President Bush at Army hospital: 'You see the horrors of war'

President Bush visited today with wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It is one of his regular stops: visiting with those injured in Afghanistan and Iraq and, separately, with relatives of those killed in the wars.

He made the trip to the large hospital several hours after announcing that he was resuming the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, which he had put on hold several months ago, and that several units originally scheduled to go to Iraq would instead be sent to Afghanistan.

The hospital visit, he said, was "an interesting experience."

"On the one hand," he said, "you see the horrors of war. On the other hand, you see the courage of the people that have volunteered to serve."

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Kevin Dietsch  EPA

Comments

[Archie Haase]

I spent almost a year in a Navel Hospital after being wounded. Where was Bush during this time? I am sure his mother thinks these soldiers never had it so good, with three squares a day, and a clean roof over their head. I am sorry the thought of Palin visiting the troops in hospitals makes me sick.

[SLR]

Too bad our troops are serving in a war that was not necessary and one that has sunk our nations economy and international standing. It is very sad to think of how many people are maimed for life or dead (it is hard to say which is worse) because of this president who could not listen to reliable intelligence and who had to go it virtually alone in spite of our allies views on the matter. Too bad we couldnt be using all of that money we are borrowing from the Chinese to do something good in the world. Better yet, too bad we are too stupid to avoid an unnecessary war and strengthen our own country and our allies and actually do something to the people
who are responsible for 911.

[Rick F]

It is great to see a president visit the wounded troops in Washington and other places around the globe rather than off shooting baskets someplace like some other politicians do.

[Michael]

You just figured it out, huh?

What a frickin embarassment as a leader.

[Rick Troemel]

Well, I am glad Mr. Bush finally gets a chance to see the horrors of war, having missed that opportunity 35 years ago...

[Buddesatva]

And Bush is the author of those horrors. When will he accept responsibility? When will he apologize to the Iraqi people for Abu Ghraib? When will he tell the American people the reason for this unprovoked war?

[James]

Seeing Bush exploiting the backdrop of an Army hospital for politicts, is kinda nausiating, like a Nazi using a synagog for a cocktail party. Too bad he doesn't use the opportunity to talk about the thousands of multiple amputee victims returning from Iraq getting the cold shoulder by the Bush/Cheney regime. A hospital like this is where the GOP greed meets the blood and guts of a failed presidency. May God help us all to condem these leaders to their rightful place in history.

[Mike]

This man is a monster, and this country is doomed if it elects another four years of Republican idiocy.

[Jason]

The article headline should have read:

Whore of War sees Horros of War

Even if only stopping by...then quickly walking away again.

[Rose]

Bush hasn't seen the horrors of war, he's only seeing the aftermath. He's a fake patriot. At least McCain served, even if he didn't become any more honorable after the experience than before, judging from his treatment of his disfigured wife and his involvement in the Keating Scandal. And now he wraps himself in the flag like Bush and spews intentional lies while cozying up to the Nazis running his campaign and this country. A national disgrace.

[buzzo]

Apparently, wars just happen.

[Jake]

Tells me more about the people the system that elected him than it does the man itself.

[Jennifer]

As a former civilian employee at WRAMC, I know that Bush visited more often than was publicly known, because they didn't always let the news cameras follow him around. I learned to set aside my own opinions of the war, and despite his flaws, I respect that he definitely doesn't use his visits there as propaganda. I saw him interact with the wounded soldiers and family members when the cameras weren't around, and he is one of the most sincere, caring persons to visit the troops.

[Brian]

Thanks for the fair comments, Jennifer

The rest of you haters can go jump in the lake.

Archie Haase,

So how was the time in the "navel" hospital? Is that where you get belly button piercings? I suspect President Bush has visited NAVAL hospitals to see our service members.

Only frauds make that kind of typo.

Soldiers don't care about the political party when elected officials visiit. They are simply glad that they are being visited.

Who will you people hate when Bush is no longer in office?

[Maggie45]

Thank you for your fair comment, Jennifer. I know that our President has visited many times with no publicity.

[Archie haase]

As for those who still support Bush and his war. You cannot educate people on American problem who to not want to be educated. To those who support Bush ignorance is blis.

[Archie haase]

I served with 2nd Bn 4th Marine at Con Thien fall of 1967!