Wednesday, June 20, 2007

CBS v. whitehouse

CBS reports on the Whitehouse picnic this way:

"You all enjoy yourself," said President Bush, who ambled out on the lawn with first lady Laura Bush to greet his guests, including many of his longtime political adversaries.

"Make sure you pick up all the trash after it's over," he joked just before Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers struck up a rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching in."


The Whitehouse website reports this:

I want to thank our Chef, Paul Prudhomme, from New Orleans, Louisiana -- one of the great chefs in America. Thanks for coming, Paul. (Applause.) I thank Tony Snow and his bunch of, well, mediocre musicians -- (laughter) -- no, great musicians. Beats Workin, thanks for coming. (Applause.) Kermit, come up here. Kermit, we're proud to have you.

MR. RUFFINS: Well, thanks for having us.

THE PRESIDENT: Kermit Ruffins and the Barbeque Swingers, right out of New Orleans, Louisiana. (Applause.)

MR. RUFFINS: Thank you. Thanks for having us. We're glad to be here.

THE PRESIDENT: Proud you're here. Thanks for coming. You all enjoy yourself. Make sure you pick up all the trash after it's over. (Laughter.)

God bless you, and may God bless America. Thanks for coming. (Applause.)


In the Whitehouse version, George Bush looks like a racist asshole, for telling the African-American musicians to "pick up all the trash after it's over." CBS's version gives it a different spin, one which puts Bush in a better light. Good grief.

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4 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

But if they picked up the trash, they would be arrested for kidnapping dubya.....

June 20, 2007 11:20 PM  
Blogger Antonio said...

This is not what it looks like, the transcript doesn't give the full picture. The whitehouse.gov site has a video link on the right side of the page, check it out. Watching the video, I saw this happen:

(opening speech)
THE PRESIDENT:Kermit, come up here.
(NOTE: Kermit comes up to the front of the stage and stands next to Bush)

(Bush thanks and Kermit accepts)

THE PRESIDENT: Proud you're here. Thanks for coming. (At this point Kermit returns to the back of the stage and Bush turns to the audience to speak) You all enjoy yourself. Make sure you pick up all the trash after it's over. (Laughter.)

God bless you, and may God bless America. Thanks for coming. (Applause.)


Bush directed the trash comment at the CROWD, not the musicians. He was facing the crowd when he said and the musicians were behind him on the stage. Looking at the video I don't think anyone would say Bush did anything offensive.

June 20, 2007 11:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Antonio, I couldn't find that video. I'm happy to hear that . . . can you send me a link? Thanks!!

June 21, 2007 6:53 AM  
Blogger Antonio said...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070619-13.html#

You can see the video link on the right side.

June 21, 2007 7:20 AM  

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