No admitted mistakes

[Epidemic]

It was painful watching Bush stumble over those questions. I will admitt he is not exactly refined in his speach.

Mistakes made by Bush related to pre 911.

Following the status quo, not being innovative and re-inventing CIA and FBI.

Bush did followed what his predecessors did that in hindsight could be construed as a mistake.

Also knowing that the FBI and CIA had reduced powers due to former administrations, actions to improve the situation should have been addressed.

[SUB_ZERO]

And you actually expected him to admit anything of the sorts or admit he / his admin was at any type of fault ???

[MTAtech]

I also heard that the questions were submitted in advance. If so, that makes the responses much more disturbing.

[Epidemic]

I am torn as to whether he should admit a mistake.

On the one hand you have the democrats beating him for not admitting fault. But the flip side is that they will beat him for what ever he admitts to.

Admitting to following the status quo is not all that telling. It is like saying I should not have stood so close to the edge of the curb because jumped the curb and hit me. True you would have been better off had you not been near the curb. Buttttttt the curb is considered safe. Was there really a mistake made for doing what is considered to be the proper course of action.

[aldtech]

In regards to admitting to possibly having made a mistake or miss-opportunity, I think that if he would have said something about directing the FBI and the CIA to work together on the terrorist issue as a result of the recent memo that was declassified then that would have been acceptable across the board. It is, after all the most obvious, in hindsight, that could have had a positive result.

That type of statement I feel I would not have a problem with and would really have issues with the left if they harped on it.

I only watch the last 4 questions of the broadcast and I was very surprised at the trouble he was having just trying to communicate, after all he is suppose to be a great communicator. He seemed very disorganized in his responses and was unfocused. I would have liked to have seen his opening remarks as I am sure he was more focused with that.

Initially I felt his demeanor was very un-presidential like but on reflection after the fact I have come to understand that this was clearly a man having trouble trying to convey what he felt was the most important thing this country should/could be doing in this day and age. I would have to give him kudos for trying but this in no way changes my opposition of him.

One thing/question I did have a problem with was when he started to answer that the one greatest thing our country has to give/offer is freedom/democracy and in mid stride he had to change it to something about our creator having given us the power to do. To me that was a very strong statement in regards to disrespect to other faiths and those who are agnostic/atheist. This in my opinion is one of the reasons why we as in both the US and the West are so hated by the East. He should not have said that. I am a firm believe in the separation of church and state and if someone can not keep the two apart then they should not be in political office.

AL

[TOAD6147]

It is like saying I should not have stood so close to the edge of the curb because jumped the curb and hit me.

That same ??? could've still jumped the curb and come through the restaurant window where you were having coffee 50' away. It's a matter of choices based on what life's lessons have taught you and how to gage a certain degree of chance or the gamble that goes with those decisions.
But I'm still trying to figure how this analogy pertains to Bush taking some responsibility for what happened on 9/11 even if just symbolic. I think it's fair to say there is enough evidence to suggest his administration was asleep at the wheel and the buck does stop with him. I would suggest that he do it before Clinton beats him to it though because Clinton needs to address this as well. And IMO if he does and takes some responsibility or makes an apology before Bush, that will be the coup degrasse(sp) for Mr. Bush and his aspirations for a second term.

[Epidemic]

Pointless apologies annoy me.

I am sorry for my great great grand parents enslaving your great great grandparents. (pointless and stupid AFAIAC)

I am sorry that the american government from stem to stern was not on a footing that would have foiled the 911 plot. From police to judges, from FBI to CIA, From senate to supreme court, from sea to shining sea the plot had very little chance of being foiled beyond luck.

In fact even if we did have todays security on 911 I suspect that the plot would have a 90% chance of success. The only thing which is in place that would foil the plot would be the fact that passengers will not treat it like a standard hiijack and increased security on pilots door. Every other factor that lead up the the events can be easily thwarted.

[TOAD6147]

Pointless apologies annoy me.

But, then, this isn't about you, now is it? This is about a leader(?) acting like a leader and doing the right thing. And true to your nature, you're practicing revisonist history again. There's a very good chance that 9/11 could've been averted but your revisonist view will not allow you to see the obvious. But then, if he was my man I'd probably be making excuses for him as well.

[osprey4]

Toad, no one believes there is a "good chance 11 Sept could have been avoided" (certainly no one on the Commission).

I would like to point out, once again, that the Commission's job is to fix the problem, not the blame. There's plenty of blame to go around, no one denies that. But the only person in my estimation who's been clearly guilty of revisionism so far is Mr. Clarke, and his revisions have an obvious financial motivation.

Perhaps the Commission would be more effective if everyone would stop playing "pin the tail on the donkey."

[John Prophet]

Too bad it's all in an 'election' year....cuz frankly that only clouds the reall issues....NO ONE...Dem or Rep is going to say or admit anything that would in any way hurt his party...even the guys from CLintons era that were questioned....(the guys who are out of office now--the guys you think would have no reason to "shade" things)....even they arent really going to admit anything to hurt the Dem side....and obviously none of the Rep incumbants would DARE admit any wrongdoing.

So like I say..too bad this just HAD to be done right now.

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My take on it from watching several of the interviews....has been one of incredulity.....we all have to remember that these things dont happen in a vacuum......for instance..what if someone came right now, today..and said "there is a percieved threat from blah blah organization...we need 5 billion to fight it and to TOTALLY revamp our ENTIRE security system including the FBI, CIA, etc etc."

I am just so SURE that everyone will just be gushing to start forking over the money right away. We have to remember that for any and all security or defense type motions and budgets that get passed..there are milllions of people screaming about education, health care, environment, defecits etc etc etc...so to now try to go back and pick out one tiny piece of the govt puzzle and try to "fix it" in a little vacuum...to me is ridiculous.

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Too much "politics" involved at this point....the original conception of govt by the people FOR THE PEOPLE is a quaint notion of long gone days. At this point it is an intractable morasse.


JP