# I've changed my mind about George W. Bush **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 19, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313 "2017-10-19T19:10:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/41 "2017-10-20T12:59:55Z")
I’m thinking a David Duke/Joe Arpaio ticket for the next GOP run. It’s unbeatable! ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/42 "2017-10-20T13:13:07Z")
At this point, the GWB of the past doesn’t matter to me. If his words can get through to the devout Trumpists and change their minds, he will have done a great service to this country. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/43 "2017-10-20T17:13:15Z")
The test for your feelings towards the man are if you would piss on him _without him being on fire_. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/44 "2017-10-20T18:05:07Z")
That speech was quite articulate. I have to wonder who wrote it for him. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/45 "2017-10-20T18:17:10Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > The test for your feelings towards the man are if you would piss on him _without him being on fire_. > > 😉 What do you take me for, some sort of Russian prostitute? ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/46 "2017-10-20T19:31:27Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > To Bush’s credit, he never embraced Islamophobia to the extent that a lot of the rest of the party did. He was careful to declare in the early days after 9/11 that the US was _not_ at war with Islam and al-Qaeda didn’t represent the overwhelming majority of Muslims. He did start off with a “crusade” before being advised to change the language if he wanted to build his coalition of the wiling/drilling with Europe and MENA. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/47 "2017-10-20T20:17:52Z")
The Bush II administration was, in its time, the most corrupt by far in recent memory prior to Trump. W himself was largely a dupe and a puppet. Cheney was the real boss, and Cheney was EVIL. Him and all his corrupt neo-con dupes. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/48 "2017-10-20T22:45:53Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I disliked bush’s policies, and the wars that were started under his administration, but I’ve always said, if he showed up at my door, I’d say, “Welcome to my home, President Bush, can I get you anything to drink?”. Obviously, I’d welcome Obama, should he grace my domicile with his presence, and Bill Clinton too, assuming he brings the good weed. > > Trump, I’d tell to get the fuck off my property. It’s funny, because I have had nearly the same thought. I’d be happy to sit with Bush and have a conversation. Respectfully disagree- maybe he knows something that might change my mind. But Donald Trump- one of my petty fantasies is that he comes by here on some “out to greet the masses” type thing and I tell him he’s not welcome, and I think he’s an asshole. Because, for the 1000th time, I can deal with policies I disagree with, but his behavior is simply unacceptable. I wouldn’t have it in a friend, child, colleague, boss, or subordinate. Why should I accept it in a president? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/49 "2017-10-20T23:25:30Z")
It’s (to coin a phrase) “sad” when our current president makes George Bush look like not the worst modern President. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/50 "2017-10-20T23:29:03Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > If that had been a one-off, it might be possible that a speechwriter had slipped it in. But that was the way Bush spoke almost every time. While he’s not nearly as smart as he thinks he is, he can’t be so dumb that he didn’t know why his speeches were written that way. I disagree - he absolutely could be that dumb. All the same, ten years ago I never would have dreamed how nostalgic I would be for his presidency as a more innocent time. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/51 "2017-10-20T23:56:55Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > W gave a speech where, without mentioning names, he implied that Trump had us on the wrong track. He condemned bigotry and fabrication of news. > > [George W. Bush Takes Veiled Shots At Trump: ‘Bigotry Seems Emboldened’ - TPM – Talking Points Memo](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/w-bush-veiled-shots-trump-bigotry-seems-emboldened) > > So, good for him, and it won’t go unrewarded. I am happy to announce that now, I would indeed piss on him if he was on fire. I agree. There is a shred of decency in him, and during the financial crisis he at least left policy to those who more or less knew what they were doing. Now Trump I would piss on if he were on fire - assuming my piss was kerosene. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/52 "2017-10-21T15:58:28Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I agree. There is a shred of decency in him, and during the financial crisis he at least left policy to those who more or less knew what they were doing. You have GOT to be joking! He handed the democracy to the exact same incompetent, blinded by greed people who caused the crisis, immunised them from responsibility and required the tax payer to under right that incompetence. Congress and the public were conned and conned again - a beautiful sting. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/53 "2017-10-21T16:31:10Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That speech was quite articulate. I have to wonder who wrote it for him. Dude, his dumb Cowboy routine was an act to get votes. And he gave it up in the last 2 years of his Presidency. People who actually dealt with him including world leaders not particularly favorably disposed to him said that he was pretty sharp and well read. He did do some very good things as President, I would say his legacy in Africa is actually a very positive one. And he did well in the last few months as the financial crises arose. But yes, Iraq is the major blot on his legacy and always will remain so. Americans ask yourself, if you could trade Trump for W, would you? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/54 "2017-10-21T16:43:02Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Dude, his dumb Cowboy routine was an act to get votes. And he gave it up in the last 2 years of his Presidency. People who actually dealt with him including world leaders not particularly favorably disposed to him said that he was pretty sharp and well read. > > He did do some very good things as President, I would say his legacy in Africa is actually a very positive one. And he did well in the last few months as the financial crises arose. > > But yes, Iraq is the major blot on his legacy and always will remain so. > > Americans ask yourself, if you could trade Trump for W, would you? Depends, if it “W” w/o Cheney? If so yes. If it brings Cheney back, then **no**! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/55 "2017-10-21T16:53:35Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > What do you take me for, some sort of Russian prostitute? Well, I didn’t assume you would charge. 😉 ---
**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:** [October 21, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/56 "2017-10-21T16:53:57Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Depends, if it “W” w/o Cheney? If so yes. If it brings Cheney back, then **no**! I was just about to say… ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/57 "2017-10-21T16:58:46Z")
Boy, tough crowd tonight. Yeah, I’ll give him some credit for what he said. I don’t care who wrote it (as if HRC wrote her most recent book herself), he’s the one who got up and said it in public. But it’s sad that he comes across so intelligent and statesman-like in comparison to certain other elected officials. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/58 "2017-10-21T17:19:22Z")
Steve Bannon tore into Bush yesterday. I agree with what he said about him. He’s still scum and so is Bush. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/59 "2017-10-21T17:58:19Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Dude, his dumb Cowboy routine was an act to get votes. And he gave it up in the last 2 years of his Presidency. Not so We The People noticed. > [@](#): > > People who actually dealt with him including world leaders not particularly favorably disposed to him said that he was pretty sharp and well read. So? If your country’s national interests are advanced by flattering POTUS, that’s what you’ll do, while gritting your teeth if necessary. > [@](#): > > He did do some very good things as President, I would say his legacy in Africa is actually a very positive one. He did, unlike Reagan, face AIDS directly, yes. Give him that. > [@](#): > > And he did well in the last few months as the financial crises arose. The crises _that he had caused_? WTF dude? > [@](#): > > But yes, Iraq is the major blot on his legacy and always will remain so. Add 9/11 (The Pet Goat, remember?), the aforementioned financial crises and bungling Katrina and those together will always define him. > [@](#): > > Americans ask yourself, if you could trade Trump for W, would you? Would I rather have pancreatic cancer than a glioblastoma? The choice is between cluelessness manipulated by evil, and endless chaotic tantrums. That’s a weird question. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313/60 "2017-10-21T22:43:59Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > You have GOT to be joking! > > He handed the democracy to the exact same incompetent, blinded by greed people who caused the crisis, immunised them from responsibility and required the tax payer to under right that incompetence. > > Congress and the public were conned and conned again - a beautiful sting. While I agree that a lot of bank execs and such should have gone to jail, freezing the economy and tossing even more people out of work to teach the banks a lesson was not really a good solution. It could have been a lot worse. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-changed-my-mind-about-george-w-bush/799313.md?page=4)