Live Thread: President Bush and Prime Minister Blair Press Conference, Noon EST, 4/6/02

self | Saturday, April 6, 2002 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

Live from Crawford, Texas, it's the George and Tony show.

Will George slap Bill and Yasser around again like he did last night? Will Tony come off as George's toy poodle? Will the press be their usual boorish selves ? Is Helen Thomas there ?

The answer to these and other questions will be answered at Noon eastern time.

[Mulder]

but it has NOTHING to do with this current thread

My reply to a response to someone who was commenting on Bush's attire.

I didn't see the press conference, but I'll happily make some comments on it, based on the play-by-play posted here.

1) It appears that the US-Britain are gearing up for action against Iraq. If this is the case, I believe the President should follow the Constitutional route, and ask the Congress for a Declaration of War against Iraq (giving the reasons for it). While the President is the commander-in-chief, the Constitution grants plenary power to the Congress with regards to making war. There is a very good reason the Founders made it like this.

2) Apparently, there is some concern about weapons-of-mass destruction being employed against the CONUS. If this is truly the case, why are our borders still open? Why is the national guard in the airports and not on the border? Why does Bush support amnesty for some illegals, which is only going to increase the number of people trying to enter our country? Why haven't we made it clear to our enemies that any WMD attack on us will result in the destruction of their nations by any means available to us?

[twyn1]

Didn't 'ya forget to mention the Illuminati too?

pardon me---but methinks your obsession/paranoia is showing

[Buckeroo]

Why you, Mulder, are a shocker to Americans asking these questions in your post#101! A shocker, I tell ya.

[Mulder]

You forgot to say that you're never going to vote for him again. You did vote for him, right ?

Yes, I voted for Bush. I also gave money to his campaign and did a lot of volunteer work.

But I'm disappointed in Bush. He has caved to the democrats on many issues (vouchers, education spending, CFR, armed pilots, etc....) and has not advanced a conservative, Freedom-oriented agenda. Instead, he is expanding the power and the control of the federal government. Government is growing, not getting smaller. He is more like the Ford, Nixon, Bush Sr. group of establishment Republicans than he is like Reagan.

If the election were held today, I would support a GOP challenger in the primary. I would also vote 3rd party in the general election if Bush prevailed in the primary.

What can Bush do to win my support back? Some or all of the following:

1) Reform and simplify the tax code, such that it results in large tax cuts
2) Cease the enforcement of and work for the legislative repeal of unconstitutional gun laws and other laws which violate the Bill of Rights
3) Either abolish the Federal Dept. of Education, OR institute a voucher program
4) Secure our borders
5) Reduce the size of the federal government
6) Eliminate the redistributionist welfare state.

[blackie]

Get a grip...what's missing in your vacant life !!

[Mulder]

Why you, Mulder, are a shocker to Americans asking these questions in your post#101! A shocker, I tell ya.

They need to be asked before it is "verboten" to ask such questions.

[twyn1]

okay sweetie...

My reply to a response to someone who was commenting on Bush's attire.

Then why did you drag CFR into your comment ??
And now you're dragging in...

1. Possible US/British war against Iraq and an apparent premonition that the president will refuse to follow the Constitutional route
2. Open Borders
3. National Guard in Airports
4. Amnesty (not really...check your facts here)
5. We must declare intended destruction of nations who use WMD

Too many things to discuss here...and haven't we already been going around and around about some of these things ? It just seems like another bash Bush comment to me...would things really be better if we had Gore standing there ??

[Jim Noble]

>>But for some reason Israel should show restraint.<<

I have never been an Israel-firster. I have always thought our national interest should come first.

But isn't it disgusting that the world, led by our eurotrash "allies", is so up in arms about how Israel's attack on the terrorists must "stop immediately" when we heard not one peep from them about Arafat's escalation and the horrific suicide bombings?

To me, Arafat and the Pallies brought this on themselves.

[Buckeroo]

Let's get down to brass tax, shall we? This news conference was nothing more than the submission to the public about invading Iraq. It was a precursor to spending more of our tax dollars towards efforts that deny our Constitution.

You folks, in the peanut gallery, don't realize the serious ramifications of American government involvement around the world. You think it is "nice" or something as you go through your day-to-day life, blindly paying your taxes.

We need our resources here in America. Not displaced with my hard-earned money as a function of government theft of my wealth. We need our government to deal with our nation; not global interests.

[Buckeroo]

They love the Patriot Act. The "name" is appealing while they don't know the ramifications of their national loss.

[rabbitdog]

President Bush is very clever here. He is just doing what Arafat was doing and shoving it back in his face. Arafat was supposedly trying to do what he could to stop the suicide bombers. Yeah right!! Well Bush is asking Israel to stop and pull back. Yeah right!!! Others have said it and I believe that President Bush could make one call and Israel would pull out.

[Helms]

Perhaps, like the sex deprived Islamicists, a good woman.

[MoscowMike]

Howdy

I agree in principle with your desire that American resources be focused on bettering our domestic situation.

That, however, would be foolish if applied to the exclusion of delivering us from those who would do murder upon as many American persons as they can possibly reach.

saddam will kill you at the first opportunity. I am desirous that you should survive.

Ergo, I support the President in his war on terror.

[Benjamin Dover]

Blair is a FAR better man then I originally thought, the Brits should be proud of him.

I agree, but...Blair is still a very liberal weenie who mirrored Clinton's method for getting elected. He bashed his opponent, promised change and escalated the liberal agenda when he got into office.

His recent dive towards a more responsible leadership role was due to one single factor...September 11. This event brought home stark reality and exposed his own nation's vunerable existence. A sledge hammer was dropped on him. Maybe pacifism and PC'ness isn't the best policy.

"The older I get, the more conservative I get."

Blair is an honorable leader. He's growing and learning. We'll snipe at him for his misguided domestic policies, but I think he genuinely loves his country. When your very survival hinges on the choice of (Politically popular)pacifistic, idealogical blustering;... or simply whomping the sworn enemy? The choice is obvious.

[Miss Marple]

The comment on clothing was because when Bush greeted Blair at the helicopter, Bush was in jeans and Blair in a suit. They had some sort of interchange about this, judging from the hand gestures.

Now, I thought that Bush was being polite, but as you can see later in the thread, kristinn reminded me about the British custom of a mourning suit.

Clothes are NOT the reason I voted for Bush, but it was a curious item that several uf us had noted.

The clothing was worn at the press conference, therefore, it was on topic.

Your comments indicate to me that you are interested in nothing but complaining and looking for that perfect candidate. I am sorry you feel that way, but I will, despite your best efforts, continue to support the President.

[Darlin']

"Call me old fashioned but I think business should be conducted in business attire. Press conferences are business, especially if any other world leader is involved."

Ahem, I think that's what I said. This press conference was all about business, very serious business. IMHO, the decisions made in Washington and Crawford this past week/weekend will impact the world. The press conference with Putin was about two world leaders getting to know each other, making friends. Make no mistake, the respective protocol staff, in both instances, left no detail to chance. They're well aware every word spoken or unspoken, their posture and every nuance is disected and analyized beyond the point of absurdity.

Reuters/Win McNamee

I don't know about you but I'm satisfied with the serious demeanor and attire I see in this photo.

[Mulder]

Your comments indicate to me that you are interested in nothing but complaining and looking for that perfect candidate

I'll settle for one that keeps his campaign promises and upholds the Constitution.

[RamsNo1]

No, you're not deaf. You've hit the Bushbabes thread.

[Buckeroo]

Iraq has been contained for about eight years. All you have suggested is that you want vengence.

[Buckeroo]

Their attire, as you put it, is rationalizing a world at war.