|
|
|
|
|
Mission Accomplished?President George W. Bush, in a White House Rose Garden press conference today, specifically denied that his Administration had anything to do with the "Mission Accomplished" banner used as the backdrop for Dubya's May address to the Nation from the USS Lincoln, trumpeting the alleged end of the Iraq War. CNN is tonight reporting that the White House approved of, paid for and even produced the banner.In response to a larger question by NBC correspondent Nora O'Donnell, with regard to the credibility of Mr. Bush's remarks on that occasion, the President told the nation that: “The 'Mission Accomplished' sign, of course, was put up by the members of the USS Abraham Lincoln, saying that their mission was accomplished. I know it was attributed somehow to some ingenious advance man from my staff.” Speaking with my astrologer's hat on, this deliciously symbolic story, while not seemingly serious, could very well prove devastating to Bush's reputation, and ultimately negatively impact his chances to gain re-election. With transiting Saturn powerfully impacting the natal charts of both the United States of America and President Bush, a dispute suddenly emerges about the phrase "Mission Accomplished" – a decidedly Saturnian phrase. Saturn is all about accomplishments, about battles fought and brought to conclusion through (to borrow a phrase from one of my heroes) “blood, toil, tears and sweat” – or about publicly or privately, depending on the appropriate context, acknowledging one's failures in such battles. It is clear to most objective observers that Bush claimed victory too soon – and that the great Rovian spectacle staged aboard the USS Lincoln, clearly meant to provide footage for a Bush 2004 re-election campaign, has become an embarrassment. Now, however, Bush is not only refusing to acknowledge the folly of this carefully staged and orchestrated event, but is also apparently attempting to evade responsibility for something so seemingly trivial as the sign proclaiming “Mission Accomplished”. In my opinion, seen through the lens of both Bush's and the Nation's Saturn transit, this story has the potential to dramatically impact the President. This story goes directly to his credibility, by portraying him as someone willing to lie about both little and large matters of State. It happens at a moment when the cosmic principle that Saturn represents is demanding painstaking honesty, straight-talk and a courageous examination of every aspect of both the Nation's and the Bush Administration's character and performance. In this context, I strongly suspect that even this little white lie has the potential to completely undermine the electorate's ultimate trust in Dubya and his Administration. Through his own words, Dubya is likely purchasing a one way ticket back to Crawford, Texas. Matthew Carnicelli © 2003. All rights reserved. Originally published October 28, 2003. For more on Saturn's conjunction of the United States Sun see: Darkness Ascending Documenting the Impact of Cosmic Gravity, Part II Getting to Know You Documenting the Impact of Cosmic Gravity, Part I The Reagan Legacy Laying Naked Neo-Conservative Incompetence Take Responsibility Why John Kerry Matters The Turning Point Saturn and the Rush to War Rumsfeld Awakens from the Dream A Viewer's Guide to a Gathering Storm It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn |