Question for media: Where's the photo of Bush in a helmet and flak jacket?
A photo of White House counselor Dan Bartlett and press secretary Tony Snow in helmets and flak jackets for a helicopter ride between Baghdad International Airport and the U.S. embassy has been widely circulated on the Internet and appeared on Page Two of The Washington Post, accompanying a "Washington Sketch" column by Dana Milbank. The photo raises a question: Did President Bush wear similar protection when he was transported around Baghdad, and, if not, why not? If so, where is the photo?
Here is the Associated Press photo:
Assuming that the president of the United States received at least as much protection as two high-level aides, it is understandable that the White House would not want a photograph of Bush similar to that circulated of Snow and Bartlett. First, it reminds the public of how dangerous Iraq is. Second, as Milbank put it, "the result was more Michael Dukakis than Mission Accomplished."
But why would the media agree not to take such a photograph -- or if they took it, not publish it?
This one deserves a caption contest!
"I gotta go bad"
"Dan, did anyone ever tell you that you look like Schultz from Hogan's Heroes?"
Although, my take is that Dan is already relieving himself and Tony is thinking "Geez, Dan, this isn't the Space Shuttle."
Caption: Forest Snow
Dan Bartlett: "Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it."
"Dan, for the last time, GET YOUR FREAKIN' HAND OFF MY LEG!"
Don't recall every seeing anyone suited up like this when flying into Detroit.
Bartlett could easily pass for Karl Rove in that photo, what with the double chin, glasses and all.
I wonder what Tony Snow thought when he had to go through an arduous security detail to get to the fortress Green Zone, "Gee, maybe I really DIDN'T know what the hell I was talking about in a cushy studio in New York while on FAUX News."
Everytime I see this photo, I flash back to the movie "Spies Like Us" with Dan Akroyd and Chevy Chase and that scene where they are both in the gravitational force machine.
I can't seem to find a good photo of it on-line.
Can't even hardly see them.
[link to www.80sreborn.com]
Seen in any military type attire ever again, and I cant blame them after the fiasco and abuse of the Mission Accomplished Day.
Tony Snow looks out of his league in that photo, so does Bartlett.
The righties are going to pounce on the way Al Franken looks on his chopper rides while on USO Tours.
Franken has never blathered on about how things are improving in Iraq or how it's safe or whatever.
And he also never said we would be greeted as "liberators" either.
I've always loved you, Dan. You know that don't you?
snow - "not now dan, we're being photographed!"
bartlett - "not that silly, it's these damn flaps that ride up on me!"
Snow: Gee, Dan I never thought I would see in my lifetime what a guy looks like as his b%*!s climb back up into their cavity. Guess, I can check that one off my list now...thanks!
With that kind of suction, I don't think they are required to wear seat-belts.
A nice percentage of the American population is enjoying unprecedented material success right now. However wisely or unwisely we wish to pursue it is pretty much determined on how much we have and how we wield it.
I bring this up because at the end that chain there is a war, where people are dying before their time for ideological purposes and material control (the B.S. that GWB spewed this morning in his press conference about the Iraqi "people" getting oil profits is laughable).
How do we sacrifice during wartime? Repubs would make us think that boosting markets (stock, real estate) and creating wealth for the lucky few is the smokescreen against any general sacrifice (of young, rich men or changes in material possession).
So the president talks tough but refuses to ask anything of us, I think in exchange for our ignoring his ideological war. They could have put GWB in a flak jacket and helmet and put it on every front page (old school and electronic) in America and it wouldn't make any difference because so many of us are not sacrificing a thing.
What do we know about war?
Never before in our history have we been at war with no sacrifice made by most of our citizens. In fact, some of the citizens have even benefitted by getting numerous tax cuts during war time, another first for this country. This is the first war that will be paid for by the next generation. My greatest fear is that they'll be paying more than the financial cost of this war. Since this war began, I've had this gut feeling that the last American to die in this war hasn't even been born yet. I hope I'm wrong.
Perhaps you are right but I think we will be out in 2009. Actually I think we will have a small presense still, embassy and training support but the main body will be out.
We should assess a special fee to everyone who voted for George Bush to pay for his idiotic war. And yes, that should include every friggin' Democratic Senator that voted for it.
My sister was going on and on, spouting misinformation left and right about reasons for the war.
My reply to her was "At least I know who to send the bill to."
We never talked about the war after that.
Honestly, anyone on record supporting this war, should pay more for it AND should have their children drafted first in case it should be reinstated. Of course, it is impractical, but I can dream can't I?
But I feel the same way. Those who support the war should pay for it and if and when the time comes, their children should be the first to sacrifice for their parents folly.
Wasn't this the administration that was going to bring back responsibility? They and their supporters should accept responsibility and clean up the mess they've created.
those in the appropriate age range should go directly to a recruitment center and sign up.
With the Army reaching their recruitment goals every month I am sure those righties are signing up in droves.
I can't quite figure this out though. How is it that we have met every monthly recruiting goal, but we are on track to be below our yearly goal? I hope the military isn't playing the cynical decreased-expectations game with those monthly goals. Nah...couldn't be.
big government programs be the only one to pay for it? Frankly, I do not like paying for all the big spending programs and would more than willing to push off all that responsibility to fund that that to those who are backing such programs. Based on your statement, I would imagine you would be gung ho in favor of that right?
Which "big government" programs are you referring to?
No Child Left Behind?
Faith-based initiatives?
NSA wiretapping?
No-bid contracts to Halliburton?
Fake news (propaganda) VNRs?
Those are all byproducts of the Big Government Bush Administration. I presume you're happy to be paying for those.
Republicans are waging war on our public school system and trying to siphon tax money from it in the form of vouchers to fund private education. Just another way rightwing America is looking out for society. Whether you have kids in school or not, an educated society is in everyone's best interest, so everyone has to pay their share.
If public education is sacrificed for the sake of having a priviledged few schooled far more expensively, then you can kiss America's industrial and technological strength goodbye. Say hello to increased illiteracy, more unemployment, less opportunity, and even more good jobs exported to countries that have higher education standards and lower wages.
The latest estimated price tag on the Iraq War? We're now pushing $300 billion: [link to nationalpriorities.org]
I can't help but imagine what that kind of money could do for border security, port security, airport security, precise and focused overseas anti-terror measures, healthcare, education and job creation. And just think how many more friends we'd have around the world.
You're best off not throwing stones at the Dems when it comes to spending priorities. It was the Republicans who took over congress under the guise of a 'Contract with America' that made balancing the budget a major selling point. All it took was a 'yes man' getting voted into the White House, and now we're facing a defecit and a national debt that are unlikely to see any major reduction witnessed by anyone who is alive today. Long live the 'fiscal conservatives'.
The historical reality is that you cannot fight a war without sacrifice no matter how much the current administration wishes it weren't so.
Our massive borrowing to pay for the war has led to higher interest rates as "loose money" is harder to find and T-bills look less attractive to investors.
Anyone who borrows on a variable rate has paid a price...albeit a very small one so far compared to other sacrifices in past wars.
It will get worse. High interest rates tend to slow the economy. The fed is now faced with a tough choice. Lower the rates to spur the economy or raise rates to make it easier to borrow to cover our debt. Up until now, they have indicated continued increases.
The biggest worry I have is rampant inflation as the eventual effect of all of this. That may be the ultimate price for the war in the end.
Contrast the current homefront situation with, e.g., WWII. We definitely seem to be missing the same type of sacrifice and commitment that existed then. No wonder Iraq was generally an easy sell.
The same mentality drives the current budget situation. "You mean I can have tax cuts and no cut in services? Sign me up!"
"Dude, the Milk Duds I just bought at Baghdad airport HAVE to be at least 4 years old! I can't pull my frickin' teeth apart. Someone needs to give Halliburton a candy-vending contract for this dump."
"Damn, he looks GOOD in the helmet"
If the mission was accomplished three years ago, why can't Bush don his borrowed flight suit and codpiece and fly his own jet into Baghdad?
But there will be other photo opportunities. Due to the ever-growing worldwide dislike of George Bush brought on by his own horrid policies, he will be wearing a helmet and flak jacket just about anywhere he travels during the next two years.
1) Bartlett to Snow: "Why are we the only two *NOT* sitting on their helmets"?
2) Bartlett to Snow: "I shouldn't have had the burrito on AF1".
"Pull my finger"
Snow to himself: "Hmmm. I bet Dan got MY helmet...."
I thought things were going so well in Iraq! Isn't that what the Bushkoviks keep telling us? Why, then, did they have to sneak in wearing armor, and sneak out again after dark with all the lights off on Air Force One?
Snow to himself: "Oh hell...I told him to take the Dramamine."
Snow to himself: "Should I tell him I love him before it's too late?"
Bartlett to himself: "Should I tell him I love him before it's too late?"
Snow: "Don't be such a wuss. And NO, I'm not gonna let you puke in my helmet."
of Bush standing in the doorway of the cockpit, leaning over like he was giving pilots tips on landing. Would guess this was taken after they landed. Definitely not as humiliating as Rove's and Mehlman's photo.
Now I know how Dukakis felt.
This must be Cheney's helmut, only he has a head this size.
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
White House counselor Dan Bartlett and press secretary Tony Snow practice their 1000-yard stares in Iraq.
"That'd better be your GUN Tony."
Tony: Dan, where is your hand?
Dan: Between two pillows.
Tony: Those aren't pillows!
I took the screen capture, trimmed it down so it looked like just a regular photo (and not a Fox screen capture), enlarged it and got it to look as good and as detailed as I could make it...
And I looked at it for a while, figuring something funny would have to come to me...
And looking at their faces, I couldn't see anything that looked like "happy" or "funny"; the guy with the glasses seemed caught in the middle of a facial expression that I couldn't quite recognize; then again, maybe he was about to sneeze, I don't know...
The other guy's face showed more though; he's looking at the guy with the glasses, but he looks a little apprehensive; it comes tinged with a sour look, but there are guys who do that, who look grim and sour, when it's apprehension or nerves they're feeling...
And why not be a bit nervous.
It's Iraq.
And it's a helicopter.
Those things sometimes crash for the strangest reasons; they don't have the aerodynamics of an airplane, so there's no chance at gliding or even belly-flopping, should any type of critical failure occur... they just drop like a rock from the sky, and nobody walks away.
Last month, a U.S. Marine Captain and a Corporal were killed in a crash in Anbar Province; also last month, two helicopters were downed by fire, one by a rocket; the rocket attack killed an Army Major and a CWO5; the other one killed five British soldiers, including a Wing Commander.
Looking at the picture of the two guys, I somehow knew they were safe; despite the look on one of the guys faces, the guy w/o the glasses; a look that seemed to say he doesn't know what I do; and again, he's looking at the guy with the glasses, who I can't figure his face; if it's a face that knows anything (or shows what he knows), I can't quite see it...
Nobody's going to be telling his mom or his dad or his brothers and sisters or his friends that he was killed in Iraq; I know this; the guy with the apprehensive look doesn't seem to though.
If I were on board, I'd have tried to ease any apprehension the apprehensive-looking guy might have been feeling...
"Don't worry pal; it all might seem a little dangerous, but don't you worry; believe me buddy, you're as safe as a baby monkey in a Gorilla Mother's arms!"
(And I'd have smiled as broad as my face can go, just to see if I could get the same back)
To the one with the glasses I'd have said "If you're gonna sneeze guy, don't get any on me" (still smiling).
But such dopey stuff as that, that I imagine I'd say to two such dopey guys as are in that picture, being nothing worth anything really, I did think about what really came to my mind as I looked at the picture for a while...
What are these two guys doing for their Country? Anything?
What are they doing in Iraq, these two guys? Anything important?
Looking at these two dopes strapped in like that, and thinking how made up they seemed to be; made up to look like soldiers (which they are NOT!), I thought it an insult that they they should be there at all (these two guys), and that they should be so safe (unlike so many real U.S. Troops); that nobody's going to be sending the bad news home about them...
Why are those two guys there?
What are they doing for their Country?
Anything?
(So I guess if you've followed me this far, then you can tell: That I couldn't find anything really funny about the photo, even though I gave it a good long look.)
I was amazed that there was no flightsuit and codpiece this time but I gues it would have been couterproductive to the 'Progress' meme.
The photo you show is priceless. They look as if hey are ready to hurl or desperately need a change of underwear.
"Umm.. Tony.. is this place safe?"
"As a former Fox News employee I must stress.. Yes, it's safe. Democracy is flourishing."
"*gulp* .. I was afraid of that!"
buzzkill
Guess we know who won't share any gym sox with his aids. Their faces evoke a very telling "Laurel & Hardy" predicament...but this time it's: "Here's another fine mess [GuessWho's] gotten us into!"
This is a difference between blogs and mainstream media.
A lowly blogger there would have used something called a "digital camera" (I don't know about you, but mine takes hundres of pictures) to take pictures of everyone and everything because they'd be so thrilled to get pictures. Then pictures would be on their web site in a few hours.
Mainstream media provides us with one picture of some guys I can't even recognize. Yeah, sure, that was the only picture they got. Just couldn't get a picture of the commander in chief for some reason. Yeah, sure.
Sorry...fail to see the point. Does MMFA expect us to believe that people actually do not realize that war is dangerous. Do they think we are stupid? Oh wait...with a tip of the cap Herman Cain and his book...yeah...They Think We're Stupid.
Tony Hudson: Express elevator to Hell- going down!
Fox News and the rest of the conservative MSM do think we're stupid. They want to paint the Iraq war as all sunshine, unicorns, and puppy dogs.
We're winning!
Greeted as liberators.
Yadda yadda.
They think you're stupid, and they think I'm stupid.
I am not stupid.
And that oft stated dispute that we were greeted as liberators just does not jive with some of the anecdotes I have heard from military people who have been there. How often do we hear of the positive things going on for the people of Iraq from the mainstream left-wing media? Ya know...to be fair...I could not tell you. I stopped watching them because I got sick of being fed the left wing line. I just love it that it drives the left nuts that there is a news source now that is not just another Democratic, left wing mouthpiece. We are so fortunate to have Fox News who will give different angles. I mean, Democrats are all for getting boths sides of a story right? I just want the fair and balanced side. I do not ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN trying to make up my mind for to toe the Democratic party line.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
That's true, but on the bright side we are always looking for reasons not to believe it.
The reason there is no photo is because he was wearing his "Mission Accomplished" cod-piece on his face this time and the staff felt that would be just too embarrassing to show to the public. You see Bush doesn't believe in reading things like directions. But he had a strong belief that the cod-piece went over his nose. Hence no pic.
I wonder if Snow and Bartlett's facial expression is a result of them knowing that they had some Guantanamo prisoners riding along in the cargo area. I think they were afraid that the prisoners would get out of their cuffs and then kick their sissy butts all the way to IRAQ!
Since I'm the knucklehead who took thread way off topic in the first place, I thought it would be appropriate to announce the winners of the "caption contest"!
FIRST PLACE: open_mind for the splendid retelling of one of the oldest jokes in the world (but it still works very well here): Tony: Dan, where is your hand?
Dan: Between two pillows.
Tony: Those aren't pillows!
SECOND PLACE: nativeofsf - for the spectacularly appropriate Post Heading: WHO LET THE DOGS OUT...?
First place prize- Breakfast with President Puddinhead!
Second place prize: Lunch and Dinner with President Puddinhead!
...and the other individuals here and afar who are dedicated to Truth, Justice & Liberty for everyone...!
Oh...and for all those faux tail-wagging, knuckle draggers?
Could somebody make sure they get an extra bowl of kibble?
Private Bartlett why did you join my beloved Corps! Private Bartlett: Sir, to kill, sir! Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: So you're a killer! Private Bartlett: Sir, yes sir! Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Then let me see your war face! Private Bartlett: [nervously] Sir? Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: You got a war face! ARRRRRRRRRGH! That's a war face, let me see your war face! Private Bartlett: Ahhhh! Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: BuLl S*&^t, you didn't convince me, let me see your REAL war face! Private Bartlett: Ahhhhhh! Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: You still don't scare me! Work on it! Private Bartlett: Sir, yes sir!
this is probably the closest Snowjob and Bartlett have EVER come to being in uniform . . .