Bush Ads Exploit 9/11 Victims

[Some Friggin Guy]

As a Dem who has not seen the ad, I will make no statement as to whether it is done tastefully, or whether it is appropriate. I waill say, however, that it is a politcally dangerous move to include footage of the actual event or of ground zero. I don't think there will be anyone who is apathetic to the footage. Either the public will rally behind it because of his leadership during the time, or he will be villified for exploitation.

At best, I would hope he understand this is a calculated risk with a potential of back-firing in his face.

 

[Grammatron]

As a Dem who has not seen the ad, I will make no statement as to whether it is done tastefully, or whether it is appropriate. I waill say, however, that it is a politcally dangerous move to include footage of the actual event or of ground zero. I don't think there will be anyone who is apathetic to the footage. Either the public will rally behind it because of his leadership during the time, or he will be villified for exploitation.

At best, I would hope he understand this is a calculated risk with a potential of back-firing in his face.

Honestly if you look at the images I posted that's really all there is about 9/11.

 

[subgenius]

Honestly if you look at the images I posted that's really all there is about 9/11.

Do you agree that reasonable people, Republicans and Democrats, can reasonably find it inappropriate?

 

[Grammatron]

Do you agree that reasonable people, Republicans and Democrats, can reasonably find it inappropriate?

People can find my avatar inappropriate so I would agree to that. However, I disagree that it's exploitation of the event. Bush also mentions recession in his ad, is that exploitation of all the unemployed at the time? You can get really silly with these.

 

[Some Friggin Guy]

As I said, Gram, I haven't seen the ads, so I can't make a judgement. I do know from news sources I have read that there are three such ads. The one which has been shown may very well only show the images you posted, in which case, you are right, I don't find them offensive.

According to Sean Hannity's show today (don't ask why I listen, you wouldn't believe me if I told you anyway.) there is one ad which shows flag-draped bodies being removed. IF this is true, I would have to say that I find that image to be in bad taste.

My original point, however, was simply that the use of 9/11 images has the potential of harming Bush's campaign tremendously if he is not careful, and I stand by that point.

 

[Grammatron]

As I said, Gram, I haven't seen the ads, so I can't make a judgement. I do know from news sources I have read that there are three such ads. The one which has been shown may very well only show the images you posted, in which case, you are right, I don't find them offensive.

According to Sean Hannity's show today (don't ask why I listen, you wouldn't believe me if I told you anyway.) there is one ad which shows flag-draped bodies being removed. IF this is true, I would have to say that I find that image to be in bad taste.

My original point, however, was simply that the use of 9/11 images has the potential of harming Bush's campaign tremendously if he is not careful, and I stand by that point.

Here's a link to that ad if you are still curious

http://www.georgewbush.com/News/MultiMedia/VideoPlayer.aspx?ID=745&T=2

 

[Some Friggin Guy]

Okay, I have seen the ad now. For the most part, I do agree with you on the images, however I did see the use of a flag-draped coffin, which I do question the use of. I don't believe it was necessary. While I don't personally (given it's brief appearance) find it in overly bad taste, I can understand how some people could. Should the other two ads which have been produced focus more on the event and the tragedy, I would be inclined to be opposed to the ads. As it stands right now, I am fairly ambivalent.

 

[Tesserat]

Subgenius,

Are you really suggesting that Bush should not have gone down to the site of the terrorist attack? Or that he should have told reporters "don't take any pictures?"

I would think it's his responsibility to be there, to support the people attemping to find and rescue any survivers, and to see with his own eyes the result of the worst terrorist attack on the states. And it should be recorded, and shown to the american people that their appointed leader is doing his job.

He had no choice but to go.
I can only imagine what you'd be saying now if he hadn't gone.

As for using the photos for his campain, well, isn't he supposed to be reminding people what happened on his watch? Wouldn't it be weird if he never mentioned it? If the commercial didn't show pictures, but still mentioned the attacks, would you tihnk it offensive?

I don't like Bush, I hope he gets thrown out.

Your position needs a lot more explaining.

 

[Zep]

Hmmm..... I haven't seen any planes running into any buildings lately.

Bali bombing was Al Quaeda

Jakarta bombing was Al Quaeda

Hundreds of US troops are still being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan even now. This all happened AFTER Shrub's much-vaunted War on Terror was started.

Want to rethink that statement?

 

[subgenius]

Subgenius,

Are you really suggesting that Bush should not have gone down to the site of the terrorist attack? Or that he should have told reporters "don't take any pictures?"
.....
If the commercial didn't show pictures, but still mentioned the attacks, would you tihnk it offensive?

I don't like Bush, I hope he gets thrown out.

Your position needs a lot more explaining.

In fairness, he, to my knowledge has not used the pic of himself waving the flag, someone posted that as an example. Certainly not suggesting that he shouldn't have gone, just not to use the tragedy for political purposes, as he pledged several times.
He could easily refer obliquely to his leadership in tough times without a specific reference.
A lot more explaining ain't going to happen. Its just an opinion, one shared by many including those who lost loved ones in the tragedy.

 

[zenith-nadir]

Bali bombing was Al Quaeda...Jakarta bombing was Al Quaeda
Hundreds of US troops are still being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan even now. This all happened AFTER Shrub's much-vaunted War on Terror was started. Want to rethink that statement?

So you are saying that if the "War on Terror" had not happened AL-Queda would not be interested in using terrorism as a tool after 9-11?

Or if the "invasion of Iraq" had not happened Saddam would have suddely capitulated, done a complete 180, and stopped defying the U.N. and oppressing Iraqis?

 

[rikzilla]

IMO, it is in poor taste to use images of 9/11 in the way that they did.

However, suppose that the commercials would have used images such as this instead:

Would that have been OK? That would have been fine by me, because he was exercising leadership at that time. But I'm wondering if anyone would have a problem with such an image as above.

Just photoshop Clinton's face onto Bush's body and watch the Democrats support the use of such pictures. SG, et al have been loving the wall to wall exposure that Democratic candidates have had in bashing Bush....now that it's time for Bush to enter the political fray they start bitching about his ads....his very first ad, that is!

The truth is, no matter how the Dems whine, that national security is still the #1 issue. They also know that anyone with an objective grasp of reality can look at the record and see that Al Qaeda has been neutered by GWB's prosecution of the WOT. Juxtaposed against the anti-WOT Dems, Bush is gonna look like the only viable choice for Americans who like their nation terrorism free.

-z

 

[rikzilla]

Bali bombing was Al Quaeda

Jakarta bombing was Al Quaeda

Hundreds of US troops are still being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan even now. This all happened AFTER Shrub's much-vaunted War on Terror was started.

Want to rethink that statement?

Hey Zep,

I'm looking on my big map o'USA here and I just can't find Jakarta on it! Darn!

See, Americans are not voting for a President that will end all terrorism all over the world. Which candidate is, or has ever, promised this?? GWB has done his level best to insure it won't happen again in the USA.

Now all you idiots have had a lovely time laughing at "code Orange", you've scare mongered about "The Patriot Act", you've decried the "inhumane treatment" of prisoners @ Gitmo. But the one thing you can't spin is the lack of any terrorist attack in the USA since the WOT went into effect. You can't argue with success, yet you must. Once Bush really gets started campaigning he's gonna shine a harsh light on Kerry, and the anti-WOT idiots out there who support him.

He's going to show America, rightly, that if Kerry wins the first people to dance in celebration will be Al Qaeda fighters world-wide.

-z

 

[Cinorjer]

The thing to remember is that the Bush political machine knows exactly what the reaction is going to be to this spot. This is not guesswork, but science. There would have been intensive focus group screenings and scripted responses to the anticipated grumblings. Bush, Inc. knows exactly what they can get away with.

For any political add, the goal is not to cause people to engage in critical thinking. It's about image and emotion. Remind people of the fear. Make them start to worry again about massive terrorist attacks on our land. When people are afraid, they will hesitate to change leaders, no matter what their other problems with his leadership. It's working. The debate is now about terrorism, not the economy or even the war in Iraq.

As for the expected criticisms, they know most of it will come from people who won't vote for Bush, anyway. The Bush team couldn't care less what Democrats and other critics think about their tactics. It's the big mass of uncommitted voters the add is speaking to. You know - the ones that are uninformed enough to still think Saddam had something to do with 9-11 in the first place, because Bush makes sure when the subject comes up, he mentions Saddam and 9-11 in the same sentence. His script writers have made certain to create a link in people's minds when none exists in reality.

The ability of a well-funded political machine to manipulate a population is scary!

Jerry

 

[subgenius]

rik:
"He's going to show America, rightly, that if Kerry wins the first people to dance in celebration will be Al Qaeda fighters world-wide."
___________

This is a pretty sorry excuse for rational discussion. You don't want us to believe all Bush supporters think and express themselves so profoundly do you?

 

[rikzilla]

rik:
"He's going to show America, rightly, that if Kerry wins the first people to dance in celebration will be Al Qaeda fighters world-wide."
___________

This is a pretty sorry excuse for rational discussion. You don't want us to believe all Bush supporters think and express themselves so profoundly do you?

Ok SG, try and be just a teensy-weensy bit objective and answer this question;

If you were Osama Bin Laden who would you rather be President of the United States? Kerry, who will expedite the release of prisoners @ Gitmo, repeal the Patriot Act, pull back the US Army from Iraq and Afghanistan......or Bush who will keep troops looking under every rock until they find you. Who is the preferred candidate? Eh?

-z

 

[subgenius]

A request to be objective from someone claiming that terrorists will dance in celebration if Kerry is elected.
Talk to the hand.

 

[rikzilla]

A request to be objective from someone claiming that terrorists will dance in celebration if Kerry is elected.
Talk to the hand.

Answer the question. Or do you fear your lack of ability to spin the "right" answer?

-z

 

[shecky]

Answer the question. Or do you fear your lack of ability to spin the "right" answer?

-z

Why are you so intersted in what Osama Bin Laden thinks?

 

[rikzilla]

Why are you so intersted in what Osama Bin Laden thinks?

Why do you fear to answer the question? Look, dance all you want, obfuscate, cry, whatever...but if you find that question hard to answer, most Americans will not. The Republicans will no doubt use some of their commercial money to ask this rhetorical question. If you cannot or will not answer it, the Republicans can, and will. Over and over again.....get used to it.

-z