IS WHAT I CALL - DRINKING THE KOOL-AID.

Emphasis is mine because maybe if I write in all caps and bold it that certain people will finally see what I at least have been trying to say.

And to that my friends I say "Good-night!"

~Amanda

 

[septbride2002]

I heard it on the news this afternoon.

Still looking for proof. I saw that aliens landed on earth this morning, I think they said in Niger.

~Amanda

 

[RickinNYC]

I don't see any facts that regard you statement as true. It 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.

Laurajean, they are facts insofar as I am referring to my FRIENDS that have gone to and returned from overseas and THEY are the ones that told me their own opinion. Not a newspaper.

 

[Teejay32]

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?

Controlled damage. You know..."The answers were fake!" ...making a federal case out of troops rehearsing a teleconference with the President the day before the national referendum in Iraq, that sort of thing. No biggie.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I was to young to take up interest in the Clinton Administration. Which is what is extremely frustrating to me when these threads turn into "WELL WHAT ABOUT SO and SO" because I've only been of voting age for the last 8 years. So I've really only had a chance to watch Bush.

My son is currently 9.5 and has been voting (in a mock school election) every year on local, state and Presidential elections.

I nearly fell off the sofa when my DS (then 4), ran up to the TV screen and yelled at Al Gore, saying "Liar."

Children in our nearby school have reading and essay assignments regarding current events, (Katrina, Rita, Earthquakes, Politics, etc). Our community is quite proud that our "future leaders" and "future voting public" are taking a very active role in events that may affect them now and later. It is also teaching them the value of responsibility.

However, I doubt his school will be jumping up and down about this latest media

 

[septbride2002]

My son is currently 9.5 and has been voting (in a mock school election) every year on local, state and Presidential elections.

I nearly fell off the sofa when my DS (then 4), ran up to the TV screen and yelled at Al Gore, saying "Liar."

Children in our nearby school have reading and essay assignments regarding current events, (Katrina, Rita, Earthquakes, Politics, etc). Our community is quite proud that our "future leaders" and "future voting public" are taking a very active role in events that may affect them now and later. It is also teaching them the value of responsibility.

However, I doubt his school will be jumping up and down about this latest media

I only did one mock election in my days of school. It was the Clinton Vs. George Bush Vs. Pero(sp?) one. I think I voted for George, but I could be wrong. Anyway no in the schools I went to watching and learning about politics was not a primary focus. When I went to Catholic school (grades K-5) we didn't learn anything about politics. But it was a poor catholic school in the south side city. In Jr High (6-8) is when I had my mock election. In High school, some of the history classes may have done elections but I didn't participate. So again - I did not really become interested in national politics until I turned 18, didn't get to vote till I was 20 and then it was for Bush.

Funny I think Al Gore is a liar to. See how that works?

~Amanda

 

[rcyannacci]

How do you know you haven't heard their story? How do you know their answers weren't their own? Are you accusing these soldiers of lying?

Talk about putting words into someone's mouth!

What I know about what soldiers have said about the conflict in Iraq is based on a number of sources, many which aren't vetted by the Administration. Are you willing to call returning soldiers who disagree with the conflict liars? More than likely, any of them who disagrees with Bush's handling of the war will be labeled as having an "agenda," which will immediately invalidate their opinion. If you truly support the military, then you support all of the men and women who've put thier butts on the line, not just the one's that "tow" the party line.

 

[sodaseller]

Think this is another example of Cohn's thesis

Whenever Bush and his allies have faced rising opposition to some element of the Iraq war, they've tried to shut down the argument by suggesting that their critics are undermining the morale and safety of U.S. troops abroad--in effect, using American soldiers as human shields in a p.r. war. They did so most famously, and offensively, at the 2004 Republican National Convention, when an unhinged Zell Miller, the ostensibly Democratic senator from Georgia, accused Democrats of slandering the soldiers. "Democratic leaders see America as an occupier, not a liberator," Miller said. "And nothing makes this Marine madder than someone calling American troops occupiers rather than liberators." Republicans and their supporters launched similar rhetorical broadsides after rising insurgency activity in 2004 (when Representative Rob Portman said that criticizing Bush's leadership was "demoralizing" to the troops), after revelations this year about prisoner abuse in military detention facilities (when Deborah Pryce, another House Republican, attacked Democrats for "jumping at any chance to point the finger at our own troops"), and after a recent series of setbacks (when Oliver North lashed out at the "old, anti-military, 'Blame America First' crowd" for dwelling on them).

 

[Teejay32]

And whenever Progressives face rising annoyance with their one-note defeatism as with Zell Miller, they call it being "unhinged" and they'll question one's commitment to the Democratic Party. What's your point.

 

[cardaway]

Talk about putting words into someone's mouth!

What I know about what soldiers have said about the conflict in Iraq is based on a number of sources, many which aren't vetted by the Administration. Are you willing to call returning soldiers who disagree with the conflict liars? More than likely, any of them who disagrees with Bush's handling of the war will be labeled as having an "agenda," which will immediately invalidate their opinion. If you truly support the military, then you support all of the men and women who've put thier butts on the line, not just the one's that "tow" the party line.

Exactly, and until I see one of the upset soldiers allowed to speak ont he record, I will not have any respect for these press ops where the soldiers are shown to have a unified support for the war. This especially goes for all those men and women who should be home by now if not for the psuedo draft that keeps them from going home.

 

[beattyfamily]

What Dawn, and beattyfamily don't understand is that for me, and I think for snoopy (although don't presume I speak for her), is that we are sick and tired of politicians doing this period - regardless of political leaning. ~Amanda

Now whose using those mind reading powers again huh?

 

[septbride2002]

Now whose using those mind reading powers again huh?

Last time I checked you brought up bush bashing on the thread. I was addressing this and not mind - reading, I know that is your specialty.

~Amanda

 

[beattyfamily]

Last time I checked you brought up bush bashing on the thread. I was addressing this and not mind - reading, I know that is your specialty.

~Amanda

You were stating something you 'think' I don't understand. Now how do you know this for a fact unless you can read minds?

I realize you don't like what you think happened the other day. I get it. But see, the point is you and I disagree on what we each think happened.

I get the feeling you don't particularly like me and I'm not sure why.

 

[transparant]

From a soldier who was actually there:
http://278medic.blogspot.com/

Yesterday, I (bottom right corner in the picture) was chosen to be among a small group of soldiers assigned to the 42ID's Task Force Liberty that would speak to President Bush, our Commander-in-Chief. The interview went well, but I would like to respond to what most of the mass-media has dubbed as, "A Staged Event."
First of all, we were told that we would be speaking with the President of the United States, our Commander-in-Chief, President Bush, so I believe that it would have been totally irresponsible for us NOT to prepare some ideas, facts or comments that we wanted to share with the President.
We were given an idea as to what topics he may discuss with us, but it's the President of the United States; He will choose which way his conversation with us may go.
We practiced passing the microphone around to one another, so we wouldn't choke someone on live TV. We had an idea as to who we thought should answer what types of questions, unless President Bush called on one of us specifically.

President Bush told us, during his closing, that the American people were behind us. I know that we are fighting here, not only to preserve our own freedoms, but to establish those same freedoms for the people of Iraq. It makes my stomach ache to think that we are helping to preserve free speech in the US, while the media uses that freedom to try to RIP DOWN the President and our morale, as US Soldiers. They seem to be enjoying the fact that they are tearing the country apart. Worthless!
The question I was most asked while I was home on leave in June was, "So...What's REALLY going on over there?" Does that not tell you something?! Who has confidence in the media to tell the WHOLE STORY? It's like they WANT this to turn into another Vietnam. I hate to break it to them, but it's not.

Tomorrow morning, the Iraqi people will vote on their constitution. The success of our mission or the mission of the Iraqi security forces is not defined by the outcome of that vote. If the people of Iraq vote this constitution down, that only means that the FREE, DEMOCRATIC PROCESS is at work in Iraq. They are learning to voice their opinions in the polling stations, not through violence. If it is voted down, they will have the chance to draft an even better version; One that may better serve the people of Iraq. This is up to them. It is history in the making and I will not let the media or anyone else (who has not spent more than two weeks here) tell me otherwise. I have been here for almost a year. I have seen the progress made in so many ways from January's elections to this referendum. Don't tell me what the Iraqi people can or can't do. They will tell you with their VOTES!

If you would like to see our interview with President Bush, you may get it HERE.

 

[DawnCt1]

From a soldier who was actually there:
http://278medic.blogspot.com/

Well thank you Transparent. There is the "proof" that I heard on the news today and the proof that Amanda was looking for. There always has to be a conspiracy with these people. Nothing is straight forward such as; "I felt I needed to be prepared in front of the Commander in Chief and millions of Americans".

 

[Galahad]

I love this one from that unit's blog site:

ROOM FOR RENT: A Must See!! Beautiful, studio-style apartment (closely resembling a US Army FOB guard post), nestled onto a gently sloping .0005 acre lot with a breathtaking view! 0-bedrooms, 0-baths & landscaped with sand-bags. Hardwood floors throughout. Wonderful neighborhood, but security is provided. This little baby is poised to sell, sell, sell!! Won't last long!!

 

[septbride2002]

Well thank you Transparent. There is the "proof" that I heard on the news today and the proof that Amanda was looking for. There always has to be a conspiracy with these people. Nothing is straight forward such as; "I felt I needed to be prepared in front of the Commander in Chief and millions of Americans".

Lets not group "these people" with little ole me. And yes - when you counter claim someone you should provide the proof or evidence of that fact. If we were all to believe whatever anyone says then I could easily say, "President Bush had an affair." and not have to back up my statement. I'm not sure you would appreciate that very much - nor do I appreicate it when someone doesn't provide a link to what they are claiming.

Thank you to transparent for doing so.

~Amanda

 

[frndshpcptn]

Yes, they were message trained before they went on air. No responsible PR person would allow an high-level interview to be broadcast without message/media training the spokespeople - all of them.

Yes, they needed to practice. But that's not the point. I'm tired of always seeing staged events - and I am a PR exec. This is what I do for a living. Yes, it's a play. Yes, it carefully crafted to deliver the message the White House wants broadcasted - but sometimes I think maybe it shouldn't be. Maybe host a round table with soldiers that have been there who have differing opinions and see what we learn. Clearly not everyone serving in Iraq thinks alike - I wonder what an intelligent, open discussion would show?

And yes - I did not vote for Bush - and no - I'm not 100% sure our efforts over there are going to work long term. I think in time militants will take over Gaza and use it as a training base for the jihadists and it won't matter that they have some sort of "democracy" in Iraq. The non-millitants won't be able to sustain it without long term and serious help from outside nations. They will be overpowered by extremeists. No, I don't have a source - just my own opinion from what I have read and what I have seen while traveling in the region. I fear that too many people in the middle east don't want peace and don't want the freedoms we want to give them. It's not their culture and it's not a stable part of the world.

 

[cardaway]

But the blogger was still one of those hand picked to be there.

Bush Co. still gets no respect until they allow in front of the mirophone with dissenting opinion. Until then we only get to hear teh other side when the soldiers come back on leave through our freinds and family members.

 

[sodaseller]

The Praetorians speak!