Why the Bush Criticism?

[Vin]

Now, I do not want this to become a flame-war, and if it does, I will drop out of conversation, but I must ask: Why the Bush Criticism? Not just here, many news outlets seem to poke fun of our president. Yes, our president. There was a time when that actually meant something. I often hear that President Bush is stupid. Stupid? He received a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Now, how many of you can add that to your list of credentials?

I guess I feel so strongly because I see Bush as a good man and a fine leader. The fact that he is criticized, even after the tradegy of Sept. 11 astonishes me. We could have easily fallen as a nation, but we did not. We stood together and rose to the occasion. We survived the tragedy, in thanks part to our president.

Now, I often hear from peers that Bush is stupid, un-fit leader, etc. I most strongly disagree with that. Everyone does have the right to say what they want, but I just had to know why Bush is often made fun of? To me, an elected official is someone you respect. You don't have to agree with everything he says, but at least, respect him. Then again, after some of the things Clinton did, I can see how some people lost respect for presidents. I honestly do not like Clinton as a person, but he did do a lot of good for the nation, as well.

That is all...

[VashTheStampede]

Some criticism is acceptable, but what I don't get is the criticism of his intelligence and his looks. Some may not like his policy on the environment and taxes and it is ok for them to voice their crazy opinions. Some people though resort to low-blow attacks not based on anything substantive. I personally love it when people criticize him because it gives me a good laugh and shows how wacky some of the people are. I personally think the guy is a great President but even I think there are some things he could improve.

[The Flash]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Vince! Calling him stupid is not in good fun... I hate that excuse. It amazes me too, everybody has forgotten about 9/11 already. Wake up!

[Maxie Zeus]

You know how you always judge the new kid in school right off the bat? Whatever he looks like, or whatever he does on the first day: That will be the stereotype used to imprison him for the rest of his life in school.

It's the same way with the media and presidents. Ever since the invention of mass communication, every president has been trapped in a stereotype, whether that stereotype was true or not:

Clinton: Fat and lustful
Bush Sr: Wimpy
Reagan: Senile and trigger-happy
Carter: Prissy and feckless
Ford: Clumsy and stupid
Nixon: Crooked and tricky
Johnson: Boorish and rude
Kennedy: Charming and boyish (funny how far back you have to go to find a positive stereotype)
Eisenhower: Lazy and forgetful
Truman: Hot-tempered and combative
Franklin Roosevelt: Aristocratic and cheerful
Hoover: Dour and gloomy
Coolidge: Close-mouthed and stubborn
Harding: Lazy, stupid and corrupt
Wilson: Priggish and professorial
Taft: Fat and lazy
Teddy Roosevelt: Hyperactive

Some of these, like Eisenhower's, have been totally overturned by scholarship. But every President has to suffer through this. It's W.'s misfortune to have uttered a few too many gaffes in too quick a time early in the 2000 campaign, and to have that unfortunate resemblance to a chimpanzee.

[Weatherman]

Criticism? I've heard a number of bad jokes, but actual critism of what George does has actualy been very minimal. Everyone is afraid to confront the President at a "time of war" as they would be labled "unpatriotic".


Personally, I don't especially like alot the the proposals he's made, especially on the environment and social issues, but you're right, especially before the attacks last year there was some criticism that was getting a bit out of hand.


Question: Are you saying it's not right to criticize a President's actions in a "time of war" and that we should just smile happily at whatever he trys to do, including the suspension of certain civil rights?

[VashTheStampede]

Carter: Prissy and feckless

Some times the stereotypes are true.

[hello_lola]

I agree that W. is a reasonably intelligent individual, and that his looks (or lack of them) have nothing to do with his effectiveness as a leader. That said, IMHO, W. is not among our finest presidents. I disagree strongly with many of his policies - chiefly the economy and health-care reform - and I think that he's reactive rather than proactive. In any case, public office has always come with it's share of drawbacks, as well as benefits, one of them being having to face public ridicule. You have to remember that W. has freely admitted to having a checkered past, and as for his performance in the arena of higher education - well let's just say he's lucky his family had money.

[Memphis Bleek]

Originally posted by Vincent Benenati

I guess I feel so strongly because I see Bush as a good man and a fine leader. The fact that he is criticized, even after the tradegy of Sept. 11 astonishes me. We could have easily fallen as a nation, but we did not. We stood together and rose to the occasion. We survived the tragedy, in thanks part to our president.

This is just my personal opinion, but it wouldn't have matter who are President was after Sept. 11. People act like if Gore, Nader, or Mccain had won our government would have been overthrown by Al Qaeda. Bush made some speeches and stood as symbol of strength, but that his job. Bush basely sent troops to Afghanistan and the war was over. Bush did what was suppose to do nothing more nothing less. I don't think that America could or would have fallen because of the events of Sept. 11. It's going to take more than some terrorists attack to topple this great nation. My criticism of Bush is of his policies and not personal attacks about his IQ.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by Weatherman
Criticism? I've heard a number of bad jokes, but actual critism of what George does has actualy been very minimal. Everyone is afraid to confront the President at a "time of war" as they would be labled "unpatriotic".


Personally, I don't especially like alot the the proposals he's made, especially on the environment and social issues, but you're right, especially before the attacks last year there was some criticism that was getting a bit out of hand.


Question: Are you saying it's not right to criticize a President's actions in a "time of war" and that we should just smile happily at whatever he trys to do, including the suspension of certain civil rights?

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Watagashi]

Originally posted by Vincent Benenati
Now, I do not want this to become a flame-war, and if it does, I will drop out of conversation, but I must ask: Why the Bush Criticism? Not just here, many news outlets seem to poke fun of our president. Yes, our president. There was a time when that actually meant something. I often hear that President Bush is stupid. Stupid? He received a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Now, how many of you can add that to your list of credentials?

I guess I feel so strongly because I see Bush as a good man and a fine leader. The fact that he is criticized, even after the tradegy of Sept. 11 astonishes me. We could have easily fallen as a nation, but we did not. We stood together and rose to the occasion. We survived the tragedy, in thanks part to our president.

Now, I often hear from peers that Bush is stupid, un-fit leader, etc. I most strongly disagree with that. Everyone does have the right to say what they want, but I just had to know why Bush is often made fun of? To me, an elected official is someone you respect. You don't have to agree with everything he says, but at least, respect him. Then again, after some of the things Clinton did, I can see how some people lost respect for presidents. I honestly do not like Clinton as a person, but he did do a lot of good for the nation, as well.

That is all...

I couldn't have said that better myself. I know what you mean... My friend always finds a way to poke fun or insult Bush almost any way he can. I mean, sure, what he's doing to the environment isn't exactly that great, but that doesn't give any excuse to just take low shots at him, always calling him an idiot or something. I think that he's been handling this war and the whole presidency thing pretty good and that he's always looking in the best interest of the nation. It's okay to criticize some of the things he does such as the enviromental and social thing, but that still doesn't give any good excuse to just plainly insult him like that.

That's all I have to say.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

This is mostly about me so I'm going to say, I criticize him because for the most part because he does give off a dumb image. Including things he has done having nothing to do with his position of president and things he has done while in office.

Don't get me wrong I'm a Republican but alot of his policies I just don't agree with and I think maybe had I been more into the campaign (not being old enough to vote at the time), I would have never supported him to begin with. I also don't think he's a great president, fair or good would be more like it. I mean we aren't exactlty at our best.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Vince! Calling him stupid is not in good fun... I hate that excuse. It amazes me too, everybody has forgotten about 9/11 already. Wake up!

Honestly 9/11 didn't curb me from ever not making fun of the guy. What Weatherman said is what I was thinking. I'm not aginst him, I'm not aginst our country, I support him(when he's right) during these times but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to poke fun at the guy, at the same time, on issues having absolutely nothing to do with how he runs our country or his administration.

I look at it as doing it in good fun because(well one I only do it to pictures of him and), It's like someone taking something out of context, or saying something so untrue it's funny. Nobody really thinks he's a monkey or such a HUGE idiot that he forgot which hand is which and you know it. It really is in good fun.

Yes, our president. There was a time when that actually meant something. I often hear that President Bush is stupid. Stupid? He received a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Now, how many of you can add that to your list of credentials?

Yeah, it meant something when our president didn't COME OFF as stupid. You can't tell me that he has the image of an intellegent man. Nobody could call him stupid if it wasn't a characteristic(no matter how off) he gave off. Its' like on cartoons when you have this really burly tough looking guy, with a deep voice and dank clothes, you expect him to be this tough guy but really he's pacifist and into poetry and junk.

Many intellegent people like Einstein for example struggle/d in things that most people can do but excell well on paper and other areas. I suck at math so bad but every other aspect I excell at more than my grade level, I also can't type worth crap but does that mean I'm dumb ? Bush may be that kind of intellegent person where he shows it on paper or in other aspects.

So what I'm saying is I'm not making fun of Bush the man or pollitician. I'm making fun of the image Bush puts out for himself, I mean papers can't publish faces he didn't make, TV can't make him stutter over words if he didn't do it..and you get my drift.


Sorry if I offended anyone with my views but If it makes it any better I was very offended by yours.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I don't think Bush is getting any more or less criticism than any other president the U.S. has had. When you're in the spotlight, it comes with the territory. In a way, he's a celebrity. The media always finds ways to joke about so-and-so in the spotlight--if you can't take jokes and criticism, you shouldn't get such a high-profile job.

I think after 9/11 some people have anointed him as some sort of hero. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. Would any other president have done much different than he did? We don't know. But just because of this we shouldn't turn a blind eye to some of his other mishaps, or any future policies that turn out to be questionable.

[Psycho Fox]

Well Bush does not really have a good command of languge as great leaders usally have. Take a look at some of his quotes.

"I want to make sure everybody who has a job wants a job"
The way he said it, it means he is going to make sure everyone that has a job really wants one but did he mean that or "everybody that want a job has a job" That is completly diffent.

"The caribou love it(Alaska pipline). They rub against it and they have babies. There are more caribou in Alaska than you can shake a stick at." Now the way it reads you'd think Bush needs to go to sex ed where what he really meant was ummm well uhhh moving on.

"The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country." That is stating the obvious like foreigners come from other nations.

"I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future." Bad grammer. It should be "I will make good judgments" unless he some how was able to foresee his future.

"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it"Contradiction see impurities is pollution thus the first sentence contradicts with his second.

This is where all the Bush IQ criticism comes from he has no mastery of the queens english. Close to ever other great leader had/has master of their mother toung. Greenspan sounds more like a leader then Bush.

Plus there has not really been a public forum since 9/11 everything has changed does the US really want to remain enemies with communism or is terrorism a bigger threat and if the US remain enemies with communism at what cost? Is there reason people in the middle east don't like the US? If so what can the US do to improve our image or does the US want to improve its image? Is this cold war on terroism going to have a propaganda front? If so the US does need to worry about its image. While Bush hasn't done a bad job from my stand point he hasn't got a long term game plan meaning and Americans have to take part in picking a game plan.

[VashTheStampede]

Hey Psycho Fox still with the same quotes get some new ones. It's not like there is a shortage of them. What I'm hearing from people on what policies they don't like I find those are exactly the same policies I do like. His policies on Health Care, the Environment, education, his Foreign Policy (Although I think he should get the US out of the UN, and basically say "screw you" to the other nations of the world.That's just the hardcore Conservative in me. ) Don't get offended by my words or take them personally, but if you do, tough luck.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

You like his Enviormental policy ? The other stuff I can give you slack for, but seriously ?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I think it's pretty much a fact that Bush isn't a great performer or public speaker. He's only good when he's got a script propped up in front of him to read off of.

Some people are like that. I'm not a great public speaker, either--I trip over words and stutter and say "Uhhhhhhhhh....." a lot, so I'm not going to blast him for that. On the other hand, I'd never run for president...

[Psycho Fox]

Originally posted by VashTheStampede
Hey Psycho Fox still with the same quotes get some new ones. It's not like there is a shortage of them.

That would mean I would actully have to stay awake through a speach no thanks I'll stick with these which are already posted throught the internet by people critising Bush for one reason or another.

What I'm hearing from people on what policies they don't like I find those are exactly the same policies I do like. His policies on Health Care, the Environment, education, his Foreign Policy (Although I think he should get the US out of the UN, and basically say "screw you" to the other nations of the world.That's just the hardcore Conservative in me. ) Don't get offended by my words or take them personally, but if you do, tough luck.

Well I disagree with his Health Care, the Environment and education but I won't get into them.

As for the idea of Bush telling the UN to screw off. The UN already wants slap the US with war crimes telling them to screw off will just make the US looks like a softer version of the Soviet Union. Face it the US can't fight terrorsim on its own and bolwing off the UN would just cause the collison to clasp. Then the tariff war would come then we replay the depression sorry I don't see any stratigic benifit for the US in that scenario.

And as for Forein Policy I don't see it any better then it ever was but then I always found US forein policy backwards.

[TimTwoFace]

Originally posted by Psycho Fox
And as for Forein Policy I don't see it any better then it ever was but then I always found US forein policy backwards.

Hear hear! As a Canadian I hear a lot of exterior criticism from the US, but it's the foreign policy that bothers me more than anything else. The fact that Bush is more concerned about the war on terror than any other issue right now kinda bugs me; yeah, it's important and all, but it's kind of obvious that other countries of the world don't think it's the #1 priority.

That's just an honest opinion - I don't want to get into a flame-war or something. That happens enough at another message board I attend (gamesbids.com) and I don't want it to happen here.

-Tim

[James]

Certainly from the international standpoint, no one has been particularly impressed with Mr Bush, which has to but a question on how good a leader he is. Surely a good leader should be able to ooze confidence inside and out of his country?

I won't dwell on 9/11 - but there are many out there who have not been impressed with his actions. A list a couple of documents which offer a different opinion to the general one in this thread, that perhaps Bush's work before and after the event wasn't as perfect as people believe.

Some points about Mr Bush's potential plunders leading up to 9/11
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pionee...al/3367884.htm

An opinion on 5 points that Bush didn't address in his reaction to the tragic 9/11
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/01franc.htm

The UK retains strong ties with the US - something I welcome very much - but there is - as I've said before - an uncertainty about Mr Bush. Is it just a difference in culture? We are different. Yet the same. Perhaps that's all it is. Is it his poor knowledge on Foreign Policy? With a world which is getting smaller, knowing both your friends and enemies is surely an advantage that each leader should have. That makes his position in the world uncomfortable and by the knock on effect could be to everyone's cost.

I'd like to see him polish up and perhaps meet foreign policy head on deal with world issues as a world player and not as simply an American. I've not seen any of that so far. The world is a varied place. Not everywhere is like the US or wants to be - I think that's a critical aspect of Foreign Policy. Others don't think like or work like yourself.

The world needs leaders to lead by example, to understand and work with other cultures. I hope he will eventually follow this philosophy.

I hope this post in coherent and not to controversial.

Peace.

[Psycho Fox]

Originally posted by TimTwoFace


Hear hear! As a Canadian I hear a lot of exterior criticism from the US, but it's the foreign policy that bothers me more than anything else. The fact that Bush is more concerned about the war on terror than any other issue right now kinda bugs me; yeah, it's important and all, but it's kind of obvious that other countries of the world don't think it's the #1 priority.

-Tim

Yhea, I agree with the leftist writer Chomsky that the US forien policy has been backwards since Eisenhower. Think about it, during the cold war the Soviet Union and China was spewing a fake Marxist ideology and the poor and working classes bought into it becouse Marxism apeals to them. What did the US do? Bash Markism instead of exposing the fake Marxism in China and the Soviet Union that would have been a harder for China and the Soviet Union to counter thus it is conceivable the cold war could have died out sooner since their propaganda would have been exposed to US critism of it not being true Marxism. Also this is what people say US should do with Islam extreamist is to use their holy scriptures aginst them say how this goes aginst Islam.

As far current forign policy well the terrorist are pissed for a reason and it is the US aditude towards economic nationalism which leads to the US putting in puppet goverments that are usally monsters and actully makes Castro look like good. Still the US holds communism as the enemy and forget that before WWI Britian made the US a freind (at the time a hated enemy) to focus on Germany and that move that ensured Britians survival yet no move has been made of the US focusing on terrorism and letting the small fish go. Then you have the war crimes tribunal which the US won't support since it would be held accountable like everyone else to UN law and when the UN puts pressure on the US the US threatened to end peace keeping missions.