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‘My Pet Goat’ & The Bush Presidential Library
It is deeply offensive that The Decider wants to raise $500 million to build a president library and think tank at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Beyond the fact that George Bush is probably the least literate and most poorly read president since God knows when, his administration’s penchant for secrecy extends to papers that routinely are made available to the public after a president leaves office.
So what the hell is he going to put in his library? How about “My Pet Goat,” the book he was reading to a Florida kindergarten class when he bemusedly reacted to the news that a jetliner had crashed into the first World Trade Center tower.
More here.
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40 Responses to “‘My Pet Goat’ & The Bush Presidential Library”
Check out this site: top 10 Bushisms.
Bushisms
I’ve also seen sites for stupid Clinton and Gore quotes. The difference is that most of theirs were slips of the tongue, or simply misstated. What I find most problematic about George W. Bush isn’t that he’s not a Mensa candidate. Nor is it that he’s not a great orator (the “great presidential speeches” segment on Letterman, which contrasts famous presidential speeches with GWB’s, are hilarious). No, what’s most problematic is that the dumbing down of America has resulted in people being indoctrinated by the mass media 24-7. Case in point: in one of the incidents included in the site above, a woman informs the prez that she’s a single mother with 3 jobs. What’s GWB’s response? “That’s uniquely American.” Yeah, it’s tongue-in-cheek, but several people continued to slap. They didn’t stop to THINK: If a single mother in America has to work 3 jobs to support her children, that’s no laughing matter. As I heard a retiring Senator put it, George W. Bush likes running for president, more than being president. That’s the thing in a nutshell. Although Republicans essentially controlled the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court during the past 6 years, they got zilch done. And most people got tired of their failed rightwing-extremist agenda. It’s fascinating that George W. Bush has made -1- veto, and was to appease the radical religious right of the Republican party. Let’s see if he makes more vetoes during the next two years, simply as an obstructionist gestures towards the Democrats. Reagan, GHW Bush and Clinton made more vetoes. A lot more. GWB and the Republicans simply haven’t made the tough decisions that Clinton did.
Anyway, I will never visit the George W. Bush presidential library. In all objectivity, he will be remembered as one of the worst U.S. presidents of all time, who “won” two elections (using the term loosely). Oh well, Karma was at work. Katherine Harris lost. All the crooked Repubs involved in the Diebold b.s. in ’04 also lost. It’s poetic justic.
slap==clap
Ack…ack…rampant liberal rubbish.
Bushisms: Bush has trouble speaking, and mangles his words, much as his father did. He ain’t dumb.
(1) This is a common attack point of liberals. They mocked Eisenhower for the same thing – Eisenhower garbled his words all the time – comparing him dismissively to the more sophisticed and urbane Adlai Stevenson.
(2) This, from “Seeing the Unseen”:
This is a Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. It is a second-generation, supersonic fighter-interceptor. It cruises at 845 mph.
There were some minor aerodynamic problems with the F-102. For example, at certain power settings and angles of attack – like, say, take-off — the jet compressor would stall and the aircraft would roll inverted. It is no picnic, skill-wise, to fly a modern F-16 with advanced avionics and fly-by-wire flight control systems. The workload on the F-102 was far higher. The F-16 has an accident rate of 4.14 occurrences per 100,000 flight hours. The F-102’s accident rate was more than three times that: 13.69 per 100,000 hours. 875 F-102A interceptors were built; 259 – almost 30% — were lost to accidents or enemy action while serving in Vietnam.
George W. Bush flew hundreds of hours in the F-102.
If he had been a civilian rather than military pilot, Dubya would have had to have passed 60 questions like this with at least 70% correct. Questions on weather, radio communications, mechanical systems, aerodynamics, pilot physiology, airspace, navigation and a hundred other things. But, since he was military, he also had to know how to operate that primitive in-fight radar, plus weapons systems, rules of engagement, electronic warfare, hydraulics, fuel systems…it goes on and on.
People like Michael Moore and Bill Maher and Keith Olberman would not be able to figure out how to close the canopy on an F-102. These people would be weeping with fear when those afterburners light up and you barrel down that runway hoping that engine doesn’t flame out and roll you inverted into the asphalt, or when you’re rocketing through the soup at 300mph watching two little needles chase each other, praying the next thing you see out the window is a runway and not a mountain goat.
George W. Bush is not stupid. It’s not possible to be a moron and fly a supersonic jet fighter, and everyone knows it.
“GWB and the Republicans simply haven’t made the tough decisions that Clinton did.”
What tough decisions? Total rot!
Consider Defense policy. Repeatedly Clinton kicked the ball down the field as he didn’t want a fight.
Look at the domestic base closing issue. Clinton ducked. There was a brutal and nasty battle through the Congress, and the Bush administration barely got the base closing through. It was necessary, and saved money.
Clinton, so beloved of liberals, did not dare cut a single weapons system. He only starved the military of funding, but did not challenge the generals on any point up or down the line.
Rumsfeld…hated by liberals…cut the Crusader, the Comanche, and an entire generation of aircraft carriers.
And what’s wrong with a Bush presidential library? Every president has one…and the Bush administration will have more papers than most to store for future scholars to read. After all, Bush was president during an important period and actually did a lot of important things…you might not like them…but they have historical importance.
Clinton…not so much.
Earth to Marlowecan:
I did not say, let alone infer, that Dubya is stoopid. He is worse than stoopid. He is intellectually uncurious and has let others think for him.
That is a terrible trait for a leader, let alone a president and commander in chief.
That weakness is a big, if little noticed reason that underlies the more obvious reasons why the U.S. of A. is in much worse shape today than when he took office.
Don’t bother Shaun, Marl is one of the cheerleaders. It’s like talking to a brick wall, thick as one, and they don’t care if the obvious is slapping them in the wall. Because afterall they are brick walls.
“Don’t bother Shaun, Marl is one of the cheerleaders. It’s like talking to a brick wall, thick as one, and they don’t care if the obvious is slapping them in the wall. Because afterall they are brick walls.”
God, what a crew.
Pyst, in you sneering condescending post you revealed your own ignorance.
If this were a philosophical debate, you would have lost.
What you did was an “ad hominem” attack. A logical fallacy…recognized as such as early as ancient Greece (Look up the word).
You did not choose to critique one of my points. You attack the speaker.
What a crew.
Thanks for the warning, but I’m sure Marlowecan will be willing to engage in a thoughtful philosophical debate with a thoughtful philosophical lad like myself. (Wink.)
Just a FYI: If you have looked at a number of my posts here at TMV, I have not been a doctrinaire Republican.
I believe Bush has blown it on Iraq.
I hoped for a Democratic victory in the House, for God’s sake. Said as much repeatedly.
And I’m “cheerleader”?!!
Not a good morning for debate here, it seems.
He’s definitely NOT a cheerleader and he leaves thoughtful comments here and adds to the debate. When people disagree they really don’t always need to go on the attack. You can differ on specific points which encourages more debate.
Shaun -
BDS is SOOOO pre-November 7.
PDS (Pelosi Derangement Syndrom) is the new, hip attack mode. So if you are going to spew thoughtless, baseless, and caricature insults that only pander to base prejedices, keep up with the times.
Shaun is fast becoming a “scroll by” for me on my visits here. As in I just scroll by his posts.
I expect opinions and debate on issues here, not far left wing rhetoric and ad hominem attacks.
Oh well. I still enjoy enough of the rest of the crew’s posts to keep stopping by here. I just hate it when the posts tilt too far to either side of the aisle as to be extreme or disingenuous.
Attacking Bush for raising money to build a library? Sigh. He is hands down one of the worst presidents in history, in my opinion. But I applaud him wanting to spend money on a library at a university. I see nothing bad at all about that, regardless of wether or not he’d use it. Just over the top, in my opinion and proof to me that this blogger isn’t someone I want to read.
President Bush’s legacy should be studied careful as a warning to others. Even more so the history of Karl Rove.
But I have a problem with donors to the library being kept confidential.
What would a substantial donor expect during the next 2 years for a large commitment?
Well, there is still some residual anger from Democrats who had their patriotism questioned, and who saw the country governed with such incompetence.Its been frustrating to watch for six years, as those who have failed miserably received medals of freedom (where’s Rummy’s medal?). There is a need for openness and accountability, so that the country can heal.
George Bush is someone who had every advantage known to man. He’s held onto power by shutting out the opposition in this country, even though he recieved a razor-thin margin of victory in each of his elections. I agree that he lacks intellectual curiosity, but I do believe he is a big reader, and feel, like other presidents he should have his library.
Noone Really:
Well, judging from your comment it seems like you’re pretty much an intellectual basket case who is unable to think for yourself, but I’ll try one more time by using really short and easy to understand words:
That is not a left-wing rant. This is the law.
Open records didn’t stop Denise Rich from making a substantial donation to Clinton’s library even with the appearance of quid pro quo with her husband’s subsequent pardon. That’s not to say that I think that secrecy is good, but openness doesn’t necessarily help prevent expectations of handwashing when donations are given.
Shaun,
Are the bloggers here immune from Joe’s comment policy? It’s rather ironic: No One Really implied that you made an ad hominen attack and instead of just proving him wrong you…make an ad hominem attack against No One Really:
Nice job!
Thanks for having my back on this one, C Stanley. =)
Lighten up on Shaun, he seems to add a little sarcasm to his writings. I seem to recall that Clintons library was demmed excessive by the Right. Now Bush comes out early and one ups Clinton. Please excuse my Pinko comment, but Olbermann mentioned that the Bush librulary will also house a think tank. Anyone want to guess how the think tank will try to spin history. Enter the door and see “Mission Acomplished”….LOL.
Komrad Marlow Your propaganda is like an application for chief historian to the Bush Library Kremlin.
This site used to be a place of rational discussion. It is now becoming another ‘Balloon Juice’ nuthouse. Joe? WTH?
-b
We do try to be thoughtful. I try to caution everyone who writes or comments on the site. But if I edited each snarky comment or potshot at someone I’d probably reduce comments here on a lot of posts to about 1/4 of what we have on the sight. It comes from all sides. If Michael vdg does a post that someone feels is too far to the right, he gets it from some people and we’ve had to actually ban one or two people do to what sounded like threats. If Michael S does something someone feels is too much to the left, he’ll get it. The writers tend to reply in kind to how they perceive it.
I can do a post one day about everyone keeping the tone up but that’s one of those tiresome housekeeping posts and people skim over.
I just again repeat to everyone as I always do that left , right and welcome are always welcome here to talk about issues. There is an irony in this being one of the most expensive libraries ever when until this year most profiles of George Bush didn’t stress his love of reading. I haven’t done a search but you can probably expect some late night comedians to touch on it. I’m in entertainment and when you do a show there are certain things in the news or in an environment that you almost have to acknowledge.
That said, I LIKE Balloon Juice as I like other sites but I do continue to see our goal as this being a place where everyone is welcome to comment (if you note I run Guest Voice columns but don’t advertise it too much since I can’t be inundated with them. I have another one for tomorrow))
My dear Comrade Rudi…
“I seem to recall that Clintons library was demmed excessive by the Right.”
Well, Bush did show up for the opening, and thus drew added media attention for the event. I don’t think anyone in the Admin. criticized it. Clinton will probably show up for Bush’s opening. Presidential courtesies.
As for your observation: “Your propaganda is like an application for chief historian to the Bush Library Kremlin.”
Well, I should think I would be persona non grata at the WH given my thoughts on the president of late. I don’t think he’s stupid…in fact, I suspect he is pretty bright in a lot of ways.
I am VERY worried about Bush’s tendencies for hubris, however. The U.S. can easily cope with an intellectually incurious president…one afflicted with hubris is another matter.
In the midst of folks’ attacking Bush for this and that…have you lost sight of the fact that as Iraq is descending into a bigger mess and Syria is making a bid for hegemony over Lebanon…the president is doing nothing?!
Nada. Issuing press statements.
Where is the Secretary of State? Why isn’t he using the Bully Pulpit? What the hell is going on at the WH?
So no, Comrade Rudi, if they knew of my posts at TMV I would be off the WH Xmas card list for sure.
Joe,
While I don’t really agree about irony of GWB having an expensive presidential library (I tend to agree with Marlow on this because whether one likes GWB or not I hardly see how anyone can deny the importance of the time during which he served and therefore the historical importance of his presidency)…
But the issue here really isn’t about Shaun’s original post topic, it’s about the name calling. It’s up to you whether to address it or not, but having the site’s co-bloggers insult the commenters hardly seems to foster enlightened discussions.
Thanks to K. Gregory in regard to the observation of my being “definitely NOT a cheerleader”.
I doubt my rather hairy legs and muscles would look particularly nice in a short frilly skirt…but then, I suppose, that is all a matter of taste
C Stanley…
A post by Elrod yesterday said how moderation was a matter of tone. There was a lot of debate over it…but I do think issues of tone matter in debate.
In most debates…not including power politics, where about anything goes and works it seems…ad hominem attacks are not good.
Aside from the fact that…at least in ancient times…resorting to such a fallacy meant an automatic loss in an argument, they do tend to poison the well.
Things become: “well, so you’re old man…”; “oh yeah?”; “yeah!”
Ah well…just my thoughts.
Damn Marlowecan you’re on a roll. In one of the “this site is no longer moderate” threads I said that the fact that you and Rudi can actually engage each other points out that it is. On any other site both of “you” would be desperately searching for long lost fourth cousins to enlist in the fights of a good old fashioned blood feud.
Easy, folks. The few who still defend Bush are in the 31% of Americans really stung by the utter repudiation of this administration. Bruised feelings. Those who still defend him, please remember that we were called godless traitors and worse for questioning the existence of WMD, the Iraq/Quaeda connection, etc. This has been an extremely ugly time and Bush fanned those flames of divisiveness.
Marlowecan, the man who wrote those speeches Bush was unable to articulate, David “axis of evil” Frum, said of Bush “the President’s inability to absorb complex ideas is the root of, maybe, everything.” Many of those closest to Bush do, in fact, consider him to be far from the sharpest knife in the drawer.
The irony of the biggest ever presidential library is that the first thing Bush did, in 2001, was to lock away Reagan and Bush Sr.’s papers to keep ‘scholars’ from seeing what’s there. He also made clear that his papers won’t be available til he says so. I expect the GWB library will have a state of the art shredding facility.
Marlow- From what I’ve read about Bush, he has been disengaged during a variety of briefings, and most meetings in the WH have been with his inner circle of most trusted advisors-Bolton, Rove, Condi, Hadley, Rummy and Cheney. Others in the administration have claimed that they were shut out.
IMO, he was guilty of both hubris and intellectual incuriosity- which is not to say that he is stupid-just not up to the challenges he faced.
But, I have no problem with a presidential library -for him or for Bill Clinton. It will probably be the only place where the historical record doesn’t judge his presidency harshly.
Marlow,
I completely agree, and I guess we could say that Shaun lost the argument with No One Really and leave it at that. But there have obviously been complaints lately about a shift in tone at TMV and what I was trying to convey is that I don’t think it’s just that some of the new co-bloggers are more liberal, it’s that the tone has changed. For example, I think that generally Michael Stickings seems farther left than Shaun Mullen, but I’ve always felt that if I disagreed with a blogger here, I could post my opinion without concern that the blogger would attempt to publicly humiliate me in response. I hope that that will continue to be the case, but if it is to be so, then I think that Joe has to hold the bloggers responsible for the tone of their posts and their responses in the comment section.
I will send out a gentle friendly reminder. As I said, if I edited out all of the angry comments on this site I’d have Powerblogs give me a rebate. But I will remind everyone tonight. People can also email me with specific problems.
Thanks, Joe…sorry to pester you about it!
As Joe noted about Ballon Juice a little humor can add to the disscussion. What you proletarian peasants fail to realize is that Komrad Marlow and myself are plants from the old USSR. You may have defeated us with your Levis, but the Internets is now the vehicle for disinformation, better than TASS ever was. We have diluted your science with the Discovery Institute, next we will flood your PS3 with Red tinged virus. Look up Mao’s “Little Red Book” at old bookstores, his recipes are superior to Martha Stewarts……
Long time lurker, and I have to say, though I am fairly Democrat, and hate Bush, I think Shaun Mullen is doing a disservice to this site. I come here to read intelligent conversation, not ‘clever’ little quips and jabs. If my goal was simply to laugh at Republicans I’d go visit crooks and liars, or some other Dem-focused site. I do, and I will, but I come to *this* site for thoughtful posts, and many of your recent posts have only seemed to incite pettiness, and my-side-is-better-than-your-side style comments.
Rudi the Red said: “What you proletarian peasants fail to realize is that Komrad Marlow and myself are plants from the old USSR. You may have defeated us with your Levis, but the Internets is now the vehicle for disinformation, better than TASS ever was.”
You outed us! YOU SWINE!
Now all the running dog capitalists at TMV know the truth. I ask you: What’s the point in being a sleeper plant if everyone knows the truth??!
That’s it…the blood feud is ON!!!!
Greendreams said: “David “axis of evil” Frum, said of Bush “the President’s inability to absorb complex ideas is the root of, maybe, everything.” Many of those closest to Bush do, in fact, consider him to be far from the sharpest knife in the drawer.”
Well, Frum was always a bit of a neocon poseur…never close to the Bush folks, who don’t let outsiders in…he was exiled a cubbyhole in the west office building or somewhere until he finally quit in despair. Not a good source on Bush.
Your comment on Bush’s policy regarding his documents is interesting. It would be keeping with the Bush family approach to closely restrict access.
As for shredding…well, I’m sure Bush could ask his good friend Bill Clinton for a loan of Sandy Berger. Why spend good money on a copier, when the “Burglar” would be more than happy to take all the secret documents home and shred them on his own time?
Maybe the outing is just the rantings of someone who drank to many Grape Kool Aids. Our supposed truce per Mikkel was just a smoke screen. In talking with Armstrong Williams …….
Rudi of the Left said: “In talking with Armstrong Williams …….”
You make an excellent point, Rudi. If I’m going to be spreading propaganda for the Republican machine – and be abused in its service – I should be better paid for it.
It is simply outrageous that Williams was paid a quarter million to sell Bush policies to the American people.
Your lords and masters in Moscow, or Beijing…or wherever the Red Menace has its evil HQ today… probably pay you better as well.
[Grinding and gnashing of teeth!!!]
Marlow In a serious moment, this is my biggest problem with the Bush Chenney 1984 crowd. They believe that paid hacks and press releases are the equal of serious debate. The truth cannot be purchased from Williams and the Lincoln Group. Maybe if they payed you to doublespeak they could have saved a couple nickels.If at the start of the GWOT he told us more than sound bites and executed a competent war in Iraq I would feel different about this mess. After 911 he should have push Congress to add 500,000 troops to his GWOT. Maybe even an excise tax to really fund this GWOT, not supplemental sending bills to hide a bigger deficit. The Iraqis security forces are driving around in Nissan pickups. Bushco could have actually fought a better war if Collin Powell wasn’t treated like a Redheaded Bolshevik.
Rudi- Under Bush/Cheney we haven’t had government, we’ve had political theater- while their cronies and wealthy supporters have enriched themselves. I cringe every time I think of Bush meeting with the AM radio crowd at the White House for a campaign strategy session.
I predict a run on copies of “My Pet Goat” for the sole purpose of planting in the GWB “library”.
Get your copies while you can folks! Remember its our duty as americans to remind him till he dies of that 7 mins.