President Doofus #5

Welcome to the 5th entry in the "President Doofus" series. A series that concerns george w bush, the 43rd occupant of the White House. A pResident who was, incidentally, also illegitimate like the current one. That, and they're both idiots.

But Donald Trump is even dumber, unfortunately. Something that became apparent during the campaign. Which is why I stopped authoring posts putting down bush as a doofus. Because I'd actually consider taking him back now. If only to get rid of the current oval office resident.

A fact I was reminded of last weekend. Saturday Night Live re-aired an episode that was originally broadcast the day after Donald Trump ascended to the highest office in the land. By cheating, yes, but he is still pResident. Anyway, at the top of the show host Aziz Ansari said something positive about gwb, that YES, I had to admit was true.

Aziz Ansari: I think Trump should make a speech. A real speech, denouncing the lowercase KKK [people Ansari referred to earlier in his monologue as people who, now that Trump is president, no longer need to pretend they aren't racist]. Don't tweet about me being lame, or the show being lame. Write a speech. A real speech. Because these people are out there and it's pissing a lot of people off [that racists support Trump but Trump pretends they don't. WHILE dog whistling to them]. And I think it could make a real difference. Other presidents have done things like this and it has helped. Hate crimes and stuff went down. George W Bush made a speech after 9/11 and it really helped. Things changed. This is what he said in his speech - and I'm paraphrasing slightly - he said, "Islam is peace. The perpetrators of these attacks don't represent Islam. They represent war and violence. Our enemies are not our Muslim brothers and sisters. Our enemies are a network of radical terrorists". And everyone applauded. Republicans, Democrats - it didn't matter. Because it wasn't about politics. It's about basic human decency and remembering why the country was founded in the first place. I'm sitting there, watching that speech, and I'm like - what the hell has happened? I'm sitting here wistfully watching old George W Bush speeches? [Laughter]. Thinking - what a leader he was! 16 years ago I was certain this dude was a dildo, now I'm like - he guided us with his eloquence! [Laughter] (excerpted from Aziz Ansari's monologue, the 1/21/2017 airing of SNL, 6:31 to 7:65 of the 9:03 clip).

Was Aziz Ansari serious about Trump making such a speech, or was that just the set up to his gwb joke? I'm thinking the later, as Trump would never (and will never) make such a speech. I mean, given the fact that he ran on xenophobia (directed at Muslims and Hispanics). It is something his supporters love him for. They no longer have to pretend to not be racist. Racism now being OK according to the Orange Buffoon-in-Chief.

In any case, bush's speech following the attacks was the correct response. That was one instance when he stepped up and did a decent job. Unfortunately it was a calculated act to build goodwill so that the country would unite behind him, allowing him the freedom to first invade Afghanistan and later Iraq. Invading Iraq (a country that had nothing to do with 9/11) being something he dreamed of doing since day one of his presidency. Following the attacks he was likely thinking "Yes! Now I can invade Iraq!".

But he "guided us with his eloquence" with that one speech. Then went back to being a dildo. By demanding the Taliban turn over bin Laden then turning them down when they said yes. Then lying about Iraq having WMD.

The current White House resident "guiding us with his eloquence" to tamp down bigotry? That's something that will never happen. Love did not trump hate (one of HRC's campaign slogans). Instead the people wanted a Rightwing populist. A fact that still astounds me! Which isn't to say that gwb was not a doofus. He absolutely was. The point is that Trump is worse. Although he hasn't started any new wars... yet. He only ordered an illegal missile strike on a Syrian airfield.

But we could end up going to war. Either with North Korea, or Iran. I think it depends on whether or not it looks like he'll be impeached. Then he could wag the dog like crazy (with a full-blown war) in order to occupy the country and distract us all from removing him from office.

the Syrian airstike proving that the stupid American electorate likes it when potus does comander-in-chief stuff. Even though (I thought) people were tired of war. Maybe that was just when a Black guy was in charge. Although lobbing missiles into a country isn't the same as boots on the ground. But that could still happen. You know it's what neocons like Lindsay Graham and John McCain want.

DSB #70

President Doofus #4 (The Elder Doofus Puking Incident)

Up until this point in the "president doofus" series all entries concerned george w bush, the 43rd preznit of the United States. But, as we all know, the father of george w bush was also a US preznit.

In this entry in the series, I ask readers to recall an incident that shows that the doofus doesn't fall far from the tree. There are likely other examples, but the one that springs immediately to mind was the time doofus #41 (1989-1993) barfed on the Japanese PM.

Video: George HW Bush fainted after vomiting at a banquet hosted by the then Prime Minister of Japan, Kiichi Miyazawa on 1/11/1992. It is the only documented occurrence to date of a US President vomiting on a foreign dignitary (as per Wikipedia).

Image1: After he pukes, Babs wipes his mouth with a napkin, saying "that's it love. Get it all up".

Image2: Wikipedia notes that "In Japan, even several years later, Bush was remembered for this event. According to the Encyclopedia of political communication, The incident caused a wave of late night television jokes and ridicule in the international community, even coining Bushu-suru which literally means to do the Bush thing".

Although this was not the only incident wherein a preznit named "Bush" embarrassed the American people (who apparently have short memories), as the first doofus was #41 and the second doofus was #43 (with Bill Clinton serving in between as #42).

Although, while the younger doofus served two terms, both times he was "elected" via massive cheating). Only getting in the first time via SCOTUS appointment (in 2000 they decided that, even though Gore had won the election, they would hand the presidency to bush).

Then, in 2004, when Kerry "lost" the Presidential race to George W. Bush, who is widely considered the worst President of the modern era, he refused to challenge the results, despite his suspicion that in certain states, particularly Ohio, where the Electoral College count hinged, proxies for Bush had rigged many voting machines. (excerpt from the 12/28/2015 New Yorker article "Negotiating the Whirlwind" by David Remnick).

DSB #56

President Doofus #3

george w bush, the 43rd president of the United States (or "preznit", which is a term I use to indicate disrespect), was undeniably one of our MOST doofy executives. Even if he wasn't technically elected the 1st time, but rather appointed (Al Gore being the candidate who was actually selected by the people).

But, regardless of how he obtained the office (being appointed, cheating) he did serve 2 terms, during which (in addition to allowing terrorists to fly planes into the twin towers and ordering the illegal invasion of a sovereign nation based on lies) he also (quite frequently) did or said things that pointed to his being a total doofus.

Appearing silly is one thing (and all modern presidents appear on camera A LOT, so it's bound to happen), but take a gander at the expression on this doofus' face (see picture below). Can anyone deny that he looks like a total dumbass?

Image: Bush tackles challenge of malaria (article excerpt) The White House turned its attention Wednesday [4/25/2007] to preventing and eradicating malaria, a big killer of African children. But it wasn't all serious business: President Bush pounded on the drums for a West African dance troupe and had some fun [in] the Rose Garden event with... his wife, Laura [for the 1st time] marking Malaria Awareness Day alongside observances elsewhere in the world.

OK, so bush has SOME redeeming qualities, in that he did seem genuinely interested in comitting resources to saving lives in Africa. I could also commend him for his efforts to fight AIDS in that region of the world. Although, as CounterPunch points out, the "major contribution to fighting AIDS in Africa... an initiative begun in early 2003... just before the Bush Administration launched its war against Iraq [was likely done] to spit shine the image [by impressing] evangelical supporters – a key element to his constituency".

And then there's this.

When Bush was in office, PEPFAR [President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief] was little more than yet another boom for U.S. pharmaceuticals as the program required that the drugs be purchased from the pharmaceuticals holding patents, It was the shift to generics, encouraged according to some sources by Bill Clinton, has led to a significant extension of the program and $1 billion savings over a 5 year period. (The Real Story About Bush, HIV/AIDS and Africa by Rob Prince. CounterPunch 8/14/2013).

Regarding preznit 43's AIDS efforts, actor (and Democrat) Matt Damon said "I would kiss George W. Bush on the mouth". But bushie wasn't acting for purely altruistic reasons. It took a Democrat to reform the program (saving the taxpayer money in addition to expanding the program and saving more lives).

The main motivation was, as it was with bush's wars, enriching his cronies and well as himself. The bush family via the Carlyle Group and the Cheney family via KBR and Halliburton (The Inexplicable Enrichment of Bush Cronies and Bush Family War Profiteering). Proof that bush was a slime as well as a doofus.

Video: Former President George W. Bush invited a group of Africans to the White House's Rose Garden in 2007 to promote malaria awareness. There, he participated in an African tribal dance (text excerpted from 10/7/2010 Time article Top 10 Awkward Dances. entry for gwb is #8) (0:51).

Was bush thinking about how he fooled his evangelical base (as well as Democrats like Damon) when he danced his doofy dance? Maybe, maybe not, but getting to shovel even more taxpayer money to big business (as bush did re the Iraq war contractors) sounds like a reason for him to do a happy dance to me. Given the fact that Republican love transferring taxpayer money to the private sector (overpaying for things government employees could do for significantly less). Because they believe in socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor.

DSB #53

President Doofus #2

george W. bush, often referred to as "President Doofus" (by me) was a liar who started an illegal war that led directly to the formation of ISIS. Explaining why history will judge him to be a war criminal (I predict. Or it certainly should).

The image below captures just one of the MANY moments in which 43 revealed his inner doofus. Although this time we only saw the results of one of his doofy moments, which was an injury below his eye.

Image1: Choking on Pretzel, Bush Faints Briefly (excerpt from a 1/14/2002 article) President Bush briefly lost consciousness Sunday [1/13/2002] after he choked on a pretzel while watching a football game on TV in his living quarters... After fainting, the president tumbled to the floor from a couch, bruising his lower lip and suffering an abrasion the size of a half dollar on his left cheek, White House physician Dr. Richard Tubb said. ... "He fainted due to a temporary decrease in heart rate brought on by swallowing a pretzel".

Image2: This meme explains what might have really happened, which is that the dry drunk stumbled and tripped while inebriated. Or, he was eating pretzels while drunk and forgot to chew. Either way, many people are convinced that alcohol was involved.

Regarding Walker (not Herbert Walker) being a dry drunk, this "is a slang term used by [AA] members and supporters... to describe the recovering alcoholic who is no longer drinking, one who is dry, but whose thinking is clouded. Such an individual is said to be dry but not truly sober. Such an individual tends to go to extremes".

An extreme such as lying about WMDs when Iraq weapons inspectors specifically said they weren't finding any; even though IAEA chief Hans Blix said he was confident the matter would be resolved in "a matter of months"? I say yes (SWTD #312).

btw, in regards to the explanation given by bush's doc as to the reason for him fainting? Well, prepare to LOL for awhile (also make sure you aren't eating anything, as you might choke), but, according to Tubby, the superhuman preznit has "a resting pulse rate of 35 to 45 beats per minute, which medical personnel consider extremely low even for a well-trained athlete [and that] Bush's slower heart rate made him more prone to fainting when a nerve was stimulated by the pretzel caught in his throat".

Yes, we know that bushie rode his bike a lot and was generally quite fit, but was he a "well trained athlete"? Unless he was secretly training for the Tour de France, I say his doctor's claim sounds like BS. Similar to how Donald Trump's doctor declared that DJT will be healthiest individual ever elected president.

As for what Dr. Dick Tubb said, while it is more believable than the BS Dr. Harold Bornstein wrote, it could have been a fib to cover up for bush falling off the wagon. Either way, choking on a pretzel (then passing out and hitting your head) sounds like exactly the kind of thing a doofus like gwb would do (drunk or not).

Video: gwb explains how he choked on a pretzel (0:52).

DSB #50

President Doofus #1

george W. bush (AKA "President Doofus") was surely one of our very worst presidents. Are we on the verge of electing someone with the potential of being even worse?

The image below, one you might be familiar with, captures just one of 43's MANY doofy moments. An incident that reminded me of a specific Far Side cartoon that concerned "gifted" people. Look at the expression on the former preznit's face in the picture below. Does he not look like he is "gifted" like the student in the Far Side cartoon?

Image1: gwb attempts to leave a 11/20/2005 news conference in Beijing via a locked door. Door thwarts quick exit for Bush (article excerpt) After answering just six questions from a group of US reporters, the president strode away heading toward the door. President Bush tugged at both handles on the double doors before admitting: "I was trying to escape. Obviously, it didn't work". [bush later blamed jet lag]. Mr Bush was in China in the latest stop of his East Asia tour.

Image2: Cartoon from The Far Side (1980-1995) by Gary Larson that reminds me of the gwb pic above.

Video: gwb attempts to leave a 11/20/2005 news conference in Beijing via a locked door (0:47).

See Also: Dervish Sanders' Image and Video Archive.

DSB #49