Translating Bush-speak

Here's Bush on Haditha: "I am troubled by the initial news stories," Mr. Bush said. "I'm mindful that there's a thorough investigation going on. If in fact, laws were broken, there will be punishment."

Translation: "I am troubled by the initial news stories" doesn't mean what you think it means, unless you think it means "I am troubled that the liberal media is reporting this story," in which case you would be right. "I'm mindful that there's a thorough investigation going on" translates as "We are now going to hide behind the 'we won't comment on an ongoing investigation' lie that we use whenever it's convenient." As for the last sentence...how is it possible that laws were not broken? Oh, wait: the President, like Judge Dredd, IS the law.