Rita's Lessons...storms test Bush's ability to lead in a crisis

[chat_noir]

Next issue of Newsweek:


First, a slow-footed response. Then: hyperactivity. Back-to-back storms test Bush's ability to lead in a crisis.

Oct. 3, 2005 issue - This time, President Bush was not going to be caught out of position. He had flown to Colorado to the headquarters of Northern Command, the military nerve center for protecting the continental United States. "Northcom" is just across an air base from Cheyenne Mountain, where cold warriors had once watched for Soviet nuclear-missile attacks. A few hours after Hurricane Rita came ashore on the Texas-Louisiana border at dawn on Saturday, Bush sat in the Northcom Situation Room, looking at large flat screens filled with satellite images of the storm, graphics of troop deployments, and the faces of his commanders, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.


The president was hearing mostly good news. The storm, though strong, was not a Category 4 or 5 monster. The vast network of refineries and oil platforms seemed to mostly withstand the 120-mile-an-hour winds and 15-foot storm surge. It would take weeks to get the gulf oil industry fully back online, and fuel prices were sure to go up. But the storm did not appear to have wrecked the economy or claimed hundreds of lives.

The president didn't look all that relieved or happy, however. His eyes were puffy from lack of sleep (he had been awakened all through the night with bulletins), and he seemed cranky and fidgety. A group of reporters and photographers had been summoned by White House handlers to capture a photo op of the commander in chief at his post. Bush stared at them balefully. He rocked back and forth in his chair, furiously at times, asked no questions and took no notes. It almost seemed as though he resented having to strike a pose for the press.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9470154/site/newsweek/

[wryter2000]

1. You finally noticed, did you?

It almost seemed as though he resented having to strike a pose for the press.

At least, the press has finally cultivated a keen sense for the obvious. Did they even watch the debates?

[wryter2000]

2. Welcome

Oh, hey...welcome to DU. :hi:

On edit: "you" in my original post meant the press, not you.

[cwydro]

3. yeah, i thought

he looked like a kid being made to go to summer school

[Aviation Pro]

4. So we have....

...PResident Michael Jackson on our hands. Awhile back I did a disservice to all adolescents by comparing their behaviour to Bushit's. I was wrong, President Cranky Snippy's behaviour is more along the lines of your average three-year old.

Time for a time out, Georgie, and no playtime today.

[Crunchy Frog]

5. Wow! That almost sounds like a description

of a six year old autistic child.

"Bush stared at them balefully. He rocked back and forth in his chair, furiously at times, asked no questions and took no notes." "he seemed cranky and fidgety." :scared:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

6. And billions of bucks poured into Homeland Security boils down to

one main directive..."Insert head between legs, and kiss your ass good-bye."