A letter in today’s Irish Examiner from one American with his eyes wide open. Refreshing…
Listening to Carol Coleman’s interview with George Bush on Air America (accessible to Irish citizens via the internet) sharply defined the difference between his treatment by real journalists, such as Ms Coleman, and the network hacks we are saddled with here who have spent the last three years asking ‘how high?’ every time Bush commands: ‘jump!’
As an American of Irish descent I hope the Irish people are able to maintain the distinction between the policies and actions of the president, and the ideals and hopes of the American people. I urge everyone in Ireland indeed people worldwide to see ‘Fahrenheit 9/11′ as soon as possible, as it shows how and why America made the mess we find ourselves stuck in now.
Some critics in Ireland have described the American invasion of Iraq as ‘illogical.’ The pre-emptive invasion was in no way illogical it was in the planning for years (research Paul Wolfowitz and the ‘New American Century’ thesis), and the events of 9/11 gave Bush and his crowd perfect cover to implement their plans.
The neo-conservatives who control Bush’s every move and thought had a very methodical plan in place, and have been given a free ride by an unquestioning American press, populated by ‘reporters’ so afraid of being shut out of White House briefings that they prostitute themselves in exchange for continued access.
But access to what? They only hear the White House press secretary issue statements, and almost never have an opportunity to even gently question the president. Why? Because Karl Rove is scared to death to let George Bush off his leash (a phrase that, sadly, takes on new meaning after Abu Ghraib). The president just falls apart if he is required to project anything remotely resembling intelligence, clarity, logic or command of the facts.
From this American’s perspective, it was not Ms Coleman who was interrupting… it was Bush interrupting her before she could finish her question.
Why? Because he doesn’t want anyone to ask him anything he doesn’t have a stock answer for (which covers most everything), or cast any question in terms that aren’t flattering to him and his actions.
Have you noticed (in the tiny handful of actual live press conferences he’s given) how quickly he becomes irritated and condescending?
This man is impatient, shallow, obtuse and thin-skinned, and an embarrassment to all Americans who understand that America is not the centre of the known universe, but is only one country on this little planet that we all share.
So, was invading Iraq illogical? No, given the greedy, twisted logic of the neo-conservatives. Stupid, shortsighted, avaricious, shameful, violent, heartbreaking, deadly and unnecessary? Absolutely.
Michael Reynolds,
Palm Springs,
California,
USA.
The interview can be found on the RTE website or can be downloaded as a 10.7MB MP3 file from Indymedia. Listen to it, if nothing else it’ll show you what an utter boob Bush really is.
Yeah Bush is a boob, but Carol is even worse. I’m no bush fan but Carol was rude and you could tell she was too nervous, perhaps she was a bit too over eager to impress. In my view she came out of it looking far worse than Bush. Whatever you think of Bush, from that interview you can tell that he absolutely demolished Coleman.
I was listening to radio 1 and people were ringing up congratulating Carol?? She was a disspaointment at best and in my opinion an embarressment.
I was just listened to an interview with Carol Coleman on the world.org. The date of the article was August 13, 2004. I wish the press on both sides of the pond would get it right about John Kerry and his statements concerning how he would have voted y on the bill cocerning Iraq and US troops. Please pundits read the title of the bill http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:HJ00114: To authorize the use of US armed forces against Iraq. What Kerry voted was to give the president authority if need be. This was not a vote to invade. I find this type of reporting to be completly irrresponsible. I am not a journalist but with a few simple click of some buttons on a device called a computer one can easly find Kerrys floor speech in regards to his vote. His stance then and now are not in conflict. Journalist please do some simple digging and stop looking for a sexy tag line for your print and audio media.
Pax
E.V. Gage Portland,Oregon USA
PS if you have Carols email i would be greatly thankful
Sorry: Carole Coleman was not rude. she was doing what reporters are supposed to do: hammer away for the truth.
that you would speak to she being ‘rude’ is reflective of how far we have moved away from what reporting ’should’ do.
marsha hammond, phd: asheville, NC: USA