NYT - MAUREEN DOWD: Biking Toward Nowhere

[sabra]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/17/opinion/17dowd.html

Biking Toward Nowhere
By MAUREEN DOWD

How could President Bush be cavorting around on a long vacation with American troops struggling with a spiraling crisis in Iraq?

Wasn't he worried that his vacation activities might send a frivolous signal at a time when he had put so many young Americans in harm's way?

"I'm determined that life goes on," Mr. Bush said stubbornly.

That wasn't the son, believe it or not. It was the father - 15 years ago. I was in Kennebunkport then to cover the first President Bush's frenetic attempts to relax while reporters were pressing him about how he could be taking a month to play around when he had started sending American troops to the Persian Gulf only three days before.

On Saturday, the current President Bush was pressed about how he could be taking five weeks to ride bikes and nap and fish and clear brush while his occupation of Iraq has turned into a fiasco. "I think it's also important for me to go on with my life," W. said, "to keep a balanced life."

[Spazito]

1. Wow, that is two columns I can honestly say 'Wow' to!

I could quibble on a few of the comments but, overall, it nails bush to the wall.

[billbuckhead]

2. Bravo! Has Mo finally picked a side?

Or are the smart rats leaving the ship early?

[Inland]

3. At least Poppy won his war and got out.

He pretty much had it covered.

[KoKo]

4. Ah....the Memories MoDo brings back.

I was around for Poppy and remember that whole incident she talks about as our troops prepared for Gulf War I. She captures the whole thing and brings back the memory that what brought Poppy DOWN was that he seemed "out of touch with America." His success in the first Gulf War seemed more due to his Military Managers and (believe it or not Cheney..who appeared constantly on CNN and seemed more "in command" at that time than Poppy).

Reading MoDo I was reminded that Poppy was run by "handlers" just like his Devil Spawn is and that all along it was "Cheney" who gave gravitas to both the Bushies. But when one plays with the Devil (Cheney) one ends up on the dark side. Poppy was a turd like his son...but Cheney shined it all up and there were "others" with more sense who kept Poppy out of Baghdad and quagmire.

The Chimp threw them all off except Cheney, brought back Rummy and went to the total Dark Side with the NeoCon/PNAC.

Thanks "MoDo." You brought back the memories of TRUTH!

[Rose Siding]

5. Another "now watch this drive" moment from The Lessor

His hot-tempered oldest son, who was golfing with his father that day, was even more irritated. "Hey! Hey!" W. snapped at reporters asking questions on the first tee. "Can't you wait until we finish hitting, at least?"