Quote :

"President Bush plays a guitar presented to him by Country Singer Mark Wills, right, backstage following his visit to Naval Base Coronado, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. Bush visited the base to deliver remarks on V-J Commemoration Day. (AP Photo/ABC News, Martha Raddatz)"

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050830/480/capm10208301856;_ylt=AuK8hsALdyvvdO0omNnY3k9paP0E;_ylu=X3oDMTBjZmlzODllBHNlYwNzc2lncm91cA--

8/31/2005 7:54:43 PM

clever

8/31/2005 8:02:21 PM

No, I mean, it makes sense

If he doesn't spend every waking hour sitting at his desk pondering all the problems in the world, he's a failure as a president.

8/31/2005 8:12:05 PM

^Noted, but is he really taking 5 weeks off? That seems a bit excessive to me.

8/31/2005 8:18:07 PM

That, sir, is awesome. Kudos to you.

8/31/2005 8:18:50 PM

Surely you understand that the President doesn't ever really take time "off" like you or I understand it. I take a vacation, and I fucking don't work during that vacation. The President is still doing the job, he's just doing it from a location other than the White House.

That said, because of this very misconception and a few more reasonable remarks about the nature of the "vacation," I think taking five weeks when he's already made fun of for vacation time was an incredibly stupid decision.

8/31/2005 8:21:46 PM

That's one ugly G-chord.

8/31/2005 8:22:00 PM

Quote :

"If he doesn't spend every waking hour sitting at his desk pondering all the problems in the world, he's a failure as a president. "

He had plenty of time to take vacation. He was just on vacation last week in Idaho mountain biking. This is on the 2nd day of hurricane. Oh wait, who always says that with big power comes big responsibility?

8/31/2005 8:27:55 PM

Quote :

"Surely you understand that the President doesn't ever really take time "off" like you or I understand it. "

then why leave washington

8/31/2005 8:39:11 PM

apparently he cut his vacation short by a day because of the katrina thing. if he has to cut it short to deal with a situation, then obviously he can't do as much from texas as he can from d.c. he has spent more time on vacation than any other president before him, and he hasn't even started his sixth year.

8/31/2005 8:44:19 PM

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9148526/site/newsweek

Quote :

"So why is Bush going back to Washington now? When asked yesterday what Bush could do in Washington for hurricane relief that he couldn’t do from his Texas ranch, McClellan told reporters no less than five times that it was the president’s “preference” to return to the White House. Asked if the decision was more “symbolic” than logistical, McClellan said, “I disagree with the characterization.”"

First everyone bitches because he's on vacation. Now everyone bitches because he's not on vacation.

8/31/2005 8:56:38 PM

I never said he could do as much from Texas as he can from Washington, but he can do most of it, and when he runs into something that needs doing that can't, he goes back to Washington.

8/31/2005 8:57:11 PM

Quote :

"He had plenty of time to take vacation. He was just on vacation last week in Idaho mountain biking. This is on the 2nd day of hurricane. Oh wait, who always says that with big power comes big responsibility?"

That's why we have agencies like FEMA who are supposed to the majority of the work to deal with these situations. Do you honestly think one person should (or even could) micro-manage a whole nation of 280 million people?

Secondly, where can I apply for some of your jobs? I know that whenever I've gone on vacation, it takes about two hours for my phone to start ringing non-stop because someone needs something or someone can't figure something out. And I think my job is a little less stressful than the President of the United States.

[Edited on August 31, 2005 at 8:57 PM. Reason : .]

8/31/2005 8:57:28 PM

i can do nearly all my job from my apartment. but there's something about being at the workplace that makes me more productive. not to mention having other people close by to bounce things off of. i think it's probably the same way for a president. i'm sorry but there have to be advantages to being within walking distance of congress when you're president.

8/31/2005 8:58:39 PM

^Jesus, does the phone never stop when not working. Sir, I can't find the format for your TPS reports, HELP!!!

8/31/2005 8:59:38 PM

^^

I agree it would be more productive if he were in Washington. However, the President needs to be able to do his work on the road and in Air Force One as well. He can't stay in Washington all the time--most presidents have LOTS of speaking appointments all over the country.

Oh, I'm telling you, Jon. I'm going to start having reading comprehension checks with some of my people (to include some idiot captains as well).

[Edited on August 31, 2005 at 9:06 PM. Reason : .]

8/31/2005 9:04:52 PM

what was he supposed to do? fire neutrinos into the hurricaine and make it change course?

8/31/2005 9:10:57 PM

Quote :

"I never said he could do as much from Texas as he can from Washington, but he can do most of it,"

and when we're talking about something as important as our country, MOST is good enough

8/31/2005 9:11:57 PM

Shit, the presidents job, although more important then mine, is executed the same way these days. Answer the phone a lot, fill out/sign paperwork, make decisions and tell people what to do. You don't have to be sitting in a circular office to do that.

^Mav. captains call because some fucking field grade is riding their ass. I'm always content to leave people on leave alone, until some Major demands to know the meaning of life according to someone on vacation. I think they do it just to be dicks.

8/31/2005 9:18:48 PM

Quote :

"Oh wait, who always says that with big power comes big responsibility?"

That would be Uncle Ben.

8/31/2005 9:27:16 PM

big power big responsibility? so i guess that means no break whatsoever, right? gotta keep up with that big responsibility. no vacation allowed at all!

8/31/2005 9:29:07 PM

Quote :

"That's why we have agencies like FEMA who are supposed to the majority of the work to deal with these situations. Do you honestly think one person should (or even could) micro-manage a whole nation of 280 million people? "

i never said he should go to New Orleans and start digging for surviviros, but he should at least show some compassion, care and urgency in dealing with this situation. playing on a guitar during this time isnt exactly emphatic, much less productive. Presidential job isnt exactly 9-5.
btw, my phone doesnt ring when im on vacation, because i havent taken one in 3 years, or since i graduated.

Quote :

"big power big responsibility? so i guess that means no break whatsoever, right? gotta keep up with that big responsibility. no vacation allowed at all! "

thats right. no fucking break.

[Edited on August 31, 2005 at 9:39 PM. Reason : ff]

8/31/2005 9:34:31 PM

Quote :

"^Mav. captains call because some fucking field grade is riding their ass. I'm always content to leave people on leave alone, until some Major demands to know the meaning of life according to someone on vacation. I think they do it just to be dicks."

Oh no, this isn't that situation. No, trust me, I really know some incompetent captains.

8/31/2005 10:38:50 PM

Quote :

"what was he supposed to do? fire neutrinos into the hurricaine and make it change course?"

He saw, just as everyone else did, that this storm was coming and that it was likely to hit as a Cat. 4 or 5 in a volitile area. As president he should have made preparations instead of taking the "wait and see" approach. Instead he is out playing the guitar like the redneck he is. Damn this is just so fitting.

This isn't about vacation or not. It's about where he is at right after a major hurricane when an enitre city is under water.

Quote :

"big power big responsibility? so i guess that means no break whatsoever, right? gotta keep up with that big responsibility. no vacation allowed at all!"

Now who's being fucking stupid?

9/1/2005 12:15:11 AM

"HE" doesn't make that decision, the head of FEMA does.
Not to mention the governors of the various states, their respective disaster relief organizations, the various municiple entities, etc.

9/1/2005 12:18:27 AM

That's right. "He" can invade a country illegally but "he" can't do anything to help prepare for a natural disaster.

9/1/2005 12:45:53 AM

That's right. Read your constitution.

9/1/2005 2:36:28 AM

Please point out for me where our Constitution empowers our president to conduct illegal wars.

9/1/2005 4:11:38 AM

Article II, section 2 makes him commander in chief. The War Powers Resolution grants him the power to wage war without a declaration, if the congress consents. Which it did.

But what did we expect the Prez. to do in this case? Mobilize the military? Then the other half of the people on the board would be screaming Posse comitatus. As per the Constitution this was a matter for the states to handle initially. Unless they had asked Congress for help before the Hurricane struck his hands would have been tied. However, I am willing to concede that we are now potentially at the point that meets the criteria under Posse comitatus in which the active duty military can be employed.

[Edited on September 1, 2005 at 5:13 AM. Reason : .]

9/1/2005 5:06:14 AM

Are there not UN laws to prohibit such biligerant actions though?

The point is that he is out playing the banjo while a major cities' population is in a horrific situation. The analogy is perfect.

9/1/2005 5:50:46 AM

gg W.

9/1/2005 6:05:10 AM

He's back to work today.

9/1/2005 10:54:11 AM

Irrelevant. Does he want a cookie?

9/1/2005 10:59:42 AM

Quote :

"He saw, just as everyone else did, that this storm was coming and that it was likely to hit as a Cat. 4 or 5 in a volitile area. As president he should have made preparations instead of taking the "wait and see" approach. Instead he is out playing the guitar like the redneck he is. Damn this is just so fitting. "

im pretty sure since all the major news outlets are reporting that the president declared both MS and LA federal disaster areas before the hurricane so that the appropriate federal agencies would be in place to handle the problems

what else is he going to do? neutrinos?

9/1/2005 11:05:49 AM

So should GWB be down there with a bucket trying to bail out New Orleans?

9/1/2005 11:08:23 AM

Quote :

"Are there not UN laws to prohibit such biligerant actions though? "

No. The UN is not a law making body. It has no authority other than the authority it's members give it.

9/1/2005 12:12:21 PM

Quote :

"But what did we expect the Prez. to do in this case? Mobilize the military? Then the other half of the people on the board would be screaming Posse comitatus. As per the Constitution this was a matter for the states to handle initially. Unless they had asked Congress for help before the Hurricane struck his hands would have been tied. However, I am willing to concede that we are now potentially at the point that meets the criteria under Posse comitatus in which the active duty military can be employed."

Governor Blanco has shown herself to be wholly incompetent. I watched her pathetic statements on the news this morning. People are not being rescued as a result of the armed gangs, and she won't give shoot to kill orders. The mayor of New Orleans sounds like he is stoned and the local police are encouraging lawlessness.

9/1/2005 12:55:57 PM

The President of the United States is prevented by law from deploying federal troops to any state that has not requested such deployment without an act of congress, as such behavior could be construed as an act of war against the state in question.

We're just lucky the governor of Alabama didn't see it that way back in 1954, or we could have had a shooting war.

[Edited on September 1, 2005 at 1:04 PM. Reason : .]

9/1/2005 1:04:41 PM

nero fiddles, and condi buys shoes and enjoys a broadway play:

Quote :

"Eyewitness: Sec of State Condi Rice laughs it up at 'Spamalot' while Gulf Coast lays in tatters. Theater goers on New York' City's Great White Way were shocked to see the President's former National Security Advisor at the Monty Python farce last night -- as the rest of the cabinet responds to Hurricane Katrina... "

Unrest Intensifies at Superdome Shelter...

'A scene of anarchy'...

Bush will travel Friday to the region...

NBC sends armed guards to lawless Gulf Coast...

Troops, Police Deployed to Stop Looting...

adn condi is out buying multi-thousand dollar shoes

shouldn't the SECRETARY OF STATE be, I don't know, DOING SOMETHING? At the very least, should she not be conserving fuel rather than trapsing off to new york?

At Least Ten U.S. Airports Face Closure Due to Jet Fuel Shortages...

Motorists urged to drive less as gas supplies drop...

White House: Gas costs to rise further...



'Prices now most dramatic spike ever seen'...

Gas lines clog roads, stations in N Carolina...

Deliveries Falter...

and condolezza rice, secretary of state, is enjoying SPAMALOT
Don't get me wrong, I admire her taste, but holy shit

http://www.gawker.com/news/condoleezza-rice/index.php#breaking-condi-rice-spends-salary-on-shoes-123467

oh, and practicing her backhand

[Edited on September 1, 2005 at 1:49 PM. Reason : .]

9/1/2005 1:48:01 PM

Nothing could keep me from SPAMALOT! I didn't know they were on tour again! Who wants to join me in a road trip to New York !?!?

9/1/2005 1:53:48 PM

Quote :

"The President of the United States is prevented by law from deploying federal troops to any state that has not requested such deployment without an act of congress, as such behavior could be construed as an act of war against the state in question."

Actually, it doesn't require an act of Congress. Read the the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. He(the president) just has to decide that the criteria of posse comitatus is met. Only in specific instances does he need Congress. Then he federalizes the NG or deploys active duty troops.

Quote :

"We're just lucky the governor of Alabama didn't see it that way back in 1954, or we could have had a shooting war. "

Um, what? It was 1957 that Eisenhower federalized the NG and called up the 101st. What are you saying?

9/1/2005 1:56:44 PM

Quote :

"That's right. "He" can invade a country illegally but "he" can't do anything to help prepare for a natural disaster."

I shudder for when you people go into the workplace. I really do.

Does your manager at Starbucks make the lattes or do you make the lattes for the manager at Starbucks. You are paid to make the lattes, while the Starbucks manager is paid to make decisions above and beyond your level. Likewise, the government has these organizations in place so that they can manage these situations with little above interference so that the President can concentrate on other things.

9/1/2005 2:02:49 PM

It's also worth asking, since so many critics think the president is a fucking moron, why the hell do you want him directing, controling, ordering or in any way shape or form being involved in the rescue efforts?

9/1/2005 2:12:23 PM

by the way


John Kerry correctly playing a G barre chord on a vintage Gibson ES-125, properly equipped with pick and strap, demonstrating mastery of right-hand palm-muting technique

9/1/2005 2:14:13 PM

Quote :

"that the President can concentrate on other things."

Like out playing the guitar on what was sure to be a nice sunny day in Co. while millions were left devestated. I am glad to see he has his priorities in order.

[Edited on September 1, 2005 at 2:52 PM. Reason : .]

9/1/2005 2:52:21 PM

Quote :

"Bush visited the base to deliver remarks on V-J Commemoration Day."

9/1/2005 2:55:10 PM

I'll bet that if Bush devoted every second of his time to this, making sure that we all understood the tragedy in Louisiana, we would have these same people pissed off about Bush trying to take attention off of Iraq or the economy.

9/1/2005 3:13:12 PM

Good call, screw them then. They're poor anyways. Now those deep pockets in Iraq, that's who we need to be rubbing elbows with.

9/1/2005 4:21:55 PM

(Am I the only one who noticed that he is playing a "G" cord, in the wrong fret position?)

9/1/2005 11:16:16 PM

praise god for bill clinton

9/1/2005 11:18:23 PM