NEWS.com.au | Bush breaks shooting silence (26-03-2005): "Mr Bush's silence drew fire from some American Indians, including Clyde Bellecourt, a Chippewa Indian who is the founder and national director of the American Indian Movement in Red Lake.
'It's kind of late,' he said of Mr Bush's call to Mr Jourdain. 'He should have been the first one to reach out to the Red Lake Indian community.'
Mr Bellecourt cited Mr Bush's decision to rush back to the White House from his Texas ranch last weekend to sign unprecedented emergency legislation allowing Mrs Schiavo's case to be reviewed in federal courts.
"He does not have any problems flying in to restore the feeding tube to Terri Schiavo. I'm sure if this happened in some school in Texas and a bunch of white kids were shot down, he would have been there too," Mr Bellecourt said."
I am afraid that last quote is dead on. Had this happened in Austin or Dallas, Bush would have been on TV immediately. Give us all a break, Mr. President. You are perfectly willing to pose over Terry Shiavo. Face it. Indian kids don't fit into your agenda. Now, had they been millionaires you could promise my tax money to while you cut veterans benefits....
2 comments:
i've been surprised at how little coverage this has been getting in general. but for the president to wait until the end of the week to make the call? that's unconscionable.
i liked amy sullivan's take over at the washington monthly. she points out (and then rips apart) the deputy press secretary's claim that bush had attempted to make the call several times (not before today) but only got through to voicemail.
so... we're supposed to give him (or, let's face it, a presidential aide) credit for trying really hard four days too late? right.
Great call, Zalm. Here is a quote:
First of all, the shooting happened on Monday. I know the president has been busy and all (*cough* Schiavo *cough*) but, come on. More importantly, the White House is once again acting like we're morons. He's the president. He doesn't just pick up the phone and dial whoever he wants, catching them off-guard. These things are scheduled, with someone else placing the call, and then if they reach the right person, asking them to 'please hold for the President' before he ever picks up the phone. That's not just the way it happens on 'The West Wing'...it's the only way the President of the United States can get things done. What, are we supposed to expect that he sits around his office going, 'Dang...where is everybody? I've called twelve people so far today and only two of them were home!'
If you're wondering whether I'm calling them liars, yes--I am."
Post a Comment