# G.W. Bush: Show Some Respect, Would You Please? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 16, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360 "2003-12-16T18:19:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/1 "2003-12-16T18:19:31Z")
So, I’m listening to Bush’s speech on the radio last night, and in speaking of some Iraqi doctors he has been meeting with in regards to rebuilding Iraq’s health infrastructure, he calls them “docs.” Twice. As in “These docs are real concerned with…” Good lord, man! Maybe that flies in Texas but in international diplomacy it makes you sound like a bumpkin, and it’s insulting to the men (and/or women) who have earned a degree you yourself have no hope of ever attaining. Show a little respect! If my mother caught me calling an learned professional “doc” I’d be in for a talking to, and I wouldn’t be surprised if _your_ mother feels the same way. If you want to call the cow vet that patches up your broken ankle “Doc” that’s between him and you. If you’re Marty McFly you can refer to Dr. Emmet Brown as “Doc.” If you’re Bugs Bunny, you can call just about anyone “Doc.” But if you don’t fall under these categories, wipe the word “doc” out of your professional vocabulary. Yeesh! Boy, I’m glad I got that off my chest. ---
**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:** [December 16, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/2 "2003-12-16T18:28:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hello Again \* > **Maybe that flies in Texas but in international diplomacy it makes you sound like a bumpkin, and it’s insulting to the men (and/or women) who have earned a degree you yourself have no hope of ever attaining. Show a little respect!** Oh, for crying out loud. It’s just not that big of a deal. The entire world already knows that he’s a redneck. It’s not like this is some kind of huge revelation. > [@](#): > > **If my mother caught me calling an learned professional “doc” I’d be in for a talking to, and I wouldn’t be surprised if _your_ mother feels the same way.** And why exactly would your mother give you a “talking to” for calling a doctor “doc”? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/3 "2003-12-16T18:30:26Z")
Every doctor and nurse I’ve ever met refers to a group of doctors as docs. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/4 "2003-12-16T18:31:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hello Again \* > **a degree you yourself have no hope of ever attaining.** I for one am delighted that Bush will never get near me with a scalpel in his hand. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/5 "2003-12-16T18:33:46Z")
Because it’s diserpectful. Kinda like calling the president “Prez.” ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/6 "2003-12-16T18:34:59Z")
Is a flux capacitor considered a WMD? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/7 "2003-12-16T18:38:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Is a flux capacitor considered a WMD? \*\* How about a bomb casing full of used pinball parts? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/8 "2003-12-16T18:44:06Z")
Depends on which game the parts come from. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/9 "2003-12-16T18:49:47Z")
[doc](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=doc) n. Informal A physician, dentist, or veterinarian. [Short for doctor.] * * * OMG he used an informal word! POOPYPANTS!!! ---
**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:** [December 16, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/10 "2003-12-16T19:03:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hello Again \* > \*\*Because it’s diserpectful. Kinda like calling the president “Prez.” \*\* And why is it disrespectful again? Because you’re mom says so? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/11 "2003-12-16T19:11:04Z")
Your momma wears combat boots! ---
**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:** [December 16, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/12 "2003-12-16T19:12:33Z")
C’mon. It’s not a big deal. Now, if he referred to them as “My Niggaz!” that might be something. ---
**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:** [December 16, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/13 "2003-12-16T19:13:08Z")
Oh, I get it. This is a joke thread. I’m sure **Lynn** will be along shortly to give you a stern “talking to.” ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/14 "2003-12-16T19:14:35Z")
Actually I’d kinda like that. Just keep your finger off the big nuketizzle. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/15 "2003-12-16T19:24:34Z")
No, it didn’t start as a joke thread. It started as a rather mild rant. I’m just suprised at the people who think it _really_ is appropriate to refer to visiting dignitaries in an informal way. So I gave up. **WE** that was _funny_. ---
**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 16, 2003, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/16 "2003-12-16T19:36:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Revtim \* > \*\*C’mon. It’s not a big deal. Now, if he referred to them as “My Niggaz!” that might be something. \*\* Would it be Ok if he called them Doctizzles? ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/17 "2003-12-16T19:41:29Z")
Speeches given by the president should be in **formal** English. He’s not just talking to his buddies. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/18 "2003-12-16T19:57:46Z")
Did they practice nukular medicine? ---
**Author:** ![Stoneburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/19 "2003-12-16T19:58:16Z")
I hope the Doctors also gave interviews. “We talked to the prez about… you know, rebuilding infrastructure and stuff… anyway, the prez was pretty cool about it.” ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360/20 "2003-12-16T20:59:02Z")
Remember when shrub referred to Pakistanis as Pakis? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-w-bush-show-some-respect-would-you-please/219360.md?page=2)