#34471: DarkSyde — 08/09  at  09:20 AM
Thanks for the update. I spoke with Cindy this morning, she's getting a lot of big TV interview calls now, and from the tone of her voice and past conversations ... she's dead serious man. I don't think she's going to leave Crawford until Bush does, or if she's in cuffs.



On the left Cindy Sheehan, Head of Gold Star Families for Peace, middle-aged mother of fallen soldier and 'Threat to national security'. On the right Osama bin Laden, Head of Al Qaeda. Architect of 9-11 attacks which killed 3000: Not that important, " We don't know where he is ... I'm not concerned about him'--George Bush, March 2002.

#34472: — 08/09  at  09:35 AM
A woman grieving for her son and wanting an explanation for his death is considered a national security threat... doesn't say much about the people leading this country does it?

#34474: — 08/09  at  09:36 AM
Why do we tolerate Bush doing this "vacation" crap? It's damn certain we won't see video of Osama bin Laden taking August off to clear brush near his cave in Pakistan.

Or, alternatively, why do they bother to call it a vacation? Is there any evidence of Bush's ever having worked in the presidency? Is there any area of policy, foreign or domestic, where we are better off because of Bush's actions?

Hah! The confirmation word is "reptilia." How DO you do that, PZ?

#34476: charlie wagner — 08/09  at  09:49 AM
DarkSyde wrote:

"...from the tone of her voice and past conversations ... she's dead serious man. I don't think she's going to leave Crawford until Bush does, or if she's in cuffs."

She needs help.
From all of us.
We need to stand with this brave woman so our voices are heard.
Go to Crawford and stand by her side.
Write letters and send faxes to the White House.
(Yes, they accept faxes: 202-456-2461)
E-mails are OK, but less effective.

The only thing we have to fear is our own complacency.

I was dreaming in my dreaming
of an aspect bright and fair
and my sleeping it was broken
but my dream it lingered near
in the form of shining valleys
where the pure air recognized
and my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
that the people / have the power
to redeem / the work of fools
upon the meek / the graces shower
it's decreed / the people rule

Patti Smith

#34487: — 08/09  at  10:44 AM
There have been so many Marie Antoinette moments I lose track.

Although we all know poor Marie never said it.

#34489: GrrlScientist — 08/09  at  10:48 AM
I am not sure if I should be happy or sad; happy because one American mother is more threatening to this country's security (peace of mind?) than one bearded millionaire terrorist, or sad because one American mother is more threatening to this country's security (peace of mind?) than one bearded millionaire terrorist.

#34493: GrrlScientist — 08/09  at  10:51 AM
I am not sure if I should be happy or sad; happy because one American mother is more threatening to this country's security (peace of mind?) than one bearded millionaire terrorist, or sad because one American mother is more threatening to this country's security (peace of mind?) than one bearded millionaire terrorist. What would Peter Jennings say about this?

#34504: — 08/09  at  11:36 AM
And what's worse, the Seedling, as I like to call him, is allegedly afraid of horses. If that is the case, that would explain why he's never been photographed on horseback, despite the heroic image it would create.

#34515: saurabh — 08/09  at  12:12 PM
Not to distract from the pertinent issue (viz., the horrific occupation and Cindy's bravery), but... are there any rules about how much vacation time the President is allowed to take? Shouldn't there be some sort of rules about this? As his nominal bosses, can't we, like, dock his wages or something? If he worked at Costco, you can be damned skippy he wouldn't be able to skive off whenever he wanted. What gives?

#34520: — 08/09  at  12:39 PM
Far be it from me to defend GWB, but If I had a briefing every morning about work when *I* was on vacation, I would not consider it much of a vacation.

I think a presidential "vacation" means he doesn't have to meet Queens, Boy Scouts and World-Series winners. The important stuff (like further bungling in Iraq) still gets done.

(Hah, my guard word is altruism, maybe you have a little confirmation bias going...)

#34521: — 08/09  at  12:45 PM
There is a hilarious photo of George at President Fox's ranch, patting a horse.

He's patting the horse (gingerly!), like a dog, right between the eyes.

This is not a Best Practice when dealing with horses.

#34536: — 08/09  at  02:00 PM
"are there any rules about how much vacation time the President is allowed to take?"

Honestly, considering what he has achieved so far, wouldn't we all be better off if he'd been on permanent vacation?

#34538: coturnix — 08/09  at  02:04 PM
Nobody really knows if Bush is really afraid of horses but I would not be surprised. When Teddy Roosevelt, who was deemed a fem and a sissy before his election was advised to boost his macho image, he bought a ranch in S.Dakota, put on a stetson and rode his horse all day long for the photographers. When Rove tried to do <b> everything from Teddy's playbook</a> to boost Dubya's macho image, Bush bought a ranch, a hat and a big-buckle belt. But why is he clearing brush instead of riding horses?

this website has a fake picture of Bush struggling to get on a horse:

Alison Jackson, the British conceptual artist, will have her premier exhibition in the US with a new body of photographic work focusing on George W. Bush and other major celebrities. Jackson explores the public's obsession with the cult of celebrity in pop film and politics. She uses look-alikes of public figures and celebrities to create images that look convincingly. Her images depict with disturbing accuracy the fantasies that exist in the public's mind.

BTW, is there a link to the pic of W patting a horse on the forehead? I could not find it on Google Image.

#34540: Hank Fox — 08/09  at  02:12 PM
Bush is afraid of horses? This is too, too precious.

Hmm. I DO know I've never seen a picture of him on a horse. Hell, I know Texans who can't even two-step, who don't even like Bud, but can still ride horses.

I can't wait to see what my Texas cowboy friends think. <big gotcha! grin>

#34541: — 08/09  at  02:25 PM
Unfortuntely I can't find it, either.

It was taken on Bush's Feb 2001 visit to San Cristobal, where President Fox lives on a ranch. Fox introduced Bush to his favorite horse, 'El Rey', and offered to let Bush ride a mare named Maximiliana, but Bush declined. The photo was taken during a photo op during that visit, but I cannot find it archived. I believe it was an AP photo, if anyone has access to their archives.

And I remember it so clearly because it amused me so much. The Great Cowboy, patting a horse in a way that is almost guaranteed to irritate and startle the animal!

#34543: — 08/09  at  02:29 PM
Actually, here it is!



Persistence is a virtue!

#34544: shpx.ohfu — 08/09  at  02:30 PM
are there any rules about how much vacation time the President is allowed to take? Shouldn't there be some sort of rules about this? As his nominal bosses, can't we, like, dock his wages or something?

It's called an election; and we all know how that turned out.

By the way, I read elsewhere that W is second only to Reagan in the number of vacation days he has taken. He's trailing by around 25 days, but barring impeachment, he'll surely surpass the Gimper by the end of [his] days.

#34548: — 08/09  at  02:55 PM
> Why do we tolerate Bush doing this "vacation" crap?

Who is "we", and how would lack of tolerance manifest itself? Since "we" elected him, it's hardly surprising that "we" tolerate him. Keep in mind that "we" are a collection of autonomous individuals, many of whom are dimwitted, ignorant, and/or lacking social conscience, so Bush is not just tolerated but adored by many of "us".

> Is there any area of policy, foreign or domestic, where we are better off because of Bush's actions?

Again, it depends upon who "we" are. Some of "us" have seen large financial gains.

> are there any rules about how much vacation time the President is allowed to take?

The rule book governing the President is the U. S. Constitution; you can find copies on line. I don't see anything there about vacations. Don't forget that the White House didn't even exist until 1800, and it serves as the President's residence. Residency doesn't equal work, so for all we know, Bush spends most of his time there watching footbal and munching on pretzels.

> Far be it from me to defend GWB, but If I had a briefing every morning about work when *I* was on vacation, I would not consider it much of a vacation.

Really? You wouldn't consider, say, working 1 hour a day to be a vacation? I know a lot of people who read their work email every day they're on vacation. I've been on a camping trip in the Sierras with a guy who would call into the office a few times every day on a satellite phone.

> The important stuff (like further bungling in Iraq) still gets done.

You think Bush is running the country single-handed? That stuff would get done even if Bush were in a coma. Think "figurehead".

#34612: — 08/09  at  10:21 PM
I've been reading through the posts, and I am OK with most of this... but PLEASE, stop complaining about Bush's vacations.

Yikes! If enough people complain, his advisors will suggest he spend more time at the White House... what are you guys nuts?! Shhh!

Trackback: Cindy Sheehan, nuturing mothers, and the emperor's nudity Tracked on: Pandagon (66.33.218.138) at 2005 08 10 06:33:46
Looking through a few "mommy blogs" these past few days, it's been interesting seeing how anxious the whole Cindy Sheehan thing is making the bloggers and how much solidarity they feel with this woman who has gone to Crawford to...

#34696: — 08/10  at  12:29 PM
The President already met with the woman immediately following the death of her son. No one can simply demand access to the President. She's been given her forum, she made her point, and that's it.

#35990: — 08/16  at  12:21 PM
Yeah, the nerve of the woman, wanting to talk to Dubya without a check for $500,000 in her hand.

#35996: — 08/16  at  12:49 PM
No one can simply demand access to the President.

Says who? Anyone can simply demand access to the President. And the President can refuse to meet with them. But if most Americans think he comes off as a prima donna for refusing, then it's tough titty for the President.

#36459: — 08/19  at  01:58 PM
This Cindy Sheeeeehan business is getting just plain STUPID. I am sorry for her loss, but her son was a VOLUNTEER, not a DRAFTEE. He knew what he was signing up for when he joined the Marine's. Our military is in the business of protecting our country and our rights. The right of free speech she is abusing is the same one her son died fighting for. She is using her tragedy to get attention and in the process, she is dishonoring her son and his HONORABLE service to his country. She needs to go home, grieve for her son and quit being a disturbed media whore. Its WRONG, DISGUSTING and a brutal slap in the face to all of us who serve and who have serve in defense of our great nation. She might as well be spitting in the face of the other mothers that have lost sons or daughters.

#36469: — 08/19  at  02:51 PM
Air Force Cop:

You have summed up the situation perfectly. Well said.

I have also wondered what her son would have said to all this. By the way, per a small article lost in the middle of the LA Times several days ago, her husband has filed for divorce.