WASHINGTON, July 23 — The Bush administration today condemned as "heavy handed" the Israeli bombing attack that killed a Hamas leader in Gaza City and 14 civilians, saying that the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was aware that the apartment building struck was filled with ordinary Palestinians, including children. "Only we're allowed to do things like that," Bush said, alluding to the bombing of an Afghan wedding party by American planes two weeks earlier.
When asked what the difference was between the Israeli and American actions, Bush first tried to avoid the question and then acknowledged that "not everything in war falls into simple black and white categories." The President denied a report from Vanity Fair that quoted White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card as saying that the Israeli action been caused by Karen Hughe's departure. "That's just Ka-bulshit," he said, shocking reporters by laughing heartily at his own joke. When asked whether it was appropriate to make light of such serious events, the President was "visibly angry," in the words of one aide, said "my job isn't to nuance things," and walked out of the room.
On the way back to the Oval Office he tripped over Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, who was tacking down a piece of carpet that had gotten loose and caused a number of people to stumble. "Oh, there you are, Tom," the President said. "Good. When you're finished with that, we need you to fill in for Paul O'Neill at the wedding of the Turkmen leader Bashibazouk to his third wife next week." "Yes sir, Mr. President," said Ridge. |
