Have any Jellies seen the National Geographic show featuring George W. Bush talking about his perspective on 9-11?

I didn’t see it.
And I only voted for him once, so I am not that great a fan of W.
But having said that, he is the one and only guy that was president when “9–11” happened. So how is he so out of touch, and the rest of us who never had to make an executive decision about what to do about it, are so tuned in to reality?
Aren’t the survivors of the attack, the families of the dead, and the president about as close to the murders as you can get?

I lost interest after about 15 minutes. That man is just too embarrassing to watch. He always sounds like such a fool.

I saw some of it, and I have seen him in interviews about the book and his presidency on other shows. I dreaded him as president, went into a depression when he was elected the second time, I just could….not….believe….it. I did not feel very negative about this interview or the others I have seen. It made me understand his perspective better, he admitted to having made some mistakes as he looked in retrospect at some of his decisions, but I disagree with him on many things, and some of his mistakes had such catastrophic results. Katrina bothers me most, more than 9/11. I don’t understand how there was no one advising him on Katrina?? It still baffles me a little. I understand protocol/law was the governor needed to request his assistance, and he asked her directly if she was sure she didn’t want help, but he should have just gone in, and he basically says he should have. He didn’t react fast enough.

Haven’t seen it, but wanted to add tha I just listened to a pretty in depth (albeit nonconfrontational) interview with Bush’s official White House photographer (Eric Draper) who was with Bush on 9–11 and every other day of his term. Naturally, he was complimentary of Bush, including during that time, and characterized him as stepping up to the plate during the crisis period. He’s another one of those insiders who describe Bush as a “fantasic and smart guy.” Your mileage may vary.

One thing that he said that was interesting is that they (or at least he) knew of the first plane hitting the towers before they arrived at the school tha morning—maybe while they were in the motorcade. I don’t remember well enough if that jives with the accounts of who knew what and when.

Regardless, it appears that a full-court press is on to smooth out the collective memory of these lovely people.

Does it contain his confession?

Hey – you all voted for him – twice.

@zensky Um, no. Not “you all”. Just enough to win the electoral college – the rest of us, not so much. Don’t put him on those of us who didn’t vote for him.

I heard a snippet of it where he announced that after 9/11 he was basically flying off the cuff with no strategy… playing it by ear day to day… that’s a bit disturbing. If anyone needs to have a strategy during a crisis, it’s the president.

The majority did. And if you didn’t – you need not take offense.

@zensky Well, it was very close of course, I think he won the second time with something like 51% of the vote, and the first time he lost the popular vote. No matter what he received a yes vote from over 46% of the citizens here. I have to agree that I am still stunned that so many Americans voted for him, especially the second time. How can it be? Just stunned.

@JLeslie In my opinion it’s very simple.

Bush was president when 9/11 happened – he sent troops to the middle east to kick ass on those dirty muslims, and more importantly, America was not attacked a 2nd time – ergo many, many people wanted to keep him in office.

I thought the episode with President Bush premiered on September 3. How are you seeing it early?

A majority of Americans don’t want a clever President, they wouldn’t trust him. They prefer someone who is dim and predictable.

It appeared first I think earlier this week and had an encore showing last night.

@FutureMemory I still really don’t understand it, because when I voted in 2004 it had nothing to do with 9/11 or keeping us safe from terrorists, but I guess a lot of people thought as you stated.