"We're still paying attention. We understand."
AP coverage of President Bush's latest visit to New Orleans picked up his favorite trope, so it's in headlines across the country.
Has anyone with less understanding more abused the word?
When he first used ''crusade'' in conjunction with war in the Middle East, he said: ''This is a new kind of -- a new kind of evil. And we understand. And the American people are beginning to understand. This crusade, this war on terrorism is going to take a while.''
Jon Stewart lampooned him earlier this month when Bush said in a Fox News interview:
"I've been around long enough to be able to understand how it works. Nobody likes to be called names. On the other there's -- we've got a bigger enemy than name-callers. That's al-Qaeda. Or people losing jobs."
"Oh, my god!" screamed Stewart. "We're now fighting al Qaeda and the unemployed! They're everywhere!"
Stewart then showed Bush telling Cavuto, "I mean, if bridges -- if rebuilding bridges is that big a priority, then we ought to prioritize that in the highway monies that we've already budgeted. ... In other words, prioritization means real prioritization."
He understands building infrastructure. He said so in Afghanistan:
BUSH: We're going to help you build roads. We understand that it's important for people to have access to markets.
I thought our general had a pretty interesting statement. He said, "Where the road ends, the Taliban tries to begin."
And the president understands that.
We're helping you with the national literacy program.
KARZAI: Yes.
BUSH: We understand that a free society is one that counts upon an educated citizenry. The more educated a populace is, the more likely it is they'll be active participants in democratic forms of government.
And back to New Orleans:
A lot of people down here probably wondered whether or not those of us in the federal government not from Louisiana would pay attention to Louisiana or Mississippi. In other words, it's one thing to come and give a speech in Jackson Square; it's another thing to keep paying attention to whether or not progress is being made. And I hope people understand we do, we're still paying attention. We understand.
One of Don Powell's jobs is to make sure that the federal government understands the hurdles that remain for recovery. One hurdle was the levee system. We fully understand that New Orleans can't be rebuilt until there's confidence in the levees.
Understanding and appreciation is not action — it's the suggestion of action. In other words, understanding can be a substitute for action. Understand?
Of course real understanding is hard work, and it will likely compel action. For Bush, though, "understand" is his version of Clinton's "I feel your pain" coupled with "feel mine."
