Everyone remembers the videotape of Andy Card whispering into President Bush’s ear on September 11th. It was at a Florida elementary school, and Card tells the President: “A second plane hit the second tower. America is under attack.” The President then looks into the distance. Some understood the look as a summoning of strength, others saw bewilderment. In any case, take a look at the next five minutes of the video, courtesy of Memory Hole. They don’t end the photo-op. The Secret Service doesn’t hustle the President out of the room. Ari Fleischer and Andy Card wait patiently. Remember what were you doing that day? The President sits there and does nothing.
The videotape doesn’t provide good context, which is unfortunate. This could be a clever edit job — for all we know, Card whispers to the President at the end of the video. It hardly matters, though. The image of the President and advisors finishing their self-serving photo-op while the country is being attacked and before the Pentagon was hit is heartbreaking. How does this match with the other accounts from that day? The President left the photo-op and proceeded to fly around the Southeast until the afternoon. There was confusion in the Situation Room as to whether planes could be shot down — eventually, Dick Cheney made the call. This video tells us that the President wasn’t rushed to safety. He wasn’t consulting with his aides. He was hanging out. Jokes about Cheney, Rove, et al being the real power behind the Presidency are common — after watching this, they’re not funny. They’re terrifying.
Bush Video on September 11th
Published
a technology job is no excuse 
You must be a complete moron. The president was in front of a bunch of elementary children at the time. He did an excellent job of keeping his cool in front of these children and not scaring them to death.
The fact of the matter is, there was nothing he could do. I think you have been reading too many comic books. What did you expect him to do change into his Superman costume, fly off and go fight the terrorists. When he could do something about it, he did, in Afghanistan, Iraq… sound familiar. Moron.
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my name is christopher solimine. i am a soldier in the army currently deployed in iraq. i am writeing this in a tent, in 130 degree heat at the end of a 18 hour shift. i dont think you people understand the sacrifices we make for your freedoms. i am over here with all of my comrades so you can have the freedom to slander my commander and chief. i may not like your opinoin of my president but it is your right as an american. but my views are if you have time to post something this stupid about the president why not take the time to make something in support of your troops. we are the ones who bear the burdens of your freedoms. we watch our children grow through pictures. we eat when we have time and we sleep when it is possible. we can not drive to mcdonalds to get something to eat when we are hungry. we can not turn the ac up in our vehicles when it is 130 degrees out. these are things that you take for granted every day. remember your troops who are here fighting and dieing so that you may have the right to voice your opinion.
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Hi there, I understand the way some people may be angry at your remarks, but I also understand the disability in your president to actually do anything positive for your country. Sending troops over to Iraq however is not keeping the freedom in America, in fact America is not free at all. In case you didnt know there is no freedom of the press in the States. If those in power want a political view deleted from mass media for example they will edit it out. They choose what views are promoted and which are not. Back to Iraq, Iraq has no weapons what so ever, the whole operation is a sham, and shamful to a country that I fell shamed saying I am part of sometimes, espechially with the moronic people in charge of it, who believe the solution to every problem is to bomb the shit out of people. Wrong!!!! Guess what….war still equals more death on all sides. Lets see how long the army stays in Iraq before the Vietnam pictures start happenning in the news…oh wait, the news companies wont show the public because they want to keep the production of oil and the contracts for US oil companies like Cheyney’s. Im sorry I forgot that the US does not have objective journalism unlike the BBC and more so the CBC (british and Canadian broadcasting corporations.) This I did notice on the day of the attacks. I am an American and Canadian, but I feel ashamed of my American side sometimes. Maybe its time to stop killing, and try a new political foreign policy instead of force for everything we want in the US. We cannot continue to act like a pitbull and not expect to eventually have some repercussions. These are my thoughts and I respect the thoughts of others as well, as different opinions and beliefs are what makes the world good. Its just too bad that everyone can not repect each others thoughts because if they could we would have more peace and discussion instead of fighting, no discussion and mass destruction. Its time for those in power to feel the pain of the youth now!!!!! Change the world your way!!!
Thank you
Mike, 22, Brock University.
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Gunnar, on the date when you so ignorantly posted your remark I was in Lackland Texas at Boot Camp for the Air Force. I can’t believe the selfishness people like you show. You can never be pleased, and you expect everything to be perfect. Let me tell you something…perfection is impossible especially when there are ignorant people like you in this world. That also goes for Mike, who cannot even spell the word ‘shame’. You both need to get a clue…America is not perfect, but it is a whole hell of a lot better than any other country in this world. And Mike, of course it does not meet up to your definition of freedom…what do you want to do? Run around naked shooting people, and doing whatever you want? America is Free. The Press has far too much freedom. They would be shot or worse for the things they say about our country and our president if they were anywhere else but America. I don’t know how much more Freedom we can have in America if people like you can go around spewing such traitorous comments. Perhaps someday my blood will be among those who have served our country and even you so selflessly. Your welcome for giving you the right to freedom of speech.
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Mike and Gunnar have my support. I wonder how those of you in the military are fairing though, especially since your “Commander in Chief” (I put it between inverted commas because thats an arguable point), decided to cut your wages. Maybe on the little free time you have, you could pick up a book about depleted uranium and its effects on the human body? Did I mention Bush is the “President” that’s taken the most time out for holidays in the history of the U.S.A.?
At best the video shows Bush is an incompetent puppet, at worst that he was not taken to safety because it was a know fact he wasn’t in any danger.
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First off, to Spec. Solimine. I served when I was younger, and I know what you are talking about. Drive On! Stay alert. Fly Nap of the earth if you have to move! And know that there are people here who have experienced life in the service and know what a stress it is on you and all your fellow soldiers. We are here, and we thank you.
The nature of Bush’s leadership, his willingness to sit in front of all these kids while thousands began to die on that truly worst day of days in this country’s history, is not important. Bush is creating lots of problems for us, but there’s something you miss completely, Mike from Brock University! We are facing a dangerous and completely immoral enemy. Our needs to protect our families is here right now! Are you saying we should not have gone into Afhanistan to kill the enemy? What would you do with these people? Certainly not your below technique?:
“Its just too bad that everyone can not repect each others thoughts because if they could we would have more peace and discussion instead of fighting, no discussion and mass destruction. Its time for those in power to feel the pain of the youth now!!!!”
You are young, and understandably illusioned with the concept of a utopian answer in a peaceful form. The history of the conflicts behind this war, starting with the spread of anti-semitism and then the creation of the volatile state of Israel, would give you some perspective.
As for Iraq, what the F!$@ was Saddam up to for years with his people? Getting them fed, educated, and given great paying jobs? No, they were being tortured and oppressed by a violent dictator who was willing to gas hundreds of kurdish families, and executed whole families like a mafia boss in movies. And what would you do about that? More of your “why just we can’t all get along” won’t make Saddam take pause and say to himself in a mirror “Hmmm, maybe I could NOT be a sadistic killer of women and children…”
I don’t mean to single you out. I can respect your feelings on the subject. But if we were to take on your methods 50 years ago, the Nazi’s would have consumed Europe and a good corner of Russia, then killed on our shores one day. War is needed in this world! When dictatorships run amok, you have return the balance of power to those who want to return the region to a humane place to live in.
When it gets really bad, stay home. Let Specialist Solimine and the others make your world a safe place you can take for granted…
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Hi,
Its not that Bush could have done something better than what he is seen doing in the video. Its just the fact, that every american who sacrifice his life fighting in Iraq, pays for some misfounded illgotten information about Iraq. The Hallitburton scam, only make the observation correct, that bush is making money(private, on his own)with the blood of american soldiers. Humanity has gone so low in Bush regime, that utter greed has taken over, to funnel money killing own american soldiers.
What really is atrocious, is the fact that there is no WMD(weapon of mass destruction). The very basis of going into war. It sucks. How many more american soldiers would sacrifice his life for bush personal wealth remains to be seen?
America used to have the strongest economy, under his regime, it has become the most fragile economy. And still, Bush talks Iraq, WMD, War in his speeches. To hell with Bush, who cant identify real problems of its citizens.
As for our soldiers in war, i salute u, and have deep respect for you. Its just the administration who has got into this trouble, without any evidence. So far more than 500 american soldiers have died in Iraq, at wat cost????
Come on Bush, wake up. Otherwise we are bound to kick you out in the coming elections. Theres no WMD, dont kill your own soldiers for your greed.
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America is not the freest country in the world. Our press should not be censored and there are many countries with a freer press than we have, particularly in Europe. As far as comparing Nazi Germany with Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq is concerned, Hitler had invaded Czechoslavakia, Poland, France, and was moving into England before we did anything, and that was because of Japan, not Germany. The US should have entered World War II after the invasion of Poland. We need to have a more reasonable foreign policy that doesn’t constantly change based on our domestic political climate.
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Also, couldn’t the President’s life have been in danger? Why wasn’t he instantly moved to a safe, undisclosed location?
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I don`t know what kind of person would write something about our wonderful president who has done a number of great things.He couldn`t help September 11th noone could exept one man.His name is Bill Clinton.What a joke he was for a president ! I mean how did he even get elected for Godness sakes he was a draft dodger.He does even have enough balls to fight for his country that he lives in and then he wants to run it.So if you ever want to pick a president to dis….pick one that has actuly done something to screw up our country and all that president Bush has done is made our country and our world a better place.Unlike you,a person that can`t even find really something wrong with our president.
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Only a moron redneck would think that Bush is a good president. He is a corrupt insider with the IQ of a goat. In 20 years he will be know as histories greatest nightmare.
“fool me once…. shame on… you? Fool me… wont get fooled again.”
Classic.
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We, as a nation, gave Iraq weapons during the Gulf War. We, as a nation, created the dictator Saddam Hussein and helped him oppress the Iraqi people. Our defense of liberty is sporadic and driven by greed. I’m sorry, but I DO NOT support the troops that are out there murdering civilians and “protecting liberties” so that American bureaucrats can line their pockets. I WILL NOT support America’s oppression and manipulation of the rest of the world.
But then again, they have succeeded have they not? By the second comment, there was mention of the military occupation of Iraq. What does Sept. 11th have to do with Iraq? Other than the USA’s policy, nothing. That is exactly the point. There is nothing linking the two. After September 11th, the Bush administration announced that it would begin what it called a
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You know what? I have to agree with the first comment made after your little artical. staying put for a minuet or so more saved the children from getting paniced. he sat there to make sure the kids knew what was happening. I feel ashamed as an American citizen and future Navy member to know that some people would critisize our president for somthing as stupid as that!!! If I was in his place I would do the same thing. What if the president had rushed to the pentagon and got there minuets befor it was attacked? We would have been twice as vulnerable. If you goin to critsize, critisize yourself,baka!!!!
~an agitated high school junior~
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grow up idiot!
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It bothers me reading some of these comments. So many people can’t see any side or point of view of their own. Such is the curse of human nature, I suppose. The look of bewilderment on Bush’s face is probably just that. I think at this point we can all agree that Bush is an idiot. I think the troop that wrote one of (if not the first comment) was right to be upset about our libel (slander is spoken) of the troops. But haven’t we established at this point that we can defy a president, defy a war, but still support the troops? Aside from that, I have no problem with the president being in the air for several hours in case the White House is being attacked. However, Air Force 1 is built to withstand missile attacks. We don’t have to worry too much about it being shot down. The agitated high school junior may want to look into that. Furthermore, the President wouldn’t be flown to the Pentagon, which serves primarily as a military headquarters. But I don’t blame the high school junior, either. I thought I knew everything when I was that age, too. Fundamentalists destroy not only this country, not only the social contract that we all advertantly (or otherwise) enter into, but any chance of peace that will ever exist. None of us really know everything that happens, nor will we ever. But why is it so hard to listen to others without condemning their views? I guess that’s why I don’t like anyone.
Just trying to live a simple life,
Ron Berg
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