Was it Staged? Damn Right!

In the discussion over whether the conversation between ten soldiers in Iraq and President Bush was staged, there seems to be a misconception among our press. With my experience as an Air Force officer for eight years, I can say with complete assuredness it was - all events of this nature are planned, rehearsed and scripted. Whenever the commander of whatever command I was attached to came to the base to speak, all questions were vetted, all answers rehearsed, a rent-a-crowd was assembled from anyone with empty hands, the grass was mowed, the sound system checked and hair was cut. I never had the experience of a conversation with the POTUS, but had it happened, I can guarantee that there would have been a public relations officer, not just a mere major, mind you, but someone with real clout, looking at us the entire time so no one would say anything that could embarass the CINC or the command. In short, it would have been staged.

This is not to defend the Shrub or his handlers. What is amazing about the story is that the administration even bothers to deny it. The film of the time before the conversation with the Prevaricator in Chief shows a woman briefing a captain to take the mike if anyone should venture off-topic. The only way that anyone could venture off-topic is if there were a topic, i. e. talking points or even a script. There was an officer for every enlisted man in the group when the actual ratio in Iraq is probably closer to one to five. Looking at the crowd, I have the distinct impression that the soldiers came straight from the barber shop and cleaners. From my experience, I can guarantee there was a colonel hanging around somewhere to end the brilliant career of anyone who said anything to embarass the POTUS on national television. I can also guarantee these soldiers were selected for their loyalty, not their point of view on the war and its progress.

The event was staged from the outset. That isn't of itself anything unusual, all events of this nature involving the Military are. What's laughable is Mclellan trying so vigorously to deny it. To paraphrase Cheny, I think we're seeing the last throes of a dying administration.

Happy weekend!