Dubya's Dine-and-Dash in Bagdhad: How would you have done it differently?

Great Debates
21

:rolleyes:

I suppose you have a cite for the details of those allegations? And the opposition has grilled the government on this very issue, has it not?

Are you suggesting that Harper wouldn’t be screaming his puffed up indignation at Chretien (or now Martin) during Question Period if either pulled a stunt like this one of Bush’s? What, exactly, are you trying to suggest? Where, exactly, did I say anything about fiscal accountability? Where, exactly, did I comment on levels of patronage or corruption? All I said was that the opposition would take a major hissy fit if the prime minister flew to Iraq for two hours solely for a photo op. Do you dispute that?

Christ, man, you seriously need to see someone about the level of hatred you bear for the federal Liberals. It can’t be good for your health. Oh, and perhaps you might also try to influence your precious Alliance away from its blatant social conservatism so that the rest of us out here who’d just as soon ditch the Liberals could do so without voting in a bunch of people in the mold of the lovely Larry Spencer.

22

What would I have done differently?

Well, the administration seems to have this penchant for slipping in and out of places so’s to hobnob with those they want to see and so’s to ignore the people themselves.

For instance, Mr. Bush visited Lexington, KY, a while back to attend a fund-raiser and so far as I can tell never shook hands with anyone who hadn’t spent $5,000 for the privilege.*

And Mr. Cheney did the same thing in Louisville, KY, recently at another fund-raiser.*

Now, Mr. Bush goes to Iraq and doesn’t mix with the “common folk”.

I think Mr. Bush and his administration should act more like representatives of the people, meaning they should actually talk to some of us when they travel.

So, in Iraq (to work by analogy), I think he should have spoken to at least a few “average” Iraqis, in a safe setting, for at least a few minutes. (Say, have someone - who has no idea why - go out and ask a few Iraqis if they would like to have a free meal somewhere, and when the Iraqis show up they’re carefully screened and - voila - they can press the flesh with the leader of the Free World!)

(Why? Because, even though they aren’t American citizens, they surely are dependent on Mr. Bush’s decisions.)

*The $5,000 I’m not sure about - it may have been higher. The cites would be the Lexington and Louisville newpapers, plus my having been in Lexington and listened to the coverage on the local radio stations that day.

23

I think no one is suggesting that he needed to come in announced… that surely is needless danger. What most would think worthwhile was a longer stay to show some real commitment or interest in a country where so many have died for his political machinations.

Some more tongue on cheek suggestions:

  1. Visit Saddam’s palace and sleep there
  2. Fire an artillery round into suspected “terrorists”

Some a bit more serious:

  1. Actually meet with some ordinary and VIP Iraqis. (Helps people beleive he was there.)
  2. Talk more extensively with all level of US personnel over there.
  3. Visit various locations in Iraq… just to get some eyeball view of the situation.
24

Turkey, indeed.

25

I would have tried to conceal the fact that it wasn’t Bush’s idea.

26

hehe… or his reluctance in going…

27

Ho hum, another Bush-bashing thread. Move along, nothing to see here.