Hanoi: "Mr. Bush emerged from his hotel for only one 15-minute visit"

[Human Torch]

Unlike Clinton, Bush Sees Hanoi in Bit of a Hurry

By DAVID E. SANGER and HELENE COOPER
Published: November 19, 2006



http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/19/world/asia/19vietnam.html?hp&ex=1163912400&en=ac28a7081c62faa6&ei=5094&partner=homepage

HANOI, Vietnam, Nov. 18 — President Bush likes speed golf and speed tourism — this is the man who did the treasures of Red Square in less than 20 minutes — but here in the lake-studded capital of a nation desperately eager to connect with America, he set a new record.

Mr. Bush emerged from his hotel for only one nonofficial event, a 15-minute visit to the Joint P.O.W./M.I.A. Accounting Command, which searches for the remains of the 1,800 Americans still listed as missing in the Vietnam War.

There were almost no Vietnamese present, just a series of tables displaying photographs of the group’s painstaking work, and helmets, shoes and replicas of bones recovered by the 425 members of the command. He asked a few questions and then sped off in his motorcade.

It could not have been more different from the visit of another president, Bill Clinton, exactly six years ago this weekend, when he seemed to be everywhere. And while the difference says much about the personalities of two presidents who both famously avoided serving in the war here, it reveals a lot about how significantly times have changed — and perhaps why America’s “public diplomacy” seems unable to shift into gear.

[eleny]

1. He probably has the attention span of a flea

[Jane Austin]

4. True, but I honestly think he doesn't care about anything there:

Not the people there, nor the country's history, and not our MIA.

He doesn't seem to care about our veterans - - living and future - - so why would he care about the ones long-ago lost?

[eleny]

10. I agree

But he'll return with glowing observations - that someone else wrote for him to say.

[Kerrytravelers]

2. I'm surprised it took him that long.

My Pet Goat is far more appropriate for his comprehension level.

[rsmith6621]

3. A Prayer Answered

Mr. Bush emerged from his hotel for only one nonofficial event, a 15-minute visit to the Joint P.O.W./M.I.A. Accounting Command, which searches for the remains of the 1,800 Americans still listed as missing in the Vietnam War.


I wonder If He Prayed To Jesus For The Out He Received????.....I wonder if he realizes he could have been of those MIA....

Hey Mr. FUZZNUTS....when do you show honor for those who have died in Iraq by going to a FUNERAL???

:nuke: :scared:

[dchill]

5. W only wants to "appear" to give a shit...

So why doesn't he just do a photo-op on the toilet?

[lateo]

6. Bubble boy

And that pic of him in the limo just makes it seem more real.

[Catchawave]

7. Um, Vietnam Visit

Why didn't McCain go with him? Or Bob Kerrey? Better yet, why did Junior go?

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. He's probably as afraid of the place....

as he was all those years ago when Daddy got him into the Texas Air National Guard to avoid the place.

[rsmith6621]

9. K&R

nt

[gratuitous]

11. He asked a few questions and then sped off

Whoa, the New York Times doing a little straightforward reporting of facts without passing them through the Republican Spin-O-Tron 2000. Nothing about Mr. Bush's "productive" meeting and yet another "frank and open exchange"? Clinton, by the way, didn't "avoid" serving in Vietnam; he had a Rhodes scholarship his first go-round in the draft, and a high number after he got back. Bush just fled his post.

[Auntie Bush]

12. The man is a chicken sh*t...afraid he'll get assinated...for good reason.

His knees were probably knocking for the entire 15 minutes. But what else can you expect when you're the most hated man in the world. An to Think...Clinton is the most beloved/respected man in the world! What a difference between the two men! What a difference between now and then!