Iraq National Security Adviser too distracted watching children's cartoons to talk to US Reps

[sabra]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/30/AR2007083001848.html

<snip>

But even such tight control could not always filter out the bizarre world inside the barricades. At one point, the three were trying to discuss the state of Iraqi security forces with Iraq's national security adviser, Mowaffak al-Rubaie, but the large, flat-panel television set facing the official proved to be a distraction. Rubaie was watching children's cartoons.

When Moran asked him to turn it off, Rubaie protested with a laugh and said, "But this is my favorite television show," Moran recalled.

Porter confirmed the incident, although he tried to paint the scene in the best light, noting that at least they had electricity.

"I don't disagree it was an odd moment, but I did take a deep breath and say, 'Wait a minute, at least they are using the latest technology, and they are monitoring the world,' " Porter said. "But, yes, it was pretty annoying."

[acmavm]

1. ANNOYING? That's all it was? Annoying?

Oh man, that guy has to be the MASTER of understatement.

[sabra]

2. Porter was the one who indicated we will have $9 gas if we withdraw from Iraq

:crazy:

[ck4829]

3. K&R

[Javaman]

4. ...

flintstones meet the flintstones, have a yabba dabba do time, a dabba do time, we'll have a gay old time!!!

Wilma!!!!

:banghead:

[DCKit]

5. We should all watch the Flintstones

Once gas goes to $9/gal, we'll be living just like them.

[Javaman]

6. ...

:spray: :rofl: you said a mouthful LOL

[gatorboy]

7. If it was Cowboy Bebop

I'll have to side with Rubaie on this :P

[Swede]

8. Hmmm.

Brief, choreographed and carefully controlled, the codels (short for congressional delegations) often have showed only what the Pentagon and the Bush administration have wanted the lawmakers to see. At one point, as Moran, Tauscher and Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.) were heading to lunch in the fortified Green Zone, an American urgently tried to get their attention, apparently to voice concerns about the war effort, the participants said. Security whisked the man away before he could make his point.

Tauscher called it "the Green Zone fog."