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G_j Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-05 09:58 AM
Original message
Boy-President in a Failed World?
BOY-PRESIDENT IN A FAILED WORLD?
Tom Engelhardt, Tomdispatch.com

As reality grows ever darker, our President never ventures
far from his scripted version of a fictional world that is
nowhere to be seen.

http://www.alternet.org/story/23469/

On Thursday morning, with the London bombings monopolizing the TV set, I watched our President take that long, outdoor, photo-op walk from the G-8 summit meeting to the microphones to make a statement to reporters. Exploding subways, a blistered bus, the dead, wounded, dazed, and distraught just then staggering through our on-screen morning, and there he was. He had his normal, slightly bowlegged walk, his arms held just out from his side in a fashion that brings the otherwise unusable word "akimbo" to mind.

<snip>
He said nothing to surprise. He offered "heartfelt condolences to the people of London, people who lost lives"; he spoke of defending Americans against heightened dangers ("I have been in contact with our Homeland Security folks. I instructed them to be in touch with local and state officials about the facts of what took place here and in London, and to be extra vigilant, as our folks start heading to work."); he extolled the strength of resolve of the other G-8 leaders by comparing it to his own ("I was most impressed by the resolve of all the leaders in the room. Their resolve is as strong as my resolve."); and he presented for the umpteenth time his Manichaean vision of a world of good and evil in which he and his administration are unhesitatingly the representatives of all goodness. ("he contrast couldn't be clearer between the intentions and the hearts of those of us who care deeply about human rights and human liberty, and those who kill -- those who have got such evil in their heart that they will take the lives of innocent folks.")

There's something so confoundingly dreamlike about all this, so fantastic, even absurd, especially set against the background of the murder of random people taking public transportation in one of the globe's great cities. As reality grows ever darker, our President never ventures far from his scripted version of a fictional world that is nowhere to be seen. Let's keep in mind that this was the same President who, only the day before in Denmark, had launched a vigorous, completely ludicrous defense of his Guantánamo prison complex. Just two weeks earlier, his Vice President had pointed out -- as if he were making one of those Caribbean tourist ads -- that the prisoners there were lucky to be housed and fed so admirably in the balmy "tropics."

Now, the President was practically proffering tickets to those tropics for Europeans who wanted to check the situation out for themselves. ("he prisoners are well-treated in Guantánamo. There's total transparency. The International Red Cross can inspect any time, any day. And you're welcome to go. The press, of course, is welcome to go down to Guantánamo...There's very few prison systems around the world that have seen such scrutiny as this one. And for those of you here on the continent of Europe who have doubt, I'd suggest buying an airplane ticket and going down and look -- take a look for yourself.")

..more..
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corky44 Donating Member (177 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-05 10:05 AM
Response to Original message
1. Off topic but-Was W high at FBI Academy speech?
I grew up in the Haight Ashbury surrounded by drugs. I have experienced first hand every major drug trend of the last
30 years from pot to MDA . I know what a drugged person looks like. What I saw on C-Span last night scared me. George Bush was high on some sort of stimulant. I saw the same sort of behavior during the last two presidential debates. His jaw is grinding, his eyes are glassy. He had trouble saying "Drug Enforcement Administration. He stared off into space between words and seemed to be generally disoriented. Sweaty and uncomfortable.
The speech seemed to be very difficult for him to deliver. More slurred speech then usual.
Scary stuff.
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G_j Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-05 02:31 PM
Response to Reply #1
7. I doubt he has any idea
what "vitamins" he is given.
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corky44 Donating Member (177 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-05 02:34 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. Georgy likes the ones with the crosses on top
they make him happy...
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AlinPA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-05 10:07 AM
Response to Original message
2. This article shows how pathetic Bush** is. Sick people voted for him. nt
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sinkingfeeling Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-05 10:33 AM
Response to Original message
3. Read this earlier this morning and couldn't agree more. I also
think that Bushy-boy gets off on any act of terrorism. Can't see that there are reactions (blowback) for his own actions.
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G_j Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-05 12:59 PM
Response to Reply #3
6. as many have noted, he is in his element
when the subject has anything to do with violence and death.
There is almost a hint of glee in his eyes at these times.

the man is sadistic, unbalanced and dangerous
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kentuck Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-05 10:35 AM
Response to Original message
4. Excellent article !
Thanks!
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otohara Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-05 10:38 AM
Response to Original message
5. How Depressing
Gawd the truth hurts.
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