Posted on 11/22/2004 11:20:31 AM PST by kfowler1
Inside Column
"A Picture's Worth..." by Ken Fowler
It's tough to describe adequately a powerful picture with pedestrian words, but there are some times when it's worth trying. One I saw Saturday night deserves the effort, as it accomplishes what only the great pieces of art do - it tells the story of something seemingly unrelated to the subject matter that is terribly important.
On the left, this photo shows Chilean President Ricardo Lagos and first lady Laura Bush smiling at reporters as they enter the ballroom in which an APEC gala dinner is about to commence. To the right, President Bush has stopped his progress, and he appears to be deciphering the reason for the commotion coming from the background.
He is stuck between going forward and turning back to resolve the problem.
In this case, his problem is that a Chilean police officer refused Bush's top on-site Secret Service agent entrance into the building. Clearly, a question of security arises when a foreign police force prevents the American president's personal security detail from escorting him into a large building.
Stuck with the options of either continuing on the path set before him - walking away from the confrontation and trusting a foreign force to maintain security and safety in what could be a dangerous situation - or going back and ending the possible security threat immediately, Bush chose the latter. Not surprised at the decision? Then picture is doing its job.
The scene that ensued was not as breathtaking as some have made it out to be. Bush reached into the pile and snapped his fingers, and the dispute was settled - the Chilean police would allow his Secret Service agent into the dinner. It took a little while for the scene to calm down, but Bush's presence was the deciding factor in how the situation would turn out.
In analyzing the sequence of events, maybe you will affectionately joke about the brazen attitude of our cowboy president and that he solves problems the way real people do.
On the other hand, the Pacers-Pistons brawl may come to mind, and you might think that the most powerful man in the world should not be meddling in the middle of a melee.
Whatever you think of the situation, the picture itself includes that story of something completely unrelated but incredibly important - a foreign leader walking ahead (to the left) as an American president, to the right, says "Hold on, I have to take care of something."
It demonstrates how tough decisions can tumult a president and a country, and it embodies the active, provocative policy of the Bush administration in foreign lands.
In a picture full of personifications, that's the overriding theme; in a world full of analogies, that's the main conflict of the day.
Here's hoping that Bush can solve the world's problems like he solved the one on Saturday.
The views expressed in the Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
sorry to be nit-picky, but that isn't Bush's hand. its the guy with glasses, to the left of Bush. Bush's hand is in the scrum, but its down lower grabbing a hold of his SS agent.
Oh boy, I am going to be very nervous. I wish I had his cell phone number I would tell him to get the hell home! :)
(((Maybe we can clone him.)))
Ho-KAY! But I get the original!
(((O.K., ladies. Eat your hearts out. I married a man like that 43 years ago and he still looks fabulous to me today. Lucky me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dagny)))
Lucky you, INDEED!!
Its still hard for me to believe that the Chileans are so badly organized that the President of the United States had to personally intervene in order to get his Secret Service personnel into the hall.
I love these pictures and what they represent. Just walked over and took charge. I love a "can do" kind of man.
Congratulations :) Glad to see two people so strong!
Have you looked at this photo uncropped? Note the gun on the hip of the Chilean in front (both arms apparently engaged holding back an American agent). The President a few feet away, at top right. AmericanInTokyo wrote, "THIS to me was the most disturbing photo I have seen in a long time. For the obvious reasons."
As another poster wrote, "I can't think of another instance in modern history that a President personally went against armed foreign nationals."
Yes, I noticed the gun on that gent's hip over the weekend. Actually, there's no telling how many unseen guns were within a few feet of our President at that moment. Disturbing indeed!
Contrast this image of W supporting his Secret Service guys, with Kerry swearing at his SS body guard when he tripped himself skiing. Who's got the right stuff and who's just full of stuff?
I'd like to put in my order right now for one of those. C.O.D is not a problem.
First of all..............he's the President of the U.S., why would the Chileans not let his S.S. person in? Come on, I would supose all world leaders would be allowed that security. I would expect Chirac, Blaire, any of them to have their own security as well. I think it showed a lot of boldness by GW to approach that huddle, who knows what could have happened. I pray daily that the Lord will protect him and Laura, and VP Cheney and Lynn. I think we should all do so.
The secret service agent in question is the president's personal bodyguard.
Of course, Dagny Taggart would have nothing other than the very bestest!!!
OMG, that is sooooo hilarious.
Its a miracle that the the Chilean economy is strong enough the survive such incompetance.
You're absolutely correct. I can see that clearly now in the 9th picture anonymoussierra posted at #26 above. Thank you both.
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