WH press briefing - angry reporters hit McClellan hard!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

Just a small excerpt, but you must read the whole thing, I am telling you - the media is shocking the crap out of me right now...

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, this is getting into -- we're somewhat engaged in a blame game. We've got to --

Q It's not a blame game. That's accountability --

MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, we've got to --

Q It's accountability.

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.

Q Is "Brownie" still doing a "heck of a job," according to the President?

MR. McCLELLAN: We've got to continue to do everything we can in support of those who are involved in the operational aspects of this response effort. And that's what we're going to do. There will be plenty of time --

Q If he fails at it, he's not going to be good at it going forward. That's what Bob is saying.
...

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001055403

[mcctatas]

1. It was a thing of beauty...

I came this close to feeling a little sorry for Scotty Mcporkbutt, but then I remembered he is an asshole.
:woohoo: :applause: :rofl:

[FourStarDemocrat]

107. Absolutely ...McKellen doesn't have a gram of integrity left in his body.

Even Ari Fleisher had the sense to get himself out of the bushbot sewage. It's wonderful to see the media coming up for another breather!

I plan to repost the E&P article on other boards.

[bassman79]

2. Is Karl Rove a genius...

or is the American Public just that dumb?
"Blame Game"?!!!

Or...

Is Karl Rove a genius for understanding just how truly dumb the American Public is? Hmmm...

[Media_Lies_Daily]

28. Karl Rove is a P. O. S. who'll stoop to anything to keep the.....

...Crawford Crook in power.

KKKarl doesn't realize yet that the American people won't stand for 10,000 dead due to incompetence at the top.

Now who's dumber than owl s***??

[Nothing Without Hope]

118. Actually, I'm betting the death toll is much higher than 10,000, though

the feds will do everything they can to hide the real numbers. They have a lot of experience at that.

Li'l Scotty - did he EVER have any integrity, or did Bush and his co-sociopathic slime roaches corrupt him? I seem to remember he had more trouble with bald-faced lies early on - like body language, eye shifts showing some uneasiness. Maybe he does the equivalent of physical excercise daily to limber up - sort of "Lie push-ups."

[mod mom]

40. KKKarl is an amoral con man who historical techniques in election

fraud and con games. Genius no Evil YES!

[pa28]

72. Karl Rove man of contradiction.

Or outright hypocrisy depending on your point of view.

He orchestrates a campaign to pin Bush leadership failures and ZERO federal response on local officials. Then he has surrogates in the media crying about "blame game".

[Sarojin]

102. Not a genius

W's approval ratings suggests otherwise.

How smart does he have to be to appear competent with full immunity from any adverse affects and the power of the MSM and the Bush Dynasty protecting him?

He couldn't even win an election without inside help. And he gets caught at most of the stunts he pulls. Without the MSM echo chamber could he do anything?

[bribri16]

130. Karl Rove is an evil man who appeals to other evil men. Was Hitler

a genius? Not according to the historical record...he was somewhat of "failure" by our standards but he had great appeal to masses of people who felt very comfortable with their racism and bigotry under his leadership. Oppenheimer was "genius" but look what happened to him. When you the wealthy and the powerful supporting you and control of the media and banks, you can be made to look like a genius just simply because you can bully your way to blocking the truth and getting your way. MLK was genius, Gandhi was a genius. You almost have to be a genius in this world to do good, seek peace and justice, and have a meaningful following.

[Bumblebee]

3. makes me want to stay up and catch a re-run...

[Catrina]

4. Blame Game! Blame Game!

That's their only defense!! Their new talking point. They just don't get it!! Thousand are DEAD!! Their shitty talking points only incense people MORE!!

Let's use it. PLeeeeeeassse, let's for once, play the Blame Game!!

We didn't play it after 2000!

We didn't play it after the WAR LIES!

We didn't play it after the 2004 election.

After the TORTURE Crimes!!

And because we didn't play it, Scotty, because the Democrats lay down and rolled over, thousand of YOUR fellow citizens are DEAD!! Do you get it???

So now, it would be a crime of mammoth proportions for any citizen to NOT play the blame game this time. Because it is OUR fault that we let you criminals spin every crime with your lies.

But not this time ~ this time we owe it to the dead ~ because we sat and watched them DIE for want of a little water and that happened, SCOTTY, because we didn't play the blame game long ago, when you all started telling your deadly lies.

So, let's start the blame game fast, and let's get some accountabilty ~ starting with the firing of the MIA Vice Pres., the SOS who went shopping while her fellow citizens died of thirst.

The POTUS who ate cake and strummed the guitar and joked and laughed while his fellow citizens suffered so badly that many of them commit suicide.

And on down the line including their apologists, like YOU, because you're criminally responsible as much as they are.

Yes, let's play, no, Scott, you got that wrong, we're not playing, let's start the blame game, it's already way too late, but better late than never.

[stevietheman]

23. Exactly... this is the politics of national survival n/t

n/t

[ClintonTyree]

63. I'm of the opinion......

that if the MSM had been doing their jobs way back, when Cheney wouldn't divulge the content of his "energy task-force" meetings with the oil and energy barons, America would be a totally different country than it is today. Had the American public been made aware, or even if they were NOW made aware of the content of those meetings, bush would be out of office right this minute.
I believe that those meetings contained subject matter SO SINISTER that the BFEE would NEVER have been allowed to continue raping and pillaging our country.
But we'll never know, will we? Everything about this administration has been so secret, so under the table and under wraps that it is never subject to the light of day.
These people must be held accountable, not only for their acts of commission, but their acts of omission as well. The things we can see and the things we were never meant to see MUST be brought into light if our country is ever going to regain it's proper place on the world stage, and within our borders as well.
I for one want to see what the contents of those energy meetings are. "National Security" has already been breeched, what difference would it make now? As they always say, "if you have nothing to hide, then there's no problem", right? :shrug:

[chomskysright]

81. Blame Game corollary: SHAME GAME: Le's play: 'blame the nigra':

The point of the Shame Game is to back those Who Blame into a corner from which they cannot escape w/o chewing their own leg off.

The Winner is the toughest madre/ padre who can 'get into' Karl Rove's head so as to guess just how much the American public will put up with. Sometimes, in fact, quite frequently, depending on how fierce things become, you have to become more subtle, utilizing symbols, mostly pre-conscious, to whip the racist White people back into line . Fear is a key component of the Shame Game.

When well done, the Shame Game moves past the defences of the intended party.

Here we go:

Try 1:
Dear Karl Rove:

I understand that your 'the brains' behind BushCo. Well, White folk gotta look after each other. (no no no: not subtle enough given fierceness of what is taking place right now):

Try #2:

Dear Mr. Rove:

American people are afraid of what will happen as very poor people, formerly of New Orleans, move into other communities. Cetainly it is a terrible thing that has taken place there and an American is an American. However, communities will suffer as these people assimilate into other cities. I therefore wonder if they could live temporarily in say, a military barracks----perhaps one of those facilities which is going to be closed down anyway? Perhaps there are some of the males who would be interested in going into the military? There could be a 'small draft.'

The expedition of all of this, of course, should be quite immediate. Then, hopefully the Armed Services can secure New Orleans so it can be re-developed: a cleaner more wholesome New Orleans that could be an even larger tourist city than before.

I hate to say it, Mr. Rove, but, I wish the people who were the criminal element in New Orleans will not be allowed to come back.

Thanks for your hard work in developing a safer community for us all, Mr. Rove.

Sincerely,
moderate sized business-man, White cracker who made it out of New Orleans 2 days before the levee burst and whose property was on the outskirts of the city, around Algiers, where the White flight community lives.

[chomskysright]

88. a k a : how to Out-Cheney, Cheney

[Trevelyan]

110. Did the police let the most violent criminals out of jail,

after the levee suspicously was breeched AFTER THE HURICANE PASSED, that nightwhen there was not one to see.

The levees broke in the black section of New Orleans but Bush's Nazi goons used too much dynamite and some of the white rich sections were flooded as well.

Were these deliberately released most violent prisoners the reason for the looting, the suicides including suicides of police and other rescue workers?

Is the reason why 25% of the New Orleans police force quit, because they did not want to be Bushler's Storm Troopers.

See PBS's DOWNFALL OF A DICTATOR!! For Instructions!

:kick: :patriot: :banghead: :grr: :mad: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[Laurab]

103. You don't understand - Scottie EXPLAINED

"
MR. McCLELLAN: We are securing the American people by staying on the offensive abroad and working to spread freedom and democracy in the Middle East."

Everything is FINE - we're secure because we're on the offensive abroad and (insert talking point here) which doesn't even FIT the situation of course, but it's not the time to play the blame game (repeat 100 times) blame game, blame game, then go back to first paragraph, and then maybe throw in September 11 a few times....

Yes, it seems even the media now thinks it's time to play the "blame game" and I hope they don't let up on these murderous fucking assholes, who don't seem to have decided it's not the time to push through a permanent tax cut for the richest of the rich, and won't decide until the pressure gets too strong. I HATE these fuckers and the "blame game" should definitely be retroactive. Let's secure the American people by staying on the offensive at home, and working to spread freedom and democracy by getting this administration the hell out of office....

[NiteOwll]

5. If only...

someone could get a straight answer out of him.

Blame game, blame game, blame game...:boring:

----------
http://media.putfile.com/Louisiana--2005

[Carla in Ca]

19. We got one

Q I just want to follow up on David's questions on accountability. First, just to get you on the record, where does the buck stop in this administration?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President.

[berni_mccoy]

25. WHOA!!! HOLY SHIT!

I don't BELIEVE MY EYES...

Is Bush ABOUT TO RESIGN OR SOMETHING?!?!?!?!

[AlCzervik]

6. watched it live, he got a well deserved pounding

[Erika]

10. Scott is a loser by choice

His boss has destroyed his credibility 1000%. He's fit for only tabloids after W leaves.

[BonnieJW]

73. Scott

That's why he's named after a toilet paper.

[Dem2theMax]

80. Hey, don't insult my toilet paper!

;-)

[Bassic]

27. did he look confident or nervous?

[AlCzervik]

39. he had beads of sweat on his forehead.

[Bassic]

54. Excellent

Squeal piggy!!

:popcorn:

[Thor_MN]

101. Were his eyes all watery, like he was going to cry, like he was in his

first few conferences, before he learned that he was going to have to mostly tell lies?

[Redstone]

7. Oh, Scottie, Scottie...Better check your shorts for skidmarks

after that one.

And guess what, pal...it's gonna get worse. I'd suggest you bail and go wherever Ari ran off to.

Just a friendly suggestion.

Redstone

[MADem]

94. He can go pray at the church of RON ZEIGLER

The king of stonewalling, who said that the White House bullshit was "no longer operative" when they got CAUGHT lying!!!!

Man, this is like the run-up to Nixon all over again. It has that same, creepy, interesting feeling.

Now, if Cheney gets impeached, or dies in the saddle like Nelson Rockefeller before chimpy can find a replacement, and we have a Democratic Congress in 06...

PRESIDENT PELOSI!!!!!!!!

If that did happen, and if I were her, I'd pick a Black VP. May as well get that female thing and the minority thing out on the table and out of the equation!!!!

[artemisia1]

8. This is the key. If the media keeps asking hard questions and demands

accountability, the 50% of the population who are sheep will start to awake - at least long enough for real accountability. Remember, Rove's tactics ONLY WORK WITH A COMPLIANT MEDIA!!!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

11. what I can't figure out, about the media

What I don't get is how come the reporters' corporate masters are allowing them to ask the tough questions?

After all, isnt that how we got into this mess -- the reporters were pretty much muzzled by their owners and handlers?

So, aren't they still under the control of the same?

That is why I am only a little hopeful when seeing that the media actually is speaking up!

[Booster]

36. I think it's because the corporate masters are finally realizing that

Bush is toast, and they are also realizing from various polls that the American people are starting to get their news from the internet because they know the MSM are liars. This means the MSM is becoming irrelevant and trivial to thinking Americans, which of course comes down to money. Their master is not Bush; their true master is money.

[PATRICK]

89. Because mainly the lapdog media

was based on soft control, the leash not the whip, the doggie treats not the kick or kennel. The advantage of this soft illusion is that everyone can easily pretend the invisible fence is not there.

But in a severe test when the physical whip, the kicking guards or the shotgun behind the head cannot be brought out(yet) the control is lost as if it never was there.

it becomes then a matter of great guilt and shame to see how easily and what with little real consequence one has been acting as a comfortable slave. I don't think the corporate mastery, when the news workers raise their backs, have any method of controlling their own people beyond a certain point. Later, editors will reassert control. The more independent reporters will be quietly put down. The drifting boat will be painfully and stubbornly veered back to its course of sailing off the edge of the world.

But Bush threatens the very survival of everyone who breathes. But Bush is making the upper crust and their agenda look very naked and very bad and at times very very exposed and weak.

Someone up there(among the not nice crowd) will be looking for ways to get rid of, not simply endure in tax break comfort, the incompetence of their WH tools, as out of control and provocative of reaction as their boy Hitler had been decades ago. If they can get their claws out of the advantages Bush has showered on them.

[Skittles]

61. not sure they can stop them now

they know in-depth what happened in New Orleans - 30 elderly folk drowning in a nursing home when the staff fled? People dying of diabetic shock? Babies suffering in the heat? Dear God. Katrina did not kill most of the people - republicans did

[SammyWinstonJack]

71. It's to late now. BUSHco failed to control the media in the immediate

aftermath of Katrina. They let days go by and the corporate owned media turned on them and sided with the victims, the survivors and the American people! Remember when the Pentagon said they were hurt because the media was siding with the surviviors? You're right, BUSHco can't stop them now. BUSHco screwed the pooch on this! A thing of beauty.

[blondeatlast]

77. Look at the polls. It's all about marketing for the editors and above.

As long as public opinion is against the shrubbery, they'll allow the reporters to do their jobs.

It's sad, but is apparently true.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. "There will be plenty of time"

I am so sick of this line of bullshit. Truth is - they are thinking there will be plenty of time for the American public to forget about it and move on.

God damn assholes.

[Skittles]

62. reporters need to stress THERE ISN'T PLENTY OF TIME

for national SECURITY we need to know why this happened NOW

[Gabi Hayes]

12. they used to play clips of Ron Ziegler's adventures just about nightly

during the height of Watergate

they even showed Nixon pushing him DOWN

have they shown ANY of this FUBAR scene?

in hopes that this is just the beginning of many many more.....

[Patsy Stone]

13. Loved every minute of it.

If he wasn't such a turd, and if the situation and the bullcrap wasn't so awful, I'd have laughed until I coughed up a lung.

Thanks.

[Redstone]

14. He said "blame game" EIGHT FUCKING TIMES!!

Cornered rat, right there.

Redstone

[Oilwellian]

15. Cornered rats are scary

I think we live in dangerous times.

[Joe Chi Minh]

47. That's what Bushco want Dems to worry about...

[Im with Rosey]

48. "cornered rat"

That is perfect, you could even hear the panic in his voice. It was great!

[shanti]

66. that's their newest meme

and yup, they are definitely cornered rats!

[mattclearing]

16. Wow...you really have to read the transcript...it's ugly.

Some more excerpts...

Q But, Scott, more concretely, an officer of the Northern Command is quoted as saying that as early as the time Hurricane Katrina went through Florida and worked its way up to the Gulf, there was a massive military response ready to go, but that the President did not order it. It could have been ordered on Sunday, on Monday, on Tuesday -- the call didn't come. Why not?

sputter-evade-sputter

Q These assets were deployed, but the order to use them never came. The Bataan was sitting off behind the hurricane.

blah blah blah

Q It's not mine, it's an officer in the Northern Command.

Q In view of the national crisis, will the President withdraw his proposal for this tax cut for the richest people in the country? And, also, my second question is, why did we turn down foreign help?

[mattclearing]

17. kick! n/t

:kick:

[gkhouston]

24. no, it's BEAUTIFUL. I hope they stay this angry, and this

focused on calling Scotty on his bullshit.

[lpbk2713]

18. Do the press briefings air live at a regular time on C-SPAN?

I'd like to tune in.

[mod mom]

42. I think it is usually 1:45 pm on C-Span 2.

[mattclearing]

20. Kick for the morning... n/t

[annabanana]

22. thanks!... n/t

[cynatnite]

21. Damn!!

That entire press conference was brutal! Scottie got his ass kicked.

Will we get another day of it? :popcorn:

[Mutley]

26. Man he is really squirming.

What a beautiful thing to read. My only regret is that I didn't get to see it as it happened.

[Bozita]

33. I saw it. Performance was worthy of the Squirmers' Hall-of-Fame

Slimy sonofabitch, isn't he?

[Mutley]

35. Slimy indeed.

Makes a snail look like superglue.

[Dr Fate]

29. Nice to see an old-timey press conference- reminds me of Monica days.

n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

30. The President is getting his info on NOLA in media reports??? If

it wasn't so tragic it would be hysterical!

[fooj]

97. And we know he doesn't read the newspaper.

Lucky us!!!

PEACE

[Generic Other]

31. Miserable Failure and Company

Pathetic.

[Wilber_Stool]

32. Let's not talk about this now

we have a lot of documents to lose and misplace in the mean time.

[Beaverhausen]

34. Is that Terry Moran? He have been on scotty lately!!!

one of the good guys!

[graywarrior]

37. D'ya think the press has been waiting for this?

All that pent up anger. Whew. Bet they all went out for a smoke after that.

[gkhouston]

53. what a mood to have them in with the Roberts confirmation

coming up, eh?

[blondeatlast]

78. Let's hope we can keep them angry somehow. nt

[Iris]

38. Thanks for posting this. I've emailed the article to myself for when

I have a fair moment and need a good laugh!

[HoosierClarkie]

41. This quote

MR. McCLELLAN: "We've got to continue to do everything we can in support of those who are involved in the operational aspects of this response effort. And that's what we're going to do. There will be plenty of time --"

sounds like the argument they make for supporting our troops. Like you can't support the sacrifice and question the "leadership" at the same time. Looks like this one is not going to stick! :P

[glitch]

43. They need to all get together and yell THIS IS NOT A GAME

next time somebody spews "blame game".

I bet Scotty(whoever) would burst into tears, and I want to see it.

[TorchTheWitch]

44. Ahhhh... here's a juicy one at the end...

A double whammy even!


Q Did the Mayor or the Governor turn down any requests made by the administration? (((((FEDERALIZATION!)))))

MR. McCLELLAN: blah, blah, blah... This isn't a time when people are trying to look at who's to blame, or try to shift responsibility. ... blah, blah, blah.

Q But that hasn't stopped you from suggesting pretty subtly that the local and state officials bear some responsibility.

MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you for your comment. I'm trying to get to other questions here.


It was a thing of beauty from start to finish... I may print it out and have it suitably framed so I can hang it on the wall.

[ninkasi]

108. That's the one I loved!

Ahh...hey, Scott...isn't the administration kind of trying to play the dread "blame game" when it shifts all responsibility onto the mayor and governor? I notice Scott had other questions to answer then. I see the blame game is only played by one side. When the repukes do it, it's something else. Hmm...what would that be? Oh, I know; evading responsibility, like they have done for every shitty thing they've ever done.

What a pathetic bunch of sniveling cowards this bunch is. I'll swear, my aunt, who is almost 90, could take on all of them and leave them sobbing and quivering with fear. They are bullies only when people don't stand up to them, then they fade into their pitiful corners.

[SoCalDem]

45. A photoshopper needs to tend to this book..

It's a natural for Scottie's memoirs.



?book

[Vinca]

46. The "blame game" excuse is sounding lame.

Do they honestly think we are going to forget about it if they can delay the "blame game?" The fact is, they ought to oust the incompetents immediately. I live a few miles from a nuclear power plant and if something happened I have no faith in our government to protect us. What the hell do we pay taxes for?? So they can hire political cronies who judge horse shows to handle disasters?? It's almost too stupid to be true.

[Trevelyan]

112. Write your Congress person to support The Resolution of Inquiry

WHICH IS THE BEGINNING OF THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS. I think the deadline for getting enough co-sponsors is Sept. 15 and they are almost there, only need 3 Republicans and the already have one signed on to co-sponser THE RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY introduced by Barbara LEE.

Go to http://www.AfterDowningStreet.org

There used to be the letter by John Kerry supporting the RESOLUTION FOR INQUIRY with the signatures of 10 SENATORS including Kennedy.

Lots of information and direct email to your Congresspersons on http://www.afterdowningstreet.com.

They need CO-SPONSORS NOT just signers of Rep. Conyers and Sen. Kerry's letters by Sept. 15. They have lists of four committees involved whose members have not yet CO-SPONSORED.

Please write to them and ask them to co-sponsor. http:??www.Congress.org is a good site because they usually publish your letter for awhile until pushed down by other letters online, if you click YES box under their email form before sending.

[Iris]

49. Hope Randi has some footage today!

[Trevelyan]

114. Does anyone have the words/lyrics for Bob Dylan's

THE LONESOME DEATH OF HATTIE CARROLL - this has more commentary online, I think, than any other Dylan song.

Dylan.com used to have about 10 seconds you could listen to with the lyrics if he wrote they alone, he has always been very generous.

Also Master of War and The Times They Are A'Changing would be good.

Come Senators, Congressmen, please heed the call don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall, for he that gets hurt will be he who stalls, for the Order is rapidly changing

Send to Congress along with request to co-sponsor THE RESOLUTION FOR INQUIRY ON http://www.AfterDowningStreet.com.

Can usually find Dylan lyrics by typing in the name of the PROTEST song.

[MaggieSwanson]

137. Lyrics

William Zanzinger killed poor Hattie Carroll
With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger
At a Baltimore hotel society gath'rin'.
And the cops were called in and his weapon took from him
As they rode him in custody down to the station
And booked William Zanzinger for first-degree murder.
But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Take the rag away from your face.
Now ain't the time for your tears.

William Zanzinger, who at twenty-four years
Owns a tobacco farm of six hundred acres
With rich wealthy parents who provide and protect him
And high office relations in the politics of Maryland,
Reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders
And swear words and sneering, and his tongue it was snarling,
In a matter of minutes on bail was out walking.
But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Take the rag away from your face.
Now ain't the time for your tears.

Hattie Carroll was a maid of the kitchen.
She was fifty-one years old and gave birth to ten children
Who carried the dishes and took out the garbage
And never sat once at the head of the table
And didn't even talk to the people at the table
Who just cleaned up all the food from the table
And emptied the ashtrays on a whole other level,
Got killed by a blow, lay slain by a cane
That sailed through the air and came down through the room,
Doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle.
And she never done nothing to William Zanzinger.
But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Take the rag away from your face.
Now ain't the time for your tears.

In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel
To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level
And that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded
And that even the nobles get properly handled
Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em
And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom,
Stared at the person who killed for no reason
Who just happened to be feelin' that way without warnin'.
And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished,
And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance,
William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence.
Oh, but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Bury the rag deep in your face
For now's the time for your tears.



Copyright © 1964; renewed 1992 Special Rider Music

[upsidedownaussie]

50. holy crap!

Where the hell have guys been?

we could have used them, you know, for like THE LAST FIVE YEARS!!!

[chomskysright]

51. Dear Lil Scotty: THE PSYCHIC VENOM is gonna take u down:

San Diego hospital closed to accommodate Bush visit; No chemo
Miriam Raftery


Editor's note: This article was held over from last week because of the hurricane.

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 30 -- The Naval Medical Center in San Diego's Balboa Park was shut down to accommodate a visit by President George W. Bush Aug. 30, RAW STORY has learned, forcing patients to cancel chemotherapy treatments and hundreds of scheduled patient visits.

"The pharmacy is closed. The emergency room is closed. Even chemotherapy patients will not be allowed on base," the daughter of one patient told RAW STORY shortly before the President's arrival. "My mother is a patient...She was contacted and told that her appointment had been canceled and would be rescheduled later…All civilian personnel and patients will not be allowed on base."

Advertisement


Hundreds of patient visits were cancelled as a result, she said. Patients and staff at the Naval Medical Center voiced concern over the shut-down of non-critical patient care services for a photo op that never even materialized. None were willing to go on record by name for fear of retaliation, such as loss of jobs or revocation of healthcare privileges.

One hospital volunteer expressed shock and disappointment at the apparent disregard for patient welfare.

"I think it's disgusting. People who are getting chemotherapy or radiation are on a very set schedule. They are not supposed to miss a session or put it off by even a day, because it's based on the life cycle of a cancer cell," the volunteer said, adding that some patients had waited weeks for appointments. "Some had to postpone for quite a while, because the radiation and chemo rooms were full on other days," she added. "They closed everything down just so he could have his photo op in the lobby with the corpsmen."

Officially, the President was slated to thank medics who aided tsunami victims in Southeast Asia. Some local news reports indicated that he also planned to visit with wounded soldiers.

But when Bush and his entourage arrived at the medical facility, those plans changed. One local news station reported that the President never left his motorcade, departing for the airport 15 minutes after arriving. The station aired footage of Bush laboring to ascend steps up to Air Force One, aided by his wife, Laura. A newscaster commented on the President's wavering gait and noted that it was unusual for him not to pause to shake hands with well-wishers at the airport. The broadcast led to local speculation that the President may have encountered a medical problem.

KNSD Channel 10 later retracted the story, reporting that Bush in fact entered the medical center and visited briefly with injured patients, but would not allow camera crews to accompany him. A call to the medical center's public relations office was not returned.

"We were providing the pool photography," KNSD TV assignment editor Gonzalo Rojas told RAW STORY. "We were originally told that we were going to be allowed to go in with him, but we were not. No one was. He was only in there a short time."

The President cut short his announced hour-and-a-half visit, departing an estimated 15 minutes after arriving at the medical facility. No reason for the abrupt departure was provided to the media, leading to speculation that the President was returning to Texas or Washington D.C. to address with the hurricane crisis.

Hundreds of protesters lined Park Boulevard outside the hospital entrance.

Earlier that morning, peace activists also gathered outside North Island Naval Air Station, where Bush spoke to an invitation-only group of World War II veterans. Backstage after the appearance, the President strummed a guitar, smiled and laughed, but did not comment on the unfolding catastrophic disaster in New Orleans.

Bush likely heard the distant drumbeats of anti-war protesters outside, though his motorcade entered through a side gate to avoid passing by the crowd.

On Monday night, an estimated 600 to 2,000 peace activists held a candlelight vigil outside the Hotel Del Coronado, the historic luxury resort where the President was staying. Activists lined a nearby beach and sang anti-war songs. A performance of Taps to commemorate fallen U.S. troops was interrupted by shouts and curses from a group of approximately 50 pro-war Bush supporters.

When a haircut given to President Clinton aboard Air Force One inadvertently delayed air traffic and inconvenienced travelers, the media was quick to criticize the President. No such outcry has occurred over George W. Bush’s aborted photo op, or the interference it caused in medical care for seriously ill patients.

After civilian patients and volunteers were sent home in preparation for the President’s visit, "remaining military personnel were told to show up looking very spiffy, to appear in the auditorium and to remember that they will be on film," one hospital insider told RAW STORY. "In other words, 'If you want a career, and not to be sent to Iraq, cheer like hell.'"

Why no media was allowed inside the hospital to film the President--and why plans for the carefully orchestrated photo op were abandoned at the last moment--remain unknown.

[Trevelyan]

123. If Bush was ill wouldn't he have been hospitalized, it might have

gained him sympathy but then again, reporters might start asking if he is fit enough to be a wartime president with a major hurricane disaster and some of the internet media might bring out the strange wires and shape under his suit jacket during the debates.

It sounds like he was stoned. There is a photo of bush obviously very drunk, I think it was taken near the "Mission Accomplished" ship and a high ranking mid-forties Naval officer with a very worried look on his face has his hand out ready to catch or steady bush if he began to fall. The drunk in public shot though sad should be on many truth sites.

[Orion The Hunter]

52. The Press Corp beat ol' Scooter like a pinata!

I loved how the reporters would just point out Scott's obvious use of talking points!

[slutticus]

55. Like Jon Stewart said...."The White House Press Corps has been secretly...

...replaced with real reporters".

[wake.up.america]

68. Mother Nature is not going to wait for the BA to invesitigate itself

[Ilsa]

56. Haaaaa! They are playing with him!

And I think they are almost enjoying it. Bought frackin' time they go on offense, too.

[eyepaddle]

57. To paraphrase the good Dr (Hunter Thompson)

Cazart! What a pummeling.

I could actually READ the flop sweat emanating from that hack. However if I would've been one of the journalists resent I don't know if I could've restrained myself from slugging that bastard.

"Now is not the time...blame game...focus on helping...blame game...now is not the time...blame game...focus on...now is not the time..." Bastard.:mad:

[ClintonTyree]

58. Yet these same people had no problem attacking Clinton....

while there was "important work being done", searching under every rock and in every trailer park in Arkansas to TRY to get something, ANYTHING to stick to Clinton. Hundreds of FBI agents tasked and millions of dollars spent for.........NOTHING! Yet they don't expect any accusatory fingers pointed at them for something that REALLY MATTERS? :wtf:
Yes, "they don't want to play the blame game, there will be plenty of time for that later." Perhaps if they were of that opinion during the Clinton years OBL would be DEAD now and never would have had the opportunity to successfully pull off 9/11.
I'm certainly glad that the MSM is holding their feet to the fire now, but WHERE THE HELL HAVE THEY BEEN FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS? Welcome back to the land of journalism, it's nice to see you've regained your impartiality. For 4+ years you've given this administration a pass on every one of their miscues.
Something tells me that Scotty is going to want to "spend more time with his family" soon. He's taking all the heat for this bumbling bunch of boobs and I don't think he'll be able to hold up under the pressure. I pity the next sacrificial lamb they throw to the media now that they're finally doing their jobs once more.

[paula777]

59. OMG you guys - whoever has time, read the entire article. Jaw dropping

thanks for posting this!

[Skittles]

65. I watched it live

beautiful - one reporter called Scott's response RIDICULOUS

[AnneD]

131. It's the press conference.....

That I wish had happened 5 years ago. Guess Helen will have alot of company in the back of the conference room :)

[Skittles]

60. BLAME GAME AND FINGER POINTING

IF I HAD DRANK A SHOT FOR EVERY TIME THAT LITTLE TURD SCOTT SAID THAT I WOULD BE CERTIFED DEAD OF ALCHOL POISONING

Did anyone notice Gannon's replacement trying with his rehearsed question blaming both Nagin and Blanco?

[CatWoman]

64. mp3 has been posted here

http://www.canofun.com/blog/default.asp

[Mr_Spock]

67. "Scott, that's a talking point, Scott that's a talking point"

The WH is a FUCKING JOKE now - they need to resign NOW.

[garthranzz]

69. Hell hath no fury...

To paraphrase the bard...

Hell hath no fury like a journalist scorned.

An angry press can be worse than an angry mob - because it can create one. "Play the blame game" will become the new "read my lips." The reporters were there. Imagine Woodward & Bernstein multiplied.

And for those members of the press without morals or scruples, there's the analogy of sharks or a pack of dogs smelling blood.

The levee of callousness has been breached.

[movie_girl99]

70. jesus H

they were actually holding Scotts feet to the fire.

[kittenpants]

74. I love this exchange too at the very end

Q Did the Mayor or the Governor turn down any requests made by the administration?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I think from this podium that we want to stay focused on ways we can work together, so I don't think it helps any situation to get into all those internal discussions that are going on, on issues of that nature. This isn't a time when people are trying to look at who's to blame, or try to shift responsibility. This is a time when we're all trying to work together to get things done.

Q But that hasn't stopped you from suggesting pretty subtly that the local and state officials bear some responsibility.

MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you for your comment. I'm trying to get to other questions here.

[Botany]

90. I saw that .....

.... that is from the new Jeff Gannon?

[truedelphi]

75. As A Reporter there's been fun of my own lately - I interviewed Rove

In fact I talked to Karl Rove on Saturday morning, Sept 3rd 2005.

Anyone of the legitimate (alternate, indy, college, high school, HELL, as long as you print news you are legit) can email me at [e-mail] if you wanna way to reach Karl.

What I initially called the White House about was to ask if ANYONE there had ever taken an American History class and had heard of the
Berlin Airlift of 1948.

Talked to woman who runs Andy Card's office.

She passed me on to a young guy, his name was Joshua Carlton.

Carlton was rather friendly and HE HAD taken an American History class and HE HAD heard of the Berlin Airlift.

I think Carlton got the concept I was trying to foster the idea that maybe sending troops in TRUCKS to a flooded region like NO-LA might not be the smartest think ever thunk.

But unfortunately he then passed me on to the White House Press Agency.

DAMN! Because after I asked my qestion about the history class and the Berlin Airligft, this snooty voiced biddy said, "Well, what is the relevance of your question."

Wish I had been in higher form - I should have replied, "What is the relevance of your administration?"
Instead I repeated my question.

She rebuffed me, I repeated again. By this third time, I was angry and my voice indicated this.
She then said, "You are not a real journalist are you?"

So I definitely feel validated by the fact that all the "real" journalists there in Washington are finally getting angry too. There are times when anger is appropiate. IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Now again, had I been in better form, I might have replied, "Your administration is not a REAL administration." But instead I hung up.

Then I re-dialed Andy Card's number. A man answered and said, "Karl Rove's office."

I said, in my most breathles feminine voice (now is not the time to be angry) "Hi Karl." I mean, why not act like we know each other?

"Oh," he says, "Who am I talking to?"

"I am Carol Sterritt, Staff reporter for the Coastal Post. My editor wanted me to call the White House and get a question answered. that question is, "Has anyone at the White House taken American history Classes and studied the chapter concerning the Berlin AirLift."

Now Rove is not a dummy. A lizard person yes, but moron he ain't.

So he got it.

"Well, you might be interested in hearing that we have 125 tons of supplies at the New Orleans Airport and they are waiting there for distribution." He paused. His voice was rather warm and friendly, he could have been some kid's Sunday Bible teacher. "Now what you really want to do is to call FEMA and also Homeland Security and they can answer your other questions."

I started to sputter, "But why are supplies **waiting** to be distributed."

He answered in his firm friendly and level sounding voice, "Sorry but I do have to go. I am being called into an Emergency Meeting."
And he hung up.

Carol

[GreenPartyVoter]

79. Way to go Carol! *high five* Please let people know

we are trying to get everyone and anyone to call the admin out on the carpet here:

Save the Gulf:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[Trevelyan]

126. Thank you for trying to help save lives, TrueDelphi

Billyjack.com has some more creative things citizens can do to try to help save lives.

Please go to http://www.afterdowningstreet.org

The deadline for Congresspersons to co-sponsor A RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY is Sept. 15, there is an auto contact to your Congresspersons and a lot of good information on this beginning of the Impeachment process. :kick: :dem: :yourock:

[truedelphi]

138. Will do

As you suggest. I will attempt to get the word out.

Every moment of strong forthright intention creates a warp in the universe that assists us and demotes them.

Mother teresa knew what she was doing when she set up a a "prayer pal" plan -- the sickest of the sick were invited to pray for her sisters. And each sister was "adopted" by one of these sick or disabled persons.

The sick or disabled person spent time each day praying for the sister, so she could be out doing the good work.

Teresa accomplished so much because she used not only ordinary, get off your butt and stop sitting around energy, but psychic energy as well.

[defiant1]

133. Wow....

You were in the presence of evil, and lived to talk about it.

Kudos....

:toast:

[truedelphi]

140. I can handle evil when

It has as sweet a voice as Karl's.

Cheney however - his voice might (in person or on the phone) might have curdled my blood instantly.

BTW, after reading Tuesday's postings on this topic, I called BACK the White House Press office. I explained to the woman answering that on Saturday Morning, I had been told that I was not a legitimate reporter because of my anger. But now that many legit reporters were angry, could someone apologize to me?

Then I explained about the simplicity of my questions - does anyone at the WH know American History? Does anyone understand the significance of the Berlin Airlift - that you don't send convoy of trucks in windshield wiper-deep waters to rescue a flooded city?

You do an airdrop.

She gasped in reply. I got through to her! Before my call, I think they had been feeding her the line that it was just so catastrophic no one could make it into So. LA.

Carol

[renate]

76. why do they call it the blame game?

It's anything but a game.

What happened to the government of personal responsibility they promised us, anyway?

[corky44]

82. Randi had a good one:

McClellan said something like " we are doing everything we can to support
FEMA and HSS and Randi screams "How about supporting the people!

We have to hit them on every single word from their mouths.

oh ya- wait until the polluted lake water hits the shrimp and oyster beds.

YIKES!!

[nytemare]

83. Something to note, we are only 1/2 way through Hurricane season.

So, instead of engaging in a blame game, if some responsibility is taken, we can move on and figure out what the hell we are going to do for the next hurricane or terrorist attack that hits.

Florida was hit by 4 hurricanes last year, 3 of them major. This year, the US has been hit by 2 major hurricanes. The waters are warm folks, and storms are still likely to brew. The US has been struck by two category 4 storms in two years, both with winds of above 140 mph.

Next time they say, "we have plenty of time", I would love to hear a comment from a reporter mentioning that we are only halfway through the season. Hurricanes seem much more likely than terrorist attacks. How the hell will they respond to the next one, if they sucked at this one.

[savemefromdumbya]

87. This is what I was thinking too

If we have some more say in the Carolinas, Florida, Texas or whereever how is the Dumbya going to handle it? The man is not prepared. If we hadn't spent all our resources on Iraq - billions then we might have some backup. Look out they will be drafting us yet.

[nytemare]

100. I already served in Iraq first time around, time for W to finish up his

guard duty commitment.

:hi:

[savemefromdumbya]

139. yes he could have gone down to N O and made it up

he could have spent all the days after the hurricane pulling people out of their homes and caught up on that guard duty commitment! I think if I were president I would have gone dwon there in my boat and helped out!

[IntravenousDemilo]

84. Ugh! Argh! Feh! P-tooey!

If I hear the asinine and dismissive phrase "blame-game" from this shifty-eyed goober one more time, I think I may have to go down to Washington and straighten him out, or at least help him with his limited vocabulary.

He was equally non-forthcoming with answers about Karl Rove when Puffy McTraitor leaked (or confirmed; it's really the same result) the identity of a CIA operative to that nauseating moral leper Robert Novak. I guess Scottie would have said the reporters were playing a "Plame-game", if he had even an ounce of wit about him.

He's no Ari Fleischer, though.

[savemefromdumbya]

85. Roasting on a spit

even the press are straining on the leash to get at Bush. Normally they are gagged. Keep roasting the little piggy!

[LSK]

86. replaying on CSPAN2 now n/t

[pokercat999]

91. There can be only one response from a true patriot.

We all know what that unspoken response has to be.


There is no such thing as justice in america....only revenge.

[AceAlmighty82]

92. All I have to say is

McClellan has got patience. If I were him, I would have either confessed or strangled one of the reporters. This looks to me that Katrina is the straw that broke the camel's back. It's hard telling though..good chance Michael Brown will get a promotion or a big raise or maybe even the "medal of freedom".

[kostya]

104. Sad, but probably true. There is no place low enough for this

administration to not try and go. They have absolutely no shame, no mores, no conscience whatsoever. - K

[Up2Late]

93. Oh, I'm going to have to read that whole thing.

That's great.

[Dinger]

95. Is The A Video Link Anywhere? (NT)

[ignatius 2]

96. Well of course McClellan danced around. He has never heard the word

accountability before and was therefore unable to give a response.

Scotty will have his day of judgment just like the rest of the neo-con maniacs and my hope is it includes a long,long time behind bars and then a whirling,swirling,puke inducing hurricane flipping them around for all eternity.

[B Calm]

98. I hope Mike Malloy has sound bites of this press briefing!

[Pierre Trudeau]

99. one VERY notable remark by McClellan...

Scotty: "There are some 94 nations and international organizations that have made offers of assistance"

Well there you have it.

So the next time some idiot gripes about how "the rest of the world" didn't come to your assistance, you can fling the words of the White House Press Secretary right back in their faces.

And see if they'll dismiss Scotty as a "liberal propagandist".

[For PaisAn]

105. Finally

and todays press briefing was more of the same. I hope they keep it up every single day.

[fortyfeetunder]

106. Did Helen Thomas get a lick in?

I know wherever she was, she must have enjoyed being there.

[sellitman]

109. Spewing talking points is hard work!!!!!!

The turd in the White House is a heck of a hard worker! We know this because he told us so.

:sarcasm:

[LiveWire]

111. Wow, he just told them off and walked away

www.cspan.org

Witha straight up "Irish Goodbye", he just told the press corps that he wont be in the blame game. The problem is that its not the press corps thats asking the questions, its the american people. The AP have finally grown a backbone it looks like.

[chomskysright]

113. Reporters w/o borders: journalism under attack in NOLA: PEJ news

No Cameras Please: Journalism Under Attack in New Orleans
Posted by: lex on http://PEJ.org Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 06:11 PM


Reporters Without Borders - In the days following the devastation of New
Orleans, running battles between police and what they described as
"looters" were strictly off-camera; a situation today extended to a
ban on images of the bodies being recovered there. That there have been
conflicting reports about who these "looters" were, most based on
fleshtones, the real issue not yet at issue here is, "When is it O.K. to
shoot a starving citizen in search of food?" - {lex}

www.rsf.org


Police violence against journalists
in New Orleans in Katrina aftermath

Reporters Without Borders
September 6, 2005

Reporters Without Borders voiced concern today about police violence against
journalists covering the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans,
especially about the attacks on reporters and photographers that took place on 1
September.

“We understand that the security forces are overwhelmed and we are aware of the
great tension and the difficult conditions under which they are having to work
in areas hit by Katrina, but it is very worrying that this is reflected in
violence against journalists,” the press freedom organisation said.

“We believe that is essential that news coverage should be completely free and
unobstructed in such a serious situation,” Reporters Without Borders added.

Reporter Tim Harper and photographer Lucas Oleniuk of the Canadian Toronto Star
daily were the victims of police violence while covering a clash between police
and looters. The police threatened them several times at gunpoint and, when they
realised Oleniuk had photographed them hitting looters, they hurled him to the
ground, grabbed his two cameras and removed memory cards containing around 350
pictures. His press card was also torn from him. When he asked for his pictures
back, the police insulted him and threatened to hit him.

Harper said in a report about the police violence in the Toronto Star that,
given the situation in New Orleans, there was not doubt that the police saw
journalists as an obstacle to their efforts to regain control of the city.

A second incident involved Gordon Russell of the New Orleans-based
Times-Picayune daily as he was covering a shoot-out between police and local
residents near the convention centre where hurricane victims were awaiting
evacuation. The police detained Russell and smashed all of his equipment on the
ground. Russell was forced to flee to avoid further violence and reportedly left
the city the same day.

Al Rycroft, Senior Editor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PEJ News - Peace, Earth & Justice News

Read the daily news at http://PEJ.org
A project of the non-profit Prometheus Institute

[e-mail]
250.592.8307 Canada
Box 8307, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3R9

[Joebert]

115. Why do we bother having press conferences?

He sat there (just like he always does) and chews cud, repeats the talking point, and goes back to just looking as smart as a cow.

How frustrating.

I would never make it as a White House reporter, eventually I would have yelled "Tell me the truth you fat piece of shit."

And then I would be sent to Guantanamo.

[Dem2theMax]

116. You know, you read it and you still can't believe what you are reading.

The only place more toxic than the water in New Orleans, is the crap spewing from Scotty's mouth.

I just LOVED the following -- the bold part just floors me. What the heck does that have to do with anything in NO?


Q Well, let's talk about it. Are you saying the President is -- are you saying that the President is confident that his administration is prepared to adequately, confidently secure the American people in the event of a terrorist attack of a level that we have not seen? And based on what does he have that confidence?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, and that's what he made clear earlier today, that obviously we want to look and learn lessons from a major catastrophe of this nature.

Q Yes, but you're telling us today there will be time for that somewhere down the road. Well, what if it happens tomorrow?

MR. McCLELLAN: We can engage in this blame-gaming going on and I think that's what you're getting --

Q No, no. That's a talking point, Scott, and I think most people who are watching this --

MR. McCLELLAN: No, that's a fact. I mean, some are wanting to engage in that, and we're going to remain focused --

Q I'm asking a direct question. Is he confident --

MR. McCLELLAN: We're going to remain focused on the people.

Q -- that he can secure the American people in the event of a major terrorist attack?

MR. McCLELLAN: We are securing the American people by staying on the offensive abroad and working to spread freedom and democracy in the Middle East.

Q That's a talking point. That's a talking point.

[Trevelyan]

127. There are several other interesting links on this site.

That is only one of the interviews with Scotty and there is a gem called "My Pet Goat, Pt. 2" editorial.

Go back and look at all the good work this site is doing to bring out the truth of this genocide.

[loveable liberal]

117. our own Bagdad Scott.

Those arent cries for help, those are the battle cries of those zealously working to solve peoples problems....

Those arent dead people under sheets, they are exhausted rescue workers taking well deserved naps.....

[Name removed]

119. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

120. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[notadmblnd]

122. links?

could you please provide your links to this. I'm aware that this happened with hurricane andrew.. but that was on bush I's watch.

[PurpleChez]

121. The press has rediscoverered their...what's the plural of 'scrotum'?

This was glorious. Where were these people two or three years ago? Perhaps, finally, the press will stop enabling bushco in everything they do.

[Clintmax]

124. It IS refreshing to see the media like this!

Give 'em hells, Guys!

[rambler_american]

125. The Blame Game

Georgie, Georgie, Bo Beorgie
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Feorgie
Fee, Fy, Mo Meorgie
Georgie!


Dubya, Dubya, Bo Bubya
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Fubya
Fee, Fy, Mo Mubya
Dubya!

Smirk, Smirk, Bo Bmirk
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Fmirk
Fee, Fy, Mo Mmirk
Smirk!


Hey, this is kinda fun!

Chimpy, Chimpy, Bo Bimpy
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Fimpy
Fee, Fy, Mo Mimpy
Chimpy!


http://www.cox-tv.com/namegame/#

[rambler_american]

128. Where's Jeff Gannon when you need him?

I bet he'd be on top of things.

[Lasher]

129. This is so good...

I read the entire text of the briefing yesterday, and did it again today. Here's one of my favorite parts:

***

Q And there are people in Louisiana and Mississippi who are doing that job very well. Your job is to answer the questions.

MR. McCLELLAN: And I have.

Q By saying you won't answer.

***

I didn't think the White House press corps could be this assertive, unless we had a Democrat for President.


:rofl:

[Fla Dem]

132. That was 2 days ago, what have they done today to keep the heat on? n/t

[FourStarDemocrat]

134. Good question!

But I don't think sleazeball Scotty will be having another one of these Q&A's for a while.

[emrenz]

135. "We're Blame-gamers"

That's the scripted response here. Starting with Bush "we're not going to play the blame game, we're going to solve problems; we're problem-solvers." (Typical two-word sound bite response, easy for the righties to absorb) Now Scotty McClellan is repeating it over and over to shift the focus on us "blame-gamers" (to borrow a Bushism) rather then their own inept administration.

They also keep repeating: "what went wrong and what went RIGHT" so that you'll believe something actually did go right.

S.O.S., their tatics NEVER CHANGE.

[mcscajun]

136. Read the whole article. Wow. Follow-up question after follow-up...

...not kowtowing to the Bullshit purveyors.

A beautiful game of Whack-A-Mole played with A Real Mole.

Scottie could duck and bob and weave all he wanted...somebody was always on his case to nail him on the rotten 'blame game' meme and turn it back to ACCOUNTABILITY!

:woohoo: