A brief look at some of the moments when people have chosen to publicly stand up and (directly) question the administration.
Originally posted at my own
blog.
August 7, 2005
Cindy Sheehan - The mother of an American soldier killed in Iraq, Cindy Sheehan began a one woman protest that stunned the nation - she wanted to ask bush a question.That defiant move was enough to garner more media than a celebrity wedding, as well as serve as a rallying point for anti-war protestors across the country.
What exctly is, George, the "noble cause?"
April 6, 2006
Harry Taylor - At a bush event in North Carolina, Harry Taylor used his moment with the micto let the pres know his feelings about what has been going on.
Okay, I don't have a question. What I wanted to say to you is that I -- in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency, by the Senate, and I would hope -- I feel like despite your rhetoric, that compassion and common sense have been left far behind during your administration, and I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself inside yourself. . .
April 13, 2006
The Retired Generals - This is the one storycovered ad hominemby the mainstream press. About half a dozen retired generals have called specifically for the resignation of Rumsfeld. This is a rather new and stinging development, especially for a man who doesn't believe himself fit for the job (he has twice offered bush his two weeks notice, and been refused).
April 29, 2006
Stephen Colbert - Satirical comedian and host of the Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert somehow snuck his way into the White House Correspondents dinner. Standing on the podium just a few feet away from Fearless Leader and his wife Laura, he let into the pres like a tiger into the soft underbelly of a wounded gazelle. Watch the full videoat Google.
I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq.
I believe in this president. Now, I know there are some polls out there saying that this man has a 32% approval rating. But guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in "reality." And reality has a well-known liberal bias. . . Sir, pay no attention to the people who say the glass is half empty, because 32% means it's 2/3 empty. There's still some liquid in that glass is my point, but I wouldn't drink it. The last third is usually backwash.
So, the White House has personnel changes. And then you [ the journalists] write, "Oh, they're just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic." First of all, that is a terrible metaphor. This administration is not sinking. This administration is soaring! If anything, they are rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg!
May 4, 2006
Ray McGovern - Ex-CIA man of twenty-seven years Ray McGovern got to Rumsfeld after a separate group of protestors already had their time heckling and chanting. He questioned Rummyon the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq, missing WMDs, and offered up choice quotes from Rummy circa 2003.
Rumsfeld: ...it appears that there were not weapons of mass destruction there.
McGovern: You said you knew where they were.
Rumsfeld: I did not. I said I knew where suspect sites were and...
McGovern: You said you knew where they were. Tikrit, Baghdad, northeast, south, west of there. Those are your words.
Rumsfeld: My words-my words were that-no-no, wait a minute--wait a minute.
May 19, 2006
Jean Rohe - Student commencement speaker Jean Rohe (only 21 and graduating with a double major!) was able to call out the celebrityspeaker John McCain before he even took to the podium. McCain was speaking at three college commencements (including Liberty Univeristy, run by Jerry Falwell) and was going to deliver the same speech at all three schools. He decided to stay clear of all commencement clichés and instead was basically stumping for 2008. Rohe read his speech online the night before and tailored hers the night before to debunk the "maverick" Senator from Arizona.
Based on the speech he gave at the other institutions, Senator Mc Cain will tell us today that dissent and disagreement are our "civic and moral obligation" in times of crisis. I consider this a time of crisis and I feel obligated to speak.
Side note - One of McCain's aids decided to go on the offensive(and I mean offensive in every sense) and commented to an article by Rohe, calling her an "idiot" and basically a coward as well. Wow.