"We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality."

[journalist3072]

As I reflect on the interview I just watched of Bob Woodward on 60 Minutes, it has occurred to me that what Woodward has to say about Bush lying to the American public regarding Iraq, and ignoring the reality of what is happening on the ground there, is a confirmation of something that journalist Ron Suskind wrote several years ago.

Back in 2004, Suskind wrote an article for the New York Times entitled "Without a Doubt."

In that article, he recounts a conversation he had with a senior adviser to George W. Bush. The White House had wanted to express their displeasure over an article Sunkind wrote about Karen Hughes.

During the conversation, the senior adviser chastised Suskind for being "in what we call the reality-based community." The adviser described people in this "reality-based community" as those who "believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality" and went on to say "We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."

I've said this before, but I think it bears repeating: George W. Bush is so wedded to his own ideas, even when the facts tell him he's wrong. He doesn't believe in course correction, because he thinks he's always right.

[CatholicEdHead]

1. It's a "yes men" corporate culture that has been adopted

In such the "boss is never wrong".

[Warren DeMontague]

2. Cue the "Imperial Death March"

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

3. Its not just Bush

Its the whole sorry lot of the greedy bastards.

[William Bloode]

4. To break it down to a laymans term.

This quote means no more or no less than "what i say goes, and if caught breaking the rules change 'em. Or baffle them with bullshit.

"we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."

[jimshoes]

10. That quote has got to be the most heinous

and vile utterance of all time. I would love to know which advisor actually said this so when the time comes we will know who's grave to piss on.

[journalist3072]

11. I wonder if Ron Suskind will ever reveal who said that to him? eom

[jimshoes]

12. Probably not

until he's/she's dead or convicted.

[journalist3072]

16. Yea, I think you're right. eom

[William Bloode]

13. So true.

It strikes at the very core of what we as a nation are supposed to stand for. The Shrub cabal has done their best to kill our republic, while a large portion of the citizenry stood complacent.

[C_U_L8R]

5. Republican Reality = Hubba-Rubba S&M Bar & Buggery

hypocritical sic fux

[G2099]

6. A empire bankrolled by China

[sweetheart]

7. my dog shit's his own reality

reality falls like an organic dropping, composed from some behind
to fertilize an earth already overdone.

[sendero]

8. Whoever said this..

... is probably spending most of their time worrying about how to stay out of jail.

[Swamp Rat]

9. Hubris will be the end of arrogant, malevolent people like Suskind.

[TomClash]

14. He forgot something

There are other actors in any reality he creates.

Ignore them at you peril.

This guy watched too much of the Matrix and 24.

This Administration must go.

[bobthedrummer]

15. From our DU archives "Reality vs. perception management" (Jan. 2006)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x71919#top