George W. Bush - The 9/11 Interview

[MrSplitshot]

Did any of you guys watch this on the National Geographic channel?

It aired for the first time Sunday night at 10:00....and they played it again tonight at 9:00....all part of their 10th anniversary week for the 9/11 attacks.

This was a new interview, and it was different because the only person talking was Bush....no media....he did all of the commentary himself for 1 hour, along with some pictures that we have never seen, talking about everything that was going through his mind from moment to moment.

It gives you a different perspective of what the President goes through, the decisions that have to be made....and in this case, right or wrong, without hesitation.

You could tell he was quite emotional from time to time and he was very honest, citing some moments when he admitted that he didn't know what to do...but was determined not to panic and to convey a sense of calm amidst the confusion.

Whether you're a Dem or a Pub, if you get a chance, check it out. I'm sure they'll air it again.

[GeoFisher]

History will judge him much more differently that he has been judged over the past 10 years or so.

I believe he had a very TOUGH presidency, and dealt with issues that not many have ever had to deal with.

I thought he interview was very, very good......

Later,


Geo

[MrSplitshot]

I agree. He had 9/11 right off the bat, which was completely uncharted territory...then Katrina...then the Great Recession...

I thought Bush's commentary was awesome.

The one thing with Bush, in my opinion, is that there was never a doubt that the man in the Oval Office was going to do whatever had to be done to protect the country...even if it was controversial or unpopular. He was the leader.

I sat through that whole thing wondering how Barack Obama would handle the same situation today, if we had never went through it before...just like Bush had to navigate. Completely uncharted waters, write the playbook as you go, no teleprompters...critical decisions on-the-fly while under attack. When I think about that, it's quite unsettling to me.

[DJD]

I recorded that but have yet to watch it. With total honesty.....I wouldn't want Obama dealing with any more than he has too. I would take either President Bush over this guy any day.

[stratosjoe]

I also agree I liked the interview . I cannot imagine needing to make the decision to shoot down a commercial airliner if needed. Nor can I imagine being the fighter pilot that would need to be the one to do it.

[Devils Horse]

Saw part of it. Compelling stuff for sure.

[pontooner]

Haven't seen the interview yet but if there is one thing I give W. credit for it was his initial handling of events after 9/11.



I hate speculating as to how Obama would of handled things but I'd lke to think with the gusty call he to take out Bin Laden he would have done a good job.

[kydonky]

Did any of you guys watch this on the National Geographic channel?

It aired for the first time Sunday night at 10:00....and they played it again tonight at 9:00....all part of their 10th anniversary week for the 9/11 attacks.

This was a new interview, and it was different because the only person talking was Bush....no media....he did all of the commentary himself for 1 hour, along with some pictures that we have never seen, talking about everything that was going through his mind from moment to moment.

It gives you a different perspective of what the President goes through, the decisions that have to be made....and in this case, right or wrong, without hesitation.

You could tell he was quite emotional from time to time and he was very honest, citing some moments when he admitted that he didn't know what to do...but was determined not to panic and to convey a sense of calm amidst the confusion.

Whether you're a Dem or a Pub, if you get a chance, check it out. I'm sure they'll air it again.

I remember 9/11 very well. Durring the time right after 9/11 it was 4 days before any official comment was made by the president. A lot of people were questioning where is the president?

Cheney has revield he was in a bunker after the attacks for several days. Bush was under protection as well.

When we had a near neuclear meltdown at Three Mile Island, Jimmy Carter went inside the reactor durring the crisis to get a first hand view and assessment of the condition of the reactor.

George Bush does not get any kudos from me for his actions from 9/11 to 9/15. He took strong action afterwards but I still think he should have at least made a speech to the country.

Sorry to bring this up but this is what happened on 9/11 and at Three Mile Island.

[artcarney_agr]

I remember 9/11 very well. Durring the time right after 9/11 it was 4 days before any official comment was made by the president. A lot of people were questioning where is the president?

Cheney has revield he was in a bunker after the attacks for several days. Bush was under protection as well.

When we had a near neuclear meltdown at Three Mile Island, Jimmy Carter went inside the reactor durring the crisis to get a first hand view and assessment of the condition of the reactor.

George Bush does not get any kudos from me for his actions from 9/11 to 9/15. He took strong action afterwards but I still think he should have at least made a speech to the country.

Sorry to bring this up but this is what happened on 9/11 and at Three Mile Island.

I don't think that is a fair comparison; two totally different events with different circumstances. We were under attack in one of those circumstances, while the other was an accident....

[GeoFisher]

I wonder if Jimmy Carter claiming that he was a nuclear engineer had anything to do with him visiting TMI........HM..

Comparing the two situations IMHO is...........well, I will just leave it at that.

Later,

Geo

[greenriverman1]

I remember 9/11 very well. Durring the time right after 9/11 it was 4 days before any official comment was made by the president. A lot of people were questioning where is the president?

Cheney has revield he was in a bunker after the attacks for several days. Bush was under protection as well.

When we had a near neuclear meltdown at Three Mile Island, Jimmy Carter went inside the reactor durring the crisis to get a first hand view and assessment of the condition of the reactor.

George Bush does not get any kudos from me for his actions from 9/11 to 9/15. He took strong action afterwards but I still think he should have at least made a speech to the country.

Sorry to bring this up but this is what happened on 9/11 and at Three Mile Island.

If it was unsafe Carter would not have gone inside the reactor. When I hear Carter I think IRAN. But I doubt you would remember IRAN.

9/11 Caught everyone off guard and things happened that we would not have thought off. I am sure that Bush was a very busy man unlike the current dumb a-- in charge. And I have to question in charge because it looks like the unions might be or are trying to be anyway.

I would like to know if you think that the main trouble in D.C. is just with one party or if you think that it is both?

[MrSplitshot]

I remember 9/11 very well. Durring the time right after 9/11 it was 4 days before any official comment was made by the president. A lot of people were questioning where is the president?

Cheney has revield he was in a bunker after the attacks for several days. Bush was under protection as well.

When we had a near neuclear meltdown at Three Mile Island, Jimmy Carter went inside the reactor durring the crisis to get a first hand view and assessment of the condition of the reactor.

George Bush does not get any kudos from me for his actions from 9/11 to 9/15. He took strong action afterwards but I still think he should have at least made a speech to the country.

Sorry to bring this up but this is what happened on 9/11 and at Three Mile Island.

Sorry sir, but you are wrong.

Bush made an initial statement the morning of 9/11 from the elementary school that he was visiting when he got the news. He left there, got airborne, and wanted to immediately go to Washington. Secret Service prevented him from immediately flying to Washington, which was smart - Another plane hit the Pentagon and the Shanksville PA plane was likely headed for the White House before forced down. The President had to be kept safe. He flew to an AFB in Shreveport, where he made more remarks to the country. He then was flown to a bunker in Nebraska, but demanded that he be flown back to Washington to be with the VP and his team in secure bunkers at the White House. They flew him back, and he addressed the nation from the Oval Office that night on all networks. There are transcripts online if you'd like to read them. He slept in his own bed that night at the White House...because there was a scare in the middle of the night where they thought another plane was coming and had to rush him to the bunker - Turned out to be one of ours.

Bush began scribbling remarks for his statements immediately that morning at the elementary school. He knew that he had to demonstrate a sense of calm to the people and make sure we knew that the government had things under control. He was also at Ground Zero standing on what was left of a fire truck addressing the rescue workers from a bullhorn.

Why you think he went into hiding for 4 days and made no statements to the American public is beyond me. Simply not true.