Bush* to speak from War College

[trof]

"Facing criticism that Iraq (news - web sites) is adrift in violence and scandal, Bush will lay out what aides call a 'clear strategy' for that country's future in a prime-time speech 24 May from the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania(AFP/Paul J. Richards)"

and...

"Big Four to Pass on Bush Speech
By Nellie Andreeva
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The broadcast networks are not expected to carry President Bush (news - web sites)'s primetime speech Monday night, in which he will lay out a "clear strategy" for the future of Iraq (news - web sites).

NBC, Fox and ABC will proceed with their scheduled programing for the 8-9 p.m. hour

CBS is not expected to make a final decision on whether to preempt its Monday 8-9 p.m. comedy block -- season finales of "Yes, Dear" and "Still Standing" -- until Monday but sources indicated the network was leaning toward sticking with its regular programing."

Why the Army War College? Is the Oval Offfice no longer secure? What kind of message does using this venue send? WAR PRESIDENT?
This in juxtapostion with the Big 4 not covering it has me reaching for the Reynolds Wrap.
:tinfoilhat:

[aquart]

1. Does this mean no "Beautiful Mind" on ABC?

[Don_G]

2. Here's The Coverage From AP

The Hollywood Reporter is wrong in a few details.

Link: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBAED9NMUD.html

[Ganja Ninja]

3. Could the face plant be the reason the networks aren't covering ...

Bush's speech or do they just want to edit out his gaffs before airing?

[ewagner]

4. Last Friday

When the initial announcement was made, it was said that the White House did NOT request that the major networks carry the speech.

I found that rather curious.

Does anyone know if the text/outline of the speech has been leaked or released?

[UTUSN]

5. Is This "speech to the nation" in Front of an Audience?

Specifically, in front of mind-scrubbed officer young graduates of the War College who will be LUSTILY CHEERING at their so-called CiC? That sounds like another pep rally from the cheerleader lordling, a campaign rally, not a policy speech to the nation.

[lovedems]

6. I am curious as to why the War College...

I thought the War College was highly critical of the Iraq invasion saying that it was a distraction against the war on terror? As a matter of fact, I thought they issued a scathing review on the Bu$h administration. Hmmmm.

I guess they are forcing those to give standing ovations ever 2-3 minutes under threat of ruined career?

[amber dog democrat]

7. And how is this going to help him?

I could write the speech myself, save for a few limited details on specifics, I have no expectations other than " Freedom, Democracy and Stay the Course "

Just another PR event against a backdrop of a botched colonial mis adventure.

[daa]

8. Just like when he went to the repukes in congress

all he did was give his stump speech. I can't imagine anyone watching this bulls**t propoganda.

[Eurobabe]

9. reminder of last press conference, televised fiasco

[GregW]

10. The War College! What an idiot!

Doesn't he read what they think of him?

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0414-02.htm

Army Strategist Criticizes Bush Administration Conduct of Iraq War
by David Wood

WASHINGTON -- In a broadside fired at the conduct of the war in Iraq, a senior Army strategist has accused the Bush administration of seeking to win "quickly and on the cheap" while ignoring the more critical strategic aim of creating a stable, democratic nation.

While the United States easily won the initial battles that toppled Saddam Hussein a year ago, the administration "either misunderstood or, worse, wished away" the difficulties of transforming that victory into the larger political goal, Army Lt. Col. Antulio J. Echevarria of the U.S. Army War College writes in a new paper.

President Bush and other senior officials have consistently cited this larger context for intervening in Iraq: establishing democracy there as a foothold to transform the Middle East and win the global war on terrorism.

Yet the Pentagon's civilian leadership, centered in the office of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, focused "on achieving rapid military victories" with a force "equipped only to win battles, not wars," Echevarria, director of national security studies at the War College's Strategic Studies Institute, writes in the paper published in March.

The military force that invaded Iraq a year ago "proved insufficient to provide the stabilization necessary for political and economic reconstruction to begin," he writes. As a result, "the successful accomplishment of the administration's goal of building a democratic government in Iraq, for example, is still in question, with an insurgency growing rapidly."

The White House National Security Council and the Pentagon declined to comment.
-snip-

[gottaB]

11. Why the Army War College?

Because the War Crimes College has yet to be built.

War Crimes President