- Whispering
in Bush's Ear
- by Ernest Partridge
Like my partner, Bernie
Weiner, I am intrigued by a theory that has
emerged from the fringes of left-wing fantasyland, and is slowly
acquiring some plausibility and exposure.
Was George Bush, in the first debate, “wired for sound?” Did
he have a listening device which fed him directions and cues
during the debate?
While there is no solid evidence, there are several intriguing
clues. A mysterious bulge in the back of Bush’s suit jacket.
Those awkward pauses during his delivery. And a strange
interjection of “let me finish,” sixty seconds into a ninety
second response, when neither Lehrer nor Kerry gave any
indication of an interruption.
But I’ll let others supply the grounds for this theory. (Begin
with Bernard
Weiner's blog, then follow the links).
This intriguing notion of “the wired President” reminds me
of another incident.
Several years ago, James Randi, a former magician and a
MacArthur "Genius grant" awardee, engineered a
masterful debunking. A televangelist named Peter Popov displayed
an amazing ability to walk up to total strangers in his
audience, address them by name and describe their life histories
and their ailments in detail. Then one of Randi's assistants
intercepted a wireless message from Popov's wife to a listening
device in Popov's ear. The wife read out information that the
audience members had previously written on a personnel form.
Randi's crew then combined the audio track of Mrs. Popov's sweet
nothings into Popov's ear, with the video of the revival
meeting.
That clip was played on The Tonight Show (during the
Carson era, I believe). I have seen it, and it is devastating.
Back to time-present. Just imagine someone capturing the signal
from Karl Rove or Karen Hughes (or whomever) to Bush during the
debate. Suppose he did so for the first hour of the debate, and
then, during the final half-hour, broadcasted a loud jamming
signal into Bush's ear.
With all the internet “chatter” about “the wired Shrub,”
we can be confident that if in fact Bush used a listening
device, the Bush crew is aware of the danger of an intercepted
signal.
This puts Bush in an agonizing dilemma. On the one hand,
continue to use the device in which case, there is a danger of
exposure. On the other hand, give it up – cut the
“lifeline” and leave Dubya on his own behind that lectern.
Maybe we will, at long last, encounter the unscripted Bush,
facing ninety minutes of time to fill.
Could be very interesting!
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