Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Mr.Bush sends his regrets

I saw yesterday the bloviators on Fox were whining that President Obama wasn't sharing the glory with Bush for the killing of bin Laden by inviting him to the Ground Zero event tomorrow. As it turns out, Obama did invite his predecessor to share the limelight but Mr. Bush sent his regrets. The official statement said Bush prefers to avoid the public stage post-presidency and certainly, that's been true enough. We've seen little of him and he hasn't engaged in the sort of Obama bashing that many of the former Bush administration cronies *cough* Cheney *cough* have delighted in.

Of course, many of us feel like Bush deserves more blame than glory, but inviting him was the correct and gracious to do. And while I suspect a big part of the reason Bush declined was he knew he would look very small standing next to the man who actually got bin Laden, it was gracious of him to leave the moment to President Obama alone.

In related news, Nancy Pelosi also showed her graciousness this week:
"House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) said she called former President George W. Bush on Tuesday to congratulate him on the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden."


“'I wanted him to know the appreciation that many of us have in a bipartisan way ... that his role was important,' she said."
Admit I choked a little bit on that line, but -- classy. This is what it looks like when politicians act like adults. The GOPers on Capitol Hill could take a lesson from this, but they probably won't.

[Thanks to The Week for kindly linking in.]

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5 Comments:

Blogger David said...

So I guess it's appropriate to make this a political moment instead of a moment of celebration for the country. The second coming of "Gasbag" Olberman is upon us. Hide the children!!!!!!!!!!!

11:53:00 AM  
Blogger Capt. Fogg said...

The only one creating a political issue here is you and all the smelly gas has been inflating the balloons of Republican blowhards desperate to find something they can criticize before history blows them away.

"he didn't show us the blood!" "He didn't give credit to the mastermind of Tora Bora" Jesus! Who the hell was giving us that shinola - complaining about the arrogance of announcing that bin Laden is dead within seconds of the announcement?

Celebration my ass. It's the same old demented Obama bashing from the same gasbags. Stupid, America-hating, sore-loser politics posing as patriotism.

12:15:00 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

You really need to get your facts straight. Obama did NOT get Bin Laden. While he was safe and sound in the Whitehouse, American troops were risking their lives to get Obama. Shame on you for ignoring the bravery of our troops so you could get in a political dig.

1:25:00 PM  
Blogger Capt. Fogg said...

Shame on who,Theresa? Both Libby and I have been talking about the "support the troops" party who refuses to commend the Navy for a job well done and she's been opposing the right wing media and jerks like Dirt Bag David here for instantly making it political as a distraction. You can't separate what the military does from the quality of the leadership and support the government gives them. Bush did a horrible job, Obama has done a better one, at least in this case.

Of course neither he nor anyone else claimed he was physically present, nor should he have been. That's not his job. No, that claim came from you alone, that's why I'm confused.

As he said, it was done by a 'team of Americans' and for what it's worth you're neglecting to mention Admiral Eric Thor Olson and no he didn't go on the mission either. That's not his job. But everyone did their job didn't they? and the leader gets some credit even though this one didn't ask for any at all, nor did he parade around a flight deck dressed like he just got back for the war either.

Nobody here was discounting the professionalism and skill of the SEALs -- except for John Boehner and the Republican House, that is - and Detroit Dipshit Dave.

But I have to point out that the SEALS, like all of our military are part of a chain of command which begins in the oval office (remember the Commander Guy?)and all concerned depend on the intelligence they get and the resources and leadership they have. It's called teamwork. It's called the United States of America.

It's a United States victory and as the President, Obama was entitled to announce it as an American victory. He and the Democratic leaders have commended all involved and even the previous administration. What would you have had him do or say " Awe shucks miss Daisy, I's had nuttin' to do wit' it and I sho is glad to be hidin' here in da White House all safe lak?"

So forgive me, I'm going to be happy that we've had our first significant victory since 1945 and the Republicans can take their flag pins and party politics and stick them up their Tora Bora where the sun don't shine.

4:46:00 PM  
Blogger Libby Spencer said...

Have I told you lately that I love you Fogg? Thank you. I have nothing to add to your splendid commentary.

6:28:00 PM  

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