Bush, Golf, and my hero Keith Olberman

[rapunzel]

President Bush on why he hasn't played golf since 2003:

"I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf," he said. "I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal."

He went on to say this about the timing of his decision:

"I remember when de Mello, who was at the U.N., got killed in Baghdad as a result of these murderers taking this good man's life," he said. "I was playing golf - I think I was in central Texas - and they pulled me off the golf course and I said, 'It's just not worth it anymore to do.'"

He spoke about this moving golf sacrifice on Tuesday, and when I first heard his comments it literally made me sick to my stomach -- and among the many reasons I was grateful that Skunky didn't join the reserves to help get through his residency, I was especially thankful that he were not in Iraq right now when Bush made that comment because I know beyond all doubt that my head would have exploded.

Just the thought that giving up playing golf is in any way a fitting tribute to the sacrifice 1% of our population is bearing alone to wage this war proves just how completely lacking in the leadership qualities necessary to manage a Publix store this President is -- let alone be POTUS. It's always horrified me that when Americans wanted to do something, were ready to sacrifice, and needed a sense of purpose we were told to go shopping and take out ARMs. His response to Katrina left me irate -- and watching how differently the Chinese have handled their earthquake aftermath this week has made me realize our country is not what it should be, is not living up to its promise.

Invoking the name of Sergio de Mello was a nice touch, and did win a little admiration from me until I watched Keith Olberman's special comment last night and learned that (1) the President didn't give up golf in August 2003, when de Mello was killed, but October of that year; (2) the President quit playing golf after tearing his meniscus.

It is simply unfathomable how this man came to lead our country.

Keith Olberman had a very insightful commentary last night -- and while I concede that MSNBC is sometimes like Fox News for people on the left, this piece is outstanding and worth watching.

Mr. President," he was asked, "you haven't been golfing in recent years. Is that related to Iraq?
"Yes," began perhaps the most startling reply of this nightmarish blight on our lives as Americans -- on our history.
"It really is. I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the Commander-in-Chief playing golf. I feel I owe it to the families to be as -- to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal."
Golf, Sir?
Golf sends the wrong signal to the grieving families of our men and women butchered in Iraq?
Do you think these families, Mr. Bush - their lives blighted forever -- care about you playing golf?
Do you think, Sir, they care about you?
You, Mr. Bush, let their sons and daughters be killed.
Sir, to show your solidarity with them - you gave up golf?
Sir, to show your solidarity with them - you didn't give up your pursuit of this insurance-scam, profiteering, morally and financially bankrupting war.
Sir, to show your solidarity with them - you didn't even give up talking about Iraq - a subject about which you have incessantly proved without pause or backwards glance, that you may literally be the least informed person in the world?
Sir, to show your solidarity with them, you didn't give up... your
4,000 dead Americans and your response... was to stop playing golf!
Golf.

His entire special comment can be seen on these two videos, but if you just prefer the part specific to the golfing it's on the second link.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvNn1raVikw"]YouTube - Countdown: Special Comment May 14, 2008 Part 1[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcNAt6mfRFA"]YouTube - Countdown: Special Comment May 14, 2008 Part 2[/ame]

 

[InletBchDweller]

After watching that whole segment it seems that Keith O. does not like our President and is an angry, angry left winger who needs to get some fiber in his diet and take a potty break. Then again - "American is just downright mean" so I guess I should have expected it.

It always saddens me that soldiers die so that people like Keith O. can make statements like this. WMD's or not, people seem to forget the Murderous Reign of Saddam Hussein.


I personally think that Mr. Oberman should take his own advice and "shut the hell up"

 

[maeby funke]

I love Keith Olbermann. I watched this last night and cheered at the end. I'm glad at least one member of the mainstream media is calling Bush out on his disgusting, disrespectful, idiotic comments. Golf, indeed.

 

[hnooe]

I am a huge Keith Olberman fan, and really feel he is one of the only voices of sanity out there regarding the behind the scenes shenanigans of the Bush Administration. He is a healthy voice or "bridge" until we get to the next President of the United States, because there are no checks and balances, or so it seems, concerning this current administration. They played the fear card with the American public and got more than they ever expected...

I could rant on Bush and Co. until the cows come home....but I find I cannot any longer. All I may do is wait unil we have the next Administration, whether it be John McCain, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, it will, in the words of Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of NYC, be nice to have an "adult" in the White House once again!

 

[Jdarg]

I saw the clip yesterday on CNN and about barfed.

Bush is such a tool- there is no other word to describe him anymore -maybe he should devote his spare time to thinking about all the harm he has brought to our country and soldiers. Thankfully he will be back on the links next spring and out of the White House. Has there ever been a President that so many people held in such contempt?

 

[rapunzel]

After watching that whole segment it seems that Keith O. does not like our President and is an angry, angry left winger who needs to get some fiber in his diet and take a potty break. Then again - "American is just downright mean" so I guess I should have expected it.

It always saddens me that soldiers die so that people like Keith O. can make statements like this. WMD's or not, people seem to forget the Murderous Reign of Saddam Hussein.


I personally think that Mr. Oberman should take his own advice and "shut the hell up"

I hear your thoughts on Mr. Olberman's patriotism and digestive health, and invoking the MURDEROUS REIGN OF SADDAM HUSSEIN? is a nice touch.

What I don't hear is what you think of Bush's comments on golf and sacrifice. Do you find his comments on defensible? Commendable? Does it compare to Mr. IBD's service in the gulf? Is it excusable to lie about what prompted the decision?

As for murderous reigns, what do you think we should do about the situation in Myanmar? Should our military step in to distribute aid there? What about the genocide going on in Ogaden, should we spend $4 trillion to depose Zenawi? If it was good and right to go after Saddam, how can we stand by and watch the food crisis in Haiti and do nothing?

John McCain admitted Iraq was about oil last week, so I think we can retire MURDEROUS REIGN OF SADDAM HUSSEIN?.

 

[Smiling JOe]

can't watch the video, but Bush is just an idiot who said what any President would do, and all Presidential advisers would tell their President. I must have missed the part about "sacrificing" golf to equate to a parent's loss. Maybe it is in the video.

 

[avalon]

One less jerk on the golf course only equals one more jerk somewhere else.

 

[Gypsea]

can't watch the video, but Bush is just an idiot who said what any President would do, and all Presidential advisers would tell their President. I must have missed the part about "sacrificing" golf to equate to a parent's loss. Maybe it is in the video.

I believe the other presidents would have done it from the beginning of the war plus our former presidents who served in the military also finished their active duty and reserve committments before they sent young men and women into combat. For some reason I don't believe W's reserve records were misplaced. ;-) Somebody in W's unit would have remembered him being at reserve duty until his committment was up. Period.

 

[Geo]

After watching that whole segment it seems that Keith O. does not like our President and is an angry, angry left winger who needs to get some fiber in his diet and take a potty break. Then again - "American is just downright mean" so I guess I should have expected it.

It always saddens me that soldiers die so that people like Keith O. can make statements like this. WMD's or not, people seem to forget the Murderous Reign of Saddam Hussein.


I personally think that Mr. Oberman should take his own advice and "shut the hell up"

I don't know about needing fiber or a potty break. But yes, Oberman is angry at our president and doesn't like him. Dare I say this is true of many, if not most, Americans- myself included. Have you seen Bush's approval rating? Have you seen the polls on what people think about Iraq?

You said you are sad that soldiers die so that people can make statements like this. Are you kidding? That's not why they die. They die, at least in this case, for reasons and causes that turned out to be UNTRUE because the Bush Administration was incompetent (and/or lied). Bush is responsible for killing more people than Saddam could have ever aspired to. And there are many more leaders in power in the world today who have had more murderous reigns than Saddam. What do you think- should we attack those countries?

Have you forgotten who put Saddam in power? Have you forgotten who armed him? The good old USA...

Oberman has the truth on his side. Bush does not. Why would you want him to shut up?