Principal peril of policing the planet: hypocrisy

Mark A. writes:

Best Bush quote on Pakistan situation:

“You can’t be the president and the head of the military at the same time.”—George W. Bush, President of the USA and Commander in Chief of all U.S. military branches, telling Pakistani President Musharraf that he must resign his military post.

LA replies:

Yes, it sounds funny for him to say that, given his own double role under our Constitution. Of course, the apparent hypocrisy can be explained away, in terms of the fact that Bush is the civilian, not the military, head of the military. However, even after one explains it away, it still sounds funny for Bush to be telling Musharraf that he can’t be president of his country and head of the military at the same time.

- end of initial entry -

David B. writes:

The irony is that Bush has referred to himself as “Commander In Chief” in public possibly more than any other President. He seems to think that he is “Commander In Chief” of the American people. GWB has often appeared wearing a military-type jacket.

Remember when in 2003, GWB landed on an aircraft carrier and proclaimed, “Mission Accomplished?” He was wearing a military flight suit. Did Eisenhower, who had been military commander of Allied forces in Europe dress up in his uniform when President? Did JFK put on his PT-109 outfit when he went on a U.S. Navy vessel?

LA replies:

It is true, and disconcerting, that many people refer to Bush as “our” commander in chief, or as “America’s” commander in chief. They don’t seem to realize that he is the commander in chief of the armed forces, not of the country.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at November 09, 2007 01:55 AM | Send