Wednesday, May 05, 2004
It Worked for FDR...
Fireside Chats, Bush Style
The president was a natural on his two interviews with Arab TV. He was properly remorseful; regardless of the toll this terrible prisoner issue has taken on the war effort, the president has remained calm, purposeful and tenacious. His strength is a boost to the rest of us.
What the President Should Do Now
When I saw the eerie image of the man standing in the robe hooked up to electrodes, my reaction was visceral. I threw up my hands, shook my head, and said to my husband, "This is it. This will finish us in the middle east." Hundreds of thoughts raced through my head: What must our troops think? What about the people who died? They died for a handful of cretins set out to ruin us? This has got to be set-up, right? A joke. No one does this, do they? God, this is like Lord of the Flies.
Okay, days later, I'm able to put the problem into straight focus. As our parents used to say--you've learned that life isn't perfect--now what do we do?
I would like the president to speak directly to the Iraqi people on a weekly basis. That's number one.
I would like the president's pr staff to get out and find American people, interview and tape them then collage them into a commercial in which the president interrupts between each person.
FADE IN:
EXT. NY CITY STREET - DAY
Rush hour, cars honk, busses blow, people in a hurry.
ON HANDHELD MICROPHONE
--------INTERVIEWER (V.0)
Excuse me, Sir. I represent President Bush. Could you talk to me a minute? How do you feel about the people who tortured and brutalized Iraqi citizens?
--------MAN ON THE STREET
What do I think of the prisoner abuse? (shakes his head)
I can't...(gulps) I'm so angry at those idiots. Terrible.
(Looks around, in a hurry)
Gotta go. Say, tell the president to tell the Iraqis, will ya?
Man runs off to catch a cab.
EXT. SHOPPING MALL - DAY
ON feet of walking pedestrians.
--------PRESIDENT (V.O.)
Straight from the horse's mouth, my friends. And we found this young mom with her children at the shopping mall.
A young woman with two children, one in a stroller, walks into a shopping mall entrance. Stopped by the interviewer. She's stressed, smiles through it.
--------LADY AT THE MALL
(Picks up her baby, protects him.)
I can't stand it. I'm so embarrassed. I wish those people nothing but ill. And I never, ever want my children to see this. It's barbaric. Someone has to pay.
--------PRESIDENT (V.O.)
I want all of you Iraqis to know what Americans think of this abhorrent behavior. Please listen to one of our senior citizens.
EXT. SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER - DAY
ON a bunch of elderly men playing horseshoes.
--------SENIOR CITIZEN #1
(Stands erect, about to salute, an ex-military man)
We saw these types of things from the Nazis, but man, I just can't believe our own would do this. If it had happened on my tour, you can believe it wouldn't have happened more than once.
(Beat)
You say the president is gonna see this?
(Beat)
Tell Mr. Bush this is one military man who won't give up because of a bunch of bad, well, bad apples.
(embarrassed)
Can I say that on TV?
INT. OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT
ON presidential seal
The president watches a television as the ad fades out. He turns and looks squarely into the camera at the Iraqi nation.
--------PRESIDENT
Yessir, you can say that on TV. In fact, that's what these people are. Bad apples.
(Beat)
My dear Iraqi friends. I want to tell you that my country is heartsick over what occurred at the camp. I hope these images of real Americans help you forgive. Our solemn oath to you is it will be dealt with, and will never happen again. The American people grieve with you during this harsh time of war and liberation. We will stay until the job is done and Iraqis have their own true democracy and freedom.
FADE OUT.
Thanks for the read.
The president was a natural on his two interviews with Arab TV. He was properly remorseful; regardless of the toll this terrible prisoner issue has taken on the war effort, the president has remained calm, purposeful and tenacious. His strength is a boost to the rest of us.
What the President Should Do Now
When I saw the eerie image of the man standing in the robe hooked up to electrodes, my reaction was visceral. I threw up my hands, shook my head, and said to my husband, "This is it. This will finish us in the middle east." Hundreds of thoughts raced through my head: What must our troops think? What about the people who died? They died for a handful of cretins set out to ruin us? This has got to be set-up, right? A joke. No one does this, do they? God, this is like Lord of the Flies.
Okay, days later, I'm able to put the problem into straight focus. As our parents used to say--you've learned that life isn't perfect--now what do we do?
I would like the president to speak directly to the Iraqi people on a weekly basis. That's number one.
I would like the president's pr staff to get out and find American people, interview and tape them then collage them into a commercial in which the president interrupts between each person.
FADE IN:
EXT. NY CITY STREET - DAY
Rush hour, cars honk, busses blow, people in a hurry.
ON HANDHELD MICROPHONE
--------INTERVIEWER (V.0)
Excuse me, Sir. I represent President Bush. Could you talk to me a minute? How do you feel about the people who tortured and brutalized Iraqi citizens?
--------MAN ON THE STREET
What do I think of the prisoner abuse? (shakes his head)
I can't...(gulps) I'm so angry at those idiots. Terrible.
(Looks around, in a hurry)
Gotta go. Say, tell the president to tell the Iraqis, will ya?
Man runs off to catch a cab.
EXT. SHOPPING MALL - DAY
ON feet of walking pedestrians.
--------PRESIDENT (V.O.)
Straight from the horse's mouth, my friends. And we found this young mom with her children at the shopping mall.
A young woman with two children, one in a stroller, walks into a shopping mall entrance. Stopped by the interviewer. She's stressed, smiles through it.
--------LADY AT THE MALL
(Picks up her baby, protects him.)
I can't stand it. I'm so embarrassed. I wish those people nothing but ill. And I never, ever want my children to see this. It's barbaric. Someone has to pay.
--------PRESIDENT (V.O.)
I want all of you Iraqis to know what Americans think of this abhorrent behavior. Please listen to one of our senior citizens.
EXT. SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER - DAY
ON a bunch of elderly men playing horseshoes.
--------SENIOR CITIZEN #1
(Stands erect, about to salute, an ex-military man)
We saw these types of things from the Nazis, but man, I just can't believe our own would do this. If it had happened on my tour, you can believe it wouldn't have happened more than once.
(Beat)
You say the president is gonna see this?
(Beat)
Tell Mr. Bush this is one military man who won't give up because of a bunch of bad, well, bad apples.
(embarrassed)
Can I say that on TV?
INT. OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT
ON presidential seal
The president watches a television as the ad fades out. He turns and looks squarely into the camera at the Iraqi nation.
--------PRESIDENT
Yessir, you can say that on TV. In fact, that's what these people are. Bad apples.
(Beat)
My dear Iraqi friends. I want to tell you that my country is heartsick over what occurred at the camp. I hope these images of real Americans help you forgive. Our solemn oath to you is it will be dealt with, and will never happen again. The American people grieve with you during this harsh time of war and liberation. We will stay until the job is done and Iraqis have their own true democracy and freedom.
FADE OUT.
Thanks for the read.
