The President, the Secretary of State, and the representatives of major media outlets had the best time evuh in the Middle East:
Who knew that President Bush loves “bling-bling,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice finds strawberry juice just dandy, and some White House journalists like to munch on goat brains? Oh yeah, and did you know there’s some good-natured wagering among the press corps — as well as some of the president’s staff — about whether Bush will be able to stay awake into the wee hours in a meeting with the night-owlish Saudi King Abdullah? These are just a few of the lighter insights gleaned during Bush’s eight-day trip to the Mideast… But like any of Bush’s other trips, there’s plenty of levity that makes it a little easier to deal with sleep deprivation, jet lag and the far distance from home… Upon his arrival Sunday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Bush was presented with a gigantic bit of jewelry — the kind of piece known by the slang term “bling” in the United States… Then there’s Rice’s beloved strawberry juice… “It’s my favorite thing, I learned on my first trip here,” Rice told reporters… For the media, it’s fun to sample the local fare, whether it’s strawberry juice or the hummus that’s been ubiquitous on every stop of this tour… By now, the room was full of laughter.
Or you can read the AP writeup on the trip, which describes Bush as “well-fed” and “upbeat.”
This is hardly fair. The Israelis could have totally have shown Bush and his media friends a great time – Israel’s a fantastic place, with lots of laughter and parties and fun. Except the Israelis were probably too busy trying to protect their citizens from the Palestinian peace partners who the President is shoving down their throats and major media outlets are constantly exonerating. But at least the Saudis are reciprocating Bush’s friendship.
References:
* Traveling with Bush: Bling, strawberry juice and goat brains? [CNN]
* Mubarak backs U.S. on Mideast pact [AP]
* Bush: Oh Hell Yes It’s Peace Yet! [MR]
* CNN: Poor Hamas Victims Being Mourned Right This Moment By Long-Suffering Palestinians [MR]
* Saudis Respond To Billions In US Arms By Rejecting Israel, Embracing Iran [MR]
Previously:
* Saudis "Shocked" That Anyone Would Think They Fund Radical Mosques
* Saudi Arabia Identifies True Cause of US-Saudi Tension – Jews
* Saudi Arabia At Annapolis: Israel Has No Right To Exist (Plus: By A Strange Coincidence, Their Conditions For A Peace Deal Would Require Destruction Of Israel)
