Presidential Friends

It was a small vignette in the State of the Union tableau, but it's symbolism is indisputable. Cindy Sheehan, American citizen, mother of a soldier who died in Iraq, war protester who Bush refused to meet at his ranch this past summer, a woman ignored and denigrated by Chimpie's henchmen, was ushered out of the House gallery building by security officials for “causing a disruption” (later proved to be false).

Sitting in the Capitol as an honored guest was Saudi, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a man who has met Osama bin Laden at least five times and refers to him as "quite a pleasant man." He has also met, numerous times, with Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar. Al-Faisal, the welcome guest of Bush, is also a man that the families of more than 600 victims of the 9/11 attacks believe was connected to their loved ones' deaths. Last year, the New York Times pointed out that "he personally managed Saudi Arabia's relations with bin Laden and the Taliban's Mullah Omar.

States As'ad AbuKhalil, author of a book on Saudi Arabia and fundamentalism, "We know for sure that he was tasked by the United States in the late 1970s and on to assemble Arab Muslim fanatics to help the United States and CIA fight the Soviet regime [in Afghanistan]. In the course of doing that, this man is single-handedly most responsible for the kind of menace that these fanatical groups now pose to world peace and security."

Grieving mothers get the heave ho. Terrorist breeders and instigators are welcomed. No wonder Bush is so vilified - selling out the country to crooked pol's, lobbyists, and terrorism's creators....bit by bit.
Posted on The Human Stain