caption PHOTO: more than half the troops did NOT stand up for bush*

seems that condi and some other bushites are TRYING to get OUR troops to stand up for the chimp....few care to....



U.S. President George W. Bush with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in audience at upper left, meets American troops based in Germany at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)


not exactly THRILLED to see the pResident...



not even returning the Commander-in-Chief's salute....sad...

good!

Now who wants to die in Iran so GE can make money?

what he's selling. He & Condo and a suit or two are buying it, but no one else is.

right under GWB's right elbow, to Bush's "right" . . .

Having worked as a DOD civilian at a military base with the Commander a 3-Star General, it was SOP for all personnel be they military or civilian to stand when the Commander of the base entered an auditorium or briefing room.

I always felt it was a little to pompous to require civilians to stand for the Commander but being one of the lowly and not wanting the attention or reprimands I knew I would face, I always stood.

I did stand my ground with The Commander when I refused to participate in the annual United Fund Campaign. Along with another refusenik, we were called into the Commander's inner-sanctum and had to personally state why we did not want to be a part of this noble American function........one that had become a requirement for all military and civilians on military posts and agencies around the world. My partner - refusenik and I won that battle and I even came away with the feeling that the Commander admired our stand as we heard nothing more of it and the following year were not even asked to join the Campaign for funds.

I am sure that these troopers were standing for this Commander-in-Chief only because they were required to and not because they did it out of affection or respect for this joker.

.

The video we saw in Germany showed a very luke-warm response, with clapping being perfunctory and half-hearted. What do you expect? This is the 1AD, and they are being sent back to Iraq in November after having already deployed there for 18 months.

I noticed that Laura's speech was very similar to the one she gave on her DVD to children of military members, circa 2003.

Here was her spiel, more or less.

"Message from Mrs. Laura Bush"

"Greetings from back home in America.

President Bush and I are thinking about you and your families while your mom or dad is protecting our country and helping people in other nations build a better life. People all across the world have witnessed the bravery and the courage of your parents. We’ve seen their kindness, especially to the people of Afghanistan and Iraq. In those two countries, your parents have helped to free millions of families and children from violence and hatred. They’ve given children everywhere, especially here in America, the chance to grow up in peace.

As they defend our country and advance freedom, they’re also changing people’s lives. Your moms and dads are supplying whole villages with their first taste of clean water. They’re delivering medicine to sick children and supplies to hospitals. They’re rebuilding schools so that millions of children can study and learn. In fact, thanks to your parents, little girls who were not allowed to read or to sit in a classroom at all are going to school for the first time in their lives. You should be incredibly proud of your parents, just as every American is grateful for their service.

We’re also incredibly proud of you. You don’t fly jet planes or wear uniforms, but as children of our troops, you serve too. The courage with which you do so is an inspiration to us all. You face the challenge of moving to new bases, new schools, and even new countries. You have to learn new languages, and make new friends while helping your parents at home with housework, babysitting, and lots of letter writing. And the hardest part, you worry about your moms and dads far away.

I know being apart from the people you love is not easy, but as long as there is hatred in the world, there will be a need for brave men and women like your parents to protect America. We’ll never forget their commitment to our country. As your moms and dads are helping others, I hope you’ll continue to help your families at home. You can set the table for your mom or dad, or read to your brothers and sisters. You can clean up your room without being asked, or write a special letter to your parents where they are deployed. And keep studying and working hard in school. Being kind to others, helping around the house, and doing well in school are great ways you can support and honor your parents.

Remember that people all across America care about you and your parents. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Next time you write to your mom or dad, tell them how much President Bush and I appreciate their courage and dedication. Thank you for everything that you do to support your families and serve your country. May God grant you strength and patience, and may God bless America."