Bush did not eat with the troops...Why?

[camero]

Was he too good to eat with our soldiers. It's more like he came in and said, "Um, ok, here's your turkey. And by the way, you're staying here until it's finished. Which could be indefinitely."

He brought a turkey but no benefits or flak jackets. So much for "supporting the troops".

Bush- He just gives the troops "turkeys".

[Media_Lies_Daily]

1. They left in such a hurry that...

...they forgot to bring the mice, the official White House food tasters.

[camero]

3. LOL

They could have just used the ones there. Or at least bring a sheeple with him.

[lostnfound]

2. Bad table manners, didn't want to embarrass himself n/t

[camero]

4. Yea, true

He didn't want the troops to see his bib that says "Mommy's Boy".

[sleepyhead]

91. LOL!!!!

*snarf* Time to clean the monitor!

[HereSince1628]

5. Not enough time for poison testing rat to die

I'm sort of serious, I don't think he eats anything that hasn't been tested. And I think they decided to use animal testing for his Bangkok trip.

[camero]

13. Shoulda got a Baghdad rat

I hear they are bigger than the ones in New York City.

[Demobrat]

6. The guy brought six cooks to visit the Queen of England.

And he's going to eat that slop? Spare me.

[camero]

8. I'm just trying to raise a point.

That he doesn't care for the troops. He can't eat the turkey he brings out but he can eat hotdogs and burgers with his campaign contributors.

He just likes to hobnob with the "hoi paloi".

[Demobrat]

17. Sorry, I wasn't directing my sarcasm at you.

I save it all for for the scumbag-in-chief. Does he really eat hotdogs and burgers at events? Just because he shows up doesn't necessarily mean he eats peasant food.

[camero]

22. Yeah he does

It's another photo-op so he can be seen as a "regular guy". I think because the troops are basically poor and middle-class, that he doesn't like to be around them.

[politicat]

40. Got a pic? I've seen him with the food in his hand, but never with a bite

missing. Never seen a pic with his mouth full, either.

I think he holds it for the photo op and drops it in the closest trash bin.

Politicat (who doesn't think he's stupid, but does think he's a malicious, incurious, sociopathic-bordering-on-psychopathic, sheltered git. )

[camero]

42. I wish I did

He probably did have it up for the photo and then threw it away.
I read about it in the St. Pete Times. Article below on another post.

[roguevalley]

18. He didn't have time I suppose. Frankly, he insulted the Iraqi people

up the wazoo. You don't go to an Arab country and not
observe hospitality with them. He didn't meet one Arab
and thus he insulted them all. Arabs are incredibly
hospitable people and believe in being good hosts. You
watch the news. They will be speaking of his unspeakable
lack of good manners. I will bet money.

[camero]

23. I would bet the farm on it.

It was like a slap in the face to both the Iraqi people and the troops.

[mlawson]

15. He did that???

Wow. How insulting to the palace chefs!!

Oh, I get it: he HAS to eat the same stuff he is USED to.... I know people like that.

[Demobrat]

21. Yeah, he did.

I don't feel like going looking for link, but believe me I wouldn't bother to make up something like that. Apparently the Queen's cooks were not real pleased.

[calimary]

34. I remember reading about it - it was in the Guardian or

the London Observer. I think it was four cooks, though, and the White House chef. Such unbelievable nerve! Bet the Queen doesn't bring her own cooks to State Dinners here... (or elsewhere, for that matter).

[mlawson]

39. I am amazed they were allowed in the Palace.

I've heard that the 'palace' doesn't take shit from anyone (except Philip, perhaps).

Oh well, it's the Queen's fault for inviting that cretin over there, anyway.

[DulceDecorum]

52. One of Bush's chefs almost left him

M Chirac, she said, was sick of French food. He had once mentioned that he liked calves' head and he had been eating snouts and lips at official dinners ever since. What he longed for was some good American cooking, hamburgers and barbecue. Would Mr Scheib agree to leave Mr Bush and come to work at the Elysee?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/08/29/wprank29.xml

[INTELBYTES]

16. I've eaten in England...

Don't blame him for bringing his own cooks.
:puke:

[PaDUer]

53. Guess they didn't have

the mice eat the turkey dinner to see if they died before he arrived...This idiot doesn't care about any troops at all..

[leftofthedial]

7. they put drugs in the food

they would have conflicted with his usual drugs.

[camero]

10. I guess they didn't want him taking any risperdol

for his psychotic tendencies.

[ClassWarrior]

9. Every time I see the title of this thread...

I think it says,

"Bush did not eat the troops...Why?"

Which would surprise me too.

[camero]

11. LOL

That's a good one. Now that you mention it, I wonder about that too.

[supernova]

12. Because this was only for appearances

sake. Had nothing to do with genuinely wanting to spend time with the people fighting his stupid war.

* even had to be cajoled into going and would not have gone otherwise. So, I'm not surprised he did the photo-op and got the hell out of Dodge at the first opportunity.

[camero]

14. Ding Ding Ding

We have a winner.

[roguevalley]

20. Did you notice how scared he was during his speech? I imagine he

was wearing depends the whole time.

[camero]

25. I did

So much for our "fearless leader".

[PaDUer]

54. invitation?

He had the nerve to say "thanks for inviting me to dinner!"..he was NOT invited..

[camero]

55. Bush the gatecrasher

Yea, you're right. He wasn't invited.

[cosmicdot]

72. and, for this (likely) scripted headline I found this morning

"Bush's Iraq Trip Cements Role As Leader"

:puke: cements his role as leader???? a beg your pardon?

http://start.earthlink.net/newsarticle?cat=6&aid=D7V446FO0_story

that's stretching op-ed/commentary a bit over the top

An Associated Press piece posing as "news". It's really about using the power of the office to campaign ... that's not the same as real "leadership". It does mention Mission Accomplished. It does mention he had no combat role during Vietnam (but not that he deserted). Mostly, it is a propaganda piece with the likes of Larry Sabato chiming in ...

WASHINGTON - President Bush's surprise Thanksgiving trip to Baghdad served as a crash course on the power of presidential incumbency.

- an image his Democratic opponents can't match.

- "Democrats got a real lesson in what it means to run against an incumbent president," said Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia. "He can change the headlines anytime he wants to - how do you fight against this? He can do it next October."

- The Thanksgiving Baghdad visit provided new filmed images likely to be more useful in campaign ads next year. It's too early to know how the general public will react to his Baghdad trip, however.

- "The president's fortunes are tied to Iraq," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. "To the extent that he can communicate his concerns about the troops, make the right decisions there and be compassionate, it helps him."

- But his connection with the current military makes the job more difficult for Democratic candidates like John Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, and Wesley Clark, former NATO commander, to draw a sharp contrast with Bush as leader of the military in wartime.

- And a powerful image.

- "None of the Democrats can top that."

[JVS]

19. He eats cloned dinosaurs for thanksgiving

Us proles just have no appreciation of the finer things

[camero]

28. He eats Barney?

Boy, the kids would just love that...lol.

[proud patriot]

24. in his speech didn't he say something about eating w/ the troops?

This guy lies about everything.

[camero]

27. read the article on it

www.stpetetimes.com

It says he brought the food out but did not stay to eat with the troops.

[camero]

35. here's the part

>snip

Wearing an exercise jacket with a 1st Division patch, Bush worked the entire room and then dished out-but did not eat- sweet potatoes and corn from the chow line.

[leesa]

26. You could get hurt in a place like that hanging around to eat! Sheesh!

[salinen]

29. Can you imagine

how bad the air must have smelled in AF 1 after a * turkey fart? I know that was way too much.

[camero]

30. Bring out the gas mask

Bush "gassed" his own aides.

[camero]

31. Bush- He just gives the troops "turkeys".

I think we could use this in a campaign ad.

[Blue Gardener]

32. Maybe Afraid of Something "Extra" in His Food

You know, like what you hear about when the burger flippers at the fast food restaurants are pissed because you sent something back. Don't know if I would skip the opportunity to spit a slimy one onto the tray if I knew it was meant for the chimp.

[camero]

41. I would be tempted to also

Or at least slip a pretzel in.

[beanball]

33. The commander in chief

Will Bush recieve the medal of honor for his 150 minute tour of duty in a combat zone that he created?

[camero]

37. HAHA

He went AWOL again, didn't he?

[mvd]

36. He's cowardly and just wanted a photo-op

More importantly, though, is that he has never gone to a soldier's funeral - I've heard that he's the only wartime President not to have done so.

[camero]

38. That's true also

One more thing to use in a campaign ad.

[Iverson]

43. The rich are not the same as you and me.

People like him don't spend an instant longer with the great unwashed than is absolutely necessary.

[camero]

44. Bingo

It would make a good commercial showing him bringing out the turkey then attacking his cutting of veteran's benefits and the troops having to use Vietnam Era flak jackets. He brought a turkey all right.

[camero]

45. Wanna really piss a freeper off?

Say, "Well, Hillary could eat with them. Why couldn't Bush?"

[kskiska]

46. What time was it over there?

I thought I read where it was about 10:30 a.m. when he was there. Was dinner served early because of his visit? Maybe * had breakfast on the plane and wasn't hungry.

[camero]

47. He could have saved a little bit for the photo-op.

At least.

[kskiska]

48. Absolutely.

He knew what he was going there for. Maybe he just doesn't like army food. He can dish it out, but…

[camero]

49. he can't eat it...lol

That's a good line.

[Lisa]

64. "just a mint ... it's wafer-thin!"

(sorry guys -- I've watched too much "Monty Python")

But this is a good point ... any politician worthy of the name has learned how to choke down convincing amounts of food that s/he doesn't necessarily like (rubber-chicken dinners, chili festivals, clambakes, strawberry teas, etc.) in order to be "sociable".

[camero]

65. Monty Python is cool

Thanks. It even would have made a better photo-op.

[Catshrink]

57. Yep -- he ate on the plane. Or drank or snorted...

Not to mention, they don't have china, linen, and silver in tents.

[camero]

61. He did have that gaze didn't he.

:)

[Catshrink]

67. Yes he did -- pretty normal for him, eh?

[camero]

69. Yeah, it is

I don't think it's jet lag either. :beer:

[DoYouEverWonder]

71. Actually it was closer to 7:00 AM Baghdad time

When Bu$h showed up for his Thanksgiving dinner photo-op. The whole thing seems to have been staged and faked just like everything else Bu$h does.


http://www.counterpunch.org/madsen11282003.html

Air Force One touched down at Baghdad International Airport, under cover of darkness, at 5:20 AM Baghdad time. Bush was on the ground for two and a half hours, his plane departing Baghdad at around 7:50 AM. Considering that it likely took some 30 minutes for Bush to disembark from Air Force One and travel by a heavily secured motorcade to the hangar where the troops were assembled, that means our military men and women were downing turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and non-alcoholic beer at a time when most people would be eating eggs, bacon, grits, home fries, and toast.

[camero]

73. Just another way

To turn the ship around isn't it?

[Dudley_DUright]

82. I posted the same article elsewhere

but I don't think it is correct. Here is a good timeline from CNN international:

<snip>

• 5:31 p.m. (9:31 a.m. EST): Air Force One touches down at Baghdad International Airport. It is the first time a U.S. president has visited Iraq. The people on the ground at the airport do not know it is Air Force One landing.

In the Bob Hope Dining Facility about 600 members of the 1st Armored Division and the 82nd Airborne Division had gathered for Thanksgiving dinner. The soldiers are anticipating speeches by Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, coalition ground commander, and chief civilian administrator L. Paul Bremer. They are surprised when the president appears to deliver an address to the troops and Iraqi people. (Full story)

"I bring a message on behalf of America," the president says. "We thank you for your service, we're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you." (Complete transcript)

Afterward, following Army tradition, Bush joins senior officers in serving Thanksgiving dinner to the troops. Many soldiers shake the president's hand

Bush later meets with four Iraqi Governing Council members and with Sanchez.

• 7:56 p.m. (11:56 a.m. EST): Reporters reboard Air Force One.

• 8 p.m. (noon EST): Air Force One leaves Baghdad.

more...

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/11/27/sprj.irq.bush.tic.toc/

[rusty charly]

50. especial since his entrance line was

"i was just looking for a warm meal somewhere"

then didn't eat

went back and ate haute cuisine on the jet ride home, thank you very much

[camero]

51. most likely

He lies again. Of course he opened his mouth.

[camero]

56. Kick

Kick

[havocmom]

58. shrubster does not eat turkey

it's a professional courtsey thing....

[camero]

59. I wonder where that pic is with the pardoned turkey

And it has it's head you know where? I guess that's his "professional" courtesy...lol :)

[latebloomer]

66. It's on the front page of DU now!

Check it out.

[camero]

68. I wonder if it kept the "dress"ing

er, feathers....lol.

Doh! I've been on the forums for quite awhile today....ROFL.

[oasis]

60. Hillary, by contrast, had a hefty appetite. She enjoyed her meal .

[camero]

62. Read post #45

I think we should use that. Way to go Hillary. Now we know who really supports the troops.

[camero]

63. Kick

for the west coast.

[camero]

70. kick

kick

[Sterling]

74. He is a lizard person like Icke says?

I heard they only drink human blood. I believe it. A lot of things make sense when you can acknowledge the BFEE are lizard people devoid of human emotion.

[camero]

75. Possibly

Notice he never lets anyone see his tongue...lol.

[spanone]

76. He was too high on Politics.

[camero]

77. dang

And I thought it was cocaine.

[Scott Lee]

78. He has a delicate blue blood tummy.

Plus, they were short of sterling silver serving sets in Iraq at this time.

[camero]

81. LOL

maybe he should added that to the $87 billion.

[watercolors]

79. Who wants turkey at 6:oo a.m.?

Read on Counterpunch it was early morning he arrived, any one else read it or heard the time he was there?

[camero]

80. The troops ate it, didn't they?

Then he could. At least to show he is with the troops.

[ikojo]

83. Most of the troops are from the working class

and it would be "beneath" Bush to break bread with someone not of his socio-economic class.

In Bush's world the working class is good for being maids, nannies, gardners, cooks and cannon fodder. He dare not break bread with "them."

He's probably afraid of those working class kids asking him about his non existent military service. After all most of them have little real knowledge of this pResident and may really believe he was a fighter pilot.

[camero]

84. cannon fodder is right

That's about all he sees us as.

[kodi]

85. Caesar does not eat with plebians

.

[camero]

87. On what meat doth our Caesar feed?

I got some NYC rat for him...lol

[kodi]

89. the meat of gaul

or is that gall?

[camero]

90. gall

I thought it was Gawl for a minute.

[NNN0LHI]

86. Karl Rove forgot to bring the platoon of food testing mice n/t

[camero]

88. or his jester.

Dick Cheney

[mmonk]

92. His food tester

fell ill.

[camero]

93. ah, damn

The pretzel got him. I forgot.

[camero]

94. kick

:hi:

[Ilsa]

95. I wonder if he would have eaten a few desserts with the troops?

He might have been ready for a sugar binge since he couldn't have a drink.

[camero]

96. nah, I don't think so

They didn't have any rum cake.

[young_at_heart]

97. He wouldn't go "that far" for PR

It makes me sick the way the media is lauding this total PR coup. The poor GI's have to stay indefinitely and have major stress all the time. I don't think George handles stress too well.

[camero]

98. We should take advantage of this

Sort of gives him the rope to hang himself with.

Reporter: Mr. Bush, Why did you not eat with the troops on Thanksgiving? And why leave so soon?

Bush: I do not go that far for PR.

I know, it makes me sick too that the media are giving him a free pass. Not to mention a get out of jail free card.