A clear need

The US military is putting a positive spin on the demonstrations in Najaf (which the BBC says involved hundreds of thousands and the Pentagon says was 5,000 to 7,000) marking the 4th anniversary of the fall of Baghdad. Spokesmodel Rear Admiral Mark Fox said, “That is their right in the new Iraq. And, it’s only fair, however, to note that they exercise that right because coalition forces liberated them from a tyrannical, barbaric regime that would never have permitted such freedom of expression.” Oh, I think Saddam wouldn’t have objected too strongly to a protest against American occupation of Iraq. In Baghdad, the anniversary of the advent of freedom, liberty and democracy was celebrated with a curfew and a complete ban on motor vehicle traffic.

Today George Bush re-visited a section of the border with Mexico in Arizona which he visited last year, explaining, “We have come back to this spot because it’s where I was the last time.” At the end of the photo op he answered just one question:

Q What most impresses you, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT: The hard work being done.


Later he gave a speech. “The Border Patrol is really an important agency. I know some people are wondering whether or not it makes sense to join the Border Patrol.” I will not leave you in suspense: he does in fact think it makes sense to join the Border Patrol.

He went to the border to promote immigration reform, pardon me, comprehensive immigration reform, the issue he thinks will restore his effectiveness as president. He said, “I hope by now the American people understand the need for comprehensive immigration reform is a clear need.” If they don’t understand that the need is a clear need doesn’t it pretty much by definition mean that the need is not a clear need?

Illegal immigration, he said, is a problem. It “puts pressure on public schools and the hospitals,” he said, and putting pressure on public schools and the hospitals is a job that Americans are actually willing to do (George is, anyway).


Furthermore, he continued, “It drains the state and local budgets. I was talking to the governor about how it strained the budgets.” Which is it George? Drains or strains? Or... ohmigod, could it be both?

The rest of this speech was the same old boiler plate, which drained and indeed strained my patience, so how ‘bout we just skip it and see what Laura was up to today?


Or maybe not.