Gorgeous George

For whose benefit did President Bush invade Panama? How does it affect this country that Bush did not consult Congress? Will the invasion result in better living conditions for Latin America? Will it further long-run objectives of peace, justice, freedom?

Forgive the obvious questions. I’m aware they’ve been taken up by the odd editorial writer and columnist, but the overall message of American media coverage was that they didn’t matter. Partly because reporters accompanying the U.S. forces were confined to quarters, the bulk of what the public saw and read centered on the public relations aspects and proclaimed Bush a winner. Since publicity represents a kind of actuality, Bush is currently able to walk down the street and have the population admire his new clothes.

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