kellyahern
Blue Crack Supplier
Kaitlyn-U2 said:she didn't really say this stuff?
Yeah, there's an audio clip if you click on the link that Dreadsox posted on the first page.
I had to hear it to believe it too.
Barbara Bush - Please stick a SOCK in your mouth!!!!!!
- Thread starter Dreadsox
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Yeah, there's an audio clip if you click on the link that Dreadsox posted on the first page.
I had to hear it to believe it too.
stammer476
Refugee
whenhiphopdrovethebigcars said:
Wow. Just when I thought it couldn't get any uglier . . .
LarryMullen's POPAngel
Blue Crack Distributor
stammer476 said:
Way to be, hiphop, way to be.
HelloAngel
ONE love, blood, life
What I'm not understanding is how we can assume at this point that the government is going to somehow make these people's lives better. Won't these ppl be put back into the same kind of government housing/projects they were rescued from? I don't see it as being better. They lost everything they've scrounged in their lives, plus family members, friends and pets.
No amount of government-assisted funding is going to make things right or shiny for these people. They aren't going to all of the sudden be given an ATM card and keys to a Buick. They are going to be placed in government housing for the poor - exactly where they came from. Sure, the city will be rebuilt, but the poor will continue to be poor. They'll have a new roof over their heads, but to say their lives will be better somehow is reaching; it will be better than it is at the moment, which is being shuttled around and living in an arena.
As for Barbara Bush's comments - she has been so far removed from the general populace for so long, I'm not surprised she said what she did. Ah to be very rich and very, very white.
No amount of government-assisted funding is going to make things right or shiny for these people. They aren't going to all of the sudden be given an ATM card and keys to a Buick. They are going to be placed in government housing for the poor - exactly where they came from. Sure, the city will be rebuilt, but the poor will continue to be poor. They'll have a new roof over their heads, but to say their lives will be better somehow is reaching; it will be better than it is at the moment, which is being shuttled around and living in an arena.
As for Barbara Bush's comments - she has been so far removed from the general populace for so long, I'm not surprised she said what she did. Ah to be very rich and very, very white.
deep
Blue Crack Addict
stammer476 said:
what? prejudice againt elders having fun?
you don't have to watch
and it would be better for all involved
than what she did do
verte76
Blue Crack Addict
I don't see anything ugly about complaining about an incredibly callous and outrageous statement made by some rich snob.
nbcrusader
Blue Crack Addict
verte76 said:
I believe Stammer476 was surprised by the unnecessary suggestion to "shove a cock in her mouth".
A stupid as Barbara Bush's statement was, the comment only shows that we can be worse, not better, than Barbara Bush.
MrsSpringsteen
Blue Crack Addict
nbcrusader said:
yes I believe that was the comment referred to, and I agree-that was rude and unnecessary
MrsSpringsteen
Blue Crack Addict
here's the Larry King transcript
CNN LARRY KING LIVE
Interview with George H.W. Bush, Barbara Bush
Aired September 5, 2005 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Tonight, former President George Herbert Walker Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush on the Hurricane Katrina relief effort he's spearheading with former President Bill Clinton and on the questions about their son's leadership in the aftermath of the worst natural disaster to hit America in our lifetime next on LARRY KING LIVE.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: We begin tonight by going to Houston where we welcome to LARRY KING LIVE for one of many visits they've made, most of them under a lot better circumstances former President George Herbert Walker Bush and the former First Lady Barbara Bush. They are in front of the Houston Astrodome. They've spent the day there. We'll talk with them about that but first Mr. President your thoughts on the passing of William Rehnquist and the selection of John Roberts to be his successor?
GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, Bill Rehnquist and I were the same age. We've been friends for long, long time. Barbara and I are friends with their family. Their daughter Janet worked for me in the White House.
And so, I feel I've lost a close friend but I think the United States has lost a great chief justice and it will be hard to fill those shoes but I am very, very pleased that the president nominated Mr. Roberts to be the chief justice.
KING: Were you surprised?
G. BUSH: Surprised, yes, brilliant man, a brilliant man with the highest ranking from the bar association and I hope he's just promptly confirmed.
KING: Now tell me what you did today at the Astrodome.
BARBARA BUSH, FORMER FIRST LADY: We went in to Reliance Center and visited with about 10,000 people, families, single mothers, a lot of children, numbers of volunteers. We're so proud of Houston, Larry, you can't believe it. They have 25,000 volunteers I think at the Astrodome and Reliance Center. People had the most moving stories you ever heard, grateful to be here in Houston.
G. BUSH: Their spirits, Larry, are surprisingly good. Obviously, they've been through a lot. We had these harrowing tales of a man swimming away from his family to come back only to find that they weren't there anymore. We have children separated from their parents. You have every reason in the world for these families to be down.
But I think it's a great credit to those that are working this relief facility to know that they're being well taken care of, that their spirits are coming back and I am so very pleased that Barbara and I just had a chance to go and say hello. And, President Clinton was here and I know, I just talked to him and I know he feels exactly the same way.
KING: And in that regard, President Clinton, who called in here on Saturday night, the Bush/Clinton team have gotten together again and you can help at www.bushclintonkatrinafund -- that's all one word, bushclintonkatrinafund.org. And how does the money go, Mr. President? Tell me how it works.
G. BUSH: Larry, we contacted all three governors of the embattled states, Mississippi and, you know, Louisiana, Alabama and all of them need some funds that they themselves control so the Bush/Clinton Katrina Fund will send the money to the various relief organizations set up by the governors. Still, people are going to support as they should Salvation Army, Red Cross, whatever.
But these are special funds and there will be a lot of them to go right directly to the governors who are in charge of their states and I feel very good about it because the governors have so strongly and positively reacted to this idea and we're off to a good start. We've raised today some close to $40 million or $50 million.
KING: Wow. Was the president with you today?
G. BUSH: No, he was over at the -- in the embattled states and we've stayed in Texas all day as has President Clinton.
KING: How do you compare this with tsunami?
G. BUSH: Well, it's different, Larry. The tsunami, the death toll was far, far greater even in the high estimates that you might see on Louisiana. But, the hardship of lost homes is identical. In the tsunami the homes were wiped out, gone, and the same thing unfortunately is true here with Katrina. So, there are some differences.
The common thread is the heartbreak for the families and that is the same here as it was in Sri Lanka or wherever it might have been but golly I wish you'd seen it. You would have really left there feeling good about our country and feeling sad about the broken homes, the lost homes for these poor people.
KING: Barbara, is there any training that you have how to console people?
B. BUSH: Well, I think the city has done a great job. They've worked with federal, state and local government and county but I think the most exciting thing we've seen is that people from all around the country are responding and taking families, giving them jobs. Wal- Mart, for instance, who lost how many stores?
G. BUSH: I don't know how many, 40 or something like.
B. BUSH: Forty stores is saying to all of their people "We'll put you in other stores. We'll put you up, give you a job. You have not lost your job." And people like a man from Denver took I think 20 families and is putting them to work and giving them homes.
I think it's very exciting and I think that's something churches and synagogues and temples and mosques can do around the country is they can offer to take several families, put them to work, feed them, clothe them, get them housing, let them live a respectable, decent, honest life.
KING: What is it like for you, Barbara, in other words what do you say to people who don't know where their family members are?
B. BUSH: Well, most of the people we talked to are finding them. They've got a great setup here and they're finding them and they're so glad to be alive. We talked to a mother with twin boys. They were less than a month old now that spent three or four days on that bridge. She's so glad to be alive.
So, they're beginning to think of the future but there's a lot of hope here. People are giving them hope and taking them in. I think there are 100,000 people in Houston, maybe 35,000 are in these shelters, the others are in homes and getting going.
KING: What do make of...
G. BUSH: Larry, not...
KING: I'm sorry, go ahead Mr. President.
G. BUSH: No, I was going to say not one single person, not one, came up to me or to Barbara or I believe to Bill Clinton, President Clinton to say well we need something else or we're not getting enough or the people aren't treating us well.
Of course they need more but none did anything but praise the facilities here, what Harris County is doing, what the city is doing and it gave them hope. They could have a clean bed. They could have a good shower. And so, it's very different than what they endured out of the horrors of the dome in New Orleans.
KING: What do you make of the international response, not only Great Britain, Germany but adversaries Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, people like the U.N., the European Union also contributing? Are you surprised at that?
G. BUSH: No, I'm not. I didn't know about Cuba but I'm not surprised because, you know, it's kind of people to people and I have a friend in Korea he sent me a wonderful e-mail about what he personally is going to do and what the Korean government will do. And so, it's happening worldwide and I think people see, thanks to your medium, the total destruction and devastation and so it doesn't matter whether they're a communist country or socialist country or a capitalistic country. I think they feel something about the individuals suffering and the loss of family. I know that's true in China, for example.
KING: We'll take a break and come right back with the Bush's, former President George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Bush.
And, remember the number if you click in they'll give you all the information. The Web site is www.bushclintonkatrinafund, all one word, bushclintonkatrinafund.org.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with former President George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Bush. We have to get to this. Mr. President, what do you make of all the criticism?
G. BUSH: The criticism of what?
KING: The federal government's response, the lateness, this didn't get there fast enough, FEMA didn't react quickly enough? You know you had it with Andrew.
G. BUSH: Oh, I sure did and I think any time there's a crisis people want to blame someone. I've never been much for the Monday morning quarterbacking and to be very candid, Larry, I think some of the criticism had been grossly unfair, particularly when they suggest the president doesn't care and all of that.
You have to understand that people that are hurting are going to criticize. I thought President Clinton put it pretty well today when he said "Let's get on with it and then there will be plenty of time to assign blame."
But you know the media has a fascination, Larry, and you know this, I'm not saying you but the media has a fascination with the blame game and instead of looking for what can we do to help now there's a lot of why didn't we do something different?
So, they got time now and let's all come together, work positively for solving these problems and then there will be plenty of time to have commissions and have studies and have legislation and have people that know all along what we should have been doing.
KING: But it's hard, Barbara, when you're sitting on a roof and you can't find your son not to be angry at something.
B. BUSH: That's right.
KING: And, if you're a reporter covering it, standing by there, seeing it, it's also very hard not to look around to blame something isn't it?
B. BUSH: No, I don't really think so. A week ago tomorrow was when the floods came. Look what's happened. Thousands and thousands, hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated and are in comfortable shelters. It's going to take a while for families to get together. But I talked to a lady today whose son was in Austin she just found out. They're doing a good job.
G. BUSH: But I think Larry's right that if you're sitting on a roof and you don't have any way to get off and you don't know whether your life is going to be saved you're going to lash out but I haven't heard the individuals sitting on those roofs being interviewed saying that so and so is to blame or why didn't FEMA act sooner or where is the Coast Guard? Why weren't they sooner?
I mean I can understand the criticism and I think the president understands the criticism and he can take it just as I had to take it when I was president but the big thing, the important thing is what's going right and how do we continue down that path so we solve the problems affecting these poor families?
KING: But even the president said the reaction should have been faster that he wasn't satisfied.
G. BUSH: Sure. I don't think -- certainly I'm not satisfied but I'm just talking about the blame game and there was one particularly vicious comment that the president didn't care, was insensitive on ethnicity.
KING: Yes.
G. BUSH: Insensitive about race. Now that one hurt because I know this president and I know he does care and you know what can he do? He can just go out and do what he's doing today, showing that the federal government is involved, has been involved, will continue to be involved.
Huge numbers of dollars have been appropriated or signed off on for the Congress, both Senate and the House and he had to push forward. He cannot listen to every critic from the editorial page of "The New York Times."
KING: But it's true isn't it that Katrina devastated the three states, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana that probably would be the three poorest states in terms of income and therefore the poorest Americans were the most affected.
G. BUSH: Definitely and that's what's so sad about that and that's what was so in a way heartening about today. We're embracing them, holding them in our arms here and they're saying they want to get on with their lives. It was inspiring today.
But you're absolutely right. These states were, you know, what state can afford this kind of disaster? But these states particularly are vulnerable and what gets me is the resilience of their people. It's marvelous. KING: How did you react, Barbara, when race was brought up and someone mentioned that your son doesn't care?
B. BUSH: I don't believe that. I really didn't hear it. I'm going to tell you the truth but I don't believe it. I know it's not true and of course as George says if you want to really get in trouble criticize my son to me.
KING: I know.
B. BUSH: But I really didn't hear that at all today. People came up to me all day long and said "God bless your son," people of different races and it was very, very moving and touching and they felt like when he flew over that it made all the difference in their lives so I just don't hear that.
KING: What's it like when you talk to him? How does he react talking to his mother about this kind of pressure that's on him?
B. BUSH: You know he's very strong, Larry, and he's doing the best he can. He encourages me when I get down a little bit but he's a very strong man full of faith truthfully.
G. BUSH: I had supper with him three nights ago in the White House, just he, Marvin and Gene Becker my chief of staff, four of us in the White House dining room and what I sensed was the concern he feels about people. It was so obvious to me. But then I also sense a determination not to weaken or wring his hands in the face of criticism.
It was wonderful. I came away from that, came home and told Barbara I said "This guy of ours is strong and he's determined" and the American people if they don't see it now will see it because that's what's in his heart. That's what's in his heart.
KING: What do you think it's like? He's fighting two wars isn't he? He's fighting a war in Iraq and he's fighting a war against nature.
G. BUSH: Yes, that's right. Now the first war can be run by generals and I think, I'm confident we'll prevail there. But this other one was just so devastating because it struck without any political overtones. It just was terrible.
But you know I talked to Haley Barbour, the governor of Mississippi yesterday because some people were saying, "Well, if you hadn't sent your National Guard to Iraq, we here in Mississippi would be better off."
He told me "I've been out in the field every single day, hour, for four days and no one, not one single mention of the word Iraq." Now where does that come from? Where does that story come from if the governor is not picking up one word about it? I don't know. I can use my imagination.
B. BUSH: That was a guess. G. BUSH: I don't want to be in my attack mode, Larry, but...
KING: Why not?
G. BUSH: I've already said enough. Mr. Sulzberger will be calling in.
KING: Barbara, you get your dander up though don't you?
B. BUSH: I get it up, yes, but I must say now people come up to me all over the country and certainly today and praise what George is doing and how much they admire him and I agree with them, of course.
KING: We're going to spend some more moments with the former president and former first lady. And, again, if you want to help, the money you give here goes directly to Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org, all one word, right back after this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nothing we do can be an adequate response to the agony that we have seen, the suffering of the people of Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with the former president and former first lady. Mr. President, very few Americans, less than 45, have experienced what the current president is experiencing and what you have experienced. How does a president deal with this kind of pressure? Forget just criticism, the pressure of people you have sent to war, as you did, people dying through nature's actions, how do you sleep?
G. BUSH: Well, it's hard to sleep. I think in the case of both the president and me faith has a lot to do with it. If you believe that there's a being superior to yourself and that will guide you, strengthen you that helps a lot but, you know, you just have to stay the course. You just got to stay in there. You cannot be waffling or taking a poll to see what people think. You have to do what you think is right and this president is doing what he thinks is right in this massive recovery and in Iraq too.
KING: Barbara, in a natural disaster as this is called do you ever question your faith?
B. BUSH: No, and you asked me that before once. I don't question my faith but I feel that we really have a job to do, which has something to do with my faith that we have to get together as people and help these people who really need us now.
KING: Mr. President, don't you ever say though why God, why? G. BUSH: I do. I do. Why if you're a loving, forgiving, caring God do you have this kind of disaster afflicted on people? But, as the Bible says, "The Lord works in mysterious ways" and you have to believe, as I do. And, much more important to the situation today and we're out of it is what the president, what's in his heart and I know that this faith will get him through.
It was Abraham Lincoln "You cannot be president without spending time on your knees in prayer." Well, our president believes that. He does it his own way. He doesn't think everybody has to agree with him on what denomination but you asked how you get through a tough time that's how he does it.
KING: Are either of you going to go to any of the areas?
G. BUSH: I think Bill Clinton and I, President Clinton and I will but we don't want to get down there now and be one more guy, "Hey, we're here" you know kind of getting a little publicity going. We want to wait maybe two or three weeks and then go down and see what's going on and if there are areas that we think additional help can be provided we'll say so.
And, if we see progress, we won't be ashamed to say, hey, they're doing some good things here. The families are getting back together again. They have some hope. So, we will go and I look forward to it.
KING: Barbara, what do you make of this friendship between your husband and the former president?
B. BUSH: I think it's good for the country. I think it's good for the world to see that Americans when they have a cause can get together no matter what party and I rather dislike the political side of this disaster. I think we all ought to start saying what we can do and not what's wrong with it. I think it's wonderful that Bill and George have put aside politics and are working for a great cause.
KING: President Clinton said on this program that, and you said earlier, it's much too soon to criticize but he has been prone not to criticize at all as you were, why? Why shouldn't a former president criticize a current in any issue?
G. BUSH: Well, he can. He can do that. I told him when he beat me and I left the White House, "I'm not going to be out there criticizing." You got a lot of elected critics, loyal opposition critics so I've never felt I ought to be out there knocking his brains out when he was president.
Now, we're dealing together on something that's far bigger than I think than my own political fortune or his and therefore I think he's right in, you know, cooling it down. Later on he may have some criticism and that's fine, maybe have it today but he's not in this as a critic of the president trying to be out there getting a headline because he bashes the president of the United States why, because he's been there. Why for me, because I've been there and it's my son.
KING: How long is this going to take do you think? Haley Barbour told us he'll be out of office in two and a half years. It will go way past that.
G. BUSH: I think -- well, I'd go more with what Haley says or what Governor Blanco says or what Governor Riley says but it's going to take a long time but I think the abject fear and hurt for the families will go away long before that.
KING: Do you agree Barbara?
B. BUSH: I hope so. I hope so. I think it will.
G. BUSH: There are families that are divided. They don't know where their brothers are. They don't know where their kids are. They don't know whether their mother and dad are alive or not. Now that will be laid to rest in a little while.
B. BUSH: We may end up with a bigger, better New Orleans too, safer.
KING: It's always good seeing both of you. Congratulations on your work.
G. BUSH: Well, thank you, Larry, for helping the American people understand that there is a way to support these states. I appreciate it very, very much.
KING: Thank you Barbara.
B. BUSH: Thank you.
CNN LARRY KING LIVE
Interview with George H.W. Bush, Barbara Bush
Aired September 5, 2005 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Tonight, former President George Herbert Walker Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush on the Hurricane Katrina relief effort he's spearheading with former President Bill Clinton and on the questions about their son's leadership in the aftermath of the worst natural disaster to hit America in our lifetime next on LARRY KING LIVE.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: We begin tonight by going to Houston where we welcome to LARRY KING LIVE for one of many visits they've made, most of them under a lot better circumstances former President George Herbert Walker Bush and the former First Lady Barbara Bush. They are in front of the Houston Astrodome. They've spent the day there. We'll talk with them about that but first Mr. President your thoughts on the passing of William Rehnquist and the selection of John Roberts to be his successor?
GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, Bill Rehnquist and I were the same age. We've been friends for long, long time. Barbara and I are friends with their family. Their daughter Janet worked for me in the White House.
And so, I feel I've lost a close friend but I think the United States has lost a great chief justice and it will be hard to fill those shoes but I am very, very pleased that the president nominated Mr. Roberts to be the chief justice.
KING: Were you surprised?
G. BUSH: Surprised, yes, brilliant man, a brilliant man with the highest ranking from the bar association and I hope he's just promptly confirmed.
KING: Now tell me what you did today at the Astrodome.
BARBARA BUSH, FORMER FIRST LADY: We went in to Reliance Center and visited with about 10,000 people, families, single mothers, a lot of children, numbers of volunteers. We're so proud of Houston, Larry, you can't believe it. They have 25,000 volunteers I think at the Astrodome and Reliance Center. People had the most moving stories you ever heard, grateful to be here in Houston.
G. BUSH: Their spirits, Larry, are surprisingly good. Obviously, they've been through a lot. We had these harrowing tales of a man swimming away from his family to come back only to find that they weren't there anymore. We have children separated from their parents. You have every reason in the world for these families to be down.
But I think it's a great credit to those that are working this relief facility to know that they're being well taken care of, that their spirits are coming back and I am so very pleased that Barbara and I just had a chance to go and say hello. And, President Clinton was here and I know, I just talked to him and I know he feels exactly the same way.
KING: And in that regard, President Clinton, who called in here on Saturday night, the Bush/Clinton team have gotten together again and you can help at www.bushclintonkatrinafund -- that's all one word, bushclintonkatrinafund.org. And how does the money go, Mr. President? Tell me how it works.
G. BUSH: Larry, we contacted all three governors of the embattled states, Mississippi and, you know, Louisiana, Alabama and all of them need some funds that they themselves control so the Bush/Clinton Katrina Fund will send the money to the various relief organizations set up by the governors. Still, people are going to support as they should Salvation Army, Red Cross, whatever.
But these are special funds and there will be a lot of them to go right directly to the governors who are in charge of their states and I feel very good about it because the governors have so strongly and positively reacted to this idea and we're off to a good start. We've raised today some close to $40 million or $50 million.
KING: Wow. Was the president with you today?
G. BUSH: No, he was over at the -- in the embattled states and we've stayed in Texas all day as has President Clinton.
KING: How do you compare this with tsunami?
G. BUSH: Well, it's different, Larry. The tsunami, the death toll was far, far greater even in the high estimates that you might see on Louisiana. But, the hardship of lost homes is identical. In the tsunami the homes were wiped out, gone, and the same thing unfortunately is true here with Katrina. So, there are some differences.
The common thread is the heartbreak for the families and that is the same here as it was in Sri Lanka or wherever it might have been but golly I wish you'd seen it. You would have really left there feeling good about our country and feeling sad about the broken homes, the lost homes for these poor people.
KING: Barbara, is there any training that you have how to console people?
B. BUSH: Well, I think the city has done a great job. They've worked with federal, state and local government and county but I think the most exciting thing we've seen is that people from all around the country are responding and taking families, giving them jobs. Wal- Mart, for instance, who lost how many stores?
G. BUSH: I don't know how many, 40 or something like.
B. BUSH: Forty stores is saying to all of their people "We'll put you in other stores. We'll put you up, give you a job. You have not lost your job." And people like a man from Denver took I think 20 families and is putting them to work and giving them homes.
I think it's very exciting and I think that's something churches and synagogues and temples and mosques can do around the country is they can offer to take several families, put them to work, feed them, clothe them, get them housing, let them live a respectable, decent, honest life.
KING: What is it like for you, Barbara, in other words what do you say to people who don't know where their family members are?
B. BUSH: Well, most of the people we talked to are finding them. They've got a great setup here and they're finding them and they're so glad to be alive. We talked to a mother with twin boys. They were less than a month old now that spent three or four days on that bridge. She's so glad to be alive.
So, they're beginning to think of the future but there's a lot of hope here. People are giving them hope and taking them in. I think there are 100,000 people in Houston, maybe 35,000 are in these shelters, the others are in homes and getting going.
KING: What do make of...
G. BUSH: Larry, not...
KING: I'm sorry, go ahead Mr. President.
G. BUSH: No, I was going to say not one single person, not one, came up to me or to Barbara or I believe to Bill Clinton, President Clinton to say well we need something else or we're not getting enough or the people aren't treating us well.
Of course they need more but none did anything but praise the facilities here, what Harris County is doing, what the city is doing and it gave them hope. They could have a clean bed. They could have a good shower. And so, it's very different than what they endured out of the horrors of the dome in New Orleans.
KING: What do you make of the international response, not only Great Britain, Germany but adversaries Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, people like the U.N., the European Union also contributing? Are you surprised at that?
G. BUSH: No, I'm not. I didn't know about Cuba but I'm not surprised because, you know, it's kind of people to people and I have a friend in Korea he sent me a wonderful e-mail about what he personally is going to do and what the Korean government will do. And so, it's happening worldwide and I think people see, thanks to your medium, the total destruction and devastation and so it doesn't matter whether they're a communist country or socialist country or a capitalistic country. I think they feel something about the individuals suffering and the loss of family. I know that's true in China, for example.
KING: We'll take a break and come right back with the Bush's, former President George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Bush.
And, remember the number if you click in they'll give you all the information. The Web site is www.bushclintonkatrinafund, all one word, bushclintonkatrinafund.org.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with former President George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Bush. We have to get to this. Mr. President, what do you make of all the criticism?
G. BUSH: The criticism of what?
KING: The federal government's response, the lateness, this didn't get there fast enough, FEMA didn't react quickly enough? You know you had it with Andrew.
G. BUSH: Oh, I sure did and I think any time there's a crisis people want to blame someone. I've never been much for the Monday morning quarterbacking and to be very candid, Larry, I think some of the criticism had been grossly unfair, particularly when they suggest the president doesn't care and all of that.
You have to understand that people that are hurting are going to criticize. I thought President Clinton put it pretty well today when he said "Let's get on with it and then there will be plenty of time to assign blame."
But you know the media has a fascination, Larry, and you know this, I'm not saying you but the media has a fascination with the blame game and instead of looking for what can we do to help now there's a lot of why didn't we do something different?
So, they got time now and let's all come together, work positively for solving these problems and then there will be plenty of time to have commissions and have studies and have legislation and have people that know all along what we should have been doing.
KING: But it's hard, Barbara, when you're sitting on a roof and you can't find your son not to be angry at something.
B. BUSH: That's right.
KING: And, if you're a reporter covering it, standing by there, seeing it, it's also very hard not to look around to blame something isn't it?
B. BUSH: No, I don't really think so. A week ago tomorrow was when the floods came. Look what's happened. Thousands and thousands, hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated and are in comfortable shelters. It's going to take a while for families to get together. But I talked to a lady today whose son was in Austin she just found out. They're doing a good job.
G. BUSH: But I think Larry's right that if you're sitting on a roof and you don't have any way to get off and you don't know whether your life is going to be saved you're going to lash out but I haven't heard the individuals sitting on those roofs being interviewed saying that so and so is to blame or why didn't FEMA act sooner or where is the Coast Guard? Why weren't they sooner?
I mean I can understand the criticism and I think the president understands the criticism and he can take it just as I had to take it when I was president but the big thing, the important thing is what's going right and how do we continue down that path so we solve the problems affecting these poor families?
KING: But even the president said the reaction should have been faster that he wasn't satisfied.
G. BUSH: Sure. I don't think -- certainly I'm not satisfied but I'm just talking about the blame game and there was one particularly vicious comment that the president didn't care, was insensitive on ethnicity.
KING: Yes.
G. BUSH: Insensitive about race. Now that one hurt because I know this president and I know he does care and you know what can he do? He can just go out and do what he's doing today, showing that the federal government is involved, has been involved, will continue to be involved.
Huge numbers of dollars have been appropriated or signed off on for the Congress, both Senate and the House and he had to push forward. He cannot listen to every critic from the editorial page of "The New York Times."
KING: But it's true isn't it that Katrina devastated the three states, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana that probably would be the three poorest states in terms of income and therefore the poorest Americans were the most affected.
G. BUSH: Definitely and that's what's so sad about that and that's what was so in a way heartening about today. We're embracing them, holding them in our arms here and they're saying they want to get on with their lives. It was inspiring today.
But you're absolutely right. These states were, you know, what state can afford this kind of disaster? But these states particularly are vulnerable and what gets me is the resilience of their people. It's marvelous. KING: How did you react, Barbara, when race was brought up and someone mentioned that your son doesn't care?
B. BUSH: I don't believe that. I really didn't hear it. I'm going to tell you the truth but I don't believe it. I know it's not true and of course as George says if you want to really get in trouble criticize my son to me.
KING: I know.
B. BUSH: But I really didn't hear that at all today. People came up to me all day long and said "God bless your son," people of different races and it was very, very moving and touching and they felt like when he flew over that it made all the difference in their lives so I just don't hear that.
KING: What's it like when you talk to him? How does he react talking to his mother about this kind of pressure that's on him?
B. BUSH: You know he's very strong, Larry, and he's doing the best he can. He encourages me when I get down a little bit but he's a very strong man full of faith truthfully.
G. BUSH: I had supper with him three nights ago in the White House, just he, Marvin and Gene Becker my chief of staff, four of us in the White House dining room and what I sensed was the concern he feels about people. It was so obvious to me. But then I also sense a determination not to weaken or wring his hands in the face of criticism.
It was wonderful. I came away from that, came home and told Barbara I said "This guy of ours is strong and he's determined" and the American people if they don't see it now will see it because that's what's in his heart. That's what's in his heart.
KING: What do you think it's like? He's fighting two wars isn't he? He's fighting a war in Iraq and he's fighting a war against nature.
G. BUSH: Yes, that's right. Now the first war can be run by generals and I think, I'm confident we'll prevail there. But this other one was just so devastating because it struck without any political overtones. It just was terrible.
But you know I talked to Haley Barbour, the governor of Mississippi yesterday because some people were saying, "Well, if you hadn't sent your National Guard to Iraq, we here in Mississippi would be better off."
He told me "I've been out in the field every single day, hour, for four days and no one, not one single mention of the word Iraq." Now where does that come from? Where does that story come from if the governor is not picking up one word about it? I don't know. I can use my imagination.
B. BUSH: That was a guess. G. BUSH: I don't want to be in my attack mode, Larry, but...
KING: Why not?
G. BUSH: I've already said enough. Mr. Sulzberger will be calling in.
KING: Barbara, you get your dander up though don't you?
B. BUSH: I get it up, yes, but I must say now people come up to me all over the country and certainly today and praise what George is doing and how much they admire him and I agree with them, of course.
KING: We're going to spend some more moments with the former president and former first lady. And, again, if you want to help, the money you give here goes directly to Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org, all one word, right back after this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nothing we do can be an adequate response to the agony that we have seen, the suffering of the people of Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with the former president and former first lady. Mr. President, very few Americans, less than 45, have experienced what the current president is experiencing and what you have experienced. How does a president deal with this kind of pressure? Forget just criticism, the pressure of people you have sent to war, as you did, people dying through nature's actions, how do you sleep?
G. BUSH: Well, it's hard to sleep. I think in the case of both the president and me faith has a lot to do with it. If you believe that there's a being superior to yourself and that will guide you, strengthen you that helps a lot but, you know, you just have to stay the course. You just got to stay in there. You cannot be waffling or taking a poll to see what people think. You have to do what you think is right and this president is doing what he thinks is right in this massive recovery and in Iraq too.
KING: Barbara, in a natural disaster as this is called do you ever question your faith?
B. BUSH: No, and you asked me that before once. I don't question my faith but I feel that we really have a job to do, which has something to do with my faith that we have to get together as people and help these people who really need us now.
KING: Mr. President, don't you ever say though why God, why? G. BUSH: I do. I do. Why if you're a loving, forgiving, caring God do you have this kind of disaster afflicted on people? But, as the Bible says, "The Lord works in mysterious ways" and you have to believe, as I do. And, much more important to the situation today and we're out of it is what the president, what's in his heart and I know that this faith will get him through.
It was Abraham Lincoln "You cannot be president without spending time on your knees in prayer." Well, our president believes that. He does it his own way. He doesn't think everybody has to agree with him on what denomination but you asked how you get through a tough time that's how he does it.
KING: Are either of you going to go to any of the areas?
G. BUSH: I think Bill Clinton and I, President Clinton and I will but we don't want to get down there now and be one more guy, "Hey, we're here" you know kind of getting a little publicity going. We want to wait maybe two or three weeks and then go down and see what's going on and if there are areas that we think additional help can be provided we'll say so.
And, if we see progress, we won't be ashamed to say, hey, they're doing some good things here. The families are getting back together again. They have some hope. So, we will go and I look forward to it.
KING: Barbara, what do you make of this friendship between your husband and the former president?
B. BUSH: I think it's good for the country. I think it's good for the world to see that Americans when they have a cause can get together no matter what party and I rather dislike the political side of this disaster. I think we all ought to start saying what we can do and not what's wrong with it. I think it's wonderful that Bill and George have put aside politics and are working for a great cause.
KING: President Clinton said on this program that, and you said earlier, it's much too soon to criticize but he has been prone not to criticize at all as you were, why? Why shouldn't a former president criticize a current in any issue?
G. BUSH: Well, he can. He can do that. I told him when he beat me and I left the White House, "I'm not going to be out there criticizing." You got a lot of elected critics, loyal opposition critics so I've never felt I ought to be out there knocking his brains out when he was president.
Now, we're dealing together on something that's far bigger than I think than my own political fortune or his and therefore I think he's right in, you know, cooling it down. Later on he may have some criticism and that's fine, maybe have it today but he's not in this as a critic of the president trying to be out there getting a headline because he bashes the president of the United States why, because he's been there. Why for me, because I've been there and it's my son.
KING: How long is this going to take do you think? Haley Barbour told us he'll be out of office in two and a half years. It will go way past that.
G. BUSH: I think -- well, I'd go more with what Haley says or what Governor Blanco says or what Governor Riley says but it's going to take a long time but I think the abject fear and hurt for the families will go away long before that.
KING: Do you agree Barbara?
B. BUSH: I hope so. I hope so. I think it will.
G. BUSH: There are families that are divided. They don't know where their brothers are. They don't know where their kids are. They don't know whether their mother and dad are alive or not. Now that will be laid to rest in a little while.
B. BUSH: We may end up with a bigger, better New Orleans too, safer.
KING: It's always good seeing both of you. Congratulations on your work.
G. BUSH: Well, thank you, Larry, for helping the American people understand that there is a way to support these states. I appreciate it very, very much.
KING: Thank you Barbara.
B. BUSH: Thank you.
indra
ONE love, blood, life
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 12,689
nbcrusader said:
I hardly think that's worse than what Barbara Bush said. The comment here was obviously said in jest. Her comments were said in all seriousness. That makes them FAR worse to me than an off-colour comment on a message board.
indra said:
Not only the comments, I think, but the way she chuckled at them. Laughing at these people is beyond the pale, imo.
http://http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/09/05.html#a4808
MrsSpringsteen
Blue Crack Addict
well obviously Barbara Bush's coments were far more offensive by a million miles, but maybe if we didn't try to have some sort of decorum on here things would be worse than they already can get 
being offended by a comment about what should be in her mouth hardly means one isn't disgusted at her comments
being offended by a comment about what should be in her mouth hardly means one isn't disgusted at her comments
indra said:
if less people got offended by sarcstic and all be it off color remarks, the world would be a better place.
the same people who get all in a tiffy when the big bad republicans try to fine someone for showing a boob or :gasp: say the F work on an awards show get their panties in a bunch over someone making a sly off-color remark on a message board.
deep
Blue Crack Addict
nbcrusader said:
shove?
that is your word
what was said
change 'S" to "C"
And if Babs and Bush Sr
had a quiet night at home behind closed doors
it would have been much better
than her revealing that Kayne is right
the Bush family really does not care about Black people
or even begin to relate to then as co-equal human beings
Sorry but I do not find sexuality between consenting adults offensive
Racism, be it subtle or overt, if a far greater sin
kellyahern
Blue Crack Supplier
It comes from the guy who lost his house in Mississippi. The one on Anderson Cooper's show a few nights ago. That's okay though, the governor probably just hasn't talked to him yet.
stammer476
Refugee
nbcrusader said:
Thanks, NB. You're mostly right. The whole situation is ugly, from the obvious mess to Barbara's comments, and that sarcastic comment just added more.
verte76
Blue Crack Addict
stammer476 said:
Fair enough. After all, you weren't excusing Barbara Bush's comment. It's indeed an ugly situation. I don't know how long it will take me to get over this. I think those of us in Hurricane Alley, like Kelly and myself, are particularly sensitive about this whole situation because we've been through at least the "dress rehearsals".
Last edited:
Carmelu2fan
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
whenhiphopdrovethebigcars said:
GOTCHA!!!
Old heffa needs to walk a mile in a poor mans moccasins, before she goes off about stuff she has not idea about
MrsSpringsteen
Blue Crack Addict
For the record I'm not "all up in arms" over what rhymes w/ sock 
I am over Barbara Bush's incredible arrogance and ignorance..just to set the record straight on that one.. and I don't wish VP Cheney any ill will either and hope he is in the best of health
It's a minor issue but I just don't see the need for comments like that (the "c" comments), then again I've seen far worse than that in this forum and even had them directed at me
I am over Barbara Bush's incredible arrogance and ignorance..just to set the record straight on that one.. and I don't wish VP Cheney any ill will either and hope he is in the best of healthIt's a minor issue but I just don't see the need for comments like that (the "c" comments), then again I've seen far worse than that in this forum and even had them directed at me
Palace_Hero
Refugee, Note: Troll-like
stammer476 said:
Talk about pedantic.
hiphop
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
MrsSpringsteen said:
hiphop
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
MrsSpringsteen said:well obviously Barbara Bush's coments were far more offensive by a million miles, but maybe if we didn't try to have some sort of decorum on here things would be worse than they already can get
being offended by a comment about what should be in her mouth hardly means one isn't disgusted at her comments
hehehe
what a complicated discussion.. over such a simple remark
hiphop
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
MrsSpringsteen said:For the record I'm not "all up in arms" over what rhymes w/ sock
kellyahern
Blue Crack Supplier
Back on topic, it was nice to see that Barbara's comment made the front page of AOL news.
Palace_Hero
Refugee, Note: Troll-like
whenhiphopdrovethebigcars, perhaps you'll be quicker not to jump on me about sarcasm next time.
hiphop
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Palace_Hero said:whenhiphopdrovethebigcars, perhaps you'll be quicker not to jump on me about sarcasm next time.
depends on the mood I´m in
Iskra
War Child
I hope enough poor and underpriveleged get moved to Texas and they vote enough to turn the state blue!
