Laura Bush talks about Burma. And Jenna's wedding?
First Lady Laura Bush went to the White House press briefing room this afternoon to talk about one of her favorite causes, the human rights conditions in Myanmar, which used to be called Burma. And especially the ongoing house arrest of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The poor country with its tin roofs and thatch huts is run 
by despotic generals who've cut the country and its freedom advocates off from the outside world. But the place was lashed by 120 mile an hour cyclonic winds Saturday. Officials estimate the death toll could near 10,000. And the generals could suddenly use plenty of foreign aid.
Bush talked about that faraway place, urging the generals to admit aid quickly. And then the handful of reporters in attendance, never accused of over-sensitivity, began asking about a story closer to home, this Saturday evening's wedding of Jenna Bush and Henry Hager at the Bush ranch in Texas. Some sought invites.
Bush answered their questions (the press is not invited) and waxed on about the blooming wildflowers she's planted there and the limestone altar the president built. All fine.
But, alas, MSNBC's directors in New York, who were carrying the Q and A part of her appearance live, left up the caption from the earlier part -- "Breaking News First Lady talks about deadly cyclone in Myanmar" -- and continued showing looped news footage of the devastation while the bride's mom obligingly answered wedding queries about their idyllic country getaway, their daughter's happy day and getting their first son in the family.
Bizarre to say the least.
But then the president's wife got in the last word to the press. "Thank you so much for covering Burma," she said as a motherly reminder. "And I hope you'll keep watching."
--Andrew Malcolm
Andrew Malcolm's immigrant parents repeatedly stressed the importance of active participation in a democracy. Early lessons included learning the alphabetical list of states by watching televised roll calls of national political conventions. That childhood exposure led to a lifelong fascination with politics, including 40-plus years of covering them and a brief stint practicing them as press secretary to Laura Bush in 1999-2000. A veteran foreign and national correspondent, Malcolm served on the Times Editorial Board and was a Pulitzer finalist in 2004. He is the author of 10 nonfiction books and father of four.
Johanna Neuman is a veteran Washington correspondent for both The Los Angeles Times and USA Today, having covered presidents and politics as far back as Ronald Reagan. A former president of the White House Correspondents Assn., she authored a book on media and foreign policy, “Lights, Camera, Wars.” Most recently she was co-author of the 
Subscribe to this Blog
I personally feel that Laura Bush has a lot of $%$#% nerve to say that Mynamar should allow aid in quickly! As quickly as her husband's administration allowed aid to go to the Gulf region after Katrina. Why didn't the US allow Cuba to send in Hurricain Dr's, Greece offering Cruise ships for lodging and the other 100 countries that offered aid?
Posted by: Monarnyc | May 05, 2008 at 08:19 PM
nice and fair for laura to be asking despotic criminal elites in tiny far away countries to show some decency... but why can't she ask her husband for help? wasn't (and isn't) he willing to see millions of people killed to bring them 'demockracy' (and countless billions in oil and tax money into his pockets and those of his criminal cronies)? as it is, she might be seen acting as an accomplice, backing treasonous actions of global dimensions, sitting there pretending she can eat her (wedding) cake and have it too; or at least that of her daughter. who's not just about getting cake and candy, but very concerned with the acquisition of literacy, too. maybe, some day, we'll read all about it.
Posted by: dave | May 05, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Texas throws one hell of a party.
Jenna is embracing her role as first daughter. She writes books for children. She's getting married. She's growing up.
Jenna and Barbara didn't want their dad to run at first. They wanted to go to college without supervison. College is a fun experience.
Any girl in Texas would make daddy pay. Don't mess with spoiled brats from Texas.
People really are nicer there. The days seem to go by a lil slower. Pride and tradition linger in Texas.
She shunned the attention the role of first daughter brought her.
Then used the attention, to bring shame to her father.
People are small town country. Even in the city.
The tune is the same from Oak Cliff to Dallas' elite.
Since I was the same age as her, and residing in Texas back in 2000 I related to her as a peer.
My friends would drink at Chevy's with fake ID's. It wasn't a big deal in Texas.
But what is a big deal in Texas is pride.
Texas girls know better when it comes to pride.
GW is almost out of office. New election, end of his second term.
America's first daughter is getting married.
Jenna is playing up to the spot light now. She is out of college and getting married. She will have her wedding on national news, almost as if she was a princess.
Disgrace and pride don't mix well. Texas girls know better.
Jenna should apologize to her parents, the State of Texas, and to her country.
She didn't want the stress of being the daughter of the President of The United States of America.
She threw a temper tantrum. America had to see it. Texas had to see it. George and Laura had to see it. She disgraced everything, including her country.
Jenna's hypocrisy can only go so far.
Enjoy your big day Jenna, but from one Texas girl to another, apologizing publicly isn't a bad idea.
Texas deserves an apology. You were a reflection of Texas' daughters in 2000.
America deserves an apology. You were the first daughter hitting headlines for underage drinking and using fraud to obtain it.
Your mom and dad deserved better.
Texas deserved better.
America shouldn't have to swallow your wedding without this.
Sherrie Grenz of Arlington, TX
Posted by: Sherrie Grenz | May 06, 2008 at 10:11 PM
good idea to keep the wedding low-key ... it saves the embarrassment of realizing that hardly anybody gives a damn about another spoiled bushbrat.
you go, sherri grentz ... you hit the nail on the head.
Posted by: pati | May 10, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Is Jenna Bush a more respectable person now, because she will soon be married? Why can't these rights be granted to gays and lesbians? Is Jenna Bush better than gays and lesbians?
Posted by: Jesus Christ | May 10, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Why don't all you hateful Bush bashers stuff it? Find a life you can live without attacking a family who is just trying to experience one of life's milestones. What good does it do anyone (most specifically 'ya'll') to spit out such small-minded, cold-hearted rhetoric to further your leftist agenda?
Grow up.
Posted by: John Bintliff | May 10, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Congratulations to Henry and best wishes to Jenna. You are a doll and an angel for teaching the children. I so admire your parents, your sister, and you. Bushes are down home God fearing Americans. I love you all. People who write bad things about you are just jealous.
God Bless you and your sister. I am a twin also, lost her in death at 49, and it is painful. I love all the Bushes from Barbara and your grandfather to you girls and your parents.
An Okie from Tulsa.
Joni Joyner
GOD BLESS ALWAYS
Posted by: Joni Joyner | May 10, 2008 at 08:08 PM
This wedding is another chance for the Bush clan to offer a payback to America. Why give use a chance to invite diplomats to our wonderful country and share in the joy the a new generation blooming? The world would then see the beauty of our White House and old/new friendships with those dignitaries could be kindled. Voters had White House weddings in the back of their minds when they pushed the lever, punched the chad -both times. Selfishness and selfserving greed and isolation continues to the next Bush generation- SURPRISED?
Posted by: s.r. taunton | May 11, 2008 at 08:57 AM