Is Bush an Idiot?

Hippikos · 08-22-2006, 05:28 AM

Have a look at this video and judge for yourself.

Beestie · 08-22-2006, 12:01 PM

Is this a trick question?

Griff · 08-22-2006, 12:04 PM

I don't know, I can peacefully coexist with the fish.

DanaC · 08-22-2006, 12:10 PM

I'd like to think not. I'd like to think that an Idiot really, really couldn't find their way into the most powerful job in the world.

Beestie · 08-22-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

I'd like to think not. I'd like to think that an Idiot really, really couldn't find their way into the most powerful job in the world.

Same way a condom finds its way where it ends up, I guess.

Shawnee123 · 08-22-2006, 03:29 PM

So he might not be an idiot; perhaps he is just a really horrible speaker. However, I would expect someone in such a position to have ability in all sorts of areas, public speaking being as important as it can be when seeking credibility. Can people be bad speakers and still be intelligent? Of course! Would I expect that and not judge that in, say, a coworker? Sure! Do I expect the President of my country to be better than the average smart joe? You bet I do!

Then again, it might just be that he is an idiot!

Flint · 08-22-2006, 03:43 PM

George Bush does not really have poor public speaking skills. Or at least, he hasn't always had them. For instance, in the gubernatorial debates against Ann Richards, canidate Bush was clear, concise, and articulate. His rhetorical playbook was way different back then - strikingly so.

I believe that his "just a regular guy" routine is the bread and butter of his political success, but it doesn't indicate a lack of intelligence, or even a lack of public speaking skills. That is, unless he has had a brain injury, or something, since his days in Texas. Maybe being sober has handicapped his locution? I don't know. But the Bush I remember was nothing like the bumbling boob we see these days.

Elspode · 08-22-2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

But the Bush I remember was nothing like the bumbling boob we see these days.

I think he's suffered a closed head injury from the repeated sharp pulls on his strings.

08-22-2006, 06:37 PM

If someone doubts it by now, I suspect them as well.

Griff · 08-23-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

I believe that his "just a regular guy" routine is the bread and butter of his political success, but it doesn't indicate a lack of intelligence, or even a lack of public speaking skills. That is, unless he has had a brain injury, or something, since his days in Texas. Maybe being sober has handicapped his locution? I don't know. But the Bush I remember was nothing like the bumbling boob we see these days.

I wouldn't expect the faux cowboy routine to sell that well outside of Texas, but he's definitely taking it up a notch. He could just be fried from the stress of destroying Western Civilization.

Clodfobble · 08-22-2006, 04:48 PM

There was actually a video going around awhile back claiming that Bush had a degenerative mental disease that we weren't being told about, a la Reagan's Alzheimer's. It put footage of lots of Bush's gubernatorial debates next to his more recent speaking, and the difference really was striking.

DanaC · 08-22-2006, 04:52 PM

I suspect Flint has the answer.

Quote:

I believe that his "just a regular guy" routine is the bread and butter of his political success

This is a tad worrying though. What is it about being 'just a regular guy , nothing special, just like me' that makes people want him to run the country?

I like people who are just like me. I want someone better and more accomplished than me to run my country.

Undertoad · 08-22-2006, 06:48 PM

We are the government; it's the first three words of the Constitution, "We The People". This is a concept that's part of the American fabric. We don't elect our betters, we vote for people that we think are roughly like us, in our category.

Kinda.

It's both a similar and a different pretense than giving your PM an ordinary housefront and address.

Aliantha · 08-23-2006, 02:56 AM

Was that a rhetorical question?

Hippikos · 08-23-2006, 07:17 AM

Hmmm there are signs that Rummy the Great's head is on the chopping board. Wonder how long it take to find a substitute?

08-22-2006, 05:28 AM	#1
Hippikos Flocci Non Facio Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In The Line Of Fire Posts: 571	Is Bush an Idiot? Have a look at this video and judge for yourself. __________________ Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.

08-22-2006, 12:01 PM	#2
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Is this a trick question? __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

08-22-2006, 12:04 PM	#3
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	I don't know, I can peacefully coexist with the fish. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

08-22-2006, 03:29 PM	#6
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	So he might not be an idiot; perhaps he is just a really horrible speaker. However, I would expect someone in such a position to have ability in all sorts of areas, public speaking being as important as it can be when seeking credibility. Can people be bad speakers and still be intelligent? Of course! Would I expect that and not judge that in, say, a coworker? Sure! Do I expect the President of my country to be better than the average smart joe? You bet I do! Then again, it might just be that he is an idiot! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

08-22-2006, 03:43 PM	#7
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	George Bush does not really have poor public speaking skills. Or at least, he hasn't always had them. For instance, in the gubernatorial debates against Ann Richards, canidate Bush was clear, concise, and articulate. His rhetorical playbook was way different back then - strikingly so. I believe that his "just a regular guy" routine is the bread and butter of his political success, but it doesn't indicate a lack of intelligence, or even a lack of public speaking skills. That is, unless he has had a brain injury, or something, since his days in Texas. Maybe being sober has handicapped his locution? I don't know. But the Bush I remember was nothing like the bumbling boob we see these days. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

08-22-2006, 12:10 PM	#4
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I'd like to think not. I'd like to think that an Idiot really, really couldn't find their way into the most powerful job in the world.

08-22-2006, 06:37 PM	#9
rkzenrage Guest Posts: n/a	If someone doubts it by now, I suspect them as well.

08-22-2006, 04:48 PM	#11
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	There was actually a video going around awhile back claiming that Bush had a degenerative mental disease that we weren't being told about, a la Reagan's Alzheimer's. It put footage of lots of Bush's gubernatorial debates next to his more recent speaking, and the difference really was striking.

08-22-2006, 06:48 PM	#13
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	We are the government; it's the first three words of the Constitution, "We The People". This is a concept that's part of the American fabric. We don't elect our betters, we vote for people that we think are roughly like us, in our category. Kinda. It's both a similar and a different pretense than giving your PM an ordinary housefront and address.

08-23-2006, 02:56 AM	#14
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Was that a rhetorical question? __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-23-2006, 07:17 AM	#15
Hippikos Flocci Non Facio Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In The Line Of Fire Posts: 571	Hmmm there are signs that Rummy the Great's head is on the chopping board. Wonder how long it take to find a substitute? __________________ Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.

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