# Brush-Cutting Injuries Are Kinda Like Combat Wounds **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 4, 2006, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366 "2006-01-04T06:41:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/21 "2006-01-04T20:21:22Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > I take it you ran out of real issues for which to pit Bush? I didn’t start the thread; but I’m talented enough to hand more than one topic at a time. For instance I could bring up the fact that Bush and Cheney are still defending the secret unauthorized wire-taps. I could talk about Bush’s connection to Abramoff. Let’s not forget the continued violence in Iraq including a house full of civilians bombed by U.S. forces. But I didn’t really want to hijack the thread and only commented on this one speech. And instead of focusing on the stupid joke, I commented on the apparent God complex he has and this dismissal of Human skill as opposed to prayer and divine healing. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/22 "2006-01-04T21:11:08Z")
_Speak awfully and parry a big stick._ ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/23 "2006-01-04T21:34:53Z")
To be more clear, the “you” was a general “you”, not you specifically **Homebrew**. I guess I just think there are way more important things that Bush is doing wrong which make a bad joke at the beginning of a speech rather inconsequential. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/24 "2006-01-04T21:40:18Z")
> [@Revenant Threshold](#): > > Yeah, I don’t think there’s any question about whether it was a joke or not. It was just a joke in very, _very_ poor taste - especially considering current events. And it was from a guy who really should know better. And, you know, he was doing pretty well up until that moment. He was delivering a solemn thank you to the service of the hospital professionals, saying that they were brave and dedicated, and that they should be commended for all of their efforts. I thought it was good, until he dropped that turd of a “joke.” I have a feeling that his prior remarks were scripted, which he delivered quite well, and then he decided to ad-lib to “lighten the moment.” You’d think after all these years he’d have learned not to do that. He’s just not good at it. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/25 "2006-01-04T22:12:15Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > I guess I just think there are way more important things that Bush is doing wrong which make a bad joke at the beginning of a speech rather inconsequential. So people are obligated to remain impassive when the man displays such a profound lack of tact? He’s a politician – he’s supposed to have some clue as to how his words will be measured. “Here I am to give out Purple Hearts to some of those who were seriously injured in the war I got y’all into. Lookie, I got a boo-boo too, while I was vacationing on my vast spread in Crawford.” Also, when you know that the group of people you’re addressing contains people who are concerned with when their buddies will start coming home, you generally avoid kidding about how you were “eventually” victorious over an inanimate object. A head of state should have _some_ grasp of nuance. He was there specifically to show appreciation for combat veterans. He should have stuck to what was written for him. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/26 "2006-01-04T22:28:16Z")
Well, yes, it was a joke, but making a joke about that furthers the (I believe correct) impression that Bush _doesn’t fucking get it_. He doesn’t _get_ death - he is mentally incapable of taking in the consequences of his decision to go to war. That’s why I think it’s pit-worthy. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/27 "2006-01-04T23:00:50Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Gah! _Connecticut_! He’s from **Connecticut**!!! > And we didn’t \*\*vote \*\* for him either. He likes to pretend that he’s some sort of native Texan, and the residents of the Nutmeg State are happy to preserve the illusion. I don’t think there’s a sign as you enter New Haven identifying it as his birthplace. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/28 "2006-01-04T23:27:17Z")
> [@Dewey Finn](#): > > He likes to pretend that he’s some sort of native Texan He likes to pretend he’s a rancher too, but with all that brush clearing that he does, it’s pretty clear he’s just the gardener. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/29 "2006-01-04T23:33:21Z")
Later Bush remarked, “I’ve been battling the flu all week. I’ve put on a brave front, but I was ambushed later by a massive headache. It hit me while I was rifling through some papers. Sorry I was so late today, I had my driver gun it, but the traffic was a real quagmire.” ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/30 "2006-01-04T23:51:45Z")
> [@Dewey Finn](#): > > He likes to pretend that he’s some sort of native Texan… You’ve got to admit that it’s kind of cute when he slips up and thinks he’s pretending to be from Tennessee, though. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/31 "2006-01-05T00:13:54Z")
> [@Dag Otto](#): > > He likes to pretend he’s a rancher too, but with all that brush clearing that he does, it’s pretty clear he’s just the gardener. [Karl Rove’s Mind] Hmm… It looked good Reagan cleared brush. I should have W clear bush _all_ the time. [/Karl Rove’s Mind] ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/32 "2006-01-05T03:44:05Z")
I’ll bet the troops who were recovering from having their limbs blown off in a war started by Mr. Funny Guy himself were just laughing their asses off at that side-splitter. :wally ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/33 "2006-01-05T08:41:19Z")
I’m sorry to all the Massachusetts natives I’ve offended, and I offer my deepest condolences to the Connecticut natives as well. My point, such that it was, was that he sure as hell wasn’t from any _western_ state. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/34 "2006-01-05T10:19:36Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > My point, such that it was, was that he sure as hell wasn’t from any **_western_ state.** Maybe [this one.](http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/mentalhealth/wsh.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/35 "2006-01-05T19:17:35Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > What the hell? If you have to be conscious of not substititing yourself for God, then obviously, that’s an inclination you have. But once again the hard work and dedication of the medical professionals is discounted and PRAISE JESUS God has delievered a MIRACLE. It’a MIRACLE! These men and women who spent years traing and honing their skills, well, they’re just an instrument that God uses to perform his Wonderous and Amazing HEALING! I know you have strong feelings about this and I won’t change your mind at all, and I can’t stand Bush as much as the next person, but I don’t think he’s saying God took over those people’s minds and forced them to help others. There’s something to be said that people decided to use their lives to help others, and if one believes in God, one believes that good things come from God. I don’t believe there’s any morality in a natural disaster so I don’t believe there’s a question as to why God allowed it, but there is morality in the choices people make to help their fellow men and when those are good choices it can be celebrated as a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/36 "2006-01-05T23:48:37Z")
You’d think W would have learned to go easy on the comedy. His post-Katrina wisecrack about his younger days in New Orleans “enjoying myself a bit too much” went over like a ripe fart. But what am I saying? He should have learned? The guy has the learning curve of roadkill. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/37 "2006-01-05T23:55:36Z")
> [@Dewey Finn](#): > > He likes to pretend that he’s some sort of native Texan, and the residents of the Nutmeg State are happy to preserve the illusion. I don’t think there’s a sign as you enter New Haven identifying it as his birthplace. I remember finding it amusing that West Derby has a sign saying “Home to [some UConn Girl’s Basketball teammate whose name I’ve forgotten]” but New Haven happily forgets to claim “Birthplace to George W Bush”. ---
**Author:** ![bannerrefugee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@bannerrefugee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bannerrefugee)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/38 "2006-01-06T03:42:58Z")
Although I am new to Texas, I will defend my state. Please remember he’s not from here. He is probably someplace were lots of rich people live. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/39 "2006-01-06T15:28:54Z")
> [@bannerrefugee](#): > > He is probably someplace were lots of rich people live. Have you been to Highland Park in Dallas? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366/40 "2006-01-06T15:47:51Z")
> [@ryobserver](#): > > You’d think W would have learned to go easy on the comedy. His post-Katrina wisecrack about his younger days in New Orleans “enjoying myself a bit too much” went over like a ripe fart. But what am I saying? He should have learned? The guy has the learning curve of roadkill. That annual Radio and Television Correspondents Association dinner slideshow of him looking for WMD’s under the couch probably didn’t have folks who lost loved ones in Iraq rolling in the aisles, either. But I hear it really killed at the dinner! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brush-cutting-injuries-are-kinda-like-combat-wounds/338366.md?page=3)