November 18, 2003
Bush Goes to Buckingham Palace
There is something so surreal to read George W Bush's utterances in preparation to his "state visit" to Great Britain, especially when you read the way the Washington Times reports on this subject.
Turns out that Bush really appreciates the protestors because it shows how wonderful it is to live in a free country. And he really doesn't like war. Really.
Mr. Bush told BBC interviewer David Frost last week that he welcomes the protests because it demonstrates how "lucky" the protesters are "to be in a country that encourages people to speak their mind."
"I understand you don't like war, and neither do I," Mr. Bush said, directing his comments to the protesters. "But I would hope you understand that I have learned the lessons of September the 11th, 2001, and that terrorists declared war on the United States of America, and war on people who love freedom, and I intend to lead our nation, along with others like our close friends in Great Britain, to win this war on terror."
I find it quite ironic that Bush continually expresses his appreciation for freedom and for democracy for other countries yet can be such a hypocrit in regards to the state of democracy and freedom at home.
Furthermore this visit exposes the cowardice of the man who thinks he was appointed by God.
The level of security requests to "protect" Bush are really quite extraordinary. It makes one wonder if the ole ranch in Crawford, TX doesn't have some special security arrangements we just haven't heard about.
(Don't you remember the complaints from the Cheney neighbors for all the mysterious construction going on at the VP's home after 9/11? Do they not value Bush enough here in the States to do apply the same level of protection?)
The second unmistakeable sign of cowardice is not going before the Parliment because he knows he cannot "control" the questions there. He has gotten used to having a totally compliant press and Congress. And just as we commented before on how at least Blair can hold his own in front of the parliment, we know that Bush would totally flop (or expose his nasty side) if he had to speak off the kuff in the face of hostile questioners.
At least the British have decided that he doesn't get to cordon off the protestors so far away that he won't see or hear them. So perhaps they are just a bit more free that we?
Posted by Mary at November 18, 2003 01:56 AM | TrackBackThe superficiality of Bush's understanding of the concept of freedom is demonstrated with his "you're lucky to live in a free country" comment, as if this weren't already clear enough from his national security strategy wherein he claims that "real freedom" is nothing more than the freedom to buy and sell commodities.
In his pathetic rhetoric, Bush claims to fight the forces of evil in the name of freedom but then lets slip that he believes the expression and exercise of freedom is nothing more than arbitrary. One imagines that the irony is lost on him.
Posted by: ipecac on November 18, 2003 03:52 AMI just got a great visual of Bush trying to stammer his way through a Question Time. Ha!
And it was just so charming of Team Bush to request immunity for shooting protestors. Thank goodness they can't request immunity for that here.
Posted by: natasha on November 19, 2003 11:17 AM