Travis Dickerson Recording Studio Forum

Don't be silly they haven't used strings in a long while...he's animatronic... made by Halliburton.  

Ok scary, my computer knows that not only did I spell Halliburton wrong it told me how to spell it correctly.  

well... there are those who think our next state will be Canada, maybe your computer is on their side?

you\'re so right though, animatronics it must be!!  completely explains so many things!!  

Due to a recent civil liberties lawsuit the White House has been forced to release a manual that details how President Bush's speeches and other public appearances have been "micromanaged and laboriously controlled for the past five years to weed out the merest whiff of protest" -- The New York Times.  The manual clearly lays out that all guest are to be carefully chosen, with attendees searched for concealed (not weapons, that's the FBI's job) anti-Bush banners.  Seats closest to the stage are to be reserved for "extremely supportive" fans.  In the terrible event that a heckler somehow evades scrutiny and gets within earshot of the media, a "rally squad" is to surround him waving pro-Bush placards and chanting "USA!  USA!"  I have to wonder how much that pays by the hour.    

Slate.com suggests that dissent wasn't banned simply to create an image of a shiny president, but "to protect the tender sensitivities of the president himself."  The manual instructs that protesters are to be kept out of range of the presidential motorcade, thus sparing Bush the unpleasantness of knowing there are people who disagree with him.  No wonder Laura Bush says she doesn't believe her husband's poll numbers.  Even Bush has said he is amazed at the support and love he gets on the road from the American public.  

The law suit that brought all this to light is an ironic one.  A West Virginia couple were handcuffed, arrested, fingerprinted, and briefly jailed for wearing anti-Bush T-shirts at an Independence Day presidential speech in 2004.  With the two West Virginian's safely spirited away form our sensitive president, he could unabashedly declare to the extremely supportive crowd -"On this Fourth of July, we confirm our love of freedom, the freedom for people to speak their minds. ... Free thought, free expression, that's what we believe."

And Phartacus, I already know what you will say - 'every administration manages public events to some degree.'  However, traveling inside this level of a stage-managed bubble of love is a bit out of place in what should be an American democracy.

indeed it is way out of place.  i think it\'s not just for Bush\'s piece of mind though.  i really think it is because they want to very carefully preserve and protect the image that is broadcast both within and without the US.  the more press they can show that has no one contradicting him, the more believable his self projected image becomes to those who go by sound bites and surface images.

by the way, Buswolley, did you buy "3 Fools 4 April"?  Scott Wannberg is wonderful... just a sweet brilliant teddy bear - you\'d get a big kick out of his political poetry.  each piece is alternately laugh out loud freakin funny and shake your head in sad recognition - just plain wonderful.  the DVD is terrific - though seeing him in person is the best.  be bellows, he sways, he sweats, and all the while he wins your heart and expands your mind.  he and a wonderful friend of ours (SA Griffin) are best pals, so we were lucky enough to see him doing a few readings with SA before leaving CA.  if they wind up doing a reading in your area, i really recommend you go see them.  SA is also wonderful - though there\'s no DVD available of him... yet...  ;O)

No, I haven't, because I couldn't find enough information on what it really was - a play reading, a movie reading, poetry...?  But, now I will check it out purely on your recommendation, thanks.  I'll let you know what I think.  

I'm sure that this doesn't really compare, but I love Lewis Black.  The above story reminds me of his shtick about Bush\'s handlers..."Holly f**k get the meat!  Somebody get the meat!!  Jesus, get the meat already.  Look he's out in the audience he's biting democrats."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdAYVs4RBI4   (strong language and light sexual content)

hahaha!!  yeah, he\'s not quite the same... but i really think you\'ll enjoy it.  it\'s a CD & DVD set from a reading - Scott, Viggo and Hank.

I agree,Gkg!!!