Tag: George W. Bush

The State of American Politics: The Democrats Messaging Problem and the Republicans Attack on Big Bird

When it comes down to it, politics is about two things: messages and action. One can say the right things, but without acting on what has been said, nothing gets done.

I am a lifelong Democrat. My first major election was the 2000 Presidential election in which George W. Bush ran against former Vice President Al Gore. For the last twenty-ish years, I have voted mostly along party lines. But that does not mean that I can’t or won’t speak when I feel the need. The problem with today’s Democratic Party is not the message. They just finally passed the Infrastructure Bill, for G-d sake. The problem is how the message is being presented. Instead of hearing that our young children will be educated, our seniors will be provided for, and our roads will be maintained, the only thing we are being told is the cost.

There were three recent elections that exemplified this issue. In my hometown of New York City, former police officer, and current Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams won handily against activist Curtis Sliwa in the Mayoral election. Truth be told, Adam’s win was not a complete given, but generally accepted that it was the obvious outcome. NYC is, for the most part, politically blue. It was not a surprise that Sliwa lost.

Across the river, current New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy won his Gubernatorial election against Jack Ciattarelli, but only by a narrow margin. Down south, the shock that Republican Glenn Youngkin was proclaimed the winner in the Virginia Gubernatorial election rippled across the nation. His opponent, Terry McAuliffe lost because instead of focusing on kitchen table issues, he spent his time on you know who. Youngkin won because he mostly repudiated the former President and spoke to the everyday problems that voters are dealing with.

While this is happening, the Republicans are making mountains of out molehills. With the announcement that children ages 5-11 are now eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine, the powers that be reached out to the people at Sesame Street. Via Twitter, Big Bird is encouraging young children to get the shot.

Ted Cruz, in his usual unhelpful way, decided to attack this most beloved of characters. Instead of remembering the 760,000 Americans who have died from the virus, he is opening the door for even more of us to lose our lives. When will he get it through his extra thick skull that the only way to stay alive and return to normal is to be vaccinated?

There is no doubt that the American political scene is nothing short of a shit-show. Until we get our heads out of our asses and do what needs to be done, it will continue to be a shit show.

P.S. How is Paul Gosar still in Congress when he posted a video in which AOC is killed and the President is attacked? He doesn’t have to agree with her, but he crossed the line with the suggestion of violence.

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George W. Bush and the 2005 Pandemic Warning

Politics has a way of creating divisiveness like few things.

Back in the early 2000’s, former President George W. Bush was, like any President, liked or disliked based on where one stood on the political scale.

Just this morning, a news story caught my eye. Fifteen years ago, the former President Bush was on vacation and reading a book about the 1918 Pandemic. This book spurred him to push his administration to create a plan if a pandemic should occur in the future.

I was not a fan of his politics or his actions as President back then. But knowing now that they were preparing for a future pandemic, especially given the inaction of the current Presidential administration, I appreciate President Bush’s stubbornness in regards to the subject.

In 2017, Will Ferrell became President Bush once more at the Not the White House Correspondence Dinner. He asked the audience how they liked him now. If anyone would have asked me that question fifteen years ago, my answer would have been different than it is today. Right now, I like him as President much more than the current occupant of the White House.

Happy Sunday.

Ellen DeGeneres and George W. Bush Are Friends: What is the Big Deal?

It’s one thing to disagree with someone over a political or cultural issue. It’s another thing to completely disassociate yourself with anyone who does not see the world in the same way that you do.

The most recent kerfuffle is that talk show host/actress/comic Ellen DeGeneres hung out with former President George W. Bush (R-Texas). Some have criticized the talk show host for choosing to spend her free time with the 43rd President.

Honestly, I don’t get what the big deal is. If Ellen wants to spend her free time with George Bush, that is her prerogative. Yes, she is a celebrity, but that does not mean that she must listen to the crowd when it comes to who her friends are.

And frankly, this friendship is a very good thing from my perspective. If a gay liberal performer and a straight conservative former President can kick back and relax together, why can’t the rest of the country do the same?

It’s obvious that our country is divided among several political and cultural fault lines. The problem is that we are unwilling to step over those lines and try to see the human being under the label of liberal and conservative. Until we do so, this country will remain as it is today.

Same Hypocrite, Different Day

One of the jobs of the President of the United States is to be the “consoler in chief” when a national tragedy strikes.

As we all are aware, there were two mass shootings on Saturday. Yesterday, you know who spoke to the country.

He sounded Presidential, but in reality, he was the same hypocrite on a different day.

He talked about ending racism, white supremacy and unifying the country. But his words are sound and fury signifying nothing.

He talked about the mental health of the accused gunmen, which personally offended me. To say that the accused in both shootings are mentally ill, without knowing all of the facts is derogatory to all of us who have the unwanted friend that is mental illness.

He also talked about how violent video games contributed to real life violence. This has been proven wrong time and again. And yet, politicians will use that an excuse for the lack of real reform of gun laws.

Just after the Columbine massacre, some were saying that the music of Marilyn Manson was to blame for the shooting. I wish those in the leadership positions, whether in a religious role or a political role, would put on their big boy/big girl pants and take a real look at what caused the accused to kill innocent people.

Those of us who are of a certain age and older remember the dark days after 9/11. Then President George W. Bush stood on top of the rubble with his arm around a first responder and addressed the nation. Putting aside partisan politics, he also spoke of unity and coming together. That speech felt authentic. Yesterday’s speech was not.

May the memory of those murdered be a blessing and may we finally enact sensible gun legislation so we never have another weekend like we just had.

The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty Book Review

When I was growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, the late former First Lady Barbara Bush looked like a grandmother straight out of Hollywood central casting. Her white hair was cut short, she was known for her pearls and matronly clothing and she was the matriarch of a large family. But there is so much more to her than the image.

Susan Page’s new biography, The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty, tells the story of Mrs. Bush from her perspective. Born in 1925 to a wealthy family whose roots went back to the founding of America, she was the third of four children. Equally belittled and ignored by her mother about her weight, the future First Lady never got over the comments she received as a child.

In her late teens, she married the future President George H.W. Bush. Married for seven decades, she brought six children into the world. Her oldest son, George W. Bush, followed in his father’s footsteps. Her oldest daughter, Robin, died of Leukemia at age three, leaving her mother with an emotional scar that never healed. Later as an adult, she battled depression and aided both her husband and son during their time in the White House.

Containing interviews with Mrs. Bush, President Bush, her family, political aides, press clippings, diary entries and other details, this books is the complete story of one of America’s most respected First Ladies.

One of the things that I was surprised about was how emotionally strong and outspoken Mrs. Bush was. Like many women of her generation, her adult life focused on her home and her family. But unlike the Donna Reed-like ideal of the 1950’s and 1960’s, Mrs. Bush was not the yes-woman to her husband nor was she the picture of motherly perfection. She was bold, she was outspoken and not above providing unsolicited advice. She may not have been a traditional feminist, but she is the definition of a strong, intelligent and capable woman.

This book is a must read, especially if one is a political junkie. It sheds light not just on the public side of Mrs. Bush, but also the private that only a few were privileged to see.

I recommend it.

Vice Movie Review

Politics is not known to be a clean or ethical business. While some may claim that they are getting into politics to serve the needs of the people, their actual reason for getting into politics is not quite as transparent.

The new movie, Vice, is the story of Dick Cheney, who serviced as Vice President under George W. Bush. The film starts in early 1960’s when Cheney (Christian Bale) is a drunken ne’er-do-well. After flopping out of college, he is working, but spending most of his time in the bar and getting into fights. His longtime girlfriend, Lynne (Amy Adams) gives him an ultimatum: clean up his act or their relationship is over. The film then moves forward in time as Cheney climbs up the political ladder and he and Lynne go through the motions of marriage and parenthood. His job with Donald Rumsfeld (Steve Carell) will eventually lead to the job of Vice President while George W. Bush (Sam Rockwell) serves as President. Along the way, he makes many decisions, some which may be seen as unethical.

Writer/Director Adam McKay is not known for dramatic films that have a political edge. But with Vice, he is able to create a film that succeeds. This success comes down to the slightly unorthodox narrative and the lead actors who disappear completely into their characters. This disappearing act, especially by Bale, could lead to multiple awards come next year.

I absolutely recommend it.

Vice is presently in theaters.

It’s One Thing To Say That You Support The Troops, It’s Another Thing To Support The Troops

Many politicians will say one thing, but in reality, do another thing.

You know who is no different. He says that he supports the troops, but as usual, he only acts upon it when his reputation is in tatters. This week, his reputation is in tatters due to the government shutdown that he as usual, is blaming others for.

Since the early 2000’s, when George W. Bush was in the White House, it has been a Presidential tradition to visit the troops around the December holidays. You know who made a “surprise” visit to the troops in Iraq in order to save face from the government shutdown that many are blaming him for.

Americans are used to politicians saying one thing and doing another thing. But we are not used to (and should never be used to) a politician, especially one who was elected to the highest office in the land, who says one thing, completely changes his statement within a short period of time and then blames others when things don’t go his way.

Saying that we need to support the troops is an obvious statement. Backing that statement up with action is another thing entirely. Not that he would understand that concept.

RIP President George H.W. Bush

Few things bring a country together like the passing of a former President.

This morning, it was announced that former American President George H.W. Bush passed away last night. He was 94 years old.

The patriarch of the Bush political dynasty, President Bush led the country from 1989-1993. Two of his sons followed in their father’s footsteps. George W. Bush was President from 2001-2009. Jeb Bush was Governor of Florida from 1999-2007 and a Presidential candidate during the 2016 Presidential election.

He is remembered not just a President. He was a World War II veteran, a public servant, a husband, a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

I don’t remember much about his time in office. I too young back then to know or understand how his leadership was impacting the country. But I can respect someone who understands what they are getting into when they get into politics. It’s not about them or their needs/ego/desires. It’s about serving the American public and realizing that the voting public, not the special interest groups or billionaires, are the ones who the politicians are responsible to.

I also deeply respect that his marriage to his late wife, Barbara Bush lasted 73 years. If we are lucky enough, we will find someone to spend nearly three-quarters of a century married to.

May his memory be a blessing to all of us, especially those who knew and loved him best. RIP.

 

 

I Think You Know Who Is Jealous

By every measure, the late Senator John McCain was a true American hero and patriot. His loss will be felt for years to come.

While most remember Senator McCain as a giant of American politics who represented the ideals of America, you know who is taking an adult temper tantrum.

When a sitting Senator dies while still in office, it is tradition that the flags around Washington D.C. are lowered to half mast and remain so until this person is buried. The flags were lowered on Saturday, raised yesterday and then lowered again.

 

News reports have also stated that you know who is barred from Senator McCain’s funeral as per the late Senator’s direct instructions. Both Barack Obama and George W. Bush, who defeated Senator McCain in 2008 and 2000 Presidential campaigns respectively are not only invited to the funeral, but they will also be eulogizing their former Presidential opponent.

The thing about you know who is that it’s all about him.  If he doesn’t like what he is hearing or he doesn’t get exactly what he wants, he takes a twitter temper tantrum. He plays schoolyard bully style politics with those around him. When something goes his way, he brags to anyone and everyone who will listen. When something does not go his way, he will place the blame on everyone else but himself.

The fact is that the man or woman who takes any leadership position, there is an expectation of how they will behave. We, as the voting public, expect the President Of The United States to be mature, rational, composed and represent the United States as a beacon of democracy and freedom to the rest of the world. Instead, our current President is an orange-colored man-child who has the emotional temperament of a spoiled toddler and represents everything America is not.

RIP Barbara Bush

Earlier this week, Barbara Bush, the wife of former President George H.W. Bush and the mother of former President George W. Bush passed away. She was 92.

Known for her pearls, her premature white hair and her down to earth demeanor, Mrs. Bush was both a product of her era and a woman standing on her own two feet.

Though she was the wife and mother of two Republican Presidents, she not only saw the humanity in others, but was also bipartisan enough to cut through the Washington b*llsh*t. She advocating for both literacy and for AIDS patients in an era when AIDS carried a stigma of economic and social isolation.

Multiple tributes have poured out over the last two days, but my favorite is from one of her granddaughters, Jenna Bush Hager.

To have your grandparents around as your growing up creates an experience that has no rivals. But have your grandparents around when your an adult is an experience that is be cherished.

RIP Barbara Bush. May her memory be a blessing to everyone who knew her and loved her.

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