President George W. Bush will make a surprise appearance on the NBC game show Deal Or No Deal to thank an Iraqi war veteran contestant for his service to his country. The episode will be airing this coming Monday (Bob breifly mentioned this in his Blogosphere post).The President's segment was pre-taped at the White House. The contestant, Captain Joseph Kobes, was on the program to try and win enough money to pay off his parents' home. He is a Purple Heart and Bronze Start recipient who completed three tours of duty in Iraq.
Whatever your opinions on the whole political situation, you have to admit that three tours of duty is pretty impressive. The good Captain does deserve a personal thanks from his country and getting one from his President is a nice touch.
No details were released as to whether or not Kobes won the million dollar grand prize of the show. It would be a let-down if after such a grandiose appearance and noble goals for the money he walked away with a consolation prize.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-19-2008 @ 3:45PM
Tristan said...
He is so lucky, he gets the highest commendation, directly from the president.
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4-19-2008 @ 5:53PM
Oreo said...
Lame duck president never rang more true.
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4-19-2008 @ 10:37PM
hedgehoggy said...
Jeez - what an idiot. He shows up on a stupid game show as a PR exercise when he doesn't even show up at any funerals for the 4000 + people who've given their lives in his ridiculous war.
A stupid gesture from an even stupider president.
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4-19-2008 @ 11:48PM
Franklin said...
And there you have it! A couple of (at most) twenty-something slackers whose idea of real life is wasting their time watching reality TV, playing video games and texting their buds who decided to completely bypass the point of the article to take a dig at a president they didn't vote for. My money's on them not even being voters. Too busy being cool, aloof and dissing everything around them. If these two puddles of scrotum sweat are the future, then the end of the world is nigh.
The article is about the brave veteran who risked his ass no less than three times for you two manure factories. This man (something you'll never be) is now trying to help his parents, but you go ahead take this, and every, opportunity to make snide comments because you're free to do so, no thanks to Beavis and Butthead here.
I'm sure your only claim to fame is the high score in a game or guessing who's the next top model. Losers in every sense of the word.
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4-20-2008 @ 4:21AM
LordPaul said...
Wow!
I don't think they're having a go at the guy here.
It sucks that people have had to go to Iraq, and it sucks more that they have to go on a game show to get money for themselves after defending our 'freedom'
Go Bush!
4-20-2008 @ 8:32AM
hedgehoggy said...
Talk about not getting it. Nobody is saying anything negative about the soldiers who are out there doing their job. But the President, who got out of active duty by getting daddy to call in some favours, acts as if he is one of them when he will NEVER be someone with the same level of integrity and courage as the people who put their lives on the line. That's the problem. He's a coward and the worst kind of politician - one who pretends he gives a damn when he clearly doesn't.
Save your distaste and contempt for someone who deserves it....
4-20-2008 @ 11:29AM
Franklin said...
Talk about not getting it, indeed. You've insulted every man and woman who fought when you called this war "ridiculous". You belittle their efforts and sacrifices by trivializing what they're doing because you're buying the constant stream of one-sided reporting of the war. Have you ever spoken with a veteran? Of course not, you probably loathe them for doing the bidding of Evil Bush. If you speak to someone who's served, or is currently serving, you'd know that they understand what they're doing is helping a lot of innocent people. You'd also know how disappointed an frustrated they get about the lopsided reporting of the war in the news and how it's nothing like the reality they've seen. Every news outlet is guilty of this, it seems they don't bother to report good news at all, so when you're ready to get a truly accurate and fair picture of what's going on in Iraq, speak to someone who's been there.
4-20-2008 @ 2:29PM
hedgehoggy said...
Again, you didn't actually read anything I wrote. I'm not belittling anything about the troops. You can support the troops and not support the war. And as for not talking to a veteran, I have. I had a good friend who was in Iraq the first time around and has never been the same since because of the lack of post-war care given to them. But that's not what I'm saying. Good for this person going on a tv show. Good for them doing something nice for his parents. But do you honestly think that Bush would even get in touch with this person if it wasn't a PR stunt that people will see because it is on tv? That's my point.
And as for the alleged news bias which you bring up and the fact that you seem to be an expert on how swimmingly things are going over there. Have YOU been there? Thought not. But if you took the time to read non-biased accounts that talk about the entire situation there, how the US got there in the first place and the long term prospects, you wouldn't be spouting this utter nonsense that you are clinging to.
4-20-2008 @ 12:08AM
Gene Cowan said...
Hmm. A valiant soldier who is asked to risk his life for a questionable cause is forced to go on a GAME SHOW in an desperate attempt to save his parents' home... and the President does nothing more than videotape a "thank you" message to boost his popularity?
How about a check, Mr. Bush? Or even better, how about not cutting veterans' benefits or giving our troops a raise?
Three tours of duty is rewarded with a limp and useless video thank you. How much you want to bet that whether he wins or loses, NBC will be surprising him at the end with something that his commander in chief wouldn't give him?
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4-20-2008 @ 11:28AM
Franklin said...
Who forced this man to go on a game show, Gene? Who said this is a desperate attempt? He's going on a game show with the honorable intent of trying to help pay off his parents' home. It's newsworthy primarily because this is an American hero trying to do something good for his folks. You should be working in TV news the way you sensationalize things.
The FACT is the producers of "Deal or No Deal" were the ones who came up with the idea of contacting the White House. They often surprise guests with visits/messages from people they regard as personal heroes, and in this case Captain Kobes had said the president was one of his. The ones looking to boost their popularity were the producers of "Deal or No Deal".
Fact is, Captain Kobes wanted to be on the show, nobody forced him. Fact is there's no desperation in trying to pay off his parents' home, just an honorable man wanting to honor his parents with a generous gift. Fact is, the idea to have the president on the show was not the president's. I'm sorry if facts get in the way of your skewed view of the world you so fearfully live in, but that's too bad. Man up, get the facts. That way you can see what a waste your world view has been.
4-20-2008 @ 12:36AM
KateGee said...
Does this mean Howie Mandel is definitely going to be in future US History books?
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4-20-2008 @ 11:41PM
Franklin said...
You really are a goddamned moron if you seriously believe you can sit there saying you don't support the war, but you support the troops. If you really had a friend who served in the war you'd have heard from him that you can't disrespect the war without disrespecting the people making it happen: the troops. But I suppose I should've known you'd think you could actually perform those contradictory tasks. As a liberal you actually believe the government can and should take care of people better than private citizenry and companies. As a liberal you actually believe you should pay even more taxes so that the government can offer you "programs". Man, have I got some Arizona beachfront for you, child!
As for Bush and a PR stunt: hell yeah it's a PR stunt. Do you honestly think your idols like Clooney, Streisand, Obama, Clinton, et. al. would be any more willing unless it was for PR? Give me a break.
And, no, I haven't been to Iraq. Unlike my grandfather, father, brother and, currently, 3 nephews I have never been physically able to be accepted into the military. Having had my lower spine damaged in an automobile accident as a child, I am limited in my ability to do many things. However, I speak to my nephews often and they'll be the first to tell you that asswipes like you that say, "I support the troops, but I don't support the war" are just full of crap.
Your finish really finishes your credibility. I actually laughed out loud when I read how you think the long-term prospects are grim. You've been drinking the koolaid my young friend and listening to the rants of Sean Penn for far too long.
Put down the bong, sonny, and make something of your life. All you're doing now is making an ass of yourself.
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4-21-2008 @ 9:57AM
And said...
Look everyone a 28%er. Let's all slow down and gawk at the puppet. I don't know how people like you continue to function with Rush, O'Reilly and the rest of the FauxNews crew taking turns shoving their hands up your ass. But if you're like pretty much every Rethug chickenhawk you're definitely enjoying it.
4-21-2008 @ 10:20AM
PR said...
"As a liberal..."
Not all liberals agree on every single thing ever, nor do they all lead the exact same lifestyle. If you try to lump all people into two broad categories (conservatives and liberals), it guarantees that there is going to be a diverse range of opinions on both sides of the fence. It's just not that black and white.
"Do you honestly think your idols like Clooney, Streisand, Obama, Clinton, et. al..."
Surely I don't need to point out that two of those people aren't politicians and shouldn't be held to the same standards as politicians. They're citizens who -- like you -- have every right to voice their opinions wherever they want. I don't think there are any "liberals" out there who take Barabara Streisand as seriously as you seem to give her credit for; plus, she sucks.
Personally, I couldn't care less if Bush is in it for publicity. You're absolutely right on that point. After all, even Clinton and Obama have made appearances on SNL. That's how the political game is played. It's just unfortunate that Bush had to resort to using a show as tacky and useless as "Deal or No Deal" as his platform. I think that "thank you" could have been a lot more meaningful if it had been delivered in a more dignified environment... One that didn't involve models holding briefcases or Howie Mandel.
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