OUTRAGE: Did I hear that WE paid for the extravaganza in Georgia?

[Bluebear]

Do I understand that the WHITE HOUSE paid for the lovefest at Tblisi?

http://us.news3.yimg.com/img.news.yahoo.com/util/anysize/345,http%3A%2F%2Fus.news2.yimg.com%2Fus.yimg.com%2Fp%2Fap%2F20050510%2Fcapt.xsi12205101132.georgia_us_bush_xsi122.jpg

I was impressed for five minutes. I thought "Wow, here is one nation in the world that likes....no, loves George W. Bush!"

Then I hear on the news this morning that the White House (meaning US) PAID for this spectacular event and choreographed it right down to the people in the stands dressed in colors meant to duplicate the flags of the two nations.

http://us.news3.yimg.com/img.news.yahoo.com/util/anysize/345,http%3A%2F%2Fus.news2.yimg.com%2Fus.yimg.com%2Fp%2Fap%2F20050510%2Fcapt.xsi12005101124.georgia_us_bush_xsi120.jpg

A frigging P.R. campaign paid for by US tax dollars, meant to shore up support for Bush by showing a "spontaneous" outpouring of Georgia's populace. Funded by you and me.

http://us.news3.yimg.com/img.news.yahoo.com/util/anysize/345,http%3A%2F%2Fus.news1.yimg.com%2Fus.yimg.com%2Fp%2Frids%2F20050510%2Fi%2Fr1655874257.jpg

Propaganda in a former Soviet area? Talk about carrying coals to Newcastle.

http://us.news3.yimg.com/img.news.yahoo.com/util/anysize/345,http%3A%2F%2Fus.news2.yimg.com%2Fus.yimg.com%2Fp%2Fap%2F20050510%2Fcapt.xsi11805101122.georgia_us_bush_xsi118.jpg

[Solly Mack]

1. You heard correctly. They announced that here in Germany

yesterday and I just laughed.

[LSparkle]

2. I'm apoplectic

WTF? WTFin' F? Total f***in PROPAGANDA! We're paying for our own BRAINWASHING!!!!!

[Bluebear]

5. "We're paying for our own brainwashing"

You put it int owords for me. I'm beside myself.

[Bluebear]

49. overnight kick

[Daphne08]

77. I just had to get up off the floor!

Unbelievable.

Sad.

Frustrating.

Angering!

:rant:

[GreenPartyVoter]

91. %$@(%#!(%($@&^%$*!$#!$#@*$

[FreedomAngel82]

97. Of course

What else did you expect from them?

[Sequoia]

3. Oh, aren't you so-o-o-o patriotic chimpy. I'm so-o-o-o-o impressed.

Guess the dud granade was part of it too. It won't help your ratings.

[booksenkatz]

34. I don't think we got our money's worth on that dud grenade, do you? NT

[Jose Diablo]

60. Nope n/t

[acmejack]

72. No, we was cheated!

Can we have a mulligan?

[elehhhhna]

76. Let's not put Rummy in charge o' that stuff, anymore.

He could F up a biker picnic.

[Vinca]

4. Are you freakin' kidding me?

I hadn't heard this particular tidbit and now I'm seriously pissed. Bad enough they manipulate the media within the confines of the United States, but this is just too much. The moron truly wants to be "King of the World." I am one unhappy tax payer.

[Bluebear]

8. I hadn't heard it either & was afraid to post this...

I thought "surely you misunderstood". Solly Mack was so kind as to confirm it for me, (danke sehr Solly) - - What on earth is HAPPENING to us?

[DrDebug]

6. Very good. But then again it's fair

Those visits cost fortunes in security, fencing off restaurants and hotels etc. How much did it cost? Is a day's visit of Chimperor more or less than a million?

[Vinca]

10. You're kidding,, right?

Just firing up the 747 is probably a million.

[Bluebear]

11. I don't know, but how much were the costumes? Banners? Jumbotron?

I would understand if they just paid for security but he threw himself a frigging Olympics!

[DrDebug]

20. Orchestrated by Bush. He learned it from the Old Commies ;)

The security alone would be immense.

The UK visit ran at £5.5 million, but London had to pick up the check for that one. It isn't fair :rofl:

http://www.edwarddavey.co.uk/news236.htm

[LSparkle]

14. Security is fair -- coordinated, staged displays are not

I don't mind if I see tons of Secret Service guys out there or if they put up a bullet-proof screen to protect The Idiot, but those people were part of a PHOTO OP -- it's like the aircraft carrier landing, choreographed to make ChimpBoy look like a "conquering hero," blessing their democracy and to BRAINWASH the stupid sheeple in this country to REALLY believe (as most of them already do) that the rest of the world LOVES THIS IDIOT!

WTFWTFWTFWTFWTF??????

[TahitiNut]

70. 'Security' excluded dissenters and protestors in Tblisi.

They were relegated to a "free speech zone" a few blocks away. The people who attended bore a striking resemblance to the cast of characters who showed up to celebrate the "Rose Revolution." Fancy that. :eyes:

[wtmusic]

7. Did we pay for the grenade?

I want my money back...

[Solly Mack]

9. I heard that

lol

[Tesla]

68. 400 In US dollars !!

[Flying Dream Blues]

89. Bwahahahahahahahahaha....good one!!

[renegade000]

12. gahhhhhhh!

do you have a link? i really want to print off an article about this.

[Bluebear]

18. renegade I heard it on the news ....

and am searching for a link. If anyone runs across one, PLEASE post!

[renegade000]

23. thanks...i'll be looking for one too

eom

[Coexist]

26. Here is a link about the cost of painting the city - paid for by Georgians

Georgians see red over capital paint job for Bush visit

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050505/lf_afp/georgiaussummit_050505053257

[jayfish]

29. Here Is The Key Point Of That Article.

"Officials in the Caucasus nation would not reveal how much they are spending on repairing roads that Bush's motorcade will pass over or how much has gone towards giving old buildings a fresh coat of paint in preparation for his arrival next Monday."


They are not revealing how much they spent because they didn't spend anything.

Jay

[DrDebug]

31. Any chance of inviting Bush to New York?

Maybe they'll fix the potholes then? j/k

[Turn CO Blue]

96. Good one. I wish his motorcade would travel along I-70 here

...potholes the size of VW Beetles.

[expatriate]

51. I just watched a film called Hitler's Secretary last night

and the woman who had worked for Hitler described how he spent most of the war in various hidden locations and bunkers - but when he did travel around Germany, it was in a special train that had the windows covered, and when he had to travel by car, he was always taken along streets that hadn't been bombed or had minimal bomb damage, so Der Fuhrer wouldn't see the reality of Germany's situation.

That's all I can think about reading how the Georgians had to tidy up for Shrub's visit!

[Cha]

13. We don't have money for Veterans,

hospitals, schools, SS, medicare, ect,ect..but we have money for THIS?!!

This bush Bullshit?!!!

[LSparkle]

19. Dems ought to be pressing for a DOLLAR FIGURE

You're right -- we don't have money for SO MANY things, yet we can afford this politically-motivated little sidetrip. I saw a former Secret Service guy on some morning show this a.m. saying he was surprised they'd let IdiotBoy go to Georgia because of the instability of the region ... Now of course we all know why: Small country, easily manipulated (maybe bribed with some promises of aid), willing to become a prop in his foreign "tour." YIKES!

[uppityperson]

15. Did we pay for the grenade?

[Coexist]

16. Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh

how much more can I take before my head explodes.
Why is this never reported - I am sick.

[DemBeans]

17. un-frikkin-believable

I wondered how a poor country could have afforded that big blowout (and I also wondered how many Georgians just happen to have jumbo-sized American flags tucked into a corner of their homes).

I'm beyond anger. This is such a goddamned outrage.

[Bluebear]

43. The news report said the country was "impoverished"

So this extravaganza looks Rovian.

[pinniped]

59. They probably don't even sell the US flag in Georgia.

I bet all those flags the stupid * people passed out are made in China.

[demgurl]

21. So do you think they might have ill will toward us?

* has to pick up the tab for the party and they decided no metal detectors are needed!

http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/0859_may_11_2005/news_0859_brief.htm#4

<snip>

Wednesday, May 11, 2005, #085 (0859)

Metal detectors not used around Freedom Square
Reporting before Presidents George Bush and Mikheil Saakashvili addressed around 100,000 people at Freedom Square on Tuesday, Prime News stated that the majority of Georgian citizens who had come to hear the presidents did not pass through the metal detectors in place to ensure security.
Everyone should have passed through the detectors, but the news agency stated that security guards were unable to control the situation because there were so many people. Although metal detectors were not used, guards still maintained restricted entrance to the square to prevent the crowd from growing too large.

<snip>

Why on earth would you not want to use metal detectors UNLESS you actually wanted something to happen? It is a wonder there was not more than a hand grenade allegedly found.

[demgurl]

22. So was * invited over there to show them how to fix an election?

http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/0859_may_11_2005/news_0859_1.htm

"Georgia is moving towards democracy and I hope that Bush's visit will end the deadlock finally. I, as refugee from Sokhumi, hope that this will be the case," said Nana Chachua.

[Bluebear]

24. "How do you say Diebold in Georgian" said he. nt

[Kurovski]

33. I don't know, but "peace duke" means asshole

and that was a sign George encountered. " Bush= Peace Duke" ( a word that is pronounced that way means some equivalent of a-hole.}

There was a post here earlier about this.

[DrDebug]

25. Do they watch Fox in Georgia?

Snip from your link:

"I do not know anybody in Georgian who was not full of positive energy, especially here at Freedom Square. I am very proud of being Georgian, and I believe that his visit will make Georgia much more popular and well known in those countries which do not know anything about Georgia," Tbilisi resident Lia Janashia told The Messenger on Rustaveli Avenue.

:puke: :puke: :puke:
This story is even worse than most Corporate Media stories :rofl:

[thecrow]

94. FREEDOM SQUARE

I think he did it so could talk about FREEDOM (square!)

My pot boileth over.

[BronxBoy]

27. But they couldn't

pick up the DC security expenses for their grand inauguration. These people are just f**k*ng disgusting.

[Bluebear]

28. Good catch. They billed D.C. for that. nt

[FreedomAngel82]

98. Oy!

That so pisses me off. :mad: I guess not enough people were going to be in DC to show a spectacular like this. :crazy: And very interesting on that one post dealing with Hitler traveling around Germany.

[Kurovski]

30. Gosh, all so we could see George dance again.

But where was his dance buddy, Ricky Martin? At the hotel, heating up the massage oil?

Only a journalist like Jeff Gannon would know for sure.

[Stephanie]

32. Are those from Yahoo?

What have they done to the quality of their images? Terrible!

You know, they changed the whole news pictures section RIGHT after Bush tiptoed through the bluebells with the Saudi prince.

[yellowcanine]

35. We paid for a Potempkin Bush rally in another country??????

I am flabbergasted and I thought nothing Bush did could surprise me. This has to be illegal. And why aren't the wingnuts up in arms about Bush criticizing the U.S. on foreign soil with his Yalta comments?

[Coexist]

36. anyone get a link yet?

I really need to pass this on to some Republican friends.

[Solly Mack]

37. I heard it on the BBC yesterday evening

and still haven't found a link yet. I've been looking though. But..the man did say that "Whitehouse paid for (and arranged) the displays at Georgia rally"

I'm in Germany and I trust the news here more so than what passes for news in the states.

[Solly Mack]

40. NYTimes

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/10/international/10cnd-prexy.html?hp&ex=1115784000&en=d79656508f7967ea&ei=5094&partner=homepage

- Behind the president was Tbilisi's City Hall, its windows draped with American and Georgian flags. To Mr. Bush's right, carefully positioned for the television cameras, was an enormous White House-created backdrop emblazoned with the words "Celebrating Freedom and Democracy." Throughout the square were banners and pictures of roses. Mr. Bush spoke from an outdoor stage that appeared to be protected by bullet-proof glass. -


The guy on the BBC yesterday said "whitehouse paid for and arranged the display"

[Occulus]

99. "pictures of roses"

:wtf:

Was he trying to recreate Can’-Ka No Rey in real life, or something?

[Solly Mack]

102. Heh! The Georgian "revolution" of 11/03 was known as the "Rose Revolution"

For irony? It involved the "rigged" election for the office of the President of Georgia, forcing a new vote to take place by mounting "peaceful" demonstrations.

[Bluebear]

38. Here's a surprising little "tidbit"......OIL

"Georgia borders Russia's troubled Chechnya region and is on the route for a U.S.-backed pipeline linking Caspian oilfields to world markets."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050511/ts_nm/georgia_bush_grenade_dc_1

[pinto]

41. I still believe Condi's appointment was meant to build the Bush Wall

along the Caucasus oil crescent. And blunt Russian interests in the region. Bush's backslapping with Putin is a sham. Bush is the premier front man for a West Texas style "heh heh, we're buying out the notes on your oil field rights" maneuver.

[liveoaktx]

45. I believe you're right- It makes sense that's why he was in Georgia

to protect the Caspian Oil Consortium-which includes, on a different branch, Afghanistan.

US has military in Georgia, so does Russia, but the new pres wants Russia out.

I'm beginning to think "Democracy" is a code word that indicates, to Bush, which team someone is on, ie, if you're on MY "Democracy" team, you'll let us put our troops here.

[Lizzie Borden]

92. Yup! The pipeline is what it's really about.

[Horse with no Name]

39. Wonder if they had to pay "scale" to all of the

"adoring fans"?
Also--wonder if they were flown in for the event or if they used local actors?

[AzDar]

42. Reminds one of Nuremburg, no?......

n/t

[rumpel]

44. One more thing for Henry Waxman. I hope he heard it, too.

[Bluebear]

46. I think I will email him!

Good idear.

[peekaloo]

47. Pepsi and Hot Pockets for everyone!

Our 51st state. New West Georgia!

[democracyindanger]

48. Had it been a Dem president that travelled to commemorate

the 60th anniversay of VE Day, would you been just as outraged?

Sorry. I don't think there's any issue here.

[KaliTracy]

84. possibly -- but if the allegations are true that the US paid for the

display -- I think there is something pretty outrageous there. When Kerry went to the Middle East after the Elections -- he didn't glitz and glamour his way to talk to dignitaries and the troops. There is a difference between a photo of a person engaging with others, and a person who has set up the scene in order for a photo to be taken.

We've already seen that * likes things "pre-arranged" (Turkey Day, Mission Accomplished, etc.)

[democracyindanger]

90. Ah. I misunderstood the OP

Paying for travel is one thing, paying for a show is another.

[kentuck]

50. Hang your head in shame Joe Goebbels...

These people have you beat by a mile...

[ginnyinWI]

52. recommended and kicked n/t

[fob]

53. You suppose he heard the "if you grew up on a farm in Georgia your

first girlfriend was a mule" and just HAD to check it out for himself, only, as is fitting, the fuckstick got the wrong Georgia?

[anarchy1999]

54. I can't believe you are surprised, I'm sorry. What was to be

expected from this gang of thieves and criminals? For heavens sake.

It hurts, we know. Now what?

Rove et al was all over this for days, do you remember the movie "Wag the Dog"? Hello? What is your definition of "is"?

[mogster]

55. Caption this:

[Guaranteed]

56. "Your democracy sucks."

"It only cost US fifty bucks to come in here and take over."

[Bluebear]

58. Pretty cheap buy-out, no?

[no safe haven]

73. "Just an old sweet song....

keeps Georgia on my mind. Oh yeeaah."
(apologies to the great late Ray Charles)

[BringEmOn]

79. "You folks down on the farm in Georgia represent gawdly GOP values."

"Now, show me that mule!"

[Occulus]

100. "Hi, I'm George Blank

and I'm looking for my sister, Jerri..."

[pinniped]

57. It smelled like a setup from the start.

The POS was booed everywhere on his stupid trip. Now all of a sudden in Georgia they can't get enough of the war criminal POS. Sure.

The stupid news kept playing up the fact that the Georgians were welcoming the POS over and over.

[babylonsister]

61. Recommend and kick also. This needs to be known, and

links would help. I'll go look...

[Bluebear]

62. thank you!

Post 37 courtesy of Solly Mack:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/10/international/10cnd-prexy.html&OQ=hpQ26exQ3D1115784000Q26enQ3Dd79656508f7967eaQ26eiQ3D5094Q26partnerQ3Dhomepage&OP=2a36ea88/!LWQ2A!3_r6j__Jl!lVV/!V/!Q3FV!fXJWjXbJf_XbI!Q3FVrX3wqjWyQ3E0UJgI
- Behind the president was Tbilisi's City Hall, its windows draped with American and Georgian flags. To Mr. Bush's right, carefully positioned for the television cameras, was an enormous White House-created backdrop emblazoned with the words "Celebrating Freedom and Democracy." Throughout the square were banners and pictures of roses. Mr. Bush spoke from an outdoor stage that appeared to be protected by bullet-proof glass. -


The guy on the BBC yesterday said "whitehouse paid for and arranged the display"

[babylonsister]

63. Anytime, bb. This is beyond contemptible to me! Thank

you for the heads up.

[Coexist]

64. Thanks for the link and kick!

[ananda]

65. we're also paying..

.. for all of Bushco's faith based initiatives whereby he buys votes against us.

Ugghh.

Sue

[katinmn]

66. Outrageous! And the media plays it up like * had a heroes

welcome in these countries.

Cuts in medicare, VA benefits, and education are paying for this kind of shit.

Bush has to be impeached.

[Tesla]

69. The story has been pulled from the link....

[thecrow]

95. No it hasn't

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/10/international/10cnd-prexy.html?pagewanted=2&ei=50&en=d79656508f7967ea&hp&ex=1115784000

[Lone_Star_Dem]

67. That's how it is when you take your show on the road

You have to provide all your own props. What else would you expect from the traveling bushit show. I'm pretty sure that before bush goes on stage they tell him to break a leg rather than good luck. Showbiz superstition, you know.

:banghead:

[TahitiNut]

71. The Chimperor was probably told the country was named after him.

Maybe they'll name a city 'Bushville' - for a price.

[Paradise]

74. Holy Sh*t. Disbelief was valid!

Still naive after all these years (of B.S.)... :shrug:

[gordianot]

75. Did we pay for the fake grenade like we paid for the fake turkey?

[On Par]

78. Where's the shoe banging Nikita Krushchev when you need him?

Somehow, the cold war isn't the same without him. A little late, but I heard Cheney got Nikita a shoe deal with Nike.

[redqueen]

80. HOW CAN REPUBLICANS SUPPORT THIS WASTE OF $$$$?

:grr:

Unbelievable!

:banghead:

[slay]

82. Republican's never hold their leaders accountable

As long as you hate gays and abortions, while having an extreme blend of patriotism and religious nut-job-ery, then you are A-OK. The funny thing is that while they are spewing hate, at the same time they are robbing the country blind. Guess hate is more important to some. So sad. :(

[redqueen]

83. It's disgusting... all their crowing about 'fiscal responsibility'.

LIARS!

IDIOTS!

THIEVES!

[Helga Scow Stern]

81. I thought that display was awfully fishy. n/t

[redqueen]

85. .

:kick:

[mogster]

86. The propaganda aspect of this administration makes you think

The way they will go to any length to fund their continued control of the republican base. These pictures are meant for them, because he already knows that no liberal buy this crap anymore - even if it wasn't paid by the WH.

If we see it from their (the neocon) point of view, it actually makes sense to fund appearances in foreign countries; they already have a zillion SS-agents present, and a huge apparatus for security. So if the propaganda people joins in, what's the big deal? If you have no shame or sense of decorum left, have burned most of the bridges and left all tradition in the dumps, this is a natural step to take.

It sure is freaky, though.

[dissent1977]

87. Anyone notice the second picture from the bottom...

Someone is holding the US flag upside down. Apparantly someone got in that didn't sign the loyalty oath.

[Bluebear]

88. Arrest them!!!

They could be a terrist!

[CornField]

93. Does anyone have a link that proves the US paid for this?

I know this will piss off some of my true conservative friends.

[gulfcoastliberal]

101. Disgusting.

How nauseating. I wonder what Pravda thinks.

[Ksec]

103. That is just unfreakinbelievable

That guy has got to be on the boards of most media news outlets for them to hide from these things.