The Guild 4-11-2004 Happy Easter

[BigWaveBetty]

He was dynamic, clear, purposeful, strong, and beautifully explained why we're in Iraq. Absolutely awesome!!! I'm so proud of his tough stance and clear thinking.

Yes!! Even my teenage son was impressed and wondered why President Bush was being so polite when answering some of the more ridiculous and or rude questions. It was an excellent learning tool for him to understand that people in positions of authority must suffer fools amiably.

VIA BUSH!

[mountaineer]

I didn't see the entire press conference, but when I tuned in, at the bottom of the screen on FOX it said that the U.N. would be overseeing or organizing Iraq elections. So, wouldn't that mean that the Bush Administration has tried to include the U.N. in the peaceful transition to a post-Saddam Iraq, contrary to the Dems' whiney complaints?

[mountaineer]

I saw NBC's David Gregory recite a list of lies Bush supposedly had told about Iraq, WMDs, etc., and then ask the president whether he'd take responsibility for them, but then my cable went out. I understand, from subsequent news coverage, that another reporter asked when Bush would take the blame for 9/11 - who was that?

[BigWaveBetty]

Promise the UN Carte Blanche because Kerry might need those UN kickbacks soon, Ben Affleck might steal Teresa's heart... This is the happiest I've seen her so far.

[BigWaveBetty]

I'll have to look it up...brb

[BigWaveBetty]

Q Mr. President, I'd like to follow up on a couple of these questions that have been asked. One of the biggest criticisms of you is that whether it's WMD in Iraq, postwar planning in Iraq, or even the question of whether this administration did enough to ward off 9/11, you never admit a mistake. Is that a fair criticism? And do you believe there were any errors in judgment that you made related to any of those topics I brought up?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think, as I mentioned, it's -- the country wasn't on war footing, and yet we're at war. And that's just a reality, Dave. I mean, that's -- that was the situation that existed prior to 9/11, because the truth of the matter is, most in the country never felt that we'd be vulnerable to an attack such as the one that Osama bin Laden unleashed on us. We knew he had designs on us, we knew he hated us. But there was a -- nobody in our government, at least, and I don't think the prior government, could envision flying airplanes into buildings on such a massive scale.

The people know where I stand. I mean, in terms of Iraq, I was very clear about what I believed. And, of course, I want to know why we haven't found a weapon yet. But I still know Saddam Hussein was a threat, and the world is better off without Saddam Hussein. I don't think anybody can -- maybe people can argue that. I know the Iraqi people don't believe that, that they're better off with Saddam Hussein -- would be better off with Saddam Hussein in power. I also know that there's an historic opportunity here to change the world. And it's very important for the loved ones of our troops to understand that the mission is an important, vital mission for the security of America and for the ability to change the world for the better.

---

John King, I think.

John.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. Two weeks ago, a former counterterrorism official at the NSC, Richard Clarke, offered an unequivocal apology to the American people for failing them prior to 9/11. Do you believe the American people deserve a similar apology from you, and would you be prepared to give them one?

THE PRESIDENT: Look, I can understand why people in my administration anguished over the fact that people lost their life. I feel the same way. I mean, I'm sick when I think about the death that took place on that day. And as I mentioned, I've met with a lot of family members and I do the best I do to console them about the loss of their loved one. As I mentioned, I oftentimes think about what I could have done differently. I can assure the American people that had we had any inkling that this was going to happen, we would have done everything in our power to stop the attack.

Here's what I feel about that. The person responsible for the attacks was Osama bin Laden. That's who's responsible for killing Americans. And that's why we will stay on the offense until we bring people to justice.

[Timeout]

Bush has been trying to get the U.N. to take over the Iraqi transition/elections process for months.

Just this past Monday, Kofi Annan was quoted as saying the "security situation" in Iraq does not allow the U.N. to consider sending a team in at this time. Translation: As long as there's danger we'll let the U.S. stand alone. As soon as there's glory to be handed out we'll be there.

[mountaineer]

Thanks, those are the questions to which I was referring. I know I've said this before, but as a reporter - albeit for a small town newspaper - I make every effort to exhibit only objectivity and absolutely no bias in anything I write. It just amazes me that these guys aspire to no such ethical standard.

[BigWaveBetty]

Kerry on the Aug. 6, PBD:

Later, during a brief exchange with a reporter as he visited a campus bookstore, Kerry said he had read the Aug. 6, 2001, Presidential Daily Brief that indicated Al Qaeda was active in the United States, but he had no comment other than to say "it deserves to be digested."

Gues that PDB left a bad taste in Kerry's mouth.

[Timeout]

One other comment on Bush's press conference:

I thought it was brilliant in that it went right over the heads of the press corps and straight to the American people. The only thing I would have added would have been something along these lines:

"As our country wages this war, many ordinary citizens have asked me what sacrifice they can make to further our cause. I remind them it's important that, as much as possible, they continue their daily endeavors amid threat warnings and inevitable day-to-day setbacks---because a vibrant economy is vital to our continued success. Americans must remain resolute and recognize that our generation has a historic responsibility to rid the world of these threats to democratic and free societies. Do not become complacent. Never forget. Remember the day this war started. Remember and pray for all those who have joined the battle and pay them respect by remaining resolute in defeating America's enemies. "

Something like that.

[BigWaveBetty]

JOHN PODHORETZ - BUSH HANGS TOUGH

[mountaineer]

Gues that PDB left a bad taste in Kerry's mouth.

Then the Gorelick memo must have caused massive heaving projectile vomiting. Say, Teresa, would you clean that up?

[BigWaveBetty]

Something just like that. :-)

On a different topic, I know many on FR are unhappy with George Tenet but I like the guy. Watching him in front of the 9/11 panel or giving a speech makes me understand why GWB likes him. I get a sense he's an honest, trustworthy, loyal person. I'm glad GWB kept him as CIA Director.

[BigWaveBetty]

(PAGESIX) MEMO to Tom and Kathy Freston: Oil the lock on your bathroom door. Arianna Huffington was briefly trapped inside the MTV chairman and his wife's ground-floor toilet during a fete for Huffington's new book, "Fanatics and Fools: The Game Plan for Winning Back America" (Miramax Books), at the couple's historic East 66th Street brownstone formerly owned by Andy Warhol. A waiter heard Huffington banging on the door and opened it in time for the flame-haired gadfly to give a Bush-bashing speech to Barbara Walters, Al Franken, Harvey Weinstein, Kurt Vonnegut and Tina Brown.

Hell, forget the oil, get a bigger bathroom, shove all the above toads in and nail the damn door shut!

[daisyscarlett]

I don't watch the 9/11 Hearings much...can't stand the partisanship and particularly loathe Ben-Veniste. But do read about them to keep up and was so pleased with Ashcroft's testimony yesterday and his surprise guest... LINK

"One could detect the power of Ashcroft's bombshell in the subsequent questioning. Richard Ben-Veniste's edge turned to smarm. He greeted the two surprise guests who had accompanied Ashcroft to the hearing, his respected former deputy Larry Thompson and Solicitor General Ted Olson. Ben-Veniste referred to him as "Mr. Olson," and offered renewed condolences on the death of Barbara Olson on 9/11. With Olson on Ashcroft's side, there was no way he could look bad."

"Ben-Veniste's only pointed question proved an embarrassment, repeating as it did morning press stories fed by Democrat leaks to the effect that Ashcroft would be asked about why he had started flying in government planes and not commercially before 9/11. When Ashcroft replied that all his personal flying had continued to be done commercially, as was his wife's, Ben-Veniste was left red-faced, grasping at a dwindling number of straws."

[BigWaveBetty]

I had missed most of yesterday's hearing and the news about it. I had gotten fed up myself and decided to avoid any news show about it, just tuned in to see the president's news conference. So thank you very much, I had no idea the AG had delivered such a delicious smack to the witch! I will certainly try to catch the replay on c-span.

[BigWaveBetty]

Then the Gorelick memo must have caused massive heaving projectile vomiting.

I had no clue how funny this was until daisyscarlett's post #95, I thought it had something to do with Janet Reno or something else I'd missed(see #96). Please allow me a belated LOL!

[BigWaveBetty]

Any news on the St. Petersburg Democratic Club? I hope Enda looks awful in orange.

[They'reGone2000]

This is the happiest I've seen her so far.

They must have upped her dosage.

[mountaineer]

Rush started his program today saying that George Soros paid for the Florida Dems' "pull the trigger on Rummy" ad. He also said Soros is funding Snarlin' Arlen Specter.