Weird pic of bush using soldier as photo op prop

[Philosoraptor]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-shaw/reading-the-pictures-em_b_55446.html



In curious contrast to the Rovian obsession with sunny faces and silver linings, these later bedside portraits -- although entirely managed, photographed and edited by the White House before being posted on the White House photo gallery -- more often than not depict a perfunctory Commander-in-Chief alongside a soldier either too scared, traumatized or, perhaps, disgusted or disillusioned to make Bush look much good at all.

Such is the story in the image above.

This shot was ordered second (out of a group of three patient pics) in the latest infirmary visit. (It scored above this shot of a literally pinned and tremulous looking Sgt. 1st Class Andy Allen, but below this perfectly loving shot of Bush with National Guard Spec. Dave Saucier.) Whether or not the "disconnection" of Cpl. Joel Dulashanti of Cincinnati is medically explainable, the scene is striking for its lack of connection, the way George Bush feels free to handle the soldier, and the way Dulashanti serves as an object for the President.

With thousands of American troops having died in this war of adventurism, there is nothing more telling than the White House telegraphing the G.I. as a mannequin.

[MADem]

1. Well, I despise the Monkey, but that said, the writer doesn't understand how one pins a medal on a

servicemember.

The wounded kid is, to the best of his ability, at "attention." If he were well he'd be standing. But he's maintaining a posture of attention, which is appropriate at an awards ceremony.

The Monkey isn't "handling" the guy, he's pinning on the medal, and he's actually struggling with the mechanism on the back of the damned thing (which suggests to me that his 'help' ain't so helpful). He needs a good aide to put what's called a "cheater" on the back of the thing--they're handy if you are passing out a bunch of awards--you can just hook the thing on a pocket or a ribbon bar without having to fuss with a clasp on the back. Easy peasy....

What strikes me about the picture isn't the kid's posture of seated attention, it's the sadness in his eyes. He doesn't look scared to me, he looks...resigned. Defeated. Sad.

I guess we all see what we see in these things...

[Ian David]

2. It still makes me wonder... what pictures did The White House REJECT

I wonder if you can get those photos through a FOIA Request?

[gatorboy]

11. Must have been many,

considering they posted so few on The White House site.

[harlinchi]

9. Ahhh! The old 'dammit' pins! n/t

[goodgd_yall]

16. I agree with you.

It's easy to see "dissociated" or "disgust with *" in the expression, but this is the usual soldierly stance when being pinned. More than anything he looks fatigued or even affected by drugs he might be administered.

[cassiepriam]

3. The look on the young man's face says it all. nt

[Philosoraptor]

4. His expression is a perfect symbol of horrific irony.

The war-dodging war president, pinning a purple heart on a broken young man, a young man who has seen things this idiot could never comprehend or live through.

[cassiepriam]

5. Yes indeed.

In Bush's desire to look like a real man,
to make himself feel whole, he has broken so many others.

Maybe that is a part of what appeals to him about
all of this.

He has created a world of damaged men and women
who now match how he feels inside.

[izzie]

8. Could some one pull up the picture of Hitler doing this out side

the Bunker with the boys at the end of the war? It was a well shown picture but I do not know how to find it. It seems to be a thing with these type rulers and the Czar, Kaiser did the same type stuff at the end of the game.

[Double T]

6. The 'man' without a soul going through the insincere motions..........

of caring.

[izzie]

7. It smells of panic, next the grave side tears?

--

[seriousstan]

10. Perhaps your comments wouldn't have been so ignorant if you had watched the video.

But I doubt it.

The man was "standing' at attention to the best of his ability.

I guess they don't teach you that in your mom's basement.

[coco77]

12. The guy looks as though he is saying...

get the hell away from me...

[spanone]

13. soldier looks thrilled

:sarcasm:

[tammywammy]

14. Actually, he was thrilled, check out the video

http://www.local12.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=d5c8d6e8-f60e-4820-a4fa-72f56b4c3d09

[goodgd_yall]

17. Thanks for reality check n/t

[goodgd_yall]

15. Deleted by self n/t