KatyD
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posted on September 11, 2001 12:57:14 PM new
Karen Hughes, who is only the President's press secretary for heaven's sake, just gave a statement. She took no questions. Where is the president? Where is the vice-president. Somebody at a high level of government. Not a press secretary. Americans want to hear some reassurances from the government, and we get Karen Hughes?
KatyD
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spazmodeus
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:03:08 PM new
My complaint all day.
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RainyBear
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:03:31 PM new
Well, better an absent president than a dead president (or vice president). While I agree that it's frustrating not to hear directly from someone in power, it's smart of them to protect those who would be potential targets.
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KatyD
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:05:54 PM new
, it's smart of them to protect those who would be potential targets.
It appears that we are all potential targets.
I disagree. Americans want to hear directly from their leaders, not their understaff. It's part of the job.
KatyD
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stockticker
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:06:41 PM new
How would a videotape, taped in advance from an unknown location, containing a message from the President put the President in danger?
Irene
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RainyBear
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:07:54 PM new
Yeah, but just imagine what additional chaos would erupt in this country is the president were killed. People are in a bit of a panic now, and it would be much worse then.
Stockticker, that's exactly what they should do. I wonder why they haven't?
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mybiddness
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:16:11 PM new
I don't believe the video taped message of the president (played about 30 minutes ago) put him in danger and I'm sure that's why it was handled that way. If the President had spoken earlier - in the height of the seige I would have personally been furious that he would feel compelled to give a feel good speech while we were still under attack. IMO, that shouldn't be the foremost focus of our commander in chief while the seige is potentially ongoing.
I'm glad that we've accounted for Spaz and Barry and others in the New York area. If it's possible to be even more horrified than I am I would suppose that living in the near vicinity of this would be even worse.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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Femme
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:16:27 PM new
Bush has made 2 statements.
One from Florida and another from Louisiana.
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toke
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:17:51 PM new
But he did make a statement from Louisiana...and a brief one from Florida earlier.
I watched the statement from LA a couple of hours ago, on CNN.
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RainyBear
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:20:33 PM new
So he did make a statement. I sure wish the news web sites had more up-to-date information. I'm getting the best info here at AW!
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RoseBids25cents
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:21:56 PM new
Femme, again, thank you - I thought I was going crazy.. was I just IMAGINING those statements?
I trust the government to proceed in this matter with a more intelligent strategy than one I could come up with - or one that would serve to make me feel better.
Rosie
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mybiddness
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:34:07 PM new
For those of you who missed it - this is the latest word from the President:
Statement by President Bush from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended..
I want to reassure the American people that the full resources of the federal governemnt are working to assist local authorities to save lives and help the victims of these attacks.
Make no mistake, the U.S. will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.
I've been in regular contact with the Vice President, Secretary of Defense, national security team, and my cabinet. We have taken all security precautions to protect the American people. Our military here and around the world is on high status.
And we've taken the necessary security precautions to continue functions of your governement. We've been in touch with leaders of Congress and world leaders to tell, to assure them we'll do whatever is necessary to protect Americans.
I ask the American people to join me, to thank all those fighting hard to rescue victims and join me in saying a prayer to victims and families.
The resolve of our nation is being tested.. but make no mistake we'll show the world, we will pass the test.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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RainyBear
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:37:13 PM new
Thank you mybiddness!
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figmente
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:44:38 PM new
The President is mostly irrelevant and not much but the sort of announcements made are to be expected; However, I think a bit more call for calm and sanity would be in order.
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hjw
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:48:43 PM new
It's really unfortunate that we don't have a courageous, visible leader right now communicating with the country.
But to tell you the truth, seeing the face of George Bush would not put my mind at ease.
Helen
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toke
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:51:01 PM new
I think I'll reiterate what I posted on another thread:
Just for once, for crissake, I would like to see politics dispensed with, if only until this crisis has passed. If we cannot present a united front against a common enemy, I truly wonder what will become of us.
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hjw
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posted on September 11, 2001 01:52:49 PM new
toke
I read what you wrote on this thread and on the other thread and frankly, I don't agree.
Helen
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hjw
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:02:30 PM new
"a united front aganist a common enemy"...Is that what Karen Hughes...
a secretary...represents in this time of crisis?
The fact that the President of the United States sends his secretary out to refuse to answer questions bothers me.
But, according to the latest news, he is now on his way back to the White House. Maybe he can manage to say a few words.
Helen
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toke
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:04:17 PM new
Frankly, Helen...
I could care less what you think. Truly.
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hjw
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:07:09 PM new
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RainyBear
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:10:55 PM new
A press secretary isn't like a secretary who takes notes and types letters... she's more like an advisor to the president. Karen Hughes isn't "his secretary," she's his Press Secretary. Similarly, a Secretary of State isn't someone's personal secretary.
Would she have more credibility if she were a man?
I've got to stop reading these boards... they've really been getting me riled up the past couple of days!
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toke
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:14:28 PM new
Rainy...
On CNN they called Hughes his "Chief Advisor." For whatever that's worth.
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hjw
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:17:31 PM new
Rainybear
I didn't intend to rile anybody up. I was simply replying to the topic of this thread.
And my feeling is that I do not feel secure with a press secretary representing the country.
That's sad.
Helen
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hepburn
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:18:27 PM new
I would feel better seeing Powell speak.
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joice
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:20:24 PM new
Please, let's not bash our country on this day. I ask not as a moderator.
Joice
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hepburn
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:22:27 PM new
I love my country, Joice. And like a child, when scared or hurt, I want to run to mom or dad. Dad is busy, and I understand that. So Uncle Powell will be just as good, but I dont want to run to my cousin 3 times removed to be assured.
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RainyBear
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:24:17 PM new
Hi Helen,
I know, it's just that I get a little touchy about women in positions of assistance to a leader, be it a politician, CEO, or whatever, being automatically viewed in a "personal secretary" type of role.
I agree that it's a little unsettling having a press secretary/presidential advisor representing our country... heck, I don't even feel comfortable with our president representing the country! But I'll take what I can get. 
Beth
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toke
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:25:56 PM new
I hear you, Joice.  I don't understand the mindset, I guess. Not to say I'm not glad of it...
edited to say...I'm glad I don'tunderstand that particular mindset...
[ edited by toke on Sep 11, 2001 02:29 PM ]
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hjw
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:26:32 PM new
If this thread is seen as an attempt to bash the country then I will not post to it.
That was not my interpretation.
Helen
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KatyD
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posted on September 11, 2001 02:27:33 PM new
yes. I did not mean to start a "political" thread. It's just that I would like to hear something other than the endless speculation and rumors that is being bandied about by the news commentators. The Speaker of the House, a military general, the vice-president, Powell...just a live SOMEBODY willing to answer questions.
KatyD
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