Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Bush's Beautiful Bubble


After 9/11, George W. Bush grew up--sort of. He didn't make the right decisions but he at least gained the ability to come across as serious. He still mugged the English language more often than a leader should. But he was less the bumbler he was before al Qaeda came along. Yet, over five years later, he has not lost his inner-dolt. See this exchange from Bush's press conference today:

Q: Do you believe it's a civil war, sir?

BUSH: I can only tell me what people on the ground whose judgment--it's hard for me, you know, living in this beautiful White House, to give you a firsthand assessment. I haven't been there. You have. I haven't.

But I do talk to people who are--and people whose judgment I trust--and they would not qualify it as that. There are others who think it is.

It is, however, a dangerous situation, thereby requiring action on my part.


It's back to Bush version 1.0. He cannot answer one of the most fundamental questions about the war he started in Iraq because he's in the "beautiful White House" not walking the streets of bombed-out Baghdad. Talk about being in a bubble. But it's a beautiful bubble.

Posted by David Corn at February 14, 2007 02:42 PM

5 comments:

David B. Benson said...

Occuppied by a bubble-brain...

capt said...

Bush Cuts Off Diplomatic Relations With Congress
(satire)



WASHINGTON, DC—President Bush announced Monday that his administration will permanently sever ties with the democratically controlled United States Congress, ending a nearly 220-year-old alliance between the two governmental branches.

"Our administration no longer recognizes the authority of this rogue body," said Bush in a televised Oval Office address. "Clearly, these combative men and women have a political agenda in direct opposition to our own. They have no concern for my national interests, and have left me no choice."

After six years of cordial relations between the executive and legislative branches of government, tensions flared up in January when Congress came under the control of "hostile new leadership." After a dramatic standoff last week over American policy in Iraq, the president openly denounced Congress, refused to accept calls from majority leaders, and returned Congress–approved legislation unsigned and unread.

In addition to his decision to cut off all communication, collaboration, and trade of ideas with the House and Senate, Bush also issued an executive order, effective immediately, removing all White House officials from the U.S. Capitol. Most prominent among those recalled was Vice President Dick Cheney, who also serves as the President of the Senate, which is a two-day-per-year commitment. Several Cabinet members who had been giving testimony before Congressional committees were quickly ushered to the roof of the Senate wing of the Capitol, where they boarded Marine One, the presidential helicopter, and were flown back to the White House.

Cheney, speaking from an undisclosed location, said the White House's policy toward a Democratic Congress has always been regime change.

"These people acted as though they had control over domestic issues, and were threatening to affect international policy, as well," Cheney said. "It was clearly time to put a check on this antiquated, ineffective system of checks and balances."

Bush also increased the presence of Secret Service personnel stationed at the checkpoints connecting the Capitol to the White House.

Despite the President's move, several officials close to Bush believe there are a small group of reformers within Congress who remain loyal to Bush.

"It is our duty to protect these brave dissidents however we can," White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said. "To that end, we are providing them safe haven and financial aid, in hopes that they will some day rise to power and restore relations with the chief executive of the United States of America."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D–NV) spoke out against Bush's actions, saying his adherents "will not back down in the face of such a fearsome enemy."

"We will not be cowed by this administration," said Reid, adding that Congress will continue to draft legislation "with or without" the blessing of the executive branch. "We certainly do not intend to recognize the president's order until it is voted on by the duly elected lawmakers who are in charge of such matters."

Bush's call for sanctions against Congress and increased funding for National Guard troops to patrol Senate grounds is currently held up in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Despite lawmakers' threats, the Bush administration made it clear that it is not only severing ties to Congress, but also to anyone who offers the legislative body aid, comfort, or votes.

"The people who support these leaders are just as culpable as the leaders themselves," Bush said. "My administration will not engage in discussions with any federal or state office that continues to recognize this irrelevant governing body."

After delivering his announcement, President Bush reportedly entered a closed-door meeting with several key Cabinet members where his privatized Social Security plan was drafted, voted on, and subsequently passed into law.

More HERE

*****end of clip*****

Onion fun!


capt

David B. Benson said...

Well, well. At least Al-Sadr and I agree on one thing: immediate US withdrawal...

from Juan Cole's Informed Comment.

capt said...

Bush refuses to say whether he’ll pardon Libby



At his press conference today, President Bush refused — four times — to discuss any aspect of Scooter Libby’s trial, including whether he would consider pardoning Libby if he is convicted. Watch it (at the link)


QUESTION: Sir, we’ve now learned through sworn testimony that at least three members of your administration other than Scooter Libby leaked Valerie Plame’s identity to the media. None of these three is known to be under investigation. Without commenting on the Libby trial, then, can you tell us whether you authorized any of these three to do that or –

BUSH: I’m not going to talk…

QUESTION: … whether they were authorized without your permission?

BUSH: Yes, thanks. I’m not going to talk about any of it.

QUESTION: They’re not under investigation, though, sir.

BUSH: Peter, I’m not going to talk about any of it.

QUESTION: How about pardon, sir? Many people were asking whether you might pardon somebody…

BUSH: I’m not going to talk about it, Peter.



More HERE

*****end of clip*****

Not going to talk about - Bunnypants will put it in writing.


capt

capt said...

new thread!