BUSY SIGNAL….The Washington Post has a story today outlining the disappointment in the Native American community to the nearly radio silent response of the White House following the Minnesota shooting earlier this week that left ten people dead. By way of explanation, deputy press secretary (and holiday short-straw drawer) Dana Perino said that Bush tried to call the chairman of the Red Lake Chippewa tribe several times today, but got voicemail instead.
First of all, the shooting happened on Monday. I know the president has been busy and all (*cough* Schiavo *cough*) but, come on. More importantly, the White House is once again acting like we’re morons. He’s the president. He doesn’t just pick up the phone and dial whoever he wants, catching them off-guard. These things are scheduled, with someone else placing the call, and then if they reach the right person, asking them to “please hold for the President” before he ever picks up the phone. That’s not just the way it happens on “The West Wing”…it’s the only way the President of the United States can get things done. What, are we supposed to expect that he sits around his office going, “Dang…where is everybody? I’ve called twelve people so far today and only two of them were home!”
If you’re wondering whether I’m calling them liars, yes–I am.
