You Are Stuck On Stupid

Hat tip to The Political Teen:

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin held a press conference on Tuesday, and started losing control to a media pool assembled that was showing signs of panic, due to the previous incompetence in the region by the local and state government. Lt. Gen. Russel Honore stepped in and literally took over. Here's what he had to say (from the Radio Blogger):

Honore: Again, the current place, I just told you one time, is the convention center. Once we complete the plan with the mayor, and is approved by the governor, then we'll start that in the next 12-24 hours. And we understand that there's a problem in getting communications out. That's where we need your help. But let's not confuse the questions with the answers. Buses at the convention center will move our citizens, for whom we have sworn that we will support and defend...and we'll move them on. Let's not get stuck on the last storm. You're asking last storm questions for people who are concerned about the future storm. Don't get stuck on stupid, reporters. We are moving forward. And don't confuse the people please. You are part of the public message. So help us get the message straight. And if you don't understand, maybe you'll confuse it to the people. That's why we like follow-up questions. But right now, it's the convention center, and move on.

Male reporter: General, a little bit more about why that's happening this time, though, and did not have that last time...

Honore: You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question. We are going to deal with Rita. This is public information that people are depending on the government to put out. This is the way we've got to do it. So please. I apologize to you, but let's talk about the future. Rita is happening. And right now, we need to get good, clean information out to the people that they can use. And we can have a conversation on the side about the past, in a couple of months.

I think the General just started a movement, and he may not even realize it. Every time a reporter, in any situation, starts spinning, or completely misses the point, they need to be peppered with, "Don't get stuck on stupid." General Honore actually says what we all seem to be thinking when we hear the inane questions from the "mainstream media". This man knows how to get the job done, what's important, and what's not.

When a liberal refuses to move on from a particular line of questioning when asked to do so by the person being interviewed, that interviewer is "Stuck on stupid".

The blogosphere has begun to embrace Honore's "Don't get stuck on stupid," comment. I wonder how long until there is a t-shirt available - I want one! President Bush, who has so meekly dealt with his political opponents and their sycophants in the mainstream media, should move quickly to create the new cabinet position and elevate Lt. General Honore to that seat. No pussyfooting, no prevarications, no equivocations. He reminded me of the way men used to speak.

Honore commands the 1st Army, based at Fort Gillem in Forest Park, Georgia, outside Atlanta. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in vocational agriculture from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge in 1971. He also has a master's degree in human resources from Troy State University. He has served in a number of infantry command positions and at the Pentagon. Before taking command of the 1st Army, Honore commanded the Standing Joint Force Headquarters-Homeland Security, U.S. Northern Command.

"You are stuck on stupid. I’m not going to answer that question." Absolutely marvelous, and I'm going to actively look for situations where I can use the new blogosphere catch-phrase.