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October 8, 2004

Latest BAGnews Cartoon: Multipronged Approach

vol6no14prezonachip80
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With the suggestion that life imitates art (think: Manchurian Candidate), there was a lot of internet buzz this week about how George Bush supposedly receives talking points through an earpiece. As evidence for this, various sites posted photos allegedly showing an electronic device showing through Bush’s suit jacket. Also cited as evidence was the fact that Bush uttered the statement: “Let me finish” at a point in the first Presidential debate when neither Jim Lehrer nor John Kerry were talking.

Even if the story is utterly false, however (which I assume it is), what is relevant about the rumor is how well it fits. George Bush might not be remotely controlled in a literal or physical sense, but what is wildly obvious is how tightly he’s programmed.

10.11.04 UPDATE: Thanks for the feedback on my previous comments. Given the White House hasn’t disputed the story, and the pictures don’t appear to be doctored, I rescind my skepticism. In fact, I’m even working up another BAG on the story….

  • http://www.anonymoussportsfreak.com/anonymoussportsfreak/2004/10/take_a_break_fr.html AnonymousSportsFreak

    Take a Break from Sports…

    Check this site out he does unique stuff with Paper Bags: Imagine, the Prez having an earpeice to keep him going during the rough times.

  • http://www.anonymoussportsfreak.com/anonymoussportsfreak/2004/10/take_a_break_fr.html AnonymousSportsFreak

    Take a Break from Sports…

    Check this site out he does unique stuff with Paper Bags: Imagine, the Prez having an earpeice to keep him going during the rough times.

  • http://cannonfire.blogspot.com Joseph Cannon

    Speaking as one of the “irresponsible” bloggers who helped get the “Promptergate” ball rolling, I am a tad confused by your reaction. Your skepticism may, in the end, prove justified — but even so, I just don’t think that this controversy justifies references to “The Manchurian Candidate.”
    The technology in that film (either version) is either exotic or mythical, depending on your viewpoint. By comparison, the technology of audio prompting is commonplace. It’s old tech — goes back to the ’70s or earlier.
    If “Promptergate” is far-fetched, then so are color television, air conditioning and home computers.
    Other than that…nice blog!

  • http://www.hometown.aol.com/michaeldg Michael Good

    I think that the idea of George W receiving instructions from Carl Rove in the wings is quite plausible. We must have all noted that when speaking contemporaneously, away from memorized “prerecorded” remarks, George becomes incoherent. One notices that on topics that he hasn’t repeated over and over on his stump speeches he has real trouble. Looking at the following halting answer to an environmental question, one can imagine his difficulty of trying to listen and speak at the same time:
    “What happens in those forests because of lousy federal policy, is they grow to be, they, they are, they’re not harvested. They’re not taken care of. And as a result, they’re like tinderboxes. And over the last summers ,I’ve flown over there.”
    Or how about this mouthful when he tries to speak about the supreme court:
    “That’s not what the Constitution says. The Constitution of the United States says we’re all – you know, it doesn’t say that. It doesn’t speak to the equality of America.”
    I’ve often wondered why George has so much trouble speaking and blinking at the same time, I’ve always assumed it was because he was an idiot. Maybe I should give the guy more credit, it would be hard to speak eloquently with Carl Rove ranting and screaming in your ear!

  • Victoria in Texas

    I live in Houston Texas. My girlfriend Elsie taped the debate on her VCR in her home. And her tape clearly shows a rectangular bulge underneath the suit coat on Bush’s back with a diagonal line from the rectangle going towards the shoulder.

  • Michael

    To Joseph, et.al.,
    It seems so many rumors and charges get thrown around that it has given me a more skeptical nature. The fact that the White House did not dispute the story, however, and the images now appear accurate have me rethinking my original comments. Actually, I’m working on another cartoon for tomorrow that continues to play off the story.
    Thanks for keeping me straight (or, left).