# The President gets to decide what the lawmakers see. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 5, 2006, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438 "2006-10-05T22:56:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/41 "2006-10-06T14:29:34Z")
[QUOTE=Random] After all, he was wrong about something else! And he’s evil! [/QUOTE] By Jove, I think he’s got it. It’s terribly difficult to NOT call someone evil when said person does evil acts every day. Don’t blame **BigGirl** for Bush’s wrongdoing. The Chimp brought it on himself. But that is very cool about the Hawaii thing. And I give Shrubya props for when he extended unemployment benefits. That very directly affected me in a positive way. Now if he could just fix the lying and corruption and killing and homophobia and theocracizing and disappearing and coverups and constitutional asswiping, he might just be a mediocre to middling president. Yay George! ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/42 "2006-10-06T15:10:33Z")
[QUOTE=Biggirl] It seems to me you are taking this tact … [/QUOTE] “Tack.” I’m sick of all this _evil_ talk, by the way. It’s used so flippantly that it’s lost all meaning. The President is not evil. The curry fart I just let, now that’s evil. Back OT, everybody in a foam should go back and read what John Mace done wrote. Then they should go read the Constitution. Possibly a thesaurus. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/43 "2006-10-06T15:24:09Z")
[QUOTE=El Cid Viscoso] I’m sick of all this _evil_ talk, by the way. It’s used so flippantly that it’s lost all meaning. The President is not evil. The curry fart I just let, now that’s evil. [/QUOTE] I’m not so sure. Where does your evil curry fart stand on the issues? ---
**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:** [October 6, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/44 "2006-10-06T18:41:10Z")
[QUOTE=El Cid Viscoso] I’m sick of all this _evil_ talk, by the way. It’s used so flippantly that it’s lost all meaning. The President is not evil. [/QUOTE] OK, he’s probably not _evil_. Arrogant, inept, lacking in good judgment, a blunderer of historic proprotions (especially in foreign policy), and quite possibly the worst president in the history of the United States, but not actually EVIL. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/45 "2006-10-06T19:23:38Z")
[QUOTE=El Cid Viscoso] The President is not evil. [/quote] No, he’s just a moron, which is arguably more dangerous. His Administration, however, is definitely staffed by some really evil folks… “Stupid men are often capable of things the clever would not dare to contemplate.” – Terry Pratchett, _Feet of Clay_ ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/46 "2006-10-06T20:56:48Z")
I welcome the OP’s outrage, although I will say that I am somewhat outraged out. Bush is like a recalcitrant toddler-trying to reason and deal with him is exhausting. I long for a time-out chair or a swift smack to his backside. I doubt highly that he understands the premises that founded this country-the man has an ego bigger than Reagan’s which is saying something. I am waiting resignedly for the day when hear of him entering rehab, privately, as an ex-President. Yes, I know I have no evidence of his drinking/drugging–call it a hunch. The man has mood swings and exhibits (to me) the signs of someone needing his next (fill in the blank) at almost every press conference. Please do something with your outrage, **biggirl** -writing your congresscritter seems lame, but an actual letter carries more weight (so I’m told) than an email or a call. Either denounce the critter for supporting the nonsense or thank them for trying to fight it-something. You’ll feel much better. I did. As to those here who feel the need to correct the OP on her political stance or the depths of those feelings-fuck off. Honestly, this is the place for strong feelings and opinions. She is entitled to hers. You are entitled to yours. See how it works? ---
**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 6, 2006, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/47 "2006-10-06T21:02:26Z")
[QUOTE=eleanorigby] I am waiting resignedly for the day when hear of him entering rehab, privately, as an ex-President. Yes, I know I have no evidence of his drinking/drugging–call it a hunch. The man has mood swings and exhibits (to me) the signs of someone needing his next (fill in the blank) at almost every press conference. [/QUOTE] Did you watch that carefully staged and rehearsed live chat with some troops in Iraq a while back? Did you see how Bush fumbled ineffectually at his earpiece, stumbled over his lines, and in general looked like he was half in the bag? If in fact he was sober, what the HELL is physically and mentally wrong with him? ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/48 "2006-10-06T21:07:43Z")
[QUOTE=EddyTeddyFreddy] If in fact he was sober, what the HELL is physically and mentally wrong with him? [/QUOTE] Long-term effect of cocaine abuse? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/49 "2006-10-06T21:13:00Z")
[QUOTE=EddyTeddyFreddy] Did you watch that carefully staged and rehearsed live chat with some troops in Iraq a while back? Did you see how Bush fumbled ineffectually at his earpiece, stumbled over his lines, and in general looked like he was half in the bag? If in fact he was sober, what the HELL is physically and mentally wrong with him? [/QUOTE] Yep, and every time he goes “off script”-what about that one interview prior to the last election? He was so off. IMO, he is well handled, whether via meds or bribed with candy or whatever (ok, the last bit was hyperbole)–this is a man who is inarticulate, uneducated,(despite his Yale degree), lacks intellectual curiousity and has an elemental narcissism. He is King and boy, he loves it. I know he’s not a simple as that; he plays the simple, downhome boy (or did-haven’t been seeing that much lately; lately I’ve seen Petulant Ruler Gets Pissy)–the point is, he enacts whatever role he thinks will get him what he wants (or what he’s told he wants). The montage the Daily Show put together last night was telling. Sure, they took snippets, but the impression I was left with was not Bush=bad; I was left with Bush=narcissistic, immature bully. And that’s bad. sounds a bit melodramatic, and I don’t see Rove holding the puppet strings, but something is up with Bush. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/50 "2006-10-06T21:19:11Z")
[QUOTE=EddyTeddyFreddy] Did you watch that carefully staged and rehearsed live chat with some troops in Iraq a while back? Did you see how Bush fumbled ineffectually at his earpiece, stumbled over his lines, and in general looked like he was half in the bag? If in fact he was sober, what the HELL is physically and mentally wrong with him? [/QUOTE] I saw that and it was really cringe-worthy. By all reckonings though, the troops I’ve talked to dug it. But more importantly, their folks really dug it. He looked (gulp) hapless and humble. Did you notice when President Clinton was reaming Chris Wallace, his accent got more pronounced and “aw-shucky”? I do the same thing when I’m back in Ohio hanging out with my old friends. A lot of politics is pantomime. I’m going to catch some shit here, but President Bush knows how to address an audience. Call me cynical, he’s no dummy. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/51 "2006-10-06T21:37:33Z")
[QUOTE=El Cid Viscoso] …A lot of politics is pantomime. I’m going to catch some shit here, but President Bush knows how to address an audience. Call me cynical, he’s no dummy. [/QUOTE] Don’t really know if that qualifies as cynicism or no, but the esteemed poster is correct in his assertion that politics has an long-standing association with various forms of theater, dating at least to the ancient Hebrews. Surely you’ve heard of King Solomon’s Mimes? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/52 "2006-10-06T21:44:34Z")
Oh I am VERY active in my local political scene, **eleanor**. I volunteer, I protested. I could go on about how me and especially my husband have worked for free and for pay on various political champaigns (most especially against our congresscritter, who had her own special congressional district carved out just for her). I am lucky to live in the middle of The Blue-- God’s country. Brooklyn, USA. Over here I’m just preaching to the choir. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/53 "2006-10-06T21:45:33Z")
Okay, **luci** , what’ll it be? The wet trout or the pre-warrant firing squad? ---
**Author:** ![Sevastopol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/54 "2006-10-06T21:47:35Z")
[QUOTE=rjung] No, he’s just a moron, which is arguably more dangerous. His Administration, however, is definitely staffed by some really evil folks… … [/QUOTE] I’m with **E-C-v**. He doesn’t seem anything other than quite an intelligent man. Not in the league of Clinton, Carter or Nixon, but above average. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/55 "2006-10-06T21:52:31Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] Okay, **luci** , what’ll it be? The wet trout or the pre-warrant firing squad? [/QUOTE] Fuck that. Take me out with the hook from off-stage. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/56 "2006-10-06T22:00:42Z")
[QUOTE=El Cid Viscoso] Fuck that. Take me out with the hook from off-stage. [/QUOTE] 😕 Since when are you **luci**? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/57 "2006-10-06T22:02:13Z")
See? See? It was his fault, he admits it! I was enticed, suborned, entrapped! Either that, or it was a typo, my lawyer hasn’t told me what happened yet. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/58 "2006-10-06T22:06:31Z")
[QUOTE=Biggirl] . I am lucky to live in the middle of The Blue-- God’s country. Brooklyn, USA. Over here I’m just preaching to the choir. [/QUOTE] OH…you’re from NYC! That explains it…\* I’ll give you that Bush is not un-intelligent. He’s shrewd and manipulative. But for sheer brain power and articulatenss-he is no Clinton, hell he’s no Reagan. And yes, lots of politica is theater (as is church). I never liked cowboy movies. \*see other thread in Pit about those damned New Yorkers… ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/59 "2006-10-06T22:10:27Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] 😕 Since when are you **luci**? [/QUOTE] [vaudeville voice] It’s a ventriloquist gag, see? Noooow you’re on the trolley! [/vv] ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438/60 "2006-10-06T22:18:05Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] … In my Big Golden Book of The Constitution, it sort of implies that the executive is empowered to enforce and implement the laws as the Legislative branch decides. Maybe he is confused about what the phrase “execute the laws” means? … [/QUOTE] Maybe he figures it’s the same as when he executed all those convicts when he was governor of Texas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-gets-to-decide-what-the-lawmakers-see/375438.md?page=2)