Bush to attend Virginia Tech service

[rodeodance]

Bush to attend Virginia Tech service

45 minutes ago

WASHINGTON -
Laura Bush will attend Tuesday's convocation at Virginia Tech to remember those affected by the deadliest campus violence ever in this country.


After the shooting on Monday, Bush expressed shock and sadness over the more than 30 people who died on the campus. The White House confirmed on Tuesday morning he and Mrs. Bush would travel to the university in Blacksburg, Va., to attend the afternoon convocation.

"Schools should be places of safety, sanctuary and learning," Bush said Monday in reaction to the deaths. "When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom in every American community."

Bush spoke with Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Virginia Tech President Charles Steger.

[wakeme2008]

1. this photo op is just now what VT needs now

:grr:

Security and traffic jams all because asshole wants a photo op :grr:

[tanyev]

2. As if they don't have enough to deal with right now.

[onenote]

12. Clinton attended the OK City memorial service

This isn't anything unusual

[wakeme2008]

16. OK City is a big city next to Blacksburg

and Clinton did not use as many SS as King Bush.

[Botany]

3. No politics here .... if Laura Bush wants to attend the services fine.

This is not a democrat or republican tragedy it is a national tragedy.

[Robbien]

7. But the security circus surrounding a Bush visit is a huge hit to a community

The traffic inconvenience shouldn't be added on top of everything else they have to suffer through.

[marylanddem]

4. Outrageous

He is such a fucking narcissist, any opportunity to inject himself into the public eye - My God.

[Botany]

9. You are right but "they" need to be there

As long as they sit down & shut up.

I wish Laura would do this solo.

[bryant69]

5. Lets imagine our response if President Bush had chosen NOT to attend

"What a cold-hearted Bastard. Doesn't he care at all for this tragedy."

"Just shows what a selfish nasty person Bush is. If he doesn't see the possibility for personal gain he won't go."

And so on and so forth.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[slj0101]

15. I'm certainly not defending the guy, but I agree.

I'm all for cautious hesitation at the moment. I can't criticize his actions or intentions until his visit is over.

[wakeme2008]

17. I disagree, if he said it was due to the problems his security would bring

to Blacksburg at this time. Most ppl would understand

[bryant69]

18. It wouldn't matter what he did or how he explained it

We would crucify him.

Bryant

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Just what we need - more media and disruption in an already tragic time

[Connonym]

8. Of course he should go

it would be unseemly to not go. Two things though, A) It accents the fact that he's never attended a funeral for a soldier he sent to Iraq and 2) I hope he takes it more seriously than Dick would

[paparush]

10. Just like he attended all of those Katrina funerals...oh...wait.....

[chelsea0011]

13. And he's rushing over to attend a soldier's memorial service right

after VT. Right? I didn't think so. But I agree he should be there, but like you said he was playing guitar while people were drowning in LA. and MS. and he hasn't, to my knowledge, ever attended any memorial services for His War.

[kskiska]

11. Right after *'s selection and coronation in 2001

it was announced that he would not be an in-your-face president like Clinton. After the Chinese plane incident and *'s apology to China, he pointedly did not fly to Washington state to greet the plane's crew after their release by China.

He was against these photo-ops before he was for them.

(snip)

The president wanted to bring them here (the White House). You will recall he did not go out to Washington state, when most of the crew returned to its base out there. The president said then that he thought that it would be best if he stayed out of the public limelight and let the crew enjoy their special moment. But he did want to bring them into the White House so that he could personally thank them for what he calls heroism during that 11-day standoff with China.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0105/18/bn.06.html

[donco6]

14. It's Bush's 2007 "stand on the rubble with a bullhorn" moment.

Ugh.

[MiniMe]

19. I wonder if they will keep dissenters out

:sarcasm:

[skippysmom]

20. Interesting...

Just saw something interesting in Kelly O'Donnell's report from the White House -- she said that Bush's schedule was in flux this week, and that the VA Tech incident may affect Gonzo's hearing and other meetings he had scheduled.

Yet no one could make him give up vacation to go visit Katrina victims.

Conclusion: he won't give up vacation time for a photo op, but he'll blow off work to do it.