Abstract

Prime-Time Fables

The author comments on statements made by President George W. Bush at his recent press conference in which he addressed the U.S. occupation of Iraq. George W. Bush believes in the Easter Bunny--that is, those weapons of mass destruction. At his recent press conference, during which he appeared unable to connect to reality on this matter or the unfolding situation in Iraq, he declared, "I'm of the belief that we'll find out the truth on the weapons.... They could still be there. They could be hidden." His ability to hold tight to an alternative reality in the face of contrary evidence was repeatedly on display. He once more baselessly depicted Saddam Hussein as an "ally" of the 9/11 terrorists as he continued to conflate the war in Iraq with that against Al Qaeda. He insisted that Iraq had been a "gathering threat" without explaining what exactly had been "gathering." Bush refused to acknowledge any errors or miscalculations before or after the invasion. Nor did he have a good answer--or any answer--as to what entity in Iraq the United States will hand governing power to on June 30 or what he sees as a US exit strategy.