The grown ups are in charge. From Draper's new book on Bush re: humiliating Colin Powell.

[Beausoir]

"One anecdote from 2001 reveals a demand for punctuality and perhaps more. Draper writes: "Colin Powell, then secretary of state, was late for a meeting. The president ordered, `Lock the door.' A few minutes later the sound of a hand testing the doorknob could plainly be heard. The Cabinet Room erupted with laughter. The president had made his point."

I heard this a few days ago and just can't shake it. This astonishes me.

[rosesaylavee]

1. I bet there are worse stories

that we will wish we hadn't heard after these monsters leave.

[KneelBeforeZod]

8. Good grief ...

Look, I don't like B*sh any more than the rest of you ... but this is nothing but a relatively minor practical joke on Colin Powell. Powell and Bush are probably reasonably good friends, and have certainly known each other for QUITE a long time ...

I fail to see the tragedy here.

Z

[rosesaylavee]

9. No tragedy

other than the White House is controlled by emotionally stunted, morally bereft morons led by the worst criminal to ever hold the office of president. Other than that, everythings fine.

[KneelBeforeZod]

10. I wouldn't dipute any of that ...

... but I don't think this little anecdote about locking the door on Colin Powell, as a harmless jab at him for being a little late, is particularly indicative of any of that.

I am an attorney, and work in a relatively upscale environment ... and occasional harmless practical jokes between workmates is pretty commonplace (regardless of how erudite and straight-laced the office is).

The criminality of the Bush Administration aside ... this is nothing but a harmless prank between friends.

Z

[rosesaylavee]

12. You are right on one level...

a healthy office environment has practical jokers. I would want to work that kind of environment.

I would think that the Secretary of State should be treated in a more dignified manner. The matters they discuss in that room were, I am sure, of grave importance to the country and the rest of the world. I would appreciate a certain of gravitas in meetings of that nature.

[KneelBeforeZod]

19. In public, certainly ...

... but in a private meeting, the Sec of State is probably just one of the guys, just another Presidential staff member and close acquaintance of the President.

I see no reason the Sec of State should be any more off limits for pranks than any other member of the Presidential staff ... and I see no reason that the White House should be a sterilized environment, devoid of any jokes or normal office banter.

As much as I dislike George Bush as President ... he seems like he'd be a reasonably enjoyable guy to watch a ballgame with (incidentally ... my father, a conservative, said exactly the same thing about Clinton in the 90's). As President, however, B*sh is an unmitigated catastrophe.

Sometimes the ridiculous sniping (from the left) at any little bit of information from the WH reminds me of the conservative attack dogs against Clinton. Using a harmless prank to attack B*sh smacks of conservatives using marital infidelity to attack Clinton when they couldn't touch him politically.

Lets stick to the real problems with the President, and not get bogged down in this irrelevant minutae.

Z

[Beausoir]

21. "As much as I dislike George Bush as President .. he seems like he'd be a reasonably enjoyable guy

to watch a ballgame with.."

:eyes:

ETA: I did a quick search on your username. Very illuminating.

[rosesaylavee]

22. You are right.

I do think that my overarching dislike for the man colors just about anything I hear about him. The fact he breathes some days when so many millions have died due to his arrogance and greed is distressing to me.

I will try to keep it contained to the issues involving his duties as president.

[Hydra]

2. Par for the course

"You be absolutely loyal and perfect in every way, and I'll order you to make a fool of yourself at the UN if you're lucky!"

-The "Decider"

[wryter2000]

3. It doesn't astonish me

It's like everything else he does. I'm just disgusted the others found it funny. Of course, Powell said they all mocked Christie Todd Whittman.

[theoldman]

4. It goes to show you how little respect Bush had for Powell.

Powell should have resigned the next day.

[LibertyLover]

5. I too heard this anecdote recounted by the author during a tv

interview. I just shook my head and said to my husband that is only showed Bush to be an idiot and childish to boot - did he never stop to think that his SecState might have been delayed for a good reason? No, he just had to rub it in that he was the President, dammit. I will so glad when the "adults" leave the White House and the people take over again.

[gratuitous]

6. And what was Bush's point?

I mean, any meeting that he participates in is, by definition, just a slobberfest to see who can kiss butt the best. I'd like to think that the Secretary of State had better things to do than listen to this fool bloviate. But then, after being humiliated like this in front of everyone, Powell stayed on, kept his peace, and finished his career with his prevaricating powerpoint presentation before the United Nations.

Dear Mr. Powell: Please find another country to be part of. You've done too much damage to this one.

[Marr]

7. They'll be writing books about these imbeciles for decades.

When the children were in charge.

[Supersedeas]

11. Leadership....Crawford style

[CJCRANE]

13. How many books are there about the Clinton era?

It seems there are hundreds about Bush (mostly negative - and that's just the ones by people who worked for him).

[Solly Mack]

14. not surprising

it's also not surprising that Powell took it...and asked for more

[Lex]

16. Yep

Actually I *am* surprised at Powell and at McCain. I mean, wtf?

Neither had put up with Bush's crap, but they did. And for what?

[Solly Mack]

20. No idea what they got from it

they made their choice...and that choice says a lot about both...none of it good.

I've nothing but contempt for either man

[FredScuttle]

17. Neither am I surprised

I bet Dumbya never missed an opportunity to remind Powell that he was the House Negro.

[Lex]

15. Bush is a petty asshole.

nt

[sutz12]

18. Hmmmmm.....does sort of put the 'door incident' in perspective...

Remember when Bush went to the door and it was locked, caught on video.

Maybe some staffers were getting a little payback.............. :hide:

It pains me to think the country is being run by juvenile delinquents, but the evidence continues to pile up. :shrug: