Jenna Bush: "It's Not Even A Practical Question" To Ask Why I'm Not In Iraq

Time:

The following Q&A With Jenna Bush is from Time Magazine's weekly 10 Questions feature where readers submit questions online.

Below is a question from Donald Pence, San Francisco about Jenna Bush service in Iraq.

If the war in Iraq is so noble, why aren't you and your sister serving our country there?

Jenna Bush: I understand that point, but there are many ways to serve our country, and I think my skills are better suited for teaching and representing the U.S. in Latin America through unicef. I respect the men and women of our country who are over there fighting. It is an unbelievably selfless thing to do. But if people really thought about it, they would know it's not even a practical question.

Read the whole story: Time

Comments

[cartach]

In other words "what a stupid question".­Does anyone really expect that the useless twit would even consider the possibility? And I really like that condescending attitude towards those in the services.I wonder if she goes on a regular crying jag about their plight like her parents do? I think the question was moot,she looks like she's up the stump and not fit to serve in her present condition.

[ChicagoBob]

Yes, it was a stupid question and her answer was a good one.

If the Bush girls were to go to Iraq, in any capacity, they would be prime targets for kidnapping. The resources needed to protect them would be substantial and those involved would be put at risk for no real benefit.

They would be there not as Americans but as the children of the American president. They would be political tools, nothing more.

Please do not interpret my comments as negating any of the wrongs committed by bush and his team of terrorists, but Jenna answered this question correctly.

[PaulAbrams]

That doesn't wash. Right now, McCain, Webb and Hunter have sons in Iraq, and there is no extra problem. The Bushies could easily serve under assumed names (Jenna Shrub, Barbara League?), not with any fanfare, and indeed it need not even be announced they are in Iraq at all. Perhaps they are in Afghanistan? Or, perhaps they should be there instead.
Lyndon Johnson's sons-in-law both volunteered for Vietnam. FDR's son (I think James) not only fought in the Pacific, but was part of what we would now call "special forces" team that infilitrated behind enemy lines on Corrigedor.

Read "State of Denial". One of the Cheney kids wanted a major job in govt dealing with Iraq, and they created an extra position so that she didn't actually have to go there. She had "other" priorities.

IF the twins had to go to Iraq, do you think Laura would have "allowed" George to attack? Not on your (I mean, their) lives.

If there had been a draft, do you think the war would still be going on?

If the top bracket's taxes were raised to pay for the war on a pay-go basis, do you think it would still be going on?

[tomsfork]

Still don't understand why none of the Bush clan will serve in ANY capacity. Think she could do good as a candy-striper at Walter Reed? Maybe she could encourage her father to raise taxes on rich folks, so the ones who benefit from this war actually help to pay for it. I can think of many ways she could serve her nation - and she's off to AFRICA?????

[Prolix247]

They could serve in any capacity in the Green Zone. It is suppose to be safe there.

[mamacat]

That people like the Bushes and the Romneys think it is OK for other people's kids to risk their lives, while their own kids can "serve" by being civilians here at home, demonstrates liking nothing else can the hypocrisy and mental disconnect in the ruling Republican elite.

These people think they rule, without serving, because they are better than us. It is definitely time for a change in leadership!

[watchingthings]

She is right, Dubya being her dad dosn't automatically mean that she is stupid enough to sign up.

[GhostintheMachine]

Serving in whatever way is a personal choice not hufftards

[noamjunior]

thats why I serve America by protesting illegal wars, illegitimate presidents, and ignorant conservatives

[jaschrod]

What she is saying is, this war is for all of you poor shmucks, not people like me.I am sure most in Iraq would be more in favor of staying ;home, and taking care of their own kids.

[DanOregon]

As I recall, Roosevelt's kid served in the Navy in WWII. But that said, I think Jenna deserves credit for answering the question and also for engaging in public service in Latin America. She and her sis have also visited soldiers at military hospitals. It's easy to knock the Bush girls, but I don't think they should be held to task for their dad's mistakes. And hey, she answered the question.

[Rosanneofpgh]

Actually, Dan, she didnt answer the question. She did give some bullshit about serving the country in "other ways". That doesnt say why she WONT go to Iraq.

The thousands of troops who died, who were grieviously wounded and who are STILL there didnt have the choice that she had to serve in "other ways".

Typical rethug obfuscation. Although its foolish to expect anything else from a rethug pig.

[Dianekkdi]

She is stuffed full of her 'privilidged position of her position in society,' overblown and full of herself.
She thinks they would have to surround her with secret service while she only 'played' soldier--. She even said something to the effect that she would just endanger more lives because of the security problem. Yeah, ok-do I really have this right? Iraq would become more dangerous because a bimbo bush was there?

Do secret service and extra platoons of soldiers surround other sons and daughters of politicians as they 'serve?' More taxpayers’ dollars down the ol' crapper, hey? Then again, would it be an extra expense? Don't they have us throwing away that money for secret service protection for her already? The more you think about it--the more ludricrous it gets.

she's just another hypocritical bush coward with typical bush excuses.

These people are out of control.

[hugs4u]

This is some more about the bush family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnAUQeHykXY

[olivia]

oink!

[ResistWars]

Some commenters have been clamoring for years for Jenna and Barbara Bush to go to Iraq. Since these posters are in favor of the illegal occupation of Iraq, it is only natural that they cheer the idea of more people from the USA flowing to that country.

But is everyone aware that Iraqis do not want the likes of Jenna Bush, or anyone else from the USA, for that matter, in their country? Simple decency dictates that you do not send someone to a country where they are not wanted. If your neighbor hated you and told you to stay away, would you respond by breaking into his house?

Of course, from the warmongering point of view, females (like Jenna) are especially desirable as killers and cannon fodder for men’s wars of aggression. They are used to taking orders from men and cannot prevail in a one-on-one physical confrontation with a man. If she balks at an order, he has only to give her a threatening look or raise his fist to her.

A clever propagandist can pervert the maternal instinct for use in warring by persuading the female that fellow military personnel (mostly adult males) are =family= (child-like) and therefore need and deserve her devotion and protection. (Meanwhile she may have real children in the USA who are lonely and neglected.­)

Another advantage of a female troop from the warmongering perspective is that she can not only perform the same jobs as male troops, but male military personnel can also force her into the role of =comfort woman.=
.

[Rosanneofpgh]

What in the hell are you smoking??? Wanna share??

[ResistWars]

Rosanneofpgh--This is a political blog. You must have stumbled on it by mistake. You may want to try a chatroom that pertains to your drug of choice.

[sarcasticennui]

http://uk.gizmodo.com/spam.jpg

[eddieinc97]

A Bush family member fight a war???? Of course that's not even a practical question. The Bush families "world needs ditch diggers' attitiude is why we're fighting this war. Let the ditch diggers of the world fight for their friends and family. If sending your child to the front line of any war was the litmus test for making that decision. The world would use much more diplomacy.

[ajax2]

Jena, there are still a lot of people who don't understand privilege. The question was stupid, and boring.

[TheLastPenguin]

She's right. Like her father, she's too stupid to be in combat fighing for the U.S.

[kroses98]

Let them eat cake, Jenna, like your Grandmother Barbara!

[ceasenake]

Not "practical" because:

1) Jenna would be screened out for being "overfat".

2) Jenna would be screened out for underaged drinking.

3) The Secret Service could not easily protect her on her assignment in the Army.

[jmoo]

I am liberal and do not like Bush, and I read the Huff Post daily. However I think you do yourself a disservice by taking one line out of context of the whole interview and use it as your headline. The Huffington Post has broken many stories that may have not otherwise hit the news cycle, and is excellent with editorials. I think you compromise yourself as a credible news source with this type of slant. This headline serves no purpose other than to give the right fodder for their propaganda, It stoops to their level and really makes you lose credability as fair.

[rfa3232]

WHAT A DUMB B8TCH

[askmeificare]

The answer is simple. She did not enlist.