BUSH TO LAND ON CARRIER AT SEA

New York Post ^ | 5/01/03 | DEBORAH ORIN

[kattracks]

May 1, 2003 -- WASHINGTON - President Bush today turns "Top Gun" and boards a warplane to fly out over the Pacific for a dramatic landing on the homeward-bound aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, where he'll declare that "major combat" in Iraq is over.

[mc10]

a stupid...dangerous...publicity stunt

[rabidralph]

I don't know. I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to trap on the deck of a carrier.

[Consort]

Tomorrow's NYT headline will be: Bush arrested on Navy carrier: used government plane for political purposes.

[TigerLikesRooster]

S-3B Viking

[G.Mason]

"a stupid...dangerous...publicity stunt"

Not true.

A carefully calculated plan which will have the world glued to their collective TV screens and help insure GWB's re-election.

Perhaps this will make Kerrey, Sharpton , Pelosi, Daschel, Edwards, Lieberman, and democRats yet unborn take a ride on the space shuttle. Say, to Mars?

Bare up MC, and stay tuned.

[FreedomPoster]

At the press conference yesterday, Ari said something along the lines of "I hope he's nowhere near the controls", and then grinned sheepishly.

[Broker]

This is great! I used to fly C-1A CODs (carrier on board deliver) for VRC 50 in WESTPAC. It is not all that dangerous and speaks well of our bold leader === W.

Today is the National Day of Prayer.... Let's all thank God
we have a rock solid leader in the White House ask God for continued revival in the USA.

[Highest Authority]

"But Bush won't formally declare the end of the war because under international law, that would require the coalition to free all Iraqi POWs and halt efforts to hunt down Saddam Hussein, his two sons and others in the Pentagon's deck of 55 wanted war-crimes suspects." ........ This explaines why the left wing press was so eager to get an "end of war" declared in all the pres conferences. It might, also, be connected with the conditions being set by france, et al., for ending the sanctions on Iraq.

[Chipata]

"but it's not the first time a president has slept on an aircraft carrier - then-President Bill Clinton did that."

Yet another example of sloppy reporting:

From USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

On June 6, 1963 President John F. Kennedy embarked the ship, remaining aboard for one night. Schultz’s sailors accommodated the president’s request for an extra-stiff bed by cutting a piece of plywood to put beneath the mattress.

http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/oct2002/pr102402a.html

[rabidralph]

LOL! Perfect.

[brewer1516]

a stupid...dangerous...publicity stunt

No - This a beautifully subtle show of trust and respect for our military.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

a stupid...dangerous...publicity stunt

I respectfully disagree. Our CIC had several options for this important war-ending speech. The Oval Office, The Rose Garden, Baghdad, CENTCOM, and others. By definition, he would receive the same national and international publicity.

I think the choice of an aircraft carrier sends the dual message of thanking the troops for their courage while reminding other dictators that America remains ready to defend its national security interests anywhere, anytime. This hardly seems stupid.

It may be a bit dangerous, but I'd do it in a nanosecond if given the chance. Wouldn't you?

[SkyPilot]

I noticed they did not mention the loss of towels and bath robes from the last time.

[G.Mason]

I'm with you!

[leprechaun9]

When Billy Clintooooon stayed on the carrier, the Commander in Chief referred to the carrier as a boat! Another data point on his knowledge and awareness of the military.

[patriciaruth]

Navy takes VIP's and news media on ride alongs. No big thang. They even let them do a bit of stick work when they're flying level.

Bush used to do duty scrambling his Texas Guard F-102 alone with his missiles when the Air Force detected UFO's back in the Cold War days, but he won't be at the controls when the plane comes in for a landing on the carrier. He flying skills may be rusty, but his judgment isn't.

They'll all be fine, and he'll have a grand time. Haven't been a lot of laughs in this Presidency since 9/11. I could use some joie de vivre myself, but I won't be buying it from the French.

[ArcLight]

I agree. This is dumb and vulgar. And what if the bloody plane crashes? Stay at the White House.

[Miss Marple]

Sour grapes attitudes do not win converts.

Why is it vulgar?

[AppyPappy]

He's not going to land the plane. He's just going to fly it. Relax.