The Trip : Making The Scene At Bagram

Seeing Obama in front of American troops at Bagram is not only a great relief (and, hopefully, a preview), it offers a profound contrast with what we've been suffering from.

The Obama pic, a frame grab pulled off a video feed, helps illuminate how much war -- in the Rove/Cheney/Bush era -- has been a slick theatrical production, this scene from Bagram in March '06 offering the standard kit-of-parts:  the stars and stripes, the dramatic lighting, the mugging, the branded clothing and the first hugger trained like a laser beam on that lens.

But then, I didn't realize till tonight Laura Bush had actually made an appearance at the base just last month.  With an emphasis on "appearance," I think this shot is an apt companion to Dubya's scene.

(image 1: AP Photo/APTN. July 19, 2008. image 2: Eric Draper. March 1, 2006 image 3: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Sunday, June 8, 2008.  Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan)

Comments

[Jerry Holtaway]

I just hope we don't always see Obama standing in front of soldiers! I'd love to see an image of him standing amid the rubble in Iraq giving a press conference or making a speech. Maybe we all need of dose of presidential 'reality' TV...

[chill]

What jumped out at me is that Obama is photographed with a backdrop primarily consisting of black soldiers whereas W is usually shown standing in front of a group of white soldiers.

[Pete]

Like Chill, I was struck by all the black soldiers in the photos and video of Obama's military visit. I shouldn't have been, of course, since our military includes vast numbers of black and Latino soldiers. But I realized that Bush has rarely been pictured with more than a couple token minorities when he has been seen with the troops. What sort of orchestration has been necessary to make that happen for seven and a half years?

[Samantha]

Not only that, but you'll notice Bush is posing with a female security-blanket, front and center, which as I've pointed out in previous posts, is deliberate and borders on the disturbed. It's Bush's M.O. in most of his pics.

As far as the racial makeup, there is definitely a staged white presence in Bush's photos, although in many cases, to improve his PR with minorities, he often grabs the first black person he sees...as in the Katrina thing.

As far as the racial makeup of Obama's pics...I don't know, it seems like a high percentage of minorities. Perhaps everyone volunteered to go to the event, and it would make sense that a high number of black or mixed race soldiers would be interested in seeing him in person.

[inmasqueing unsanity]

The the expositor, the narrator and the prompter in mediaevil theatre

[texas dem]

Like everyone else, I was struck by the black military behind Obama, and the white military that is always behind Bush.

I imagine this is just self-selection at work. To be in that crowd, you probably have to give up an entire off-day to undergo briefings and screenings and stagings and etc. It wouldn't shock me if white soldiers were far more willing to give up a whole day to see Bush, and minority soldiers were more willing to do so to see Obama.

Still, what an odd outcome of a natural and unsurprising process. It looks like there are two different militaries, and it looks in that picture like the dark-skinned one has Obama's back, whereas the light-skinned one has always loved Bush. The military is frequently portrayed as not having racial dynamics (America's most integrated institution, etc), so it's especially disconcerting.

[texas dem]

Like everyone else, I was struck by the black military behind Obama, and the white military that is always behind Bush.

I imagine this is just self-selection at work. To be in that crowd, you probably have to give up an entire off-day to undergo briefings and screenings and stagings and etc. It wouldn't shock me if white soldiers were far more willing to give up a whole day to see Bush, and minority soldiers were more willing to do so to see Obama.

Still, what an odd outcome of a natural and unsurprising process. It looks like there are two different militaries, and it looks in that picture like the dark-skinned one has Obama's back, whereas the light-skinned one has always loved Bush. The military is frequently portrayed as not having racial dynamics (America's most integrated institution, etc), so it's especially disconcerting.

[ratfood]

I disagree with most of the comments. In my opinion, Bush photo ops tend to look artificially diverse. I wouldn't be surprised if his handlers apply an actual formula regarding how many representatives from various ethnic groups should appear in staged photos with the president. By contrast, I am confident Obama addressed the soldiers assembled without his campaign exerting any influence over the makeup of the crowd.

[Chris Stowens]

Congrats on the gilly. You most definitely deserve it.

[Thirdeye Pushpin]

aside from the genetic makeup differences, what I notice are the body postures of the soldier. The ones in Obama'ss picture look like they have been working. you can see the fatique and the ace in their facial expressions and sidewards slumps. they are attentive but they look like they have come from the field. the soldiers in bush's pic look like they have just had a few days r n r. perks for posing with the big chimp?

[elfpix]

As far as I'm concerned the entire thing is a farce. How is Senator Obama going to see anything about anything over there if he sets up the same photo ops as Mr. Bush - crowds of Americans talking to themselves.

Bah.

Now in my imagination I'd like to see Senator Obama sitting in a mud hut with a native Afghan who is processing the buds of his poppy crop, explaining to the Senator how the process works and introducing him to the person who performs the next step - buying the poppy ooze to turn it into heroin. Or perhaps standing outside with the farmer listening to an explanation of the relative value of poppies vs. whatever alternative crop we've tried to foist off on the Afghanis

If Obama when over there to campaign with non-white American soldier voters, then he should not have called his trip a fact-finding tour. Clearly neither he, nor Mr. McCain, nor Mr. Bush is going to learn anything about what's really going on over there if they only listen to themselves.

What a disappointment. I'm glad I gave this month's donation to Mr. Feingold.

[black dog barking]

Slightly OT --

Congratulations to the 2008 Gilliard Grant of Merit winner.

IMHO that is the highest recognition, the Nobel Prize of blog world.

[Gettin' Fooled Again]

The whole thing is a photo-op/PR campaign. What makes anyone think it's any different?

[wagonjak]

Hey, wait a darn minute! Those troops over there hate Obama cause he's trying to bring "em home from spreadin' Democracy across the Whole Middle East!

Oh wait a minute...they're all cheerin" him...like they really love him! I guess our Preznit lied to us!

And he sunk that mutha basketball from the edge of the 3 point ring...even the bobblehead pundits were a little impressed!

[Mommybrain]

Gilly would have wanted it this way. Congrats. I'm here every day, comment rarely.

[cenoxo]

On first glance, Bush and the soldiers surrounding him look much more at ease and friendly towards one another. They're smiling, there's a lot of body contact, and the Prez looks like he's right in the middle of his element.

In the Obama shot, however, there's not a smile to be seen. Everyone looks tense, stiff, and separate. Standing way out in front of this unenthusiastic background, an unfocused Barack looks like he's scanning the horizon, hoping that the armored SUV back to the plane isn't late.

Purely on face value — which is all these staged photo ops are worth anyway — which frat(ernization) party looks like more fun?

[bystander]

Michael Shaw, PhD (Clinical Psychology) is BAGnewsNotes? Hmmm. Should have guessed. Regardless, Congrats on the Gilliard Grant Of Merit. It's well deserved.

[Tom Traubert]

I want to echo the congrats on being awarded the Gilly, Michael! Well done.

Damn I miss Steve.

[The BAG]

Thank you so much for the kind words regarding "The Gilly." I just put up a dedicated post about it. ...Now, I just want to find the video of Obama sinking that 3.

[Mona]

Laura looks trapped! Did she just wake up and realize she is married to GW Bush?

[Johanna]

Obama tinkers with the ethnic and racial makeup of the crowd behind him every bit as much as other politicians. Let's not forget the women in hijabs who complained about being shoved out of the picture a couple weeks ago. This crowd is more black than military population statistically is -- that's my guess, anyway. Looks staged to me. People have a weirdly uncomfortable look and are standing at a curious distance from each other, giving them a look of separate individuals, rather than being a photo of any preexisting group.

[Zzyzx]

As one old enough to remember Truman pulling up short his general, MacArthur, in spite of screaming republicans and press, he was right. MacArthur would have had us in WWIII with China. And one wonders about McCain's restraint. The founders made the CIC a civilian for a reason. It appears Obama is striking the right note. Sure he'll meet with commanders but he insists the president tells them what to do and they execute his wishes.

As for poor Laura, the only thing that occurred to me was, "Lay, Lady, Lay." But of course, we don't know how many pills she's had by this time of day........

Racial makeup......my guess is that most of the military grunts are minorities. They are the ones most disadvantaged and targeted by the recruiters. Bush probably figures he's safer with the officer crews, hence the white balance. And always the women, whether as disguise or not, who knows. But then, why wouldn't the black service men/women want to be in the photo with the only black man to make it this far in a presidential race? It is historic and they want a piece of it. Very understandable.

[jmac]

Here are the thoughts from a soldier that was there!

Hello everyone,
>
> As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass
> along that Senator Obama came to Bagram, Afghanistan for about an hour
> on his visit to "The War Zone." I wanted to share with you what
> happened. He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle,
> got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the
> commander
> here at Bagram,
>
> As the Soldiers were lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and
> didn't say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the
> General. As he finished, the vehicles took him to the Clam Shell
> (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play
> basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity
> pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk
> to
> Soldiers to thank them for their service.
>
> So really he was just here to make a showing for the American's back
> homethat he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are
> going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank
> those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you.
>
> I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball Players or the
> Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders than from one of the Senators, who wants to
> be the President of the United States. I just don't understand how
> anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost
> that he was scared to be around those that provide the freedom for him
> and our great
> country.
>
> If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry but I wanted you all to
> know what kind of caliber of person he really is.
> What you see in the
> news is all fake.
>
> In service,
> ********************
>
> TF Wasatch
> American Soldier

[Johanna]

Whew, that shut a lot of people up. What can you say? You describe behavior that is ungracious.

[jlarge]

Was it really the thoughts of a soldier that was there?? was it?? why didn't the soldier...that was there...put their name on the letter of his or her thoughts?? I'm so sick of these chain email "letters" from soldiers that are there and saw it...did they really??
enough!!