Bush: I quit golf over Iraq war

WASHINGTON (AFP) â?? US President George W. Bush said in an interview out Tuesday that he quit playing golf in 2003 out of respect for the families of US soldiers killed in the conflict in Iraq, now in its sixth year.

"I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal," he said in an interview for Yahoo! News and Politico magazine.

"I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf," he said. "I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them."

The US president traced his decision to the August 19, 2003 bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed the world body's top official in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

"I remember when de Mello, who was at the UN, got killed in Baghdad as a result of these murderers taking this good man's life. And I was playing golf -- I think I was in central Texas -- and they pulled me off the golf course and I said, it's just not worth it anymore to do," said Bush.

Bush's last round of golf as president dates back to October 13, 2003, according to meticulous records kept by CBS news.

On the day of the bombing two months earlier, he had cut short his golf game at the 12th hole and returned to his ranch in tiny Crawford, Texas.
AFP: Bush: I quit golf over Iraq war

Thought this was a good story....shows a bit of respect to those who deserve that and more. :thumbsup:

I wonder how many golf outings Clinton missed after he invaded Kosovo? :rolleyes:

Have a good one!:s4:

maybe it's just me.. I'd rather him golfing than waring...

I'm sure that in his own mind he has paid the ultimate sacrifice. My heart just aches for him.

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

I wonder how many golf outings Clinton missed after he invaded Kosovo? :rolleyes:

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I've got no idea if Clinton skipped the golf or not, but comparing Kosovo to Iraq is ludicrous.

KOSOVO
1999
DURATION IN DAYS: 77
DEPLOYED U.S. TROOPS: 7,000
U.S. BATTLE DEATHS: 0
TOTAL U.S. DEATHS: 2

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Originally Posted by dragonrider

I've got no idea if Clinton skipped the golf or not, but comparing Kosovo to Iraq is ludicrous.

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Being a parent of a young man that spent time there, I can tell ya that you have the same feelings and concerns. War is war and you NEVER know what is going to happen.

As for Bush, I don't really feel that he thinks this is the "ultimate sacrifice" more than out of respect to the families....as stated.

Have a good one!:s4:

If bush wants to pay respect for his troops he should give them top medical care and support when they come home....

F-in BS...
He was playing golf with the top corrupt powers in the US as he was planning the War on Iraq.

By the time the war started all the planning was done, so he didn't need to play golf.

He quit playing golf? That is the lamest crap I have heard in a long time. It's definitely the least he could do to show respect to the families. It's not like golf is really that great anyways.

So he sends all of these people's loved ones off to die, and in return he quits playing golf.

"For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, jogging track, swimming pool, movie theater, and bowling lane."
White House Facts

seems like he still has plenty enough to do, not to mention the ps2 he probably has under his desk

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Originally Posted by fishman3811

If bush wants to pay respect for his troops he should give them top medical care and support when they come home....

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Once again I agree in full with ya! These people deserve nothing but the best....and their families in case of death or a perm disability.

Have a good one!:s4

How true P4B too bad bush talks outta the other side of his mouth when he talks about your troops getting the best care when they come home....Shame on him and any other politician who would rather spend money on there pet projects rather than the troops,Democrat and Republican should be ashamed

Or just maybe the golf course is a big place to police and he is worried about his own well being.
Someone might score a hole in one on him so to speak.:wtf:

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Originally Posted by Greenthing

Or just maybe the golf course is a big place to police and he is worried about his own well being.
Someone might score a hole in one on him so to speak.:wtf:

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hahahaha..well with friends like Cheney who needs assassins, right?

..and I agree with most everyone. Giving up golf? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard...as if he thinks that will make him look any better. The families and soldiers give up way more than 18 holes, a case of beer, and a chance with the cart lady.
I'm sure he has a whole host of other leisure activities...and worse yet, he probably still golfs, just nobody takes pictures.