The real shame, I suppose, belongs to us: he’s our president.

The Carpetbagger has a great take on this L.A. Times piece. Note that Dumbya makes the media leave after the first student's question. If it's not scripted, and he doesn't have his ear-piece (see the Mystery Bulge here, here and here), he's at a loss, and most certainly, does not want the pre$$ to have at it!

For almost five years, Bush aides have been effective and efficient in shielding the president from any and all dissent. The president may be aware of the fact that there are some people who disagree with him, but he doesn’t have to see them and — perish the thought — he certainly doesn’t have to answer any of their questions. Ever.

“I have a question … concerning the terrorism,” said the first student to be called on, a young woman. “And you made many laws after 9/11, many — many laws and many measures. And I’m wondering, will there be a time when you drop those laws and when you decrease the measures?”

“Look,” Bush replied, “a free society such as ours, obviously, must balance the government’s most important duty, which is to protect the American people from harm, with the civil liberties of our citizens. And every law we passed that was aimed to protect us in this new era of threats from abroad and the willingness for people to kill without mercy has been scrutinized and, of course, balanced by our Constitution.”

Another student asked Bush about the cost of the Iraq war, which is when the funny part happened: reporters were ushered from the room.

What is up with that?