Locomotive Mule

Some see Bush weakness in Tenet departure

In France, terrorism consultant Alexis Debat said Tenet had a reputation as a yes-man for Bush.

“He said what Bush wanted to hear,” Debat said in an interview. “The extent to which Tenet compromised his administration to retain the link with Bush is damning.”

Two French newspapers, the left-leaning Liberation and the more conservative Le Figaro, said they believed Tenet had clearly been fired by Bush administration to pay for its “fiasco” in Iraq.

Like Bush, Blair has been criticized for justifying the Iraq war by saying that Saddam’s alleged weapons of mass destruction posed a big threat. Coalition troops have failed to find any in Iraq.

The Independent newspaper in London, which strongly opposed the war, described Tenet’s departure as a “cheap sacrifice.”

“His resignation lifts a weight of baggage from Mr. Bush,” the paper said in an editorial. “The more flak Mr. Tenet takes, the less falls on anyone else.”

Politics certainly is an ugly business - and it seems to be unraveling for Bush.

Bush ‘Willing to Cooperate’ With Leak Probe

President Bush said yesterday that he plans to personally cooperate with the investigation into the leak of an undercover CIA officer’s name, and said he consulted an outside lawyer because he realizes the case is a serious criminal matter.

“I’ve told our administration that we’ll fully cooperate with their investigation. I want to know the truth, and I’m willing to cooperate myself,” he said.

It really bothers me that the President of The United States says things like “willing to cooperate”. Like he has a choice.

This administration seems to have a basic lack of understanding that words and their delivery mean things. “Willing to cooperate” makes certain implications that are totally inappropriate for the President to be making. He should say something like “I will cooperate” or “actively cooperating”. “Willing” sounds like he’s above he normal citizenry and will lower himself for this one occasion.

The last time we had a King George, things got kind of nasty although the outcome was pretty good.

Bush said questions about the case should go to the prosecutors, who have refused to discuss the matter.

Why can’t our President answer questions? Scott McClellan does this all the time: “You should ask the Pentagon about that” or “Ask the CPA about that”. Again, their words or lack thereof mean things. We’re just s’posed to accept that they know what’s best for us? The hubris is astounding.

“In terms of whether or not I need advice from my counsel, this is a criminal matter, it’s a serious matter, I have met with an attorney to determine whether or not I need his advice,” Bush said. “And if I deem I need his advice, I’ll probably hire him.”

I want to know who pays the attorney’s fees.