Yes, but did he give her a hug?

This is the sort of honesty that earned the trust of the man's followers. He's just like that regular guy at a barbecue whose limited understanding of world affairs and -- well, and whatnot -- mean there's no point in trying to have a conversation.

The man knows he's incapable of larnin' from his mistakes, and he's just telling that like it is. Why, a weasel like Clinton would have tried to give the impression that he was listening to people whose children he'd sent to their deaths. That kind of dupicity we just don't need. No sir -- straight shooters for us.

Bush couldn't win a philosophical discussion with a turnip.

And now you have made that public knowledge, you traitor. Why do you hate America and want the turnips to win?

...because any such discussion would be a TAD one-sided. Dubya isn't exactly a philosopher king (although he probably fancies himself to be one). Any real philosophizing would have to come from Hildi Halley and others who are truly living through the "cons" of war; our president doesn't seem to acknowledge that there even IS a downside to Iraq, etc.

To him, the problem is simply one of staying the course, no matter what; to continue doing exactly what we've been doing, and expecting at long last that different and wondrous outcome which has eluded us until now.

Wait a minute, where have we heard that before? "Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result?" Isn't that, ummm, the classic definition of INSANITY? Yeah, I believe it is...

when your president tells you to your face that

a) he doesn't care

b) your loved ones died for nothing

c) screw you and suck it up

I might have slapped him.

Seriously if there is a draft there will be insurrection.

Vacation is no time for discussing weighty topics, right? In Bush's mind, you can't "tag him" while he's "safely on base," so to speak.

It all makes sense if you just look at it through the eyes of a child.

How 'bout:

"IS BUSH AN ASSHOLE?"

I guess there's "no point" in allowing your band of incompetent thugs to mislead the country, then.

Such language from this president to the widow unscores how little he merits those who bleed and die to serve our country.

...and you can't call an objective (freedom and democracy in Iraq) a 'strategy,' as Bush did in his last press conference.

Likewise, facing up to reality and making a decision does not constitute 'having a philosophical discussion.'

I almost begin to believe that this man is not a president; he certainly doesn't seem any more eager to do his job than he is to get his definitions right.

If he won't make a decision in Iraq--either to withdraw or to put in more troops--then what are paying him for?

I'm extremely angry about all this Administration has done to fuck over the American people. However, I can't think of anything tangible and useful that I can do about it (standing on the corner with a "Honk if you hate Bush" sign doesn't really appeal). Can anyone give me specific examples of ways I can make myself heard and possibly change something?

...Magpie. However, if the Republican happens to be solidly against the war and the Democrat isn't, then vote for the Republican. If it's a wash, or if both are pro war, then vote for the Democrat.

In no circumstances should you vote third party, it won't do anything.

Really it's the best thing you can do. It won't solve everything, but it will help.

GWB in all his sociopathic callousness... The guy has no empathy, no understanding, and no moral compass.

She must of thought she was better than Cindy Sheehan!!!

Look, if you care about traumatized people, then you care about all of them. For example, even the ones traumatized by sexual abuse.

Your current front page story looks visually like you're deliberately taunting people who have been traumatized by sexual abuse.

You guys can be deliberately and provocatively insensitive, but the President can't?

That doesn't seem very fair to me.

If Salon can display gross insensitivity to human trauma, then the President can do it too.

"Halley said the president told her that "there was no point in us having a philosophical discussion about the pros and cons of the war."

It seems like the president has kept the same position ever since his administration and him started the war. In the president's world, there is no point in talking to anyone whose position on war is different from his. The "Decider" has decided and judged everyone esle not on his team.

The best I can come up with is to pull the lever marked "Democrat" in 2008, hope that the lever is actually connected to something, and further hope that whatever monkey that gets trotted out as a result doesn't leave as much do-do on the stage as this one did.

It's so not enough, but it's the best I've got.

Which makes doubt even more if our system of government is worth "exorting" to Iraq.

outwit a head of lettuce.

I am no supporter of President Bush's policies in Iraq, far from it. But in your posting above, you have stated only part of the story. The same lady went on to say that the President got "emotional", "cried" and "hugged her". That gives a complete picture of what happened. He may be uncaring of some relatives of our troops (as indicated by his refusal to meet with Ms. Cindy Sheehan), but this incident does not point to that. And making it so will provide ammo for those who support him and his bad policies.

Take care. Ravi.

On his way to vacation at his parents' compound in Kennebunkport, George W. Bush stopped at a local elementary school Thursday.

When he's there, do they call it Compound W?

On his way to vacation at his parents' compound in Kennebunkport, George W. Bush stopped at a local elementary school Thursday

I guess his stop at the school was in his "Presidential Mode" so the transportation to the Family Estate will be paid for by the tax payers.

Standard "conservative" behaviour.