Comforter
by digby
VARGAS: When you look back on those days immediately following when Katrina struck, what moment do you think was the moment that you realized that the government was failing, especially the people of New Orleans?
BUSH: When I saw TV reporters interviewing people who were screaming for help. It looked the scenes looked chaotic and desperate. And I realized that our government was could have done a better job of comforting people.
Bush has been using the “comfort” word since 9/11 and it gets more absurd the more time that passes. Karen Hughes came up with it during the 2000 campaign because she thinks it appeals to women and they trotted it out constantly after 9/11.
“The American people, obviously, if they see something that is suspicious, something out of the norm that looks suspicious, they ought to notify local law authorities. But in the meantime, they ought to take comfort in knowing our government is doing everything we possibly can.”
“And America is comforted by the fact that we are united as we stand to fight terror.”
“Americans should find comfort in knowing that millions of their fellow citizens are working every day to ensure our security at every level — federal, state, county, municipal.”
“We think differently about those who go to work every single day to protect us and save us and comfort us.”
I’ve been hearing it a lot again lately and wondered why.
“the more people learn” about the deal and the government’s scrutiny of it, “the more they’ll be comforted.”
“The repetition of the news coming out of Iraq is wearing folks down,” Reed said. “It started with women and it’s spreading. It’s just bad news after bad news after bad news, without any light at the end of the tunnel.”
The women are the first out the door. I suspect it’s because many of them see Bush now and are reminded of the embarrassing, dumbshit macho boyfriend (or husband) they once had. His little verbal gaffes aren’t adorable any longer — they set her teeth on edge. His arrogant swagger nauseates her. His childish habits are sexually repellant. The word “comfort” coming from him makes her want to scream. It’s over.
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