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

[CitizenRob]

There are of course other reasons. I have this whole theory worked out in my head for why the Bush Administration has fought the wars they've fought in the last few years.

My theory (and yes, this one is just a theory since i don't have hard evidence, just a gut feeling) revolves around three players in world politics that are most problematic for us. Russia, China, and Iran.

Why Afghanistan? Clearly the focus of that had little do with Bin Laden, we can tell that by the lack of emphasis on capturing him. So what would the strategic goal of having troops in Afghanistan be? China. It puts our army within striking range of China.

Why Iraq? Iraq is next door to Iran. Iran has close ties to Russia, and as a result could go offensive and disrupt US oil supplies throughout the entire middle east with Russian support.

By having armies on the ground in Afghanistan, and Iraq we could easily launch an offensive force in the event that we had to. Surely the US intelligence services recognized the rising threat of a Chinese/Russian alliance. In addition Iranian ties to Russia pose a threat to the security of the oil fields that we need for our own armies to run at full power.

Russia is pressed from two sides, Alaska, and the possibility of an invasion from the south through Iran.

Strategica­lly... the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan serve to put the US into a power position in the event of an upcoming Russian/Chinese war against America. It doesn't hurt that all of Bush's friends can get rich quick in the meantime with FAT tax subsidized construction programs, security forces contracts, and shipping/t­ransport/s­ervices contracts.

[LeftAngelWing]

Your gut feeling is better than Chertoff's.
When Bush says: "History will prove me right", he may have this in mind...

But can he really understand what this means? No. Someone told him to repeat it over and over again.

Wax on wax off.

[JohnJames]

I have a more concise theory - Oil, Israel and showing up Daddy.

[helonias]

SHe could work in a field hospital and neatly stack the body parts.

She could also be a head nurse, she certainly has the mouth for it.

[underdog]

That's naughty.

[MidwestMomma]

So True! Or maybe the twins could join up and sell war bonds! A traveling bus tour through the heartland would surely help pay for a day or two of the war.

Maybe in the big cities, they can team up with Hannity or Rush etc. and some country stars. Then they can charge as much as a Nascar race and donate the money to the cause. Hey! then the folks who support the war can start paying for it now.

[thinlizzie]

I have absolutely no problem with anything she said. I think we progressives are treading in dangerous territory playing this character assassination game. Its just too easy. My god, there are so many more important things going on in the world..Bur­ma, Iraq..stud­ent shootings, than unoffensive statements by a woman who has a nutjob of dad. We have to keep our eye on whats important.

[oafishcad]

The Roosevelt sons served in WWII. If she supports war, she should ACTUALLY support war.

[AmandaM]

Ease up guys. It isn't Jenna's fault that her dad and his pals are who they are. She had no influence on policy and I doubt she'd have anything constructive to add to the military. If she went to Iraq she'd be a target which is exactly why the Brits wouldn't even let Harry go when he wanted to. It isn't a practical question to ask her why she isn't in Iraq. She has no reason to be there. "My dad is the President and it would help him in the polls if I did it" is about the dumbest reason I can think of to sign up for military service.

[oafishcad]

If she supports the occupation, she should support the occupation with her body, like "other people's children" do.

[MoeJava]

Bush made sure to trot both Daughters out on the stage when he campaigned. At the Republican conventions, they were all gussied up and smiling/waving, for the people who clearly adored this Prince among common folks. They were cheerleaders for the Yale Cheerleade­r-in-Chief­, and seemed to espouse the same lockstep mantra as the voters are required to do. Both daughters have had plenty of time to show their political leanings (lean into the bar, Honey) and they apparently support Bushie in everything he does. If they are so happy to support all the run-up in the campaign, it seems as though they should be first in line at the Recruiter's office, be deployed quickly, even at the risk of inefficent standards, without proper training and equipment, like the rest of GIs are. Even Brittney Spears -when she was young and vital, said we should be trusting our President to do the right thing. Although, I see Brittney didnt sigh up either.

[AmandaM]

I love my dad. He builds houses for a living and he was even President of the state Home Builders Association. I've been supportive of his career for a long time. Should I be looking for a job as a lumberjack? Or as a carpenter? Should his career and life choices determine who and what I am allowed to be? No. The same thing goes for the Bush twins. Supporting your dad (even when he's wrong) is not something we can hold against anyone.

[SteveSeattle1]

America would have its own Night of the Long Knives except that our American fascists are too cowardly to ever leave their basements.

[Bulbul]

This is not of all times for Bush or Cheney clans to write books and promote them. They should have waited 2-3 more yrs. then be on their way doing whatever.

[FlaExRepub]

It's a stupid question. And frankly, who cares what her answer is. Here's a more pertinent question: Why are we still funding this war? Here's another one: Why are the troops still in Iraq? Jenna can't answer those. Here's a reality check: Joe Wilson, Hans Blix and a few others stood up and the rest of us collectively remained seated. The Iraq war rhetoric trumped the truth because we let it. And it appears to me that we continue to let it. Asking Jenna stupid questions isn't going to change that. Apparently neither are we. Both parties are playing politics with our kids in uniform and Jenna can’t answer why. Can we?

[Ipanema]

Like great-grand-father, like grand-father, like father, like daughter. All of 'em damn Repugs born with silver spoon in their mouths and useless cowards/ch­ichenhawks­!

[JohnKemp]

Her grandfather was an heroic Navy pilot, decorated for his service during World War II.

But, hey, facts & libs? Like oil & water.

[bick]

yeah, honor and heroism skip a generation.

[RushLimbaughsPutz]

And you got out of Vietnam for your knee, but still managed to play footabll a few more years. I carry my ass wound proudly through life. John, could you find me some dope? Thanks Rush L

[JoJoGunner]

And her father was a Chickenhawk and Viet Nam dodger. What about the MEN in the Bush Clan who ain't in Iraqi Nam???

[johnpherson]

Must've bummed out Ol' Prescott Bush having his son fighting on the wrong side againist the axis, at least H.W. was bombing the Japanese and not his German "interests­."

[hugs4u]

her grandfather got his ass shot out of the air, lots of guys did but that didnt make them heros.
But he did serve, since then the family has all been chicken shits . they want everyone else ot fight for them.

[LanceThruster]

I'm sure it's probably been said but why should she trouble her beautiful little mind over such unpleasantries?

[Truthwarrior]

If soldiers didn't enlist, there couldn't be any wars. War is the fault of the soldiers dumb enough to be motivated by such ridiculously outdated concepts such as country and religion.

[crablover]

In case you haven't heard, the US Army has again lowered its standards for recruits. They'll accept criminals, dopers and high school dropouts--no questions asked. So much for the all-volunteer army.

While I oppose this illegal and immoral war, I support a draft, if only to replenish our military and give the volunteers a break from combat.

The draft should apply to every 18-26 year old male and female, with no exemptions other than medical.

The "I've got better things to do" crowd should serve alongside the "I've got no choice but to volunteer" folks. If nothing else, it will let them see that not everyone in this country is as priveledged with money, status and education as they are. It might even make them grateful for what they have.

I also hate the fact that we pay mercenaries $1,200 a day while our troops go without proper equipment and medical care and are forced to serve multiple deployments.

As for Jenna, we're better off if she stays home. We don't need another Bush to contribute to this clusterfuck.

[The 13 Colonies]

I think she should go. Her father believes this war is a good thing. He should send both his daughters to the WAR he so believes in........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­.

[Rumplestiltskin]

Since when can parents "send" their grown children anyway?

[outwest1]

Amazing that more than 1,000 people can post for such an innocuous comment. She's right. It would be ridulous for her to serve; she'd be a target for abuse and insurgents, a total distraction. I'm far from a Bush fan, but give his kid a break. She didn't pick her parents and at least she is applying herself now with public service. What the left should avoid is coming off as belligerent as the right wingnutters.

[fantagor]

No, you can't pick your parents. But the fact that she's kisses Daddy's butt proves that she's either an elitist c**t like Mommy and Daddy or afraid of being cut from the will for speaking her mind.

Either way, she's an accomplice.

Randy

[LeftAngelWing]

After almost 7 years of conning, abuse of power and blatant crimes from the Bush Admin. don't you think anyone on this thread has more than one reason to be belligerent?

[NoonDaySun]

Prince Harry signed up, and the after training the British government decided he'd be too much of a target to go. He at least made a real effort.

[Mooshki]

I agree. I thought she was referring to what happened with Prince Harry. There are so many real problems to get outraged about - there's no need to (deliberately?) misinterpret statements to make more.

[mae692]

you're right, every kid in America should ask himself/herself "Why the hell should I?"

[standforpeace]

I mean who can blame the kid? I sure wouldn't feel any obligation to kill or be killed to defend my father's big lie. I'd much rather spend my time writing a book to bring awareness to the AIDS crisis.

Maybe someday, we'll declare a war and no one will think it's practical to go.

[kay]

It's fine by me if she writes a book, but is she the best spokes-model for the cause?

Maybe she should have hired someone that people really like and trust, to sell the book, or the cause.

I don't know how altruistic it is for any Bush to sell anything right now. Might be hard, but that's the truth. There's some baggage.

[UltraClassic]

So Jenna has written a book about AIDS awareness and is interested in education. I ask you Jenna haters out there, what has she done that brings out such disgusting behavior from you people? She tried to buy a drink as an underaged student at UT Austin? Oh please, give me a break.

I wonder what Chelsea Clinton is doing these days? Anything that promotes social issues? Or how about Amy Carter for that matter?

No, the way this young woman has been treated by left wing bloggers is beyond all reason. It is an ugly hatred that is much undeserved.

[MichiganJFrog]

I bet you were PISSED when Rush called Chelsea the family dog when she was 14. I imagine you wrote all sorts of letters demanding an apology, right?

Of course not, because you are a right wing hypocrite.

[LeftAngelWing]

Undeserved?

Deserved, for not removing herself from her father who is a lying murderous sack of shit. For turning a blind eye to all the crimes committed under her roof. If she is smart enough to write a book about Aids, she is smart enough to know what's going on in her own house, do the right thing and denounce her family as being the most criminal of all times. She would be my hero but now, she is just an accomplice to the Bush felonies.

[oafishcad]

Chelsea Clinton was lambasted daily on the internet by right wingers from age 14 on. The Bush Stepford twins have had it easy. The point is, does she support her daddy's war? Apparently and quite clearly, she does not. If she did she'd fight.

[Captain EdwardGraham]

Rocket attack at US base in Iraq kills 2
AP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 39 minutes ago Rockets fired from a nearby abandoned school struck Camp Victory, killing two members of the U.S.-led coalition and wounding 40 other people on the sprawling headquarters for U.S. forces in Iraq, the military said Thursday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luLGWaEVJhs&mode=related&search= Heil Bu$h

[squareyellowpaper]

The Twins are are chip off the old block.

[hugs4u]

yeppers, they are just worthless fucking drunks.