Bush's Latest Move--Time to Alienate Ireland!

[Robert Murphy]

Well, beloved W. before going to Ireland granted an interview to Irish reporter Carol Coleman.

(Watch it (11 Min.) at: http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0624/cowen.html Scroll to the bottom; click on the Prime Time: Carole Coleman, Washington Correspondent, asks the US President whether he understands the opposing view of his policies link. It's worth installing Real Player to watch it, if you haven't already.)


After the interview, the W. Admin lodged a formal complaint with Irish embassy in Washington complaining that Ms. Coleman was 'disrespectful.' From the Irish Independent:

THE White House has lodged a complaint with the Irish Embassy in Washington over RTE journalist Carole Coleman's interview with US President George Bush. (Emphasis added.)

And it is believed the President's staff have now withdrawn from an exclusive interview which was to have been given to RTE this morning by First Lady Laura Bush.

It is understood that both RTE and the Department of Foreign Affairs were aware of the exclusive arrangement, scheduled for 11am today. However, when RTE put Ms Coleman's name forward as interviewer, they were told Mrs Bush would no longer be available.

The Irish Independent learned last night that the White House told Ms Coleman that she interrupted the president unnecessarily and was disrespectful.

Watch the video and you will see that Ms. Coleman's behavior is not even remotely "disrespectful." She asks some reasonably tough questions--ones that none among the domestic press corp would ever dare to. But as for her interrupting Bush, every single time (there are only a few) she tries to interject when he is not answering her question, Bush holds up his hand, and in the most nauseatingly patronizing manner--as if he were addressing a 5-year-old--says something like 'now, just let me finish please, and you can ask another question.'

Revolting!

Robert

[joeybee12]

1. CBS News tonight--a piece on how all past Prez have gone to Ireland...

...Ireland loves America and its Presidents, and all because of the heritage of many Americans and their ties to the Eemerald Isle. Reporter ended with something like, "It takes a lot to make Ireland dislike America. Mr. Bush has managed to be the first president to do just that."

[Robert Murphy]

11. The Reporter from CBS NEWS(?!?!?!?!) Said Exactly That!

My God!! You would have thought it was the BBC!

Can it be that the sheep-serum with which the W. Admin. has been spiking the chardonnay at the annual Washington press corp dinner is wearing off?!? This is too weird! :crazy:

Robert

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/home/main100.shtml Irish Ire

[classof56]

Welcome to DU!

I have been puzzling (and puzzling!) over how ANYone could give Bush any credence, credibility or the time of day, for that matter. I'm reading Robert Reich's book "Reason", which is giving me some insight into the minds of the RadCons (as Reich calls them). And I must say...while it explains their mindset, I have to agree with you. Revolting. Cubed!

And what a thorough embarrassment he is to all of us in the eyes of the rest of the civilized world.

Tired Old Cynic

[Cha]

2. I've read this and think bush is just cutting off

his nose to spite his face...

But ..what does "RTE" stand for? Does anyone know or does it stand for something?

[Robert Murphy]

8. It Stands for...

RTE is the Irish national radio and TV network--the 'Irish BBC' if I'm not wrong. It stands for Radio Telifis Eireanne; a gaelic mouthful...

Robert

[sundancekid]

10. radio/television in ireland (see more below)

Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) is the Irish Public Service Broadcasting Organisation. A statutory corporation, it provides a comprehensive service on radio (since 1926) and on television (since 1961), and a large range of other services including publishing, performing groups and transmission. In a highly competitive broadcasting environment RTÉ is the distinctive leader in the Irish media, providing cost-effective schedules of programmes of cultural, educational and informational excellence on both radio and television.
<snip>

http://www.rte.ie/about/

[joeybee12]

3. Oh, and welcome!

[peacetalksforall]

4. This is a 'message move'.

They are sending a message and a reminder.

To the foreign press - don't move on the President in this manner.
Reminder to the U.S. press - if I can do this to the foreign press, consider what can I do to you. Remember our agreement.

She obviously wasn't employed by any of the CPN - Corporate Propaganda Networks.

Do not...DO NOT...tell the Emperor that he has no clothes.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

5. Shrub was being such a dick to that reporter. Grrrrrrr... I wish I could

have jumped through the tv screen and bitch-slapped him.

[Southsideirish]

6. He's a prickly little pear, isn't he? And done in by a woman!

He could have handled the whole situation much better but, like his dear daddy, he don't like no hard questions.

[PoohStuff]

9. when he paused...

I thought several things were going to happen:

1. He'd start crying and shouting "You're a meanie! Other people like me!"

2. He would use the F word, cause it's the new professional word in the administration today.

3. Or someone was going to smack someone.

I've never seen someone try to conduct an interview with let me finish your one little question and then you may ask another. What he was really saying was look it took me hours to memorize these answers and you're messing up my concentration.

Is there any way we can send their reporters to Ireland for some training? Because someone knows how it's done and it isn't the American press...

[Robert Murphy]

12. Hours? Try Days...

"What he was really saying was look it took me hours to memorize these answers and you're messing up my concentration."


According to Ms. Coleman, as part of the terms for granting the interview the Whitehouse demanded that all of her questions be submitted to them no less than three days beforehand. Thus, W. had plenty of time to practice. Although, given that he has been spewing the exact same meaningless, moronic platitudes he babbles out in the interview for over three years now, you'd think even W. would have them down pat by now.

[mom cat]

7. Welcome aboard and thanks for the delicious treat.

She deserves the Randi Rhodes medal of Freedom. (I just made that up!) Or maybe the DU Gutsy Reporter award! This has been an amazing day.

[Ivan Zero]

13. I'm sending an e-mail

to RTE to praise Carole Coleman's professionalism in the face of the raving lunatic she had to put up with.

Join me, won't you?
[e-mail] with a copy to [e-mail].

[lachattefolle]

14. Just Emailed Her

and invited her to interview one of my dogs or cats next time so she could receive more intelligent answers than what she got out of Shrub.

[sofa king]

15. Holy Smokes.

It's unbelievable how exasperated that man sounds. I'm listening to it here:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article6380.htm

Paraphrased:

Coleman: There are now bombings nearly every day (in Iraq). Is that what it was like two years ago?

President: What was it like before September 11, 2001?

God damn, I think this guy really somehow believes that knocking over Iraq has something to do with terrorism.

[johnlal]

16. Bush is ignorant

He doesn't know the difference between an monologue and a dialogue. (or dictatorship and democracy). He was prepared to regurgitate the same tired excuses he's been feeding the US Press, and she wouldn't accept it. She was probing for a more candid and forthcoming response, and he couldn't hang. So he snapped at her during her interview, about 15 times, and then went back to his prepared pronouncements. He is the worst president ever.

Welcome.

[Robert Murphy]

17. This Just In...

I now understand (via The American Prospect, http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=8061 ) that the Freeper Neanderthals published Ms. Coleman's office address and phone no., resulting in a slew (or spew) of obscene voice mail messages. Disgusted? Yes. Surprised? H*ll no.

Robert