WTF? "Relatives of slain Idahoans may meet with Bush"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slug=ID%20Bush%20Families

Wednesday, August 24, 2005 · Last updated 8:33 a.m. PT

Relatives of slain Idahoans may meet with Bush

By CURT WOODWARD
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

BOISE, Idaho -- The invitation was a bit intimidating for Stevie Bitah - a chance to represent her family, and the father she lost in Iraq, in a meeting with President Bush. The decision became easier, the 18-year-old said, when she realized her dad would want her to go. "I feel like everybody's counting on me," Bitah said. "I think I ought to take this chance and see what kind of person he is." Bush is scheduled to give a speech in Nampa on Wednesday, and is expected to meet afterward with the families of soldiers killed in Iraq. Bitah's father, Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Virgil R. Case, died June 1 from non-combat related wounds in Iraq.

Bitah and her mother, Claudia Case, said their family was invited by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to participate in the private gathering. "At first, I was kind of scared to do it - I didn't know what to expect. There's been lots of anger and sadness," she said. "If I met with him, I think he'd know that this person I lost was important to me - not only to me, but to my entire family."

During a short press conference in Donnelly on Tuesday evening, Kempthorne said he had called the families of 19 slain Army soldiers, four slain marines and two slain airmen to see if they were interested in meeting the president. All the families had an Idaho connection, though some had since moved away, Kempthorne said. "I called those families Sunday night on behalf of the president and asked them if they would like to meet individually and privately, because he just wanted to be able to spend time with them," Kempthorne said. "They're very appreciative of the fact that he wants to meet individually with them." Not all of the families were able to schedule a meeting, Kempthorne said, and some requested phone calls instead. Still, he said, the number of families expected to meet Bush was in the "double digits."

Kempthorne said he gave the president notes on his conversations with the families. Bush's meeting with relatives of slain soldiers comes as Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq last year, wages a persistent campaign against the war outside the president's Texas ranch. Bush met Sheehan last year in a similar gathering for families, but has declined her requests for a new one-on-one meeting.

[liberal N proud]

1. Slap in the face to Cindy Sheehan?

[benburch]

2. Exactly what is intended. nt

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

4. You'd better BELIEVE it.

He's spent the last couple of days going before the press, saying that he doesn't agree with her and won't meet with her.

So what happens next? A pre-screened audience of admirers will gather to thank him for spreadin' FREEDOM.

It's SICK.

[shoelace414]

5. the talking points of "he meets with families"

[deutsey]

12. No, he isn't politicizing this at all. What gives you that idea?

:puke:

[medeak]

3. will he read his notes?

Kempthorne said he gave the president notes on his conversations with the families

Gee...maybe he'll know someone's name this time.

[Check12]

10. The notes will determine the response.

If the family member was in any way hostile to the invitation. They will get the 'treatment' if you know what I mean.

[Sequoia]

6. He would never have done this if Cindy wasn't around.

Now he's got to fake being concerned when he'd rather just ride with Lancey.

[Nikki Stone 1]

9. My thoughts exactly.

At least Cindy has pushed him into a hypocritical attempt to appear concerned. :)

[Kikosexy2]

7. Hand..

picked families who pose no threat to the Chimp I'm sure--you know they did their security checks on them first before inviting them--what a load of crap really. I'd like to see which family will have the gumption to challenge Chimpie and ask him the questions Cindy has been asking--I hope some of one of them families steps up to the plate. He can hide behind these families all he wants but those families like Cindy Sheehan's and others will continue their peaceful protest and God be with them all the way through.

[unrepuke]

11. We'll never see it. Tapes get erased. Ask Nixon...

[Justitia]

8. There is something sick about spotlighting an 18-yr old girl who

just lost her dad, as a pro-war prop for the president.

She is hardly an adult and to hold her up as "proof" for military family support of Bush is nauseating.

As a mom, it makes me want to protect her very badly.

I am also a daughter, one who lost her natural father to Vietnam, and this makes me so sick.