Bush's explanation for his conduct in the classroom on 9/11

[noise]

The former President also addressed his often-examined reaction when told of the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Bush, who was sitting with a class of grade-school kids in Florida that morning, later was ridiculed by many in the media for not reacting more forcefully and leaving the room immediately after being told of the deadly crashes.

"I was listening to children read a book," he said, "and Andy says, 'A second plane has hit the World Trade Center. America's under attack.’ “

The 64-year-old said his first reaction was "anger," but with cameras and the press in the room, he feared making a big show would only inspire fear.

"I made the decision not to jump up and create a chaotic scene," he said. "It clarified to me that people were going to be watching my reaction. And I'd had enough experience as governor of Texas during some disasters to know that the reaction of the leader is essential in the first stage of any crisis."

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Why can't Bush put forth a credible explanation for his conduct? He wanted to present calm? He didn't even know what was going on. The complete lack of curiosity is still hard to understand.

[LARED]

1. Please explain your rationale why Bush's explanation in not credible nt

[noise]

7. One general statement by Card isn't enough information

Worse, Bush's concern wasn't to find out WTF was going on but instead he was worried about PR aspects.

How is this not strange? To be clear, I'm not saying it proves anything. Rather I'm noting that all these years later the public still doesn't have a credible explanation for his conduct. I know some allege that he choked as he realized he was a charlatan. This theory doesn't make sense because he didn't know enough about the situation. The issue is the complete lack of curiosity.

[noise]

13. Furthermore if the true concern was PR related

then the best PR response would have been to "act Presidential." This response would also have been the most logical. Instead he responded in a bizarre manner.

[Johonny]

22. pretty much

that and the video everyone in the world has watched over and over. He sits there with the look people generally had after Mike Tyson threw the first punch at them. Well that and the photo op on the way to the airplane. Yeah a lot of concern on his part.

[Cronus Protagonist]

11. Bush's explanation is not credible because/and he is not credible

In order to be credible, at the very least, one must NOT already have the reputation of being a brazen liar, a war criminal and a dolt.

You're welcome.

:nopity:

[Cronus Protagonist]

15. Watch this and you tell me how his explanation could POSSIBLY be credible?

Seven Minutes Split Screen Video with timeline and news video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro3o-ld0CWw

[Ferret Annica]

16. It's not credible as 9 11 was an inside job. he not only knew about this in advance

he signed off on the demolition of the Twin Towers and the missle that was fired into the Pentagon.

[glitch]

17. Please explain your rationale why Bush's explanation is credible. TIA nt

[Blue Owl]

2. Please, tell us more Dear Leader

:argh:

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. STFU george, you idiot!

:puke:

[devilgrrl]

4. That look on his face had "WOW! This really going down!" written all over it.

LIHOP!!!!!!!!!!

And don't you forget it.

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. +1. nt

[tiny elvis]

23. lihop is mihop

when it is your job to stop an attack, knowingly letting it happen is active participation
from that point you can ask yourself what compunctions may have limited some authority's participation
how a building can continue to pulverize itself after its top half is in pieces on the ground
and where the two planes we did not see on teevee might be

[elocs]

5. How about action. Calmly getting up and telling the kids you must leave.

The "deer in the headlights" look was special though.

[noise]

9. There is no way a credible journalist

could watch footage of the classroom and not ask Bush why he didn't do what you suggested.

[gulliver]

8. "Instead, I made the decision to freeze, then run just like a bunny...

...rabbit all over the country. My experience as Texas Governor told me that this would reassure the American people. Although they may have been terrified, at least they knew their Commander in Chief was safe and out of harm's way," continued Bush.

[MidwestTransplant]

10. Took them 9 years to come up with that one.

[Still Waters]

12. Card said a 2nd plane hit the World Trade Center

Why did Bush go into that classroom knowing one plane had already hit? Did the Aug. 6 briefing enter his mind at all? He didn't automatically think terrorism? His team did not check it out and know the plane was hijacked?


And didn't he stagger out and say something like "That sure was some bad pilot?"

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. Why do I get the feeling that this book is going to read like the many

volumes of satire about Bush?

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. George during a real threat

the SS don't let you sit there...

They need to protect their package...

Why some of us reach for the tinfoil

[Scuba]

19. Looked more like "Oh my god, they really did it. Ooh, I think I messed my pants."

[rustydog]

20. Certainly it would not be appropriate to stand after a minute,

apologize to the teacher and staff and tell all listening: "I am sorry, but being president means that sometimes I get interrupted and have to attend to a task. Thank you for your invitation. i really enjoyed our visit. bybe bye!" and leave.

[XemaSab]

21. Here's why this would never happen:

That would involve MANNERS, which would involve his momma raising him right, and we all know THAT didn't happen, so therefore he could not have politely stood up and excused himself. :P

[Catshrink]

24. We all know that he just wanted to hear how "My Pet Goat" ends.