04/20/2006
33%: Bush approval rating hits new low.
A so-long summation of the soundbytes of Scott McClellan.
Belgium approves gay adoption. Bill passes by narrow margin. "Homosexual couples in Belgium won the right to marry in June 2003 and more than 5000 people have taken advantage of that law since it came into force. Now that the new law has been definitively approved, they will share the same rights as heterosexual couples to adopt children, whether the child comes from Belgium or abroad."
Heckler interrupts remarks of Chinese President Hu Jintao at White House. Analyst: "It's hugely embarrassing. [China] must know that this Bush administration is good at controlling crowds for themselves, and the fact that they couldn't control this is going to play to their worse fears and suspicions about the United States, into mistrust about American intentions toward China."
Protests against King Gyanendra in Nepal, which the gay activist Blue Diamond Society have joined, turn deadly. Security forces open fire.
Posted 2:00 PM EST by Andy Towle in Elsewhere | Permalink
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Are they kidding with that quote? "[H]ugely embarassing"? I find it even more telling that they in a oblique sort of way show how close this president's administration has brought crowd control into line with the dictatorial manner in which China controls crowds.
Posted by: Steve | Apr 20, 2006 2:41:43 PM
That woman is my hero of the day.
I wish Bush could have addressed China's human rights atrocities with President Hu, but seeing as we are holding two innocent Chinese nationals at Guantanamo (whom we found to be THE WRONG GUYS AFTER 4 YEARS!!!!) I think that would have been slightly hypocritical.
Also does anyone remember Bush originally saying that we were going to be more or less strategic adversaries to China? Hence upsetting his father, a former ambassador to China!
God... worst president ever!
BTW, the Rollingstone issue coming out tomorrow actually has an interesting article about Bush going down in history as being the worst president ever.
You can read it here: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/profile/story/9961300/the_worst_president_in_history
Posted by: RP | Apr 20, 2006 4:07:19 PM
Yay Belgium!
Posted by: David | Apr 20, 2006 4:49:20 PM
Certainly Hu deserves heckling, and his host deserves whatever embarrassment he may derive from it. But it's too bad it was a Falun Gong supporter who gets the credit for doing it. The Falun Gong, if you'll remember, isn't exactly gay-positive.
Posted by: tominsf | Apr 20, 2006 5:02:34 PM
governor of kentucky repeals discrimination protections for GLBT state employees on "diversity day."
kentucky business paper tells him to worry more about doing his job and less about who his employees date.
http://www.bizlex.com/story.php?id=623
Posted by: DM Strong | Apr 20, 2006 6:18:48 PM
33%... and that's reported by Fox News? Wow... the Idiot in Chief really IS in the dumper!
IM-PEACH! IM-PEACH! IM-PEACH!!!
Rad
Posted by: Rad | Apr 20, 2006 7:43:17 PM
33%? HiyOOOOOO!
Anything that can bring attention to the hippocracy of our government aiding other governments that violate our own moral standards is welcome as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by: Chad Hanging | Apr 20, 2006 8:23:11 PM
Removing Scott McClelland to show that the administration has learned from their mistakes and will knows it needs to change policy as well as pr course is like Joan Rivers putting on lipstick to hide her age. Moving Karl Rove to a position he'd serve the Bush agenda better in is like her having her heels surgically implanted underneath her breats to keep them perky.
This too shall fail.
Posted by: Chad Hanging | Apr 20, 2006 10:57:33 PM
Why did Bush apologize to President Jintao for the heckler's disturbance and for what she said? While the disturbance may not have been planned, Bush shouldn't be apologizing for what she was saying. Last I checked, we still do have a first amendment.
He's such a moron.
Posted by: Brian | Apr 21, 2006 10:20:30 AM
Yesterday, while speaking outdoors at the White House, Chinese President Hu Jintao was heckled. Try as I might, I have been unable to find a guide book for the proper etiquette of a heckler. I decided I would come up with my own list of the do’s and don’ts of heckling. I’ve also provided some novel suggestions.
Don’ts:
1. When you determine it is time to begin heckling, do not raise your hand in hopes of being called upon.
2. Do not begin your heckling with, “sir, excuse me…may I say something?”
3. Do not ask security for a copy of the speech so you can find a point in the speech to cue your heckling.
4. Unlike with the exit row in an airplane, do not ask those seated next to you if they feel comfortable with their role of being seated next to the heckler.
5. Do not ask those seated at either end of the aisle if they mind tripping security when they race to remove you from the room.
6. If asked for your press credentials at the door, do not say, “Oh, I’m just here to heckle.”
Do’s:
1. You must yell and screech in a shrill and inaudible voice…otherwise your incoherent message may be understood.
2. Check with all the cameramen in the room to assure they have had time to get a preliminary focus for your seat…your time will be limited and you don’t want to miss out on a good photo-op.
3. Provide your credentials and a brief synopsis of your rant to the press in advance so you will not be misquoted.
4. You must appear outraged and emotional…if you are having trouble getting prepared, ask the person seated next to you to administer several bitch slaps.
5. Once captured, continue to yell but be sure to look back at the person you are yelling at…it’s rude to avoid eye contact.
6. Whenever possible, speak in a foreign language…it heightens the curiosity of the media.
read full handbook here:
www.thoughttheater.com
Posted by: Daniel DiRito | Apr 21, 2006 12:47:55 PM
The heckler has been charged with a criminal offense.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=1875872
Posted by: Chad Hanging | Apr 21, 2006 9:29:18 PM
Oh and another thing, I heard the acoustic live version of this on the radio going to work.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x839364
Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep
What do you feel when you look in the mirror
Are you proud
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why
Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not dumb and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pay the road to hell
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye
Let me tell you bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh
How do you sleep at night
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'd never take a walk with me
Would you
Posted by: Chad Hanging | Apr 21, 2006 9:36:02 PM