Bush: 30K dead is good comedy

The more I read this, the angrier I get. That whole post (at the Nitpicker) is good, so go read it, but this part has been getting particular attention today:

Q Since the inception of the Iraqi war, I'd like to know the approximate total of Iraqis who have been killed. And by Iraqis I include civilians, military, police, insurgents, translators.

THE PRESIDENT: How many Iraqi citizens have died in this war? I would say 30,000, more or less, have died as a result of the initial incursion and the ongoing violence against Iraqis. We've lost about 2,140 of our own troops in Iraq.

Yes.

Q Mr. President, thank you --

THE PRESIDENT: I'll repeat the question. If I don't like it, I'll make it up. (Laughter and applause.)

Bush's lack of gravitas on the issue of at least 32,000 deaths on his hands is bad enough. But what the fuck is up with the audience (these jokers), laughing at clapping? The "joke" wasn't just unfunny, but coming in the heels of his casual reference to 32 thousand deaths it was, well, bizarre.

Good responses from Susan Hu and Sirota.