Posted on 10/12/2007 6:00:56 AM PDT by RDTF
Tears rolled down George W. Bush's cheeks. Twice, Hildi Halley handed him a tissue. Otherwise, she didn't let up on the president.
"I hold you responsible for my husband's death," she says she told him as they sat facing one another, alone in a teacher's lounge, their knees almost touching. "You made a mistake, and it's your responsibility as a Christian man to end this war."
"I'm really not here to discuss public policy with you," she says Bush told her at the meeting in August 2006, two months after her husband, Army National Guard Cap. Patrick Damon, died in Afghanistan.
-snip-
In most of the meetings, the aides say, he hears support for his policies, hardening his resolve to stay the course in Afghanistan and Iraq. Little is otherwise known about the meetings, and the White House doesn't disclose the names of participants.
-snip-
Participants and witnesses say the sessions provide a window onto Bush's compassionate side. "There are few things as heart-wrenching," says former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, who attended many meetings. "Every single time, he'd be moved to tears."
They also reveal his distaste for engaging those who question his policies.
Rather than entering into a substantive debate with angry relatives, he disengages.
"He's in a listening mode in these settings rather than trying to change somebody's mind," McClellan says. "Some minds you're not going to change one way or the other. And he knows that."
Bush doesn't argue with relatives who tear into him. Sometimes he simply says: "Your son gave his life for his country," or "Your son was a hero," according to Robert Draper, author of "Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush," a new book based on six hours of interviews with the president.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at seattlepi.nwsource.com ...
Hildi....I mourn for your loss but your husband was in the MILITARY!!!!!! MILITARY......it HAS a PURPOSE, Hildi.
What a TERRIBLE, tacky thing to say, in the name of our ‘Christian’ God. yegad.
WHAT??? me or Hildi??
Pray for W and our great country.
Which is the tactful thing to do. How can the commander in chief of the most powerful military force ever known engage in a debate about war with a relative of a single dead soldier?
This story needed a BARF ALERT.
There would be absolutely no purpose served in trying to have a "substantive debate" about issues of national security with an emotional, grieving relative.
“This story needed a BARF ALERT.”
I don’t think so. The real story here is the leadership of our President.
It needs a BARF ALERT because of the sever loaded bias and commentary on the part of the story writer.
Did Clinton ever meet with the families of our troops killed in Sommalia, on the Cole, anywhere? Any of the 2/26/93 families? Did he shed a tear at all for any American loss? I highly doubt it.
Yes, he did and a father did the same thing as Hildi...laid him out.....but Clinton REFUSED to give the helicopters that they needed for the mission.....big difference.....and then they had to FLY ARISTEDE to different places!!!!!! The NERVE.
My question is, what does our enemy learn from these tears?
Only if there was a camera present.
If her husband had been killed by a drunk driver (a fate seen much more often in our country by young men that dying in war),
would she then feel better?
WHAT?
What do you mean What? The enemy is watching for any sign of weakness.
You think Tears for a dead soldier is a WEAKNESS???? DISGUSTING.
Think like our enemy. Ever see Bin Lauden cry?
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