I'm amazed at this point to listen to pundits who are surprised by the level of vitriol directed at George W. Bush. They seem aghast that anyone could have such strong negative feelings for the president. The most common dismissal is something to the effect that we're all just a bunch of haters. That's all it is - unjustified hate. It ususally includes mention of the fact that we actively root against the United States and hope for its failure in all areas. Let me state for the record:I don't hate George W. Bush.
Shocked? I thought so.
Don't get me wrong. I think that, when presented with important decisions, he has invariably chosen the wrong one at every juncture. I think his decisions have caused tremendous suffering for a great many people. It is well documented that his cowboy schtick and smirk get on my last nerve.
But I don't hate him.
I'm more embarrassed by him. Anyone who doesn't think he's in WAY over his head and has neither the cognitive capacity nor the intellectual curiosity for the job must be watching different footage. The evidence is overwhelming. Either that or they are so blinded by ideology that they refuse to admit it. While I'm embarrassed by him, I am equally embarrassed for all of us. After all, we are the ones that, at the end of the day, have tacitly allowed him to occupy the position for two terms.
I respect people's right to hate him and I am sympathetic to that point of view. However, hatred (or strong dislike) for the president does NOT equal hatred of the country. Anyone who makes this claim should be ashamed, for equating the two is about as anti-american as you can get.
Crap, now I have to come up with another funny post before I leave...
7 comments:
His capacity for bad judgement calls is astounding. I don't hate him either. I just wish he would cop to his mistakes. Jesus! Too bad he doesn't have the wisdom Abe Lincoln had to pack his cabinet full of his own worst critics. Then again, I think Abe used to reflect and think before he took action. Even that would be nice from W.
Also, he is the only president since Reagan that has never appeared in my dreams. I wonder what that says about him.
The grand dame of the press room, Helen Thomas, calls him the worst ever.
I tend to agree.
Honestly, the only people who still don't see the error in, at least some of, his ways are blind.
I kinda hate him.
Actually, to be more accurate, I don't hate him. I do hate what he's done and continues to do to our country, and his refusal to examine other points of view or to give a shit about LEARNING anything makes me so angry I can barely think straight, but I guess I don't hate HIM. I'm way beyond embarrased by him though.
I feel like if I had him in class he would definitely be one of my least favorite students. He'd probably spend a lot of time in detention and I imagine ultimately he'd end up with an F.
And SkyDad, I think WaPo had a whole Sunday Commentary section within the past year centered around whether or not he's the worst president ever from a historical perspective. Eric Foner, a historian I very much admire also says yes.
Fuckin' George W. Bush.
I have no problem hating anyone who is so willfully ignorant when the stakes are so high.
But I DO hate Rove.
Flann- Yeah, you're right. The not admitting mistakes thing is maddening.
SD- She is a wise woman.
Grant- No doubt.
Megan- An F? That's pretty bad. The times I've seen Eric Foner speak, I've liked him, too.
Vikki- Hate away!
Anon- Well said.
Mister- Welcome! I am a lot closer to hating Rove than Dubya.
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