*rhetoric suggested avoidance of reality that seemed downright frightening

[dajoki]

NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/07/opinion/07fri1.html?th&emc=th

President Bush's Major Speech: Doing the 9/11 Time Warp Again

Published: October 7, 2005

Yesterday, the same day New Yorkers were warned there was a "specific threat" of a bombing on their subways, President Bush delivered what the White House promoted as a major address on terrorism. It seemed, on the surface, like a perfect topic for the moment. But his talk was not about the nation's current challenges. He delivered a reprise of his Sept. 11 rhetoric that suggested an avoidance of today's reality that seemed downright frightening.

The period right after 9/11, for all its pain, was the high point of the Bush presidency. Four years ago, we hung on every word when Mr. Bush denounced Al Qaeda and made the emotional - but, as it turned out, empty - vow to track down Osama bin Laden. Yesterday, it seemed as if the president was still trying to live in 2001. It was eerie to hear him urge Americans to take terrorism seriously. There wasn't any reason to worry about that even before subway riders were being told about the threat of a terrorist attack on their commute home.

He seemed to be reading from a very old and familiar script as he revealed that terrorists recruit "disillusioned young men and women," some of whom build weapons based on information available on the Internet. He shared his conviction that "it is cowardice that seeks to kill children and the elderly with car bombs." He said his team was "reforming our intelligence agency" and reorganizing government for "a broad and coordinated homeland defense."

<<snip>>

The administration is still trying to recover politically from Katrina. The hurricane was not just a bad stretch that could be cured by a promise of federal aid and a demonstration of presidential concern. The hurricane showed that despite four years of spinning, America is still unprepared for a catastrophe. It raised major questions about the caliber of people with whom Mr. Bush surrounds himself.

[kenny blankenship]

1. But you could say that about * anytime during the past 6 years.

"avoidance of reality"
"downright frightening"

as if there had been a time when these were not true of him?

[dajoki]

3. you are correct...

but people are finally starting to take notice. and their is nothing more dangerous than a caged animal. i don't think we've seen what * is capable of yet, and that scares me.

[NWHarkness]

2. "Four years ago, we hung on every word when Mr. Bush"

Whos is this "we" they are talking about? I always knew Bush was a sociopathic liar, and so did most of us here.

[dajoki]

4. yeah i feel the same as you...

but they may be talking approval ratings. just a guess.

[dajoki]

5. and...

Mr. Bush denounced Al Qaeda and made the emotional - but, as it turned out, empty - vow to track down Osama bin Laden. Yesterday, it seemed as if the president was still trying to live in 2001. It was eerie to hear him urge Americans to take terrorism seriously.

[calmblueocean]

7. So true.

I really hate it when people try to act like that footage of him with the bullhorn was somehow "inspiring". He looked so scared and like he was about to be lynched, it just made me feel even worse. The crowd was heckling him, and all he could come up with was, "The people who knocked down these buildings will hear from all of us soon."

I thought, "Dude, the people who knocked down these buildings are dead. Aren't you paying attention?"

And now? Osama's watching satellite TV while we fight a war in a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. Way to fulfill that promise, George! This guy has never been a leader. He's all myth. Only now even some Republicans are shedding the delusion.

[dajoki]

8. very good!! n/t

[bluedawg12]

6. this dude can not govern and his speech writers have deserted him n/t

[dajoki]

9. a puppet with no strings n/t

[Neil Lisst]

10. dajoki, thanks for posting this

Bush's speeches are rarely more than 10% new content.

It's like a neverending cut and paste job, rearranging favorite lines of his, like stale jokes told too many times.

The reason is simple. The son of a bitch is too stupid to learn much new material.

-----
my progressive political cartoon
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst

[dajoki]

11. exactly my point n/t

[Vinnie From Indy]

12. Amen!

The posts on this thread are excellent and very reflective of the opinion of the reality based community. His latest "Be Afraid" speech was just the same old lies with a few added lies.