What Comes to Mind When You Hear the Title "My Pet Goat". As it Relates to 9/11?

Question

Some say it was the height of composure-compassion. Not wanting to disturb grade schoolers while the nation was under attack.

Others saw it as the height of incompetence and lack of leadership in a moment of national crisis.

Which was more important at that moment? The feelings of the kiddies, or the security of the rest of us 300 million Americans?

I mean, if I was told my kid broke his arm at school I would have bolted from that classroom in 2 seconds. Let alone hearing that the nation was under attack.

Answer 1

It wasn't out of a concern for the children that Bush kept reading, it was because he was at a complete loss for what to do next. Reading a children's book (and I'm surprised that his reading level is that high!) was the easiest thing for him to do. He is incapable of independent, intelligent thought. Witness all of his stumbling, bumbling answers to questions that he wasn't prepared for....

Answer 2

Problem is that we weren't there and don't know the full sequence of events and who knew what, when.

I'm not defending Bush but trying to be objective. Even the people monitoring the events didn't full-well know what was going on and they were much closer to the events.

From what I know, the first plane hitting was conveyed as an accident and many people didn't even know it was a 757. Even the people watching it unfold didn't know exactly what was happening. Once the second plane hit, his people minimally, and he principally should have been out of there and figuring out what was going on. A true leader moves, makes decisions and prioritieses quickly even under the worse conditions. Heck, if it was a nuke or other attack-- how would we have faired? Even if he left, it would have been more for show than actual go. As the events unfolded, those on the "front lines" of what was going on really were in control and executing. I doubt Bush could have done much at the time but certainly he should have been "we are under attack mode". Had it been a military attack on the US, we would have been somewhat screwed.

There was alot of confusion on 9/11 - fog of war, if you will -- and I think alot of people did their best to deal with quickly unfolding events of unanticipated magnitude. That certainly includes the pres and his people.

Answer 3

The President.

Answer 4

I think Bush has been made the Pet Goat of those who would rather accuse and blame someone for a failure of defense which we are all to some extent responsible for, and avoid facing the threat which still exists.

Answer 5

George Bush's getting up at that moment would not have done anything. He did not want to freek the kids out. I am more disturbed that he tried to place the blame on the previous administration. We have too many finger pointers in this country.

Answer 6

Since Bush admits/claims he knew of the 1st plane, his actions during "My Pet Goat" indicates to me that the 2nd plane was no surprise. The aide merely whispers, "Sir, it has begun."

Answer 7

I call it the "deer in the headlights" syndrome. You could see in his eyes that he was totally lost. Completely had no idea what to do. Leaders are people of action. At that point, any action would have been appropriate. He took NO action..... It was at that point that I realized that we had a President who had to be told all the time what to do.

Answer 8

You are absolutely correct. Bush should have jumped up, thrown the book to the floor, screamed "HOLY **** WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" and run out of the room.

/sarc

It wouldn't have mattered WHAT he did - the lefts hatred of Bush is borderline pathological and they would have whined regardless.

Answer 9

His reaction showed his indecision, cowardice and perhaps even his guilt for failing to heed all the intelligence warnings he got in the prior 8 months.

Answer 10

It makes me think of you having to go threw 1st grade 3x so you could read it.