January 24, 2003
WASHINGTON, DC – President George W. Bush held a press conference yesterday in which he reiterated his statements regarding Iraq, Saddam Hussein and the necessity of attack. Reporters and other members of the media who were present all agreed that the press conference was like a rerun of a bad movie and they weren’t interested in watching.
The President has consistently made statements in the past months regarding the possible proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by Saddam Hussein and Hussein’s supposed unwillingness to comply with United Nations resolutions. He reiterated yesterday: “Saddam must be stopped.”
“This is like rerun of a bad movie, and I’m not interested in watching,” said Edward Thor, Senior Editor of CNN, of video footage taken at the press conference. His entire staff agreed, as well as editors at seemingly competing news agencies.
“Thor is right. This is worse than the last time I couldn’t sleep, and the only movies on cable were ‘Grease 2' and ‘Glitter,’” said one staff member at CNBC.
The President’s statements left news services around the country scrambling for alterative stories, adding an unusually feverish pace to an industry that normally works late and long hours.
“There’s a grandma in Iowa that forgot her medication,” said Opie Dee, Senior Editor at the DC Times-Herald, “I think we might have to run that on page one, above the fold.”
The President also indicated again that the United States would attack alone if necessary, a tactic that many think is contrary to United Nations policy and the will of many Americans. The reiterations drew fire in the international community, as officials broadsided the President’s repetitions and intent.
“This man has flouted UN policy and its underlying concerns with his rhetoric of war and his proliferation of arms in the Gulf Region. He must be stopped,” said one anonymous United Nations official of the President.
White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer responded to such concerns by stating, “Saddam must be stopped.”
reported by John Eischeid