http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Fri, 5 Dec 2003 02:01:19 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/28/173733.php#comment-31475 They didn't fabricate the story - the White House Communications Director was incorrect, and has tried to set the record straight - From AP, 1:42 PM Dec 4 - "The White House said the British accent of a pilot had led the Air Force One crew into thinking it was a British Airways operator who saw the presidential Boeing 747 on its surprise flight. The London area air traffic control center, known as the National Air Traffic Services, said on Thursday that it was not a British Airways pilot who spotted the plane. The control center did not identity which airline was involved. " As for the bird... Yes, some of it was for the cameras. There is no doubt about that, but that does not make it a PR stunt. The other part is play for the troops. I don't think it would do any good for the morale if the Pres came out serving dried food rations with water, do you? 31475@blogcritics.org Fri, 5 Dec 2003 02:01:19 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/28/173733.php#comment-31471 Not a PR stunt? Why fabricate part of the story then? From Reuters... "Honor Verrier, a spokeswoman for British Airways in North America, said on Monday two BA aircraft were in the area at the time and neither radioed the president's plane to ask if it was Air Force One. We have spoken to the British Airways captains who were in the area at the time and neither made comments to Air Force One nor did they hear any other aircraft make the statement over the radio," Verrier said in response to a question from Reuters." The Turkey carried by the President was also different to the food actually being served to the solders. From www.theage.com.au "administration officials said on Wednesday that Mr Bush picked up a decorative turkey, not a serving plate, while the 600 soldiers were served from cafeteria-style trays, the officials said." Why do that if not for the cameras? 31471@blogcritics.org Fri, 5 Dec 2003 00:21:01 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/28/173733.php#comment-30682 I have to give Bush credit. He went to New York right after 9-11 and now this. The guy has got kahunas. There are not many Presidents that would put themselves into harms way (or proximity) like he has. Any way you look at it, it was a coup d'etat for his presidency. He showed courage to his troops and to the world, while giving Sadam the finger so to speak by showing up in his backyard. It was a brilliant tactical maneuver. 30682@blogcritics.org Fri, 28 Nov 2003 23:26:21 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/28/173733.php#comment-30665 Screw the reasons, I say: It was a terrific thing to do. Just what the troops needed, and no more than they deserved. Would I cheerfully toss W out of the White House? In less than a heartbeat. But this may be the only good thing done in his administration so let's just enjoy it. 30665@blogcritics.org Fri, 28 Nov 2003 21:04:56 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/28/173733.php#comment-30662 That's exactly what it was. Smart move by the President, either way. Cheers. 30662@blogcritics.org Fri, 28 Nov 2003 20:50:15 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/28/173733.php#comment-30655 John Mudd has a very interesting point - A good PR stunt doesn't just get media coverage. It makes them talk about something. In that light, I am more willing to say this was a combo PR stunt/for the troops trip. I do not believe, however, that it was a pure play PR move. 30655@blogcritics.org Fri, 28 Nov 2003 19:58:51 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/28/173733.php#comment-30646 What this stunt really points out is how irrelevant the office of the President of the USA has become to the governance of the state.. Dressing up in a costume, appearing on teevee, that's not governance, that's not leadership, that is just manipulation by a ceremonial figure. He might as well wear a Santa suit and fake beard. What's sadder is that so many USAians seem so willing to swallow this bullshit and ask for more. 30646@blogcritics.org Fri, 28 Nov 2003 18:42:41 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/28/173733.php#comment-30643 Actually, I said in my first post to Al's post that the trip was both a PR stunt and a trip to Iraq to show support for the troops and boost their morale. A good PR stunt doesn't just get media coverage. It makes them talk about something. In this case they're talking about the fact that they got snubbed and the danger President Bush put himself in. They are discussing this, rather than Democrats' criticism of his Iraq policy, which is good for the President and his Iraq policy. Cheers. 30643@blogcritics.org Fri, 28 Nov 2003 18:29:57 EST