From last week’s press conference:
THE PRESIDENT: John, my response is, I don’t think people ought to demean the contributions of our friends into Iraq… I’m proud of the coalition that is there. This is a — these are people that have — the gut leaders have made the decision to put people in harm’s way for the good of the world. And we appreciate that sacrifice in America. We appreciate that commitment.
From Reuters: White House Plays Down Iraq Coalition Withdrawals
The White House said on Tuesday the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq was stable despite plans by Spain and Honduras to withdraw their troops…
____________________________
At today’s press gaggle, White House spokesman Scott McClellan clarified the administration’s position on the coalition and its recent defectors.
“The members of the massive international coalition who have put their soldiers’ lives on the line are an indispensable part of our efforts in Iraq,” he said, “and we can totally do without them. They are an incredibly vital piece of the puzzle who are also completely superfluous.”
Responding to questions about the apparently small number of forces deployed by anyone besides the US, McClellan displayed a flash of anger. “That’s insulting, highly insulting that anyone would characterize this worldwide fight for Iraqi democracy as anything but a bold, multilateral cooperative effort.” Moments later, McClellan was angered again when a reporter suggested that the withdrawal of the 6th largest force in Iraq would undercut our efforts there. “Are you implying that the United States military needs anyone else’s help? It’s incredibly insulting to hear somebody running down our troops in that manner, especially when they’re in the field.”
Earlier in the day, President Bush called new Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to “thank him for his country’s indispensable assistance, which won’t be missed.”
Fanny Roborat
9 comments
Murray
April 20, 2004 at 4:27 pm
1Hello, I must be going.
Cognitive dissonance is holding two mutually exclusive ideas at the same time, however it does require the ability to actually think.
No sense of irony, and no need to make sense. As Tom Maliotsie (sp?) would say, “Unencumbered by the humans thought process”.
Good-by, glad I’ve just arrived.
lovable liberal
April 20, 2004 at 4:33 pm
2But of course Lou Dobbs is repeating as gospel the new White House revision of the value of the coalition of the billing.
historyenne
April 20, 2004 at 6:39 pm
3What this illustrates is the complete incompatability between the lip service the administration pays to concepts like multilateralism and what they really think of our “allies.” As for Dubya himself, even his ignorance is encyclopedic.
G-Man
April 20, 2004 at 6:43 pm
4Webster defines a “coalition” as: “a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action”. Temporary simply doesn’t mean “5-10 years” to most people like Bush’s wishes it did. Then again, “cake walk” usually implies far fewer casualties…
Ken... Just Ken
April 20, 2004 at 8:06 pm
5Again Adam,
I honestly can’t tell if if you’re making Jokes or you’re just reporting the news.
Some of what’s been coming out of this administration sounds a lot less believable than what a hundred humorists could stamp out on a hundred keyboards.
I miss Jimmy Carter.
Chris
April 20, 2004 at 11:39 pm
6As well as the administration’s confused/opportunistic concept of multilateralism, this post also highlights their EXTREMELY ANNOYING habit of spinning every bit of criticism as demeaning, unpatriotic, unsupportive, Vietnam vet spittin’ sludge.
How stupid are people to not realize that the statements Bush & Co. make just don’t make sense??
Bob
April 21, 2004 at 2:15 am
7Why expect Bush to make sense? He’s operating on faith, not reason. His early mention of a crusade wasn’t a gaffe; it remains the clearest explanation of his foreign policy to date.
Brad
April 21, 2004 at 1:10 pm
8Disposable, perhaps. But are they fungible?
tess
April 21, 2004 at 2:16 pm
9why is it that you still have a job? scott mcclellan can clearly write in his own jokes (mostly unintentional), and i can’t even tell if this is a spoof or a real press conference anymore.