Bridge hero says "Nope" to a dope (Bush)

[AlCzervik]

August 7, 2007
Bridge Hero Gets Offer: Paid Tuition

By ELLEN BARRY
Among the dozens of wrenching accounts to come out of the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis, the actions of 20-year-old Jeremy Hernandez were a bright spot: Trapped in a tipping school bus with 50 children, he kicked open the back door and began helping them one by one to safety.

Within a day, news outlets across the country were repeating the story of the school bus, along with a sad footnote — that Mr. Hernandez had recently been forced to drop out of an automotive repair program because he could not afford the $15,000 tuition.

That has changed. On Saturday, Mr. Hernandez learned that Dunwoody College of Technology had offered him a full scholarship toward a degree in applied science. He has also received offers of help from dozens of strangers across the country, said Molly Schwartz, communications director for Pillsbury United Communities, which employed him as a gym coordinator for one of its summer programs.

“We’re all very emotional about this,” Ms. Schwartz said. When she sat with Mr. Hernandez on Friday and read him e-mail messages from across the country, she said, “His eyes are just getting bigger and bigger — ‘California. You’re kidding.’ When we told him about the Dunwoody thing his eyes just got really wide.”

Mr. Hernandez was not available to comment on the offer; Ms. Schwartz said he left town for northern Minnesota late on Friday, overwhelmed by the attention and concerned that his co-workers were being overlooked. He spent the weekend fishing. When President Bush’s staff contacted him to request a photo opportunity, “He was just, like, ‘Nope,’ ” she said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/07/us/07hero.html?ei=5087&em=&en=b4d32355bd89cfc1&ex=1186632000&pagewanted=print

[myrna minx]

1. K&R.

:applause:

[mahina]

47. My favorite guys, thanks. Brightened my morning.

[AX10]

2. Fox "News" will declare a jihad in this hero.

[krkaufman]

39. I believe O'Lielly has already indicated that Hernandez may not be ...

... a legal citizen. ;)

[Cabcere]

46. Shock. Surprise.

:sarcasm: What is Billo's deal, anyway? :shrug: No, don't answer that... :P

[Tekla West]

103. It says

everything you need to know about Bill, that he would have rather seen those kids die than be helped by a person on his hate list. Way to go Bill.

[FloridaJudy]

59. Does Billo realize

That could be an argument for increasing immigration if true?

Probably not. Like most reactionaries, Billo's not really big in the anticipating consequences department.

[Richard Steele]

3. K&R

[Maestro]

4. Probably because he is smart enough to realize that

Dumbya could care less about him and simply wants to use him for good PR. I congratulate him!

[pinto]

5. Good for him.

:thumbsup:

[npincus]

6. he also gave a "pass" to the Ass!

:rofl:

[zabet]

7. K and R

:applause: :applause:
:patriot:

[Booster]

8. K & R for an outstanding young man; a true hero.

[sce56]

101. Not belittling him but I would have loved it if he would have went then told * off! On Camera

[AndyA]

9. Good for him!

I saw him interviewed on television, and he seems like a really nice, down to earth guy, unspoiled by all the attention he's getting.

Proof that there are some really nice people still left in the world, who put others first and the only reward they expect is the good feeling they have inside from knowing they did the right thing.

Jeremy Hernandez is a true hero. :thumbsup:

[wicket]

10. Awesome

And kudos for that school giving him the scholarship he needed to continue his studies.

[momster]

11. More People Should Refuse

to be used by Bush to make photo-op points. Starting with every Democratic Rep and Senator. Make that Cheese stand alone.

I'm glad this young man's story has a happy ending.

[blondie58]

31. what a man of character!

he is to be commended.

No problem for Bush, though- they'll mysteriously "find/invent" another hero for his photo op.

[krispos42]

126. In uniform, doubtless... n/t

[grateful581]

35. or they could at least ask for $10,000

thats the republicons going rate for a photo op with the chimp.

[babylonsister]

12. He's a REAL hero!!

:applause: :woohoo: :applause:

[givemebackmycountry]

13. Great and good for him!

"I won't be a flunky for no Monkey"

NOPE!

Beautiful.

[wryter2000]

14. Awesome!

Just like *. Other folks ask what they can do for him. * wants a photo-op. I hope this gets some coverage.

[Senator]

15. K&R

[Bruce McAuley]

16. Best story of the day...

Bravery rewarded.
What else could he have done, though?

Bruce

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Sounds like a smart kid

[bdamomma]

139. exactly, he doesn't want to be used as a photo op.

[IDemo]

18. He can probably only deal with one disaster at a time

[jojo54]

19. Attaboy!!!!

"HAH!!!!" to the Asshole!

[JNelson6563]

20. Bravo! A modest hero who won't be played

Bush is going to have to find someone else's heroic efforts to horn in on.

I love it! :toast: To Mr. Hernandez!

Julie

[malaise]

23. Isn't that the truth

Bravo Mr. Hernandez.

[no_hypocrisy]

21. Wow, he said, "nope" and wasn't sent to Guantanamo.

I am impressed.

[spotbird]

50. Yet.

He hasn't returned from the fishing trip yet, has he/

[PurpleChez]

86. Yeah...Dick Cheney might be quail hunting in the same area....

it's so easy to be accidentally shot by the (vice) president nowadays. This time it could be fatal.

[Ian_rd]

22. Fox News Exclusive: "Is Jeremy Hernadez behind the bridge collapse?"

"Fox News has learned that so-called hero of the Minneapolis bridge collapse might have caused the collapse himself in order to set himself up as a hero and tarnish the image of President Bush by decreasing America's confidence in the president's domestic budget."

[leftist.]

78. Very prescient! Thanks, I needed a laugh! (n/t)

[devilgrrl]

24. $15,000 tuition - for a auto repair program???????????????????

:wtf:

Let me ask you all something.... Why the fuck does it cost a life's savings to get anywhere?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

32. I know--I didn't realize that Dunwoody cost that much, but it's no

fly-by-night school. It's been around for decades and has a good reputation.

Still, it's appalling that one has to pay so much to qualify for a blue collar job.

[dodger501]

45. You actually get a 2-year degree, I believe

An associates degree.

[devilgrrl]

49. That's beside the point. Why does it cost so F*#%ing much to become a Auto Mechanic?

It's ridiculous!!!! :grr:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

61. Because they're complicated pieces of machinery

Automotive computer systems add a whole other level of complexity. I count several mechanics among my family and friends. One I've known for over 30 years had to go back to school when cars changed. He makes damn good money, too. That tuition isn't much compared to what good mechanics earn. If it's a good school they probably have a placement program.

[devilgrrl]

62. I'm glad to hear that it's a good school but it's still a rip-off...

as is most college tuition.

:shrug:

[CTyankee]

74. I sure wish I had one in my family.

DItto a carpenter, electrician and plumber. People in my family have degrees in Political Science and Journalism and they can't fix anything. My son is a lawyer, but he works as a prosecutor...
I'm useless too with my Fine Arts degree...

[Tansy_Gold]

116. I have degrees in Women's Studies and Sociology, but

I can install a toilet. I can change the socket on a lamp. I can re-upholster a chair. I can replace the washers on a leaky faucet, or the whole faucet if need be. I can fix (or replace) a broken zipper on a pair of jeans.

As a self-employed artisan, I routinely use power tools like drill presses and bandsaws and table saws and sanders and routers and lathes, as well as more "traditionally female" implements like sewing machine and knitting needles.

There's no excuse for "intellectuals" not to be able to take care of themselves.

That said, I'm appalled that even a private trade school like Dunwoody charges $15,000 for its automotive course. No, not appalled -- outraged.

[CTyankee]

130. I guess we all have our callings and then some. Actually, I never used my degree in the arts.

My "other" talent is raising money. I know how to do it and did it successfully for 20 years. But it is extremely stressful. However, I saw that causes I cared about needed money so I set out to learn everything I could about all areas of Fund Development, ending up with as a Special Gifts Director before retiring. My Fine Arts degree, besides giving me personal enjoyment, was a plus when I schmoozed with very wealthy donors who dabble in the arts, love great music, have art collections, support the symphony, etc. It was definitely one of my talents.

[ptolle]

123. never too old

One is never too old to learn at least a minimum those skills.Generally there are voc- tech schools nearby at reasonable cost. The tools then get to be the costliest item.
I was fortunate to have had a pool of the manual skills in my family and generally in the area, growing up in farm and ranch country when putting up hay meant throwing bales onto a hay trailer or truck by hand.Helped when I augmented my G.I bill to get my B.A. lit major- philosophy minor- by driving nails.Made it a point to study the other trades, help out, and ask questions as needed.Auto technician, my nephew who studied at a vocational school for the trade tells me mechanics are for steam engines, might be another matter given the specialized knowledge and tools required for todays autos.I'd hope someone would help this young man out if for no other reason than his obviously cool head and the cojones to tell the chimperor to take a flying.

[CTyankee]

129. I have tried but handy I am not.

So I have to pay. Which is fine as it employs people.

Now if someone would like me to deconstruct some Emily Dickenson (who some people say is indecipherable, but not me)I would be overjoyed to do so...

[piedmont]

69. An auto maechanic can make much more money than a Ph.D. in academia these days.

So I guess you get what you pay for, or something.

[smtpgirl]

110. Because if he is smart he will work at a BMW dealer

or a Mercedes dealer and make $150K, not a bad investment in my opinion.

[piedmont]

114. You can earn that much at a Ford dealership too. nt

[kickysnana]

124. Because MN eliminated VoTech schools by merging them with colleges

Merged the supervision and the colleges won out as to what the curriculum would be so you have to get a 2 year degree and it cost twice as much. They also killed the General College at the U of MN that helped non-traditional students in the first two years of college. Elitism at its worst

:mad:

[ProudDad]

58. Because education for the lower classes

is NOT valued in this country.

Education is for the rich.

Basic training in McServiceJobs is for the rest...

[devilgrrl]

64. McService training for the cost of a private University.

I hear what your saying but it's still nuts. :crazy:

[piedmont]

70. A good mechanic working for a dealership can make over $150k per year...

And the sky's the limit if he works for himself and fixs salvage cars to re-sell.

[devilgrrl]

83. Can these guys be considered as "Reagan Democrats"?

eom

[piedmont]

93. Who? Mechanics in general?

Heck if I know! Though most of the ones I've met in the South (including my brother) seem to be pretty libertarian (not Libertarian) in their views.

[nolabels]

104. As a truck mechanic that has know a few i would say most are just regurlar joes

Much like the people who prepare food for the public, there is good and there is bad. Rich ones and poor ones and every flavor in between

[smtpgirl]

111. Yep, I have thought about being a mechanic more than once

IT by trade, could use my computer skills for that. I was a gear head when I was younger and at this point in my life, network security or auto mechanic, either way I could make a great livin'.

[ProudDad]

135. What is your source for this figure?

There's a lot of Union bashing about so I'm very skeptical of overblown blue collar salary claims...

According to the median scale for Auto/Car Dealer Mechanics in the U.S., about $20 per hour, one would have to work 145 hours a week, 52 weeks a year to make $150,000...

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Industry=Auto%2fCar_Dealership/Hourly_Rate

Now the DEALERS probably make up to a Quarter Million Dollars per year on a good Auto Mechanic but she/he don't see it!!!

Recently, a friend of mine posted on a computer programmer site the "fact" that L.A. Dock Workers made up to $250,000 per year. I did the math on that one and found they would have to work 130 hours per week, 52 weeks per year to make that amount at their Union hourly rate... He also complained about the great health care that Wisconsin teachers got... I was appalled as in all my other interactions with him this was a rather straight-up, kinda-liberal guy.

There've been a lot of bloated salary claims bandied about for (especially Union) blue-collar workers bandied about without substance or backup.

I'm not saying you're doing it but I think it's this kind of "information" is a result of the demonization of blue-collar workers, teachers and other Working Class folks by the right-wing spin machine...

[piedmont]

137. My brother, who is a Ford mechanic

You are correct in that they get around $20 an hour. But the way their payrate is structured, it's actually possible to earn 2, 3, or more hours' worth of pay per actual hour. That's because each job (like an engine overhaul, brake job, transmission replacement, etc.) is rated by Ford at a certain number of hours to complete. If you complete it in under that time, you still get the pay for those hours. The really good, really fast guys can rack up a LOT of hours that way.
And yes, the dealership makes an insane amount of money from the service dept. I'd NEVER take my car to a dealer unless I absolutely had to. Same story with parts-- I had to buy a sensor plug from Ford the other day and called around the local dealerships. One wanted $48, the other "only" $16. My brother told me that the dealerships' cost was $3. That first dealership tried to make a 1,600% profit!

[ProudDad]

140. It must be a rare dealership

that would actually pass on the overrating to the employee...

You're right. I recently took my motorcycle in for some service and was charged for 3 1/2 hours of labor. I checked the slip and they started at 1:30pm and finished around 3:30pm -- wow, compressed 3 1/2 hours into 2!

There should be a law against that sort of thing, don't you think?

Yes, I'd NEVER go to a dealership if I can avoid it...

[piedmont]

141. I don't know how common it is nationwide...

but my brother says it's pretty common at the dealerships in our area. Of course, the dealership charges the customer much more per "hour" than it pays the mechanic for that same "hour."
And most independent shops have their own fixed amount of time they bill per type of job. I don't know if they pass that along to the mechanics as well. But the dealerships have them all beat in terms of overcharging. It's ridiculous. I really think alot of the "problems" that pop up in cars are pre-engineered flaws to drum up more business for the dealerships' service shops. That's a significant part of the car makers' profit.

[Left Is Write]

56. It cost me $10K to get a radio/TV broadcasting certification.

That was 15 years ago AND it wasn't even a degree!

[devilgrrl]

57. That's just as insane!!!!

:mad:

[LeftyMom]

122. My mechanic got his training through the community college system here

It costs a whopping $20/unit, so assuming one needs books, parking, materials fees and books and gets absolutely no financial aid (they'll outright waive tuition for low income people) costs are maybe $2500/yr at most (that's assuming crazily expensive books and no buyback option,) so $5000 for a typical 2 year auto program. Still a hardship, but not on anywhere near the same scale.

I wonder why other states don't invest more in education. A few thousand dollars spent turning a young low income worker into a higher income worker with a useful skill pays off both in that worker paying more taxes later and in a better society (and good mechanics are good for the environment too- keeping cars running well makes them more fuel efficient and less polluting.)

[HughBeaumont]

127. It's the infinitely SENSIBLE American way of life!

Rather than using taxes to subsidize education or health care, this is the American plan, which is far better and makes more sense than them Socialist countries! I mean, COME on! Oil occupations with a $10 billion/month price tag can't fight themselves, you know!

1. Get a job that offers benefits like college tuition and health care. You know, because those are in mass abundance in this great country of ours.

2. Wait 6 months to a year for each, depending on the company. Try not to get sick or downsized/offshored in the meantime: your health and education DEPEND on it.

3. Your 6 months have arrived, great! Now you get to choose between a plan that has an off-the-charts deductible or one that has a ridiculously high co-pay! Oh, and try not to have any . .. "pre-existing conditions". The (insert insurance monopoly here) who runs our health care frowns upon those.

4. And the education is here too . . . oh wait, you thought you could study medicine when this is a finance job? You thought you had a choice?? Tsk Tsk . . . anyway, with OUR great plan, you get to study the specific business career field only, and you better get all A's, unless you feel like footin' some of that cost out-of-pocket (never mind that there are professors who flat out tell the students prior to class that they don't GIVE A's under any circumstance). Better take some Red Bull and get rid of some "nice-to-haves" . . . like sleep and spending time with your family.

5. When all else fails, head to the emergency room or get a student loan. Either way, you'll remain in debt for at least 1-10 years; with student loans, possibly LONGER. That's not so bad considering life expectancy anymore!

WHY is it this way, you all ask? Because Al Qaeda's rockets don't care if you're edumacated or healthy, THAT'S why. Now shut up, worship that flag and CONSUME!!! Stay in view, please . . .

Credits:
http://www.workingforchange.com/comic.cfm?itemid=21845
http://www.workingforchange.com/comic.cfm?itemid=22429

[ProudDad]

136. Great Tom Tommorow Cartoons

Unfortunately, they hit the nail on the head...

[truebrit71]

25. Two things. Kudos to the college, and kudos to Mr. Hernandez for keeping his cool.

Oh, wait, THREE things...telling the fucking chimp to go pound sand was excellent!!!

[Bitwit1234]

26. Good for Him......he shows character.

[dkofos]

27. I might have taken the opportunity to say FUCK YOU Mr bush and

instead of shaking his hand, give him a one fingered salute!!

But that is just me.

[SammyWinstonJack]

28. Good for him! nt

[lpbk2713]

29. *Not even if we give you a fireman's helmet to wear for the pic?!?*

"Don't call me. I'll call you."


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[SutaUvaca]

30. Marvelous response to the shallow callow chimp.

It's worth saying also that Hernandez is no doubt simply worthy of a scholarship,or any other avenue for bettering oneself, without being a hero first. But our society just ain't geared toward recognizing the great value of the ordinary average person.

[peaches2003]

33. Bush's other 'hero'

I saw this young man interviewed last week and he is indeed a hero and very modest about what he did. However, when the Chimp had his photo op on Sat. he introduced 'the hero' who saved the kids in the school bus- a young man who had been standing on another bridge overlooking the scene. He may very well have helped, I'm not saying he didn't, but Bush said nothing about Hernandez and what he had done. He could have said this and then 'not able to attend today', but no- the Boy KIng is finished with you if you don't bow down and kiss his ass.

[Jackpine Radical]

66. Priceless. Can you give a link for when I use this story?

[Blue_In_AK]

34. Oh, I love that...

I knew I liked that kid from the moment I first saw him.

[Highway61]

36. Wow

Do NOT get on any small planes in the near future.

[Kurovski]

37. K&R.

Good calmly rejecting evil.

Or something like that.

[meowomon]

38. Smart Kid

I agree that I would have used the opportunity to tell the chimpster (as if her really cares) what I and most of the US thinks about him and his administration.

[ooglymoogly]

40. A nopass to the dumbass

The more I hear about this guy the smarter he gets....maybe its time to talk about running for a house seat.

[redqueen]

41. "Why don't people just get a better job?"

I hate that bourgeois bullshit. I'm glad this story is out.


And tremendous kudos to him for not playing backdrop to a monster.

[PurpleChez]

87. Rokk on!

I get so caught up in thinking of the chimp as some sort of laughable buffoon that I lose track of the fact that he is also one of recent history's greatest monsters, both in the sheer number of people who have died on his account and in his pathetic attempts to justify it.

[Divine Discontent]

42. K&R

the freepers aren't gonna be happy bout this, well the few that were inspired by his heroics enough to post about it - one even said, "I love to hear the occasional happy ending", occasional? I was looking for his pic and found their thread in search. I'm just so happy for him, and now even more so that he basically told dumbya-dim-son and his screwy photo-op to go jump in a lake, JUST NOT HIS LAKE as he was going fishing! Whatever his intentions were, I find it hilarious they couldn't secure the face everyone knew as a hero, for a phot-op!

http://img.viacomlocalnetworks.com/images_sizedimage_215155530/lg

[bamacrat]

43. Good for him. n/t

[ClayZ]

44. Bravo! K and R

[AllyCat]

48. Now the man is a hero in more ways than one.

Smart guy. Should do well in school and finish early.

[Melissa G]

51. Needed this. good feeling n/t

[acmavm]

52. This guy has something that apparently few people

have, the ability to see through to the corrupt opportunistic core of the bush** White House and the guts not to be intimidated into being used by 'em. Good for him.

[Geezoh]

53. Politician blame, politician's game.

I was listening to WLS, our Chicago conservative talk station yesterday morning. Our local champion ignoramus, Jerry Agar, had one of the senior fellows from the Hearland Institute on the air. It was one of Hearland's younger guys, Titch, Wesbury or Tayor, but I can't remember which. Of course Agar, was attempting to turn the issue partisan, but the Heartland guy wasn't having any of it...which I always love to hear on talk radio.

Anyway, the discussion revolved around the Minnesota bridge collapse. The Heartland guy attempted to remind all of us that the reason why we have failing infrastructure, including collapsing bridges is due to our political system, not one particular political party. He rightly stated that our politicians find it completely more supportive of their job security to have their picture taken standing in front of a new government subsidized private business, or a new government subsidized municipal sports stadium, than in front of a repaired bridge in Minneapolis. In fact, the government has contributed over $2 million in subsidies to the new professional baseball stadium right there in the twin cities...at the same time that bridges are falling into the Mississippi during rush hour.

He was clear that it's not about raising taxes. There's plenty of money. Plenty of money going into new football stadiums and into the pockets of some politician's brother-in-law's construction company that won the latest municipal no-bid contract. Into some congressman's pork.

So the Heartland guy suggested that everyone visit his website to learn about how our politicians are failing us. He also suggested that everyone go out and buy Thomas Sowell's book, Basic Economics, so that we can learn something about how our politicians are failing us.

And then I thought to myself...this Heartland guy is an idiot. The stupid and ignorant American electorate loves to put these guys back in office, year after year, regardless of party, or performance, or resultant carnage. Joe Sixpack voter isn't going to visit the Heartland website. Joe Sixpack isn't going to read Thomas Sowell's book. Joe Sixpack wants a new federally subsidized baseball stadium in the twin cities, and if his neighbor went into the Mississippi last week, well...better him than me.

Americans are stupid, uneducated, narcissistic, ignoramuses who want everything but can't find the time to learn a goddam thing about their country. As Joseph DeMaistre said..."Everyone gets the government they deserve."

In this particular case, every American gets the bridge they deserve.

[connecticut yankee]

107. Welcome to DU, Geezoh

[TankLV]

118. The Heartland guy IS an IDIOT - this is strictly the REPUKES and CONSERCATIVES fault.

This is NOT a "bipartisan" issue.

Only the DEMOCRATS and LIBERALS have been harping on SPENDING for infrastructure repairs - the REPUKES and CONSERVATAVES are constantly calling for LOWER TAXES and VETOING ANY SPENDING on such improvements as "wasteful"...

We won't be fooled by repuke BULLSHIT...

[mvd]

54. Yea! Good for him

There's a no Bush has to take for an answer.

[Left Is Write]

55. Definitely a hero.

[siri2k]

60. GOOD MOVE!

And it'd be MY move. I have always hated how this president uses people, especially heros and their family members, for photo ops. I wouldn't stand with him for ANY reason and would RELISH the opportunity to say "NOPE." to such an offer. WTG Mr. Hernandez. ANOTHER moment to be proud of for the rest of your life!
siri
:thumbsup:

[SeattleGirl]

63. Bravo, Mr. Hernandez!!!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[Limelight]

65. Everyone is ready WAAAAAAY too much into this...

It sounds like he was just generally overwhelmed by the sudden attention and the glare of the spotlight. I don't hear a thing in this story that indicates he said "Nope" to Bush because he hates him or his policies. Hard to believe there is anyone who doesn't hate him, but we all know there are. Thing is this is zero indication of where Mr. Hernandez stands.

That said, whether he supports Bush or hates him the guy still deserves kudos, and it's good to know his bravery will have a tangible reward for him.

[AlCzervik]

67. Buzzkill.

[Beaverhausen]

71. Oh please...if he liked/supported Bush do you think he would have refused?

Who blows off a chance to meet a president that they like? Very few people would, I suspect. It's obvious this kid doesn't like Bush.

[AlCzervik]

73. i luvs you.

:toast:

[PurpleChez]

88. Ditto! No bushbot would have said

I'm going fishin' today, Lurleen...I wish I could make that photo-op with Reichsmarshall Busch, but I just can't find the time....

[Limelight]

106. Ahhhh, yeah...

If he was tired of all the attention or the incident. Gee I wonder if he'd be able to get back to his normal life if his picture was plasted on the front page of papers all around the country not to mention the newscasts. If he was looking to get away from the spot light having a hand shaking session with the president wouldn't help, now would it?

[TankLV]

119. I love the way you guys try to justify the unjustifiable...

We know what you are, and we ain't buyin...

[Bluebear]

79. Everyone is ready what?

[SoCalDem]

80. Hernandez did not want to be USED as a prop.. easy to understand n/t

[Limelight]

108. Really? Cuz that's not what he said... He just said "Nope". n/t

[peacetalksforall]

132. I agree - this young man is a hero of the hour, we're assuming

and making him a political hero because we're saying he said no to Bush. It's fun to make him into a political hero, but it should be recognized that we don't have details or proof of anything related to the context of the request and refusal.

sidenote:
August 1 early evening - MN heroes went into action
August 3 early evening - MN Senator Klobuchar voted to give Bush and Gonzales all the power to spy

[Mad_Dem_X]

68. A true hero

I'm glad he turned down the photo op with Chimpy.

[Buns_of_Fire]

72. Jeremy may have been a little premature...

after all, how much was Chucklenutz & Co. prepared to pay for a photo-op with a REAL hero?

On edit: This is surely not to belittle the brave souls at Walter Reed, et. al. Charging chimpy to be seen with REAL heroes might even go far in balancing some of the deficits the country has paid to this snivling piece-of-poo administration.

[Celebration]

75. Too bad not everyone can get out of it

[AlCzervik]

76. "We are not amused" and you know she can't believe she's standing there with him.

[dflprincess]

105. She's thinking

"I wonder if they would have had their little tea party in Boston if they'd known about this?"

[lynnertic]

84. LOL precious!

I'm nominating you for a DUZY

[BrightKnight]

125. I have known every major leader since Churchill

and I have never seen an idiot like you.

[Dukkha]

77. It'a about time someone demonstrated the obvious!

Just because he's the pResident does NOT mean you have too meet with the asshole or agree to a pointless photo-op. I hope everyone, epecially the world leaders take notice. Just turn your back on him and acknowledge for once the world doesn't need to "work with him" and can stillsolve our problems without making an appeal to the devil.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

81. The Chimp's trainers relentlessly scour the earth for photo-ops

Any and all individuals who have accomplished anything are systematically hunted down and offered the rare privilege of having a Chimp pose for a picture with them, put his arm around them, press his sweaty shirt into them and let them smell the sweet fragrance of his monkey underarm. What's wrong with this guy?

[Kokonoe]

134. Thanks for that nice inside the ropes view.

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[sandyj999]

82. A True Hero.................

And a very smart young man.

[JerseygirlCT]

85. Bless him. On all counts. nt

[Subdivisions]

89. I sure do admire that selfless young man. I am extremely

proud of him. Did ya'll hear that he had to quit a local vocational college, where he was learning to be a mechanic, because he could not afford it? Well, that school has given him the opportunity to come back with all expenses paid.

A good kid and a true hero.

[ieoeja]

90. Don't be surprised if he pays a White House visit to Bush soon.

He's just overwhelmed at the moment and hiding out. A lot of people would be thrilled at meeting the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA regardless of their personal political views. I was on a very small team that performed one of Reagan's three 2nd term initiatives for the Veterans Administration in 85-86. While I thought Reagan was a brain dead moron, I was a little disappointed to get nothing more than a check** after they told us at one point that the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA wanted to shake our hands and thank us.

He probably changed his mind when it dawned on him that we gov't employees had just done that which his friends in the private sector said they couldn't do by the end of his term. Bit of poke in the eye for Mr "government is the problem, not the solution". On top of that we were part of the same team that defeated his attempt to privatize a portion of the VA.


**Albeit, the largest such bonus in VA history up to that point. The VA is the 2nd largest department of the US gov't, only DoD is larger. Yours truly was the first VA employee in history with an IT degree.

[peaches2003]

97. Depends on the President

I for one would never agree to meet Bush. I have no respect for him as a person or a Pres. The only way I would meet him is if I would have the opportunity for a very small group meeting or such where I could look him in the eye and refuse to shake his hand.

[Pacifist Patriot]

133. Same here.

Of course, I'm just brash enough to make a political statement about my refusal to meet him. :evilgrin:

Last I checked we didn't have royal command audiences in this country.

[TankLV]

120. Really? With a WAR CRIMINAL?! Not me - not EVER!

Most people are not easily INTIMIDATED anymore...

[FourScore]

91. This is the sort of story I must keep on file.

When I feel there is so little hope, I will read this again and again.

He must be so overwhelmed by the attentin, but I think it also signifies the craving we all have for a true hero right now when there are so many self-serving, profit-hungry, war and destruction-mongering, power-craving (hmm,...did I leave anything out?) people in the news nowadays.

[Lifelong Protester]

92. I read this story in the St. Paul paper yesterday, and I was

very happy that this kid shows more sense than most of the pols that stand there with happy grins on their faces when photographed next to the pResident. And I do think it is not just Mr. Hernandez being overwhelmed that caused him to say no, I am guessing that folks in his neighborhood have no love loss with the Republicans (truly, most of the state is in that category, not just this fellow's neighborhood.)

Second, Dunwoody is a fantastic school, and $15,000 is a great investment in a two year degree. It may seem like a lot, but there are scholarships as with other schools. I am proud of Dunwoody for stepping up here, but I guess we'd all like it if a person didn't have to save kids from a burning bus just to be able to get an education. At least I think that is what some of the posters mean when decrying the high cost of this technical school. That said, a Dunwoody degree is a guarantee of a good job, period, so I am happy for Mr. Hernandez.

[kedrys]

94. Fresh air!

Gotta love it. Well played, Mr. Hernandez. :toast:

[ThatsMyBarack]

95. K&R really quick....

:patriot:

[demigoddess]

96. kudos to that young man, more guts than all the congress combined!!!

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

[onehandle]

98. Good Man. Bad President. nt

[southerncrone]

99. A HERO & A PATRIOT!!!!!!

:patriot:

[1776Forever]

100. When you think about what President Bush really stands for this makes Jeremy's reply even more smart

Shame on Bush for giving us a President we are so ashamed of! Let's hope the next President can bring us all back to holding our heads up high!!:kick:

[Blue Fire]

102. Ka-ZIIIIIINGGG!!!!

Take THAT :kick: , monkeyface!

[smtpgirl]

109. Mr. Hernandez has said no to the pRes, so why can't the DEMS?

[Madspirit]

112. I almost forgot...k&r!..n/t

[NancyBreen]

113. Not all heroes

want publicity, especially when there is so much grieving going on and other victims still haven't been found. Just because the Bush family is so far removed from the real world and have absolutely no compassion and sees such a tragedy as a "photo op" and are suffering more than the victims. Why doesn't the Bush kingdom realize most of our country sees the shallowness of this family?

[lonestarnot]

115. woot and applaud again

if I did already. R'd earlier!

[PoconoPragmatist]

117. Fuckin' Fabulous!!

refused to get used for a Bush photo-op!! Kudos to Mr. Hernandez!! I, too, would have refused the photo-op, but also would have explicitly stated WHY I was refusing the photo-op saying I would not be willing to give Mr. Bush the time of day, much less a publicity shot showing him in any good light whatsoever.

I would make no bones about my utter hatred and contempt for Mr. Bush...and his political party.

In fact, I might even go so far as to have said..."Well, if we had a LEGITIMATE PRESIDENT...and a Democrat, I might be willing, but damned if I am loaning myself to be used for propaganda to the gain of a political party I despise."

[kiteinthewind]

121. Sweet!

[liberal N proud]

128. Thank you Mr Hernandez

I wouldn't shake the fucks hand either. I wouldn't want to be seen in the same picture with him either.

[abluelady]

131. He is a True Hero im My Eyes. eom

[Cha]

138. A hero and a smart dude..no wonder

the Universe is giving him a scholarship to go to school..made my day!