# Eat my shit George W. Bush **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 19, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237 "2005-12-19T02:07:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/121 "2005-12-19T22:42:39Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Think it through, John. > > For a long time they didn’t bother broadcasting his speeches during primetime. This one, however, they do. His speeches are almost always broadcast live. If they weren’t broadcast during prime time, it’s because they weren’t delivered during prime time. I don’t know what you’re talking about. The 3 recent speeches he gave concerning the Iraq War were delivered early in the day. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/122 "2005-12-19T22:47:38Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > His speeches are almost always broadcast live. If they weren’t broadcast during prime time, it’s because they weren’t delivered during prime time. I don’t know what you’re talking about. The 3 recent speeches he gave concerning the Iraq War were delivered early in the day. I think that’s what he’s talking about. Maybe Bush’ handlers had those speeches occur early in the day so people wouldn’t see them - like maybe the lazy media would report ‘Bush spelled out his victory plan’ and people would just buy it. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/123 "2005-12-19T22:56:30Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Seems to me the folks in this thread have more of a beef with the TV stations than with Bush. They can decide to not show the speech if they want. Bush, as president, should give speeches from time to time, and he’s going to interrupt \*\*something \*\*whenever he does. If you don’t want to watch his speeches, write to your local TV station and urge them not to carry the event. If you don’t get your way, then eat shit. Majority rules. I can’t believe anyone is upset about Family Guy. That show sucks big time. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/124 "2005-12-19T23:23:12Z")
> [@bup](#): > > To hell they don’t. They’re used in other countries as a means to discover fraud. You probably believe they don’t, because some “expert” from the right said they don’t, but you’ve been lied to. > > Before last year’s election, anybody from either side would have agreed they’re valid. But then suddenly, exit polls were off like they were for last year’s presidential election. So what does the right do? Changes the belief to fit the conclusion. The fuck they are. I know that because I took a class on polling as part of my Poly Sci major during an election year. Some types of polls are statistically valid, and with a fairly distributed sample you can get results that are indicative of what much larger groups of people think from a surprisingly small number of people polled. Straw polls and exit polls are not among the types of polls that have scientific or statistical validity. Do some homework before you spout off. Bob, all you have to do to make your point is offer one small thing: proof of your accusations. In this and other threads on the subject you have repeatedly been unable to furnish any, relying on innuendo and wild leaps of illogic. If you have any proof, furnish it, otherwise you can take your “They were disenfranchised by being made to wait in line” bullshit and stick it up your…Ohio. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/125 "2005-12-19T23:26:54Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Think it through, John. > > For a long time they didn’t bother broadcasting his speeches during primetime. This one, however, they do. [Kanye West]George Bush doesn’t care about Family Guy fanatics.[/Kanye] ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/126 "2005-12-20T00:33:04Z")
> [@bup](#): > > I think that’s what he’s talking about. Maybe Bush’ handlers had those speeches occur early in the day so people wouldn’t see them - like maybe the lazy media would report ‘Bush spelled out his victory plan’ and people would just buy it. I doubt it. Bush is TRYING to get his message out there. Those earlier speeches were given to audiences, so it makes sense to do that during the day. The speech last night was given from the Whitehouse to the nation. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/127 "2005-12-20T02:09:03Z")
To change the subject slightly, here’s what I think the Democrats should be worried about: Bush went out of his way to accept responsibility for the war. He repeated it several times. He admitted that many people disagreed with him, and that the responsibility for the war was his. Now, if you believe that Bush is a lying scumbag, how do you explain this? Why go out of his way to make sure everyone knows who pushed for war and who didn’t? Maybe it’s because the war is being won, and he’s staking out his claim on the outcome before the Democrats can do an about-face and claim that it was really their idea all along, or that they were fully willing partners in the war. This points out a real problem for the Democrats. If this war turns out well, and the American people turn around and approve of it in large numbers, Howard Dean’s "This war is not winnable’ nonsense is going to be rubbed in the Democrat’s faces again, and again, and again. As will the statements from Pelosi, Kennedy, et al. And notice the Republicans did the same thing in the last few weeks. They just forced a vote on the decclaration that the U.S. will stay in Iraq until victory is achieved. Pretty much every Republican signed it. Half the Democrats didn’t. If this war is a big success, that’s going to come back to haunt them. The President and the Republicans are playing this game on the assumption that by 2006 or at least 2008 Iraq is going to be a success. The Democrats now are in a position where they have to hope for failure. Already weak on security in the eyes of the American people, they’ve dug a big hole for themselves. And they damned well deserve it. There are a few exceptions. Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, for example. Anyone notice where Biden was during the Iraq election? He was in Iraq, dipping his finger in purple ink and smiling for the cameras with the Iraqis. Smart man. He’s been critical enough of Bush that he can duck if the war turns out badly and claim that he supported it but was let down by Bush’s incompetence. But if the Iraq war is a success, he can take equal credit for that, since he never issued the kind of 'it’s a hopeless quagmire!" rhetoric that so many other Democrats have. Hillary Clinton has also played the game smartly. But most of the Democrats reverted to their Vietnam-esque 'quagmire! Bring the troops home!" defeatist nonsense. That’s going to hurt them big time. Hell, you even had John Kerry accusing American soldiers of terrorizing women and children. It’s like Vietnam nostalgia month for the Democrats. They’re going to pay a price for it, and the Republicans are setting them up. ---
**Author:** ![Sevastopol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/128 "2005-12-20T02:43:43Z")
Oh pap! Bush is setting up to draw the heat to himself personally, rather than those persons actually up for election in 2006. Still I’m glad you here **Sam** as most other self-identified conservatives been quiet lately. I was thinking of starting a thread about whether this was because they’d heard polling news that wasn’t publicly available, but maybe it’s just the Christmas season. **PatriotX**? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/129 "2005-12-20T02:56:46Z")
The Democrats for once are taking a position of integrity, **Sam** , not making a wager. The truth is that the war in Iraq has cost us substantially in lives and money, while tragedy continues. If a miraculous turn around happens, great. Whatever political price they have to pay, they’ll pay. But they’re just doing now what they should have done several years ago - stand up for what is right and give the people a party who will fight for them. But thanks yet again for your gracious concern. Somehow it always seems like your advice for the Democrats just also happens to align with the desires of the Republican party, but that must just be coincidence. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/130 "2005-12-20T02:59:15Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > Bush went out of his way to accept responsibility for the war. He repeated it several times. He admitted that many people disagreed with him, and that the responsibility for the war was his. Mr. Bush mentioned responsibility exactly twice in his speech. Here, where he uses it as a rhetorical gimmick to shore up an affirmation of his ego: > [@](#): > > As your President, I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq. Yet it was right to remove Saddam Hussein from power. and here, where uses it to amplify the effectivness of a sob story: > [@](#): > > My most solemn responsibility is to protect our nation, and that requires me to make some tough decisions. I see the consequences of those decisions when I meet wounded servicemen and women who cannot leave their hospital beds, but summon the strength to look me in the eye and say they would do it all over again. I see the consequences when I talk to parents who miss a child so much – but tell me he loved being a soldier, he believed in his mission, and, Mr. President, finish the job. To all appearances, responsibility is nothing but a buzz-word to the president. A token for an issue that his handlers tell him he needs to get on top of. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/131 "2005-12-20T03:11:17Z")
Actually, I’ve been quiet as of late simply because I generally have no desire to debate with most of the people on the SDMB. Sorry, but that’s the way it is. My last foray into Great Debates ended with one of the usual suspects calling me a chickenhawk and demanding that I enlist in the military or shut up. Life is too short to put up with idiots like that, and I’m tired of fighting them. So I limit myself to the occasional comment where I think it’s appropriate, and prepare to abandon the thread as soon as the usual nonsense starts. I suspect most of the other conservatives feel the same way. There’s only so much tilting at windmills one can take before deciding it’s just not worth it. If the debate remained pleasant and thoughtful, I’d be happy to continue just for the sport of it. But when it routinely turns tiresomely nasty, why bother? I’ve noticed that Great Debates has only a fraction of the traffic it used to, while other forums are thriving. I’m guessing I’m not the only person who feels this way. Anyway, since you asked about polling, I just finished reading [this](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/19/AR2005121900924.html), which supports my argument: > [@](#): > > President Bush’s approval rating has surged in recent weeks, reversing what had been an extended period of decline, with Americans now expressing renewed optimism about the future of democracy in Iraq, the campaign against terrorism and the U.S. economy, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News Poll. Bush’s approval rating is back up to 47%, and the approval of his handling of the Iraq war has jumped 10 points in the last few weeks, to almost 50%. That’s pretty much the same partisan split you had after the last election, with a couple of percentage points of ‘swing voters’ having moved away from Bush. But if this trend continues, it’s big trouble for the Democrats. If Bush already has almost half the country with him on Iraq, then if the situation there gets better, his approval rating on Iraq could easily jump back up into the 60-70% range, and that’s a disaster for the Democrats, who have largely staked their position on the ‘Iraq is a lost cause and we should quit’ side. That’s going to look really, really bad if Iraq turns out well. Bush also has 56% of the public supporting his handling of the war on terror, despite all the recent ‘scandals’ that some of you think are automatic grounds for impeachment. And at Bush’s bottom, the Democrats has a 12 point advantage when asked, “Who do you trust to run the country better?” That has now dwindled to 5%. This poll was taken before Bush’s nationwide address. I expect next week’s polls to be even higher. And speaking of Iraq turning out well, there are even more positive signs: [Sunni Alliance offers Coalition Government](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10426494/) > [@](#): > > **Leaders say they will work with secular Shiites, Kurds to run Iraq** > > Cars and trucks returned to Iraq’s roads Saturday as authorities eased tight security imposed for the parliamentary election, and the main Sunni Arab alliance said it was open to forming a governing coalition with a religious Shiite bloc. The election so far is looking like the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance will get the most votes, but not enough to form a majority government. That means a coalition government, with the secular Kurds and Sunnis having enough votes working together to force the Shiites to deal. That’s exactly what we were hoping for. [Sunnis say they want to work with the U.S.](http://news.pajamasmedia.com/2005/12/18/6710814_Sunnis_say_they_.shtml) > [@](#): > > Sunni Muslim leaders in Iraq’s violent Anbar province say they are ready to cooperate with the United States. > … > The truce resulted from weeks of negotiations between U.S. officials and insurgents. > Sunni religious leader Sheik Abed al-Latif Hemaiym told The Times in an interview in Amman that Sunnis were prepared to work with the United States. > “We now believe we must get on good terms with the Americans,” Hemaiym said. “As Arab Sunnis, we believe that within this hot area of Iraq, facing challenges from neighboring nations who want to swallow us, especially the Iranians, we feel we have no alternative.” Note that there has been almost no violence since the election. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/132 "2005-12-20T03:13:18Z")
> [@Hentor the Barbarian](#): > > The Democrats for once are taking a position of integrity, **Sam** , not making a wager. The truth is that the war in Iraq has cost us substantially in lives and money, while tragedy continues. If a miraculous turn around happens, great. Whatever political price they have to pay, they’ll pay. But they’re just doing now what they should have done several years ago - stand up for what is right and give the people a party who will fight for them. > > But thanks yet again for your gracious concern. Somehow it always seems like your advice for the Democrats just also happens to align with the desires of the Republican party, but that must just be coincidence. :rolleyes: Actually, I’m sick of Republicans, and I fervently wish the Democrats would be more serious and put up a credible fight. If I were American, I could easily see myself voting for Hillary or Joe Biden or another serious Democrat for President, hoping for a split government. I’m not sure Republicans play very nicely when they have the whole sandbox to themselves. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/133 "2005-12-20T03:16:55Z")
**Merijeek** : I request that, in the future, you either ignore me or quote me. Due to your lack of reading comprehension, I request that you do not attempt to paraphrase me. Note this statement; > [@me](#): > > Y’all remind me of the football fans of a certain university located on the left side of my fair state. According to them, they never get whipped fair & square. Either the other team was lucky or the refs cheated 'em. Do you see the word FANS there? It’s the seventh word in the paragraph. I made no claim about those who actually participate. Y’all remind me of their _FANS_. Get it now? I called no-one a pussy. As best I can tell, you and Hentor are the only posters in this thread that called someone a pussy. I had no idea you BoBB’s felt so manhood-challenged. Next time I’ll try to avoid stepping on your little pink toesies. ---
**Author:** ![bannerrefugee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@bannerrefugee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bannerrefugee)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/134 "2005-12-20T03:23:57Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > My guess is that the lefties on this board never played competitive sports. When you’re on a sports team, you learn to lose, dislike it, but move on with your life. You also learn not to cheat. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/135 "2005-12-20T03:43:15Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > “Stay the course! 911! 911! Terrorists! Dissent helps the enemy! Wolf! Wolf!” M-O-O-N, that spells God Bless America. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/136 "2005-12-20T04:14:21Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > Anyway, since you asked about polling, I just finished reading [this](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/19/AR2005121900924.html), which supports my argument:. But then, [CNN’s most recent poll](http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/19/bush.poll/index.html) finds Bush getting no bump in the polls from his recent speeches and the elections in Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/137 "2005-12-20T04:44:04Z")
> [@bannerrefugee](#): > > You also learn not to cheat. Agreed. There should also be a corollary somewhere that goes: “Don’t accuse the opposition of cheating unless you have some actual, you know, _evidence_.” ---
**Author:** ![Updike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@Updike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Updike)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/138 "2005-12-20T05:18:28Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > Why? Isn’t it pretty much true? Is it not the case that the party currently in the majority (i.e. the Republicans) are, as a group, more concerned with maintaining power than they are with what is going to be good for the country? No, it is not the case. The Republicans, as a group, believe that their policies are what’s good for the country. Don’t the Democrats believe the same about their policies? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/139 "2005-12-20T05:46:20Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Mr. Bush mentioned responsibility exactly twice in his speech. Here, where he uses it as a rhetorical gimmick to shore up an affirmation of his ego: > and here, where uses it to amplify the effectivness of a sob story: > To all appearances, responsibility is nothing but a buzz-word to the president. A token for an issue that his handlers tell him he needs to get on top of. Yeah, he sure accepted responsibility. And once again, the “speech” contained some gibberish about “victory” - hell of a battle plan. just keep saying “victory” and it will happen all on its own. Great plan. My “sense” was not very complimentary. As president I am responsible. No shit. Everyone already knows that, so I can say it now. But it was still the fault of those damn intelligence guys for giving me wrong info. (What about Duelfer, Wilson etc? What about the doctored reports?). And that talk about visiting those wonderful brave wounded guys I flat out choose not to believe. (Want to help them George? End the stop-loss. Get them their armor. Stop trying to sneak ANWAR into defense bills. Give them their VA benefits.) But, at the lower ranks, they may not be so thrilled after all. Cheney’s welcome in Iraq during his supposedly surprise visit was not very enthusiastic. From what I can tell, he doesn’t give a damn about the troops. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237/140 "2005-12-20T07:25:42Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > But not more important than a cartoon, I take it? When the cartoon characters are smarter than he is, yep. As for 2004 election irregularites, let’s remember that Diebold CEO Walden “I pledge to deliver Ohio for Bush” O’Deill [abruptly resigned](http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/1723096.php) last week (for “personal reasons,” natch) just before the company [got sued by shareholders](http://www.securitypronews.com/news/securitynews/spn-45-20051215EVotingSecurityPlaguesDiebold.html) over misleading them about the state of the company and the voting machines, including cover-ups about [the machines’ (lack of) security…](http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/state/epaper/2005/12/17/a28a_voting_1217.html) …Not that any of this will sway the die-hard Bushies, who doubtlessly just want to yell “game over” and have everyone forget this immediately… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-shit-george-w-bush/336237.md?page=8)