Jenna Bush Explains It All for You
I've never been fascinated much by the children of celebrities. Famous-by-Osmosis is not an impressive skill, just a few steps above getting good TV ratings by following the Super Bowl.
So, I've never cared whether The Bush Twins went to Iraq. It's not their fault their father lied the country into his war. If they want to keep out of public attention, that is their right.
However, to paraphrase Tom Lehrer, if Jenna Bush wants privacy, the least she can do is keep quiet.
It's bad enough that in the midst of a war her father started, where 3,829 Americans have died, Ms. Bush insists on puddle-hopping around the country blithely hawking her book. While marketing a product is understandable, common decency and good sense says that if you don't want to flaunt your lack of military service during your father's war, you shouldn't go begging for attention. ($18.99 at fine purveyors everywhere.)
Of course, common decency and good sense do not seem in deep supply in this family, so it's not reasonable to expect much to be passed down.
But that's only one thing. It gets much worse.
Because it's another thing entirely to yammer how noble that war is, and give disingenuous and wildly-inaccurate public statements. At that point, you've not only begged for the attention, you've opened the door, welcomed it in and offered it cheese dip and comfortable slippers.
Ms. Bush chose of her own, adult free will to sit down with Time magazine and answer questions submitted by the public. She didn't have to. She wanted the attention. One question was - "If the war in Iraq is so noble, why aren't you and your sister serving our country there?"
She chose to reply, and began her response that "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."
Swell, but it doesn't answer the question. Of course there are many ways to serve our country. She could have become a TSA checker at airports, confiscating toothpaste. It's great that she's done work for UNICEF -- kudos. Except you aren't representing the U.S. at all, but rather you're representing the United Nations. Big difference. Further, saying this is like those people during Viet Nam who insisted they were protecting Alabama in the National Guard. (The ones who didn't go AWOL, that is.) Again -- kudos. But everyone knew it wasn't quite the same as trudging through rice paddies. Or being shot at when commanding a Swift Boat.
So, yes, serving in UNICEF is an extremely good thing, even if it's not service to the U.S. But it doesn't answer the question - if the war is so noble, why aren't you supporting it in the military?
That leads to the worse, second part of her answer. The part that demanded a response.
"But if people really thought about it," she said, "they would know it's not even a practical question."
I took Jenna Bush at her word. I really thought about it. And here's the thing -- it's not only completely practical, there's significant precedent.
By the way, if Jenna Bush really wants to "serve our country," no one says it has to be in combat. She could have a desk job at the Pentagon. She could be a recruiting officer at colleges. Or inspect military bases outside sunny San Diego. All practical and perfectly safe. But even that doesn't touch on why her glib answer was so disingenuous and wrong.
Because it maligns those who did otherwise.
In World War II, when the United States was fighting an actual global war, Elliot Roosevelt -- son of then-President Franklin Roosevelt -- not only served in the military as a bombardier in the Air Force, flying a P-38 Lighting in the North African campaign -- he was also an Army photo reconnaissance pilot involved with the D-Day landings.
Oh, and he eventually became a Brigadier General.
Or what about during Viet Nam? Chuck Robb, son-in-law to then-President Lyndon Johnson, served two tours, and got awarded the Bronze Star. Quite impractical of him. He later became a Governor. And Senator. So, happily it worked out OK.
You don't think that was practical, Ms. Bush? Or that everyone around him was in harm's way? If you want to talk noble, look there. If you want to talk practical, look there. If you want to talk heroic, look there. If you don't want to serve in the military, that's fine -- it's really fine -- but then Don't Talk.
It does help to know history before you speak. Then again, if the Bush family understood history, we might not be in Iraq, keeping far away of the country's 600-year civil war.
But if history's too hard, there's always current events.
Because although England decided not to send Prince Harry to Iraq, he was nonetheless serving in the military at the time. The equivalent of a 2nd Lieutenant. Oh, and his uncle Prince Andrew, he was a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War. Man, talk about impractical.
Once again, to be clear, Jenna Bush has no obligation to serve in the military. Zero. None. Nor even to answer questions.
But -
If you're not going to serve in the military -- and if your father started the war -- and you do choose to speak, have respect for those who do serve by not yowling about nobility and that you've supposedly served the U.S. in a non-U.S. organization, while traipsing around on a book tour, posing for glam magazine covers and claiming it would be impractical to be in the military in any capacity when history -- and current events -- show it's been done. Repeatedly. Successfully. Heroically.
Jenna Bush truly has no need to serve in the U.S. military. But the least she can do if she doesn't want to be criticized is not shove it in everyone else's face. And learn history.
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During the Viet Nam era, we termed it "giving your body for the cause". During Viet Nam and this war, it is perhaps not a wise choice (if a choice were to be made) to make. Her answer however was insufficient, although like a deflection a politiciamn would employ.
What could she possibly contribute to the world by writing a book? She is a pampered little rich girl and enjoyed a fun life in college. She knows nothing of life and the real world. Furthermore,most Americans see the twins as twits. Why would anyone expect anything profund to come out of their mouths?
The following statement is historically inaccurate: "served in the military as a bombardier in the Air Force, flying a P-36 Lighting in the North African campaign". First off, "Lightning" was the name of the Lockheed P-38, not the Curtiss P-36 Hawk. Both planes were single seat fighters and therfore there were no bombardiers in these planes. It's unlikely that Roosevelt flew the P-36 which saw almost no service in the US military in WWII beacause it was deemed obsolete at the beginning of the war. The P-36 flew against the Japanese in the Pearl Harbor attack and on rare occasion in the Pacific. The only truth that could be gleaned from your statement is that the P-38 Lightning was deployed in the North African campaign.
Whenever I think of the P-38 Lightning, two things come to mind: (1) It was flown by Major Richard Bong, USAAF, the top-scoring American fighter pilot of WW2, and (2) it was the plane that intercepted and shot down Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto, IJN, the C-in-C Combined Fleet, over Bougainville on April 18, 1943.
Good plane, the "Fork-tailed Devil"!
One question UNICES is part of the U.N. I think they have offices in Iraqi or the use too. I am sure thay have an office some where in the war torn middle east that SHE could put her efferts into or if not what about in Uganda, or someother needy nation .
I have been waiting to see an article written about Jenna Bush's remarkable answer as to why she is not serving in any capacity for the war, Bush's War. It's impractible to even ask the question of her? Her response reminded me of Marie Antoinette when she said to the poor masses "Let them eat cake." Two women who were and are elitists, totally removed from reality. Their world is different then my world. Jenna, I am sad to observe, is following in the true tradition of the Bush family. I might add that Laura Bush is just as much of a coward as her husband. She could have done much at this time. Instead, they only pull her out to show, when Georgie's ratings fall. Please Jenna, do us a favor. Just get married, throw cocktail parties and stay quiet.
Has anybody thought of parachuting both Bush girls into Iraq with signs & leaflets saying stop your civil war or we'll drop 100,000 more pairs like these two on Iraq?
Did Chelsea enlist when her daddy sent troops into Bosnia (FYI: The troops are still there)?
The kid is not responsible for the actions of the parents. Why this little blonde is a left wing punching bag is beyond me. It's kind of sad you guys have nothing better to do.
What have the Gore daughters done? What has Chelsea done? How about Amy Carter?
You didn't read the post.
The point wasn't that all children of politicians should join the army, it was that Miss Bush is making a media tour begging for attention and giving glib answers about serving her country.
Chelsea Clinton wasn't allowed anywhere near reporters. Her parents didn't want her getting publicity, good, bad, or indifferent, and the press respected that.
But when a president's daughter voluntarily projects herself, apparently with her parents' blessing, into the media meat grinder, she's fair game. That's the deal with the devil all famous people make when they force their way into the spotlight.
Moral of the story: Members of the Bush family should think long and hard about playing the celebrity game when 76% of the American people think the old man is doing a lousy job.
Clinton didn't ever say that Bosnia was the defining struggle of our lifetime as Bush has done with Iraq. And,by the way, not a single American has ever been killed in Bosnia or anywhere in the Balkans.
DID ANYONE NOTICE?
SHE IS NOT TEACHING IN SOUTH AMERICA.
SHE IS NOT HELPING UNICEF, ONE TRIP TO SOUTH AMERICAN WITH MOMMA HANDING OUT BOOKS IS NOT HELPING.
She may have book smarts(had to have been from mom) but I am sure that she still has no sense of reality in this world since both her parents do not have to worry about it. How thoughtful of her to join UNICEF and help children while her evil father continues to allow the murdering of children in Iraq for the last 6 years. Just seems to be defeating her purpose if you ask me. She just wants to be in the spotlight while she still can. If she wants to serve this country she could show that she is better than her father and answers questions with some truth and reality instead of just showing her ignorance like the rest of the Bush regime.
The amazing thing about all that is that the majority of Americans actually like those hypocritical, spoiled and delusional characteristics in the President's daughter. People aspire to them.
Disagree.
Jenna is the elite version Britney spears. Having pictures taken on a public beach with no underwear on, having a book written by ghost writers about a Panamanian girl you never met. Being thrown out of Argentina for running around hotels naked and drunk. The list is remarkably long.
This is no more than a PR campaign to convince those 28% that Jenna has manners and some class now that she is engaged.
You really don't here anything about the other twin though. What is her name? Barbara? So that should tell you something...
Jenna - ELITE?? I beg to differ. She is a little snot who's only concern is the next party. The Bush family have no class whatsoever. They would fit well on the Jerry Springer Show. Poppy could explain why he has been cheating on his wife for years. Oh, wait, one look at Babs, and everyone would understand. The "boys" could explain their bailouts by taxpayers from failed businesses. They are welfare cheats, that is all. Rich welfare recipients.
Of course the Bush's haven't looted Air Force One yet.
Ate the VERY least, she and her sister could volunteer at Walter Reed, and try to comfort those their father sent into harms way.
What a horrid group of people the Bush clan is.
I don't know the military service record of author Mr. Elisberg. Regardless, I support his right to say and think and write whatever he wants.
I was in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. I spent my entire tour of duty inside the United States. So I didn't fight for anything.
I have zero understanding of why anyone would want Jenna Bush to join the military before she can express her opinion on the war or any other subject.
People often hearken back to WWII because everything about that war seems simpler and less nuanced than things seem now. That war was won by out producing the enemy. People working stateside out produced people working in Japan and Germany. Otherwise we would have lost!
mgsorens:
If Jenna were to enlist in the military it would show solidarity. If you have paid attention, the military is a little short on recruitment. Leading by example is honorable. We all know that Little George opted out of military "service" using privileged connections of his father. George lied us into this wasteful war. He looks like a calculating tool for big oil or Israel spending the lives of others. His measure in the minds of men would be more honorable if his own children were at risk, however, it appears as though he, Little George, cannot convince his own children of the duty to country, yet he is not slow in marketing it to others! It appears to most of us that George thinks his children are too good to be wasted in this meaningless war! Does that make you feel better?
Damn straight. The Liar-in-Chief didn't pull his duty in the Texas Air National Guard, so he's not the kind who'd encourage his daughter(s) to serve during a war (that he created).
He probably told her, "Look, Jenna, you jus' take it easy, there, darlin'. My neocon supporters ain't servin' in this here war, and you ain't gonna neither."
It seems to me that quite a few young women are currently serving in Iraq. "Impractical"? Jenna did get that right. It is not only "impractical" but ludicrous that they are even there.
End this Gxxdamn war that never should have been started.
I will stick my neck out her because I don’t know that much about the twins but I would assume that from the privileged upbringing and the fact that she has parents that are detached from reality and/or not troubled by telling the truth, she is just saying what she has justified to herself or is it what she has come up with so she doesn’t say “I am the Presidents kid, I don’t go to war!”
You are right it is Celebrity by osmosis. She is a rich kid and nothing more. And I do wholly agree that if she just keeps her mouth shut and runs in the uber-rich and powerful circles we should just forget about her, but if she speaks we should listen and judge her statements.
Oh Jenna please just wait until daddy is gone from office before you speak. That's right then no one will pay you to speak, no one will pay you to be on the cover of their magazine, no one will pay you to write a book. No one will care. I don't really understand why any one cares now but they sure won't when daddy is back in Texas.
I just don't get who reads these books. Is it something to put on one's shelf or coffee table to look informed? I can't possibly imagine what substance there could be in anything she could write. Where is her experience or knowledge base to write a book? I am an avid reader and I love books by talented writers and well-informed people, but what could SHE say of interest?
They are "trophy books"
She who has the most is the mostest.
Coffee Table priorities.
You are 'plugged in'.
You WILL be there.
Oh, yes, you will.
They can count on it.
(autographed? ups the anti by 75%)
Anyone else wondering who is publishing her book. Anyone want odds that it ISN"T a Murdoch subsidiary?
This is the new way of paying off politicians Govt employees, and their family.(see Clarence Thomas).
Otherwise who would ever look twice at a book written by such a twit.
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