President Bush loves his Ranch. He's been there 49 times since he began
Gore's his first term. When Bush decides to spend time at the Ranch, if you want to spend time with Bush then you're going to Texas. No amount of stature will spare a vistor with bad timing. "Really Good" Cabinet Members, Leaders of our Iraq War Allies and top administration leakers all slog down to watch the brush clearing.
Even George and his BFF, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, dared to hold hands in Crawford. Except for "Queer Eye," you don't see that kind of thing in west Texas. Obviously, Bush is not flexible on this. No exceptions!
Well, there was that one exception. A development so urgent that they fired up Air Force One and rushed the Commander in Chief back to DC. Something so crucial that taxpayers must absorb the extra $75,000 to operate the 747.
"On to Washington!" he proclaimed, adding "I must show the world I'm not a heartless monster that would ingore a desperate request from a mother in pain. Heck... it's only a couple hours out of my schedule. I can get on with my life later."
Well, unfortunately for Cindy Sheehan, Mr. Bush must put his foot down this time. He must live his life, which as noted above, had been interrupted. But really - she's only 5 miles away and a grieving mother.
Maybe, Bush has figured the truth about Camp Casey -- an ambush of unscripted questions that awaits him! Talk radio has spread the word that Cindy Sheehan is a tool! A pawn in some radical agenda and in the company of what could best be described by Sean Hannity as the "fringes" of our society. Has Crawford become a circus?
So, while Mr. Bush appears to be acting like a complete prick, is he not just honoring the pure and dignified Schiavo vigils just months ago? A vigil that so moved the President that he made the ultimate sacrifice -- a day of vacation.
I found some photos and few news clips of those two weeks in Florida. Memories of a time when personal tragedy wasn't co-opted for political gain and personal vanity.
And finally, here are a few media quotes that capture those moments of quiet dignity:
List of Schiavo Donors Will Be Sold by Direct-Marketing Firm
-The New York Times
Norm Olson, senior adviser to the Michigan militia and pastor of a strong right-to-life church in Wolverine, said Tuesday he had put together an unarmed coalition of state militias that were prepared to storm the Florida hospice where Terri Schiavo has been left to die, and take her to a safe house... -AP
Federal authorities have charged Richard Meywes with using interstate commerce facilities in solicitation of murder, interstate communication of a threat and threat to murder a U.S. judge. In a federal affidavit, an FBI agent said Meywes sent e-mails saying he knew of an offer to pay $250,000 for the killing of Michael Schiavo.-AP
Mrs. Schiavo's death is a moral poverty and a legal tragedy. This loss happened because our legal system did not protect the people who need protection most, and that will change. The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior, but not today. Today we grieve, we pray, and we hope to God this fate never befalls another. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Schindlers and with Terri Schiavo's friends in this time of deep sorrow.-Dr. James Dobson