Should Laura have listened?

[shortbun]

Should Laura Bush have asked to speak to the bereaved
mother at her campaign speech? It would certainly have
impressed me had our First Lady, also a mother, taken time
after her speech to talk to and understand what the mother
whose son had died in Iraq had to say. What do you think?

 

[poohandwendy]

Sure, that would have been nice. I don't know that she didn't ask to, maybe she did? I don't know who she has talked to and who she hasn't. Not sure that it would have been much of a comfort to the woman involved though. There is nothing that is going to make her feel better about losing her son in a war she doesn't agree with.

 

[shortbun]

You think they would have omitted that from the story?
I think she didn't ask or we would have heard loads about
it.

 

[gina2000]

Yes, she should have, privately.

After 9/11, Rudy Giuliani was involved in every story, every heartbreak. It has cemented his image as a caring man. Up until 9/11, he was not perceived in that light.

I've never thought badly of Laura Bush. I do, however, wish this story had a better ending to it.

 

[disney4us2002]

First, given what I've seen of AP reporting, I would not rule out that any part of the story was left out or just plain wrong.

Second, I guess I don't see this woman as wanting to 'talk' to LB. She was wearing a shirt that said GWB killed her son. It seems her mind is made up and there is little LB could say to give comfort. She wants to speak out against the war and against the current president which is certainly her right but this wasn't the place to do it.

 

[Pop Daddy]

I wonder how Tressesa Heniz Kerry would have handled this

 

[shortbun]

long tag PD!

 

[Mamu]

She's such a classy lady I'm sure there's been some contact.

This is a very sad story, as the death toll rises we look for answers, and blame. I can't image the pain of losing a child. Without finding WMD, the main reason given for invading Iraq I would be looking for blame too.

Our world is full of tyrants who suppress their people, and are a threat to us. I have yet to hear why Iraq? Why not North Korea? Why not Iran? Is it all about Oil as some suggest?

Losing a loved one is hard enough, and if you believe there isn't any truth to the reason, it makes it harder not to blame.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Pop Daddy...I could see Teresa IN the audiance screaming at Laura right along with the mother who lost her son. At least the mother has a reason (grief) for her actions. Teresa is just nuts. IMO!

 

[Pop Daddy]

Originally posted by shortbun
long tag PD!

lol, I never thought of that, you got me

 

[LScot]

I agree with Carla. I don't think wearing a shirt that says GWB killed my son is going to open the doors to communication. GWB didn't kill her son. I'm sorry he died. But serving our country was the job he signed up to do. I'm sorry he died during that service and I'm sorry she lost him while he was serving.

I'm sure that LB felt terrible seeing that mother. Any mom would have. And I'm sure the statement on her shirt probably brought back some horrendous memories for her.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by LScot
I agree with Carla. I don't think wearing a shirt that says GWB killed my son is going to open the doors to communication. GWB didn't kill her son. I'm sorry he died. But serving our country was the job he signed up to do. I'm sorry he died during that service and I'm sorry she lost him while he was serving.

I disagree - it certainly did open up doors of communication. Maybe not with Laura, but everyone's talking about it; aren't they? And I think this was the mom's intention.This was a successful war protest, pure and simple. If Laura had talked to her it would have been even better - for the Republican party, as well, I think.

It's true that if I had an enlisted son or daughter it would be their job to serve their country - whatever that meant. But I, as a mother, didn't sign up for anything except to be a mom and protect and be an advocate for my child -- I think that's what she did. It's what I would have done.

 

[LScot]

Originally posted by auntpolly
I disagree - it certainly did open up doors of communication. Maybe not with Laura, but everyone's talking about it; aren't they? And I think this was the mom's intention.This was a successful war protest, pure and simple. If Laura had talked to her it would have been even better - for the Republican party, as well, I think.

It's true that if I had an enlisted son or daughter it would be their job to serve their country - whatever that meant. But I, as a mother, didn't sign up for anything except to be a mom and protect and be an advocate for my child -- I think that's what she did. It's what I would have done.

Oh, I think she definitely opened the doors--of course, the media loves a story such as this. Fine by me. But, if Iwanted to really try to get answers from someone, I'd do it a bit differently that accusing the President of killing my son. Yes, she made a statement and I think she did what she set out to do (except being arrested). I wouldn't have done it that way but, as they say, to each his own.

 

[gina2000]

I totally agree that the protester went about it the wrong way.

It would have been a huge feather in Laura Bush's hat if she had overlooked it and been the bigger person. Her compassion would have been heralded everywhere. Even if it were nothing more than a politically saavy move, it would have scored points. And if it were sincere, it would have been a compassionate attempt to comfort someone. I see the gesture as a win/win.

 

[LScot]

Maybe so, Gina but one has to wonder. In an election as nasty as this one, LB was probably in a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation. People would have found fault with whatever she did or said. JMHO.

 

[Missy1961]

Even if Mrs. Bush wanted to speak to this woman, no way would the Secret Service would allow it. I don't think they would want to put the First Lady in a spot like this.

 

[ThAnswr]

Originally posted by Pop Daddy
lol, I never thought of that, you got me

Handled with class, Pop Daddy.

 

[DIZNYFAN]

I think it would have shown great compassion if she had mind you it could also be construed as a ploy for votes for her hubby but regardless it would have been a very decent gesture.

 

[JimB.]

The mother in the story did not want to talk, she wanted to disrupt.

In that context, I think further communication is highly unlikely or productive.

 

[shortbun]

Originally posted by JimB.
The mother in the story did not want to talk, she wanted to disrupt.

In that context, I think further communication is highly unlikely or productive.

I disagree. How dare you assume anything this woman feels.
She is a mother who lost a 24 year old child. I will share with you that had this happened in my family I would be looking for anyone and everyone to explain the circumstances or simply hold me and show compassion. I would be reeling and looking for help anywhere I could get it-if the President's wife was in town-I would go to see her with as much attention getting device as I
could legally show. I hope you understand the need for compassion. It goes a long way and Laura Bush could be the
compassionate campaigner, furthering her husband's cause
and putting truth into his campaign slogan of 2000-compassionate
conservatism. This administration has no compassion for this
woman and that is partly why through her grief, she is so angry.
Oh, they give compassion lip service but never a follow through.

On that note-the comment you made about further communication
being unproductive probably applies here.