The Bush Shakeup

[dsm]

After seeing the reports on Ashcroft, I wondered whether Bush's cabinet will be better or worse in the second term.

What do you think? Who's leaving and who will there replacements be?

 

[LostAngeles]

I just came to post it, only my thread topic was going to be, "Proof That God Exists and Loves Us."

Think we can get those drapes taken down now? I want me some stone boobie.

 

[Upchurch]

I just came to post it, only my thread topic was going to be, "Proof That God Exists and Loves Us."

Praise Ed. Amen.

 

[dsm]

I just came to post it, only my thread topic was going to be, "Proof That God Exists and Loves Us."

Don't be too quick to jump for joy -- we don't know who the replacement will be yet. As a concession to the Southern Baptists that put him over the top, he could nominate (shudder!) Jerry Falwell.

Think we can get those drapes taken down now? I want me some stone boobie.

Huh?

 

[HarryKeogh]

Huh?

the stone boobie remark was in response to Ashcroft buying a robe (for reportedly several thousand dollars though this may be an exaggeration...seems kind of high) to drape over the torso of a statue in a hall where he gave a press conference.

the statue had a breast exposed and he covered it up as it offended his delicate sensibilities.

yes, he's not very grounded in reality.

 

[aerocontrols]

the stone boobie remark was in response to Ashcroft buying a robe (for reportedly several thousand dollars though this may be an exaggeration...seems kind of high) to drape over the torso of a statue in a hall where he gave a press conference.

the statue had a breast exposed and he covered it up as it offended his delicate sensibilities.

yes, he's not very grounded in reality.

I thought covering the statue was a reaction to photographers taking his picture with the statue in the background for 'ironic effect'.

We didn't get press photos of Attorney General Janet Reno with a nekkid statue behind her, did we?

 

[dsm]

I thought covering the statue was a reaction to photographers taking his picture with the statue in the background for 'ironic effect'.

We didn't get press photos of Attorney General Janet Reno with a nekkid statue behind her, did we?

How do you know? Apparently, according to this report, the statue has been in the room since the 1930s and seen many a press conference. Perhaps it was not as "ironic" for a picture of Janet Reno to be taken in front of it as it was for John Ashcroft (and Edwin Meese).

 

[Regnad Kcin]

I thought covering the statue was a reaction to photographers taking his picture with the statue in the background for 'ironic effect'.

So why not move himself in relation to the statue, rather than spend dollar bills to cover it up? A rhetorical question, by the way.

 

[Kopji]

If its Alberto Gonzales or Gulliani you're gonna hear me scream like a girl.

 

[aerocontrols]

How do you know? Apparently, according to this report, the statue has been in the room since the 1930s and seen many a press conference. Perhaps it was not as "ironic" for a picture of Janet Reno to be taken in front of it as it was for John Ashcroft (and Edwin Meese).

How do I know what? I'm confused as to what you're saying that is different than what I'm saying. When I read your link, it seems to confirm both things I speculated about: that Ashcroft didn't cover up the statue for a while, but eventually got fed up with photogs taking his picture with the statue in the background for ironic effect, and that such pictures weren't published for Janet Reno. (Your article indicates that they did so for Meese and Ashcroft)

It seems to me that you and I agree on the events at hand. Unlike myself, you seem to think that Ashcroft just shouldn't have minded the subtle photographic criticism. That appears to be where we differ.

MattJ

 

[aerocontrols]

So why not move himself in relation to the statue, rather than spend dollar bills to cover it up? A rhetorical question, by the way.

He's resigning. I suspect that will do.

 

[BPSCG]

It seems to me that you and I agree on the events at hand. Unlike myself, you seem to think that Ashcroft just shouldn't have minded the subtle photographic criticism. That appears to be where we differ.

Hmmm.

So here's Ashcroft, trying to make an announcement about dealing with terrorists. Meanwhile, photographers acting like a bunch of 15-year-olds are writhing around on the floor trying to get an ironic shot.

(...whisper...) "Hey, man, knock it off - he's talking about the Justice Department taking down a bunch of terrorists."

"Who cares, man? I'm getting a great tittie shot!"

Regardless of how puritanical you might or might not be, how long would you put up with this juvenile behavior?

IMHO, he should have simply barred the photographers involved from future press conferences as being too disruptive.

 

[Rob Lister]

The statue/drape issue: I researched this a couple of years back. I discovered that the drapes had been there through several administrations. A little further research led to my discovery that the drapes that had once been there were 'rented' specifically for press conferences. Someone in the Ashcroft team decided to save money and nix the rental agreement and purchase drapes outright. It took longer than expected to secure the purchase (which, having before been associated with government procurement, I can easily understand). Also, IMS, they ended up going back to the rental agreement as that ended up being cheaper in the long run.

I have no references whatsoever (anymore) so take this for what its worth.

Edit to add: I remember remarking at the time that if Ashcroft had a sense of humor he could have had a bit of fun with the press after it became a media focus. For the next press conference he could have had her decked out in a skimpy little French-maid outfit. Or maybe a ragged bathrobe, curlers and starkwhite nightcream covering her face. I guess that's why I'd be a poor fit for government service.

 

[nightwind]

cabinet

I think it is a very positive thing for the country for Ashcroft to be gone.

His extremist views, and ignoring of basic rights will not be missed.

I hope he just retires to sitting on his porch, and keeping his mouth shut.

 

[Rob Lister]

Re: cabinet

I think it is a very positive thing for the country for Ashcroft to be gone.

His extremist views, and ignoring of basic rights will not be missed.

I hope he just retires to sitting on his porch, and keeping his mouth shut.

I think I can safely say that no matter who replaces him, that person will be hated just as much, if not more than he is, and just as much, if not more than the one he replaced.

Hate from the opposing side comes with the job. Even Reno will tell you that. And she really liked the naked statue.

 

[nightwind]

Reno

Well, that's probably true. I didn't like Reno either. I agreed with her on the handling of the Elian Gonzales Case, but her handling of the Waco affair and the relentless pursuit in her past of a person who in my view was obviously a victim of false accusations of abuse, made me have a very negative attitude towards her in some respects.

But I think it is bizarre that anyone would cover a statue. That says something strange about their psyche.

 

[aerocontrols]

IMHO, he should have simply barred the photographers involved from future press conferences as being too disruptive.

Good Lord. Press censorship? Are you kidding?

 

[Rob Lister]

Re: Reno

But I think it is bizarre that anyone would cover a statue. That says something strange about their psyche.

I admit I have a strange psyche inasmuch as I enjoy spanking the firm buttocks of otherwise naked statues provocatively outfitted in skimpy French Maid uniforms.

Oh, wait. Are you talking about me or Ashcroft?

 

[aerocontrols]

Re: Reno

Well, that's probably true. I didn't like Reno either. I agreed with her on the handling of the Elian Gonzales Case, but her handling of the Waco affair...

I hold the opposite view on those two issues.

and the relentless pursuit in her past of a person who in my view was obviously a victim of false accusations of abuse, made me have a very negative attitude towards her in some respects.

Never heard about this, I don't think.

But I think it is bizarre that anyone would cover a statue. That says something strange about their psyche.

It doesn't seem so to me. The use of the statue for editorial affect was obvious, as it had been with the Meese photo. I suspect that the new AG will leave the statue covered, and if he/she does not can expect to see the photos reappear. Perhaps when the Democrats regain the presidency, they will uncover the statues, since it's less likely that those pictures would be taken then.

MattJ

 

[Nyarlathotep]

The whole idea of Ashcroft leaving puts me in mind of the tired old sitcom cliche where the character everyone hates leaves and is replaced by someone worse, so the main characters start trying to bring the first guy back.

So remember, no matter how much you dislike Ashcroft, that doesn't mean Bush couldn't find somebody worse to repalce him.