During an event in Charlotte, NC, to promote fighting the “war on terrorism” last week, Bush spoke before an audience, members of which were permitted to get up and speak. Harry Taylor told Bush exactly what he should hear:
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 booed him at this point, but then he was allowed to continue]–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.
An article about the scolding also appeared in USA Today, in which Bush was quoted as having said that
he would not apologize for listening in on the phone and e-mail conversations of Americans talking to people with suspected al-Qaeda links.
You can read more about this and view the video on a blog-type page at Think Progress, on which there are also comments by readers.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 