Bremer meeting press: new phrase is "fighting terrorism in Iraq"

[DeepModem Mom]

Are they trying to get away from the word "war"? Every other sentence, he's saying "terrorism in Iraq." Described "low intensity" combat situation.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

1. oh, so its terrorism to attack uniformed troops now is it?

so what's it called when you are a crazy suicide bomber that kills civilians?

[lindashaw]

2. And did you notice that he didn't just say, "The President..." but

it was always "The President and his advisors." He must have used that phrase 5 or 6 times.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. I didn't notice....

Does that mean that Karl wants to distance W from the mess, and blame it on "advisers"?

Or, is he responding to the NYT, which reported on page one today that advisers huddled with Bremer, while W was giving a speech?

[Avalux]

3. How is it terrorism

when we are the invading force?? We are occupying their country and they want us out. Can't call them terrorists.
I have a hard time believing the violence is being carried out by outside terrorists.

[LoneStarLiberal]

4. More Wordsmithing

Yep, looks like the rush back to D.C. was to do some face-to-face brainstorming over what new spintastic language "we" need to use to neuter the horrible reality of Iraq.

[Cocoa]

9. right

the semantics summit. Get all the speechwriters together to solve the Iraq problem.

[LoneStarLiberal]

12. The Rhetorical Meme

I get the impression that this administration thinks that if they can just say "evil" and "terrorists" and "9/11" enough that everyone will simply shed a tear, shrug their shoulders, and give them another free pass.

Even some of my more staunchly conservative friends are getting testy about the constantly shifting rhetorical meme that the administration has out right now. Conservatives simply abhor change (unless it's constantly cutting taxes that you are talking about) and they are getting a little apprehensive of this "it's a new month, time for a new rhetorical take on Iraq" line.

[molok555]

5. Is it me?

Or did Bremer seem, well, chastened? He wasn't his usual arrogant self. Methinks he got a spanking.

And I would say we're going to see a lot of big American bombs blowing up on TV, a lot of Iraqi prisoners being paraded and lot of interviews with soldiers for the next few weeks. We'll hear body count #s. We'll hear how the US is 'taking the fight to 'em'. We'll hear how victory is well-nigh. The only thing that'll be missing is the actual insurgents themselves.

[BurtWorm]

6. The only poll Bush leads Dems in is "fighting terrorism."

He doesn't lead in foreign policy. He doesn't lead in the war in Iraq. But he kills in the "war on terrorism." So expect a lot more talk about terror here, terror there through the election.

[Avalux]

8. But what exactly is

the war on terrorism???? Do we have an actual definition, and what has shrub accomplished?? Uggghhhhh.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Bingo! Karl at work, using the polls --

[omshanti]

11. So, anything new out of the press conference?

Like, why was he suddenly called back to DC? Any changes (i.e. heads rolling?) If not, why bother holding a press conference?
Inquiring minds want to know...

[DeepModem Mom]

13. Apparently not - Burt Worm posts that NYT says Bremer...

reports Bush "steadfast" on plan. (Plan?)

[Scott Lee]

14. Orwell at work again: Resistance = Terror

How many here have seen the film "Brazil" directed by Terri Gilliam?

HIGHLY recommended for this day and time.