Posted by Mark Silva at 4:10 pm CST
President Bush has little time for cultural affairs on his planned trip to India next week -- no side-trips to the Taj Mahal, for instance.
But Bush plans to take in a cricket match in Pakistan.
The president will "participate'' in a cricket match as he passes through Islamabad next week on his way home from New Delhi and Hyderabad in India, according to National Security Advisor Steve Hadley.
This is the time for a sporting-event photo opportunity in a country where people have been rioting in the streets over a Danish cartoon that defamed the prophet of Islam?
The violence has subsided, Hadley suggests.
But does this mean that Bush, a former co-owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team, will actually play cricket?
Well, Hadley said today, they've planned the event as a chance for the president to watch and learn about the game.
"But you know,'' Hadley added, "Who knows what he'll do?''
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Comments
I suspect most Tribune readers would want a political reporter to spend his time doing something substantive, for example, interviewing an expert on ports security regarding the UAE deal, instead of writing a snarky column about a visit to a cricket game.
Posted by: Bruce | February 25, 2006 9:37 AM
Tribune readers will find two substantive articles about President Bush's visit to Asia in the newspaper today.
Posted by: Mark Silva | February 25, 2006 9:55 AM
This is a good step for the President. We all too often look at the Minority issues in Pakistan and ignore it's greatness. How would you like it if we all just focused on Violence in Detorit and called the US un safe for people to play sports?
Posted by: Essam Maan | February 25, 2006 11:49 AM
"I suspect most Tribune readers would want a political reporter to spend his time doing something substantive, for example, interviewing an expert on ports security regarding the UAE deal, instead of writing a snarky column about a visit to a cricket game."
You suspect wrong Bruce. You don't speak for me. In fact, the Bush-blinded like you are a minority, haven't you heard?
"Snarky" suits me just fine when it comes to Bush.
Posted by: mg | February 25, 2006 6:12 PM
tasteless! Immensely and completely tasteless!
Talk about being out of touch? It is one thing to be aloof about events in one's own country, its another to be aloof about whats happening in the country you're visiting.
It wouldn't shock me if I was told Bush had no idea Pakistan has been burning over Danish cartoons. what does Bush do in his spare time? Watch the food channel?
This visit should have been cancelled, given the recent events in Pakistan. Personally, I think Bush should also have cancelled his trip to India.
Instead of visiting these hot-beds of anti-Americanism, Bush ought to poke a hole in his bubble, get out of his cocoon and pay a visit to new Orleans.
He ought to openly rebuke the snail-pace reconstruction and rehabilitation of these very hurt people.
Why should we still be reading reports of unemployed people being turned off, lack of funds, despair and hopelessness that still define new Orleans? Where's the leadership, who's in charge?
Rather than Visit Cricket fields in Pakistan, Bush should take a keen and aggresive look at the rot and decay of his own country! Supposedly the "wealthiest"!
haven't we any shame? This is where democrats should be hitting their talking points, but that's expecting too much of failed party with failed leadership, one devoid of ideas or substance.
This is why I urge all prominent republicans to assert their independence, and disprove this growing notion (thanks to Bush) that we are a party of Corporations and country clubs, and that we're out of touch with the issues facing average Americans.
Posted by: TJ | February 26, 2006 2:59 AM
In fairness to the president, it sounds as if he's trying to redirect the attention of the Pakistanis. He's taken the role of the clown in the bullfight who distracts the raging bull. "LOOK OVER HERE! CRICKET!"
I suggest the president pick up the paddle and let the tosser hit him. That might give the Pakistanis a laugh and quiet the rioting. Take one for the team, Mr. President.
Posted by: Jorge from Bloomington | February 26, 2006 6:46 AM
The violent riots were unexpected and have subsided. The police and paramilitary have been keeping tabs on the right wing groups that organized the previous riots and are preventing any further untoward incidents. I hope Mr Bush's visit to Pakistan is a safe and successful one. Spending a few days abroad will not take anything away from domestic issues in the USA.
Posted by: Aamir Ali | February 26, 2006 11:54 PM
I'm pretty much on Bruce's side here that this story isn't worth going after, unless it's a prequel to Bush getting whacked upside the head with a cricket bat, which might do all of us some good. A professional writer ought not to waste his/her time on "snarkiness." As bloggers, we're a lot better at snarkery, we have no professional standards to uphold, we have PILES of snarkitude just waiting to be levelled at somebody, and we just plain enjoy it a lot more. Please, Mark -- leave the snarking to us!
Posted by: John | February 27, 2006 11:25 AM
This "cricket" article is especially fitting coming from a reporter (Mark Silva) who got his journalism start manning the "UFO hotline" at the Gastonia (NC) Gazette. From irrelevance to irrelevance.
Posted by: Bruce | February 27, 2006 1:47 PM
If you want to call someone else snarky, Bruce, maybe you should watch your own posts. Pot and the kettle, y'know. Why don't you address Mr. Silva's message rather than his credentials for once?
Posted by: Dienne | February 27, 2006 7:58 PM
Bruce, that was low. Shame on you! You can do better than that.
Posted by: John | February 28, 2006 6:39 AM