Why AWOL is so important (my opinion)

[AngryYoungMan]

As Josh Marshall pointed out, the public's reaction to Bush is moving in directions that defy predictions and analysis. Bush dropped 10 points in a week, and Marshall couldn't find the root cause.

Then he found the root cause. It all dated back to David Kay's announcement. Marshall argued that beltway types knew all about the WMD fraud, but that the public suddenly realized they'd been duped and got mad.

The same thing could happen with AWOL except worse. The Bush gang has skated over the truth so glibly for so long (and so effectively, thanks to the press) that they have lost touch with the basic dynamics of their deception.

In other words, their entire house of cards is built on DELAYING the eventual release of real facts (about the economy, the Energy Commision, bin laden, 9/11, the deficit, etc.) so that by the time people see what happened, it's too late.

But AWOL is different because a) there's no bureaucratic delay that will look plausible; b) it's such a simple thing that anyone can understand, that doesn't involve Hans Blix or Tony Blair or a doctored satellite photo...

And, most importantly, c): the myth being punctured is PERSONAL. This goes to Bush THE PERSON and not his policies. It rips the mask off the "simple Texas ranchman" and reveals the craven, pampered ne'er-do-well underneath.

If this story is successfully pursued, the public will suddenly meet the REAL George Bush. It should have happened four years ago, but what are you going to do. Corporate press and all.

People are funny. They seem like they're easily controlable, but at odd moments they're not. And once they've turned on you...look out.

My $0.02

[Maat]

1. Absolutely.

This may not be connected...but you reminded me of something. During the months before we attacked Iraq, I remember just feeling the Bush Administration pushing toward war. It was in the Air. I got into debates during law classes...and was attacked and told to leave the country (I was a 45-year-old traitor all of a sudden). Boy did I get into trouble when I suggested that there was no imminent sufficient threat to the U.S. and the war was illegal as it had not met the standard for UN cooperation. I told my fellow debaters then they would be very angry after they figured out how badly they had been duped.

[AngryYoungMan]

3. Exactly.

Every kid knows this: don't fake somebody out if you're planning on being in the vicinity when they find out.

[Homer12]

2. I think it is important that it will help to destroy...

...the myth of GW Bush that was created to help select him as rPresident in the first place.

To expose him as the privlaged son of one of the nations most powerfull famalies.

To put doubt into peoples minds that the Bush Administration really is not looking out for US, but are only looking out for themselves.

AWOL can only help to perpetuate and un-cover Bushco's other lies and manipulations in the major media.

[madrchsod]

4. yup ,

the past finally caught up to him . if he had never started this war in the way he did ,nobody would have heard about any of this.and your last paragraph certainly is the truth...

[Carni]

5. "Character Counts"

Isn't that what all the RW fat heads spouted for 8 years?

[Arugula Latte]

6. You forgot the important qualifier

* does not apply to drug-addicted radio hosts, gambling morality police, Republican slime slingers nor illegally installed "presidents"

[shooga]

14. because POTUS

as commander in chief is sending 20 year old kids to die !!!!!

have you ever held an M16 in your hands while trying to dodge bullets whizzing by you?




http://noni.freeyellow.com

[lapislzi]

7. "Fathead" is a delightful word!

I had forgotten about it. It was a great favorite of my grandmother's, who used it to refer both to Nixon and my orthodontist. I propose reviving "fathead" pronto!

[fob]

16. The best line out of this whole thing is Blount's son or nephew

that said bush* thought himself quite the cuntsman(such a great word for his whole attitude)

bush* - We the taxpayers paid for him to be a pilot Guardsman and instead he plays hookie in 'Bama as a Cuntsman!

[NNN0LHI]

8. Its all catching up to them and they can't react fast enough n/t

[Snappy]

9. 10 months to go.

A lot can happen in that time. We must keep the pressure on. Being complacent or angry isn't enough. This is a war for our survival in my view. The Neo Fascists have declared war on us from the moment they siezed power. We must keep the siege going for the next 10 months. We cannot depend on the Dem politicians to fight with us. Many people see Michael Moore as a comedian but as he has proved, he can bring issues to the front. We must help him out with ideas if we can think of ways to further this struggle.

The Neo Fascists must not be allowed to maintain their power. We must sieze it back!

[maggrwaggr]

10. I think the timing for AWOL is perfect

Because if this were to come up right before the election, I think voters would just smell a dirty political trick.

I.E. The "gropinator" charges on Arnold.

But it's nice and early, and it destroys his credibility, and this myth they've created of the "average Joe"-ness about Bush.

People are realizing he's a privileged little snot, and he's NOT an honest, straight-talking good old boy.

He's a goddamn liar. And he made fools out of millions of people. People don't like being made fools of.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

11. I agree

This story in many ways reminds me of Tricky Dick and Watergate.
Remember when Nixon said "I am not a crook". I think he said that in a press conference in Nov-Dec. 1973 and he was history in August 1974.

Same thing with Bush's comment on MTP re: being a war president. It takes Americans awhile to really "get things" and I do think that they're starting to see Bush for the arrogant arsehole he always was. At least I hope so.

[Wapsie B]

12. That and the fact

that a deserter has sent so many sons and daughters of this country to their deaths.

[NJCher]

13. I was just making the points about their delaying tactics

I made these points to a friend who said we haven't had a good scandal in years. There are plenty of scandals with this crowd but delaying tactics have kept them from raging in the press.

You make a good point about this being easy to understand. Not only that, but it speaks to the heart of the issue Edwards pounds home in his campaign: the two Americas. In that sense it reinforces a popularly held view that bush caters to the rich and does not understand the issues of middle income Americans...that he is a member of the elite and that the rules don't apply to him.


Cher

[cally]

15. The entire AWOL story illustrates that *

is a pampered, well-connected, rich man who was provided opportunities most of us don't have. It hit the press at the perfect time. First, the public is realizing that there are no WMDs and questiioning * lies and lack of leadership. Now AWOL that illustrates that he's not a likeable schlump that you want to have a beer with but instead a pampered, rich man. It almost doesn't matter if he was actually AWOL. His actions show he's hiding something, is less than honest, has the power to hide records, and shows his lack of character.