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It's nice that the Bush's drove to Ft Hood to see the troops. But I don't understand why people are bringing up photo opportunities. I was under the assumption that GWB wanted to live a low profile life. I can't say that I blame him.
That should be up to patients and their families to decide, not the President. Agreed?
Regulations regarding patient privacy rights is a federal law. First off, if the press enters a hospital, they can't just go off snapping photos without prior approval of hospital administrators even if they are in common areas within the hospital. Patients do walk the halls of hospitals and their privacy rights do not end at the door to their room. Secondly, at our hospital, the press can't walk through the hospital unescorted and if they take unapproved photos then those photos can be ordered deleted to protect patient privacy. Third, they would have to ask each and every patient if they wish to be photographed or filmed by the press. If the patient says no, then no photo may be taken. Fourth, they'd just come through a traumatic experience of getting shot. The last thing they need is to have flashes from cameras going off in their faces possibly triggering a flashback of gunfire so soon after the event. And lastly, the hospital, regardless of patient consent, CAN PREVENT THE PRESS FROM ENTERING THEIR PROPERTY WITH THEIR CAMERAS READY! A hospital is private property and they can keep the press out if they so choose.
Now if the president were to visit the base and the troops at the base then he's free to do so and bring the press along if he wishes to do so as long as the press does not go into any areas that is considered classified or a secured area.
I think its a disgrace to try and turn this into a partisan slagging match.
Our minds and hearts should be on the people who were effected, we should be glad about every single person who can go and help out, give even one soldier a lift, whether its Rush or Keith Olberman shouldn't make any difference. The woman who took down the shooter, her bravery was amazing, even if I could only bring her some food, I would do it. This woman has two children from what the reports have said. If I had the money, I would send something.
Set aside the nagging about partisan issues and look at the HUMAN issue here, thats what is important.
I'm glad he didn't try to use it as a photo op. Most military service members can tell an insincere photo op when they see one. One of the reasons why Congress is loathe to close US bases in foreign countries is because it gives members of Congress an excuse to take the family on a tax paid vacation. Was stationed in Italy when some Congressman stopped by our ship. We'd spend several days scrubbing, painting, and waxing to get the ship ready for his visit. They even had us doing all this in the engine room on the off chance he would want to take a peek at the engines. The big day arrived. He came aboard, the captain and admiral met him at the quarterdeck. The admiral took him to his stateroom. They had a chat. During lunch, the congressman suddenly appeared on the messdecks with a photographer. He'd grab people's hand, turn to the camera, wait for the photo, then grab someone else's hand. This went on for 4 or 5 sailors and then he and his cameraman vanished. Sometimes we'd see him out in town with his family seeing the sights. We later found out he claimed to have spent 2 weeks visiting the troops and bases. He actually spent one day with the Admiral, a few minutes taking photos with the enlisted, and the rest of the time was on tax payer paid vacation.
Sadly, this is more the rule than the exception when it comes to politicians.
Not to mention that if he was visiting the troops in a hospital ward then the hospital can legally prevent the press from taking photos on the grounds of patient privacy.
He was paying his respects to dead soldiers when the remains were flown back to Dover Delaware.
He did this in the middle of the night so that the press would not follow him and report it.
President Obama went to Dover to do the same thing and took the press along with him to try and get photos with the dead service members families.
Bush has never spoke of it publicly. Dick Cheney's wife mentioned that Bush had done this on several occassions.
Apparently, Bush visited dead service members families at their homes too. Without public knowledge.
Heaven knows that, for the most part, I am no fan of George W. Bush. However, as a citizen, and as a mother of a soldier, I do appreciate the fact that President and Mrs. Bush visited our soldiers at Fort Hood last night. No fanfare. No photo ops. They just went and visited with the soldiers. Thank you both.
How interesting...he is responsible for more U.S. soldier deaths than this guy who shot up the troops.
God Bless George Bush and his wife. It seems they did this from their hearts for the soldiers and families. When he was in office, Bush knew that the job of President was to be President, not a celebrity like it's turned into now.
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