Analysis: Bush's personality shapes his legacy
WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush will be judged on what he did. He will also be remembered for what he's like: a fast-moving, phrase-mangling Texan who stays upbeat even though his country is not.
For eight years, the nation has been led by a guy who relaxes by clearing brush in scorching heat and taking breakneck bike rides through the woods. He dishes out nicknames to world leaders, and even gave the German chancellor an impromptu, perhaps unwelcome, neck rub. He's annoyed when kept waiting and sticks relentlessly to routine. He stays optimistic in even the most dire circumstances, but readily tears up in public. He has little use for looking within himself, and only lately has done much looking back.
Bush's style and temperament are as much his legacy as his decisions. Policy shapes lives, but personality creates indelible memories — positive and negative.
Call it distinctly Bush.
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Don't be late.
Bush demands punctuality and disdains inefficiency. Every meeting better have a clear purpose. And it better not repeat what he already knows.
He is up early and in the Oval Office by 6:45 a.m. By 9:30 to 10 at night, it's lights out. He likes to be fresh and won't get cheated on his sleep.
In sessions with policy experts, Bush tends to ask questions that get right to the nub of a sticky issue. His top aides speak regretfully about how the country never got to see that side of him, even after all this time. They describe a man who is deeply inquisitive, not blithely incurious as much of the world thinks.
When Bush wants answers, guessing isn't advised.
"He can sniff it out a mile away if you don't have the goods," said White House communications director Kevin Sullivan.
Other people write Bush's speeches, but he'll kick out phrases that he thinks stray from a logical progression. It's about discipline.
You can tell the issues that really get Bush going, because he talks about them differently, more passionately: education, AIDS relief, freedom. They happen to be ones that can be viewed more clearly through a moral lens. That's how he sees the world.
Bush reads the Bible regularly. Another devotion: exercise. He makes time for a workout at least six days a week, wherever he is. And he goes at it hard, especially on his mountain bike on the weekends, when he pushes Secret Service agents to keep up with him. He is competitive and likes to stay in command.
Even eating is approached with sheer purpose.
Bush wants his lunch ready when he is, and wolfs it down. His tastes are clear: maybe a peanut butter and honey sandwich, a BLT, or a burger. Former White House executive chef Walter Scheib learned from Bush never to serve a grilled cheese sandwich unless it came with a side of French's yellow mustard.
The man from a land of cowboy boots orders proper dress in the White House. No jeans allowed in the West Wing. Coat and tie in the Oval Office.
"Orderliness in the process gave him confidence," said Peter Wehner, a former top Bush aide and now a senior fellow at the Ethics & Public Policy Center.
And if you're in Bush's presence, turn off your cell phone. Pity the person who gets the Bush stare when a Blackberry rings at the wrong time.
Then there are his stories. He repeats his favorites. Like the one about the cheery rug in the Oval Office. Or the spectacular rainbow that day in Romania.
Who's going to stop him?
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Bush's words betray him sometimes.
"They misunderestimated the compassion of our country," Bush said of the Sept. 11 terrorists. "I talk to families who die," he said, meaning the loved ones of those who perish in war. "Childrens do learn when standards are high," he said in promoting his education plan.
Ivy League educated, Bush is good-natured about his verbal trip-ups. Yet he appears to have grown a bit more methodical in public, as if searching carefully for the right words.
His tangled moments have undoubtedly helped shape an unflattering public perception; there are entire books of his "Bushisms." Invariably, though, people who talk to him privately — historians, journalists, dissidents — come away with a very different impression of a meticulous thinker.
It is a paradox of his presidency.
Some of Bush's sillier times are of his own choosing. He doesn't take himself too seriously.
Like his herky-jerky dance moves in Liberia, or his odd little tap dance while waiting for John McCain to show up one day. He likes to back-slap people. And when he's ready to move on, there are telltale signs. To end an event with visitors, he'll say, "Let's get a picture," and that's that.
Bush generally calls people by the labels of his choosing, too. Reporters, Cabinet members, heads of state — anyone is fair game for a nickname. The practice tends to add a touch of familiarity between people and the president, and Bush likes that.
As for fun, Bush is far from the first president with a love for sports, but he may have advanced the cause.
In baseball season, he often has a game on TV, even for soothing background noise while he works. He quietly welcomes ball players to the executive mansion for tours or dinnertime conversation. And regardless of the sport, he loves it every time any championship team comes to the White House.
Their moment is his moment.
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Bush can flash a temper and impatience. But if he takes criticism personally — and he gets lots of criticism — he tries not to show it.
When former press secretary Scott McClellan wrote a scathing book about Bush's leadership, the president told his senior aides to let it go.
"Find a way to forgive, because that's the way to lead your life," White House press secretary Dana Perino remembers Bush advising her.
Bush is insistently — some say unforgivably — optimistic, no matter how low his poll numbers get.
"Every day has been pretty joyous," he said recently, summing up one of the hardest presidencies ever known.
The toughest moments for him come when he meets the grieving families of the troops he sent to war. Or when he meets severely wounded troops in recovery. Many of the hurting tell Bush they want to get back out in active duty. He is moved by the sacrifice.
"I do a lot of crying in this job," Bush once acknowledged.
He shows consideration to people close to him in little ways. He sends birthday notes to staff members. He remembers little details about their families. When he visits an Army post to thank the troops, he's been known to wander into the kitchen, too, to praise whoever cooked him the french fries.
The president is a proud dad of two grown daughters, Jenna and Barbara. The public got a tiny glimpse of his softer side when Jenna married Henry Hager in May. Bush said afterward that his little girl married a really good guy. First lady Laura Bush says her husband now has a son.
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Bush is not much for the social scene. He and his wife will go to friends' homes but stay away from restaurants and Washington's other delights. His aides say he doesn't like to cause a security hassle for the public.
That's also why they say he speeds through his foreign travel. Even in the world's more magnificent sites, Bush often skips touristy stuff to stick to business, contributing to that incurious reputation.
"I'm a nester," Bush said.
Nowhere is that more true than at his beloved, secluded ranch in Crawford, Texas. He has spent more than a year of his presidency there.
Bush chops cedar, clears brush and builds mountain bike trails there. The summer heat doesn't bother him so much as enthrall him. He even set up a little competition, true Bush: People who work for him get a coveted T-shirt and bragging rights if they run for three straight miles on days hitting 100 degrees.
He relaxes by reading quite a bit, mostly U.S. and world history. He likes the spy-spoofing "Austin Powers" movies. He chills out with his wife.
His time will soon be his own.
"I will leave the presidency with my head held high," Bush says.
And he will leave behind a lot to remember.
Jan 12, 2009 at 12:32 p.m.
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60 Minutes last night explained how the big investment firms on Wall Street manipulated the price of oil upwards, even as supply was up, and demand going down. Speculation caused the spike in oil prices, I don`t believe Bush actually had a hand in it, or it wouldn`t have worked!
Jan 12, 2009 at 12:17 p.m.
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Minan...your whole statement lifted from a self-professed progressive website is keeping this thread on topic?
Jan 12, 2009 at 9:54 a.m.
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"it all starts with the price of gas"...again you show your lack of understanding.
Jan 10, 2009 at 12:21 p.m.
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air force...again, you keep talking about how oil prices[commodities] are SUPPOSED to be set. That doesn't mean they follow the rules. All kinds of insider trading, speculators, etc etc jumped on the band-wagon. Lets see ,,year 2000 oil at $20.00/barrel, million barrels a day, thats 20 million dollars a day. 2008, $140 /barrel..@ million/day= 140 million per day some one was getting. The million barrels/day is just an example. Who got the extra $120 million/day. hmmm Just look at Dubai..I bet a LOT OF MONEY WENT THERE.. .meanwhile, we just got further & further in debt...America isn't just facing a mortgage crises, we have a DEBT CRISES.. & it all starts with the price of gas..
Jan 10, 2009 at 1:31 a.m.
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Tom3205...Your post Jan 8, 9:42 "The Bush/cheney" gas cartel wanted to raise the price of oil so the Texas oilmen could once again start their pumps"---"The Arabs just kept upping the price"
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Your post Jan 9, 8:23 "The "administration" didn't set oil prices, but they sure as hell INFLUENCED prices."---"When it became apparent that the Bush clone was not going to be elected, the gas prices fell rapidly ."
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It is apparent by your own quotes that you have conflicting views on what if anything created the spike in oil price. As I previously said "you also might want to read up on how commodity pricing works to better understand who sets oil prices". The "Arabs" don't just up the price and there is no administration policy (trying to increase oil futures) that did the same. Your conclusion that McCain not being elected dropped prices falls well short of fact. Again, you would do your self well to read how commodity prices are set.
Jan 9, 2009 at 8:56 a.m.
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I agree completely that it is your money, and you should do with it what you choose. I never expressed otherwise. I will point out, that I'm not the one pissing and moaning because my living expenses are too high, or because gas prices are outrageous. Those sentiments can be found in tom's post on 1/8/09 @ 9:42.
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Jan 9, 2009 at 8:23 a.m.
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Air force...The "administration" didn't set oil prices, but they sure as hell INFLUENCED prices. Bush/Cheney pi**ed off so many Middle east bigwigs, that they got even, not with bullets/bombs, but gas prices. As for my $100.00 a day, that was just an example. Add or subtract zeros as you see fit. I am retired, have No debt, and live carefully within my means. I am not a normal American. Most americans are in debt up to their ears. Personal credit card debt quadrupled during the last 8 years.{Bush years}, That was just to keep up with our standard of living. No one wanterd to lower their standards. I did, maybe you did too, but everyone else just kept using the ole plastic, & when gas hit $4.00/gal. they finally cried uncle. When it became apparent that the Bush clone was not going to be elected, the gas prices fell rapidly . That was no accident. The rest of the world just despised Bush/Cheney, and all Americans suffered for it.
Jan 9, 2009 at 1:27 a.m.
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whybesad..."Whose to tell me...it's my money that I earn."
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That is exactly what you are not to think...you need to watch more MSM and re-educate yourself. :-)
Jan 9, 2009 at 1:25 a.m.
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Tom it looks like you need help from a personal financial advisor. Then you also might want to read up on how commodity pricing works to better understand who sets oil prices (hint; it wasn't the administration).
Jan 8, 2009 at 7:19 p.m.
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Whose to tell me if I can afford to buy a $45,000 car or truck. It's my business not yours. If you wanna live on the edge and worry about making ends meet than go ahead. Don't tell me what and what I can't buy. After all it's my money that I earn.
Jan 8, 2009 at 7:17 p.m.
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I need a truck to do my job. To put food on the table for my family. You can't do to much without a four wheel drive vehicle in a Wisconsin winter. I gotta job to do and I can't drive a sub-compact gas mizzer to get the job done.
Jan 8, 2009 at 10:36 a.m.
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lakekennedy-You bring up a good point. I did buy a truck over the last 5 years, but I've always had one and never complain about the gas. I know they are expensive to fill up before I make the purchase. I still have to get places and I can't change that. I think a lot of people however, don't really take that factor into serious consideration and they should. And Tom, no offense, but spending $100 a day is a lot of money.
Jan 8, 2009 at 10:22 a.m.
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I'm not trying to insult anyone here, but I'm wondering why anyone would have bought a "gas-guzzler" during the last five years. The majority of the people I know who own a Denali, Tahoe, etc. are parents with either no children or one child. What, exactly, is the point in owning a vehicle that uses so much gas when you could just as easily get by with a compact car? Although I'm not intending to personally attack toms post below, I think it illustrates quite effectively how accepted, or expected, it has become for people to live beyond their means. I'm not sure how or why your cost of living is $100.00 a day, but I'm pretty sure that there could be life changes made in order to lower that cost. They aren't easy, but they're out there. Good luck to you.
Jan 8, 2009 at 9:42 a.m.
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For all of you that fail to understand that $4.00/gal. gas is the root cause of our recession:: I make $100.00/day, my expenses are $100.00/day, that's living on the edge, day to day, and I can do that for the rest of my life, as long as there are NO GLITCHES..ie gas prices going thru the roof. At $4.00/gal, my expenses went up, say $105.00/day. Now I can't continue my living on the edge. I can't trade my gas guzzler, dealers don't want them, they can't resell them, so new cars don't get sold, & the auto industry goes belly-up. Same with RV industry, & housing. Suddenly, hundreds of people defaulted on home loans. They were making it, but $4.00/gal. put them over the edge. They have to buy the gas, and miss a payment, no choice. And everything else trickled down. The Bush/cheney" gas cartel wanted to raise the price of oil so the Texas oilmen could once again start their pumps. It just wasn't profitable at $20.00/barrell. But like all Bush policies, it backfired.The Arabs just kept upping the price, & $4.00/gal. was the ultimate terrorist attack. Just look at the mess we're in, & you don't think $4.00/gal. was a terrorist attack ?? I don't know how the new guy is going to do, but looking back on the last 8 years, he can't possibly do much worse. And, if you think killing almost 3,000 Americans, on Sept. 11th, was bad,and it was, how about killing 43,000 Americans each year on our highways. Maybe that's the ultimate attack!!!
Jan 8, 2009 at 9:42 a.m.
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darwin-Let me simplify this for you because you're having a hard time understanding. A story was written about George Bush. You and others didn't care for George Bush. That is fine. You have every right to comment on why you thought he wasn't a good President. Immediately starting below however, the attacks on christians, republicans, etc. began. When you do that, you're not attacking the president, you're attacking many people. Stick to the subject.
Jan 8, 2009 at 9:29 a.m.
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sparkless likes to give advice to others that he himself will not follow. I can't imagine. Let me make a prediction here. Spark will continue complaining about complaining and not stop complaining because he is the only complainer who knows anything about complaining.
Jan 8, 2009 at 9:20 a.m.
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And give you whiners the pleasure? Not going to happen. Go take your religious beliefs that you spew on each post and attack someone else. Nobody wants to listen to it. If that's what you believe, great. Don't go attacking others because of it. There's a right way and a wrong way to voice it.
Jan 8, 2009 at 8:44 a.m.
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If only spark-less could follow his own advice.
Jan 8, 2009 at 8:02 a.m.
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justsaynotomath-you're clueless. I read what the pissed off people right and complain about. They basically complain about everything. How bad Janesville sucks, blah, blah, blah, yet they're still here. I comment on their attitude suggesting that maybe they should try and lighten up and if they're so miserable, they should get out and do something about it. Then, people like yourself that complain, get defensive and can't get past the misery, start bashing me and in return you feel I'm the basher. You see, this is a public site. And if you're going to complain about everything where myself and others can read it, you're opening the door for discussion. Oh, by the way, there are many legitimate complaints on this site, I'm not denying that, but many of them are just ridiculous. I have nothing personally against anyone here.
Jan 7, 2009 at 3:53 p.m.
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chemical_6-that would be extremely creepy! LOL! Ha. All good.
Jan 7, 2009 at 3:41 p.m.
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spark, chill out brother, your gonna have a heart attack.
Jan 7, 2009 at 3:26 p.m.
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spark - my grandfather uses "LOL".. I think it's a sign of the times...
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Plus everyone bickers on the gazette blogs.. I think its fun sometimes and sometimes it's really entertaining.
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It could be worse.... We could have no president and run solely on the congress... now that is a creepy thought.
Jan 7, 2009 at 1:45 p.m.
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justsaynotomath-yep, 502 posts geared at complainers and miserable people such as yourself that find something wrong with everything. If it wasn't for republican and christian bashing, you wouldn't have squat to talk about. Go back and read some of your own posts. You are a hypocrite and don't even realize it. LOL? What are you twelve?
Jan 7, 2009 at 1:05 p.m.
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..and if you want to call that an attack, go ahead. I was merely defending myself from the bashing.
Jan 7, 2009 at 1:02 p.m.
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justsaynotomath-you want to attack me some more? It shows your true intelligence. I never attached you or anyone. How lame of a life you must live that your actually going to have some excitement based on Jan 20th. You should try and get out more if that's all that gets you excited. Meds? Never been on them, never would. I'm not depressed and miserable like some of the people that post on this site. Finding negativity in everything is pretty useless and you waste days of this short life we all have. Enjoy yourself. You see, the more I read these posts that certain people write (notice I said certain, there are many people that don't complain about everything) the more I realize how miserable some people really are. What does that get you? Nothing. Why not take a more positive approach and make some changes yourself. I will never understand it.
Jan 7, 2009 at 11:32 a.m.
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The first time I ever voted was when Reagan ran. His numbers didn`t add up and I could see deficits growing ever larger. He had a wonderful personality, but his economic policies sent us on a downward spiral. Bush came in with a perpetual sneer and proceeded to send us into a deeper pit, economically and morally. He likes to blame 9-11 for his deficits when he had squandered Clinton`s surplus and put us into deficit spending before that happened. He came into office already planning to invade Iraq, just waiting for an excuse. Instead of really pursuing the perpetrators of 9-11, he jumped at the chance to invade. By either overtly, or tacitly, condoning torture, he lost all right to call himself a moral man. And he surrounded himself with men who were just as morally corrupt as he was. There is a movement afoot to get rid of the electoral college, and go with the one who gets the most votes, as Gore did. Already about a half dozen states have signed onto it, with hopefully more to come. I don`t claim Bush "stole" the 2000 election, but enough things happened to cause a lot of questions to be asked. The Supreme Court did not say no irregularities occurred, only that they were not prepared to overturn an election because, in their view, they were not egregious enough to do so. We can only hope that all the damage to our economy, and world prestige, that has been done in the last 8 years can be reversed by Obama. Hopefully, in 8 years, we will not be saying the same things about him as we are about Bush.
Jan 7, 2009 at 10:36 a.m.
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While pointing fingers at Bush about torture, I find it interesting that that media has never reported that torturing our POWs is not new. Just ask my uncle who still suffers from PTSD after serving as an interpreter for an interrogator during Vietnam. Waterboarding is pretty gentle compared to the atrocities my uncle witnessed.
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I didn't agree with invading Iraq...I'm a conservative and a pacifist. But now that we're in, I predict we will never leave. I believe we're going to set up bases so we always have a presence in the Middle East.
Jan 7, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.
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deltafox5674-You are very confused. Was I the first one to start attacking on these posts? I was merely responding to the childish bashing that solves nothing. Name call? I have read my posts. I haven't attacked anyone. If anyone needs a hug, it's all the whiners that are so pissed at life and the World that constantly post on here. It's seriously depressing. Most of my posts are geared towards the people that constantly complain about everything. Life is too short and I feel bad for people like that. They're missing out on a lot. Have a great day.
Jan 7, 2009 at 9:20 a.m.
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"You liberal, democrats that constantly bash republicans with your names and one-sided information are seriously psycho."-spark
Aren't you doing the same thing? Seriously, you need to re-read some of your posts. All you do is name-call and bash those whose opinions do not match yours. Go somewhere and get a hug, will you? Everything will be ok. I know you think that you can change the world, and the minds of the people who blog here, but you are seriously looking like an angry fool that lashes out at everything.
Jan 7, 2009 at 9:20 a.m.
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lakekennedy- Thank your for some intelligent insight that doesn't involve bashing and that shows the reality that it go's beyond just the President to run this Country.
Jan 7, 2009 at 9:17 a.m.
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Those of us who are alive 20, 30, 40 years from now will have the opportunity to look back and see how history has judged Bush. Things may get worse, and he'll end up looking like a saint. They may get better, and he could end up looking like a monster.
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Personally, I can honestly say that I don't know where we'd be had we had a different President. No one does. Things could be a lot worse right now, or a lot better. I will say, that I do not envy the position this man has been in over the last eight years. I firmly believe he has had one of the most trying Presidencies in United States history.
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I also think, too often, Americans assume that all of the troubles our country is going through are a direct result of the President, when Congress should shoulder the majority of that blame.
Jan 7, 2009 at 9:08 a.m.
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justsaynotomath- WAKE UP! Who bashed Obama? I didn't bash him in any way. These posts started because of you immature cry babies that bash republicans every chance you get. It amazes me how none of you can understand what other's are saying. We're talking about how you attack others. Not about if Republicans or Democrats are better. Is it that hard for you to understand? Because it's not that difficult to figure out.
Jan 7, 2009 at 9:05 a.m.
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I rest my case. You just proved my point again with your elementary school bashing. Time to grow up now.
Jan 7, 2009 at 8:58 a.m.
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This "seriously psycho" name caller doesn't have to pray to God because we have a new President who has a brain that works. Even Nixon was man enough to admit that what he had done was wrong. Pom pom girl George is no man.
Jan 7, 2009 at 8:16 a.m.
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You liberal, democrats that constantly bash republicans with your names and one-sided information are seriously psycho. It's extremely alarming that you are all that blind and brainwashed. I could care less if someone is a democrat or a republican. We all live in the same Country and have to deal with the same issues. There's a big difference between the type of democrat you bashers are and the others, however. Start looking yourselves in the mirror and get off your high horses. We need to unite as a Country regardless of what party you believe in. You also better pray to the God's above that Obama doesn't make any mistakes because you are all extremely confident and have nothing to back it up at this point. And that's not bashing him either. He is our President. And whether I wanted him to be it or not, it is what it is.
Jan 6, 2009 at 10:13 p.m.
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The London Daily Mail is still pissed we beat them in the war.
Jan 6, 2009 at 8:40 p.m.
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I am so glad we can rail on Obama. I was getting so tired of "torture", "revealing the identities of undercover CIA agents" and "illegal wiretaps".
Jan 6, 2009 at 8:37 p.m.
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Rush Limbaugh saved from jail by the liberal zealots of the ACLU. Thanks Rush for all the good times.
Daryl Strawberry
Jan 6, 2009 at 8:15 p.m.
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An editorial from the London Daily Mail
Obama's Victory
A victory for the hysterical Oprah Winfrey, the mad racist preacher Jeremiah Wright, the mainstream media who abandoned any sense of objectivity long ago, Europeans who despise America largely because they depend on her, comics who claim to be dangerous and fearless but would not dare attack genuinely powerful special interest groups. A victory for Obama-worshippers everywhere. A victory for the cult of the cult. A man who has done little with his life but has written about his achievements as if he had found the cure for cancer in between winning a marathon and building a nuclear reactor with his teeth. Victory for style over substance, hyperbole over history, rabble-raising over reality.
A victory for Hollywood, the most dysfunctional community in the world. Victory for Streisand, Spielberg, Soros and Sarandon. Victory for those who prefer welfare to will and interference to independence. For those who settle for group think and herd mentality rather than those who fight for individual initiative and the right to be out of step with meager political fashion.
Victory for a man who is no friend of freedom. He and his people have already stated that media has to be controlled so as to be balanced, without realizing the extraordinary irony within that statement. Like most liberal zealots, the Obama worshippers constantly speak of Fox and Limbaugh, when the vast bulk of television stations and newspapers are drastically liberal and anti-conservative. Senior Democrat Chuck Schumer said that just as pornography should be censored, so should talk radio. In other words, one of the few free and open means of popular expression may well be cornered and beaten by bullies who even in triumph cannot tolerate any criticism and opposition.
A victory for those who believe the state is better qualified to raise children than the family, for those who prefer teachers' unions to teaching and for those who are naively convinced that if the West is sufficiently weak towards its enemies, war and terror will dissolve as quickly as the tears on the face of a leftist celebrity.
A victory for social democracy even after most of Europe has come to the painful conclusion that social democracy leads to mediocrity, failure, unemployment, inflation, higher taxes and economic stagnation. A victory for intrusive lawyers, banal sentimentalists, social extremists and urban snobs.
Congratulations America!
Jan 6, 2009 at 7:50 p.m.
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"Bosnia & Korea are both humanitarian efforts"
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Wow, so they 13 months I spent in Korea (During the Clinton years) were humanitarian? The days on alert, training ROK forces, exercises, chemical and nuclear warfare drills, and patrols of the DMZ were all humanitarian efforts? Wow, some people just need to say YES to math and logic and stay away from Air America radio and MSNBC.
Jan 6, 2009 at 6:56 p.m.
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We already are wiggling in our boots because we just spent eight years with an inexperienced dolt. Really, you think Bush was experienced?
Jan 6, 2009 at 5:52 p.m.
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I sure hope Obama doesn't make any mistakes. Jeez you people are cut throat do gooders.
Jan 6, 2009 at 5:02 p.m.
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no justsaynotomath, you are the one that needs to get a clue. If you understood presidential history, you would know that most presidents hardly "vacation" (including Bush) as we would view vactaioning. Bush held meetings with foreign leaders at his ranch, held meetings with staffers, and didn't stop doing much of the same duties he did at the White House. It's called a work vacation - when you bring your work with you.
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Decisions made concerning Bosnia and in Somalia show absolutely that Clinton and his advisers were just as incompetent when it came to fighting a foreign battle as anyone in the Bush camp. Clinton also had a chance to nail Bin Laden when he wasn't in hiding and running scared from the US and he blew that chance. Only and person that chooses to hide from the facts and reason like a child chooses to call someone else names (republicant) and fails to see the blunders their guys made. I'm not denying Bush had a part to do with our current economy and made some other blunders, but I'm not going to go around calling democrats "dumbocrats" or "democraps" because of mistakes democratic presidents made...grow up!
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I'm sorry you don't agree with the way we get information from people who kill Americans, kill their own people with car bombs, cut of citizens heads, and continue to plot against America. To that, I would just like to remind the guards that red is positive and black is negative, time the flip the switch!
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Oh, and by the way, we've been in Iraq since March of 2003, that's just under 6 year, not 7 years - maybe you should say yes to math.
Jan 6, 2009 at 4:43 p.m.
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I'll happily "move on" when our troops are home from Iraq, when New Orleans is rebuilt, when the economy recovers, and when America no longer tortures.
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Until then, squirm. You broke it, you bought it.
Jan 6, 2009 at 3:06 p.m.
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chemical-I like your thinking.
Jan 6, 2009 at 2:48 p.m.
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I don't get why we can't just move on. What's that saying?? Oh I remember... Shi+ happens. Let's just pick up and move on... Who cares who's at fault? What matters is how to fix what's broken and work together as a country. I don't even have a preference on democrat and republican.. they are just people with different beliefs and opinions... just people. We are all just people trying to live in a world of difference. People just need to work hard, take care of your responsibilities and enjoy life to the fullest, even if it takes you $4 a gallon to get there. ;)
Jan 6, 2009 at 1:19 p.m.
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Well aware of that. That's a bigger joke. A majority of the democrats that voted for Obama can't even stand her. Now they have to deal with her.
Jan 6, 2009 at 1:18 p.m.
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justsaynotomath- I consider people who want equal rights for not working as hard as others, a hand me out. Am I confused, or aren't you the one that started this elementary school level discussion by nick picking republicans? Grow up.
Jan 6, 2009 at 12:56 p.m.
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Ya, about as bad has Bill wanting Hilary to run. Thank God she didn't get any further.
Jan 6, 2009 at 12:35 p.m.
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Bush Sr. would like to see Jeb run for president! No, No, No! Haven't we suffered enough? Even if you are convinced that nothing is George W's fault, why would anyone on earth want to take a chance on another Bush?
Jan 6, 2009 at 11:23 a.m.
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justsaynotomath-and only democrats want hand me outs and someone without a backbone to run their country. Is this the game we're going to play now? I'm in no way defending everything Bush has done. Never have, never will. I could also care less if someone is a Democrat instead of a Republican. It's the Republican bashers like you that I've had it with.
Jan 6, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.
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Tom3205-Why is it so hard to understand that living on the edge and putting everything on your credit card, is just plain dumb. Explain to me how they would have gotten away with it? It's still bad debt that needs to get paid for no matter what the price of gas is. Come on.
Jan 6, 2009 at 10:46 a.m.
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Mr.Scott, are you kidding ??.. Do you really believe Bush Sr. as V/P, didn't know about Iran/Contra deals!! That would make him as DUMB as his kid. Sure, it wasn't proven, but if it walks like a duck, etc, etc. It's a DUCK. HE KNEW !!!! No doubt about it.
Jan 6, 2009 at 10:34 a.m.
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The $4.00/gal for gas is the root cause of our problems. Those living beyond their means, would still be doing so if the gas price hadn't knocked them off their lofty perch. Sure, they were living on the edge, putting every thing on the credit card, but they would have gotten away with it if the price haden't gotten so high. Why is that so hard to understand ??.. The recent reduction in a barrell of oil is definitely due to Bush & Cheney, or should I say their ABSENCE !!!
Jan 6, 2009 at 10:32 a.m.
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...and your new President will be the hero and never make any mistakes. Just like it happens every term no matter what President has been in office. Around and around we go. Where it stops, we'll never know.
Jan 6, 2009 at 10:12 a.m.
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He will leave behind a lot to remember. ;-)
Jan 6, 2009 at 10:06 a.m.
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Actually, Clinton had him and his camp pinned down and failed to take advantage of the situation. Not a similar comparison to Bush. The only reason posts like this start, is because of all you bush and republican bashers. You are in denial that your own presidents made some mistakes. Easy to bash the other side, isn't it. I could care less what side you're on. Just stop with the bashing.
Jan 6, 2009 at 10 a.m.
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"Clinton had the best intelligence of anyone as to the whereabouts of Bin Laden and did nothing about it."
Bush had that same intelligence and did the same thing as Clinton did...
Jan 6, 2009 at 8:48 a.m.
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darwin-someone once told me there's two things you should never argue with others about. Politics and religion. Put the two together like you're doing, and you really have a problem. Reality has a lot more to do with this than religion ever will.
Jan 6, 2009 at 8:43 a.m.
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"only a conservative would ignore the fundamental teaching of their religion to justify killing something".
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If that statement is true why did the following happen?: FDR led us into World War II. Truman finished that war and started one in Korea. John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam conflict in 1962. Clinton went to war in Bosnia. Yep, all were democrats; not saying any of these were unneeded or unjustified, just pointing out the hypocrisy of the uniformed voting public.
Jan 6, 2009 at 8:10 a.m.
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I don't think we need to find anything "remotely" bad from Bush. Justifying torture isn't remotely bad it is bad. But only a conservative would ignore the fundamental teaching of their religion to justify killing something. Jesus said to turn the other cheek and to love your neighbor as yourself. Being a Christian is about love and charity and not an excuse to be a moron.
Jan 6, 2009 at 7:50 a.m.
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jimbo-you can read about his failed attempts of trying to CAPTURE him here. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4540958/
Jan 6, 2009 at 12:16 a.m.
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Where are all the people saying it is time to find a solution not more bickering...oh yeah, we are talking about Bush not Obama.
Jan 5, 2009 at 8:02 p.m.
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As VP, it was never proven Bush Sr. knew anything about Iran Contra. His only involvement was the pardoning of those involved when he later became president.
Jan 5, 2009 at 7:59 p.m.
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jimbo - Iran contra happened during Reagan's presidency.
Jan 5, 2009 at 7:52 p.m.
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And let's not forget about Iran - Contra from bush's daddy.
Jan 5, 2009 at 7:48 p.m.
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spark...You can read about Clinton's attempts to kill bin laden here.
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/clinton.asp...
Jan 5, 2009 at 7:09 p.m.
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I may be a little behind but MrScott is correct. I find it almost laughable that so many "religous" people know so little about their religion or any other for that matter. The Quran states that Muslims, Jews and Christians worship the same God. (Sura 29:46) For further information Judaism, Christianity and Islam are sometimes referred to as the "Abrahamic religions", because of the role Abraham plays in their holy books. If one wants to split hairs, this war is in essence more against extremism which is a hard thing to combat, there will always be people on opposite poles with a larger group more towards the center. For one though, I cannot look at the middle east without seeing a region that is inherently unstable. Although aspiring towards peace is a grand idea, I simply do not see any end to fighting that has been going on essentially since the dawn of time.
Jan 5, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.
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justsaynotomath said "and yes it is always a Christian war when it comes to Republicans running America, do you see us bombing any Christian nations ???"
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I guess Bill Clinton and the democrats are perfect little peace monger? Clinton coerced NATO into bombing Yugoslavia and the bombs of NATO and deaths by troops killed tens of thousands (some think hundreds of thousands) of citizens and refugees. Many bash Bush for scoffing at the UN Security Council, but Clinton did the same thing and by international law committed a war crime by attacking Yugoslavia when it did not attack us first. 8 billion dollars initially and the tab is still running at about 2 billion a year.
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http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Yugosl...
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What about Somalia? Under Clinton more US soliders were killed in Somalia in that small of a time than have been killed in an equal timeframe in Iraq! Clinton allowed a bunch of barefoot self-made soldiers send us fleeing from Mogadishu.
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Guess little Billy Clinton must have been a big part of your so-called "christian war" you think the republicans are trying to run.
Jan 5, 2009 at 3:40 p.m.
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The same is true then for most of our Government in general then. Remember, there is a Congress. A congress that votes, which in return makes final decisions. We could start right here with our current Governor. I'm not trying to slam anyone either. I just think people need to look much deeper than just the President himself when it comes to accusing and assuming this is why times are tough. It go's much deeper than one man and there are many idiots in our Government that control this Country. I think it's also quite interesting when you look at who we've actually had to choose from for President. The reason people like this have been elected, is because not to many people want the job of running this Country. What does that tell you? While Obama may or may not change things, the fact that him and McCain were who we had to choose from is just as alarming. Just as it was Bush and Kerry, etc., etc.
Jan 5, 2009 at 3:24 p.m.
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Bush lacked the intelligence to be a good President. He was a jerk-off in school and did everything he could to avoid commitments while growing up, even to the extent of falsifying his records while "serving" in the National Guard. There are many in this country that have achieved great success even though they were lacking a "formal" education. That's part of what makes this nation great. But I wouldn't necessarily elect that person President. I'm not slamming anyone here. I feel fortunate to have received an Associates Degree. And look at what Mr. Hendricks was able to achieve with just a high school education. However, only a post graduate education from a leading academic institution can provide a person with the "smarts" needed to lead this nation. We, as a people, deserve the brightest and best this country has to offer to formulate and enact legislation that moves this country forward. Why do we end up electing idiots (Republican and Democrat)and then expect them to govern "intelligently"??? Sarah Palin may be a good person and seems to have done well as mayor and now as a Governor but, seriously, she is not intelligent enough to be President or even Vice President. The average "Joe" should be able to achieve their wildest dreams, just not get elected President. The last 8 years has provided ample evidence of what happens when a person with limited mental capabilities is elected to run our country.
Jan 5, 2009 at 3:18 p.m.
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justsaynotomath-Wow. Gutsy comment. Obama should make 100 times more if we're basing it on performance? What performance is that? Obama hasn't done anything as President yet.
Jan 5, 2009 at 2:57 p.m.
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tom..."$4.00/gal brought America to it's knees,"
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If this is what you call bringing America to it's knees, you'd better hold on and pray you never see the day America is actually brought to her knees.
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This was just another wake up call...but is anyone listening?
Jan 5, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.
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That is exactly what I was saying. It is easy to criticize the current president of the United States. The problem in America today is also that people forgotten that how to stand what is right even if the status quo is against. This country has taken the easy way out alot lately and has forgotten the cost for what we have here
Jan 5, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.
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jimbofish-it's quite obvious you're a bush and republican hater. All your posts speak of that. That's fine. But your theories of not drilling for our own oil and other comments, really make little sense. Everyone would agree with you that finding other means of power is a great solution, but this takes a lot of time. By the way (an electric car that sells for $45,000 is not the greatest solution yet.) In the meantime, why in the World would we not want to tap into our own sources of oil rather than these other countries that rape us for it?
Jan 5, 2009 at 1:15 p.m.
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jimbofish- Please enlighten me on when he tried to kill him numerous times. Myself along with everyone else, must have been in a different World when this occurred. The biggest opportunity ever was missed by Clinton. Please note. The only reason I'm bringing this up is because of all the people that immediately jump on Bush and blame him for everything. I realize he made a lot of mistakes, but so did many other Presidents. It's a trickle down effect.
Jan 5, 2009 at 1:07 p.m.
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spark... you are wrong about Clinton not doing anything. He tried several times to kill bin Laden. The only thing BuSh did was get bin Laden's family out of the country after 9/11. In fact, that was the only flight allowed the day after 9/11.
Jan 5, 2009 at 1:03 p.m.
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If we allow drilling for more oil how is that going to change things? It just keeps us dependent on oil. The whole idea is find other means of powering our economy. If we were to start drilling for our own oil, what do we do when that runs out? Go back to the Middle East and become dependent on them again? Republicans are concerned with nothing other than filling their own pockets.
Jan 5, 2009 at 12:44 p.m.
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tom3205-gas the ultimate terrorist attack? You're joking, right? How about the fact that most Americans live beyond their means and purchase homes and vehicles they can't afford? America has become lazy and spoiled. Explain to me how other countries have survived with gas prices twice as much as ours, for so many years? They have better public transit systems and other things. I laugh at all of you that blame gas on everything. Did you all stop driving when the gas prices went up? I didn't think so. As far as war. All you democrats and Bush haters seem to forget one thing. Clinton had the best intelligence of anyone as to the whereabouts of Bin Laden and did nothing about it. You see, the blame doesn't go to one person. Although many of you choose that route because it's the easiest. Just like the price of gas.
Jan 5, 2009 at 12:37 p.m.
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Like the majority of the American public, most of you are still relating the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq war.....Bush did a great 'brain washing' job on the American People.
Jan 5, 2009 at 12:35 p.m.
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$4/gallon didn't bring this country to its knees. What brought this country to its knees was greed and selfishness.
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People bought houses they couldn't afford, mortgage lenders gave loans without seriously considering whether they would be repaid, investment firms tried to make a quick buck by dealing in these bad mortgages.
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Wal-Mart demanded products at prices that U.S. factories couldn't possibly meet, business owners sent jobs overseas so they could make products cheaply, we shopped at Wal-Mart because we wanted the cheapest prices (even after stories came out that they were driving business overseas).
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The auto industry blindly continued at status quo instead of seriously working to build reliable, fuel efficient cars, people charged themselves into massive financial holes to keep up with the Joneses instead of saving their money for tight financial times.
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The United States still had cheaper gas at $4 a gallon than many European countries have had in years (it was 5 pounds [$7.50 U.S.] in England back in 2000 when I visited there). $4 a gallon didnt' cripple us, the Iraq war didn't cripple us (although it didn't help), we did it to ourselves.
Jan 5, 2009 at 12:19 p.m.
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The first Gulf War a Christian war? That's an even bigger joke!
Jan 5, 2009 at 11:47 a.m.
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I doubt if Gore would have sat there for seven minutes and done nothing. Only an idiot would do that and BuSh qualifies for being an idiot.
Jan 5, 2009 at 11:42 a.m.
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No attacks since 9-11...Are you just stupid, or don't you call $4.00/gallon gas the ultimate terrorist attack??. $4.00/gal brought America to it's knees, & the terrorists didn't have to fire a shot, or blow up a building. $4.00/gal. caused the collapse of the auto industry,the RV industry, housing industry, & banking industry!!. Gas is to our economy, as BLOOD is to our body. The Arabs knew this, & they STUCK IT TO THE BUSH/CHENEY OIL CARTELL..Remember, the rest of the world HATES Bush..They danced in the streets World-wide, when his clone did not get elected...
Jan 5, 2009 at 11 a.m.
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I wonder what would have happened if Al Gore would have been in office and we were attacked. Based on information received he would have probably done the same thing and never been as butchered as much this president has.
Jan 5, 2009 at 10:25 a.m.
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Minan...I agree completely. There has to be a uniform voting system. Allowing States to choose their own system for a national election is ridiculous. One of the first things the new Congress should do is to make election procedures universal for all States.
Jan 5, 2009 at 6:18 a.m.
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Bush claims we were attacked because of our freedoms. What a crock. If that's the case, why didn't Denmark get attacked? It's because the US has double standards for the rest of the world. Some people here need to read the book "House of Bush, House of Saud". The Mideast would be far better off without the Bush's meddling in the region.
Jan 4, 2009 at 10:37 p.m.
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If you're refering to that Florida chad fiasco started by Al Gore and his cronnies. That was a waste of the supreme courts. We all know that Al Gore was grasping at straws at the time. It's a shame when the electoral college which has been used all this time, recognizes President Bush as the president. It is now considered unreliable because the supposed wrong person was elected
Jan 4, 2009 at 10:14 p.m.
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If you've ever seen the movie "Being There" with Peter Sellers....well, W is our Chauncey Gardiner.
Jan 4, 2009 at 10:10 p.m.
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Maybe you missed his interview on ABC, but Bush even said himself he believes Muslims pray to the same God Christians do and they go to the same heaven. Yes, that's right, the SAME God. Perhaps if you didn't 'just say no to math' you could put 2 and 2 together and realize he went to war because we were attack, not because of some religious belief.
Jan 4, 2009 at 10:05 p.m.
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LOL Christian war? That's almost as laughable as the people who think Bush and the CIA are completely behind the 9/11 attacks. We were attacked...not sure how that has anything to do with Christianity in the war. What a useless comment.
Jan 4, 2009 at 9:17 p.m.
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President Bush has alot more going for him than most of american yahoo's today. Knowing this president is and was just as human as any other president we ever had. He will be able to leave office knowing he was and is doing the best job he could. Because of this president and with some help fromm congress we haven't had a terrorist attack in the since 9/11 and provided a strong front to those who would try that tragedy again be facing them on their own soil which also freed a country from Saddam Hussein. It took moral character and commitment todo this dispite his country's back lash. You did well President Bush. We would do well to emulate you
Jan 4, 2009 at 8:26 p.m.
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When clinton was in the whitehouse, it was one of the most prosperous times for America. We need another Democrate in the whitehouse!
Jan 4, 2009 at 8:07 p.m.
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He's a legend in his own mind.
Jan 4, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.
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gary primer. Which of these men did you vote for: Bush, Clinton, or Carter? Bet I can guess the correct answer :)
Jan 4, 2009 at 2 p.m.
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Not to mention Carter and Clinton..
Jan 4, 2009 at 12:44 p.m.
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Good riddance and may we never have to endure another BuSh in the White House. This country will pay for the blunders of the first two BuSh idiots for many years to come.
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