Bush’s ‘great war sacrifice’ angers vets

George Bush has revealed that he gave up golf, his favourite pastime, to show solidarity with American soldiers serving in Iraq. "I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf," he told American current affairs website Politico. "I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal."

The president claimed he mothballed his clubs in August 2003, after the bombing of the United Nations offices in Baghdad killed the UN's top official in the country, Sergio Vieira de Mello. "I was playing golf - I think in central Texas - and they pulled me off the golf course and I said, 'It's just not worth it any more'." However, according to a database held by CBS News, the statement is not strictly accurate. Bush, who has a handicap of 15, only cut short a round at the 12th hole on that day. His last recorded game came two months later.

That fact aside, and admirable though his sacrifice seems - after all, Tony Blair didn't give up tennis - Brandon Friedman, a veteran US infantry officer and vice-chairman of the US Veterans’ organisation VoteVets, is unimpressed.

"Thousands of Americans have given up a lot more than golf for this war. For President Bush to imply that he somehow stands in solidarity with families of American soldiers by giving up golf is disgraceful. It's an insult to all Americans and a slap in the face to our troops' families. It shows how disconnected he is from everyday Americans, especially those who are serving in Iraq."