Belphegor - 04-09-2006 - Updated Tue/Thu/Sat

Thanks, Harry. Maybe.

So I'm super paranoid, or just entertained by making myself think like a paranoid because real life is not thrilling enough.

So this guy, Harry Taylor, stands up during one of those town hall events that Bush throws when he wants to show TV just how many people love him, and he gives the president whatfor. For once, a long tirade in place of a question being tossed in Bush's direction isn't complimentary or fellatiatic. Is that a word? It is now.

He tells Bush: "You never stop talking about freedom, and I appreciate that. But while I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges, to try to preclude me from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food. If I were a woman, you’d like to restrict my opportunity to make a choice and decision about whether I can abort a pregnancy on my own behalf."

The crowd boos, and Bush (BUSH) shushes them, telling them to let the man finish. He does this a second time when the boos start to build again. When he is done (seemingly), Bush rebutts.

If you think Harry Taylor is keen and should be thanked, or you want to carry his seed, go to the link above and leave a comment. The more comments, the more likely that this thing will hit the news and serve to show once again that public opinion is about as against the Neo-Cons as it can get.

Here's where my paranoia factored in, though. Bush let him finish.

Normally, these events have screened audiences and scripted questions. This time, the event was organized by a non-partisan group, the World Affairs Council of Charlotte. Harry Taylor is a leader of his local 'Operation Democracy' group (cell), which is like the Opus Dei of MoveOn, as far as I can tell. Rock on, man.

But, when given the chance to address the president, the issues he hits are the wiretapping, Gitmo, and abortion, all three issues that Bush has gotten plenty of practice responding to. This is on Thursday, after documents suggested Bush was the source of the Plamegate leak, after Tom DeLay's demuring in the face of corruption charges. Of all the things you go after the man for, you attack him on some of his best armored issues? When there are gaping holes in his armor?

The press is saying this gave Bush a great chance to shake the image that he lives in a bubble and he's out of touch and never subjected to criticism. The event was sponsored by a non-partisan group, yet most of the audience seemed to be Bush supporters. This one guy, this lone voice speaks among booing, and the president plays civil and lets him speak.

All I'm saying is that it comes at an interesting time and in an interesting way.

When we stop questioning, we surrender.