Elonka wrote:
] Well, I haven't seen the ad, but I don't see it as
] exploitation, I see it as stating a fact. No matter who's
] elected as President, I see one of their top jobs as
] protecting the country from another such event. It's not just
] a trivial occurrence that is being taken advantage of because
] we happen to have an emotional photo -- 9/11 was the greatest
] challenge that our country faced during the course of Bush's
] presidency. How he dealt with that challenge *is* crucially
] important.

[ There's no doubt about it... 9/11 was a test for the entire nation... an event that changed a great deal about how we live in and think about the world. I think it's perfectly fair for George W. Bush to get on the podium and talk about the leadership he displayed in the aftermath of 9/11. I think it's appropriate for him to justify decisions he's made on the basis of the tragedy.

But that's not what I see going on here. That message could have been conveyed in many ways, but the campaign chose to use very specific emotionally charged imagery to sell the point. Not facts. Not arguments. Emotional respose. That's what's offensive, i think. Republicans accuse Democrats of fear-mongering on issues like the economy and health care and medicare, but the fear machine in the heart of DC has been relentlessly focused on national security for 3 years, so I can only think pot, meet kettle. I think i could do with a lot less fear on both sides of all these issues.

My politics are no secret, but when Bush says things like "9/11 Changed the face of america" i don't disagree with the statement, but i do start thinking about the way things changed, and how many of the changes have been detrimental to our liberties, greedy, or shortsighted, and how ultimately he's the responsible party.

] And say what you will, we haven't had another 9/11 while on
] his watch.

God willing, we won't, but the underfunded Homeland Security department isn't why, and neither are CAPPS II or PATRIOT Act. I can only hope there's activity going on that I'm not seeing, but the public records don't point to a lot of quality initiatives here at home.

Incidentally, you can watch the ads online if you've got a fast pipe, which i imagine covers most of us folks : http://www.georgebush.com/tvads/ -k]

RE: Furor over Bush's 9/11 ad