Progressive World Review

Stories of the Bush administration’s ban on photographing returning coffins from Iraq may be old news, but it might surprise some to learn that even when the family of a slain soldier specifically permits press coverage of the funeral, the Pentagon still tries it’s best to keep it out of the public eye.  From a story in The Washington Post written by Dana Milbank,

The family of 38-year-old Hall, who leaves behind two young daughters and two stepsons, gave their permission for the media to cover his Arlington burial — a decision many grieving families make so that the nation will learn about their loved ones’ sacrifice. But the military had other ideas, and they arranged the Marine’s burial yesterday so that no sound, and few images, would make it into the public domain.

Even though a clear majority of Americans are against the war and want a timetable to bring our troops home.  Bush and the military continue to play the public relations games hoping to keep Iraq off of our minds.  To some extent it might be working,

A Pew Research Center poll earlier this month found that 14 percent of Americans considered Iraq the news story of most interest — less than half the 32 percent hooked on the presidential campaign and barely more than the 11 percent hooked on the raid of a polygamist compound in Texas.

One can only assume at this point that Bush is trying to protect his legacy but when the elections are over, even with the tanking economy, thoughts will surely return to Iraq and finally bringing this nightmare to an end.

The problem with the smoke and mirrors games played by Bush and the Republicans is that eventually the smoke clears and reality sets in.  No amount of tricks are going to hide the unmitigated disaster that is the Bush presidency.  From Iraq to the economy, from the law breaking to the failed (thankfully), plans to privatize social security, Bush’s legacy will be that of the worst president in this nation’s history.

–Paul Wilden

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