>/Michael Pollak
/>/Palast: "That was yesterday. Today he played golf. No kidding."
/>/
/>/------------------------------------
/>/Is this true? Did Bush play golf yesterday? This can't be true. He
/>/played fucking GOLF?
/
to which Doug replied,
>You gotta be careful with Palast - he's a little, um, hasty sometimes.
I can't verify that Bush _didn't_ play golf yesterday. But the following story might have been what Palast heard and somewhat distorted. Bush appeared Monday at the El Mirage RV and Golf Resort to tout his Medicare prescription drug benefit. That seems bad enough as it is:
Enroll in Medicare drug plan, Bush encourages seniors
By Paul Giblin, Tribune August 30, 2005
President Bush urged seniors to enroll in a new Medicare prescription drug benefit that becomes available in January. "This is a good deal," he told a group of mostly retirees Monday at the Pueblo El Mirage RV and Golf Resort in the West Valley.
The president looked tan and rested as he played the part of pitchman for the enthusiastic crowd.
He joked frequently and appeared far more relaxed than he was in October, during the presidential debate with Sen. John Kerry at Arizona State University in Tempe.
Bush, who wore a brown suit and tan tie, also spoke briefly on a range of other topics: Illegal immigration, gas prices, Iraq and Hurricane Katrina.
However, the president stayed largely on topic during the 45-minute discussion. He took no questions from the media.
Bush said an important part of reforms to the Medicare program includes prescription drugs.
"Think about that kind of system that was so antiquated and outdated that we would pay money for an ulcer, but not money for the prescription drugs that would prevent an ulcer from occurring in the first place. That didn’t make any sense," he said.
The reforms also will feature medical screenings that will help seniors monitor their own health and allow them to choose from several treatment options, the president said.
He urged adult children of seniors to take active roles in signing up their parents for the benefits. Registration forms, which already have been mailed to some seniors, have just 16 questions.
Bush also urged faithbased organizations, labor unions, veterans organizations, lobbying groups, physicians and others to spread the word. Approximately 780,000 people in Arizona alone are eligible, he said.
Most seniors will see their prescription drug costs drop in half, he added.
The program also has provisions for low-income seniors — about a third of all seniors — that call for little or no premiums.
Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., who introduced the president, later said, "I echo the president’s message about the importance of seniors getting good information on the choices it makes available. For many people, it could be the difference between affording prescription drugs and not."
Bush ad-libbed frequently during the program. At one point he introduced Noreen Goodell, a hospice nurse who was seated with him on the stage. She said she was extremely nervous.
"You don’t look it. Don’t let them know," Bush said as he nodded toward the audience.
Later, Bush introduced senior Margaret Cantrell of Scottsdale, who said she received information in the mail two weeks ago.
A few minutes later, he asked how she learned about the program.
"Well, I received this from Social Security," she replied.
"Oh, that’s right. You already said that. Laura said, ‘Always pay attention.’ " Bush deadpanned to a round of laughter.