..out of the dark

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2008/03/21/BL2008032101852.html

So did Bush just misspeak? The White House certainly suggested that yesterday, with a spokesman insisting that Bush had simply spoken in "shorthand," combining Iranian threats against Israel with concerns about Iran's nuclear program.

And yet, as disturbing as the third possibility is -- that Bush is operating in an alternate reality -- it's supported by this simple fact: He's said almost exactly the same thing at least once before.
(...)
In short, it seems clear that Bush remains convinced that the Iranians continue to pursue nuclear weapons. Does he also somehow believe they've acknowledged this publicly? Or that they may as well have? Is this the kind of stuff that Cheney -- often the last person to talk to Bush before important decisions -- whispers in his ear?

It's worth getting Bush on the record about exactly how he understands the facts here.

Dan, Dan, Dan..

Allright. Let's imagine how that would look. I'll play the intrepid Wharshington beat- reporter with the terminally impaired sense of reason, reality and ethics. And Bush will play himself:
Me: so, mr. President, are you insane?
Bush: no, I am not insane, and I'm completely certain of that.
Me: but, but, I have proof here that you say things that are untrue.
Bush: that is not correct, your proof is in error.
Me: but yesterday and the day before that you claimed Iran has declared their intention to nuke Israel, and today you're smoothing it over, claiming you're not angling for attacking Iran. What's your excuse!
Bush: we have always been clear, that Iran is a threat to our and the world's security.
Me: but you goddamn fuck, you're using a blatant untruth to support that contention, just like with the bloody Iraq war - sir?
Bush: we must protect against america's enemies, and blablah, blah, blah.
Me: so back to my question, are you insane?
Bush: next question.
(*Snickering in press- corps*)
Bush: if I have something to say about how we're protecting the US from harm, now that al- Quida and the wolves stand at our doorstep. And what it is we are going to do with all our new super secret monarchial powers that are crucial to our security? I'm sorry, but we can't tell you. No, I apologise, but if I told you, I would embolden our enemies. I'm only here to tell you you're in deadly peril from Iran and al- Queda. Next question.
...
Bush: how would I like to spend my vacation? Now that's an interesting question: last week I was in Crawford Texas. And the week before that I was in Crawford Texas *gobble, gobble*. So I'd like something else next time. I think Cheney was vacatifying on a yacht with an arab Sheik - I'd like that. I don't like gong to Iraq, though. All those terrorists everywhere planning to kill everyone on the planet, you know. No, it'd have to be in one Oman..? One of them provinces in Arabia. Maybe Laura would have to cover herself up again, too, and be submissive and stuff. Instead of ordering me to "go see this", "go speak there", "go create world peace!". Just too much responsibility all by myself, uh, huhh *cries*.

Bush: Oh, is the four minute press- conference over already? See ya next time I want to put my message in the paper, and make sure we have the entire press- corps defending us from obvious false screeching allegations that we are trying to defend ourselves from Iran and their nefarious plans *wink, wink* Huh!? Nudge, nudge, eh? Hahahaha.