President Bush accuses UK journalist of "slander[ing] America" for mentioning Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib abuses
By SilentPatriot Monday Jun 16, 2008 5:00pm
During an interview with Sky News, President Bush accused British journalist Adam Boulton of "slander[ing] America" when he noted that, despite the President's lofty rhetoric of spreading freedom, Guantanamo Bay and rendition are really "the complete opposite of freedom."
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BOULTON: And yet there are those who would say, look, let's take Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib and rendition and all those things, and to them that is the, you know, the complete opposite of freedom.
THE PRESIDENT: Of course if you want to slander America, you can look at it one way. But you go down -- what you need to do -- I think I suggested you do this at a press conference -- if you go down to Guantanamo and take a look at how these prisoners are treated -- and they're working it through our court systems. We are a land of law.
The standard response whenever one criticizes American policies, of course, is to proclaim that that person is an anti-American slanderer. The irony, though, is that the policies this President has pursued over the past eight years could not be more "anti-American" in the classical sense. You know, things like rule of law and respect for human rights.
But wait, there's more:
BOULTON: But the Supreme Court have just said that -- you know, ruled against what you've been doing down there.
THE PRESIDENT: But the district court didn't. And the appellate court didn't.
BOULTON: The Supreme Court is supreme, isn't it?
You see, in Bush's America, the only courts that count are the ones he controls and/or the ones who rule in his favor. Never mind the fact that, as Boulton points out, the Supreme Court is called the Supreme Court for a reason.
This man -- and the corrupt movement that sustained him for so long -- truly sicken me. January can't come soon enough.
WaPo's Dan Froomkin has more on what he calls "Bush's Senioritis" and "contempt for those who question him or doubt his accomplishments."
Full, infuriating transcript below the fold.
BOULTON: I mean, you've talked a lot about freedom. I've heard you talk about freedom -- I think every time I've seen you.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
BOULTON: And yet there are those who would say, look, let's take Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib and rendition and all those things, and to them that is the, you know, the complete opposite of freedom.
THE PRESIDENT: Of course if you want to slander America, you can look at it one way. But you go down -- what you need to do -- I think I suggested you do this at a press conference -- if you go down to Guantanamo and take a look at how these prisoners are treated -- and they're working it through our court systems. We are a land of law.
BOULTON: But the Supreme Court have just said that -- you know, ruled against what you've been doing down there.
THE PRESIDENT: But the district court didn't. And the appellate court didn't.
BOULTON: The Supreme Court is supreme, isn't it?
THE PRESIDENT: It is, and I accept their verdict. I don't agree with their verdict. And it's not what I was doing down there. This was a law passed by our United States Congress that I worked with the Congress to get passed and sign into law.
BOULTON: But it looked like an attempt to bypass the Constitution, to a certain extent.
THE PRESIDENT: This was a law passed, Adam. We passed a law. Bypassing the Constitution means that we did something outside the bounds of the Constitution. We went to the Congress and got a piece of legislation passed.
BOULTON: Which is now being struck down, I think.
THE PRESIDENT: It is, and I accept what the Supreme Court did, and I necessarily don't have to agree with it.
My only point to you is, is that yes, I mean, we certainly wish Abu Ghraib hadn't happened, but that should not reflect America. This was the actions of some soldiers. That doesn't show the heart and soul of America. What shows the heart and soul of America is the sacrifice of our troops willing to defend our country and liberate 50 million people, or the generosity of America when it comes to providing money for HIV/AIDS in Africa, or the fact that America feeds more of the hungry in the world than any other country. That's the true America.
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It figures that our abysmally ignorant Resident would get schooled on the U.S. constitution by a foreign journalist.
Too bad there aren't more like him over here.
pawned and exposed for the pathological liar/sociopath/empty bubble head that he is.
How about that press, huh? The nerve! I would say: "See? It's so easy!"
Of all of Bush's rhetoric the one thing that has always pissed me off the most is how he wants to spread freedom and democracy to the world, but selective freedom and democracy. I'm glad a someone finally was able to call him out on it.
Laura has this "good thing you're hung because you sure are stupid" look on her face.
Meet the Press with Adam Boulton?
Bush isn't big into reality or taking responsibility for his actions. Just like with the comment about the courts, the only opinions that count are the ones that agree with his. He seems to have no respect with the Supreme Court since they have kicked his ass on the last three cases that had anything to do with the prisoners at Gitmo. Justice is such a bummer for him.
Isn't SKY the FOX of Britain...HA!
This is funnier than the episode of a court TV show where the judge asked if the nasty comments of the defendant were true. The "victim of slander" said yes they were, but they wanted the trash-talk to stop because it was ugly. The judge dismissed the case right there. So fast it made his head spin.
Impeach.
Indict.
Incarcerate.
NOW!
Call your congressmen and congresswomen and urge them to support Dennis Kucinich's HR 1258 to impeach President Bush.
...and, uh...oh yeah...FRIST!
Damn...thought I had it...
Would someone please tell this brain dead fuck that the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, and half those fuckers were appointed by him and his equally stupid ass father!
Al Hidalgo @ 9:
Well you're a little late on the FRIST, but right on everything else!
what a fucking LIAR bush is.
the prisoners are "and they’re working it through our court systems. We are a land of law."
bush is such a fucking LIAR. he opposes any use of the court system
to give these men any rights except for a guilty verdict without representation.
where are the international police to arrest bush for his war crimes?
"Baghdad Car Bomb Kills More Than 50".
Geez.
My wife and I had planned to travel abroad when we reached our mid fifties. Now that the time has come, we are too ashamed and embarassed to do so. Every time I see that evil monster, our unelected, appointed D-student pResident, I am reminded of this. (better than being in Gitmo; yes, I know) I am pretty sure that we will find it necessary to emigrate if Weathervane McCain is appointed as the next pResident.
THE PRESIDENT: "But the district court didn’t. And the appellate court didn’t."
This is such an unbelievably inane comment I don't even know what to say. The fact that Bush thought this would be a good or convincing response is astounding. It's not only completely disingenuous, it's also laughably stupid.
Sidenote: Boulton demonstrates good journalism is by pressing Bush on his idiotic response, and Bush is forced to immediately abandon his "argument." Wow - amazing what happens when a journalist challenges statements made by our political leaders instead of just nodding and moving on...
Is bush on goofballs or is he really that dumb???
President prissy pants sure got into a lot of stuttering and stammering when that reporter kept turning up the heat. And what was that part about the soldiers defending our country? Where? Defending our country in Iraq from whom?
Yeah, take a trip to gitmo and see how cool it is now. Man, I mean it's like a resort. Wouldn't you like to spend five or six years down there cut off from your family and the world, not knowing what minute they might decide you had to be executed. Hell, who could turn that down?
Al Hidalgo @ 9:
THAT'S the heart and soul of America I'd like to show the preznit.
Bush "can't handle the truth"...and becomes more and more a cartoon of himself with each passing day...if we don't have the biggest frigging FAREWELL PARTY on 1/20/2009 we shall have missed one great opportunity to let the door hit him on the butt as he passes away!!! I say FIREWORKS in every state in the union and drinks all around...
Mr. Bush, as a person of British origin, I would like to cordially invite you to suck a bag of cocks.
bush always on the defense and not very sophisticated at that......liberate 50 million people..by occupying,killing and causing a huge exodus of iraqi people from their country........all for israel.....i meant to say democracy
Uh, George? it's not slander if it's true.
"Bypassing the Constitution means that we did something outside the bounds of the Constitution."
--Bush
what a fuckin indiot
So is that what we call it now? "Outside the bounds of the Constitution"? I'm pretty sure "to bypass" does mean "outside or around the boundary of".
Gee George, you make trampling the shit out of our Constitution sound so nice and civilized.
The Sainted Timmeh Russert this Boulton ain't.
How dare he not pitch softballs and smile vacantly as the subject is changed?
I don't know how I will be able to blather on about what a great man this Boulton character is when that fateful day comes if he doesn't, you know, get with the program.
pissed off patricia @ 6:
I pray I see the day when this bastard has to face the consequences of his petulance. Unfortunately, with this congress of cowards it seems highly unlikely he'll even see so much as a censure.
Vinny Corpuscle @ 24:
Idiot. Haha. I guess that includes me to. But at least I didnt fuck up 3 countries
70% of the heart and soul of America wants out of Iraq, dick head.
the Supreme Court is supreme only when the judges agree with me.
when it doesn't agree, then it's not supreme.
that's it. yeah, that's it.
Dancer @ 20:
I believe that the Farewell Party will be starting on the 19th and culminating on the 20th. You're all invited to my house.
I betcha dem Irakis are really happy we liberated them. Now if they would just let us go around and shoot da evil doers without having to worry about der courts we will git along jus fine. Oh and let us fly our planes over their skies, you know how much I like to dress up in flight suits. and let dick's friends handle all that oil. thats liberation ferya!
Amazing. One of Murdoch's boyz schooling The Empty Flight Suit. Can you imagine a Fox 'News' counterpart doing that to Pickles and the Chimp?
I'd say the two of them are dumber than a sack of hammers, but that would be an insult to sacks of hammers every where. The whole interview is a total hoot. Her piping up on women's rights is a scream...
Bush thinks he's the supremeist.
HR 1258! HR1258! Every other country knows what a sociopath/liar this man is and are calling him on it. Like the typical schoolyard bully, he's crying foul on the one actually telling the truth about what he is and what he's done to this country.
He's made this country totally hypocritical in every respect. His legacy will soon be "Madman President".
Impeach his sorry butt and let's begin the forward move to reestablishment of the rule of law in this country. We'd better do something to show the rest of the world that we are not the same as George W. Bush and begin distancing this country from the tactics of this liar/madman.
Support Hague Trials for Bush/Cheney 09!
Loonie @ 21:
I think the bag of cocks might have something to say about that...
its one thing to praise the U.S. in THE U.S. . its another thing to say it in a foreign land.
Bush has no use for the law.
Rove, of course, doesn't either. His only goal is to get Repubs elected.
Americans are ambivilent. If it helps me this minute, it's good. If it doesn't, I don't care.
What an embarrassment! boosh should give up this "legacy tour" and just stay on the ranch until jan.
The House voted to impeach George W. today!!!
Click here
"The true America" ........ lol, I think we've all seen what that is by it's actions, or lack there of.
This man is one of the most evil and pointless wastes of oxygen on the planet.
"Slandering America"
Funny how every single americon reverts to that when getting criticised, especially by the Brits, opposed to just answering the point or the question.
Don't just blame Bush who says he is 'following laws'. Major blame must go to the likes of McSame and even Gingrich, neither of whom seem to have any idea what the Supreme Court's purpose is. They think that interpretations of law must include the current political climate and consideration for the president's and the people's wishes.
Holy crap. This man and his concubine are servants of hell, if there is such a thing. But they don't have anything to worry about, do they? When his time is up, he'll retire to Crawford for a while, then when things get hot (threats of prosecution for war crimes?), all he has to do is move to Dubai and enjoy his secret war-funded bank account.
The man and his entire administration should be tried, convicted, and publicly hanged.
These people are not human.
I'm sorry to tell you guys this, but Obama will lose because there are a lot of White people who WILL NOT vote for a black man, period. I think we are going to be screwed for a few more years.
It is absolutely essential to the future of America, that the president of the United States be moved to a private, concealed location for the duration of his presidency. Under no circumstances should he be exposed to a camera or microphone. Bush can barely compute a sentence while being interviewed by a fox-friendly interviewer, but having a British journalist, using the most plain and absolute terms of our common language, asking questions, absolutely befuddled the prez. His response "Of course if you want to slander America, ..."
Dr. Joe says:
The Prez did not listen. He reacted in an elementary-school way. His reaction to the accusation of human rights violations at Gitmo and Abu-G, was typical to a bully that cannot defend himself with words, but only fists. He attacked the messenger.
He was not prepared for the question. Possibly his handlers assumed that the questions were all vetted in advance. Maybe, maybe not.
Bush converted the accusations of human rights violations into an attack on the USA was a weird mental gymnastic. He must have been insulted and converted the attack into a homeland attack, then established his high-ground by proclaiming a defamation of character.
I can't quite finish the programming on this line of code...
Left&Left @ 11:
An even more liberal supreme court ruled that he should be president.
Does Bush truly believe his own bullshit. He gets so angry when challenged. It would be funny, if it wasn't so tragic. He's our president. What a disgrace to our country.
miss_kitty @ 36:
Indeed, water boarding is obviously the only americon way to deal with it.......... !
Let's get George Tenet back to do some 'splainin about his rant: We Do NOT Torture! We Do NOT torture! Sure, we sub the torture out to Blackwater, that's what we do.....along with kids who haven't a clue but feel they have to take orders from the hierarchy who are really the "demons" in all of this. Every last individual on the food chain from the top down need to provide sworn testimony about the role they each played in this disgusting and overt violation of the Geneva Conventions on Torture. You KNOW Chimpy gave the okay and now he's trying to weasel out of it by claiming foul on the one questioning him. ROVE INVENTED DARVO and it's become the Republican Mantra: Deny, Attack (back) and Reverse Victim and Offender.
The only fly in the ointment is that most americans know what Bush is doing and think even less of him for his obvious nonsensical tactics and lies.
Mickxotic @ 15:
Don't let it stop you. We saw Fahrenheit 9/11 in Paris the first summer it was in theaters. We sat in the balcony with two really nice French couples who spoke some English. The most awkward moment was when they told us they felt sorry for us, being we were American and all. We laughed, said we were sorry too, and had a great time.
Not everyone in the world is narrow-minded enough to think we're all assholes.
OK OK, we'll put up with Madonna, just take this moron back and deal with him !!
dw @ 37:
I'm sure they also were forced to edit out the obvious laughter rising from the studio where it was taped.
Bush is the Master of Darvo and Darkness.
Dear Mr. President, with all due respect. STFU, you're embarrassing the nation.
how the congress voted regarding impeachment.....looks similar to electoral strategy map
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=401&chamber=H&...
Gretchen @ 48:
Don't let it stop you. We saw Fahrenheit 9/11 in Paris the first summer it was in theaters. We sat in the balcony with two really nice French couples who spoke some English. The most awkward moment was when they told us they felt sorry for us, being we were American and all. We laughed, said we were sorry too, and had a great time.
Not everyone in the world is narrow-minded enough to think we're all assholes.
Indeed, though unfortunately a lot of you are (Bush did get in twice and stayed there) and still shout about how you're #1 and the best in the world and how everyone should worship you, blah blah blah .........
Combine that typically tolerated attitude of Americans abroad with the last 7 years of what you've inflicted on the world and it's too much to tolerate for a lot of reasonable people.
Hey,American "journalists", are you paying attention? That is how to question those in power.
These rodeo clowns have no inkling of what a rational argument is, nor an iota of what the historical background for any topic is. Just FYI, Chris Matthews called out another right wingnut on his show a few minutes ago regarding McCranky's "100 year statement", basically asking for clarification. Of course the response he recieved was circular and disassembling. If someone can find a video of it, definitely worst a post here.
bush is a liar if anyone slanders America it is bush.
What a vile repugnat asshole!
"we feed more hungry people than anyone else in the world"...
The United States reneges on more promised foreign aid than any country. Bush best represents our national hypocrisy.
Bush is a douche-bag. What else is new.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIIImiRDnF8 We need to play this Bright Eyes song more.
Mickxotic @ 15:
If you don't go, The Terrorists have won
c. atrox @ 59:
And 80% of what is given by way for "foreign aid" is just given to local American companies in the region they are "helping" .......
Adam Boulton's observation sure did reduce Bush into the stuttering fool he really is, not that it's all that hard to do. lol One could almost pity Bush for being so stupid if it were not for the fact that he is a war criminal, guilty of torture and murder. He has violated the human rights and civil rights of Americans and citizens of other nations. He has betrayed our US Constitution, and international treaties. Stutter on Bush you fascist corporate whore, your bloody rein ends this coming January!
George Carlin-some people are stupid.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oboyox3L_MI
I dedicate this to the decider.
The British know the difference between Royalty and a civil servant. Americans do not. Just watch the House of Commons sometime on c-span. If Boosh ever got the treatment the Brits gave their Prime Minister, live, unedited, he would erupt into a blithering idiot -- wait, he already is a blithering idiot.
We all know that Shrub isn't the most up to date on these things called "Law" and the "Constitution." Maybe in Bush's world, since 2 of 3 courts agreed with him, then it's majority rule and he wins! While I'm being snarky... you have to admit there's a reasonable chance that he thinks this way.
impeachement would be nice but so would a functioning government.
....and substitute Herr W. where Carlin says Dan Quayle.
Just because Congress passes some piece of legislation, doesn't mean it's constitutional. He really should know that. His explanation of "bypassing the Constitution" is so infuriating because (a) he's wrong and (b) he's being so condescending as if he really does know what he's talking about it.
And, he's still peddling that line that Abu Ghraib was the action of "some soldiers." /sigh/
It's not that I resent him for being so stupid, it's that he seems to think we're so stupid he can say things like this and get away with it. Though, I guess that he did get away with it for so long might have something to do with that. But still.
Start impeachment proceedings NOW!! Keep this f*cking moron from starting another war with another sovereign nation.
This rambling piece of shit, and his "shit-eating-grin" spouse sitting next to him, need to be tossed out on their asses. I want to go down to Washington DC for the Innaugaration and chant for this son-of-a-bitch to be put in shackles and marched off to prison when he leaves the White House.
He is disgusting. "pick and chose"....he doesn't agree with the Supreme Court, so he doesn't follow their rule. He is a real work of art. Disgusting asshole!!
So, you hate Bush.
Good.
And you love Dems.
Good.
Put all this in a shaker and see what you come up with in 2009.
My suggestion: The U.S. is a completely, totally lost cause. It's based on free market ideas that work only on a continent of unlimited free resources. Our Founders got it wrong, in the long term. Out.
One more thing....why does it take a "foreign news media person" to ask this blatant stupid asshole the straight questions?
Our news media are pathetic. They can be marched off with the monkey and his crime family. They are just as complicit in the crime as anyone in his corrupt administration!
Mickxotic @ 15:
As long as you are nice and respect everyone and every culture along the way, I'm sure you'll be just fine :)
Jay Johnson @ 56:
that's right. Instead, US "journalists" (some call Cavuto a journalist) ask him how he doesn't sweat in extreme heat.
Jeremy @ 50:
that's good
paymerobot.com @ 7:
Yes it is... Maybe that was the only requirement for Bush to take the interview without approving the questions ahead of time, lol... I'm sure he was thinking: "Hey, isn't this supposed to be Fox News" jk
Remember that Irish journalist who interviewed Bush a few years back?
She really pissed him off too.
dam furrin' journalistas!! upsetting our prezNut with nasty questions !!
miss_kitty @ 36:
The bag of cocks would probably have its patriotism questioned then.
StirFry @ 74:
yeah but you won't get invited to press meetings catch-22
Jeremie @ 73:
Don't hesitate to travel. I am a man on the loose, and I have met no one that has given me a bad time for having this jack ass for a pResident. I simply state my opinion, and we are best of friends with anyone who wants to talk politics.
I've met ONE PERSON who was a bush-backer, and she was a f*cking religious nutcase. Other than her, the whole world hates this bastard, and don't be ashamed to be an American. You didn't vote for him, did you?
Jerry @ 55:
Indeed, though unfortunately a lot of you are (Bush did get in twice and stayed there) and still shout about how you're #1 and the best in the world and how everyone should worship you, blah blah blah .........
Combine that typically tolerated attitude of Americans abroad with the last 7 years of what you've inflicted on the world and it's too much to tolerate for a lot of reasonable people.
Ah but remember, Bush was appointed by the Supreme Court (which he now seems to think is not quite so supreme). Whether he was "elected" at all is a subject that will be debated for some time.
Sure, we do have those that are the stereotypical "ugly American" tourists. I've seen them myself when I've traveled and it is embarrassing. These people are such selfish boors that they can't be bothered to look around and at least use the basic courtesies of the country they are visiting. I've also seen some Italians in Munich who were every bit as bad as the worst Americans and met the most horrid Germans in Budapest.
It is more difficult even for the reasonable people after 7 years of Bush - I do agree. However, assholery does not require a specific passport.
Liberate 50,000,000 people?
Before the war the population of Iraq was 26,000,000.
wtf is he talking about?
anyone?
Hulk @ 72:
How can you ask the straight questions that might hurt his feelings and get invited to his barbecue? Oh wait, that was McCain..........Bush, McCain...same shit.
karl @ 54:
18 repugs voted for it, no dems against it - that's promising
This idiot, appointed and reelected, has not one iota of an inkling about democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law. He is an embarrassment and our only salvation is that he is out of here in 217 days.
Every time he opens his mouth, he weakens the nation. (With a salute to Moe Stooge).
WaPo’s Dan Froomkin has more on what he calls “Bush’s Senioritis” and “contempt for those who question him or doubt his accomplishments.”
------------------------ cant wait for one OLD FOOL to hand off the power to the other OLDER FOOL.....
Mickxotic @ 15:
Please don't miss out on your travels because of our idiot president. My parents just went to Europe and they didn't meet anyone who was hostile to them. They met many Germans who were totally sympathetic to the fact that most Americans don't support the Bush Regime. And they appologized profusely for WWII while my parents apologized for Bush.
dw @ 37:
You mean praising the US in front of someone who's aware of the US history of inteference in the World... Especially the CIA... Nice list: A CENTURY OF U.S. MILITARY INTERVENTIONS