Commander Bunnypants scampers out of 'harm's way' (again)

[nostamj]

But on Wednesday, that town hall meeting will be nowhere on the agenda -- it's been cancelled. Neither the White House nor the German Foreign Ministry has offered any official explanation, but Foreign Ministry sources say the town hall meeting has been nixed for scheduling reasons -- a typical development for a visit like this with many ideas but very little time. That, at least, is the diplomats' line. Behind the scenes, there appears to be another explanation: the White House got cold feet. Bush's strategists felt an uncontrolled encounter with the German public would be too unpredictable.

To avoid that messy scenario, the White House requested that rules similar to those applied during Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit two weeks ago also be used in Mainz. Before meeting with students at Paris's Institute of Political Sciences, which preens the country's elite youth for future roles in government, Rice's staff insisted on screening and approving any questions to be asked by students. One question rejected was that of Benjamin Barnier, the 24-year-old son of France's foreign minister, who wanted to ask: "George Bush is not particularly well perceived in the world, particularly in the Middle East. Can you do something to change that?" Instead, the only question of Barnier's that got approval was the question of whether Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority might create a theocratic government based on the Iranian model?

The Germans, though, insisted that a free forum should be exactly that. Wolfgang Ischinger, Germany's Ambassador to the United States, explained to the New York Times last week: "We told them, don't get upset with us if they ask angry questions."

[tnlefty]

1. I read that on Buzzflash earlier and wanted to barf

He's such a coward it's no wonder he has to do all of that macho, he-man posturing to try to fool so many. I still have a very hard time believing that anyone with sense in the GOP thought that this incompetent, chickenshit would be a good face to put forward so they could get on with their agenda.

[Dhalgren]

2. The "Bush Wimp Factor" raises its ugly head...

[Behind the Aegis]

3. What I don't understand

Why hasn't there been a group that goes in, gets messages approved, asks the 'approved' question, but attaches the 'real' question at the end? Then, have the progression of similar questions. I think that would be a hoot!

[nostamj]

4. i'd LOVE to see that too...

of course, the SS would drag them away for threatening to expose the FRAUD...

while * giggles at his own 'jokes'

[Octafish]

5. Cockroaches fear the light of day.

Crooks fear the Truth.