# If another piece of shit calls Bush a “cowboy”…you best be out of my shootin’ range. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 18, 2003, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341 "2003-03-18T18:46:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/1 "2003-03-18T18:46:28Z")
First of all, I am not a supporter of George W. Bush, though I am a native of West Texas – who lives very close to several members of the Welch (Laura Bush’s maiden name) family. I am not interested in defending Bush…but. I am fucking sick of hearing assorted furriners refer to Bush as a “cowboy”, as if that was some sort of profound blow to his integrity. Real cowboys are not triggerhappy pistol packing Yosemite Sam characters. They are real hardworking people who help feed and clothe millions of others for a rather modest income. I see actual cowboys where I live all the time. If they ever do use a firearm, it’s to scare off hungry coyotes. Anyway George W. Bush is NOT a cowboy. He went to prep school in Connecticut for crying out loud. As far as I know his C.V. includes absolutely no work with livestock – other than Karen Hughes. Yes Bush calls his compound a “ranch”, but so does Jane Fonda and Michael Jackson – somehow “ranch” went from a working farm to a term for any country estate west of the Mississippi River. Anyway Bush is no Cowboy!!! ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/2 "2003-03-18T18:54:14Z")
You forgot “Skywalker Ranch”, there slim. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/3 "2003-03-18T18:55:52Z")
Well he _did_ say, in effect, “You’ve got 'til sundown to get outta town!” 😃 [sub]Don’t think about real cowboys. Think about the Hollywood version c.1950.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Toaster52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@Toaster52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toaster52)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/4 "2003-03-18T19:03:53Z")
Know whatcha mean…I grew up and lived practically my entire life in western South Dakota. But the nearest I ever got to a horse was when I visited my brother who tended dairy cattle for awhile. Heck, I don’t even like country western music all that much (although Shania…whooooooo…) Now that I live in Joisey, you wouldn’t believe all the people that think I hadda scrape bullhockey offa my shoes ever day. _shrug_ Goes with the territory, I 'spose… …see, I can even talk funny like President Bush… ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_of\_Sandwhich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/91b2a8/32.png) [@Earl\_of\_Sandwhich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_of_Sandwhich)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/5 "2003-03-18T19:12:14Z")
syncrolecyne writes: “Real cowboys are not triggerhappy pistol packing Yosemite Sam characters.” Then you’d appreciate the sign I saw in Chicago over the weekend: “Bush is all hat and no cattle.” ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/6 "2003-03-18T19:18:17Z")
Can I still call him a smug, grinning, syphilitic homunculus? ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/7 "2003-03-18T19:23:19Z")
I take it “curious george, the presidential edition” is still ok? Man, if he would just wear a yellow rain slicker. . . 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/8 "2003-03-18T19:27:19Z")
So, were you inspired by [BRYAN WOOLLEY of The Dallas Morning News](http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/5391877.htm), or are all you cowpokes just getting mad at the same time? (Can we still call him a galoot?) ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/9 "2003-03-18T20:03:23Z")
GW: Saddam, this town ain’t big enough for the two of us. You’ve got 48 hours to leave. SH: But, I dropped my guns like you told me to. Your deppities have even been frisking me. GW: But someday you’ll come after me. I’m gonna drop you now. (fumbles in left shirt pocket for bullet) ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/10 "2003-03-18T20:19:56Z")
GWB: We’ve got to nip it in the bud, I tell you. If you read any book on the subject they’re all in favor of bud nippin’ (I think of him more as a Barney Fife type.) ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/11 "2003-03-18T20:21:34Z")
Soooooooooo… you’re saying that calling George W. Bush a “cowboy” is an insult to real cowboys? No disagreement from me – in fact, I think “cowboy” isn’t the only term that could be used here. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/12 "2003-03-18T20:26:00Z")
Yes, calling George W. Bush a “cowboy” is an insult to real cowboys. And calling him a “smug, grinning, syphilitic homunculus” is an insult to real smug, grinning, syphilitic homunculi. ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/13 "2003-03-18T20:34:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\*GWB: We’ve got to nip it in the bud, I tell you. If you read any book on the subject they’re all in favor of bud nippin’ > > (I think of him more as a Barney Fife type.) \*\* At least Barney had only the one bullet, and Andy made him keep that is his shirt pocket. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/14 "2003-03-18T20:38:42Z")
When has he ever been thought to be syphilitic? That’s news to me. You might, while you’re at it, take a peek at [http://www.smirkingchimp.com](http://www.smirkingchimp.com) . Re the OP, I do believe the references aren’t to real cowboys, but to the stereotypical movie versions, and to that extent they’re apt. I think your quarrel is with Hollywood. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/15 "2003-03-18T20:39:14Z")
From [yourDictionary.com](http://yourDictionary.com): > [@](#): > > cow·boy > (kouboi) > n. > > 1. A hired man, especially in the western United States, who tends cattle and performs many of his duties on horseback. Also called cowman, cowpoke, cowpuncher, also called regionally buckaroo, vaquero, waddy. > > 2. An adventurous hero. > > **3. _Slang_ A reckless person, such as a driver, pilot, or manager, who ignores potential risks.** I think people are using it in the informal sense of definition #3, and not saying that Bush is _literally_ a cowboy. ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/16 "2003-03-18T20:47:48Z")
And I see that **stofsky** was ahead of me, and more subtle. Can we call Bush an [owlhoot](http://www.rustycalhoun.com/lingo/o.htm)? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/17 "2003-03-18T20:49:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ElvisL1ves \* > \*\*When has he ever been thought to be syphilitic? That’s news to me. \*\* The right-wing-influenced media has kept it hushed up, just like they squelched stories about his dad’s mistress. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/18 "2003-03-18T20:57:29Z")
Okay, cowboys, your complaint will be dealt with as soon as we finish processing the grievances filed by the butchers. I suspect they’re the most maligned profession. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/19 "2003-03-18T20:58:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > …just like they squelched stories about his dad’s mistress. Ahhh yes, Miss Kitty. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341/20 "2003-03-18T21:02:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ElvisL1ves \* > \*\*When has he ever been thought to be syphilitic?.. \*\* Well, that was more of a metaphor because I think that he is a dripping penis. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-another-piece-of-shit-calls-bush-a-cowboy-you-best-be-out-of-my-shootin-range/162341.md?page=2)