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Bush told his TV interviewer that Americans do not act this way, and then he embarked on a dissertation of American democracy. Essentially he was boasting about how wonderful America is. At several points he said "Iraqis must understand...." and proceeded to boast some more. Instead of talking of the hurt to Iraqis and the Arabs, he talked about Americans. Instead of being humble in the face of tragedy, he placed the onus of .."understanding.." on Iraqis.
I felt embarrassed as I listened to Bush, supposedly speaking for people like me. Such breathtaking arrogance! As a disabled prisoner in Abu Ghraib prison shouted to reporters afterwards,
"Mr Bush, where is the freedom?"
The answer is:
"In the same place as the weapons of mass destruction."
I add:
"Where is the apology?"
Before his TV appearance, all journalists said Bush was going to apologize. I heard nothing from Bush that sounded even a little like an apology. Even people in the White House felt that Bush should have apologized. The White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters that Bush apologized via a written statement. So he was asked why Bush had not apologized while on TV. The answer he gave is that Bush was not directly asked!!
At a later meeting at the White House, Bush scolded Rumsfeld for not keeping him informed about such a horrific situation. After that Rumsfeld told journalists that way back in January he "issued a press release to the world" about this. I guess he forgot that Bush does not read newspapers.
There's a storm in Congress about these calamitous revelations. On the very day the pictures were made public on 60 Minutes, Rumsfeld met in a closed door session with senators and did not say anything about the forthcoming fiasco. Senator Joe Biden said:
"If it goes all the way to Rumsfeld, then he should resign? Who is in charge?"
I say the one responsible is not Rumsfeld, but George W. Bush. He spoke eloquently during the campaign of being humble in foreign affairs. Instead of humility, he gives us insane hubris. He believes that resolute leadership means never having to say "I'm sorry."
Contrast Bush with Kerry. Kerry was resolute when he fought for us in Vietnam. But when he decided that the war was wrong, he said he was sorry and worked to make changes. Now, that's a leader!
