Rove: Bush Had Foreign Policy Experience Because Texas Is Near Mexico
Rove: Bush Had Foreign Policy Experience Because Texas Is Near Mexico
In recent days, conservatives have tried to justify the choice of Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) as Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) running mate by arguing that she has foreign policy experience for no other reason than that her state is close to Russia. In fact, Washington Times columnist Frank Gaffney today argued that Palin knows foreign policy “by osmosis“:
Speaking of geography, Alaskan territory is also along the trajectory of ballistic missiles launched eastward out of Stalinist North Korea. For that reason, among others, Alaska’s Fort Greely was selected as the site for the principal U.S. ground-based defense against such missiles.
As that state’s governor, Sarah Palin would know more by osmosis – if nothing else – about the necessity for U.S. anti-missile systems than either Messrs. Obama or Biden.
Yesterday on Fox’s Hannity and Colmes, Karl Rove took this argument a step further, claiming that President Bush was qualified to be commander-in-chief for a similar reason: because Texas was close to Mexico:
COLMES: And Obama has more foreign policy experience than George Bush had when Bush…
ROVE: Alan, no, no, no. George Bush — George Bush was Governor and he dealt with the Mexican border.
COLMES: He didn’t know the general — general of Pakistan.
Watch it:
Rove didn’t go any further, leaving in the air the question of how dealing with the Mexican border prepared him to launch an invasion in Iraq.
Colmes also tried to press Rove on his earlier criticisms of Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA), in light of McCain’s pick of Palin. In August, Rove said that Kaine was unqualified to be vice president because before being governor, he had only been the governor of Richmond, which is “not a big town.” Rove dodged the question, replying, “No, I was critical of Obama making a political decision.” (HT: News Hounds)
Transcript:
COLMES: Would it have been better for John McCain to make a governing decision?
ROVE: Well, look, he made the decision that he did, and it was a brilliant decision.
COLMES: Well, we don’t know that, because the election’s not over. But you were critical of Tim Kaine, saying that would be a political decision.
ROVE: No, I was critical of Obama making a political decision. He ended up making a political decision. He ended up taking a person who literally went out and said, “This guy is going to allow us to get working- class, Catholic voters,” and this guy covers the weakness of Obama.
Now look, remember how many Democrats, including, as I remember, Alan Colmes, you, who kept being critical of President Bush for ostensibly having his foreign policy run by Dick Cheney. Well, now we have a situation where Obama is being deliberate about it. Look, I don’t know enough about foreign policy…
COLMES: And Obama has more foreign policy experience than George Bush had when Bush…
ROVE: Alan, no, no, no. George Bush — George Bush was Governor and he dealt with the Mexican border.
COLMES: He didn’t know the general — general of Pakistan. We’re going to come right back with Karl Rove.
HANNITY: He can’t get over it. Eight years.
COLMES: That’s right after this break in just a moment.
ROVE: It’s bad. It’s bad.
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
76 Responses to “Rove: Bush Had Foreign Policy Experience Because Texas Is Near Mexico”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Ok, by this use of logic Obama was IN Russia working on tying up the loose nukes, which is a hell of a lot more foreign policy experience than Palin's living next to Russia. I'll take that trade.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:44 pmRove basically just admitted that Obama's choice was far better! LOL
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:45 pmHow many repugs are so brain dead that they believe these claims of knowledge of foreign affairs due to geographical proximation?
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:45 pmI'd bang my head on my desk, but my doctor advised against it...
Keep talking, baby!
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:46 pmI used to live on the same road as Walker's Point. Please tell me this doesn't make me a Bush...
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:46 pmThanks for a glimpse of the future, RoverBoy.
If GDumbya had foreign relations experience because Texas is next to Mexico and Failin' Palin is similarly qualified because Alaska is next to Russia, it is now fair to conclude that she would be as big a foreign relations nightmare as GDumbya has been for the past eight years.
Thanks for confirming what we already know, KKKarl!
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:47 pmAnd I've got tons of foreign policy experience, dealing with Canadians as I do occaisionally here in Bothell, Washington.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:47 pmOh for phuck sakes.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:49 pmI live 12 miles from where Vern Troyer grew up, I guess I'm a midget.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:49 pmBut since Sarah P. never went to Russia or talked to anyine from the Russian government, then I guess it must work by osmosis.
The rover has now perfected the art of an_al extraction!
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:51 pmI read a lot of H S T I guess I did a lot of drugs. Ooh, bad example.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:54 pmThey are now beginning to believe their own drival. What an ASS. As a side note, did I say the other day that McCain would be absolutely crazed with happiness if Bush didn't make it to the convention? I think I mentioned then, that my guess was that Bush would have his giant face plastered on the Jumbotron...guess whose face is going to be plastered on the Jumbotron tonight?? Can't leave the WH because..Why? Can't be because of any work...hasn't done THAT in nearly 8 years!
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:56 pmYea, but it appears that she has done very little foriegn travel. I think something I saw said she just got a passport a couple years ago. She's been to three countries outside the US and one of those was to refuel. Seems to dispell any credible argument of her foriegn policy experience right there.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:56 pmI live in Michigan, only a couple of miles from Canada, so aby that standard, I'm every bit as qualified as chimpy and Palin on foreign affairs.
Sheeeeeeshhhhh.
The Rethuglic party is truly scraping the bottom of the barrel here.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:57 pmThe War Criminal who is occupying the WH today never had a passport before stealing 2000 election.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:00 pmThe Republican party can not do or say anything more ignorant than they have been doing or saying in the last 2 weeks. How long until the next thread here makes a liar out of me?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:00 pmI see Rove's face all of the TeeVee, but not in the Senate or House meeting rooms to honor the subpoena he was given. Why can Rove be allowed on TeeVee, and not honor the subpoena? Why would a network allow him on their show, if he is in contempt of Congress?
Don't the networks understand they are giving him a platform to bloviate, instead of insisting he honor the subpeona?
Do the networks hate the Constitution too?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:05 pmUmmm , Turd Blossom
Obama was born in Hawaii ..........And lived in Indonesia , and then visited Kenya , where his father was born.
Based upon your own insane rationale , Obama is therefore far more qualified and experienced ..........
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:06 pmsacopenapa Says:
The War Criminal who is occupying the WH today never had a passport before stealing 2000 election.
And, he bought the *cough* 'ranch' as a prop for the Low Information Voters. 'Look, he really is a cowboy!'.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:07 pmI went to Taco Bell over the weekend - I'm an expert in Mexico!
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 pmSo by KKKarl's "logic" Bush as governor of a state bordering Mexico and McCain as a senator from a state bordering Mexico know far more about immigration policy than the average Republican. I guess this means KKKarl and his friends on Fox "News" will be spending a lot of time highlighting the Bush and McCain positions on immigration reform for their Republican viewers, right?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pmI lived in Canada so I guess that makes me over-qualified.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pmI live in a California town with a majority Chinese and Indian population. Can I are foreign policy expert too?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:12 pmPLUS, California borders on Mexico, too, and I can speak Latin. So can I are a Latin America expert too on top?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:13 pmFrom the Lone Voice of Reason's Wife--Oh, please. McCan't just saw a pretty face and made a snap decision, that is, he wanted to get in her pants and offered her the job as a ploy along those lines. That she had the chutzpah to accept with so little qualification says a lot about her character and stupidity as well as his. As a woman I could see that ploy a mile away.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:15 pmIf I was a conservative today, I would be so embarrassed with what my party has become.
They are all going further around the bend as each day passes. Soon they will be gone from sight and from our country. That will be a day to rejoice.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:16 pmStratRat Says:
I see Rove’s face all of the TeeVee, but not in the Senate or House meeting rooms to honor the subpoena he was given. Why can Rove be allowed on TeeVee, and not honor the subpoena? Why would a network allow him on their show, if he is in contempt of Congress?
Don’t the networks understand they are giving him a platform to bloviate, instead of insisting he honor the subpeona?
Do the networks hate the Constitution too?
of course they know. we're talking about fox news here. if congress used its inherent contempt power and sent the capitol police after rove, fox would (attempt to) give him sanctuary in their DC offices. do you doubt that?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:16 pmCould we please escort Rove to the middle of the Iraqi desert and tell him he gets water when he finds the Pakistani border?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 pmbesides, rove's already said he expects to be indicted by the end of the year. Given that if he's indicted before Bush leaves office Bush would be able to pardon him, why wouldn't he do everything he can to hasten that day? i fear he's about to become impuni-rove, instigating all kinds of nefarious plans; if he doesn't get caught, so much the better for the repubs. If he does, then he'll be pardoned, and the LIVs will never have realized that he was involved.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:20 pmof course they know. we’re talking about fox news here. if congress used its inherent contempt power and sent the capitol police after rove, fox would (attempt to) give him sanctuary in their DC offices. do you doubt that?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
i don't think cable companies get to claim the status of churches for the purposes of offering sanctuary to the afflicted.
If they tried, I'd be willing to lead the assault to 'free' him...
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:21 pmI live near St. Paul, so I guess that makes me a jackbooted facist thug....
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 pmBob Says:
Yea, but it appears that she has done very little foriegn travel. I think something I saw said she just got a passport a couple years ago. She’s been to three countries outside the US and one of those was to refuel. Seems to dispell any credible argument of her foriegn policy experience right there.
Bob, who says you have to have actually seen a foreign country in order to be a foreign policy expert? Who says you have to have been a soldier to know what prosecuting a war is about? Who says you have to know something about the economy to drive it into the ground? Who says you have to be a lawyer to shred the constitution?
i wish i could say all americans are smart enough to appreciate this hogwash they're spraying all over my television for what it is.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 pmI am also a foreign policy expert, having traveled in Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and France. I was also involved in the governance of my homeowners association for five years, including three years as the President. I've also lived in Colorado, Alabama, Louisiana, both Southern and Northern California, Pennsylvania and Florida. A single mother who worked full-time, and raised a son, now 25 years old. So I'm also an expert on state issues and family issues as well as the economy. Thus, I am also qualified to be vice president and take over as President should McCain be unable to complete his term of office.
What a complete joke.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:25 pmi don’t think cable companies get to claim the status of churches for the purposes of offering sanctuary to the afflicted.
If they tried, I’d be willing to lead the assault to ‘free’ him…
first, i think fox considers itself a religion, so they might have a way to do this. second, i wouldn't put it past fox to hire armed goons to defend rove.
i don't know if anyone else even knows about this, but media companies have hired armed goons in the past to enforce their corporatist agenda: think Pacifica radio KPFA. I was listening to Dennis Bernstein's show (10 years ago?) when armed "private security" personnel broke into the studio and "arrested" him. it was one of the most horrifying things i've heard.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:27 pmthe Lone Voice of Reason Says:
I live 12 miles from where Vern Troyer grew up, I guess I’m a midget.
LOL!!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:29 pmRove is a blithering idiot, as is his former boss.
But, Alan Colmes is a pretty sorry excuse for a moderate commentator. It was actually the then Prime Minister of India whom George Bush could not identify, not some Pakistani general office.
But, what the hell: India, Pakistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran… Who at that level has time to keep track of leaders or shared borders?
/snark
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:31 pmOops… my bad. Make that "…Pakistani general officer.
Memo to self. Slow down. Drink less coffee…
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:32 pmI guess Bill Richardson would have the mostest Mexican foreign policy expertise, as he's the governor of like, New Mexico...
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:53 pmWhat the hell is Rove still doing on T.V? Shouldn't he be in prison for contempt of court?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:56 pmI can play this game too. Obama is a fishing expert because Illinois borders Lake Michigan
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:01 pmWhy I watch this forking blabbermouths, I don't know. It's a bad habit I need to break...
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:12 pmRove grew up living down the hall from his father who was a pierced artist and gay man. What does that make Rove? A man with a hole in his head?
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:20 pmAll news is The Onion now.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:31 pm"Rove: Bush Had Foreign Policy Experience Because Texas Is Near Mexico"
lol What is up with these clowns? Have all of them raided the medicine cabinet like Cindy? First, Cindy says Palin has foreign policy experience because Alaska is near Russia. And now Tubby Rove says that Bush, of all people, had foreign policy experience because Texas is near Mexico? If Bush had foreign experience, then Krusty the Clown has foreign policy experience and Taco Bell is really founded by Mexico.
Filed this under LOL.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:32 pmThe whole damn repug party is a walking joke.
MMMmmm the xcel center seats 20K, 45K Number of people visiting the Twin Cities during the Republican National Convention (via pbs)
I hope mcchimpy get through his speech w/o breaking wind.
BTW -- the comedy is starting! Will the stupidass repugs do the Usama "mistake."
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:39 pm#33 impeach
You gave me something to think about: In reviewing my life's accomplishments, I could be Vice President! Hell, I bet most of us could.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 pmRove and the Fox gang are just having fun. They know such arguments drive rational people crazy. They don't care because the people supporting Palin and that supported Bush are the fundamental religious folks that have a very low capacity for making rational distinctions.
Rove knows that as long as Palin keeps talking Religion and saying the right things ("creationism", "God wants us in Iraq")the Fundamental base will come out for McCain.
Using this completely brain-dead argument for Bush and Palin is just good old Carl having some fun....
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 pmObama does not have any foreign policy experience. er' save his dual citizenship in Indonesia. Perhaps his time in Kenya could be considered foreign experience ... heck it is still unclear whether or not he was born there.
Then there is the question of dual citizenship which could disqualify him to be president.
-Anyone born inside the United States
-Becoming naturalized in another country
-Swearing an oath of allegiance to another country
Did Obama do any of the above? We shall see...
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:45 pmhttp://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6524
O/T
Good Lawdy! on a blue screen the repugs are doing a thing to remember past repugs . How racist are the repugs? The loudest applause was when helms name faded onto the screen.
Why do repugs insist on giving us 4 days of this nonsense. Why give the librul blogs more dirt? HAHAHAHA
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:47 pmThis is just too much fun. really. I can't remember the last time poetic justice was so amusing.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:48 pmrepugs = one freakin lie fest.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:49 pmAlaska hasn't mattered in-regards to Russia since the Cold War froze over. Has Palin even done any fishing treaties of note with the Russians? I mean "anything" would be something right now.
As for Bush's diplomatic experiences with Mexico, if you call not wanting the illegal immigrants in Texas and then basically going to the U.S./Mexico border with a sign that says "Welcome, I Want You...Now", then that sums up Dumbya's approach to a lot of things. It's called the freedom toast doctrine...deny the most obvious until you need it.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:50 pmHey timmy,
Scooge is not going to bring a chistimas goose to your home, you're crippled legs are not going to get better. you are going to die.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:50 pmYou know I'm wondering, you know the arena/sports backgrounds shown on cartoons, you know, they aren't detailed and appears to colored circles?
That's the repug convention.
LIARS!
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:54 pmTim43,
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:55 pmSo what do you think about what Rove had to say re: Bush?
Listen to their intermittent music. That will surely get me energized!
HAHAHAHAHA
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:56 pmOh I see we have a hick troll.
timmy please watch your lying convention and laugh with us.
Obama\Biden 08
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 pmSo since McCain spent some of his prime years in Hanoi, would that give him diplomatic experience with the Vietnamese or the Burmese military junta? I'm just trying to get to the gist of this "by location" bizarro logic.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:04 pmHow many crops does Alaska produce?
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 pmHow many miles is Alaska to rest of us?
How many six flags does Alaska have?
How does the white man treat its Alaskan natives?
How many furs does palin have?
How many animals has palin shot for "fun"?
Tim43 Says:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obama does not have any foreign policy experience. er’ save his dual citizenship in Indonesia. Perhaps his time in Kenya could be considered foreign experience … heck it is still unclear whether or not he was born there.
Then there is the question of dual citizenship which could disqualify him to be president.
-Anyone born inside the United States
-Becoming naturalized in another country
-Swearing an oath of allegiance to another country
Did Obama do any of the above? We shall see…
http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6524
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
And Obama's birth in the US is "unclear" to your GOP/Chimpy stupid ass because..........................You believe Hawaii is somehow part of Kenya ?
My suggestion to you is that you ask Santa for a compass and a map for Christmas this year ...........
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:07 pm"...leaving in the air the question of how dealing with the Mexican border prepared him to launch an invasion in Iraq."
So NOW we know what her real foreign policy credentials are:
The border with Yukon and Canada. Whoa. Must take steely nerves to face down those Dudley Do-Rights right across the border. They have universal health care, the filthy SOCIALISTS!
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:07 pmLogging, timber and wood seem to be themes that the Palin family likes.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:08 pmHawaii is a part of Kenya in Bizarro Universe #336699.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:10 pmWow... I knew Republicans and their followers were fond of redefining English words as they saw fit -I didn't realise they would also redefine the word "stupid" with their own actions.
This is has got to be one of the stupidest taking points to ever come out of the Republican ranks.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 pmIf there is any doubt about how stupid McCain supporters can be, take a look at Tim43's babble.
Obama does not have any foreign policy experience. er’ save his dual citizenship in Indonesia.
~Dim43
Indonesian law does not recognize dual nationality for adults over 18 years of age. Duh.
And the talking point was actually that he held citizenship of Kenya -not Indonesia.
Gosh, these people are idiots... can't google a simple thing or keep their lies straight. Perhaps that they couldn't find neither Indonesia nor Kenya on a map if their life depended on it, adds to their idiocy.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 pmDoes this then mean she doesn't know jack about the other 49 states and territories?
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 pmthe Lone Voice of Reason Says:
From the Lone Voice of Reason’s Wife–Oh, please. McCan’t just saw a pretty face and made a snap decision, that is, he wanted to get in her pants and offered her the job as a ploy along those lines. That she had the chutzpah to accept with so little qualification says a lot about her character and stupidity as well as his. As a woman I could see that ploy a mile away.
"Did I tell you I was in a prison cell for 5 years, no women to look at or nothing. I had no pants to keep on, or to get into. Do you want to see my Rove?"
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:38 pmI'm curious the Repocon talking heads don't claim that Palin has foreign affairs experience because Alaska has a lengthy border with Canada.
Canada's a foreign country! Duh!
I'm not Canadian but I do realize that most Americans consider it sort of a US colony, except for the French part, that's foreign. I'm a Texan now living in a Foreign state in the US, but the same attitude pretty much applies to Mexico, except they talk a Foreign language.
The odds are that an Alaskan governor has had considerable communications and dealings with the Foreign Country of Canada.
That of course is not REAL foreign affairs experience, as in dealing with Russia, Iran, or even the EU, but as long as they are going to come up with lame BS factlets, why not pick one that has some degree of truth to it?
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:50 pmTim43 Says:
Obama does not have any foreign policy experience. er’ save his dual citizenship in Indonesia. Perhaps his time in Kenya could be considered foreign experience … heck it is still unclear whether or not he was born there.
Then there is the question of dual citizenship which could disqualify him to be president.
-Anyone born inside the United States
-Becoming naturalized in another country
-Swearing an oath of allegiance to another country
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You really are an ignorant piece work. There is no question if Obama was born in the US his birth certificate has been produced you moron. That only had to be done because of the incredible stupidity of morons like YOU that believe the lying rightwing liEMAILS crass cretins produce. It is bad enough that anyone is as stupid as you are. That your vote counts as much as mine is a tradgedy
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:56 pmAt last - somebody FINALLY talks some sense about this whole foreign policy experience. Because of that, and based on the FACTS that I live in Texas, which is next door to Mexico, and I know some Mexicans, some of whom are my friends, I would like to offer myself as the next ambassador to Mexico!
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:36 amFrom the mouth of Karl Rove:
"With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he's been a governor for three years, he's been able but undistinguished. I don't think people could really name a big, important thing that he's done. He was mayor of the 105th largest city in America."
"So if he were to pick Governor Kaine, it would be an intensely political choice where he said, `You know what? I'm really not, first and foremost, concerned with, is this person capable of being president of the United States? What I'm concerned about is, can he bring me the electoral votes of the state of Virginia, the 13 electoral votes in Virginia?'"
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 am.
By Rovian Illogics...
I'm qualified on Natural gas because I fart!
Rove is more qualified on Absconding Justice.
Bush is more qualified as being a War Criminal.
Cindi and Laura are more qualified on prescription drug abuse.
Sarah is more qualified on teenage pregnancies.
Am I doing it correct?
The USA is more qualified to police the world because America is a country on the planet.
My father is more qualified to be the next Governor of Cal-E-Forn-E-ya because he just moved there.
His dog is more qualified on cats because she chases them.
Rovian Illogicalities...
Rove is more qualified on hair loss because... well?
.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:13 amMusicLover,
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:16 amAmbassador? Hell, you're qualified to be President of the USA!
#60 MCMetal,
Don't ask Tim to point out the continental USA on a world map. He'll probably point to China...
And don't confuse him with all those Middle East Nations that start with "I" either. He might just say Israel is somewhere between Canada and Mexico.
.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:21 amWhy isn't Karl Rove in jail?
In fact, why hasn't he been tried, convicted and planted in front of a firing squad?
Hey, he participated in the outing of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame Wilson. That's a treasonous act.
And after Hurricane Katrina caused the flooding of New Orleans, Karl Rove was put in charge of the "Republican response."
Immediately, within hours of New Orleans being swamped, Karl Rove started a smear campaign against Lousiana Gov. Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Nagin, both Democrats. Karl Rove/RNC-generated talking points started being repeated on Faux News and many of the right-wing AM talk shows. Smear. Smear. Smear.
(Remember the Republican lie that Gov. Blanco had never asked the federal government for assistance? She did. Officially. About forty-eight hours before Katrina hit. Bush/DHS/FEMA even responded officially, sending a twenty-year veteran of FEMA to coordinate federal disaster relief from a command center in Baton Rouge. Remember? Then New Orleans flooded and the Republican lies began.)
Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin were extremely busy trying to rescue their fellow Louisianan citizens dying in New Orleans.
Gov. Blanco reported earlier this year that while they were contacting first responders from the state/federal command center in Baton Rouge, trying to get people and equipment into New Orleans, their phones started ringing off the wall, reporters calling about the latest lie they'd hear on Faux News or right-wing AM talk radio.
Similarly, in the days immediately after New Orleans flooded, I read a news article by a reporter from (I think) the New Orleans Picayune (Great newspaper). This reporter had gotten a chance to talk with the career FEMA disaster coordinator at the Baton Rouge command center. This FEMA official expressed frustration. Orders he kept giving to get federal disaster relief into New Orleans kept getting countermanded. Rescue personnel were redirected elsewhere. Rescue supplies, the same, or not delivered at all. He was very upset, very frustrated. He'd participated in many disaster events over his twenty year career, but during Katrina, someone kept thwarting everything he attempted to do to save the lives of people dying in New Orleans. Someone (higher-ups at FEMA, DHS, even the White House, maybe?) apparently didn't want the FEMA on-site disaster coordinator's disaster relief efforts to succeed, especially while he was standing side-by-side with Gov. Blanco at the Baton Rouge command.
Oh, I get it. This was all part of Karl Rove's smear campaign. Withhold federal disaster relief aid from New Orleans, while attacking the Democrats...even going so far as to spread the Republican lie that Gov. Blanco had never asked for federal emergency disaster aid.
(The on-site FEMA disaster coordinator shut-up after his one and only candid interview. BushCo no doubt threatened him.)
We also know that BushCo wanted to federalize the Louisiana disaster relief effort, trying repeatedly to get Gov. Blanco to cede control of her state's national guard units to BushCo. (This demand was not made of the Republican governors in Mississippi and Alabama). Gov. Blanco repeatedly refused, with the last time occurring on Air Force One on Friday of that week, face to face with Bush...with no witnesses. (Per former Gov. Blanco in an interview earlier this year). Bush demanded, Blanco refused.
In other words, while Karl Rove started his smear campaign against top Louisianan Democratic officials, someone high up at DHS or even in the White House blocked federal disaster relief from getting to the dying in New Orleans and the Superdome...in an attempt to force Gov. Blanco to turn over control of her state's security to BushCo, the federal government...and Blackwater.
(One year later, BushCo got the Republican Congress to pass a law saying that in case of an emergency (as declared by Bush), BushCo could bypass a state's governor and send federal troops (and/or Blackwater) into the disaster area. All fifty state governors, both Republicans and Democrats, protested vehemently against passage of this anti-states rights law, anti-U.S. Constitution law, but to no avail).
So, you see, the crimes of Karl Rove (and practically everyone else in the Bush administration) go very, very deep. Outing a covert CIA officer. Pulling this stunt during Katrina. So many other criminal acts. Anyone else committing the crimes that these corrupt Republicans have committed would be locked away for a long, long time. Oh well, "Do the crime, do the time" apparently doesn't apply to Republicans.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:09 amNot only that, but Bush speaks Spanish Fluently !
Can we ask Palin to say just a few words in Russian ?
For a beauty model's grasp on world politics, see Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEP7uti0PDw&feature=related
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am