How we spent our November vacation

When George Bush finds himself in a hole, he keeps digging.

In a speech Friday at a Pennsylvania Army depot, he trotted out the same tired bullshit rhetoric that worked so well when many Americans bought into the administration's WMD lies, attacking critics of the war for "sending the wrong message" not only to the troops on the ground in Iraq, but also to the insurgents they're fighting.

It seems the only people not getting the message work for the administration. Dig up, George. Up.

It also seems like Bush speaks only before audiences of soliders these days. Being that he's their commander-in-chief, they can be relied upon to not embarrass him, plus the administration has always felt they make good background scenery. Lest you think that's cynical, that this wasn't political theatre:

Bush's political adviser Karl Rove, who is still under the cloud of the CIA leak investigation, hopped Air Force One to attend the speech, an indication that it was a political event.

Bush shared the stage with a tan Army depot vehicle, and banners behind him read "Strategy for Victory." "Hail to the Chief," which is rarely played to mark
Bush's arrival, blared from speakers in the warehouse.

Hmm. Bush stood before a banner that read "Strategy for Victory." Given that the administration has been hammered for not having any such strategy in Iraq, if Bush were to reaveal a strategy, that would be big news. But this is all the AP story about the appearance says about strategy:

Bush's speech was part of a coordinated White House effort to bolster the president's waning credibility and dwindling support for the war, in which at least 2,056 U.S. troops have died.

Why, that sounds like the sign was referring to a strategy for a public-relations victory, not for a victory in Iraq.

As for how big Dick spent Veteran's Day:

Bush chose to go on the road this Veterans Day to make his forceful defense of the war, leaving Cheney in Washington to attend traditional wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.

Remember Dick's speech when he accepted the GOP nomination for Vice President in 2000?

"Just before you settle down on the landing pad, you look upon Arlington National Cemetery...its gentle slopes and crosses row on row," Cheney said. "I never once made that trip without being reminded how enormously fortunate we all are to be Americans, and what a terrible price thousands have paid so that all of us...and millions more around the world...might live in freedom."

Touching. Only one problem:

The graves in Arlington are marked with white headstones, rounded at the top. According to the Veterans Administration Web site, "Following World War I, a board of officers adopted a new design to be used for all graves except those of veterans of the Civil and Spanish-American Wars. This stone was of the slab design referred to as "General" type, slightly rounded at the top, of American white marble, 42 inches long, 13 inches wide and four inches thick.

I wonder if big Dick found those crosses row on row as touching up close as when he was flying over them, apparently never looking down.

As for Senator Rick "he spells it with a silent 'P' " Santorum spent Veteran's Day, he was in Philadelphia, speaking to the American Legion. His mouthpiece said Thursday that the Senator, who by the way is trailing in polls in his re-election bid, wanted to attend the "event" with the wildly unpopular president (after all, what would be better for Santorum's numbers than to be associated with a president boasting an approval rating of 37 percent?), but conflicting schedules made doing so impossible.

Santorum's staff and the White House tried to juggle the schedule, but the two events are both set for midday, and it would have been impossible to make it
work, (Santorum spokesman Robert) Traynham said. "The senator really wants to be there," he said, but "to cancel now would be completely disrespectful to the
veterans."

Does this sound like someone who wanted to share the stage with Bush while he defended the war?

In a speech in Philadelphia, Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., criticized how the war has been presented to Americans — both by the media and the White House. Afterward, Santorum said the war has been "less than optimal" and "maybe some blame could be laid" at the White House. "Certainly, mistakes were made," Santorum said.

Was Santorum's spokesperson lying? Well, do you think a senator facing re-election and trailing in the polls would pass on the opportunity to appear in his home state with the president if he thought the appearance would help him? If so, I guess you believe that single women spend Saturday nights washing their hair, too.

Santorum's people know what happened in Virginia. They may be dishonest, but they know an albatross when they see one.

Don't wait for Veterans Day. Thank a veteran every day.