God this is great.. Bush PR event.. "hope you have the grace to be ashamed

[RedEarth]

This morning in Charlotte, a Bush PR event on the war on terror went off script when a man named Harry Taylor took the microphone. Watch the video:

“‘I feel like despite your rhetoric, that compassion and common sense have been left far behind during your administration,’ Taylor said, standing in a balcony seat and looking down at Bush on stage. ‘And I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and grace to be ashamed of yourself.’”




more of the exchange....

Q You never stop talking about freedom, and I appreciate that. But while I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges, to try to preclude me from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food. If I were a woman, you’d like to restrict my opportunity to make a choice and decision about whether I can abort a pregnancy on my own behalf. You are –

THE PRESIDENT: I’m not your favorite guy. Go ahead. (Laughter and applause.) Go on, what’s your question?

Q Okay, I don’t have a question. What I wanted to say to you is that I — in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency, by the Senate, and –

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: No, wait a sec — let him speak.

Q And I would hope — I feel like despite your rhetoric, that compassion and common sense have been left far behind during your administration, and I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself inside yourself. And I also want to say I really appreciate the courtesy of allowing me to speak what I’m saying to you right now. That is part of what this country is about.




video and full transcript here.....

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/06/bush-event-goes-off-script/

[sasquatch]

1. Did Bush shit his pants or something after that?

What are the odds that Harry Taylor dies from a freak "accident" in the nest couple of days.

[KansDem]

10. "What are the odds that Harry Taylor dies from a freak 'accident'"

Yeah, Harry...stay out of small planes and more than 2 feet away from guns loaded with ratshot!

[ladjf]

87. People that have already "spilled the beans" don't have fatal

accidents. It's the pre-emptive suicide you have to watch out for.

[Cronus Protagonist]

98. Norman Rockwell would have been proud....

http://bushspeaks.com/home.asp?did=217

[mdmc]

118. nice pic

[tsuki]

2. And the GOP Traitors all booed him. nt

[0007]

3. I think it was a plant and it was all staged.

[greyl]

8. I can't rule that out as a possibility.

(but I haven't seen the video yet)

[0007]

18. Dead give away was,

that one never sees or hears junior so crystal clear and organized with his thoughts.

[rman]

45. Right. It made me think"W handled it well"

Which is probably how it came across to many of the fence-sitters.

[greyl]

105. !?! No, he looked like a cavalier idiot asshole as always.

I can't possibly imagine how you'd think "W handled it well".
:shrug:

[timber84]

50. Look I live in Charlotte, I'll find out personally who Harry Taylor is if

that will make you guys happy,

[greyl]

51. You need our happiness for motivation? :)

Go ahead, do some investigating.

[timber84]

54. No just taking some pride in the city I live in today.

Already called the Dem Headquarters but they closed @3:00pm. I WILL find out who this guys was though. Don't be so skeptical there are people just like us out there and I belive that Mr. Taylor is one of them

[greyl]

60. After plastic turkeys and fake news stories,

I think skepticism is a virtue. :)
Please note that I originally said "couldn't rule it out" that it was staged.
I still haven't seen the video because I'm on 28.8 dialup, but I'm expecting BBC news may cover it tonight.

[timber84]

62. Despite it's size Charlotte still has that small town

mentality, belive me I'lf find out just exactly who he is. I hope he is as he appeared today.

[mdmc]

119. thanks

[greyl]

56. I've found two(?) Harry Taylors so far

One is the president of the North Carolina Folk Society,
http://www.folksociety.org/about.shtml

and one is a real estate developer
http://www.zoominfo.com/directory/Taylor_Harry_3196626.htm

[timber84]

59. Here's a story in the local paper already:

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/breaking_news/14280099.htm

[greyl]

63. Sweet, the pendulum swings. :)

So it's Harry A. Taylor III, CCIM , the real estate guy from my link?

I'm glad we've got that settled.

He also looks like the sort of guy who might be in the Folk Society, maybe one in the same.

[timber84]

79. good work I'd call him personally but I suspect that might be fringing on

being a little weird, what do you think?

[JHB]

91. The paper identified him publicly, so drop him a letter of appreciation...

...via his office.

[greyl]

104. After seeing the video, I'm totally convinced it's the real deal.

As far as calling him..., yeah, that may be a bit intrusive. Maybe a note mailed to his company?

[CottonBear]

64. Too bad the article doesn't include Harry's entire quote. n/t

[timber84]

81. check out the video:

http://images1.americanprogress.org/il80web20037/ThinkP...

[depakid]

101. Wow. That NC paper sure can whore for Bush

I guess that shouldn't be surprising.

The story give as much coverage to some unknown (and irrelevant) sycophant named Barry Richards as they did to Taylor.

I'm just SURE that Richrads would have been up in arms had Taylor been "escorted" out.

Just as I'm sure the paper would have written a HUGE story expressing outrage had that happenned.

[Seen the light]

128. The Charlotte Observer is usually pretty good

The story was an AP one that they posted though, it wasn't their own article.

[0007]

75. Please!

PM me if ya find out, 'eh?

[timber84]

114. A fellow DU'r GreeninNC has told me that Harry is a member

of the local moveon group here and their next meet up is April 19. I hope to meet Mr. Taylor in person.

[hippiechick]

30. Has to be, for the Chimpster to actually ALLOW him to finish ...

... has he ever stood still and graciously accepted criticism prior to this?


:shrug:

[Jawja]

39. This is true.

It's the interupt and then "let me finish!" with his finger held up. This was indeed a plant.

[timber84]

29. No if that were the case then the guy would have come off

as a raving asshole. Mr. Taylor was very quiet and thoughtful in his demeanor.

[greyl]

36. Not necessarily.

The repubs have produced some fairly polished marketing materials, ya know? :)

[timber84]

49. Like Jeff Gannon?

[greyl]

52. I mean Rove and spin machine that had more than half of America fooled. nt

[NashVegas]

77. Maybe Not a Plant, Per Se, But Bush *Was* Prepared

Everyone at these things gets vetted now. People probably hand in index cards beforehand of what they want to say or ask. I'll betcha Karl got his card and pre-coached *.

[fishwax]

82. give how careful they've kept dissenting voices away from

bush, this being a plant seems like a perfectly reasonable presumption ...

[physioex]

99. Regardless......

I am more than happy to take it....

[Greeby]

4. Anyone want to start a legal defense fund for this guy?

As hes doubtless being shipped to Gitmo as we speak :(

[MadisonProgressive]

6. An IRS audit at the minimum!

[Dr Fate]

5. I hope that man's taxes are 100% straight. n/t

n/t

[johnnie]

7. Tomorrow's headlines

A Charlotte man, Harry Taylor was found dead yesterday with 3 gunshot wounds to the back of the head. Officials have ruled it a suicide".

[IChing]

11. Don't you mean 3 "shotgun" wounds to the back of the head?

[hobbit709]

26. That's like the coroners inquest

held way back here in TX where it was ruled "suicide" after the guy was found shot 3 times in the back of the head with a bolt-action rifle.

[Betsy Ross]

24. I was going for his car going of a cliff, brakes failure.

Depending on where he lived, he might have had to go a ways to find a cliff.

[Kenergy]

9. LOL!!! Look at the expressions on the faces of people next to him :-) n/

[IChing]

13. I know, it almost looks like they had to swallow a tough pill

I saw this earlier and don't think he was a plant,
brave words
brave guy

[Kenergy]

138. Yes, the screeners screwed up letting him in :-) n/t

[Gabi Hayes]

12. only my Recommend for this? this is the best thing I've EVER seen

this man's life is about to become a living hell
Viva HARRY!

[Gabi Hayes]

66. after seeing/hearing dumbo's response, I wonder now

nothing is ever as it seems

[obnoxiousdrunk]

14. He will be

invited by Darth Cheney for a quail hunt.

[cdb]

15. Give that man a prize!!

Give him a ribbon, a trophy, a box of chocolate-- something for speaking calmly and eloquently and saying EXACTLY what needs to be said-- with respect and without anger--- which is the only way he would get heard. That dude is a fucking HERO!

[madokie]

16. Thats rich

[madokie]

17. edit to add. Recommended

[EllieGreen]

19. Good for him!

It takes a lot of courage to say that in a room full of Bushit supporters.

[young_at_heart]

20. I'm finally proud to be a North Carolinian

Since moving here eight years ago we have been unhappy (putting it mildly) with this state's "redness". Maybe some people are finally waking up!

[timber84]

32. me too and a Charlottean to boot.

[young_at_heart]

41. Hey.......are you a Steeler fan?

We moved to NC from Pittsburgh and will always love the Steelers.

[timber84]

48. Same here moved to NC in 82 from the burgh!

[TalkingDog]

94. Hey guys. My hubster is a P'burger. We live in Statesville.

He's a big "Stillers" fan too.

He came here in 87 and claims he really likes it here.

[Seen the light]

129. Where in NC?

There are portions of the state that are extremely blue.

[young_at_heart]

134. Asheville...........it's pretty blue here, but not as much as I'd like

As soon as you leave the city things change rapidly........many Bible Belt folks unfortunately.

[paparush]

135. I work in Asheville...live up in Yancey..

[young_at_heart]

136. Hi neighbor!

Can you believe how hot it is today?

[Beelzebud]

21. We need millions like that man!!!!!

Bravo, sir! Well said!

[NYCGirl]

22. That was amazing. Mr. Taylor sure has guts. And he's very eloquent, too.

[IndyJones]

23. Wow, I have goosebumps just reading what he so perfectly stated!

[mindfulNJ]

25. Roses for Harry anyone?

:D

[Initech]

74. No, he gets the "Brass Balls" award from Stephen Colbert.

[northofdenali]

27. Harry Taylor for King!!

Oh. We have one. Rats.

[rodeodance]

28. and he jokes about it. and the people chuckled. that was shameful

[SlavesandBulldozers]

69. that's the same attitude peeking thru that Cindy Sheehan saw.

the bushbots laugh at it because they are mostly shit-kicking retards. But that whimsical attitude is what is getting people killed in Iraq as we speak. It's disgusting to me.

(edited to remove assertion that all bushbots fuck their sisters, because that's not true. not all of them have sisters.)

[Tight_rope]

137. Dear God...You almost killed me with laughter from your post!

But on a serious note...Your post hits the nail on the head. Thanks for your post!

[SlavesandBulldozers]

139. thanks

cheers:toast:

[Mad_Dem_X]

107. It certainly was

Then again, this whole adminstration is shameful. Anytime someone dares challenge them, they either insult the person or just laugh it away. Proof positive that * thinks he's above it all.

[Betsy Ross]

31. Flowers for Harry Taylor! n/t

[ContraBass Black]

33. The looks on the other people's faces are the best part.

Hell yeah.

I have to say though, I am pleasantly surprised that Bush allowed him to continue.

[DaveJ]

37. Well, how can I say this...

That girl to the left of Harry... whereas I know she probably is a Republican, and surely is trained to disagree with him, the expression on her face looks a bit like a kind of excitement that she probably does not often experience at home.

[Lisa]

65. maybe even Bush is bright enough to know ...

... that screaming, "Shut that traitor up! And bring me his head after you're done with him!" wouldn't play well on the news.

Americans aren't that brainwashed -- yet.

[Minstrel Boy]

34. "Okay, I don’t have a question"

This bugs me. It's a Q and A, so observe the form and function. Personally, I don't give a shit about the views of someone at the microphone in a Q and A, even if I share them. Don't make a statement: pose a damn question. Who here wouldn't like the opportunity to put just one serious question to Bush?

[IndyOp]

38. You are entitled to your opinion - but I love his comment and

would prefer to make a comment instead of ask a question, because all politicos (minus maybe Russ Feingold) pretty much REFUSE to answer questions. They are trained to answer the question that they wish you had asked.

This man's comment is now traveling lightening-fast to 10,000's of people -- his message will change some minds (and will probably lead to even more stringent audience selection processes in future).

I say to Mr. Harry -- :applause: :applause: :applause:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

70. not me. I'd rather say something. He wouldn't answer your question.

he'd just go about freedom, hard-work, and sacrifice, as if he has the faintest idea of what any of them mean.

[stanwyck]

76. Agree. He should have asked a question

like: are you going to fire yourself now that Libby has told the grand jury that you authorized the leak on Valerie Plame? And you vowed to fire anyone in your administration caught leaking information?
Are you?

[Betsy Ross]

35. Kick

:kick:

[wicket]

40. Excellent!

:kick:

[jean]

42. Mr. Taylor speaks for me. What a dignified man he is, especially

compared to the Current Occupant. Thank you, Mr. Taylor for speaking truth to nearly unbridled power with such strength of conviction.

[bullwinkle428]

43. RING-RING! Hello? Hello, Mr. Taylor. This is Vice-President

Cheney. Tell me, Mr Taylor...have you ever been quail hunting? No? How about joining me on my next trip...this weekend?

[BiggJawn]

44. Wow! Who KNEW Harry was going for a ride in a small plane...

...this weekend? Nantucket, then up to Wisconsin, and if needed, on to Missouri.
It's the "Kennedy-Wellstone-Carnahan Route".

[driver8]

46. Harry Taylor can be reached for comment at The Gulag...

after he finishes turning big rocks into little ones.

[DearAbby]

47. Harry Taylor ...AMERICAN

What a hero! This man stood up for AMERICA today. He stood up for the Constitution today. This man is a American Hero. Courageous to stand up to corrupt power and still speak the truth...he spoke the truth and shamed the devil.

God Bless Harry Taylor

[CottonBear]

53. Check out the expressions of the two women to his right!

They looked absolutely shocked! :evilgrin:

[Touchdown]

55. I think the redhead next to him is like...

"Oooooh! Burn. You're BUSTED!"

[CottonBear]

61. The brunette next to the redhead looks like Rosie O'Donnell.

The brunette's expression is freaking priceless. :evilgrin: She is in total shock!

[linazelle]

57. Looks like she got a serving from the XXX batch of Kool Aide. n/t

[Arugula Latte]

58. Man, that guy has massive cojones.

We all dream of confronting that little fuckhead to his face, but to actually stand up in a crowd and do it ... Wow. Just stay out of small planes, Harry.

[lonestarnot]

67. No one's balls are on Harry's chin! Attaboy Harry!

[Just Me]

68. He appeared calm and articulate, rational and sincere. Beautiful.

Just,...beautiful.

Thank you, Harry, wherever you are,...thank you. :hug:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

71. either its a plant

or they are getting very sloppy at vetting and this is the real deal.

[Tight_rope]

72. GOD DAMN ....that was good!...Hell I almost shit in my pants for BUSH!

[Initech]

73. This guy easily gets the "Brass Balls" award.

[Mist]

78. I knew this reminded me of a Norman Rockwell picture:

The picture is titled "Freedom of Speech."

[wovenpaint]

83. With this crowd

there's no such thing as a coincidence, imho. Good catch!
It's so incredibly similiar :tinfoilhat:

[Mist]

84. So you think it's a plant? I haven't made up my mind yet--it DID seem

as if * let Taylor say a mouthful.

[wovenpaint]

132. yes n/t

[WePurrsevere]

102. I thought it was familar as well... the likeness could also be due to the

photographer having seen that Rockwell picture as well and wanting to get the same feel... sort of like all the "halo" pictures.

I'd like to know more about this "Give 'em Hell Harry" before deciding... so far I'm still wanting to believe in the dream. B-)

[grasswire]

85. WOW

oughta send that one to Olbermann!

[MaggieSwanson]

95. wow - that's good.

Something about the body language - the calm demeanor, the squaring of the shoulders and the conviction in the face - it's a great match.

[RedEarth]

125. That's amazing.... great find

[Nabia2004]

127. Now I'm wondering if it was staged! - Will he start embracing...

...his critics? Part of the change in Bush PR, there has been a noticeable yet minor trend in what "appears" to be a more open forum at these events.

[Tight_rope]

133. Both have the curly redheaded lady too!...Truly Amazing!

[LSK]

80. thanks for posting this, Randi played it and I caught it late

And was wondering what it was from.

[in_cog_ni_to]

86. CNN actually replayed that entire exchange. IT WAS AWESOME!

That man deserve our thanks! Bush was pissed too. He also didn't adress anything but the NSA issue and then moved onto another question...AFTER a great big sigh. He looked like he couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. ;) It was SWEEET!

[Just Me]

88. I just saw, too. It was,...just,...beautiful. Beautiful.

That man, that man managed to reveal so damn much.

A plant? People are suggesting he was a "plant"? By whom?

Because, if he was a "plant", he actually brought light to the ideals Americans say they cherish while simultaneously proving how little the prezeldent and his "audience" actually value those ideals.

He was,...perfect. He presented a "perfect" moment.

I will relish him and that moment for the rest of my life. He will be a "hero" in my scrapbook because,...he was me,...I lived through him in that moment.

[Tin Man]

89. Agreed - not a plant.

Bushbot 'plants' lob softball questions that typical 5th grade class presidents can answer with aplomb. This guy was legitimately pissed-off (and brilliant)...

[Just Me]

96. Bush looked like a guilty child refusing to take responsibility let alone,

,...apologize.

Well, Bush presented himself as the spoiled child refusing to take responsibility,...and as the adult, unwilling to apologize no matter how fucked up his actions.

He revealed himself as, basically, the hated authoritarian asshole who never apologizes, who can NEVER change, who had NO compassion, who is the antithesis to democracy. Those in the audience who still sucked up his butt,....will find great humility in their immediate future,....and they fucking deserve it. I have no tolerance left for those who live off opportunism, without commitment to BASIC, just BASIC morals,...like, honesty.

Fuck that.

[NewJeffCT]

108. Time for tougher Loyalty Oaths, he is thinking

Maybe everybody will have to salute & say "Sieg Heil" when they enter a place where Bush is speaking.

[HamdenRice]

90. Bush: "Let me finish" Was that Rove talking in his ear again?

Here is part of Bush's response:

THE PRESIDENT: I’m going to start off with what you first said, if you don’t mind, you said that I tap your phones — I think that’s what you said. You tapped your phone — I tapped your phones. Yes. No, that’s right. Yes, no, let me finish.

[stepnw1f]

92. This Man Deserves a DU Thank You!

Any ideas DU?

[ohio_liberal]

120. dKos members are already on it

http://thankyouharrytaylor.org

:)

[Danascot]

131. 3,552 thank-yous so far nt

[tblue37]

93. Who were those yahoos that booed him?

Why did he get no support from at least some of the other audience members?

[AllieB]

115. Because the audience was screened

Bush never appears before a real crowd-they are always his handpicked supporters.

[AuntiBush]

97. The 28-30 Percenters, Sigh...

Though I think its much, much lower.

Whatever you do guys, date a Democrat lady. They won't embarrass you in public, nor snarl or appear as "hoots."

[VolcanoJen]

100. That guy is a national hero

I commend him for his courage, and especially for his ability to keep his cool.

Be honest... he's the first common man, in my knowledge, to ever really confront this president in a forum of this nature.

It's staggering. I'm so proud.

[Neil Lisst]

103. I think he was a PLANT. All that and no question? Set up.

Bush was ready for it, already knew it was coming. It's supposed to show how obnoxious and alone the president's critics are.

[greyl]

106. Nah.

I considered that possibility yesterday, but after seeing the video...nah. :)

[Mad_Dem_X]

109. I heard the audio, and I don't believe it was a setup

It's a shame that we've gotten to the point where, even when someone speaks out against *, we think there's something fishy about it.

[Neil Lisst]

111. Knowing what you do about this admin, why wouldn't they use PLANTS?

The guy had no question.

None.

Doesn't pass the smell test.

[Mad_Dem_X]

117. So he had no question

Why does that make him a plant?? He had something to say, he saw the opportunity and he took it. Who among us wouldn't do the same?

[greyl]

122. They would - that's not the point though.

Subjectively, I don't see any evidence that bush was ready for ready for the question. His performance was lousy as usual. Objectively, I'm not aware of any evidence that the guy was a plant.

[kittenpants]

112. I don't think it was a plant either...

as you say, it's sad commentary on this administration that we have to be so suspicious, but the gentleman made such lucid, valid points that I don't believe he would be a suitable "plant".

[Neil Lisst]

110. Yeah, after seeing the video, I still think he may be a plant.

too scripted for Bush

time will tell

[ohio_liberal]

113. Nope

There is at least one person on dKos who has vouched for him. He's a MoveOn member from NC.


edited to add a link:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/6/21185/97610

[Neil Lisst]

116. yes, I know a person at Kos has "vouched for him"

maybe he's for real, but I'd like more time to pass before saying that's for sure

[mdmc]

121. have you no shame?

that is a question. I personally don't think he will be around to vote in 2008.

[Neil Lisst]

123. no, I don't

[mdmc]

124. not you, that was his question

:)

[ohio_liberal]

130. You aren't the first to suggest that he's a plant

I certainly respect your opinion. This is JMO, but I don't think a plant would've spoken so eloquently and used those phrases. Surely a planted questioner would've lobbed a softball question at Bush so he could shine. He just came across as an inarticulate, petulant schoolboy.

[Danascot]

126. "Have you no shame, sir?"

is a fairly famous line from a Senator questioning Joe McCarthy about his red scare tactics, and can be seen in the recent movie about Edward R. Murrow, "Good Night and Good Luck". The question has echoed in my head many times in the past few years when I've heard news of Rethug malfeasance. My conclusion is that no, actually they have no shame. It's more likely they're proud of how consistently they've been able to screw and deceive us. Those were gentler times.

... and grace and humility? Those aren't the first qualities that come to mind when I think of B*sh.