WHERE IS BUSH'S FAMILY IN THE WAR ON TERROR?

Think Progress has the transcript and video between Tony Snow and Helen Thomas today over whether any member of the family of George Bush serves in the military in Iraq.

"Q: Are there any members of the Bush family or this administration in this war?
SNOW: Yeah, the President. The President is in the war every day.
Q: Come on, that isn’t my question –
SNOW: Well, no, if you ask any president who is a commander in chief –
Q: On the frontlines, wherever…
SNOW: The President."

First of all, this sounds like a rehearsed and canned answer to a question that Bush and Tony Snow would have anticipated. Second, it is totally non-responsive to answer, as Snow did, that the president serves in the war. We all know Bush has no desire personally to go to Iraq or Afghanistan. He much rather go to Albania and be cheered and mobbed by Albanians. He got out of military service with the Texas Air Guard thirty years ago. He just wants others to put their necks on the chopping block, but not his own neck.

If as Bush says military service is now the highest calling, where are his twins? How come Bush has not instilled in them a desire to sacrifice their pretty faces for the country? Where are his nieces and nephews? Where are the Walkers? Where are the Bushes?

In a previous post on June 4, 2007, based on a blog by Brian Tamanaha at Balkinization, I ask why George Bush himself is not leading the front lines in Iraq. Prior to the 17th Century, most monarchs led their armies into battle themselves. This was probably a good thing, because it had to lead many monarchs to think hard whether to declare war or not, given their heads were at risk, not only those of their soldiers.

I doubt George Bush would have been so quick to wage war against Iraq if he knew he would have to lead the tanks. Perhaps he would have settled on diplomacy and negotiation and allow the United Nations to do its job of inspecting for WMD if he knew that Jena and Barbara were to drive supply trucks along the dangerous Iraqi highways.