# The Bush Appreciation Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 21, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271 "2004-05-21T00:59:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/41 "2004-05-21T15:35:21Z")
> [@GrizzRich](#): > > Earlier this week, I was posting on another board in a thread that was linked to a story about GWBush on the campaign trail. He was introduced to a young girl who’s mother was killed in the 9/11 attacks. Her dad snapped a picture of GW embracing the child. > I made the remark that it was quite a photo-op with “heartwarming story” to boot. > Unfortunately, I posted this thought on a board that QUITE loves the man. > > I was accused of hating the President how I could not see his compassion. > > I followed by saying that I never stated I hate the man nor did I doubt that “Shrub” had compassion. > > OOhhhh… > > Others then accused me of “name-calling” for using the term Shrub. > > I followed by saying that I viewed the term “Shrub” as a winking reference to GWBush… you know, the 'younger Bush… a shrub… get it?" > > They didn’t …get it. > > And, IMHO, here’s the _really_ funny part… > > One of the posters definitely found my use of “Shrub” most definitely offensive. > So much that she wrote the following line (I kid you not!) > > “_To me a Shrub is a little scubby nuisance bush you cut down_.” > . > . > . > . > . > Ahhh… I couldn’t have said it better myself! Yup, Shrub isn’t derisive. Can you tell me when President Shrub was sworn in? Or are you going for a tired, overused namecalling tactic? Wow, how original! When my nephew gets to 3rd grade, he may actually chuckle at that one. Way to stick it to da Man! Woo-hoo! ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/42 "2004-05-21T15:52:01Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Well, to bring up something that caused a lot of controversy when someone else said it in a thread posted on a gay muscle site, Dubya is kinda. . . hot. > > He works out regularly and he looks like he has a muscular body with a nice chest and a cute butt. He’s definitely a good-looking man, so I’ll bet he keeps Laura happy. Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with you more…about anything at all… As far as the OP: The earth has not crashed in to the sun. Not that I was worried it would - but that would be my highlight of the last four years. ---
**Author:** ![spectrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@spectrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spectrum)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/43 "2004-05-21T15:52:32Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Well, to bring up something that caused a lot of controversy when someone else said it in a thread posted on a gay muscle site, Dubya is kinda. . . hot. > > He works out regularly and he looks like he has a muscular body with a nice chest and a cute butt. He’s definitely a good-looking man, so I’ll bet he keeps Laura happy. And… ahem… have you ever seen him jog? ---
**Author:** ![jeevmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@jeevmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeevmon)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/44 "2004-05-21T16:00:16Z")
His shoes are usually tied. He has not thrown up on any foreign leaders. He generally avoids hitting his head on stationary objects. His ties usually match his suit. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/45 "2004-05-21T16:29:35Z")
He has done more to advance the cause of lefty/progressive politics than any man since Nixon (close second: Newt Gangrene). The true enemy of progressive politics isn’t the right. We need an honest right, to argue with, to keep us honest, and to provide stringent criticism of some of our more impractical suggestions. No, the enemy of progressive politics is apathy. The apathy party is the dominant political force in America. The struggle against apathy is deadening and disheartening: without hope for change, a platform of change is moot. As well, he has single-handedly banished the Left’s number one Betty Noyer: intra-party squabbling. The unity amongst the Democrats is unmatched in recent history, they’ve got the “fire in the belly”, the peasants are marching with torches and pitchforks on Castle Frankenstien. Hallelujah! But it wasn’t worth it. Not by a long shot. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/46 "2004-05-21T16:33:48Z")
which party is Newt Gangrene involved with? Never heard of him. Or are you thinking of a Reeder thread where you can spew hatred and childish namecalling? You are so close to making me see the light! Keep going. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/47 "2004-05-21T16:45:44Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > …You are so close to making me see the light! Keep going. Splendid! Afterwards, I will take a walk on the lake. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/48 "2004-05-21T16:52:25Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Interesting thread. It’s nice to see the Bush bashing horde on the SDMB get creative once in a while. > > It’s so boring just reading the dozens of Bush bash fests that get posted week after week that have no imagination, no inspiration to them at all. > > I’ve got some ideas for fun Bush bashing threads you should all try once this one gets played out: > > 1. Bash Bush using only single syllable words. > 2. Bash Bush while imitating the writing style of your favorite author. > 3. Bash Bush and Hi Opal! > 4. Bash Bush with pig latin. > 5. Bash Bush without making outragious hyperbolic claims and comparing his administration to the Third Reicht. (Better keep Reeder away from this one.) > > You get the idea. It’s good to keep busy and I think it will help many of you retain your sanity as the country re-elects Bush this year. Or, maybe not. But, in any case, it will certainly be fun to watch! There are those who probably bash Bush just because he’s a Republican. There are those who probably bash Bush because of some of the issues for which he stands (anti-gay, anti-choice, pro-gun, pro-religion in government, etc.) There are those who probably bash Bush because he’s seen as an annoyingly smug, spoiled frat boy and self-righteous Born Again Christian. There are those who probably bash Bush because he’s seen as anti-intellectual and comes across as a dumbing-down of our country’s leadership (true or not). There are those who probably bash Bush because he’s seen as hegemonic at the expense of good relationships with many/most of our historical allies. There are those who probably bash Bush because he’s seen as leading our country, which many stand for liberty and freedom for all, down a path which infringes upon some personal freedoms and liberties. And there are those who bash Bush for many and/or all of the above, plus other reasons that don’t come to mind right now. Before Bush was bashed, Clinton was bashed incessantly for eight years. Everything he did, in the eyes of many hardcore Republicans, was wrong, wrong, wrong. Now the guy was no saint, to be certain, and came across as smug and dishonest and many other things. But it was just bash, bash, bash for eight straight years. Heck, it really hasn’t stopped. The main Right Wing defense of Bush seems to be to blame or bash Clinton. So how about if we make a pact by both sides? I, [insert your name here]promise not to bash the next elected president of the United States, be he Bush, Kerry, Nader or anyone else. I’m not going to waste my good time and energy on bashing someone just because I don’t like their ideology or politics or haircut or religious views. I’m going to keep my damned mouth shut no matter how much it hurts. I won’t participate in ad hominem attacks or name calling. I won’t parrot what Rush or Franken or Coulter or Dowd says about the new president. I may make genuine, data-driven but civilised critiques of policy which do not devolve into shrieking matches or resort to hyperbole or misleading quotes. I will take things said in context. I will appreciate the spirit in which something is done even if don’t care for what is done or the person who is doing it. Anyone willing to sign up to stay quiet for four years and avoid the polemics of the past twelve? ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/49 "2004-05-21T17:00:43Z")
He did win that fight with the pretzel, albeit not without the pretzel getting in a few blows… ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/50 "2004-05-21T17:06:14Z")
I appreciate Bush for his knack for getting a good night’s sleep everynight. Insomnia, no sirree, black circles under the eyes from tossing & turning worrying about WMD? forgeddaboutit! He sleeps like a baby secure in the safety of his world. I appreciate his confident walk, the way he rolls his shoulders like he’s working out a kink after a kickboxing session with a sack of straw. SHows us he’s got the stomach for the War! Never see Bush looking worried or grim, nope, he’s HAPPY, he’s feeling his oats and running his 'ministration. Hail the great leader in the red tie. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/51 "2004-05-21T17:07:39Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > …The true enemy of progressive politics isn’t the right. We need an honest right, to argue with, to keep us honest, and to provide stringent criticism of some of our more impractical suggestions. No, the enemy of progressive politics is apathy. The apathy party is the dominant political force in America. The struggle against apathy is deadening and disheartening: without hope for change, a platform of change is moot… This has to be one of the better sentiments that I have read around here in quite a while. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/52 "2004-05-21T17:11:53Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > The apathy party is the dominant political force in America. That’s because they’re devoted to the cause, and have worked tirelessly and in a timely fashion to acheive that goal. I was going to join the apathy party, but I decided instead to join the procrastination party. I’ll do it tomorrow. Or the next day. ---
**Author:** ![GLWasteful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f05b48/32.png) [@GLWasteful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GLWasteful)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/53 "2004-05-21T17:30:41Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > He did win that fight with the pretzel, albeit not without the pretzel getting in a few blows… I dunno. Anyone who fights a pretzel until he winds up unconscious and bruised is not who I would consider the victor. And thus far he’s managed to make a whole lot of people despise him in a way that I find truly impressive. My brother-in-law specifically, who voted for Nixon, cannot say enough negative things about Bush. So he’s got that, anyway. Waste ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/54 "2004-05-21T18:18:09Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Anyone willing to sign up to stay quiet for four years and avoid the polemics of the past twelve? You misspelled two hundred twenty. I think the most positive thing I can say about Bush is that, without knowing in advance that he’s a politician and thus spinning things toward a particular angle (most do that, anyhow), he looks sincere in almost anything he says. That’s vital for an elected official of significant importance … if you don’t look like you believe what you’re saying, who’s going to believe you? ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/55 "2004-05-21T18:50:32Z")
I remember not too long ago, there were people in my country who used to push for even greater integration with the United States. They used to talk about merging currencies, but since the terrorist attacks in New York, it’s been increasingly military: Fortress America, local equivalents of the Patriot Act, and whatnot. Around the time the war began in Iraq, these people (“continentalists” as they usually get called) bet all their credibility on the Bush’s vision. They bought the stuff about terrorist connections (or at least said they did), WMDs, and an end to torture. Now we know we dodged a bullet. Probably a whole lot of them. At the same time, someone let the US ambassador to Canada out of his cage, and (presumably speaking on behalf of the administration), he proceeded to make nasty comments about our domestic policies (marijuana and gay marriage). The result is you don’t hear a lot from the continentalists these days. Our very right-wing interim Prime Minister has been desperately trying to make the argument for joining the US missile defence plan, and I suspect it’s one of the reasons his poularity has been plunging. So thank you, Bush, for reminding us we’re a different country, and that that’s a good thing (insert **elucidator** ’s comment here about it not being worth the cost :() ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/56 "2004-05-21T19:02:15Z")
I thought Bush handled the going to war with Afghanistan quite well. He took several months to gather international support, and went through diplomatic channels with the Taliban before invading, even though he had the domestic support to charge in there immediately. If he’d just stayed in there and finished the job of stabilizing the country instead of invading Iraq, I would have credited him with being a good foreign policy president. He could have built upon the amazing international support and good will we had after 9/11 to put together an international intelligence and police effort capable of truly fighting terrorism effectively. Because of his mishandling of that situation by unilaterally rushing to war with Iraq and his insane economic policies (tax-cut and spend??), I honestly think he’s the single worst president in American history. These policies will hurt our country for decades to come. I’m also angry about his environmental policies, stem-cell research ban, attack on civil rights, and his administration’s secretive confrontational attitude in general, but those two are the big ones for me. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/57 "2004-05-21T19:12:33Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > …and to provide stringent criticism of some of our more impractical suggestions. [Mrs. Krabappel] Ha! [/Mrs. Krabappel] ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/58 "2004-05-21T19:13:09Z")
True to his campaign promise to be “a uniter, not a divider”, Bush has made major strides in uniting [Iraq’s Shi’ites and Sunnis](http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=9933). OK, I also thought he handled things pretty well in foreign and security policy from September 11 up through the Afghan war. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/59 "2004-05-21T19:23:24Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > And I kind view Bush’s hotness likeJeffery Dahmer, who was totally my physical type but just a tad too dangerous to date. I feel your pain. Normally I would find [Spc. Sabrina Harman](http://wwwi.reuters.com/images/2004-05-20T003319Z_01_GALAXY-DC-MDF571732_RTRIDSP_2_NEWS-IRAQ-ABUSE-PICTURES-DC.jpg) hot but there’s that torture and corpses thing about her that could change my mind. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271/60 "2004-05-21T19:38:26Z")
> [@chela](#): > > I appreciate Bush for his knack for getting a good night’s sleep everynight. Insomnia, no sirree, black circles under the eyes from tossing & turning worrying about WMD? forgeddaboutit! He sleeps like a baby secure in the safety of his world. > > I appreciate his confident walk, the way he rolls his shoulders like he’s working out a kink after a kickboxing session with a sack of straw. SHows us he’s got the stomach for the War! > > Never see Bush looking worried or grim, nope, he’s HAPPY, he’s feeling his oats and running his 'ministration. Hail the great leader in the red tie. Holy shit! You’re right! OK, new petition. Dear President Bush, The undersigned demand you forego such a silly notion of rest and disconnect for brief periods to keep a healthy balance in decision making. We demand you stay awake permanantly to formulate an airtight plan for the war in Iraq. (Kudos on Afghanistan, haven’t seen any negativity on that one lately). Also, we refuse to allow you vacation time. Are you selfish?!? Consider the following. There are men and women working hard to support the families they are trying to raise and nurture. Many are subjected to the responsibility of showing up on time, busting thier asses and clocking out to go home. Meanwhile OSHA makes sure everything is safe for them. What, you don’t have to follow OSHA’s guidlines? Oh, we won’t accuse you of thinking you’re better than us. But really, why not follow the same rules we have to? You’re no better than us. Let me explain why. You see, Mr President, you lead the most powerful nation in the world. Just about every decision you make affects almost all 6 billion people on Earth in one way or another. You cannot take time off. How selfish of you! Us lowly factory workers, service workers, computer techs, writers, travel agents, etc are under so much pressure we can’t get by on 2 weeks vacation. We demand the almost standard 6 weeks given to European workers. Are you saying your job is more stressful than ours? Man, how arrogant! I call on you, President Bush, to get so wrapped up in your job that you never again take time to unwind while pondering a decision that will affect at least hundreds of millions of people (even the French). Just go, go, go! We all know it’s healthy to govern every waking moment. Just blow off the silly notion of relaxing when the Cabinet isn’t warning of immediate threats, and stay on edge! Please! We need you on edge 24/7 to keep the world safe. Sincerely, **duffer** and his ilk. P.S. Please pass this on to all subsequent administrations. Vacations - bad! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-appreciation-thread/246271.md?page=4)