Newsweek Carries Bush's Water

Boy, Newsweek must still really be smarting from that whole Koran in the toilet thing a while back. How else to explain the article in the latest issue about Bush's grief over all the servicepeople lost in Iraq. With Cindy Sheehan camped out in front of his Crawford compound demanding answers about why her son was sent to Iraq to die, the Prez needed something to shore up his bona fides. It's not like he could've walked to the end of his driveway and actually talk to Sheehan. And he certainly doesn't have any stored up good will from all the funerals he's been avoiding. What better time to call in the guys who are still in the Pentagon's doghouse?

Holly Bailey and Evan Thomas step right up and knock it out of the park. In one occasion in "the grieving room," Bush's "eyes were red and he looked drained by the time he got to the last widow." Although the meetings themselves are private, crying can often be heard outside. When Laura Bush accompanies her husband from time to time, she leaves "devastated."

Much of the article describes families' descriptions of the sessions. One widow had a great idea: "It was like we were old friends. It almost makes me sad. In a way, I wish he weren't the president, just so I could talk to him all the time." Yeah, I wish he weren't the president, too.

But the best paragraph is saved for last:

As [Bush] spoke, [Rachel] Ascione [sister of a Marine killed in Afghanistan] could see the grief rising through the president's body. His shoulder slumped and his face turned ashen. He began to cry and his voice choked. He paused, tried to regain his composure and looked around the room. "I am sorry, I'm so sorry," he said.

Good job, Holly and Evan! At this rate, you and your newsmag will be off the shitlist in no time!

(By the way, after receiving news that her mother had a stroke, Cindy Sheehan left her vigil today to return to California. She's said she hopes to be back in 24 or 48 hours to pick up where she's left off.)