To this point in their admins, who was the worse President: Bush or Trump?

[Acsenray]

This is tough. Torture and the Iraq War–the biggest unforced international policy disaster in U.S. history, the blowback from which we will suffer for decades–are huge.

But Trump is possibly the worst human being to be president. Comparable to Andrew Jackson, who was an actual murderer.

[k9bfriender]

It’s like asking which is worse: AIDS or cryptococcal meningitis?

[Lamoral]

If I had the choice of living in Austria in the glory days of the Holy Roman Empire where I could die from an abcessed tooth, had no running water or refrigeration, would have to rely on a horse for transportation if I was even lucky enough to be able to afford one, and oh on the plus side, might have the chance to see really amazing art or hear really beautiful music if I had the miniscule chance of being invited to a nobleman’s house…or living in Austria today…let’s just say this would not be a difficult choice.

The word “backwater” implies things like “primitive”, “poor”, “adverse living conditions”, and “geographically isolated from places of greater significance.” None of these things apply to modern day Austria.

[Elendil_s_Heir]

Trump. I would take a third Dubya term in a heartbeat compared to the orange buffoon now cozying up to tyrants, doing his best to gut ACDA, attacking the free press, provoking a needless trade war with China and demonizing anyone who speaks out against him. Dubya, for all his many faults, didn’t do that.

[Siam_Sam]

@Defensive_Indifference

Trump has been in office for about 17 agonizing months.

@MarvinKitFox

Trump must be doing a VERY bad job, as apparently under his leadership edumacational standards have dropped so far that people are unable to count to 28.

Nah, he’s right. Seventeen months were agonizing, the rest have been excruciating.

[puzzlegal]

@Lamoral

If I had the choice of living in Austria in the glory days of the Holy Roman Empire where I could die from an abcessed tooth, had no running water or refrigeration, would have to rely on a horse for transportation if I was even lucky enough to be able to afford one, and oh on the plus side, might have the chance to see really amazing art or hear really beautiful music if I had the miniscule chance of being invited to a nobleman’s house…or living in Austria today…let’s just say this would not be a difficult choice.

The word “backwater” implies things like “primitive”, “poor”, “adverse living conditions”, and “geographically isolated from places of greater significance.” None of these things apply to modern day Austria.

here’s my first on-line dictionary hit for “backwater”:
a part of a river not reached by the current, where the water is stagnant.
“the eels inhabit backwaters”
an isolated or peaceful place.
“a sleepy Midwest backwater”
a place or condition in which no development or progress is taking place.
“the country remained an economic backwater”

no, it doesn’t mean primitive, or poor. It does mean “geographically isolated from places of greater significance.” And “a place that isn’t generating scientific or industrial advances”.

@Brayne_Ded

… Austria generally does not hit the news often, like all small countries. …

And this agrees with my judgement. Austria has become a small country that rarely his the news. It’s become a backwater. And yet, it’s a rather pleasant place, despite all the history and mouldering power lying around. It gives me hope for where the US might be headed.