Bush Bashing in Aspen (by "rich, mainly Republican...")

[chat_noir]

You never know where a hyperlink will take you....

Bush Bashing in Aspen


By Robert Novak
Sep 22, 2005

ASPEN, Colo. -- For two full days, George W. Bush was bashed. He was taken to task on his handling of stem cell research, population control, the Iraq war and, especially, Hurricane Katrina. The critics were no left-wing bloggers. They were rich, mainly Republican and presumably Bush voters in the last two presidential elections.

The Bush-bashing occurred last weekend at the annual Aspen conference sponsored by the New York investment firm Forstmann Little & Co. Over 200 invited guests, mostly prestigious, arrived Thursday night (many by private aircraft) and stayed until Sunday morning for more than golf, hikes and gourmet meals. They faithfully attended the discussions presided over by PBS's Charlie Rose on such serious subjects as "global poverty and human rights" and "the 'new' world economy." The connecting link was hostility to President Bush.

"All discussions are off the record," admonished the conference's printed schedule. Consequently, I will refrain from specifically quoting panelists and audience members. But the admonition says nothing about personal conversations outside the sessions. Nor do I feel inhibited in quoting myself. Even if I am violating the spirit of secrecy rules, revealing criticism of Bush by this elite group, and the paucity of defense for him, is valuable in reflecting the president's parlous political condition"


http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_2726836.shtml

[mirandaod]

1. eeewww...

Now I need a shower... Yuck.

[Atman]

2. Hey, Bob...It's YOU they showed disdain for, you traitorous prick

Sheesh, Bob...try writing a column sober for a change. I've no doubt they were pissed at Bush, but I traitor and a whore carrying his water for him...maybe it was too much for them to handle.

[Missy M]

3. The thought of rich, mainly republicans discussing "global poverty..

and human rights" and "the 'new' world economy" makes me shudder. They haven't a clue they are part of the problem. What makes me shudder even more is that Novak and Rove were invited to participate. This conference proves that the rich truly rule the world and most importantly are the ones who really make the policies of this country.

[leveymg]

4. WSJ Editor Called for Putting Dems Back in Power the Other Day

Armageddon?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4826393
WSJ: Why not put the Dems back in charge?
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/bminiter/?id=1...

This isn't about a slow response anymore. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is on the ground, troops have restored order, and the water in New Orleans has long since begun to recede. President Bush and Republicans in Congress are now taking a hit not for when but rather how they have responded. And unless they change course, Republicans will pay a steep price in next year's midterm elections....

...Katrina is swamping every goal conservatives have, from limiting government to cutting taxes to reforming entitlement programs. Katrina spending has already imperiled plans to repeal the death tax, and Congress is already $60 billion into a spending binge. Handing out $2,000 debit cards was just the beginning. The conservative Congress has brought back the welfare state.

This isn't all Katrina's fault. Republicans have been kidding themselves for years that they are still the stewards of fiscal conservatism and limited government. The Medicare prescription drug plan is just one example. Run down the list of the some 80 federal entitlements--including Medicare, Medicaid, farm subsidies, Pell Grants and so much more....

What we're seeing in the wake of Katrina is that despite all the winks and assurances to the contrary as they passed the energy and transportation bills, Republicans in Congress don't know how to control spending and are at a loss as to why they even should. That's one way to govern. But if Republicans no longer believe in smaller government, why not put the Democrats back in charge?...




;-) :evilgrin: ;-) :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[lanlady]

5. why oh why is Novak considered

one of this country's top journalists, and how does he get invited to "elite" conferences? This "article" is nothing but a pissy, whiny childish rant! Despite the impression he gives in the first para or two, he doesn't screw up the honesty to convey what specific criticisms of Bush he heard--it degenerates into a defense of his best bud Karl Rove.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Yeah, well remind them. They wanted to vote for someone just like them.

[iconoclastic cat]

7. "In the absence of any disagreement, I took the floor..."

"I was surprised that the program indicated the first panel, on stem cell research, consisted solely of scientists hostile to the Bush administration's position. In the absence of any disagreement, I took the floor to suggest there are scientists and bioethicists with dissenting views and that it was not productive to demean opposing views as based on "religious dogma." The response was peeved criticism of my intervention and certainly no support."

Uh, Bob, you're now an annoying, pathetic joke of a human being, and everyone knows it.

[GCP]

8. LOL - "I do not see myself as a defender of the Bush presidency"

I do not see myself as a defender of the Bush presidency, and I am sure the White House does not regard me as such.

Oh really???

[acmejack]

9. And he said it with a straight face?

Novak is a scumbag. I hope Fitz finds something to charge him with, Goddess knows he deserves it.

[Infomaniac]

10. That's how scumbags like Novak prop up a loser like Bush

Bush is propped up by his syncophants who shout, "There are enemies everywhere!" None of these people realize Bush is his own worst enemy. Hey, butthead, take a hint from the stem cell research panel: wealthy, white people do get sick. Their families do have accidents that leave them paralyzed. Parkinson's and diabetes don't care if your net worth is over a million dollars.

[dooner]

11. That's some juicy gossip from Novak

Very interesting. These little weasels (like Novak and Rove) sound like they are scurrying around, trying to reassure themselves that they aren't alone in their brain-damaged thoughts of neocon glory.


Sounds like the limb they're standing on is getting sawed off.

[applegrove]

12. Now they are being told on. Someone is going to tell Bush what

was said. So shut your mouth rich people or you will be kicked out of the crowd. At least now the rich know what coercion feels like. Welcome to the real world folks.

If I was any of the adults in that room i would be fuming mad. What are they? 10!

[yellowcanine]

13. Nofacts manages to whine, bitch and name drop all in the same column.

What a little weasel he is.

[EST]

14. I agree--

"It would be a shame if Rove returned to Washington without informing George W. Bush how erstwhile friends have turned against him."

He needs to know nearly everyone hates him and his jerkoff policies.