NEW YORK, May 5, 2004
(CBS) By David Paul Kuhn,
CBSNews.com Chief Political Writer
In an effort to stem the growing tide of outrage in the Arab world over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, President Bush took the unusual step of condemning the mistreatment on two Arab television stations, though he has yet to speak directly to the American people.
The interviews were an admission by the Bush administration that issue has reached grave levels internationally. Yet by not speaking to the abuse stateside, President Bush hopes to avoid any domestic political damage.
Although his spokesman later said the president was "sorry for what occurred," Mr. Bush himself did not offer an apology. He did call the abuse "abhorrent" and said "the actions of these few people do not reflect the hearts of the American people," in an interview on Al-Hurra, a U.S.-government funded station in Iraq.
Muskrat News has obtained a copy of the President's briefing for the appearances:
Be sure to make following points: Actions abhorrent, pictures bad, not representative of American people, will be investigated thoroughly, guilty will be punished.
DO NOT APOLOGIZE!! ONLY WEAKLINGS AND DEMOCRATS APOLOGIZE!!
If pressed for an apology, stress you are "sorry" that abuses occurred. USE PASSIVE TENSE!!
If asked whether you are responsible, as commander-in-chief, accuse Kerry of not really throwing his medals away.
DO NOT REFERENCE Lt. SIPOWICZ FROM "NYPD BLUE."
Yes, we know you like him, but a) he is a fictional character, and b) his practice of beating confessions out of people is off-message.
DO NOT CLAIM ABUSE WAS NECESSARY
Karl will start RNC Deep Background Rumor Mill on message "beatings and humiliation were necessary to catch Saddam/stop terror attacks/ protect troops." Do not deploy yourself - be patient.
NO SODOMY JOKES!!
We know you think it's funny, but seriously, the Arab world does not see the humor in this.
NEVER, EVER, USE THE "T" WORD
These men were not tortured. Torture is what bad people do. We - at worst - abused them. That doesn't sound so bad, does it? it sounds like those left-winders always going on about people's civil rights being "abused." Heck, that's no big deal.
DO NOT COMPARE TO COLLEGE DAYS
It's easy to get nostalgic for the initiation rituals of Skull and Bones when you see a pile of naked, hooded men. But please, remember your vow of silence on that subject. Do not refer to the prisoners as "pledges," rushers," or what happened to them as "fraternity pranks."
Remember, Kids, the part in bold is actual 100% news-flavored media product.
The rest is the fakey part.
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