There are ellipses in the transcripts of Bush's "town hall meeting"

[Rose Siding]

It's an infuriating read, complete with his traditional passive aggressive snub of education...

DR. BROWN: And I've been studying Social Security now for about ten years.

THE PRESIDENT: I like to remind people, by the way, he's one of my -- he's an advisor. So for the students here, take heart in this concept. He gets a Ph.D. I get Cs. (Laughter.) I'm the President and he's the advisor. (Applause.)

and the smug, selfish ex-govt worker who doesn't seem to care that govt workers' rights are under assault from his idol...

MR. STUDER: We both have retirement income, much thanks to the federal government. I was a federal employee.

and the humble RN (why is a nurse hyping a bush scheme?)

THE PRESIDENT:...And your husband is an investment guy?

MRS. LOESCH: He owns his own financial firm, yes.

and the 20 yr old potential soldier

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, and so here you are talking to the President about Social Security.
MR. KNUDSEN: I am.
THE PRESIDENT: Why?
MR. KNUDSEN: Why? Because my time outside of school is pretty much split between church and Scouts. I'm an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Marion.

But my *question* has to do with the transcript. Ellipses appear three times, all occuring during portions of speech by the ringers. Has anyone noticed if this is a usual occurance?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/03/20050330-8.html
also posted at
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050330/NEWS/50330013/1001/NEWS

[paineinthearse]

1. Please explain "ellipses" nt

[LynzM]

3. ....

Often used to denote words that have been omitted from a quotation, sometimes (more colloquially) used to denote a pause in speaking, or a thought trailing off, like so....

[paineinthearse]

8. thank you

Herb Caen called that "three dot journalism" ...

[LynzM]

2. I don't know about the ellipses

But the stuff he says makes me want to just.... Aargh! Rub it in a little more that you did mediocre in school and you're the president. Go on, throw it in that guy's face again. Makes you feel good, doesn't it, asshole? Ugh.

Sorry to not be able to answer your questions, though. Maybe they are just intended to convey pauses, and not words removed?

[JDPriestly]

4. Only the rich get somewhere

being mediocre in school. Kids in my neighborhood are lucky to get jobs as truck drivers and shoe salesmen if they don't get straight As.

As for the ellipses . . . interesting. Maybe the speaker was unintelligible. Wouldn't surprise me -- that's the fate of C students sooner or later.

[Rose Siding]

5. Could be, but I'm suspicious

here's one as it occurs:

snip>
MR. BOGAARDS: Well, I would hope so.

* * * * *

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, see, it's very interesting. You see a small businessman who talks about the fact that he is contributing into the system, wondering whether or not that which he's contributing into exists -- will exist. He's -- I presume you've heard of the shortfall that's coming your way.
..............................

The thing is, Bogaards hadn't been talking about what bush refers to here. I think they cut out some worrisome or critical text.

[yardwork]

7. Maybe it was very obvious that W was not responding to even the ringer

Suppose Mr. Bogaards didn't stick with his script but went off on a tangent? Then W continues with the pre-written script, but without his cue, so it looks like a non sequitor. Looks like what it really is - a fake "question and answer" that is really just window dressing for a speech.

[Toots]

10. Typical right wing contempt of the intellectual.

You have all them uppity up degrees but I is you all's boss..hear?

[Oeditpus Rex]

6. I'd never trust

a White House transcript as a faithful rendition of a speech or verbal exchange — but many news organizations do. Some were caught last week in the "wait for the courts to deliver its message" bit.

(In news style, ellipses indicate part of a quote has been excised. I have no idea how the Wregime might use them.)

[paineinthearse]

9. Here's a way to determine the answer

The WH posts both transcripts and video. Read the transcript while listening to the streaming video.