I have a three-word response to Karl Rove’s calculated 9/11 hate-speech about Democrats:
MY
PET
GOAT
So says Eleanor Clift in her review of the movie Fahrenheit 9/11.
(Mr. Rove, here’s that video again for your reference.)
Whatever Rove may spew about Democratic actions following 9/11, certainly there is no dispute that the first official governmental reaction to 9/11, the reaction of the so-called Commander-in-Chief, the so-called “war president”, was pure deer in the headlights.
I might also mention to Mr. Rove that it is critical to review the actions that preceded 9/11. Let’s take a look at those, shall we? How exactly did we end up being so vulnerable on that day?
President Bush’s Vacation Schedule starting Aug.6, 2001 – the day of the PDB warning about an impending al Qaeda attack in the U.S.
Monday, August 6
4-mile run, built nature walk in canyon, fishing.[1]
Tuesday, August 7
Golf.[2]
3-mile run.[3]
Fishing, cookout with Mel Martinez.[4]
Wednesday, August 8
Habitat for Humanity, Waco, TX (injured finger).[5]
Worked out with weights.[6]
Thursday, August 9
Jogging, fishing, announced stem cell decision (9pm EST).[7]
Sunday, August 12
Church near Crawford.[8]
Monday, August 13
Golf, signed agriculture bill with audience of farmers.[9]
Tuesday, August 14, 2001
Thinned brush and raised money at a picnic in Colorado.[10]
Talked to children at YMCA camp in Colorado.[11]
Wednesday, August 15, 2001
Talked to children in Albuquerque, opened job-training center, addressed Chamber of
Commerce, attended fundraiser for Sen. Domenici, Colorado Rockies v. Atlanta Braves.[12]
Saturday, August 18, 2001
Radio address re: faith-based initiatives.[13]
Monday, August 20, 2001
Addressed VFW Convention, toured Harley-Davidson plant, Milwaukee.[14]
Work out, dinner with friends.[15]
Tuesday, August 21, 2001
Truman High School, Independence, MO re: taxes.[16]
Wednesday, August 22, 2001
Ran, lifted weights.[17]
Thursday, August 23, 2001
Golf, Crawford Elementary School, met with horticulturalist re: trees on ranch.[18]
Friday, August 24, 2001
Press conference re: economy (1st press conference of vacation).[19]
Saturday, August 25, 2001
Ranch tour for the press (80 minutes).[20]
Sunday, August 26, 2001
Steel Plant in Pennsylvania, barbeque.[21]
Little League World Series Championship (Japan v. Florida).[22]
Wednesday, August 29, 2001
Spoke at an American Legion Convention re: military budget, tax cut.[23]
Dedicated a restored grist mill, San Antonio.[24]
The above thanks to the Center for American Progress.
Does this schedule reflect the actions of a dedicated, hard-working civil servant? Of a fiery patriot? Of a warrior protector of America?
No, it does not. In my personal opinion, they heard the chatter, they had the PDB – they knew something was up. So they hunkered down in Crawford to wait it out. And when they finally got tired of waiting, they slinked off to the relative safety of Jebbie’s Florida.
And I will bet that Rove’s reaction to the first report of planes hitting the towers was not deer in the headlights. It was glee. Pure, unadulterated, evil glee.
Cross-posted at DailyKos.