As Far As I Can Tell


Exploiting 9/11

President Bush’s reelection campaign released their first round of television ads yesterday, and I’m appalled that one of them makes use of 9/11 imagery. Exploiting such a tragedy for political gain is offensive and shameful. Regretfully the strategy extends beyond the single TV spot. The Republican Convention is being held in NYC this year, with its date pushed to Sept. 2, the latest ever in the history of the party. As stated in the New York Times from April 22, 2003 they “chose the date so the event would flow into the commemorations marking the third anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks”.

George Bush has refused to testify in front of the 9/11 commission, set up to determine what went wrong in the lead-up to the attacks. Yet he doesn’t seem to mind using the tragedy to his advantage in political maneuvering. Here is a man who would rather exploit a nation’s grief, then help make sure it doesn’t happen again.


 

Comments

Yeah, I’ve also mixed feelings about the 9/11 adds. Having not seen them, I can’t comment on whether they’re in poor taste or not. I’m mixed about it because I think it’s important to remember 9/11 and what it means for current political reality. But I don’t think it should be exploited for political gain. Although, to be fair, many in the left have equally exploited 9/11 for their side, too. It’s the kind of bad judgement that affects both parties, unfortunately.

Posted by: miguel on March 6, 2004 2:08 PM

His entire presidency is structured around the “war on terror.” His other accomplishments amount to nothing but a list of malfunctioning acts of legislation. What else could we expect.

Posted by: Isaiah on March 8, 2004 2:27 PM

You’re right, Ike. Bush hasn’t done much but the war on terror. But. It’s the most important issue right now. At least I certainly think so. I wanted an alternative (Democrat or otherwise) who could do the domestic stuff I’d like — but still be tough on the war on terror front. I’ve not seen that. And. For me. That’s all that counts right now. I’d love to see some Liberal domestic policies. But I want to first make sure Western Civilization survives the new Islamofascist threat that could consume us.

Posted by: miguel on March 8, 2004 6:57 PM

I don’t think that Bush has done a good job defining or fighting the “war on terror”. Let’s get someone in power that might be able to stay focused on immediate and actual terrorist threats. As a bonus, maybe they’ll give a damn about our civil liberties and environment. Even the pentagon admits that the environment is a far greater threat than terrorism, and Bush has an absolutely abysmal environmental record. Islamist extremists aren’t our only problem.

Posted by: simon on March 8, 2004 7:42 PM

I agree w/ you, Simon. I think Bush hasn’t handled the job as well as I’d like. And the threat on civil liberties also worries me. And, yes, Islamic extremists are our only problem — but they’re the most significat one (in my opinion). My problem’s that I didn’t see the Dems put forward a candidate that addressed that issue to my liking. Liberman did. Maybe also Edwards, but he lost to Kerry. I’ve been trying to make up my mind about Kerry; but I’m not yet seeing/hearing what I want to hear. Did you read his last foreign policy speach I linked to? It was almost what I wanted to hear, but some things not fleshed out that worried me. In short, I want someone to do a much better job than Bush. That’s just a given. But I don’t want someone that’s gonna do a worse job. If I have to choose between the lesser of two evils …

Posted by: miguel on March 9, 2004 2:17 PM

I’m not sure what the uproar is. Yes, a tragedy shouldn’t be the basis of peddling anything, let alone a presidency but have you witnessed our country lately? Flags here, firemen there. I am not making this up but I just saw an ad for Wrestlemania XX that featured firemen standing around a fire truck watching a television while a american flag flies in the background. I did see the bush ad and it does take a tragedy and spin it for adventageous support of the re-election of Bush but really, is that any different than all of the flag mechants, firemen doll hawkers, and “god bless america” bumpersticker salesmen? Should the person who will hold the office of the president of the united states be any different from the guy who sells anything with “united we stand” on it? Yes. Is that the way it is? No. Not at all.

Posted by: jake on March 10, 2004 1:55 AM

Well put, Jake. Someone once said: “We elect the people we deserve.”

Posted by: miguel on March 11, 2004 2:11 PM

i like bush. i will vote for him again.

Posted by: Nate on March 23, 2004 6:38 AM

you people make me sick to my stomach. so ignorant people. you, as american citizen, have an obligation to educate yourselves!

Posted by: jerry on April 13, 2004 6:13 PM


As far as who can tell?


Chicago, IL

Also available via RSS.


Micro Updates