Last week, I mentioned that Bush was in England touting the beauty and benefits of free speech. I also noted the irony of him bragging about bringing this right to Iraq, despite the fact that Iraqis have been arrested by U.S. troops for criticizing our occupation.
On a similar note, I thought I’d mention an excellent, must-read column from the Rocky Mountain News’ Mike Littwin (which I saw via Atrios), who noticed an unusual policy in place for President Bush’s visit to Fort Carlson in Colorado Springs this week.
Before the press was herded into the giant hangar in advance of George W. Bush’s pep rally/photo op with the Fort Carson troops, we were given the rules.
No talking to the troops before the rally.
No talking to the troops during the rally.
No talking to the troops after the rally.
In other words, if I’ve done the math right, that means no conversation at all — at least, while on base — with any soldiers. After all, who knows where that kind of thing could lead?