Charlie Rose Science Series
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02/07/2008
Laura Bush
A conversation with Laura Bush
Keywords:
A conversation from the White House with the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush.
DVD
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Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Audio
Audio available through Audible.com.
Audio available through Audible.com.
Transcripts
Transcripts available through Voxant.
Transcripts available through Voxant.
This was such an painful episode, not because of the questions asked but because Mrs. Bush reflected the shell of denial this administration lives in. I'm not quite sure why this interview was held. The American people are probably finished with the Bush administrations and all its minions. One answer, in particular, was so symptomatic of the administration's denial pattern: when she was asked if the administration's actions had affected our standing in the world, her response was that she thought is was only a small percentage of people in other countries who had a negative opinion of us. How could she not be aware of the international polls that indicate the low regard in which we are held by most of the world? A pathetic interviewee. I am counting the days unitl this incompetent administration is gone from the national scene.
Laura's charming husband hopefully has put the kiss-of-death on McCain's bid for the presidency by his recent endorsement. McCain's last CR interview has been expunged probably by popular demand - his! He's too jingoistic for a country already run by the M-I complex. His total endorsement of the military led by his father is the last thing we need now in our tortured history. Unlike the enlightened elements during the Vietnam war McCain flew 22 bombing missions with the callous boast that he would do it all again. Say four bombs per mission puts total from 88 to 100. Say five "Gooks" (McCain's ref?) 'murdered' per bomb, our illustrious wanna-be-leader of the 'free-world' has valiantly rid the world up to 500 evil rice paddy cultivators and their children. Maybe even a machete wielding Vietcong as collateral damage. I can't help thinking of the Napalmed, naked little girl running, screaming. Why aren't we voting for the pilot(s) that weren't dumb enough to get shot down? Or better: one that refused to bomb peasants and children out of their rice paddies in the first place. His capture is the opposite of heroic for me. Uncontested by Migs, he was shot down bombing a CIVILIAN power plant. COWARDLY! Bout as brave as his idol Shrub's national guard experience but more murderous. All for the other preemptive Gulf-of-Tonkin pretextual war. Real courage refuses to rush to war for Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Exon Mobil, yadda, yadda. McCain has repeatedly proved he doesn't meet the test. Proof: He thinks 100 more years in Iraq for OIL is a happy thought. Does Laura in all her demure sweetness,loyalty (and cognitive dissonance) back the acerbic tongued 'bomber?' Afterthought: If we captured a 'hero' of McCainâ??s ilk bombing one of our CIVILIAN power plants, he would doubtless beg to be water-boarded by comparison to having his mental faculties turned to pabulum at GITMO. Returned to be a leader in his homeland? Fat chance.
It's too bad that our society has become so cynical and shallow star-oriented that they are unable to distinguis quality, simplicity and values in a human being as positives and instead mistake them for simple minded and not tuned in. Laura Bush is probably the finest first lady our country has had in a century...she is the epitome of refinement, intellect and decency and has served as an unpretentious role model-- something we are in dire need of in our materialistic mindless and truly unconnected society.
Apparently Mr. Rose has been paying attention to those who critize him for interrupting his guests. He didn't interrupt at all this time. Mr. Rose had to behave the way he did with the First Lady; it's called decorum. There is a time and place for everything. To badger Laura Bush with tough questions wouldn't get anyone anywhere. She's not running for office. Mr. Bush is responsible for answering those questions, not her. I don't know why Mrs. Bush was a guest on this show. It did seem a waste of time, except that we do need to be reminded of the good that has been done such as the AIDS and Malaria irradication programs in Africa, notwithstanding our own health care crises. Also, this would be a different world today if her husband had called in Charlie's journalist friend six or even four years ago to talk about Iraq.
Anyone who thought that interview would have substance would have been deluding themselves. Loyalty is prime with the Bush family, not one of them would say anything that could be taken as critical or even objective. I am sure Laura Bush loves her husband and he has been critized enough, she certainly would not do it.I do not think she sees with world with Rose colored glasses, she is aware of what the problems are. No one is allowed at a Bush fund raiser unless they are loyal, true blue and not confrontational-do you think anything less would be allowed for the first lady??? I am not a Bush supporter.
I was just wondering how many of the questions CR asked had to be cleared before he asked them. This was an embarrassing interview for any journalist, but for CR it was especially disappointing. If that poor, misguided and inarticulate simple woman mentioned "no child left behind" again, I may have wondered what drug she was ingesting. Her reasoning seems flawed in that kind of Republican way, a fundamentalist condition that dismisses Darwin as a quack and embraces Ann Coulter (sp?) as a visionary. Everything about the interview screamed control. Shame on you CR. I try to watch your program every night, and I expect you to be thoughtful and genuine. You owe your viewers what can be as close to truth as possible, not flim flam television. So I am posting notice, Mr. Rose. I don't always agree with you, but that's all right. I just don't watch your program for puff pieces like this that have nothing to do with truth but everything to do with advertising. Shame on you, Charlie!
Magdaline, it is dangerous liberal fools like you who are ruining our country, not George and Laura Bush! 'Nuf said. I usually speak much more kindly to people but I am fed up with all the venom toward and about our President and his fine wife. It's time for those of us who disagree to enter into the culture war that is trying to drown democracy, when former Soviet countries are fighting hard for their still new democracy and freedom.
Valliere, in counseling circles we call feeling "your frustration and all across the nation I could feel the level rising to critical" as being on a feeling level rather than factual--bordering on paranoia. And Dr. P, what is "sad" is your hatred of anyone or anything related to President Bush. We would refer to that as extreme prejudice and irrationality. Mrs. Bush is a bright, lovely, caring woman. Her loyalty to her husband is commendable, somewhat rare in our culture and to be admired. Thanks Charlie and Crew for having this interview. Better late than never....
Excellent! Laura Bush is a great First Lady. She is highly committed to several important humanitarian causes while expressing herself in a very human and straightforward way. I am very proud to have such a great human being at the White House. Thanks Mr. Rose.
Thank you for "A conversation with Laura Bush" - First Lady of the United States. "Learning to appreciate what we have. Most of the time we don't do this." (quoting Pema Chodron from "Comfortable with Uncertainty") Appreciate the broadcast and your mention about your fellow journalist back from the frontline. Light and shadow, joy and sorrow, life and death - nature's cycle go hand in hand. Unpleasing to some, thankful to others - there's diversity a-living.
Sad.
Worth repeating: Comment by glen on Friday, Feb 8 at 03:10 PM He makes the Kool Aid- they drink it together.
Absurdity. For all those that make an attempt to live in reality: I could feel your frustration, all across the nation I could feel the level rising to critical. What indeed was the point?
This was a good interview! Laura Bush is a true First Lady, who -refreshingly- isself-disciplined and has a command of the issues she cares about. All of this in a clear and direct way, without unnecessarily "emoting".
Hard to believe that she really tells us what she feels. She does not sound very convincing.....she is trying to sound like a very charitable woman, who does a lot of good deeds while her husband ruined the image of this country....What a pity!!!
He makes the Kool Aid- they drink it together
At least she's more articulate than her husband.
It was nice to see that she is informed about atrocities that are affecting Burma and her advocacy on human rights.
I couldn't even watch. I don't think she knows what planet she's on most of the time, which I find more comforting than the alternative of overwhelming ignorance. . .from a librarian no less. Not sure I know why she was interviewed at all. I simply don't get it.
I couldn't even watch. I don't think she knows what planet she's on most of the time, which I find more comforting than the alternative of overwhelming ignorance. . .from a librarian no less. Not sure I know why she was interviewed at all. I simply don't get it.
Laura Bush's responses last night were embarrassing to hear. How she avoided your question about any regrets she might have had!! Does she really believe what she says or has she created a bubble for herself? You are to be commended for your incredibly kind and polite management of the interview.
How embarrassing and terribly sad! Is everyone in the US White House/Executive Branch really that out of touch with American people? Discussing teaching about aids and breast cancer awareness in other countries when so many US citizens have poor access to health care! Please convince our government we need to care for our own first! Also, thank you to the Charlie Rose Show for a great website. PBS programming has changed so radically here in rural California that your show is now on in the middle of the night. We are not sure owning a TV makes sense any more. Hmmm, "the medium is the message"? Salinas, CA
Surely Mrs. Laura Bush is no genius. But, she seems like a good and decent person. But, for sure, I'd rather that she be president as oppossed to her husband! One more comment: you, Mr. Rose was so polite -- as usual. The FOX (News Channel), and Rush, Ingram, Coulter, Hannity, Bill ['no spin zone'\ O'Reilly...should have manners like you! But, heck -- that's show biz!
I really enjoy listening to Charlie Rose. But I was disappointed with the Laura Bush interview. We all agree that Sadam Hussein was a bad man. But he had nothing to do with 911. Is the Iraq war worth the billions and billions of dollars and thousands and thousands of lives lost? That's the question Charlie should have asked.
It was disheartening to see the first lady so isolated from reality. Especially related to the anti-Americanism around the world, which she claims, does not exist. Very sad.
At first I was disappointed listening to Charlie fawn all over Laura Bush. Simply permitting her to recite over and over a litany of her own accomplishments in such an obviously self-serving way. But after a while I just felt sad for her. Presidents and their wives are so isolated from the public, so often, meeting people who are nothing but complementary and gratuitous (like Charlie) that they can continue to delude themselves against any obvious reality. Of course, when Laura Bush travels around the world, foreign leaders and those lucky enough to get close to the first family mostly treat her with warmth and respect. She probably hears what a great job her husband is doing all the time from her assistants and those just thrilled to be in the company of someone famous. No wonder she doesn't believe that the respect for the United States on the international scene has suffered a most serious blow specifically because of her husband. But again, the whole interview had a sad feeling. Laura, pack your bags, you may miss the big White House, but it's time to go.
Whew! Chutzpah is endemic in that family. Her books need to include Naomi Klein's, SHOCK DOCTRINE. Citing US firms in Vietnam, Iraq will get some perspective from Klein's book. Laura comes off as a victim of a prolonged cognitive dissonance. Which is totally understandible.
Whew! Chutzpah is endemic in that family. Her books need to include Naomi Klein's, SHOCK DOCTRINE. Citing US firms in Vietnam, Iraq will get some perspective from Klein's book. Laura comes off as a victim of a prolonged cognitive dissonance. Which is totally understandible.
So...Laura Bush does talk...lol
your time has past. pack you bags....and exit stage right. and take that mush mouth with ya! shame on you for enabling this dangerous fool to nearly ruin our country.