BAGnewsNotes

Your Turn: The "W," Bubba and (Deep Pocket) TD Bank Show

What about this picture?

Bush-Clinton Policy Talk Strikes a Congenial Tone (NYT)

(caption: Former Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Frank McKenna (L) moderates a discussion on global affairs between former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush (C) and Bill Clinton (R) at a convention center in this handout photo released by TD Bank from the event in Toronto, May 29, 2009. This is the first time the two presidents have participated in a joint event together.)

Condi ... Beyond The 4th Grade

Do you remember how Bush -- known for stumbling and stuttering for eight years -- was all-of-a-sudden so lucid (and furious) in his final press conference? Dropping your guard will do that.

So, what is the media doing amusing itself over a 4th-grader asking Condi Rice a waterboarding question when Stanford students had the practically historic confrontation with her at a dorm reception three days earlier? Watch the video taken at Stanford with an eye on Rice's body language. Whereas the Secretary of State, too, was always bumbling over herself to find the right "diplomatic" words, here -- with her guard down -- she is suddenly perfectly articulate, if also impressively contemptuousness (in this environment of otherwise higher learning).

The student behind her most likely can't see it, but I'd say his expression certainly registers the fist.

(screen shots from video by reynagarcia621/You Tube)

"Cabinet Room" Revisited

I thought it was worth taking another look at the Leibovitz "Cabinet Room" portrait, which was not only shot right after the start of the Afghan invasion but was also captured -- in terms of present context -- four months after the Bybee torture memo was written. (Sorry I don't have a larger size. Leibovitz and VF have been very protective of the image, even though it's now been run twice by VF.)

Because the Bush Administration's war crimes have survived so many periods of brief and intense attention while cycling through the public and media sphere, it's hard to imagine a final reckoning this time. I do find solace in the fact, however, that history (as exemplified by the harder light being shined right now) will indeed have its multiple drafts.

For backstory on the photo (from Powell's question to Leibovitz about what the group should try to communicate to Rummy's little boo-boo), I urge you to read page 64-65 of Vanity Fair editor David Friend's wonderful book: Watching The World Change: The Stories Behind The Images Of 9/11.

Obviously (and Powell is as good an example as any of the others), I think we've got more than "resolve" communicated here.

Also:

(Image by Annie Leibovitz, second-time-around, from: Farewell to All That: An Oral History of the Bush White House - 2/09 VF.

A Rather Troubling Newswire Image On The Day Obama Releases Bush Interrogation Memos

click for full size

Yesterday's release of those Bush Administration interrogation memos has caused an unusual offering of file photos to be distributed to the newswire.
I'm surprised I never saw this one before. Shades of FEMA '05, what the image depicts is an "improvised" accounting of detainees recorded on a plywood wall who had been treated at the now-abandoned hospital facility at Gitmo's Camp X-Ray.

Excuse my fury (and my nomination of the image as symbolic), but was the excuse here -- as exemplified by the defense offered by the director of national intelligence at the end of the NYT memos story -- that crude measures were necessary to prevent another 9/11 style attack?

In this case, things certainly must have been so dire there was no time even for even pen and paper.

(image: Paul J. Richards - AFP/Getty Images. April 25, 2007. US Naval Station in Guantanamo, Cuba)

Throwback

Still with the soldiers, the weaponry, the flag, the fresh start, the big pitch ....

(image: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters. caption: Former U.S. President George W. Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the start of American League MLB baseball action between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians in Arlington, Texas April 6, 2009)

On Errol Morris's Interview: Ground Zero, And Placing Bush "In The Context Of Where He Was"

The account I found most telling in Errol Morris's interview with three wire service photo editors about the Bush era involves the image above. As Jim Bourg of Reuters explains:

I actually edited this photo there in New York on the scene in 2001. I was looking to put him [Bush] in the context of where he was – that he was literally on the rubble with the firefighters. And it was, frankly, not easy to do just because of the logistics of the photographers and the environment that the photographers were facing in the wreckage. I don’t think the average viewer looking at this picture realizes just how close this photographer is to the president. It’s an extremely wide-angle lens, and he’s literally right in front of him. So the ability to put it in context and show where Bush actually was is really a challenge in this situation.

It's a challenge, I'd say, that was mostly overcome -- except for the fact that Bob Beckwith from Ladder Co. 117 is staring right at the camera, therefore ruining the sanctity (not to mention, the larger propaganda value) of this otherwise near-religious shot.

What's a relief to know, however, that -- through the benefit of optics; and Dubya's skill as a poser; and the framing of the building; and the "leg up" spirit of the man with the blue hat; and the prayerful countenance of the Chief holding the extra hard hat (as if, for those firemen who no longer needed one anymore) -- the wreckage and the other photographers swarming around were transcended successfully enough to place Karl Rove's client and America's comforter-in-chief "in the context of where he was."

Knowing all that, I'd say: sure Bob, go ahead and clap.

(image: Win McNamee: caption: U.S. President George W. Bush talks to retired firefighter Bob Beckwith (R) from Ladder 117 at the scene of the World Trade Center disaster in New York, September 14, 2001)

Social Positions

by Karen Hull

If it wasn't obvious already, yesterday's photo op from the White House Blue Room made an opening day statement. Taking time to greet members of the public, the Obama's seem determined to create a warm, open and egalitarian atmosphere in the White House.

Perhaps that attitude is that much more noticeable, however, because of George and Laura Bush. You can understand what I'm talking about looking at photo ops of George and Laura, as compared to past first families, in one particular room, the West Sitting Hall.

  

This photo above, taken at the White House during the Obamas’ first post-election visit, shows Laura Bush settled into an armchair and Michelle Obama propped with a pillow and perched at the end of stiffly-stuffed couch. Laura looks comfy enough, Michelle not so much. Perhaps it’s a lack of grace or an immunity to resonance and nuance, but I consistently find George and Laura had only a small ability to personally extend themselves.

The photo of Laura Bush and Michelle Obama reminds me of this photo:

Obviously, that’s just-nominated Chief Justice Roberts looking uncomfortable (and the president looking clueless) at a White House photo op. The power is certainly on the Bushes in both photos and the guest is at a disadvantage.

Contrast that with Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush in the same room during Clinton’s post-election first visit:

And We Remain

(image: Saul Loeb/Reuters. caption: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) with his wife Michelle, and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (R) and his wife Jill (2nd R), watch as the presidential helicopter carrying former U.S. President George W. Bush and his wife Laura, leave the U.S. Capitol after Obama was sworn in as the 44th U.S. President in Washington, January 20, 2009. Obama became the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States)

Just One President

(image: Alex Wong - AFP/Getty. January 20, 2009. caption: After eight turbulent years in office, George W. Bush(R), seen here congratulating his successor Barack Obama, left the White House for the last time as president Tuesday after a final stroll through his Oval Office and goodbyes to loyal aides)

Out Like A Lamb

What could be more symbolic?

Also:  

(image: Larry Downing/Reuters. White House, January 20, 2009. Dick Cheney leaving the White House as Vice-President for the final time. Cheney injured his back moving boxes.)