what face do you propose he had made?

Remember folks, this is the leader of the free world and the man with his finger on the nucular... er, nuclear... trigger.

For anyone who doesn't know me, I'd just like to mention first that I am not a fan of this clown and I sincerely hope he isn't re-elected.

And when I saw F9/11 and saw his reaction (above) I was outraged.

But a decent comment was made by someone else and I decided that it is a valid point. I think Bush (or any president) would have gotten grief no matter how he had reacted when they told him. Had he suddenly rushed out of the room, he would have been criticized for disturbing the kids in the class. Had he reacted the way most of us did (with tears in our eyes, disbelief, shock , whatever), he probably would have been criticized for not being able to handle tough situations (not being an effective leader).

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though he was probably just thinking "duhhhh", maybe, in this case, he can be given the benefit of the doubt. What he did before and especially after 9/11 will never be okay in my books --but for those 7 minutes? What *should* he have done?

I think ANY reaction would be criticized on some level....

Johanna, I know what you are saying. I mean, when I heard, I was at my very first day of work. We pulled a radio off the shelf and plugged it in when a customer came rushing in the store and told us about the first plane hitting. I must have looked pretty stupid as I stared at the radio in disbelief.

However, I do have to agree with you again as to how he handled both before and after. I've got several friends who believe that either the Bush Admin. had something to do with the 9/11 fiasco or that they could have prevented it. I don't know, I can't say for sure since no one seems to be able to get any REAL facts about the matter. And at this point, I think it will be years, maybe decades, before the truth is learned - if it ever is.

Kimber,

I completely agree. I think everyone's reactions differed when they heard about 9/11, and we can't really hold people's reactions against them. Most decent humans were crushed and shocked at the news. Of course, I doubt GWB's decency EVERY day.

As for the hypothesis that the Bush Admin had something to do with the 9/11 fiasco...I have contemplated that issue myself. What I can't seem to get over is my sneaking suspicion that a bunch of people didn't go to work that day (I think they must have been warned or something!). Anyway, I have no proof or evidence to back that up. It's just a hunch...

And you're right. I think this will remain a JFK mystery.

Well, I know many people have questions with no proof. I have suspicions of course, but there is no proof. But that's the way it is with any govt. We have the right to know what our govt. is doing, but we only know what they are willing to tell us. I believe that is the way it is no matter who is Pres. However, the Bush admin has been the most secretive govt. that I have ever seen, maybe of all time. They have shut down web sites that allowed you access to information that should be public. They have banned groups that want to petition our govt., they have blocked the Pres and crew from being questioned by the people or even different govt. agencies. It goes on and on. While I can understand not wanting to make public any information that could endanger our national security, there is also a right for the American people to know what our govt. is doing and what happened. I can't wait to see this Admin out of office.

GWB's deer in headlights can be interpreted in so many ways, it's not really worth interpreting. Certainly he could have excused himself much, much earlier, politely and without much judgment. However, having had to steel myself for a few overwhelming events in my life, I can only imagine what someone in his position must have been going through. In my case, a minute or two of reflection and calling of courage was very helpful, and I don't fault Dubya for taking his. Seven seems excessive for the commander of the free world, but who am I to judge?

If we're debating with hindsight, there wasn't anything that would have happened differently in those seven minutes had he rose from his chair and assumed his position sooner, save a lost opportunity for some glorious Dubya-bashing, or a gained photo-op for the right in this ludicruous election. Rather, we should all be thankful, because for those who are easily persuaded, it might be that video more than anything that gets him out of office in November.

As a last thought, it would frighten me to think he was panicking, or worse, to think that those seven minutes were spent connecting other dots, as M. Moore suggests. One will never know, save GWB, and he's not talking candidly (honestly) about it either way. But one thing is for certain, had those seven minutes been used to summon up real strength and wisdom, many of the egregiously bad decisions we've lived with since probably would not have occurred the way they had.

Bryan,

Good post. I hate sounding like a pessimist but I am starting to think more and more, that GWB will actually win the upcoming election (and by a significant chunk too).

Johanna - bite your tongue!! Actually, I'm pretty confident that Bush WON'T win the election. Even those who don't like Kerry are saying anyone is better than Bush. But I really think that Kerry has a good chance.

Johanna,

Don't let the conservative spin lead you toward skepticism. That means it's working!

Truth be told, I really don't know with this one. I put little faith in polls, so I don't know what they're saying. We'll see all of it unfold after the primaries.

Remember, with most people --- reason beats emotion. That, and while they will be angry with you initially, I find most people's barometers are far more mild later, upon reflection. So don't be dissuaded with passionate arguments to your face, keep using facts. The word will spread! Slow and steady wins the race!

More importantly, what's going to happen AFTER November 2nd, one way or another. That's what people should start to think about, liberals and conservatives alike.

i dont think the criticism of the dear in the headlights goes far enough. Look at everything that was known and what he had to know before he went into the classroom.

1. Before the second attack the cia had already deemed it a terrorist attack by al Qaeda.

2. We knew that there were at least three planes that had been hijacked.

3. Bush was briefed by his Situation Room liason after arriving at the school and moments later by Rice before going into the room.

So before he went into the room he knew the CIA thought the first plane was a terrorist attack and that there were at least three hijackings that day.
Given the Millenium Plot by al Qaeda and the fact that the CIA knew both that at least 3 planes had been hijacked and assumed the first plane was used by terrorists there is no reason for him to even have walked into the room. There are only two reasons for him to have gone into the room:

1. the handlers wanted a photo op of Bush not crapping his pants when he was told of the attacks.

2. He was given no information either by the situation room liason or Rice.

Either way its an ugly picture.

Kimber, I'm sorry --- I really have no evidence to back my "feeling" up (I'm biting my tongue, I promise), but I really DO think it's a possiblity that he'll win.

Your voting system is very different than ours in Canada and while I actually prefer your voting system (because when it works, its more accurate), I also think there's more room for error.

I guess I think the vote depends on the single mothers and women getting out to vote.

John --- I know exactly what you're saying. I really do. Like I said, what happened before and after those seven minutes is truly unforgiveable. And the more I think about it, the more I can't belive such a jackass is in power. Why people don't get that he doesn't think about anyone but himself is BEYOND me.

johanna,

"I'm biting my tongue..."

Thank goodness because i was thinking of something completely rude...

i think theproblems with the officials we have has a lot to dowith the way the elections are covered or not covered, the types of issues raised, and so forth. That is to say, it is a default of the fourth estate. The fact is most politicians have to lie to be elected and no one even bothers questioning the framework of the debate.

For instance, Kerry recently announced tax cuts for businesses that do not take their production facilities to other countries. For me, as a socialist with associationist leanings that is a stop gap measure. For me the question of higher wages must be addressed at the level of beginning workers. We need serious education programs, serious support for families seeking education and training and so forth in order to correct the glut of unskilled workers at the bottom of the economic rung. Addressing this will see real wages rise where it counts. At the same time businesses aregoing to have to learn tolive with lower but more stable and long term profits. To me, that is a minimalist approach but it is one that would make it possible for families to do more than survive. thats an approach that is outside the framework of politics today because media corporations have interests in politics and economics. The fact is that the people who structure opinions in this country have little in common with the vast majority of this country. Any change has to be micrological. If we had a parliament, i think serious leftist groups could have a hand in the public debate.

John,

Can you elaborate on:

"Thank goodness because i was thinking of something completely rude.."

merciful heavens johanna, not in public!!! i have a reputation to think of

John,

Forgive me. I am on little sleep and a little slower than usual these days. Thanks for the laugh!

johanna,

its ok. i was just thinking. does it look like Bush has just had an unwelcome tongue stuck in his ear?