# New rule: shut the fuck up about Bush **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 16, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125 "2005-05-16T20:29:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/1 "2005-05-16T20:29:06Z")
In [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=316765), **rjung** decided to ignore the premise of the thread to instead get in a cheap shot against Bush. As much as I agree with **rjung** , it’s fucking annoying and boring. To avoid hijacking that thread I will respond to **rjung** here instead. > [@rjung](#): > > Considering the OP is discussing nuclear war, government authorization, the destruction of civilization, and all that sort of stuff, I don’t see how it’s inappropriate. It’s inappropriate because it’s off-topic (the Airman asks three specific questions, none of which have anything to do with Bush; you just leapt at the chance). > [@rjung](#): > > Some of us think the craziness happening in the world today is at least as scary (if not more so) than the armagedden-hanging-over-our-heads Cold War paranoia of the last half-century; drawing parallels is hardly a reach. I am one of those who think that, I am further to the left than you are, and I hate Bush with a passion, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fucking boring to have every single discussion derail into a shitty flameparty about Bush, especially when it’s completely pointless. Nothing new would have been said, no opinions altered. You’re harming our cause, not helping it. > [@rjung](#): > > > [@Priceguy](#): > > > > Can’t we have one thread that doesn’t turn into a petty snipefest about modern American politics? > > You shouldn’t hang around Great Debates then, methinks. Sorry, missed the bit in the forum description where it said Great Debates were only for petty snipefests about modern American politics. Could you point it out for me? In light of all this, I propose a new rule: shut the fuck up about Bush if it isn’t specifically on-topic. You all know it’s a hot button, but you just won’t leave it alone. If the thread is about alcoholism, someone will say Bush is an alcoholic and someone else will dispute it, or someone will say he cured his alcoholism through faith and someone else will dispute it and off we go. If the thread is about ornithology, someone will say Bush’s environmental policies are making birds extinct and off we go. If the thread is about Andromeda, someone will give voice to their fears that Bush will go there to eradicate any terrorists living there and off we fucking go. I hate him too, I’d like to see him and everyone like him removed from power, but he’s there and doing your best to turn this message board into a shitpile won’t change that. Just leave it the fuck alone, says this very leftist but also extremely bored poster. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/2 "2005-05-16T20:31:44Z")
Why do you hate America? ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/3 "2005-05-16T20:35:55Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > Why do you hate America? Ooooh, that would take a while. That’ll have to be a whole 'nother thread. I mean, it’s so hard to pick one thing, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/4 "2005-05-16T20:37:46Z")
A good start, but I think it can be further refined: **New Rule: rjung, shut the fuck up** There. One rule that solves many problems. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/5 "2005-05-16T20:41:49Z")
Well, let’s see - **milroyj** hijacked a thread to beat on one of _his_ pet peeves. But it wasn’t Bush-bashing, so… **rjung** is a one-trick pony. I started a thread in Cafe Society about chilling last lines - the silly bastard tried to hijack that too with the same shit. I doubt he has any political ideas beyond a knee-jerk \* tu quoque\* about Bush and the Iraq war. But by golly he gets about ten thousand miles of of that. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/6 "2005-05-16T20:42:30Z")
Because it fits in with my ultra-conservative, neocon, Bushista viewpoint, I’m going to see this as a pitting of rjung. A richly deserved and far overdue pitting. I’m not sure if what I’m about say violates Board rules, but he’s the only person I’ve ever considered putting on The List That Shall Not Be Named. I don’t have a problem with people who don’t agree with my political leanings, but he just needs to give it a flippin’ rest already. When he’s not taking potshots at Bush, he’s taking them at Microsoft. All in all, his two worst crimes are being predictable and redundant. We get it. No, really, we do. You dislike for Microsoft is only paled by your dislike for Bush. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/7 "2005-05-16T20:48:38Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > Your dislike for Microsoft is only paled by your dislike for Bush. Yeah, but they both just _suck so bad!_ ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/8 "2005-05-16T20:53:20Z")
I see someone else is angling for some The List action, too. [sub]pssst. Thanks for correcting my typo. Seriously.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/9 "2005-05-16T20:59:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > **rjung** is a one-trick pony. I started a thread in Cafe Society about chilling last lines - the silly bastard tried to hijack that too with the same shit. > Regards, > Shodan in a cafe thread??? gotta link? (not that I doubt you, just wanna see how far he had to travel - I assume the thread _wasn’t_ about the Michael Moore film, right? 😉 ) In a cafe thread should be an easy and obvious smack down. hopefully some one did. in a GD thread, it’s more difficult, especially if the thread is about potential for nuclear war. I’d have a hellava difficult time voicing my thoughts about potentials for the future w/o bringing into the discussion how I think current events will effect them. So, yes, I would indeed be referencing BUsh. Be glad I haven’t been in GD for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/10 "2005-05-16T21:01:33Z")
> [@wring](#): > > in a GD thread, it’s more difficult, especially if the thread is about potential for nuclear war. I’d have a hellava difficult time voicing my thoughts about potentials for the future w/o bringing into the discussion how I think current events will effect them. So, yes, I would indeed be referencing BUsh. Be glad I haven’t been in GD for a while. Did you read the thread? **Airman Doors** asked three very clear questions, none of which required a Bush reference to answer. **rjung** did it to stir up shit. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/11 "2005-05-16T21:08:20Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > Did you read the thread? **Airman Doors** asked three very clear questions, none of which required a Bush reference to answer. **rjung** did it to stir up shit. I believe what it comes down to is when the only tool in your kit is a hammer, you perceive all problems and situations as nails. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/12 "2005-05-16T21:09:18Z")
> [@wring](#): > > in a cafe thread??? gotta link? (not that I doubt you, just wanna see how far he had to travel - I assume the thread _wasn’t_ about the Michael Moore film, right? 😉 ) From [Creep Me Out With Your Closing Line…](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=316555): > [@rjung](#): > > If we’re not limiting ourselves to fiction, then I’ll toss out: > > “The future of the United States remains in the hands of a dishonest man.” ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/13 "2005-05-16T21:14:36Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > Did you read the thread? **Airman Doors** asked three very clear questions, none of which required a Bush reference to answer. **rjung** did it to stir up shit. yes, I read the thread. did you read my answer? That I would have a difficult time responding to that thread (ie those questions) without discussing the current events. I wouldn’t have done it in the same way the **rjung** did, but rest assured that some mention of “premptive strike based on faulty intelligence _claiming_ potential nuclear capability” would have been prominate in my response. Really I can’t see any way around talking about the issues raised by the Iraqi invasion to adequately respond to questions about possablities of future nuclear war. Which would require some mention of the Bush adminstration. Now, if friend **Shodan** will bring in the link the the cafe society thread, I’d gladly issue my own condemnation of an irrelevant Bush Hijack. Or, if **rjung** had done some of the other things you put in your OP (the alcoholism one in particular) I’d gladly join in. but discuss potential for future nuclear action somehow **without** talking about current events? can’t be reasonably done, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/14 "2005-05-16T21:20:53Z")
> [@wring](#): > > but discuss potential for future nuclear action somehow **without** talking about current events? can’t be reasonably done, IMHO. The question was > [@](#): > > Given the general bemusement and willingness of my classmates to push the button, in addition to their general ignorance of the fear that used to accompany nuclear weapons and the thought of nuclear war, should we be concerned about 30-40 years from now when that generation is in charge? Is Bush going to be in power 30-40 years from now? Is he part of the generation **Airman Doors** speaks of? No? Then what does he have to do with that question? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/15 "2005-05-16T21:33:18Z")
I see that **JeffB** has obliged. yep that deserves a smack down - did any mod come in and deliver it? **rjung** - I don’t post often anymore, but others may perhaps remember that I’m quite left leaning, find it difficult to walk down the street that way, but there it is. I believe the only hope we have for the future is for all of us, **all of us** to start remembering that we’re people. and that the similarities outweigh our differences (generally), that we want the best for our loved ones and our futures. We may, as adults disagree about what path is best for that, or what constitutes the ‘best’, but all in all, we can still find some topics to discuss rationally, or even playfully. What’s your favorite Simposon line, or favorite recipe containing apples shouldn’t be turned into the bitchfest that politics and other ‘heavy’ topics often turn into. when you take the oppotunity to piss all over a thread where folks like **Dio, and Shodan** are enjoying each other’s thoughts, you’re (IMHO) encouraging strife, encouraging rifts, encouraging pointless dissention. IN short, (again, IMHO), doing everything I hate about closed minded folks on either side of the spectram. I, for one, would be very grateful if you would knock it the fuck off. You see, when folks on my end of the argument do shit like that, it’s easier for the folks on the other side to dismiss any relevant point you may ever have, and relevant points others may “Oh, that’s just leftist nonesense” and all. And that bugs the shit out of me, makes my (liberal but not a fucking lunatic) job harder. Pretty please? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/16 "2005-05-16T21:49:22Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > The question wasIs Bush going to be in power 30-40 years from now? Is he part of the generation **Airman Doors** speaks of? No? Then what does he have to do with that question? Criminey, **Priceguy** - **Airman** himself in his OP referred to his childhood recollections of bomb drills and so on effecting his outlook. No, Bush personally won’t be in charge in 30/40 years, but the kids of today (who \*\*Airman \*\* was posting about) are spending their formative years **NOW** , hence my belief that their perceptions will be contoured by todays’ fucking events which of course includes the fucking Bush administration. how on earth can you even answer the question about how “today’s youth” will behave when they’re in power in a few decades **without** reflecting on what they are living through now? The people who lived through the first stages of the “sex revolution” in the 70’s have radically different (from my personal experience/observation) views on sex than those who were reaching sexual maturity during the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic in the US, vs. young people of today. _OF COURSE_ their personal experiences relative to the times will have an effect. **OF COURSE** it makes sense to take that into account when attempting to speculate on what course they will steer. I aggree with you that **rjung** is capable of idiotic hijacks about BUsh. I agree that his wording wasn’t what I’d have used, but to attempt to claim that the realities of recent events have no place in a discussion about potential nuclear posturing 30/40 years from now is, IMHO, idiotic. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/17 "2005-05-16T22:22:01Z")
I don’t post in the pit often, I don’t enjoy the tone that often comes with being here. But I wanted to say that in principle I agree with the OP. **rjung** , your presence on the board would be far more enjoyable if you could limit your Bush comments to the occasional pit rant. I have seen some of posts of yours that were quite witty and intelligent, showing that you are more than the embodiment of anti-Bush sentiments. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge you your beliefs, but I would prefer you didn’t inject them into quite so many threads that have no relationship. Please, keep it in the pit and keep it in threads that are specifically about Bush. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/18 "2005-05-16T22:27:35Z")
> [@wring](#): > > I see that **JeffB** has obliged. yep that deserves a smack down - did any mod come in and deliver it? No, I don’t think anyone reported it. A moderator was participating in the thread, so I figured if anything needed to be done, it would happen. _:shrugs:_ Another thread, another hijack from **rjung** , Founding Member of the “Too Tedious to Pit” Lamebrains of the Lockstep Left. But it’s nice to hear from you, **wring**. Regards, Shodan And thanks for providing the cite, **JeffB**. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/19 "2005-05-16T22:29:48Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > [sub]pssst. Thanks for correcting my typo. Seriously.[/sub] [sub]well, technically I was breaking the rules by altering your quote, but I figured you wouldn’t tell.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125/20 "2005-05-16T22:32:09Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, I don’t think anyone reported it. A moderator was participating in the thread, so I figured if anything needed to be done, it would happen. I wouldn’t make that type of assumption - a. they might have glossed over it, b, figured that it didn’t bother anyone. but that’s your call. > [@Shodan](#): > > But it’s nice to hear from you, **wring**. > > Regards, > Shodan back atchya [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-shut-the-fuck-up-about-bush/304125.md?page=2)