Spring Break
People need to move on from George W. Bush jokes
Claire Taylor, Baylor University
Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: Opinion
(U-WIRE) - With a nickname like "Dubyah," how could he be taken seriously? Former President George W. Bush has endured a lot during his two terms as president. Not only did he lead the country through some of the most devastating times, but he was also unscrupulously mocked and mimicked along the way.
Now he is ready to write about it.
Bush announced at his first speaking engagement since leaving office in January that he is planning to write a book.
The book, tentatively titled "Decision Points," will be published in 2010.
It will cover 12 personal and presidential decisions the former president faced while in office.
Topics include his decision to run for president, the Sept. 11 attacks, the response to Hurricane Katrina and his decision to stop drinking.
Like many decisions Bush made during his presidency, the announcement has elicited a strong response from online newsreaders.
Comments left on a Waco Tribune-Herald article about the book echoed the same degree of mockery Bush faced while in office.
"Will it be a picture book?" read one post. "Will crayons cost extra?" another reader commented.
"I heard that it will be written like a choose-your-own adventure book," one poster wrote. "(It) will have many fun scratch-and-sniff photos."
Granted, someone who asks the question "Is our children learning?" like Bush infamously did, does ask for some type of criticism.
But the fact is that Bush led this country for two terms and he was elected by the American public to do so.
With Bush out of office, hurling insults isn't going to change anything, so why do it?
To some, Bush's years in office can be summed up with war, pretzels, a Texas ranch, Hurricane Katrina and, of course, Sept. 11.
His approval ratings soared to 90 percent in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks and dove to a record low of about 30 percent in the final months of his presidency.
But one thing separates Bush from all the rest: He has to be the most disrespected president in history.
Now he is ready to write about it.
Bush announced at his first speaking engagement since leaving office in January that he is planning to write a book.
The book, tentatively titled "Decision Points," will be published in 2010.
It will cover 12 personal and presidential decisions the former president faced while in office.
Topics include his decision to run for president, the Sept. 11 attacks, the response to Hurricane Katrina and his decision to stop drinking.
Like many decisions Bush made during his presidency, the announcement has elicited a strong response from online newsreaders.
Comments left on a Waco Tribune-Herald article about the book echoed the same degree of mockery Bush faced while in office.
"Will it be a picture book?" read one post. "Will crayons cost extra?" another reader commented.
"I heard that it will be written like a choose-your-own adventure book," one poster wrote. "(It) will have many fun scratch-and-sniff photos."
Granted, someone who asks the question "Is our children learning?" like Bush infamously did, does ask for some type of criticism.
But the fact is that Bush led this country for two terms and he was elected by the American public to do so.
With Bush out of office, hurling insults isn't going to change anything, so why do it?
To some, Bush's years in office can be summed up with war, pretzels, a Texas ranch, Hurricane Katrina and, of course, Sept. 11.
His approval ratings soared to 90 percent in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks and dove to a record low of about 30 percent in the final months of his presidency.
But one thing separates Bush from all the rest: He has to be the most disrespected president in history.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Scott Brooks
posted 3/26/09 @ 5:37 PM MST
Bravo! You are so right! Our country is able to elect our leaders freely so we can ridicule and shame them later. I wouldn't want the job.
I'm glad he was our leader in the timehe was there. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 3/27/09 @ 6:33 AM MST
I think people ought to be free to ridicule whomever they please, for as long as they please. There will always be people who can't manage to disengage from last years issues. (Continued…)
Chunk
posted 3/27/09 @ 5:54 PM MST
People will "move on" when it stops being funny.
Jes
posted 3/27/09 @ 5:54 PM MST
The argument in this 'opinion' seems to be: You should not make fun of/ridicule George W. Bush because a) half the poulation (or less) voted him into office and b) it will not accomplish anything. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 3/29/09 @ 12:01 PM MST
Talk about earned disrespect. We already have a new comedy line out of the Obama administration that will echo for many years to come.
Supposed financial "expert" and tax chiseler Tim Geithner's ridiculous excuse that "Turbo Tax Made Me Do It". (Continued…)
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