Bush Era Memo Released: They Knew it Was Torture

The Decider and Darth Cheney. Image from
source, Huffington Post

Since President Obama was inaugurated, there have been rumblings from the right about impeaching him. They don't care why (as they didn't with Clinton. . .lying about a blow job?), they just want it done. They haven't gotten very far, but you can bet that if Obama wins a second term, the volume on that idea is going to go way up. Which strikes me as ungrateful, if nothing else.

Ungrateful? Yes. Because Nancy Pelosi long ago took impeachment "off the table," when it came to George W. Bush. And because President Obama declared that he would not seek to investigate the Bush Administration's potential crimes. Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld, Rice and the rest got away scot-free! They took a wrecking ball to the country, and other parts of the world, and now they get to comfortably retire, with no worries about repercussions. We're talking war crimes here.

Pffft! War crimes! Why, that's just Bush Derangement Syndrome! Uh, no, it's not. Torture is a war crime, and the just released memo shows that the Bush Administration knew it was torture. Arguably, we should be pissed at the Obama Administration for insisting it won't investigate, and for not stepping cleanly away from all of the "expanded executive powers" created in the Bush Years. The story below does a good enough job pointing out those issues. I'm actually more concerned by the prospect of a future President Ryan or Cantor deciding that torture is cool again.

[Excerpt]


New Bush-Era Torture Memo Released, Raises Questions About What Has Changed And What Hasn't 

A six-year-old memo from within the George W. Bush administration that came to light this week acknowledges that White House-approved interrogation techniques amounted to "war crimes." The memo's release has called attention to what has changed since President Barack Obama took office, but it also raises questions about what hasn't. . .

Read more at: Huffignton Post

Bush to Write Memoirs

Photo from source, Huffington Post

Illustration by editor

Ah, yes. Not only will George W. Bush have a Presidential liberry lie-bury library, he's going to have a book to put in it! I'll spare you any speculation on what it might be called, or what it might contain. I'm just not feeling clever enough to do it justice this evening. But it does bear mentioning that he committed one of his famous "Bushisms" while announcing the upcoming tome. Apparently, it's going to be an "authoritarian" view.

[Excerpt]

George W. Bush To Write Memoir About "Decisions"

Former President George W. Bush, who once famously called himself "The Decider," is writing a book about decisions.

"I want people to understand the environment in which I was making decisions. I want people to get a sense of how decisions were made and I want people to understand the options that were placed before me," Bush said during a brief telephone interview Wednesday with The Associated Press from his office in Dallas. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Where Does Bush Rank?

Image from source, Huffington Post

Well, they gave him a higher score than I would have. These historians thought that George W. Bush sought justice? With an administration that I would like to see brought to justice, I have a wee bit of a problem with that. Still, The Decider ranks below Herbert Hoover. That's something, I guess.

[Excerpt]

Lincoln Ranked Best President By Historians

Former President George W. Bush, who left office last month, was ranked 36th out of the 42 men who had been chief executive by the end of 2008, according to a survey conducted by the cable channel C-SPAN. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Obama's Press Conference, Reviewed by FReepers

Image from source, the hilariously creative FreeRepublic

Every once in a while, I like to check on the wingnuts at FreeRepublic, the popular far-right political commentary site. Now, I don't recommend this for everybody. It's like an alternate universe, where everything that has ever gone wrong is a Democrat's fault, and where George W. Bush was the best President ever! Still, it can be educational, even a little bit of snarky fun.

When they're not keeping tabs on the dreaded gay agenda or fighting the War on Christmas, they're picking apart whatever relevant Democratic politicians they can find. Or, as they might say at FreeRepublic, members of the "Democrat Party." Big D Democratic will never cross their keyboards. And the biggest Democrat right now is of course, our new President, Barack Obama.

While watching last night's presser, I was certain that over at FR, they'd be assailing Obama for something. I figured what they'd zero in on was the "ums," the "uhs," the "aaaaaands" and the pauses in Obama's speech pattern. Bingo. According to them, he's an empty suit. Worthless without a teleprompter. And they read those halting moments as proof that he doesn't have a thought in his head. Mmmkay.

I saw something different. I saw a man measuring his words. A man wishing to be honest with America, while at the same time being sure not to say too much. After all, a wrongly worded phrase would bring the weight of the world down on his head. And the FReepers would lead the charge. So, he was thoughtful, and he was careful. And his words--once delivered--didn't for a moment indicate that he was short in the intelligence department. Given the fact that he was doing this for the first time as President, I'm willing to cut him a little slack.

He also pronounced "nuclear" correctly. Which brings me to the reality check. For supporters of George W. "The Decider" Bush to be picking apart the way the current President speaks? That's just too funny for words, man! I mean, come on! We've endured eight years of foul-ups, bleeps and blunders from The Commander Guy. The comparison couldn't be more stark. Still, I guess they have to cling to something.

A sampling:

"Missed the first question. Mr. Articulate he ain’t—he may be clean though."

"He’s making W look like a Rhodes Scholar!"

"It’s pitiful. More dead air than words, words strung together almost nonsensically when not dead air. Poor camera presence, pale and wan, uncertain aura."

"This guy is almost incoherent: “Most economists almost unanimously agree...” Can you imagine Bush saying this?"

Editor: No, I imagine W. saying something more like this:

"A lotta econo. . .uh. . .eco. . .uh. . .money guys, kinda uniformarily sees it my way! 'Nother words, the people who knows 'bout this stuff agrees with me! Nukuler!"

Source: FreeRepublic

Dick Cheney Nearly Falls Asleep During Bush's Speech

Yes, listening to The Decider talk for any length of time is tedious. But even I managed to stay alert and awake during the interminable 13-minute speech. Vice President Dick Cheney was--shall we say--not in rapt attention.

George W. Bush & Miss Teen South Carolina

Image from source, Kenneth in the (212)

I don't usually copy entire posts by other people, but I love how this was put together. Like on Saturday Night Live, when Tina Fey merely spoke Sarah Palin's own words to make a comedy bit, Kenneth in the (212) did something similar with George W. Bush. Here, Kenneth pulls some quotes directly from The Decider's "exit interview" final press conference.

Now that I read the words on the screen, I can see that he does speak something like the infamous Miss Teen South Carolina contestant. And it is also reminiscent of Sarah Palin, wouldn't you say? Thank goodness it's almost over.

[Excerpt]

President Bush or Miss Teen USA Contestant?

“I would hope that the team that is, has the honor of, serving the country will take a hard look at the realities of the world and the tools now in place to protect the United States from further attack. They will find that with a considerable amount of care and concern for civil liberties, for example, that I have put in place procedures that will enable the professionals to better learn the intentions of al-Qaida, for example.”

“During the darkest days of Iraq people came to me and said, you’re creating incredible political difficulties for us. And I said, oh, really, what do you suggest I do? Some suggested, retreat, pull out of Iraq,” he said. “I didn’t compromise that principle for the sake of trying to bail out my political party, for example.”

Source: Kenneth in the (212)

George Bush Embarasses Us One More Time

I have long found George W. Bush's televised appearances to be almost unendurable. His facial expressions, his mannerisms, his skewing of history to try to shirk blame, and his maddening mangled colloquial English. Texish. Whatever.

And as bad as his scripted appearances are, it is his off-the-cuff, extemporaneous stuff that really kills me. Today, The Decider decided to have one last press conference. And in it, he unleashed a string of whoppers. And he did so while variously being jovial, defiant, sing-songy, accusatory and sarcastic. While the likes of Free Republic--the arch right-wing web site--were probably bowled over with pleasure during the press conference, people like me were groaning, shaking our heads, and thanking our lucky stars that this is the last one.

But even though it was the last one, this is not going to be my last post on the matter. Two programs on MSNBC, The Rachel Maddow Show and Countdown with Keith Olbermann had terrific analysis of the speech this evening, and I will be presenting the video from that as it becomes available. For now, here is the speech, without editorial comment. Well other than that which I've already provided. . .

That Perfect Gift for the Person You Forgot. . .

Welcome back to work, everybody! Ain't it grand? Yeah, Mondays are usually kind of awful, but the first one after New Year's is rougher than most. At least this year we got a couple of extra days, before coming back. I was hoping that Democratic Underground's "Top 10 Conservative Idiots" would be back to mark the new year, but no such luck. So, let's see, how should we start the new week/year?

We could talk about Gaza or the Senate or the remainder of George W. Bush's term, but that would be kind of a downer, right? Right. So how 'bout some basic frivolity from FailBlog? And, heck, the product advertised below could be a new euphamism for The Decider, after he has no more decisions to make. . .

Commercial Fail: The Wonder Boner

Bush's Biggest Blunder?

Photo from source, AOL News

I've got to say, being asked what Bush's biggest blunder is, is like choosing one thing out of an endless list. But, I was presented with that question when I logged on to get my email, and couldn't resist posting a bit of it here.

For the record, I think The Decider's biggest mistake was in ignoring the warnings about 9/11. But most of the media and the administration itself seem to want us to pretend that the first eight months of the Bush era didn't happen or something. It would be impossible to top that colossal failure, but the second one would have to be waging a needless war in Iraq in retaliation for that attack, even though the two things were unrelated. "We had to do something," even my mother said. So, I guess not everyone agrees with me.

[Excerpt]

Bush's Personality Shapes His Legacy

President George W. Bush will be judged on what he did. He will also be remembered for what he's like: a fast-moving, phrase-mangling Texan who stays upbeat even though his country is not. . .

Read more at: AOL News

President Bush: Incompetent

Quick, in one word, describe President George W. Bush. I need a lot more words, but several that pop into my head are at the top of this list. I was surprised not to see "Decider." Also, where is "puppet," "douchebag," "chimp," "asshat," "assclown". . .oh, I could go on and on.



Source: Think Progress

George W. Bush Pelted with Rocks and Garbage

No, not really, but almost! A journalist threw his shoes at The Decider, who decided to duck them. What can I say?

George W. Bush's New Presidential Portrait

What do you think? Did they get the "clueless boob" vibe, or what? Even with the final, "wrapping things up" feeling that goes with every appearance by "The Decider" these days, watching him still makes me wince. And while he isn't doing the "coke-jaw" thing in this clip, there's still the weird lip pursing, and odd pauses. Go away, George, just go away.

More Charlie Gibson, George W. Bush and Laura Bush

I actually find it difficult to watch The Decider in almost any context. He seems so disconnected. Here, he sure tries to sound connected. And he has yet to abandon his folksy colloquial English. Laura seems to be putting on an act also. I'm so relieved that this sorry chapter in American history is almost closed.

George W. Bush, Lame Duck or Just Lame?

Poor Bushie. He's the least popular dude at the G20. Nobody wants to shake his hand. Of course, he doesn't seem like he wants to shake either. Not even a Obama or Howie Mandel-style fist-bump? He looks like he wants this over with as badly as we do. Poor Bushie. . .



Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

Thank You, President Hoover! Bush's Big Deficit

Photo from Raw Story

Great. And how much do you want to bet, if Barack Obama wins the Presidency, the right-wing blow holes will try to blame this allll on him?

[Excerpt]

Bush to leave a record budget deficit of $482 billion

President Bush will leave his successor with a record-high budget deficit of $482 billion, according to an administration estimate released Monday.White House officials blamed the slowing economy and a $150-billion bipartisan stimulus package for the worsening picture for the 2009 fiscal year, but Democrats cited the president's tax cuts and fiscal management over his eight years in office. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

George Bush Jokes About Drinking, Press Yuks it Up

One of the most insufferable things those of us with Bush Derangement Syndrome or BDS (believe me, I come by it honestly) have to put up with is George W. Bush when he's trying to be funny. Partly because he isn't funny, partly because he shouldn't be joking about serious matters. But mostly because the press eats it up, and laughs along with him.

Here, The Decider makes an alcoholic analogy when talking about the economy. "Wall Street has a hangover." I know how they feel. The whole country has had an eight-year-long hangover, caused by the alcoholic-in-chief.

Please Don't Vote for a Republican (Billboard #3)

A couple of days ago, a wingnut with some advertising money took out a "Please Don't Vote for a Democrat" billboard, complete with September 11th imagery. It was incongruous given who was President at the time of the attack.

And it was also self serving, as it seems the guy is trying to sell a CD of "patriotic music." But I think this kind of billboard might be used to Democrats' advantage. And we don't have to misdirect or lie to do it, either. This is the third in a series of billboard ideas by yours truly, this time featuring one of the scariest moments on September 11th. The day The Decider decided to freeze like a deer in headlights.

Still No Closer to Finding Anthrax Terrorist

Photo from source, Raw Story

You know how many conservatives will say we haven't had a terrorist attack since 9/11? They use it as evidence that George W. Bush is "keeping us safe." But it isn't true. Right after 9/11, there were a series of lethal--and potentially lethal--anthrax attacks. Anthrax was sent to (Democratic) politicians, and prominent members of the media. And no one was ever busted for it. It has been seven years. Oh yeah, and that Bin Laden guy is still out there somewhere too.

So has The Decider kept us safe (at least since the anthrax), or have we just been very, very lucky?

[Excerpt]

Seven years on, no answer from White House on anthrax attacks

It's been almost seven years since — in the weeks immediately following 9/11 — anthrax powder sent through the mail killed five people, threatened the lives of two Democratic senators, terrorized the entire nation, and helped prod a panicky Congress into passing the so-called Patriot Act. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

George W. Bush Still Presidentin' in Style

Photo from source, TelegraphUK

George W. Bush is in the home-stretch of his Presidency. He has less than 200 days to go. Yes, those two sentences warm my heart, and what I'd really like to see from The Decider is nothing. I'd like him to coast all the way to January 20th, 2009, staying out of the limelight, and quietly turning over the reigns of power to his successor, Barack Obama.

Actually, to speak truthfully, it would be much better to see him drubbed out of office, possibly shackled to Karl Rove and Dick Cheney as they're all frog-marched to jail. I'm enough of a realist to realize that neither of those fantasies are likely to come true.

Instead, The Commander Guy is intent on embarrassing the country as publicly as possible. Chest bumps. Tap dancing. Enough malapropisms to fill another couple of years of Bushism calendars. And now, this. . .

[Excerpt]

President George Bush: 'Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter'

The American leader, who has been condemned throughout his presidency for failing to tackle climate change, ended a private meeting with the words: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter."

He then punched the air while grinning widely, as the rest of those present including Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy looked on in shock. . .

Source: TelegraphUK

George W. Bush Censors Thomas Jefferson

Image from source, Wonkette

Thomas Jefferson wrote tons of great stuff. . .volumes in fact. He even wrote his own version of The Bible, with the supernatural stuff taken out. But for some reason--perhaps because Jefferson died on July 4--George W. Bush decided to quote Jefferson (presumably by the context) on his deathbed.

Just one small hitch. Jefferson was slamming religion in that quote. The Decider can't have that, so he decided to do a bit of editing. Typical.

[Excerpt]

July 4 Bush Speech Censors Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson invented July 4, by writing the Declaration of Independence for “Independence Day,” and later writing the Constitution, and then patriotically dropping dead on July 4. This is why George W. Bush went to Jefferson’s famous slave brothel, Monticello, to read a July 4 speech that quoted Jefferson except for the part of the quote where Jefferson said Christians were idiots. . .

Read more at: Wonkette