What a shallow transparently empty excercise Bush's Iraq summit was!

[BurtWorm]

It's a wonder people don't laugh in his and his people's faces. Why the hell is he "seeking opinions" on Iraq *now?!* How can anyone take these people seriously?!

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/05/politics/05cnd-prexy.html

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 - President Bush reached beyond his inner circle and deep into the past today as he sought the views of former secretaries of state and defense on his strategy in Iraq.


<translation: Karl, Andy, Don and Karen thought it would be a great idea to pretend the administration gives a shit because the polls strongly imply voters think it should.>

Mr. Bush said afterward that he was honored to have so many "good, solid Americans" at the session. Indeed, the attendees made up a sizable contingent from the Who's Who of the Washington of yesteryear.


<translation: someone let Bush know all these doddering old people were "good, solid Americans.">


The dozen or so former Cabinet members who gathered in the White House included Robert S. McNamara, now 89, who became defense secretary under President John F. Kennedy 45 years ago and stayed on under President Lyndon B. Johnson, helping to shape American strategy in Vietnam and eventually becoming disillusioned with it.



<translation: The NY Times feels some mysterious need to pretend "Bush" (i.e., Karl, etc.) "seriously" gives a shit what a "disillusioned" hawk thinks.>



Mr. Bush said he appreciated the advice and the experience of those who huddled with him. "Not everybody around this table agreed with my decision, and I fully understand that." he said, referring to the invasion of Iraq. Those present included William Perry, who was defense secretary under President Bill Clinton and who was an adviser to Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, Mr. Bush's Democratic opponent in 2004.

<see previous translation above>

Why do they make it so hard not to be cynical?

[patrice]

1. The whole thing last about an hour didn't it?

That's what I heard on NPR.

What did he do, give them surveys to fill out?

[bryant69]

2. It was a photo op - nothing more

And stupid to boot. HIs base will be pissed that he even pretended that poeple like Madeline Albright or Colin Powell are worth listening to, and most of the rest of us can see it for the cynical nonsense it was.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[BurtWorm]

4. How much of that hour was filled with Bush "'preciating" "working" with

and "looking forward" to "candid discussion" with the "good, solid Americans" in the room?

[Al-CIAda]

3. Everything...EVERYTHING is about managing perception/propaganda

[Ron Green]

5. Ah ... but it WORKS in present-day America -- that's the sad part.

[patrice]

7. I'm not sure it actually works; people pretend that it works so they don't

have to experience the anxiety of real Freedom, nor change anything about themselves.

[spanone]

6. He's so full of shit....I buy nothing he says or does. Now or Ever.

Other than that, I'll keep an open mind.