DISGRACEFUL Bush aides use tsunami to zing Bill Clinton

[Bluebear]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6763683/

....domestic criticism of Bush continued to rise. Skeptics said the initial aid sums -- as well as Bush's decision at first to remain cloistered on his Texas ranch for the Christmas holiday rather than speak in person about the tragedy -- showed scant appreciation for the magnitude of suffering and for the rescue and rebuilding work facing such nations as Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Indonesia.

After a day of repeated inquiries from reporters about his public absence, Bush late yesterday afternoon announced plans to hold a National Security Council meeting by teleconference to discuss several issues, including the tsunami, followed by a short public statement....

Earlier yesterday, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said the president was confident he could monitor events effectively without returning to Washington or making public statements in Crawford, where he spent part of the day clearing brush and bicycling. Explaining the about-face, a White House official said: "The president wanted to be fully briefed on our efforts. He didn't want to make a symbolic statement about 'We feel your pain.' "

Many Bush aides believe Clinton was too quick to head for the cameras to hold forth on tragedies with his trademark empathy. "Actions speak louder than words," a top Bush aide said, describing the president's view of his appropriate role.

====

GAAAAAAAA I can't stand this anymore!

[bpilgrim]

1. "Actions speak louder than words," - he said

and bush actively continued his holiday :puke:

peace

[journalist3072]

17. Excellent Point

These Bush spinmeisters are just amazing to me. They have no shame, and no real compassion.

Clinton knew that part of leadership meant getting out there, and expressing the emotions that many people were feeling at times of tragedy.

His visit to Oklahoma City, for example, after the bombing, helped that city to heal.

[nytemare]

23. Yep, on 9/11, in bed by 11.

A gay gentleman, Mark Bingham, on flight 93 decided to take action, while W read "The Pet Goat". Dubya's action would be to deny a man like that the right to get married.

Yes, Dubya, actions really do speak louder than words.

[Divine Discontent]

2. Dim Son doesn't know how to feel anyone's pain

President's Clinton, Gore, & Kerry should go to Washington & kick Dim Son's ass for not being back today to show leadership during this HORRIBLE disaster that is on a SCALE that is 33 TIMES that of the WTC's in 2001. Though no more sad for those who suffered, this disaster shows the world just how much Bush doesn't give a flyin rats turd...

HE'S TOO BUSY CLEARING BRUSH!!!!!!!!!


CLARK 2008, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT, & I'M NOT TAKING NO FOR AN ANSWER!

[lavenderdiva]

3. did Clinton make a statement about the disaster?

What is it about that brush in Crawford that constantly needs clearing by Shrub? I live in Houston, and can't believe that it needs so much 'clearing' by just one man! Unbelievable.

[Bluebear]

4. Yes Clinton beat him to the punch

But Bush feels he shouldn't make more than a "brief" statement 3 days later.

[Princess Turandot]

12. Bill also got to NYC several days before Bush did post 9-11..

altho they did not let him south of 14th Street. He was mobbed by New Yorkers that day.

[Straight Shooter]

8. The thing about the constant brush clearing?

The Secret Service keeps replanting it, and Little Boots hasn't caught on yet.

[chicagojoe]

28. Yeah, he seems to clear that brush an awful lot.

[illflem]

32. He's not clearing it, he's torturing it

It's junior's way of getting back at mother nature which hates him so much that it continually jumps up and knocks him off his bike.

[freeplessinseattle]

31. ha! I was thinking the same thing! wtf is up with always "clearing brush"?

and why is it so important that he has to personally do it rather than thinking about other people's pain. how dare those Asians intrude on his holiday! and money that should be spent on killing is going towards saving lives, bah!

[lavenderdiva]

39. personally, I think 'They' assign Shrub the task

of 'clearing brush' as a mindless activity, at which he excels. Perhaps Straight Shooter is correct in that the Secret Service keeps replanting it just so that he will have a mindless activity with which he can consume himself, when he isn't busy twisting everything else around.

[Straight Shooter]

5. Better a real president with "trademark empathy"

than a fake oaf of office with "trademark disinterest."

[nashville_brook]

6. amazing he can't even *symbolically* acknowledge the pain of 60,000

[proudbluestater]

7. Maybe Clinton felt the lack of leadership cried out for a statement

from somebody -- anybody! The silence was deafening. * is always holed up there when tragedy stikes. Could he possibly be so busy STILL clearing brush that he couldn't manage 30 seconds in front of a camera?

He seems to not understand the concept of "leader of the free world." To him that translates into "go ahead and throw your weight around," not, step up and be a real leader when times are tough and people are suffering from natural disasters.

Beyond that, I fear he has never quite learned what compassion means. It's just another part of a campaign slogan to him and his ilk.

[bitchkitty]

9. Can you post the link?

The one you posted just goes to the topic post form on DU.

[Bluebear]

15. corrected, sorry

[LibDemAlways]

The arrogant asshole

took several days to make the long trip from the WH to NYC following 9/11 -- and then for the purpose of an embarrassing photo op. He has yet to attend a funeral for a member of the military killed in his insane Iraq invasion. His sole trip to Iraq was for the purpose of being photographed holding a plastic turkey. Yep, it's true. Actions do speak louder than words -- and the media has let the chimp get away with this kind of shit for years.

As I commented on another thread, a real President would instinctively know what to do. Expressing compassion and concern goes with the territory. Unfortunately, the dumbass is lost without his handlers who are apparently on vacation.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Actions speak louder than words

why has't the USS Mercy been dispatched? (US Navy Hospital Ship)

Why haven't we flown supplies into the area using AF assets?

Oh there is so much that PREVIOUS Presidents have done... I remember two disasters in particular... actually three.

1.- San Juanico, natural gas refinery very near Mexico City. AF C-130s were flying into Mexcio City with supplies within 12 hours.

2.- Mexico City Earthquake, rescue teams and the AF were flying resources in within six hours.

3.- The Tijuana floods, I helped coordinate the help to that city, as a Red Cross Medic (Mexican Red Cross) the help started to flow from San Diego to TJ, oh within five hours...

So yes Mr President, actions speak louder than words...

On a personal basis, if it wasn't because we are very strapped for cash this week, I would be giving some cash for the relief effort. For anybody who wants to do something, give cash... it is the best you can do. I wish I could just pack my kit and board a plane to go help... but there are many reasons I cannot do this any more.

[stopbush]

11. Bill Clinton got to NYC from Australia in days after 9/11,

beating * to the punch. The difference - Clinton doesn't run away from problems or tragedies.

Yes, Mr Duffy, actions do speak louder than words.

[susanna]

26. Oh, I so remember that...

Clinton, standing on an actual NYC street corner, comforting survivors. Yeah. That was the sign of a real sociopath, focus-group poll licker.

(Sarcasm alert if your antennae is off.)

edit re-phrase

[imenja]

13. link to article?

You must have mistakenly posted an incorrect link.

[Bluebear]

14. I did, just corrected as you typed

:)

[proudbluestater]

16. Clinton urges coordinated aid effort... story

Former US president Clinton urges coordinated aid effort for devastated south Asia
AFP: 12/28/2004
LONDON, Dec 28 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton on Tuesday urged a coordinated effort to provide relief to the countries stricken by the tidal wave that killed tens of thousands across South Asia.

"It is really important that somebody take the lead in this," he told BBC Radio 4's Today program.

"I think one of the problems is when everybody takes responsibility it's almost like no one's responsibility."

Clinton said individual countries should target aid at specific areas.

"Maybe what we should do is get countries or groups of countries to take responsibility for specific countries that were hurt," he said.

"I think if you did that you would have a better chance of seeing responsibilities fulfilled even when the emotional tug wanes."

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?ID=35375

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT

[SemperEadem]

36. That's a president for you.. being decisive

being a leader... speaking out to reassure people. All * and his minions can think about is being upstaged by Clinton...

and they wonder why *'s numbers are what they are.

[Raiden]

18. AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

George W. and his posse are the biggest bunch of lying, pathetic, pitiful, sorry-ass, no-good, photo-oppin', apathetic motherfuckers on the face of the earth! Using a global catastrophy to attack Clinton. I hope they all get their's real soon! The JERKOFFS!

[journalist3072]

19. BUMP!!!

Incidentally, I "feel your pain!"

Some days, I get so angry with Bush and Co. that I want to pull my hair out! I don't know if I can stand 4 more years of these pompous, arrogant, mean spirited _____, well, you finish the sentence!

[chicagojoe]

33. We'll get through it. Gotta stand tough.

[Skittles]

35. asshole

there, I filled in the blank

[Bluebear]

20. Yes, this is what pushed me over the edge.

Not only to keep vacationing and clearing brush, and not saying a fucking word to the world, but to LOAN them the relief money and have your aide take the opportunity to throw shit at Clinton. I hate this man, and the same for his 'followers' whom he has some kind of spell over and forgive anything he does, I really do.

[journalist3072]

25. I Know What You Mean

But whenever I get really angry at the Bushies, I think of this Scripture. I think they need to read it, and read it often:

"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: Depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

[mitchum]

22. I feel your rage, Raiden

They are EXACTLY as you described

[AgadorSparticus]

30. right with ya. i hope he gets his REAL soon. how ridiculous are

the * puppets? my god. actions speak louder than words. damn straight. and the fact that all bush did was bicycling is very LOUD indeed. i really should not be surprised as all he did was sit there in the face of 911. this should be no different. but, damn. the atrocity of it all.

[mitchum]

21. Is everyone who works for this administration a smarmy, arrogant...

sonofabitch?
Yes!
How do they sleep at night?
That's right, Ambien.

[susanna]

24. Yeah right. Yet an "action" of empathy,

at this point, means more than clearing brush, bicycling, and crafting a "strategery" to address the most astoundingly horrible natural tragedy in, oh, let's say a generation (or more).

*, you are a gigantic turd. Thanks for representing me. NOT.

[chookie]

27. OH! Really now?

A WH message for the hypnotized, obviously.

Bill Clinton, as a private citizen, raised a fortune for India, to help the people recover from the horrific earthquake there in 2001.

He was received there -- as was his wife and child -- with highest honors and spontaneous outpouring of love from the Indian people. Bill Clinton is LOVED in India, as he is in most of the world. I think, that apart from the Republicans of America, he was also hated by the Taliban -- in fact Mullah Omar spoke of Clinton in ways that sound remarkably like Newt Gingrich or whatever flunky is in charge of dissing Clinton in aid of the Bush Crime Family.

MEANWHILE, the smirky the chimp can't even go to fucking IRELAND without 15,000 troops supplementing the police force. smirky the chimp can't go to fucking ENGLAND -- our closest ally -- or CANADA -- without tens of thousands of troops to protect his hated monkey ass -- and is too scared to address their democratic Parliaments, for fear that someone might point out he is NOT in fact Jesus Caesar.

Clinton is loved. Bush is HATED.

What pretensious SHIT about Clinton's "feeling pain." What about their own idiotic monkey harping on how is was the job of the Governor of Texas to cry with people? How "Bush men cry easily." Tearing up like a little girl on camera when the shuttle astronauts got blown up?

Oh -- so they're going to BRIEF His Chimperial Highness this time (as if he can do ANYTHING spontaneously). If they really think he is going to understand any of this stuff, it may be a while before he makes an appearance. How about teaching Curious George where the fucking Indian Ocean is first, and then moving on to the "Evil Doers/Good Guys" stuff later?

I am already barfing at how this horrific tragedy has been politically hijacked -- CNN just LOVES to call it a tragedy of "Biblical proportions." You better believe that is a very conscious choice of words. Let's not call it a "major geological event with disastrous human consequences" -- because that leaves GOD out of it, right? As if tradition in no other place in the world can compare to the events in the Israeli Bible.

I can only hope the leaders of the effected nations are rational beings -- if it had happened here, they'd be blaming it on gays and people who voted for Kerry, etc.

In any case -- I don't think Bush has any "triumphant welcomes" in his future anywhere, outside of his carefully scripted Potemkin events -- unless, of course, he decides to go totally CGI from now on....

[Bouncy Ball]

29. Yeah and bush's actions consistenly say

he doesn't give a flying shit about anyone much less some furriners getting wiped out.

[moondust]

34. Well yeah, he gets those PDBs.

[flordehinojos]

37. how does an alcoholic usually manipulate others into believing that he is

not an alcoholic? --- by manipulating the situation and shining the spotlight away from his alcoholism into someone else's shortcomings. Bush knows the art of shining the spotlight away from his own shortcomings, so when faced with criticism for HIS lack of concern/support/interest into the relief efforts of the tsunami catastrophe, there is no better way for him to do that than to point at what so many right wingers have called Bill Clinton's hypocritical "I fell your pain." He is now scotch free in the mind of the many idiots who fall for his manipulations.

[lavenderdiva]

38. Do you ever get the feeling...

that Shrub is out in Crawford just wincing and groaning that this disaster and calamity DARED happen during his Christmas vacation? I can just see him cursing it for intruding on MORE of his time off... Digging in his heels and saying 'I won't go back to Washington, and you can't make me!' No sympathy/empathy for those who have died or lost loved ones. He makes me sick.

[njdemocrat106]

40. You're a disgrace, George W. Bush

Why didn't the Republicans just blame the tsunami on Clinton like they do everything else? "Clinton's environmental policies were the cause of this horrible natural disaster" :eyes:

[bpilgrim]

41. kick

peace

[idiosyncratic]

42. Unbelievable! . . . oh, yes, forgot who we were dealing with

Very believable. :puke:

I heard President Clinton on the NPR distributed show "The World" yesterday and wondered, "And where is * ?"

[MISSDem]

43. President Clinton. A real President

If we only had another like him, say President Kerry.