President Bush’s Enormous Sacrifice

I do not seek out information about George W. Bush. I guess if I were a really good citizen I would follow his every move, listen to every broadcast, and read up on every decision he makes. But the truth is I’ve been avoiding any mention of him for years because I just can’t take it. I hate to sound like one of those hysterical liberals who start frothing at the mouth at the mere mention of our fearless leader’s name, but I guess that’s what I’ve become during these last seven years. The sight of Bush or the sound of his voice instantly raises my blood pressure and makes my skin crawl. It was George Bush’s presidency that ultimately made me stop watching TV news for fear of getting too big a dose of his preening stupidity. I now get most of my news from various Internet sources, I can’t remember the last time I’ve watched a morning or evening news program.

Every time I clicked onto my various news sources yesterday, I kept seeing this crazy headline about Bush. I avoided it all day but I finally bit the bullet and read the article in full last night. Oh. My. God.

Titled “I Quit Golf Over Iraq War,” the article relayed information from an interview with the President that was released yesterday.

US President George W. Bush said in an interview out Tuesday that he quit playing golf in 2003 out of respect for the families of US soldiers killed in the conflict in Iraq, now in its sixth year. “I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal,” he said in an interview for Yahoo! News and Politico magazine.

“I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf,” he said. "I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them.”

Are you fucking kidding me? If he wasn’t such a detriment to this country in every way I’d almost feel sorry for the guy. Even when he is supposedly trying to show compassion and empathy for people whose lives have been horrifically altered because of his own mistakes, his efforts are so misguided that they seem like a cruel joke.

When pressed further, Bush said he traced his decision to the August 19, 2003 bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed Sergio Vieira de Mello.

“I remember when de Mello, who was at the UN, got killed in Baghdad as a result of these murderers taking this good man’s life. And I was playing golf—I think I was in central Texas—and they pulled me off the golf course and I said, it's just not worth it anymore to do,” said Bush.

His last round of golf was apparently on October 13, 2003. What an incredible history-making gesture. What an awe-inspiring leader. What a crock of shit. At first I thought this report had to be a fake item from the editors of “The Onion” but no, it’s as real as can be, this is Bush’s noble sacrifice to the countless families who have lost their loved ones during his ill-planned crazy war. I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that it would be impossible to find a single family member of any man or woman killed in Iraq who would feel even slightly moved by Bush’s sacrifice. Not one. In fact, I would guess that many feel insulted by this ridiculous gesture.

On the other hand, I’m sure there were many people in the Bush administration who were relieved when he decided to abandon the golf course since he often made a fool of himself there, and not just because of his speedy golf games.

For example, just before beginning a game at a Kennebunkport golf course in 2002, with his driver in hand, Bush took a moment to condemn an overnight suicide bombing of a bus in Israel that killed nine people.

“I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers,'” Mr. Bush said on the first green of Cape Arundel, at 6:15 a.m. '”Thank you. Now watch this drive.” Without the slightest pause, Mr. Bush turned to his game—and hit his first ball into the rough. Mr. Bush then took a mulligan, a free shot, teeing off nicely. The president let out a sigh of relief.

Too bad he can’t give the dead soldiers in Iraq a “mulligan.” There were some other pearls in yesterday’s interview that made my stomach turn such as the ass-kissing reporter’s question about the President’s so-called faith:

Q: Mr. President, we know you're a man of intense faith. And I wonder, what was a moment in this room over the past eight years when you needed that most?

A: Michael, I'd say daily. I mean, part of the faith walk is to understand your weaknesses and is to constantly try to embetter yourself and get closer to the Lord. And that's a daily occurrence. Obviously there's been some tough moments in here. When you know that somebody lost their loved one as a result of a decision that I made, that's a tough moment. If you're a faithful person you try to empathize with the suffering that that person is going through. On the other hand, there is a knowledge that the good Lord can comfort during these moments of grief. And that's what I ask for in my prayer.

There’s more, but I can’t go on. I’m not proud of the contempt I feel for the man in the White House. I’ve lived through all sorts of troubled administrations but I never had so little respect for someone in such a high position. It saddens me when I hear Leah and my young nephews disrespectfully deriding the President in no uncertain terms even though I realize that they’re obviously getting those views in part from the adults in their lives. Sometimes I give them a half-hearted speech about respecting the office, if not the man, but it’s hard to rebut any of their anti-Bush tirades. When I was my daughter’s age I’d often rail against President Nixon, but Tricky Dick was certainly a political genius and great world leader compared to Mr. Bush.

Oh, how I look forward to January 20, 2009, when our sacrificing commander-in-chief can return to the golf course where he belongs.

“FORE!”

Comments

[churlita]

I know. I'm always so embarrassed when i meet people from other countries who ask me why we elected him. I do not include myself in that "we".

[Jenny]

It takes so many words to express the smallness of this man.
I'll jump right away to why I voted for Obama: Because there's someone who feels about Hillary Clinton exactly as I feel about Bush. And we've had enough of that.
Jenny

[Jeff]

... and now we can put the FOX News spin on your post:

"In reaction to the news of Bush's most recent self-sacrifice, the preeminent writer/editor Danny Miller states today in his blog, 'His last round of golf was apparently on October 13, 2003. What an incredible history-making gesture. What an awe-inspiring leader.'"

The only thing about Bush I still pay attention to is how many days he has left in office: 250 days and counting.

[Heather Moss]

Ugh, imagine being proud of such a "sacrifice." He should be ashamed of himself, but I am sure that he's not. 'Preening stupidity' is the perfect way of putting it, Danny. The man has made a complete mockery of what it means to be "the leader of the free world." Only 250 days left. I am trying to be optimistic that Obama will make it to the White House.

[Elaine Soloway]

Did you see the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode when Larry David denied being a golfer because he was accompanying a man in a wheelchair? But David didn't stop wearing golf attire because he got complimented on the attire. He eventually resumed playing golf.

Similar inanity by clueless men, except one is a TV character. Or is that two?

[Steve]

Danny,
Another great post. I thought I was the only one avoiding the television, radio and papers in order to not hear that embarassment of a president.
My morning newspaper is reduced to Hints From Heloise. And even she's beginning to piss me off. What is it with her and buttons? Gimme a break!
Steve

[Marcey]

You are much too hard on him. As usual, President Bush just got very mixed up... what he MEANT to say was: "Out of respect to all the the US soldiers that have been killed or maimed, and in deference to hundreds of thousands of the Iraqis that have been killed or had their lives destroyed by the US occupation of their land, I QUIT THE IRAQ WAR. I think this horror show sends the wrong signal."

250 more days? How do we tolerate one more minute?

[Melinda]

It was Bush's presidency that actually got me interested in politics again, as in "Geez! How did we let that guy happen?"

My default news channel is the 24-hour cable station NY1, which has five minutes every hour of "And now the news from the world outside New York." To which I reply, "Oh puh-shaw, there IS no world outside New York."

[Pam G]

Thanks for reading the Yahoo/Politico article for me, Danny. Yahoo is my news portal but I couldn't bring myself to click on the link yesterday. Like you, I stopped watching any TV news about the time Bush was elected. I listen to about 8 min. of NPR mornings and evenings during my brief commute, that's about it. I even discovered a way (through Yahoo) to read the local "fires and crimes" summary online so that I am not interrupted by inane TV anchor chatter about our city sports teams (Steelers Year Round Coverage! Penguin Hockey Playoffs Daily Summary!) or promos for network shows masquerading as news (i.e., Dancing with the Stars contestant who played high school football here!!)

It's sad that Bush, someone with the benefit of a Harvard education, does not understand the impact of what he has said. It is an understatement to call him a simpleton.

You're not alone in thinking at first it had to be a parody. Another friend said the same thing in his blog today. Apparently, Keith Olbermann (sp?) also had a lot to say about it last night, but I wouldn't know since I don't watch any political commentary shows.

I'll put a link to your piece in my next email newsletter so my friends around the world can read it, too.

Yes, we've finally found a man who makes us nostalgic for Nixon. I've said that several times in the past eight long years.

[Mark]

I assume this is what Laura Bush meant when asked about the Iraq war in a recent interview:

"No one suffers more than the President and I do".

Honestly, no one?

[Jane]

"The sight of Bush or the sound of his voice instantly raises my blood pressure and makes my skin crawl."

You, me, and so many others, Danny. Thank you for giving vent to the frustrations those of us with a brain left in our skulls feel. The man is a pariah, his cabinet is corrupt, and yes, DAMNIT, stupid or apathetic Americans let it happen. WHere's the missing millions from Halliburton? That investigation was simply disturbing, and tons of foul evidence of corruption was uncovered -- yet there they are, still raking in the big bucks.

The lies that have been told should have led to an impeachment. At the very least, a massive outcry from Congress. Yet besides some bickering and mild statements, there has been no huge drive to stop Bush and Cheney.

Oy, I could vent for hours. I'll stop, and just say thanks for royally pissing me off for the 1564th time since Bush began his Imperialistic Democracy.

[tamar]

the incredible thing is that here in israel they love the man as much as they can't stand barak. it's part of the unique cultural-existential realities of each of the two democracies. always good to step outside one democracy to listen to what folks in the other say and do. context is amost everything, i believe.

[Marie Louise]

The guy's an idiot - what can I say. Oh I could say "clueless".
Anyway - he was an alcoholic until the age of 40 with Daddy always bailing him out. What I want to know is who voted for him the first time around?

[Bobbie]

How can you "respect the office" when the man himself shows no respect for it?
I'm afraid I'm among the ranks of those who have reached the point where we cannot bring ourselves to watch or listen to him, even for a moment on TV. My blood pressure goes up and my stomach churns.
And, by the way, he HAS been seen on the golf course since his noble gesture. No surprise.

[Rebekah]

Wait a second... you mean that WASN'T in The Onion? Next to the one about Bush going on a hunger strike to free Tibet?

[Judy]

Just because he was registered at Harvard U, doesn't mean he got a Harvard education. Perhaps he attended classes as much as he attended the National Guard.
I find it hard to believe they love him in Israel, maybe because it's easy to feel superior to him. Strange that he mentions appeasers in Israel...the grandson of a US gov't fined grandfather who had dealings with terrorists of WW2, better know as Nazis. As Frank Rich reminded us in his recent editorial, he immediately left Israel to talk to other Terrorists, the Saudi Royal Family. He is lower than low. If I were his family members, I'd change my name.

[Distractions]

I was frothing at the mouth reading your post. And I was cringing when I read the transcript of the interview.

[Dave Feltenberger]

Are you fucking kidding me? Ha! That had me laughing out loud.

Just stumbled on to your blog after seeing "Jew Eat Yet?" come up in the results of something totally unrelated (lyrics to a song whose artist I had forgotten). Great Woody Allen quote, and interesting writing - you're on my Google Reader subscription list now. Consider yourself honored!

[Peggy Larson]

Howdy from Houston, Danny! I was looking for ANYTHING about The Magic Door the other day (still hoping to find an actual clip) & up came your blog. I stayed to read a few entries & have been coming back several times a day since, to catch up on your writings (yes, that's me using all your bandwidth).

I've wanted to comment on so many of your entries, but refrained, not having much interesting to add. However, this one pushed me over the edge (almost literally). Multiply your reaction to Shrub by a factor of 10 & you have how I feel about the current POTUS. Not only have I also had to suffer him as our President, but I also got to suffer him as 1 1/2 term Gov. here in Texas (been here 18 years). He was a secretive moron here & I'm so sorry the state of Texas inflicted him on the rest of the country (and the world). I can sleep easy knowing I never voted for him for anything. Hell, I never voted for any Bush for anything. Since Jeb "retired" & no one's heard from Neil since he played bandit with the Silverado Savings & Loan in the '80s, maybe once Chimp-Boy leaves office in Jan. we'll never again have to hear from any of the Bush family? Please?

I've also quit watching the national news for fear of being exposed to $#!!? , which is too bad, because I try to stay informed about current events. I get so disgusted, esp. about feeling so helpless to do anything about anything (I vote, write my congressman, etc., but none of them pay attention to us, so what's the point?).

About that reaction to a POTUS: multiply my reaction to Shrub by a factor of 10 & you'll get how I felt (and still feel) about Ronald Reagan. That one really made me turn purple. Committing treason & then telling anyone who disagreed with his decisions that they weren't good Americans? What happened to swearing to "uphold & protect the Constitution" ? I guess that's only when it's not inconvenient. I always say I wasn't there so I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing my feelings about Reagan are the same as those the upper classes had about Roosevelt - a traitor to his class.

Sorry for the long winded rant - you can't imagine how ill I become just looking at that smirking chimp face, even without hearing him.

Pegs. : )