# Bush video chat with soldiers was scripted/rehearsed. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 14, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276 "2005-10-14T20:03:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/61 "2005-10-15T18:53:19Z")
Nothing new in that, either. I read a book (_The Second Oldest Profession_, IIRC) that put forth the thesis that intelligence, historically, has been largely useless since the leaders would either heed it or ignore it relative to their own prejudices and predispositions. Classic example was Sorkin (sp?), the spy’s spy. A Soviet agent who burrowed into a position of trust in Tokyo, he sacrificed his life in order to relay information to Stalin about the impending German invasion. Information which Stalin ignored. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/62 "2005-10-15T19:06:25Z")
> [@](#): > > **threemae** : Even if this teleconference were conducted by picking service members at random and asking them questions that they had no idea about, it would still have come off as a disaster because the ability to speak spontaneously about even a topic that you’re familiar with into a television camera is a skill that very few people have. There was no point in interviews where the questions are from an intimidating figure, the responders are handpicked, and the answers are scripted. But I would love to see an Edward R. Murrow or a Clete Roberts at work with individual “boots on the ground” soldiers and marines whose identities are concealed. I ran across this in an interview with Pulitzer Prize winning war correspondent Chris Hedges: > [@](#): > > **Hedges** : The problem is in wartime, we need the hero, we need the evil enemy, we need the hometown boy, we need the story of pathos. **We fill the slots on the stage to fit the myth.** And that’s part of the danger, I think. > > We have seen – I think Vietnam was a good example of, you know, eventually it was impossible for the press to report on Vietnam as a mythic narrative. They reported on it in a sensory way. Once that veil of myth is pulled aside, and people see war – especially modern war – for what it is, which is organized, very impersonal industrial slaughter, it becomes pretty unpalatable. > > \ > > **What I worry about is that we will have very little or no independent coverage, and this will – as in the first Persian Gulf war – become one giant commercial for the army.** I think you have to look back at how willing the Pentagon and the first Bush administration were to lie to us.(bold type added) These comments were made just before the war in Iraq actually began. Hedges had had fifteen years experience as a war correspondent. ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/63 "2005-10-15T19:14:54Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > Bush doesn’t like to hear bad news. (Who does?) From what I’ve heard the messengers fear his wrath. People are afraid to disagree with him. It reminds me of certain other 20th Century despots who would be very harsh with those who disagreed with them. So he is insulated. No one will tell him when he’s wrong. He won’t admit when he’s wrong. If he’s ‘never wrong’, then it becomes a feedback loop. Bush 43 is a gormless idiot. I guess comparing Dubya to Clinton is pretty inevitable since they served back to back, so to speak, but they really are a study in contrasts. There was plenty about Clinton I didn’t like: for all his formidable brightness, the guy didn’t have much of a center. He (and his wife) skated too close to sleaziness, no matter how they rationalized it. Politics is the art of compromise as much as anything else and if Clinton compromised and slithered his way around a lot of things, he still did pretty well by the country and the world. If Clinton absorbed peoples’ input like a demented sponge, Dubya operates from the direct opposite approach. He seems entirely directed by a conviction of inner _rightness_ that rejects the very concept of listening, much less compromise. Anybody who doesn’t share his exact same convictions and conclusions is wrong, wrong, wrong and evil whether intentionally or not. He’s the Cotton Mather of politics. Everything is measured by what he _feels_ to be right so he operates from a deliberately–and dangerously–closed system. Referent the OP, I don’t fault him for scripted nonsense because, unfortunately, that’s been standard for a long time US politics. I wonder why the media consents to be such shameless lapdogs for the process but that’s another rant. Dubya’s dishing out self-serving shit for his own purposes but he’s just polished the art form. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/64 "2005-10-15T19:27:04Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > _That’s_ the difference between Bush 43 and Clinton. Clinton never pretended to be a Great Warrior. I entirely agree that the presentation of the candidates is relevant, and that the inconsistency and hypocrisy is well worth attacking. The loathesome dog-and-pony show portraying Bush’s heroic domestic dental visits being more patrotic than Kerry’s overseas combat was just another reason to hate the political machine. That’s different from whether the issue they’re flip-flopping over is an important one. I still hold the opinion that the actual qualifications of “did he serve or didn’t he?” and “did he do drugs or didn’t he?” weren’t any more important for one candidate than for the other, in my opinion. We’ve had wartime presidents before who didn’t have to wave the bloody shirt. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/65 "2005-10-15T20:42:31Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Nothing new in that, either. I read a book (_The Second Oldest Profession_, IIRC) that put forth the thesis that intelligence, historically, has been largely useless since the leaders would either heed it or ignore it relative to their own prejudices and predispositions. Classic example was Sorkin (sp?), the spy’s spy. A Soviet agent who burrowed into a position of trust in Tokyo, he sacrificed his life in order to relay information to Stalin about the impending German invasion. Information which Stalin ignored. You are thinking of Richard Sorge: > **[Richard Sorge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Sorge)** > > Richard Sorge (4 October 1895 – 7 November 1944) was a German journalist and Soviet military intelligence officer who was active before and during World War II and worked undercover as a German journalist in both Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. His codename was "Ramsay" (Russian: Рамза́й). A number of famous personalities considered him one of the most accomplished spies. > Sorge is most famous for his service in Japan in 1940 and 1941, when he provided information about Adolf Hitler's pla... > [@](#): > > Sorge supplied the Soviets with information about the Anti-Comintern Pact, the German-Japanese Pact and warning of the Pearl Harbor attack. In 1941 Sorge informed them of the exact launch date of Operation Barbarossa. Moscow answered with thanks but little was done. I always thought that that was it for Sorge, but some of his efforts succeeded: > [@](#): > > Before the battle for Moscow, Sorge transmitted information that Japan was not going to attack the Soviet Union in the East. This crucial information allowed Georgy Zhukov to redeploy Siberian troops for the defense of Moscow. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/66 "2005-10-15T21:57:57Z")
> [@TVeblen](#): > > Dubya’s dishing out self-serving shit for his own purposes but he’s just polished the art form. You call that “polished”? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2005, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/67 "2005-10-15T22:48:02Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > You call that “polished”? Yeh, if that’s polished I’d hate to see rough. I’ve tried to avoid watching Bush 43 speak since he grates on my nerves but I did watch the clip linked above. It was mindboggling – what a fumble-mouthed spewer of inanities! Didn’t anyone rehearse HIM beforehand? And if they did, what the hell would he be like in an unscripted situation without any earjack for his handlers to whisper directions to him? That clip was a hideous embarrassment. How can anyone watch that and not conclude the man is a dolt? ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/68 "2005-10-16T00:09:27Z")
_Rune:_ > [@](#): > > Hells Bells! I love thowing shit as much as the next guy, so I hope you don’t mind I join in. Your president is a fat stupid turdbungler that makes a below average intelligence platypus look smart by comparison!!! President Bush is not fat. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/69 "2005-10-16T00:35:20Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Now we hear that it is, in fact important. By the left. That goes into defense mode if you mention a President protested in Moscow and wrote a letter stating he “loathes the military.” But we can’t mention that, since it’s a quote attributable to He Who We May Never Mention. :rolleyes: Not exactly. We are simply pointing out the hypocrisy of the right. If it was so important then (Clinton), why is not important now? I am sorry, but the Right made it an issue first and has now demonstrated their idiocy by backing off and actually attacking a military service person in the last election (Kerry). I just cannot fathom how any oxygen breathing homo sapien could exist and not see this. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/70 "2005-10-16T01:03:04Z")
Clinton never said he “loathed the military.” That’s a completely bullshit quote. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/71 "2005-10-16T02:21:59Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Clinton never said he “loathed the military.” That’s a completely bullshit quote. Screw it. If they can say Clinton loathed the miltiary, I can claim Bush said he hates America. He sure acts like he does at any rate. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/72 "2005-10-16T03:15:31Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > You call that “polished”? “You can’t polish a turd, Beavis.” ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/73 "2005-10-16T03:17:53Z")
Oh, and by that I mean, I agree. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/74 "2005-10-16T03:37:50Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > “You can’t polish a turd, Beavis.” “Heh heh heh heh” “Huh huh huh huh”. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/75 "2005-10-16T03:58:11Z")
> [@wring](#): > > and let us not forget that guy in NO who shouted “Fuck You” to DIck Cheany. Good times, good times. In fairness, he DID say, “Fuck you, **Mr. Cheney**.” Gotta show the respect 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Loblaw_1)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/76 "2005-10-16T08:30:49Z")
I’m no fan of Bush, and I wish his press secretary would at least answer questions or provide the information requested instead of just bullshit. As for Bush personally, he is never in front of any person who is not under a strict agreement to be very respectful, even during debates. And since at this late date we are stuck with him until 09, I don’t really have a problem with that. Imagine how bad he would be without preparation, or in front of a hostile audience. It would be a disaster. People would think the US was run by an incomptent idiot even more than they do now. It would invite even our friends taking advantage of us. Is the guy a shallow idiot (I’m in full Rumsfeld mode now)? Yes. But you operate your government with the President you have, not the President you want. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/77 "2005-10-16T08:49:48Z")
> [@Bob Loblaw](#): > > People would think the US was run by an incomptent idiot even more than they do now. In all honesty, I think this is like suggesting you’d get wetter if you were to get out of the hotel pool and dive in the ocean. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/78 "2005-10-16T09:09:24Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > One of the biggies in '92 was the left telling us service in the military wasn’t important to being President. I’m certainly not on the Left; however, I recognize the simple fact that military service has exactly zero to do with qualification for the Presidency. To the poster who made the comment about “respect due to a real military officer” or words to that effect: The Constitution has the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; that makes him the top person in those forces, regardless of prior military service or lack thereof. I really wish people would learn what the Constitution says. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/79 "2005-10-16T09:20:14Z")
[Recent story from the Stars & Stripes.](http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=32264) ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276/80 "2005-10-16T13:39:41Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > [Recent story from the Stars & Stripes.](http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=32264) Thanks for the link **Monty** …but I can hear the “Hate-Bush-He’s an ninconpoop etc” wailers say the \*\*Stars and Stripes \*\* was scripted :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-video-chat-with-soldiers-was-scripted-rehearsed/326276.md?page=5)