Bush looked shaken.

[H2O Man]

George Bush is incapable of seeing the events of the world outside of his selfish needs. I've always found his response to the loss of soldiers' lives in his war of aggression to be a repulsive display of sociopathy. But today, he did not appear to be acting. He seems shaken by today's events.

"Leaders" like Bush and Cheney believe that they can use controlled violence to enforce their will in places such as Iraq. But violence as an offensive device tends to spiral out of control, and consume everything in its path.

I hope that the good and decent people in leadership positions around the globe step up and advocate an end to the madness that we are experiencing on a global scale. We have some very capable people in the United States, and the sad fact is that not a single one is to be found in the Bush administration. What a terrible time to have such incompetent and violence-prone fools in power.

[Beetwasher]

1. I Hope Europe, Russia And Yes, Even China Step Up

It's in all their best interests to help stabilize the region.

[Lex]

2. He seemed completely distinterested

and like he was annoyed at being interrupted at the Crawford Pig Farm.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

4. Yes...I'd lean more toward "disinterested" and less toward "shaken"

It was an annoyance, an intrusion on his peaceful slumber at the pig farm. He was hoping for an uninterrupted stretch of doing nothing between Christmas and New Years and he had to do something.

[Whisp]

47. as 007 would say: shaken, and stir crazy. nt

[truth2power]

8. Another indicator of psychopathy...

the disinterest....lack of curiosity.

[H2O Man]

16. I respectfully disagree.

I think that he was clearly outside of his "comfort zone," but I do not think that is a sign of disinterest. He reminds me of a teen-aged jackass, who enjoys being in a position where he has friends who can "back him up," and intimidate anyone who might be tempted to challenge him. But take those friends away, and the jackass will often stick his head in a door for a brief second, then be on his way. That may not be so much because he finds the events in the room uninteresting, as because he is shakey when he doesn't feel he is in complete control.

[graywarrior]

26. Like Malfoy.

[Virginia Dare]

44. It takes days if not weeks to prepare him for his public appearances.

this was clearly something he could not have been that well prepared for, and he's always shakey during those times.

[EFerrari]

80. Today he looked more engaged than I've ever seen him.

For Bush, that doesn't necessarily translate into being more verbal or even, more easily relational. But, he was visibly upset. Maybe it dawned on him how dangerous his own government is, even to himself.

[T Wolf]

3. Killing "bad" government heads (Hussein, Chavez, Castro) is a good thing to

the piece of shit in the White House. But the thought that "good" dictators like himself could possibly be targets just makes Shrub piss his pants.

No empathy or sympathy for the victim - it is only important as it directly relates to his own sorry ass.

[diane in sf]

77. I totally agree with your take on why Bush might look shaken, he can see

himself being assassinated. One reason he never lets any uncontrolled/unchosen crowds around him.

[miles 2 go]

85. I wonder if Shrub has had specific threats to himself.

I think I saw pics of him recently where he was speaking to a non-threatening group and the secret service was up on the stage with him. I hope his paranoia cripples him.

[burythehatchet]

5. It seems that generations of incompetent and violence-prone fools

are the main reason we are at this tipping point in history.

[peekaloo]

6. shaken not stirred.

he couldn't wait to get it over with, it seemed.

[avenger64]

42. good one, m8..

n/t

[balantz]

7. He always looks a little shaken when the plans are carried through.

Remember his reaction to 9/11?

[tekisui]

52. That was my thougt.

They knew this was coming.

He is the one with the "oh, shit, they really did it" look.

[balantz]

53. Yes, he's given us that one before.

I've studied the 9/11 classroom shots enough to recognize the look when he does it.

[WheelWalker]

73. That would be my observation, as well.

[Neecy]

9. I didn't see it

But it's interesting to note that earlier this morning someone on MSNBC - it was either Joe Scarborough or Mika Brzezinski - said something odd. I'm paraphrasing, but it was something like, "Bhutto was recently in the United States and met with members of the Republican administration (like we wouldn't know Bush is a Republican?) and Republican members of the Senate". The odd emphasis on Republican hit me as very strange indeed, as though she's going to be made into some kind of Republican icon felled by terra. She certainly wasn't a right-winger. But there are some interesting seeds being planted no doubt for domestic political gain.

I share your fear that we have an extraordinarily incompetent group at the helm that is incapable of world leadership at a time when it's desperately needed. If anything, they'll only make the situation worse.

[Marrah_G]

10. He SHOULD be shaking

He has to know how bad this could turn out.

[bdamomma]

35. remember he is ideologue, this will just fuel him even more.

sick SOB he is.

[CatWoman]

11. While picking up lunch, I saw Karzai giving a statement about Bhutto's death

and he looked beyond "shaken" -- he was scared shitless.

[H2O Man]

14. Yep.

I saw film of him, and I agree with you 100%.

[blondeatlast]

29. Didn't she meet with him just before the assassination, like within hours?

I thought I'd seen that somewhere.

If so, no wonder he's scared.

[Delphinus]

51. I just saw it on PBS (I think) ...

he had tears in his eyes but the thing that got me was how he spoke. Long pauses in between words, like he was being fed words into his ear but it wasn't clear so they had to repeat it so he would understand.

[blogslut]

12. I wish I could find video online of this

C-span has it but real media has decided it hates me. Can't find it on CNN or MSNBC. grrr

[Bluebear]

13. Do you think he actually knew who Bhutto was?

[mzmolly]

63. DUZY alert!

That was goooood Bluebear. :rofl:

[lpbk2713]

15. BushCo recently announced his *Chimpapalooza World Tour*

I'll bet dollars to donuts that's in the circular file now.

[Octafish]

17. They are sociopaths with a mandate.

The powers that put them where they are benefit from chaos and war. Their business is the most lucrative around.

We are seeing the beginning of the next phase, I fear. That is a widening of war in the Middle East. From there, the warmongers hope to spread it throughout the world.

Their ultimate aim is depopulation of the world. After all, Mother Nature can only support so many mouths.

Or, there's only enough food and water for a few of "us" for those who liken our pale blue dot as a lifeboat, adrift on a sea of sharks.

Sorry to seem so down, my Friend. I still hope 2008 begins the turnaround...

[H2O Man]

18. Today

would seem an appropriate day to view events through a dark lens.

One of the most interesting themes of James Carroll's "House of War" was that when a number of the formerly unconscious war mongers awoke to recognize the nature of the beast, they found that it controlled them ..... and even when they struggled to gain some type of control over events, there were very few times when violence could be put in check.

In the past, some crises have brought forth inspired leadership. But we have reached a point where people need to reach a higher level of enlightenment, and not rely upon "leaders," or things will spiral way out of control.

[Octafish]

23. 'House of War' is a most important read.

Because of his dad's role in the Pentagon and his own in the Church, Mr. Carroll is the only person around who could have written that book. It dropped the scales from my eyes about the situation we are in: The building has more than a life of its own -- it is possessed by the demon of war.

Perhaps NOW we have entered the times we were warned about. Perhaps soon the leaders we need will rise up and help get us through them. Until they get here, there's no sense in waiting for them. Let's get busy.

[H2O Man]

39. It's one of the best

books that I have read in years. I think it shows the nature of the beast. When we understand that nature, then the things that happen to those who defuse a Cuban missile crisis, or attempt to promote the brotherhood of man in the Middle East, make more sense.

[MiniMe]

19. Are you sure it wasn't a hangover?

[blondeatlast]

20. Agreed; he knew this was beyond the neoCon agenda and control and

it showed.

I think he knows that the US can do little to remedy this mess.

Scary times.

[blogslut]

21. Finally saw it

Hard to say. His eyes said "deer-in-the-headlights" but his manner said "let's make this quick"

[H2O Man]

24. I think that

both the "deer-in-the-headlights" and "let's make this quick" indicate the president is way out of his comfort zone. What a sad day to see that clown pretending to be president.

[blogslut]

25. One of too many such days

Too many sad days since he's been in our house.

[w8liftinglady]

27. I was googling a previous news conference,and found this..ot

not what I was looking for,but made me realize why I despise this guy.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3656167831832409521

[blondeatlast]

28. I think so too. He wan't in (pardon the expression) "command" of the situation.

Do you think that among so many other failures, he realizes this will play as a COLOSSAL failure on the part of the State Department? That's how I'm reading it.

How long until the demands for Rice to go can no longer be ignored as finally happened with Runsfeld?

[H2O Man]

37. I assume that

Bush will look to some of his father's friends to help him on this. I'm not sure that they would be as likely to suggest dumping Condi now -- though it's possible -- but I think he may have to have someone in an "unofficial" position attempt to represent US interests. That would mean putting a "trusted" face on the effort for the public, and having others act behind the scenes.

One huge problem, of course, is that both India and China have very real interests in what happens next in Pakistan. Their interests are distinct from each other's, and from our own.

[Virginia Dare]

45. There's usually a lag time with his response..

9/11, Katrina, it takes him several days of preparation before he can even think about making a competent statement about something, especially something like this.

[maxsolomon]

22. maybe he's realized Musharraf played him like a fiddle.

stupid, stupid narcissist.

[2hip]

30. His nose keeps getting redder

A veritable gin-blossom garden growing on his face, I tell 'ya.

As for his demeanor, to me he appeared tired and cranky, bored and disinterested, pissed that he had to even say anything at all. (He just wanted to stay in his jammies.)


    Edwards '08 tees!

[Maccagirl]

31. I saw it and sorry, I disagree

His body language and words were robotic and I saw no emotion. I'll bet he never mentions Bhutto again, unless the current "strong ally" goes down because of this assassination.

When he said "(the perps) will be brought to justice" I literally yelled at the TV- "It was a SUICIDE bomber you idiot!"

[lunatica]

32. My two cents worth is that Al Qaeda just slapped Bush hard

And in the few times that I've carefully watched the Bush reruns of his short speech there is a telling moment when he looks deliberately into the camera while saying the word 'extremist'.

Here's an excerpt from the article on Adnkronos International

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1710322437

“We terminated the most precious American asset which vowed to defeat mujahadeen,” Al-Qaeda’s commander and main spokesperson Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid told Adnkronos International (AKI) in a phone call from an unknown location, speaking in faltering English. Al-Yazid is the main al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan.

It is believed that the decision to kill Bhutto, who is the leader of the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), was made by al-Qaeda No. 2, the Egyptian doctor, Ayman al-Zawahiri in October.

Death squads were allegedly constituted for the mission and ultimately one cell comprising a defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangvi’s Punjabi volunteer succeeded in killing Bhutto.

[Beausoir]

33. "terrible time to have such incompetent and violence-prone fools in power."

My first thought upon hearing the news.

Actually, it was more like "Oh shit. We've got a chimpanzee at the controls."

[OffWithTheirHeads]

34. I'm going with "shaken, not stirred"

[LSK]

36. that was very strange how quickly he left the stage

CSPAN has the footage for those interested.

[w8liftinglady]

48. that WAS strange...like a kid forced to recite in front of class

[balantz]

57. I thought that looked really weird too!

[Evoman]

38. Maybe he is afraid it might give Americans some bad ideas.

[WinkyDink]

40. "Bad"?

[Buzz Clik]

41. Are you sure you guys want to let this stand?

That's some nasty stuff you just posted.

[TheWatcher]

46. Why Don't You be A Good Sitizen And Report Them To Homeland Security?

They Might Be Al-CIAda.

[Buzz Clik]

62. I'm not reporting anything to anyone.

It's all a matter of judgment -- and not mine.

[spanone]

43. A m e n

r

[NanceGreggs]

49. Exactly. K&R - n/t

[unblock]

50. when crisis comes, they need to sober him up.

ever notice that he's right on time for scheduled events like fund-raisers, but when something unscheduled hits, he's always awol for a few days? or if he does make a statement (think 9/11) he's basically incoherent?

hmmm.....

[Olney Blue]

54. All I could think was: Is it too late to make my husband take back this

high-definition TV?

[bleever]

55. The clip seems to be gone from c-span.org.

I couldn't get it with either Firefox or Explorer.

ed.: here's a youtube link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnYPUmDVqLI

[City Lights]

56. He looked hungover to me.

:shrug:

[Pastiche423]

58. Video of his speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnYPUmDVqLI

As he utters his last words, in a flash he turns and leaves.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

59. It's the medication

The guy is on something that affects his moods something awful. Some days he looks like a scared child (today) while tomorrow he'll be back to being an arrogant insolent one.

[Usrename]

60. This type of regime is never stopped from within.

At least not without a lot of fighting. I'm not sure the international community isn't our only hope.

Things have gone too far.

[David Zephyr]

61. He had that Pet Goat shit-my-pants, scared-as-hell look, H2O Man.

I wonder what his briefing this morning really was?

[mzmolly]

64. I'll have to catch the re-run.

I did not watch, but I trust your instincts H20 Man. Indeed, it is a terrible time to have these fools in power.

[FlyingSquirrel]

65. Maybe he just realized that Al Quaeda could kill him too if they wanted

And perhaps they will, after he is no longer of use to them. Just for the fun of it.

[antigop]

66. Remember this? Bush fails pop quiz on international leaders

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/11/05/bush.popquiz/

Texas Gov. George W. Bush is enduring sharp criticism for being unable to name the leaders of four current world hot spots, but President Bill Clinton says Bush "should, and probably will, pick up" those names.

The front-runner for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination faltered Thursday in an international affairs pop quiz posed by Andy Hiller, a political reporter for WHDH-TV in Boston.

Hiller asked Bush to name the leaders of Chechnya, Taiwan, India and Pakistan. Bush was only able to give a partial response to the query on the leader of Taiwan, referring to Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui simply as "Lee." He could not name the others.

"Can you name the general who is in charge of Pakistan?" Hiller asked, inquiring about Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf, who seized control of the country October 12.

[earth mom]

67. Shaken huh? Guess he will be getting a ton more secret service agents to guard his a$$. nt

[Withywindle]

68. Hungover, petulant, and waayyy, waayyyyyyyyyy over his head.

Like he vaguely knows that it might have something to do with "Islamic extremists" so he's supposed to play the tough guy again, except it's been many years and many cases of bourbon since he could really do that, so he just falls back on the monosyllables he's been taught by rote and the bad cowboy acting to cover the fact that he doesn't really remember who Bhutto was; he's only been told that this is something that a Prezdent should make some kind of angry statement about, and he resents it.

[kineneb]

69. BushCo is like a hardware store- full of loose nuts.

my first thought was...hmmm, wonder if the Intell community off-ed BushCo's hand-chosen candidate? There is no love lost between them, and they are both known for use of black ops to get their deeds done.

Just an off-the-wall thought this morning, upon hearing the news.

[Rex]

70. Ha shaken, not stirred. Picklepuss likely can't say his own name

much less that of another world leader. I doubt he knows the names of all the states or what planet he lives on. I guarantee he doesn't know what zipcode his brain occupies.

[Swamp Rat]

71. LOL!

[Rex]

72. Sir, it's brain - not bran

Bran sir, no sir not brand. Brand is what you have on the back of your neck.

Oh that, that's called a jar - we store things in them.

[Swamp Rat]

74. D'oh!

He meant, 'brand sail'.

[Rex]

75. Look ma I'm walking on water!

Heh heh! Got the death skull in the house! World surfer monkey action George on the poopdeck!

[bridgit]

76. he looked like he did when he first took (and i mean 'took') office: completely & utterly clueless..

while reading a prompter written by his handlers; the world has fallen down round george's ears

[diane in sf]

78. He was slurring his words.

[deacon]

79. Our foreign policy under him is responsible for most of the turmoil.

He divided our country and through his meddling and pre emptive strikes caused larger divides globally.

This latest mess puts a huge period at the end of a sentence when decribing his legacy...


... He is a miserable failure.

[michaz]

81. We brokered the deal to send her back to Pakistan to help the big man

we support! Is our government responsible for her death? We couldn't even convince the Pakistan gov't to protect her, but we wanted her there. More blood on the hands of the Bush government!

[malaise]

82. Bingo n/t

[4_TN_TITANS]

83. why wouldn't he be shaken?

The entire Middle East has been totally fubar'd on his watch. I just hope the mofo lives long enough to pick up a grandkid's history book and read about what a disaster he was.

[caligirl]

84. What's wrong with the citizens of this country Stepping Up with pitch forks in hand? Why must we

ask other countries who won't get involved with this? Its our problem we have to fix it.