Now we're making Ronald Reagan movies

When they arrived at an airport gate, he and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice -- both wearing baseball caps -- lowered their hats to be incognito.

"We looked like a normal couple," he said.

A normal couple? A middle aged white man and a middle aged black woman with baseball caps pulled low?

"It was an emotional moment to walk in that room," he said later. "The energy level was beyond belief. I mean, I've been in front of some excited crowds before, but this was - the place truly erupted. I could see the, first, the look of amazement, and then, the look of appreciation on the kids' faces."   article

Well, if no one else, he sure loves himself.

The shades in the press cabin on Air Force One had been pulled down and both doors were closed, and the reporters only knew Bush was aboard when they heard the engines rev. After leaving Texas, the plane streaked towards Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to refuel and pick up Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. As he switched planes at Andrews, Bush spotted the reporters. He held his thumb and pinkie apart, and raised them to his ear, in the symbol of someone using a phone, and mouthed, ‘‘No calls, got it?’’ He emphasised the point by crossing his arms back and forth in front of him. He made the ‘‘cut’’ sign to his throat and mouthed again, ‘‘No calls’’. Air Force One took off for Baghdad 10 minutes later and Bush was asleep within 20 minutes. A little later, the cabin lights were turned off. Twenty minutes later, we touched down in Baghdad.article

Oh, come on! I was just about to back off my hard-nosed stance on this visit and cut the bonehead some slack. If this is the ridiculous kind of claptrap they are going to put out, I'm going harder yet. B-freaking-S. The reporters were alerted. They were sent there. And he played this sillly pantomime because...why? Because they weren't already told they had to keep mum? Sure. Because they were there because all on their own they ferreted out the secret surprise? Sure. Because they found out, but gosh, oh golly, jeepers, Uncle Bob, lookit that! It's the President! But, look, guys, he's askin' us to keep this important secret - for the country and all. Come on, guys, we're all in this together! Yeah! Yeah! Right! Go tell our boys we're behind 'em, Mr. President! We'll keep your secret! Right guys? Right! Right! God bless America!

And God bless our brave president, too!

God bless us every one!

Give me a freakin' break. And get me a real person in the White House. And get me some real reporters.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.

P.S. If you're not going to get me those things, then get me a better script writer - would you recognize "no calls, got it" by reading lips?

He sure falls asleep easily.


Update December 1: It only takes 40 minutes to get from Maryland to Baghdad? Further revelation of the bogus photo-op is in a follow-up post.