Kerry shunned by troops

It seems that John Kerry didn't get much of a reception by U.S. troops on a recent visit to Iraq.

There's a great post up at Ben of Mesopotamia who was in country to delight in the Senator's loneliness. He reports that the bird carrying Kerry was call-signed "Weasel 61" and that no one turned up for a press conference starring the Senator, which was promptly canceled. He also has a great picture up of John Kerry eating in the mess hall - all alone. Go read the whole post.

I bet Kerry got a better reception in Syria, however.

Also posting:

• Power Line: Troops halp Jon Carry in Irak
• Fuzzilicious Thinking: Me, Myself and I

***UPDATED 12/30/06***: Michelle Malkin has a great post up about the John Kerry photo controversy. It seems that the "lonely Kerry" photo veracity has been questioned by the left. Well, it's real and it's spectacular! Photo evidence might come in handy should Kerry suddenly be awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart for combat operations in Iraq.

Note to self: set time/date stamp on any new camera before taking controversial pictures of incompetent, moronic Senators "getting in touch with the troops".

***UPDATED 01/06/07***: Michelle Malkin on the continuing "controversy". While the photo incident in question may have been a time when Kerry wanted some privacy, he was clearly avoided and shunned by the majority of the troops in the area. So, instead of eating with the troops, he had a private little meeting with two reporters after spending your money to go over there. There is also an indication that this private meeting was held because nobody showed up for a scheduled press conference, which was, of course, duly cancelled.

If he went there to "meet with the troops", why sit alone with two reporters? Wouldn't he have rather had a picture, or preferably many pictures, of him eating with, talking to and shaking hands with, actual, um, troops? You know, those American men and women, far from home, all dressed the same, actually fighting a war? Where are those pictures?? And remember folks, he went there on taxpayer funds.

This isn't about the troops, or about Iraq or what's best for America. It's about the inflated ego of one man who wants to be president more than anything else in the world. And if recent polls are any indication, that, thankfully, will never happen.