How Politicians Work

[hectorberlioz]

Ok, here's what's on my mind.

George W. Bush's image has been, up until 2004 of a cowboy, straight-talking ten-gallon hatter. These days it's more of a clutzy joker...no fault of his, because I think he's always been that way, and never good with the press, so his weaknesses are made manifest to the reporters, who in turn write about him.

My question is: Is George Bush a smart man? As in, did he do his Yale homework? And does he just act goofy or just plain Texan on purpose to connect with people (what he thinks is connecting anyways).

I think he beats around the bush (no pun intended) when he speaks because I think thats what he thinks is the way to do it, and complicated by the fact that he has to dance around the press' extraordinary ability to edit someone's speech to tilt a certain way...

When he said the S word to Tony Blair about Syria, he was the true direct speaking politician he should be. I'd rather him say the S word a hundred times in a straight-plain speech than mumble hair-splitting inanities trying to be politically correct.

This question of smarts should be asked not just of the President, but of every single politician out there.


The wily politician, he is everywhere: he changes his stance just before election day, and whether through inablility of congress and senate to agree, one politician can't fulfil his promises to the state voters that voted him in.

[The Gaffer]

I would say so, just perhaps not the best educated. Also, he is manifestly incompetent, politically bankrupt and utterly subservient to his corporate masters.

But you already knew that

In answer to your question, how do politicians work, if you reach into your pocket, pull out your wallet and take out one of those crisp, green bits of paper with George Washington's face on it, you've got your answer.

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by The Gaffer

I would say so, just perhaps not the best educated. Also, he is manifestly incompetent, politically bankrupt and utterly subservient to his corporate masters.

But you already knew that

In answer to your question, how do politicians work, if you reach into your pocket, pull out your wallet and take out one of those crisp, green bits of paper with George Washington's face on it, you've got your answer.

Hmm...I was thinking more about brain processing...but I guess you've given the answer...

btw, not just Washington's face, what about Darwin's face over there, working on YOUR politicians' brain processing? Eh?

[The Gaffer]

Yes, thankfully most of our politicians have brains, and therefore don't spend too much time obsessing about Darwin.

But the same rules apply: money buys politicians. We have had a massive deregulation of gambling here for which there was absolutely no public demand, just that New Labour donors wanted it. Same with the fudge over tobacco advertising etc etc. And they have been doling out peerages (i.e. a Lordship) in return for loans.

It's also true that many people have made the mistake of "misunderestimating" Bush (to coin his own phrase), and his puppetmasters. He has played a very clever, cynical game. History, however, will not be kind to him.

My view is that he will be remembered as a stooge too far: it is increasingly obvious that the US Presidency is a facade for corporate interests, and the setup is optimised to ensure that nothing ever happens that is bad for big business.

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by The Gaffer

Yes, thankfully most of our politicians have brains, and therefore don't spend too much time obsessing about Darwin.

But the same rules apply: money buys politicians. We have had a massive deregulation of gambling here for which there was absolutely no public demand, just that New Labour donors wanted it. Same with the fudge over tobacco advertising etc etc. And they have been doling out peerages (i.e. a Lordship) in return for loans.

It's also true that many people have made the mistake of "misunderestimating" Bush (to coin his own phrase), and his puppetmasters. He has played a very clever, cynical game. History, however, will not be kind to him.

My view is that he will be remembered as a stooge too far: it is increasingly obvious that the US Presidency is a facade for corporate interests, and the setup is optimised to ensure that nothing ever happens that is bad for big business.

Glad to see you at least aknowledge that he knows what he's doing (as in, he knew what it was about). Lefties over here don't even grant him an inch of sanity.

I think history gets kinder as it gets older (or younger), and if things workout with Iraq and the next Pres, Bush's status will go up somewhat.

No doubt about the money deals. Btw, Maybe if I gave Cameron, or Blair or Prince Charles a few thousand, they'd give me a Knighthood?

[Butterbeer]

El Gaffer: (last seen at da groucho club ...)

Yes, thankfully most of our politicians have brains

... he'll never live that one down!

[The Gaffer]

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

Glad to see you at least aknowledge that he knows what he's doing (as in, he knew what it was about). Lefties over here don't even grant him an inch of sanity.

I think history gets kinder as it gets older (or younger), and if things workout with Iraq and the next Pres, Bush's status will go up somewhat.

Thanks for taking that in the spirit it was intended. It seems to me that the "left" in the US has made the mistake of attacking the puppet instead of the puppetmaster. Surely there's political capital to made out of "Who do you want running your country? Exxon or the people?"

However, the only way history could be kind to him IMO would be for having the audacity to invade Iraq to get hold of its oil, which, in 20 years time, you (i.e. the US) may be particularly thankful for as the price of energy goes truly stratospheric.

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

No doubt about the money deals. Btw, Maybe if I gave Cameron, or Blair or Prince Charles a few thousand, they'd give me a Knighthood?

I think the going rate would be more in the region of a million or so.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

When he said the S word to Tony Blair about Syria, he was the true direct speaking politician he should be. I'd rather him say the S word a hundred times in a straight-plain speech than mumble hair-splitting inanities trying to be politically correct.

What, you mean ****?

EDIT: Dude, that word is TOTALLY PG-13 safe! What the smurf??

In answer to your question, how do politicians work, if you reach into your pocket, pull out your wallet and take out one of those crisp, green bits of paper with George Washington's face on it, you've got your answer.

Politicians work on one dollar? Jeez, how cheap. But joking aside, you're definitely right; honest politicians are a rare, rare breed in our day and age. Part of the reason I care so little for our day and age.

[Grey_Wolf]

Perhaps a little OT -

Sweden, imo, is the country in the world who suffers the worst from politicomania, that is the tendency of the media to place everything in a political aspect.

[Jonathan]

Oh, I don't know if our media is worse than the media in many other countries. Besides, I think this tends to happen during an election year.

[Grey_Wolf]

Sorry, Jonathan, but it doesnt matter if it is election year or not. The politicomania is spread evenly over every hour, day, month and year. The Swedish Media's politics-horniness have no rival in other countries.

[Spock]

With the 24hr news advent and cable/satellite competition, news, news, news, no matter what it's about.

The other day I watched a news story for "top of the hour news" and the first story was about a dog that got shot. Three stories later, they covered the bomb plot in the UK..........most weird.