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 Bush’s Legacy of FailurePosted on Mar 18, 2008
That idiotic “what, me worry?” look just never leaves the man’s visage. Once again, there was our president, presiding over disasters in part of his making and totally on his watch, grinning with an aplomb that suggested a serious disconnect between his worldview and existing reality. Be it in his announcement that Iraq was being secured on a day when bombs ripped through that sad land or posed between his Treasury secretary and the Federal Reserve chairman to applaud the government’s bailout of a failed bank, George Bush was the only one inexplicably smiling. Failure suits him. It is a stance he learned well while presiding over one failed Texas business deal after another, and it served him splendidly as he claimed the title of president of the United States after losing the popular, and maybe even the electoral, vote. It carried him through the most ignominious chapter of U.S. foreign policy, from the lies about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction to an unprecedented presidential defense of torture. The totally unwarranted assurance was there this week as the once proud dollar fell into the toilet and the debacle of Iraq and Bush’s other failed Mideast policies pushed oil prices to record highs. The Europeans, who didn’t support the U.S. imperial intervention, are doing much better, not having to pay for guarding besieged oil pipelines while U.S. taxpayers are saddled with trillions in future debt, not to mention 4,000 U.S. military deaths and 30,000 U.S. injuries in a war the administration had promised would be paid for with Iraqi oil revenues. Even in Baghdad last week, there wasn’t enough oil to keep the lights on for more than a few hours. But the president is happy because his legacy issue, the war on terror, is intact. No matter that this week the Pentagon was forced to release a report conducted over the last five years that concluded, after surveying 600,000 official Iraqi documents captured by U.S. forces, that there is “no smoking gun” establishing any connection between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida. The report was so embarrassing that we taxpayers, who paid for it, were not going to be told of its existence, even though the explosive conclusions were totally declassified, until ABC News forced its posting online. The network reported that the Pentagon had canceled plans to issue a press release or make it available by e-mail or otherwise online because, as one Pentagon official put it, the study is “too politically sensitive.” Damned right it is—Bush squandered U.S. treasure and lives in an effort that had nothing to do with the infamous attack on America. As for the real war on terror against the real al-Qaida, those folks are very much on the rebound, just where they were before the 9/11 attack, building their bases in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Meanwhile, back on the home front, Wall Street is crumbling, not because of planes crashing into buildings but because the outrageous knaves of finance, freed from the most minimal requirements of public accountability, have been permitted to destroy America’s reputation in the world for financial probity. In the name of ending what were claimed to be onerous regulations imposed after the Great Depression, this administration accelerated a bipartisan pattern of allowing Wall Street to betray investors with impunity while abandoning the federal government’s obligation, once accepted equally by conservatives and liberals, to ensure our national solvency. This tendency, under way for decades to give the bankers what they wanted—codified in the Financial Services Modernization Act, which was signed into law by Bill Clinton and which permitted banks, stock brokers and insurance companies to merge—was exacerbated by Bush’s appointment of rapacious corporate foxes to watch the corporate henhouse. They will take care of their own, which is why Bush was smiling, happily posed in that photo op between Henry Paulson Jr. and Ben Bernanke announcing the Bear Stearns bailout, made possible only by the federal government using your tax dollars to pick up the bad debt of the banks. Tape that picture to your wall to remind you, when you open a credit card bill with a 30 percent interest rate—not the 2 percent the Fed will charge banks—or see the increase in your adjustable rate mortgage, of just what your government will do for the really big guys that it will never do for regular folks. In the years to come, as millions lose their retirement income and homes, we will have occasion to remember Georgie Porgie, who kissed the taxpayers and made them cry before he ran away. Previous item: Rev. Wright on the Battlefield Next item: Obama Walks the Minefield Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig.
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By Nutty Tax Prof, March 20 at 1:35 am # For christmas--though I do not celebrate it--I received a daily Bushism Calender. A Bushism is much more than a slip of the tongue; for example, a slip of the tongue is a random speaking error where one might mislabel a noun or call someone by a different name, or misstate a well known fact. Nevertheless, they’d be well aware of the error. A Bushism, on the other hand, is (daily) a real-life, well documented example of Bush making comments and answering questions that unmistakenly demonstrate that whatever brains this man once had were destroyed by his youthful indescretions, i.e., they are long gone. The only other explanation is that he was given a big brain by mmistake when, for him, a spinal cord would have sufficed. For example, he makes inexcusable nonsequiturs, violates even the simplest and most well-known rules of standard English, or makes these nonsensical sentences that leave the reader feeling as if they he were punched in the head by Joe Louis. Each Bushism is very funny and make my day, every day--e.g., “is our children reading,” which he made shortly before reading a book (upside down, BTW) to a group of pre-schoolers. Originally, I mistakenly chalked his strikingly error rate--there are enouth of these to make an annual calendar without repetition--it up to some sort of dyslexia. But now I am beginning to think that something is truly wrong with this clown. After all, were it dyslexia, he could undergo rehab and I am certain that the repubs would see to it he get the best treatment. So, which is it (1) his partying days or (2) an irreparable genetic birth defect? Not sure but assuming that the former applies, he might be our best defense against hardcore partying, drug abuse, alchoholism and the long term effects thereof. All of this leads me to believe one thing: Americans are truly, well frankly, dumb.
By GW=MCHammered, March 19 at 9:44 pm # Oooh that Smell!Bush is laughing because EVEN HE can do this, screw the American people into submission. Something smell afoul yet? yet? yet? yet...?
By joe magner, March 19 at 8:19 pm # So tell me - please - if ii have sent two comments in and not had one published yet even tho i have received many emails saying there were new comments to be read. do you censor that much here? i certainly am loosing respect for you all. i consider my self a progressive and liberal but not in the way that many do evidentiall and now certianly i have lost respect for your openness. hopefully you will tell me i am mistaken, but at least as the moderators tell me what your standars are for publishing. btw - i am part of the oldest continouese anti war vigil in the U.S. i beleive. We have not missed standing at the courthouse on 4th ave for one hour EVERY DAY since the bush asshole went into Afghanistian. Certaily i have not been at every one, but there have been at least 2 of us there every day. So im not an a.h. neocon but very anti war and anti bush. I am also part of the founding memebers of alternatives to war in corvallis, which formed at the time of - before we went into afghanistian, the vigil was the response to the invasion. thank you
By republicanSScareme, March 19 at 7:16 pm # Lost twin?Yes, Dubyas’s resemblance to Alfred E. Neuman is uncanny. Only George makes Al look like a mental giant.
By Anon, March 19 at 6:12 pm # It’s interesting that people interpret his grin as “What, me worry.” I look at his eyes: he seems terribly afraid and unsure of himself. And stupid of course. When he walks, he looks like he’s afraid someone is going to kick his ass. I almost feel sorry for him.
By sophrosyne, March 19 at 6:08 pm # Bush sold out to Isreali interests long ago. Obama is now being punished for not crawling in front of Israel as Hillary and McPain have. Follow the money and media!
By Victor Berry, March 21 at 2:58 am # Re: From the Alzheimers Patient to the mentallyYou’re correct about Bush being a ventriloquist’s dummy, but I think he was modeled after the prototype, Dan Quayle. Quayle was being groomed for the job by his chief political advisor, Bill Kristol. Quayle was supposed to be the president in 1996, but H. Ross Perot mucked up the ‘92 election results beyond the control of the Supreme Court. Quayle, Bush, Romney, ... seems like a pattern of pliable candidates who are appealing to dumbed-down Americans.
By Montemalone, March 20 at 9:08 am # Re:In other words, he’s a republican.
By Elizabeth Young, March 19 at 7:52 pm # Re: Psychological diagnosisWhat you have to say sounds good, but there is also a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. With two personality disorders, the patient would have to be extraordinarily motivated to make any changes. Mr. Bush appears to think everything is just fine; why should he change?
By Tex, March 19 at 5:20 pm # Re:Thank you, sir, for giving the rest of the world a good idea of what kind of “leader” we have. Ron Reagan said years ago that bu$h was just an obnoxiuos drunk. I’d like to take it a bit further. bu$h never really had to work at anything because his sperm donor would rescue him. bu$h got into Yale, not based on intelligence and achievement, but based on the fact his sperm donor was an alumni. he got a an assignment into a Texas Air National Guard unit during the Vietnam War. (I SERVED BECAUSE I DIDN’T HAVE CONNECTIONS TO GET INTO THE GUARD.) Then, he fails to show up after a period do time. Why? Either he couldn’t pass the piss test or he had a problem with flying. I think he was dabbling too much into drugs. Remember, James Baker III has stated bu$h had plenty of “lost” weekends in Mexico. I view him as one sick puppy. I hope the rest of the world finds out soon. he deserves to be tried in the World Court for crimes against humanity.
By msgmi, March 19 at 4:09 pm # 30 percent of America thinks GW has done a great job. Indeed, this segment of americana either are diehard neoCONS or sycophants who’ll follow a president like GW anywhere, any place, at any time in order to spread ‘democracy’ world wide as long as king-oil is in that region. Leave it to a failed businessman like GW to revive his legacy at the price of sacrificing our troops in a volatile secterian Iraq.
By Montemalone, March 20 at 9:13 am # Re:Don’t forget that the 30% park their fat backsides in some church pew every week, where they spew their hatred of the other 70%.
By joe magner, March 19 at 6:14 pm # Re:OIC - Nancy did a political calculation and decided the intergrety of the constitution need not be defended.......besides the uncheck excess of the signing statements will be nice to have to support her brand of Corporate Cronies. Good thinking Nancy! You have learned your lessons in governing well from the Bushies! Whats amazing is how the lives of thousands of individuals in this world just dont mean a crap to Nancy or Bush, they are both able to lay the blame on someone else and go one with their game playing. I used to be a Democrat but now I understand what Nader was talking about and what Kucinich is about. Damn both the Democracts and Republicans!
By dasm, March 19 at 3:55 pm # Legacy of criminality“Legacy of failure”?? I think “Legacy of criminality” is more appropriate. Failure implies trying to do something- usually worthwhile- and not succeeding in reaching goals. This guy changes goals to suit the disasters he creates, can’t even explain what his goals are anyway, and succeeds only at destroying the Constitution and people’s rights. He’s not a failure- he is an abomination.
By eraends, March 19 at 3:47 pm # One has to wonder about the “Failure” or just a continuation of a “grand design”. Failure implies a serious attempt to succeed and unfortunately, the attempt is not successful. I don’t know about that. Having read extensively about the “neo-con” goals from Nixon through GW, there appears to be a systematic process of taking apart of ‘American’. Ever since the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s the Conservative forces in this country cut, eliminated, discredited many “progressive” attempts to bring America into the mainstream of global politics. Think of all the programs eliminated during “conservative” legislative and executive leadership...peace corps youthful initiative, planned parenthood, Voting rights(now papers needed in some states with large Black populations)collaborative foreign relations, disarmament strategies, environmental regulations, economic progress, progressive taxation, public education research grants, educational grants, habeas corpus to name a few. And look at what’s in their place. Destructive global warming, preemptive wars, religious litmus tests, rewriting of science, discarding the Constitution. This is not some failure, but a systematic undermining of the U.S. as a global power in the world. We couldn’t create jobs in this country in the next depression, because the money lenders are ‘bankrupt’, we have outsourced our major industries for profit, we have destroyed industrial production so we couldn’t even protect ourself from attack the next time, and we have inherited from the “conservatives” a $9,ooo,ooo,ooo,ooo.oo national debt. No this administration was not a failure, but the last nail into the coffin of the American Ideal… eraends
By Curious, March 19 at 3:43 pm # But, but....You will have that small base that still believe Saddam attacked us on 9/11, and that no attack has happened on American soil since 9/1/01. No to actually believe that you have to believe Bush & Co’s story re 9/11. I DON’T!!!
By gullwing, March 19 at 3:39 pm # is this connected to the taxpayer funded bailout. a carlyle rescue plan?..US INVESTMENT bank Bear Stearns took its first step in Australia when its private equity arm agreed to buy Macquarie Private Capital Group for $115.5 million cash. Bear Stearns Private Equity offered $1.062 per security in cash, valuing the Australian private equity fund at $116 million. The offer was at a 56% premium to Macquarie Private’s last closing security price. These groups include Archer Capital, Blackstone Group, The Carlyle Group, Ironbridge, Quadrant and Catalyst.
By FED UP, March 19 at 3:26 pm # Sack Of LieI think what everyone fails to remember is that the idiot is a bold face liar. Forget that his lied about ever aspect of his life. Forget about the lies around Irag and Iran. Forget the lies about LA or our legal system, about torture, etc. The biggest lie is that he claims he cares. It is easy to spin the lies when you do not care. The only truth is he has ever spoken is that he is not worried. Why should he be. None of this will ever harm him. The war will never have anything but a positive effect on him. The big R word or even Bigger D word. Why worry. It not going to hurt him is daddy will always have enough money for him. So he can spin lies, play his game of being President for 8 years, it is just a game to him, then sit back and laugh at the whole situation. He has failed at everything he has done, had his daddy bail him out and chuckled about it later. But the real is is not the moron in offic, but those who put him there twice. I am not as worried about what he has done as I am about the folks that voted for him the second time and those that still believe in him. That has to be a scary bunch of voters.
By OH, March 19 at 2:48 pm # Scarlet Letter for RepublicansThere is a good chance, depending on the severity of the recession and global warming, that Republicans will have to wear a scarlet letter, such as a brand on the forehead that says “BUSH” or “GOP”. Republican Conservatives have earned hatred of the overwhelming majority of Americans which they will all carry with them until the end of their lives.
By Mark, March 19 at 2:43 pm # The true purpose of GWBI keep reading about how incompetent and stupid When you see what his goal is, you will realize he has been one of the most successful Presidents in history.
By Eamon, March 20 at 7:09 am # Re: The true purpose of GWBRead Ms Klein’s book; should be read in every high school. Well-written, thoughtful and very informative. The kind of shock therapy applied by the asses of evil starting w/Friedman and Reagan and going on with the bushites, is deadly. The information in Naomi’s book is vital.
By Ernest Zeller, March 19 at 2:21 pm # OutragedChickens are coming home to roost, the day of reckoning is coming. The Bushies should not be forgotten after they leave office.
By sonny, March 19 at 2:18 pm # I’m a Texan. George “Dumbya” Bush is not. I was born AND Raised here. George “Dumbya” Bush was not. He was born in the North East and he was raised in the boarding schools of the North East. He learned to badly imitate an accent and didn’t use it until he became “Precedent”. His Bravado is false. He is a child in the body of a stupid and failure of a man. If it weren’t for his familial connections he wouldn’t be alive today. He’d have been killed in prison while serving time for drunken driving or cocaine possession. He never got my vote but my voice has always been raised in protest against him.
By Joe Magner, March 19 at 2:02 pm # Failures on oneside can be Success on theWe were going into Afghanistian and telling people in the area we were in July of 2001 - before 911 - and we were saying we were going in in October, which we did. Bill Clinton had layed much of the bricks, the deals were already cut with the northern alliance, and 911 was the cake to justify it all. We were going into Iraq long before we sais we were, and from the get-go anybody who was looking closley at the bases realized we were not leaving, period, which we have not. In order to control a country that has a middle-class, the middle class has to be eliminated, which we have done. The country must be divided into sections that are antagonisitc, which we have also done - much with the surge capping this. To control things in the corporate world, a paramilitary force/forces must exist - you know - renta-cops on the big weapond level. We have seen what Blackwater has been doing outside of Iraq working with other Corporations, like in Nigreia. We used Iraq to start/fund/build the structure of these para-military forces up. So when you look at what Bush/They have done in the real world and not the make beleive world they want you to look at - bush has done amazingly well from their view point. Not perfect but well. Its only those of us that wish to listen to the Bush language and point boney fingers and make fun and puff ourselves up to say how smart we are that fail to see what has been acomplished by them on the otherside while we all played in a circle jerk patting ourselves on the back about how DUMB Bush was....LOL.....the joke has been on the Circle Jerkers. The objective of Bushco is to present to the corporations a view and order to the world that will allow the next evolutionary step in Corporate Global Power. What we all should be looking for is the breaks and competition that is/will be taking place between these corporate assholes as they WILL fight amongst theirselves for power. That is afterall how THEY often fail! or many fail - and what comes out of that will determnine where the rest of the little people and poor people live and have to put up with. Sorry to pop your blame bubble - but Bush has received what they wanted - as they have said - by the time you have figured out the last reality we defined for you - we will be doing the next reality and you will be left figuring out the new game we have made....bad bad paraphrase of an quote printed way back then. cheers -
By dick, March 19 at 1:56 pm # He is happy because everything is going great for him and the other power elites, which includes the Congress. The masses are of no importance.
By natasha, March 19 at 1:55 pm # True, an awful lot of stupid people voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004, but he won neither election. Remember? Does anyone here really think either Hillary or Barack will be in the White House next term? The criminal, evil powers that run this country are still in place, and they will fix every upcoming election just as they did the past two. BTW, I can’t stand to see Bush’s picture or listen to his voice, either. Makes me sick to death.
By marcie, March 19 at 1:13 pm # Georgie forgie, sayin’ a lie,
By David Wolter, March 19 at 12:45 pm # UnbelieveableI’m 73 yrs. old and can’t shake the feeling that the United States has passed me by. From the elder Bush puking on his Japanese host, to the corporate media/political impeachment, of Clinton, and the published history of the thief-in-chief Laughingly and embarrassingly disgracing the office he stole and destroying a collapsing monetary system to the detriment of the people who did not vote for him twice, I have only one thing to say....unbelievable!
By weather, March 19 at 2:31 pm # Re: UnbelieveableWe need you Mr. Wolter more than ever. There’s sneaky, snotty and ruthless children all dressed-up like adults, playing a Mark Goodman/Bill Toddman game show for keeps.
By Carlos Beca, March 19 at 10:46 am # AmazingGreat article by Robert Scheer as always. I am a Canadian citizen and so I do not feel at ease to make comments about a foreign public figure. I usually discuss it with friends when we talk about politics. I do not mean in any way to offend American citizens or the US, but I have to confess that I never thought in my life that I was going to witness a demented running a country like the US. With all the ingredients to be a country to guide the world into sustainable prosperity and by example show most of the world that we can through democracy and education and social stability run this wonderful planet for the benefit of all of us, chooses to not only destroy its reputation world wide, invade countries with horrendous consequences Americans do not see on TV, destroy democracies all over the world by forcing its own regimes on people and then ask ‘WHY THEY DON"T LIKE US?’. It is to me absolutely amazing. So much for the checks and balances of the American political system. I read an article about George Bush in the Atlantic magazine in the 1980s and I could not believe Americans were electing a monkey to run their government. The man has always been a failure and in a certain way a crook all his life. I am affraid it is going to take a miracle to get the US back on track. Much has to be changed. The reputation in Europe never mind in Canada is shocking!! Not even our right wing Bush like prime minister wants to be seen with George Bush. George Bush is the only US President I know of that has never been officially invited to visit Canada as a friend. Pretty sad.
By JimM72, March 19 at 10:25 am # What ELSE is thisCreepshow doing?To add to all of the other comments here, I’ll confidently state there is a lot more criminal activity in the Bush leagues than we are aware of. If it’s left to the repulsive, lying mainstream media or to congress to investigate, we will never know until the 3am knock at the door.... Add Your Comment |
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Newsroom Carnage Continues at The Washington Post
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