You’d think Bush parachuted solo Rambo style into Baghdad the way the right is whipping itself into a frenzy over today’s photo-op.
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What I find amazing is the self-evident danger of the situation feeds into the self-fulfilling “prophecy” (if you will) that Dubya is some kinda super hero.
Once again, though, we see the Dubya will keep secrets even from his own family.
But, maybe it was worth it to see picture of Snow and Bartlett crapping bricks over Baghdad.
So Iraq is not safe?
I thought Iraq was safe.
Mixed messages :*(
These quick in and out visits are pretty much proof that Iraq is screwed up badly.
Bush just engaged in what was effectively a state visit to another country. Normally state visits are announced months in advance to give the host country time to prepare the brass bands, 21 gun salutes, motorcades down streets festooned with well-wishers, gala dinners, meetings with prominent politicians and businessmen, and so on.
But instead he has to sneak in unannounced, take a few photos, and then sneak out again. Why? Because the insurgents might try to kill him and his entourage if they knew about it in advance. And why would the insurgents be able to try this? Because they haven’t been properly dealt with yet, by ineffective American and Iraqi security forces.
Two years after the Plastic Turkey Visit, nothing has changed. That’s not the mark of a stable country, or even one that is improving. No siree.
Cellulose:
I was thinking the same thing. I thoguht the eveil liberal press was distorting how dangerous Iraq is and hiding all the good news. Now Bush is superman for goign to such a dangerous place. I think Laura Ingraham’s and KJ Lopez’s heads are exploding…
I beg to differ about American forces being ineffective Rhys. The situation over there is a lot different than the CNN feeds. We make progress, there just happens to be an over abundance of lunatics that keep getting loaded into the hopper over there.
If he goes to Iraq he is a photo-op wanting, war-mongering, cowboy, if he doesn’t go, he is a lily-livered, coward.
Oh, I forgot he likes to conjure up hurricanes too…
Two years after the Plastic Turkey Visit, nothing has changed.
Considering you’re repeating something that has been completely debunked, it calls into question the rest of your nonsense.
Not plastic, rhys.
The turkey in the photo (the bird, I mean) was real, but not for serving. It was for decoration.
Back on topic: Has the White House even pretended that there was a purpose for this trip?
Oh yes, it wasn’t a plastic turkey, but it also wasn’t for consumption either:
“A contractor had roasted and primped the turkey to adorn the buffet line, while the 600 soldiers were served from cafeteria-style steam trays, the officials said. They said the bird was not placed there in anticipation of Bush’s stealthy visit, and military sources said a trophy turkey is a standard feature of holiday chow lines.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A33090-2003Dec3¬Found=true
So the story? The president picked up a prop on his first photo op visit to Baghdad. Some debunking there Jay.
But KR isn’t going to be indicted which makes everything right with the world:
Iraq is now a magic kingdom and bastion of democracy in the middle east. The troops are coming home, but wait, we want to put permanent bases there. No problem, we’ll wait and spring that one after the election is over.
“America will respond! With the most powerfully-staged photo-ops in history!”
– Stephen Colbert
Stop the presses!
Someone took the President’s picture! That never happens.
Knock it off…
Not even the President would fly 10,000 miles to get his picture taken. Your faux cynicism is nauseating.
Quaker
“Back on topic: Has the White House even pretended that there was a purpose for this trip?”
Nothing at all wrong with the CINC visiting the troops. Its a good and proper thing. Morale, etc.
Frank,
Or is it your faux naivety that is nauseating?
Clinton only cared about polls not photo-ops. Frank, you need to get your talking point straight. Plus, unlike Bush, Clinton could rely on his you know…accomplishments and work to get American’s to approve of him. Bush on the other hand has to rely on what Republicans do best: empty symbolism.
Let me put it this way, WW: You’re asking a question, but I’ve made a statement.
And, if all it was was electioneering, then Clinton would have made 10 visits to the Balkans…
Not even the President would fly 10,000 miles to get his picture taken.
No but he will do it to get his mug on CNN, MSNBC, Fox and the rest of the MSM who eat this stuff up. Anyone who doesn’t believe that there was a PR motive behind the Iraq visit is either very naive or has been drinking the “coolaid” again, lots of it.
Clinton only cared about “polling” interns
Was there a PR motive when Hillary went to Iraq?
Of course not, she went to thank the troops….
the right is whipping itself into a frenzy
So an anchor on Fox News and a Republican Representative constitute “the Right”? I agree that those two were going overboard with the bravery bit, but c’mon, that’s it? From your bold statement I was expecting Wall to Wall Fox News coverage of the “triumphant Return of George W. Bush, Superhero and Emperor or America, to Iraq” along with links from several conservative websites bragging about GWB’s heroism in the face of danger. Instead… it’s a news anchor and a lone Republican.
So if I can find a leftward-leaning news anchor and a Democrat making an outlandish statement on TV can I attribute it to all of you on “The Left”?
Normally state visits are announced months in advance to give the host country time to prepare the brass bands, 21 gun salutes, motorcades down streets festooned with well-wishers, gala dinners, meetings with prominent politicians and businessmen, and so on.
I think Iraq is still technically a “war zone”, so treating a visit there as more dangerous (and needing greater security and precautions) than a trip to say, Sweden, sounds reasonable to me.
Was there a PR motive when Hillary went to Iraq?
Probably so, but no more than the republicans who went.
Wonder if W took credit in his military record for his 4 hours in Iraq? At that rate, he should be about even in a couple of hundred years.