Bush Supporters: What has he done right?

[atszyman]

We've had a number of threads asking if you are a republican, or if you approve of Bush's Leadership. Very few have stepped forward in these threads and most who do seem to be very sparse with details. Here's your chance to explain why you feel the need to defend Bush from our attacks.

Is it the cutting of taxes which lead to a massive deficit and raising of the debt ceiling to over 8 Trillion dollars?

Is it the Iraq war where no matter how bad it gets they answer seems to be "stay the course"?

It appears to me along with many others on this board that Bush cannot seem to do anything correctly. I honestly want to know what reasons anyone would have to defend this administration.

For perspective, I live in Texas, and many people here defend the Administration, including my wife. I would ask this question at home but I really don't want to sleep on the couch.

[gwuMACaddict]

i think that john roberts was an excellent supreme court nomination

[gwuMACaddict]

he's also been very good about awarding medals of honor and other military awards to minorities who were previously denied based solely on race or religion.

[3rdpath]

this very well could be the shortest political thread ...ever.

[gwuMACaddict]

no, things will pick up in the morning... there wont be much suppport, just bashing

[Xtremehkr]

no, things will pick up in the morning... there wont be much suppport, just bashing

I'm not planning on participating, beyond this post, for a few days. I am genuinely curious about how he is perceived by his supporters. If not only what he has done right, but any other reasons that lay behind your support. I just wanna know.

Edit, I think my keyboard needs a change of batteries.

[livingfortoday]

He totally saved us from an alien invasion, with his bare hands. Only thing is, he can't tell you about it, or else the aliens will come back.

Kinda like that list of 10 terrorist attacks he mentioned in his speech last night that have supposedly recently been thwarted. I mean, they can't give details, or else the terrorists will go back in time and change the past!

I've seen Time Cop! I know how these things work! So unless you wanna pay tribute to the Evil Galactic Overlord Xghry for the next few millenia, you'd better vote Bush in 2008! Somehow!

Oh no! I've said to much!

[atszyman]

I not planning on participating, beyond this post, for a few days. I am genuinely curious about how he is perceived by his supports. If not only what he has done right, but any other reasons that lay behind your support. I just wanna know.

Exactly why I started this thread. As I said my wife is (the last time I checked) a Bush supporter, however asking this question at home would lead to me sleeping on our couch at best or looking for someone else's couch. I'm not a big fan of doing that so I thought I would seek answers here. Hopefully it will shed some light on where his supporters come from so we can understand them better. I am hoping that this doesn't just turn into another Bush bashing thread (we have enough of those) but somewhere where people may be able to shed some light on what Bush's positives are.

I had started a similar thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=96052) after the election because sometimes I just need to search for the positive sides of a dire situation so that I can believe that my daughter will grow up in a better world than what we have right now.

[yg17]

Lets see....


He succeeded in choking on a pretzel. Don't know anyone who's smart enough to do that.
I think he set a new world record for the amount of times falling off a bike. Gotta be proud of him for that.
Dumbest man to become president. That's an accomplishment right there.
Successfully stole an election, again, something that was never done before.
Last but not least, his actions have provided plenty of great material for comedians, which, in turn, provide great entertainment for me.

[zimv20]

i liked it when he signed the bill for the national do not call registry (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/07/tech/main561876.shtml).

[LethalWolfe]

Kinda like that list of 10 terrorist attacks he mentioned in his speech last night that have supposedly recently been thwarted. I mean, they can't give details, or else the terrorists will go back in time and change the past!
!

Or terrorists might use the detailed info given to reverse engineer how the planned attacks were stopped and modify their behavior so as to circumvent current, and possibly future, covert operations intelligence agencies all over the world are using to help prevent terrorist attacks.

Better luck at being witty next time.


Lethal

[LethalWolfe]

On topic,

I like the fact that he let the AWB sunset.


Lethal

[skunk]

I would ask this question at home but I really don't want to sleep on the couch.Get yourself a more comfortable couch.

[rockthecasbah]

he's proven the notion that the south is really that dumb :p

[Roger1]

i liked it when he signed the bill for the national do not call registry (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/07/tech/main561876.shtml).



My repect for him went up a notch. ONE notch.

[iGary]

He hasn't used the White House as his private blow me room for his interns.

[miloblithe]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned tax cuts. I think that was his biggest accomplishment from the right-wing point of view.

[greatdevourer]

i liked it when he signed the bill for the national do not call registry (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/07/tech/main561876.shtml). I think I've got a coupla hundred numbers from that somewhere on the LaCie :p The problem with that is that when it does get hit, it'll've been better to not be on it

[pseudobrit]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned tax cuts. I think that was his biggest accomplishment from the right-wing point of view.

That's because 95% of the population haven't seen any tax cuts.

Most of us, quite to the contrary, got $300 once, followed by new fees, increased local taxes, inflation and exploding healthcare costs.

[Chaszmyr]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned tax cuts. I think that was his biggest accomplishment from the right-wing point of view.

It's easy to cut taxes when you don't care if your government is accumulating trillions of dollars in debt.

[crdean1]

Morally honors the office of the Presidency (which I can't say for some presidents), Faith Based Initiative, Homeland Security Dept., Reaction to 9/11, Appointment of Roberts, Firing of Brownie (realizing he made a mistake, admitting to it, and taking care of it), Support of Troops (and encouraging such), Encouraging Americans to "Step Up" and help your neighbor, working on changing Social Sec. so I benefit, Banned Partial Birth Abortion, Shot down Kyoto treaty, Teacher Protection Act, increased kids contribution limits to IRA's, and more...

[crdean1]

That's because 95% of the population haven't seen any tax cuts.

Most of us, quite to the contrary, got $300 once, followed by new fees, increased local taxes, inflation and exploding healthcare costs.

Wrong, Eliminated "marriage penalty" tax, which many, many people have benefited from.

[pseudobrit]

Wrong, Eliminated "marriage penalty" tax, which many, many people have benefited from.

Tell me more.

[mactastic]

He hasn't used the White House as his private blow me room for his interns.
Nope, just as his private blow room.

I like that he hasn't gone around arming Central American dictators - can't say the same for SOME administrations.

[Blue Velvet]

He hasn't used the White House as his private blow me room for his interns.


Although creepy and just a little disturbing, I genuinely find it puzzling that this is considered a greater crime than matters of state and policy, no matter what side of the party political divide you place yourself on.

[Chaszmyr]

Morally honors the office of the Presidency (which I can't say for some presidents), Faith Based Initiative, Homeland Security Dept., Reaction to 9/11, Appointment of Roberts, Firing of Brownie (realizing he made a mistake, admitting to it, and taking care of it), Support of Troops (and encouraging such), Encouraging Americans to "Step Up" and help your neighbor, working on changing Social Sec. so I benefit, Banned Partial Birth Abortion, Shot down Kyoto treaty, Teacher Protection Act, increased kids contribution limits to IRA's, and more...

I see more bad things than good things on this list.

[yg17]

He hasn't used the White House as his private blow me room for his interns.


I'd rather have a president who does good for this country get blown in the oval office than have a president like Bush.

[Dont Hurt Me]

I gOT iT! Though iam no longer a Bush Supporter once i opened my eyes i do have what he has done right.

He sold us a false war on WMDs :)
He has taken the enviroment back to the 1900's,............let the grandkids clean it up. I didnt want to anyways :)
He vacationed while we got hit by one of our Biggest storms in the Century. Everyone needs a month or two Off :)
He decided that we need to go back to the Moon in Apollo 2.0 Im sure there are a few rocks we didnt get the first time. :)
He is removing Science so we can go back to the Bible :) Bible is easier to understand.
He is helping Big Oil, because really record profits just arent enough :)
He has removed our Freedoms/Libertys because of a dozen Saudi's but I feel a lot safer with grandma being strip searched. much safer :)
He has denied me Canadian medicines so i can pay more for those same Meds here. :) Canadians dont like us anyways.
He has Helped over a Million Mexicans have free access to our country and all of its hand outs during a time of War. :)
He is bringing back torture, thats got to be good right?
He's got to go down as the Greatest President Ever! :)

[LethalWolfe]

I gOT iT! Though iam no longer a Bush Supporter once i opened my eyes i do have what he has done right.

He sold us a false war on WMDs :)
He has taken the enviroment back to the 1900's,............let the grandkids clean it up. I didnt want to anyways :)
He vacationed while we got hit by one of our Biggest storms in the Century. Everyone needs a month or two Off :)
He decided that we need to go back to the Moon in Apollo 2.0 Im sure there are a few rocks we didnt get the first time. :)
He is removing Science so we can go back to the Bible :) Bible is easier to understand.
He is helping Big Oil, because really record profits just arent enough :)
He has removed our Freedoms/Libertys because of a dozen Saudi's but I feel a lot safer with grandma being strip searched. much safer :)
He has denied me Canadian medicines so i can pay more for those same Meds here. :) Canadians dont like us anyways.
He has Helped over a Million Mexicans have free access to our country and all of its hand outs during a time of War. :)
He is bringing back torture, thats got to be good right?
He's got to go down as the Greatest President Ever! :)

*tap... tap, tap*

Hmm... yeah... I think it was the last smilie that made my sarcasm meter explode.


Lethal

[JesseJames]

I have to lament the fact that George Bush gets almost unquestioning support from Texas.
I lived in Texas and actually enjoyed myself quite a bit. Austin is a blast!
But, I have to admit, most Texans have limited educations and they aren't the most intellectually analytical people in the country. No offense, but some are just downright country dumb as they come.

At least George has the balls to stick to the fight. The man earnestly believes that his war on terror is righteous and good. All right, fine.

I'm sure he's seen alternative energy technology at all the best engineering colleges. But, he's said that it's just not ready yet for the limelight. He's practical. He's doing what he can to keep the economy rolling. That is reduce energy costs in the short-term. Sure, at the cost of setting our more progressive environmental policies back at least 10 years but the whining would be louder if people started losing their jobs.

As for Bill Clinton, he was a good domestic president. His foreign policy track record could be disputed until the end of time. And I don't care that he got a blow job from Monica but I do care that he did it in the White House. Tsk tsk, no class there in my eyes Bubba.

[quagmire]

I liked how he handled 9/11. Wait, he destroyed that good thing when he used 9/11 to get us into Iraq. It would of been harder for Bush to convince us Iraq was a necessary thing to do. Tax cuts...... well that is fine in peace, but not in war. It will take years to pay back the debts we owe. Because of that, a Democrat or a reasonable republican will probably raise taxes sky high because of our debt. Thanks Bush.

At least George has the balls to stick to the fight. The man earnestly believes that his war on terror is righteous and good. All right, fine.

Right. Like he was committed on capturing Bin laden. :rolleyes: 2 years then he gave up and went in Iraq. Some committed Pres. He has to stay in Iraq! This is his blunder, he needs to fix it. If we pull out now, Iraq will be in a worse situation then Iraq was with Saddam.

[edesignuk]

There doesn't seem to be many Bush supporters stating what he has done right...

...um, how the hell did the freakin muppet get back in...again!?

[JesseJames]

2 years then he gave up and went in Iraq.

Um, as far as I know U.S. forces are still on the hunt for Bin Laden. Our military is damn good but come on, they are seaching hostile country the size of Florida for one man.
We're going to hear a lot of mindblowing stuff from the soldiers in Afghanistan, but right now they have to keep mum about things.
I have high hopes for Afghanistan. I think things are flowing in the positive direction there at least.

[IJ Reilly]

Um, as far as I know U.S. forces are still on the hunt for Bin Laden. Our military is damn good but come on, they are seaching hostile country the size of Florida for one man.
We're going to hear a lot of mindblowing stuff from the soldiers in Afghanistan, but right now they have to keep mum about things.
I have high hopes for Afghanistan. I think things are flowing in the positive direction there at least.

Yeah, that record opium crop sure gives me hope.

You're forgetting about the stripping of special forces in Afghanistan to send them off to Iraq. You're also forgetting that our "ally" the president of Pakistan won't allow U.S. forces to operate in the borderlands areas were bin Ladin is hiding out. Oh, it's tough alright.

[greatdevourer]

There doesn't seem to be many Bush supporters stating what he has done right...

...um, how the hell did the freakin muppet get back in...again!? The same way he got in first time - used his friends and family in high places

[miloblithe]

That's because 95% of the population haven't seen any tax cuts.

Most of us, quite to the contrary, got $300 once, followed by new fees, increased local taxes, inflation and exploding healthcare costs.

Maybe, but he decreased government revenues. That's the key goal, from a right-wing perspective.

[skunk]

Um, as far as I know U.S. forces are still on the hunt for Bin Laden.You could have fooled me.
We're going to hear a lot of mindblowing stuff from the soldiers in Afghanistan, but right now they have to keep mum about things.Oh really? I've lost count of the number of times people have claimed that there's some "amazing" news from Afghanistan/Iraq/wherever, but they're "not at liberty to say more". BS. Every time.
I have high hopes for Afghanistan. I think things are flowing in the positive direction there at least.Maybe. Perhaps it's precisely because there are less US troops there. Who knows?

[solvs]

Morally honors the office of the Presidency
Depends on what your definition of "morality" is. ;)

Faith Based Initiative
Unless you aren't a Christian... or even if you are, but want to keep Church and State separate.

Homeland Security Dept.
And what a bang up job they've done. Plus, he was actually against that one.

Reaction to 9/11
During? Yes. Before, and after? Not so much. Where is that pesky Bin Laden fella?

Appointment of Roberts
We'll see. I am trying to be hopeful. I suppose it could have been worse.

Firing of Brownie
Eventually.

Support of Troops
You mean by sending them into a poorly planned war for dubious reasons, no exit strategy, lack of supplies, keeping them over there longer than they're supposed to be, then cutting their benefits when they get back?

Encouraging Americans to "Step Up" and help your neighbor
Um, huh?

working on changing Social Sec. so I benefit
Nobody benefits from privatising social security except Wall Street. It's just a bad idea.

Banned Partial Birth Abortion
And yet abortions have gone up.

Shot down Kyoto treaty
How is that a good thing?

Teacher Protection Act
Both of my parents are teachers and so far they've been unhappy with his school programs. NCLB and this are ironically named. Just like the Clear Skies and Clean Water Acts.

increased kids contribution limits to IRA's
I don't know what that is, so I'll just go with you on that.

and more...
Like?

[gwuMACaddict]

thought this thread was going to be about letting people defend bush? i see the same regulars in here that comment on every other anti-bush thread crapping this one up with silly, obviously satirical posts...

[skunk]

thought this thread was going to be about letting people defend bush? i see the same regulars in here that comment on every other anti-bush thread crapping this one up with silly, obviously satirical posts...I see no obvious satire.

[IJ Reilly]

thought this thread was going to be about letting people defend bush? i see the same regulars in here that comment on every other anti-bush thread crapping this one up with silly, obviously satirical posts...

Is anyone preventing you from defending Bush -- in this or any other thread? Or are you saying that Bush supporters need their own, separate forum where they can talk about what they see as the president's good qualities free from any danger of hearing contrary opinions?

I certainly hope this question isn't too silly. It's my first post in this thread, and I wouldn't want to crap it up.

[skunk]

II certainly hope this question isn't too silly. It's my first post in this thread, and I wouldn't want to crap it up.Too late. It's crapped.

[solvs]

Just as Bush supporters post in threads where we crap on Bush, some of us post in a thread where people are supposed to be defending him. I was hoping for more of a debate because, though I disagree with most of what Bush says and does, I like to hear opposing viewpoints. Especially if they are fact based. I noticed there wasn't much in the way of that, but figured I'd throw my 2 cents in to dispute some of what was said. You are free to your opinions, I am free to disagree.

As IJ said gwuMACaddict, you are free to share your opinion here as well. We may not agree, but we might. I think everybody here thinks the media sucks and that the Dems are wussies if that helps.

[Sedulous]

While I think Bush is easily the worst "president" this country has had my aunt is a stuanch supporter of Bush. She usually forgets any/all reason and mindlessly agrees with whatever the rightwing jerk in the whitehouse says. A good example is how Bush supporters consistantly follow the ever-changing rationale for war in Iraq. Yes, yes, we needed to invade Iraq for 9-11, the vaporware WMDs, Saddam is a bad man, spreading democracy... and now the latest excuse "We need to keep fightning so that those who have died already don't die in vain".

To those wondering why nobody seems to be supporting the Bush side... it is simple... there is nothing "defensible" about King Dubya.

[IJ Reilly]

Too late. It's crapped.

Aw, crap. :(

[solvs]

Google "good things Bush has done" and you'll see that we aren't the only ones who are having trouble finding things. The few things people do mention are usually what he says, not does. Or things that a lot of people don't see as good things (as I mentioned above). Surely there has to be something he's done right.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Although creepy and just a little disturbing, I genuinely find it puzzling that this is considered a greater crime than matters of state and policy, no matter what side of the party political divide you place yourself on.

Thank you. Like sending thousands of our men and women in to battle without proper equipment to die and be maimed for life; and on now what appears to be lies. In the end making the US and the world less safe.

Closed door energy meetings at the highest level. Telling us to conserve energy while he is flying back and forth around the country on AF1. All the while protecting his base, and forgetting the many others that his base use and abuse in the workforce.

Before some say that this is a Democrats ranting, I can say that I voted for McCain in the primaries, and would have voted for him over either Gore or Kerry.

[blackfox]

What has Bush done well?

imo, he has opened up many peoples' eyes to what our political climate has become/is capable of.

The particular marketing aspect of his presidency and the lack of either (a) smart, informed policy and/or competent execution of policy has been a wakeup cal to many on both sides of the aisle.

I think most thoughtful conservatives and liberals have been forced to engage in some critical-thinking in response to the bizzarre and surreal actions to come out of the WH in the past 5 years.

In short, I feel bush has been a catalyst for political and civic awakening. A mirror with an ugly image staring back at you.

[Don't panic]

In short, I feel bush has been a catalyst for political and civic awakening. A mirror with an ugly image staring back at you.

I think the ones that "awoke" were just snoozing. It's the 40% that have been pushed into permanent zombie-mode by the constant propaganda "catapulted" onto them (to use the supreme leader's own immortal words) that is really worrying.

[solvs]

I think the ones that "awoke" were just snoozing. It's the 40% that have been pushed into permanent zombie-mode by the constant propaganda "catapulted" onto them (to use the supreme leader's own immortal words) that is really worrying.
<37% now. And I still doubt it's that high. It would be ~0 if everyone who thought Saddam had something to do with 9/11 wasn't polled.

[skunk]

What has Bush done well?

imo, he has opened up many peoples' eyes to what our political climate has become/is capable of.

The particular marketing aspect of his presidency and the lack of either (a) smart, informed policy and/or competent execution of policy has been a wakeup cal to many on both sides of the aisle.

I think most thoughtful conservatives and liberals have been forced to engage in some critical-thinking in response to the bizzarre and surreal actions to come out of the WH in the past 5 years.

In short, I feel bush has been a catalyst for political and civic awakening. A mirror with an ugly image staring back at you.I absolutely agree. Bush has laid bare for everyone - not just in the US - to see the inherent weaknesses in the US system. After all, the success of the system is predicated on the election of a sane and competent leader: the balance of powers is clearly out of kilter and open to abuse. Besides which, incompetent management has exposed the fallacies on which US policy is based, and has stored up immense liabilities for posterity. It's an object lesson for us all.

[mactastic]

I absolutely agree. Bush has laid bare for everyone - not just in the US - to see the inherent weaknesses in the US system. After all, the success of the system is predicated on the election of a sane and competent leader: the balance of powers is clearly out of kilter and open to abuse. Besides which, incompetent management has exposed the fallacies on which US policy is based, and has stored up immense liabilities for posterity. It's an object lesson for us all.
Aren't you glad we're exporting our form of government to Iranian sympathizers? :p

[puckhead193]

don't know if this was posted or not but for one thing....he DOESN'T know how to ride a bike :p

[Don't panic]

<37% now. And I still doubt it's that high. It would be ~0 if everyone who thought Saddam had something to do with 9/11 wasn't polled.

you might be right, but unfortunately, they are and they vote based on the 'misinformation' (aka lies) they are constantly fed.

[IJ Reilly]

I absolutely agree. Bush has laid bare for everyone - not just in the US - to see the inherent weaknesses in the US system. After all, the success of the system is predicated on the election of a sane and competent leader: the balance of powers is clearly out of kilter and open to abuse. Besides which, incompetent management has exposed the fallacies on which US policy is based, and has stored up immense liabilities for posterity. It's an object lesson for us all.

Ah, phooey. Seriously. The framers anticipated the potential for abuse and consequently the government is divided into three branches with distinct and separated powers. The debacle in Germany (only the most recent example) has laid bare the inherent weakness of the parliamentary system for everyone to see.

[skunk]

Ah, phooey. Seriously. The framers anticipated the potential for abuse and consequently the government is divided into three branches with distinct and separated powers.Maybe it's just my eyesight, but from here it's hard to see the separation. I'll freely admit that the parliamentary system, whether "First-Past-The-Post" or PR, also has many faults in all its incarnations.

[hcuar]

Honestly... The best part of GW... He's not John Kerry. That's about it. I think we got to pick between two retards at the last election. I'm hoping we get someone like John McCain in the next election. :p

[IJ Reilly]

Maybe it's just my eyesight, but from here it's hard to see the separation. I'll freely admit that the parliamentary system, whether "First-Past-The-Post" or PR, also has many faults in all its incarnations.

If the voters are going to vest all power in one party, then you are correct, the powers are less than fully separated in practice, if not in fact. Historically, these periods haven't lasted for long, though, and I've got a strong feeling this one is coming to an end fairly soon. This is very much unlike a parliamentary government, in which the party in power is the party in power, and in some governments, they can even set the timing of national elections to most fully advantage their remaining in power. Parliamentary governments also have the nasty habit of collapsing at times of national crisis, at just the moment when stability and continuity would be a virtue.

The U.S. system has its flaws, to be sure. But the system is not inherently flawed. It's bottom-heavy by design and stable.

[jelloshotsrule]

What has Bush done well?

imo, he has opened up many peoples' eyes to what our political climate has become/is capable of.


i agree. i often have to tell myself that it's because of how tremendously bad bush is, that many people (young and old) are getting involved in activism and politics. like michael moore (used to?) says, democrats tell you they're going to help you and then they screw you. with republicans. there's no questions, they tell you they're going to screw you and then do it.

that said, the 53% of people who voted in bush DESPITE this tremendous opposition... scares me.

[atszyman]

that said, the 53% of people who voted in bush DESPITE this tremendous opposition... scares me.

They don't scare me so much any more. The Fit hit the Shan after the election. The ones that scare me of the 53% are the ones who would vote for Bush if the election were still ahead of us. Even if it were still Kerry running I would think after this abysmal year, most voters would be ready to give anyone else a chance rather than re-elect this crew.

[Mike Teezie]

They don't scare me so much any more. The Fit hit the Shan after the election. The ones that scare me of the 53% are the ones who would vote for Bush if the election were still ahead of us. Even if it were still Kerry running I would think after this abysmal year, most voters would be ready to give anyone else a chance rather than re-elect this crew.

I thought the same thing back around the election.

[wordmunger]

don't know if this was posted or not but for one thing....he DOESN'T know how to ride a bike :p
Hey, I hate Bush as much as the next guy, but I wonder if I would look half as good as he does if they videotaped my every move on my bike.

[solvs]

you might be right, but unfortunately, they are and they vote based on the 'misinformation' (aka lies) they are constantly fed.
And I realize now that should have been "weren't polled". All part of the dumbing down of America. :o

[zimv20]

link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051011/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/gold_train;_ylt=AvzD9SLQzEqn5PN3Es6L9LGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MjBwMWtkBHNlYwM3MTg-)


U.S. Apologizes in WWII 'Gold Train' Case

MIAMI - The U.S. government issued a statement of regret Tuesday for the actions of soldiers who took valuables belonging to Hungarian Jews that had been seized on a Nazi "Gold Train" during the chaotic end of World War II.

ADVERTISEMENT

The statement issued by the U.S. Justice Department said that the government "regrets the improper conduct of certain of its military personnel" who took items that had been on the train, which was carrying jewelry, gold, artwork, Oriental rugs, china, cutlery, linens and other items.

"The United States has concluded that, although the conduct of its personnel was appropriate in most respects, it was contrary to U.S. policy and the standards expected of its soldiers" in some actions, the Justice Department statement said.

The apology was required as part of a settlement approved Sept. 26 by a federal judge in Miami between the U.S. government and about 62,000 Hungarian survivors of the Nazi Holocaust. The settlement calls for $25.5 million to be distributed to needy Jews through social service agencies around the world, with the bulk going to those in Israel, Hungary, the United States and Canada.

[...]

"The United States expresses its sympathy and solidarity with these victims and hopes that the settlement approved by the district court will provide meaningful assistance to those survivors," the Justice Department statement said.

The Bush administration was under bipartisan pressure to settle what was seen as a black mark on the U.S. record in World War II. Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., were among 17 senators who urged a resolution in a letter last year.

it's good that bush signed* this.

* at least i assume there was a resolution for him to sign.

[kuyu]

This one's too good to miss ;)

1) Gave the macrumors liberal elite something to complain about nonstop for 8 years. Maybe more, as the hardcore republicans still complain about Clinton.
2) Saw to it that Maxim Magazine's "Two Most Dangerous Men Alive" we're killed before they took power. Maxim, of course, opposed the action.
3) HSA. 'Nuff said.
4) Reformed education system. It absolutely sucked before. I didn't know what MLA citation was when I got to college, and I'm one of the "smart" kids.
5) Treated minorities as people, not political tools. Reminds me of a quote... "I have a dream..."
6) Showed a modicum of interest in the long-term financial well being of people under 30. At least acknowledged that we're going to get totally screwed because so many older people can't be self-sufficient.
7) Invented a plethora of new words. Hey, if the President can't invent new words, who can?
8) Has a wife who reminded us all that smart pant suits are still awesome. (kick assery)
9) Kept Kerry off camera. Kennedy's fat red face is way more entertaining than Kerry's horse-whisperer vibe. (Sidenote: Kennedy calls Kerry "Junior Mint")
10) Gave Kanye West an opportunity to make a complete ass of himself on live TV. "There are some things can't buy..."
11) One word: Condi. We haven't seen tail like that in Washington since Tipper.
12) Singlehandedly transformed the Daily Show from "hilarious fake news" to "damn Jon Stewart's full of piss and vinegar."
13) In the absence of an actual agenda, gave the left something to rally behind.

That's all I've got for now. I'll be hear all week, be sure to tip your waitress! ;) ;) ;)

[jelloshotsrule]

4) Reformed education system. It absolutely sucked before. I didn't know what MLA citation was when I got to college, and I'm one of the "smart" kids.

That's all I've got for now. I'll be hear all week, be sure to tip your waitress! ;) ;) ;)

you are one of the smart kids eh?

watch out world!

[kuyu]

you are one of the smart kids eh?

watch out world!

HAH! That's great. Total accident. I could edit it, but I think it reinforces my point as is.

Good thing I'm a math guy and not a writer. :)

[IJ Reilly]

HAH! That's great. Total accident. I could edit it, but I think it reinforces my point as is.

Good thing I'm a math guy and not a writer. :)

I thought it was a real cheep shot. ;)

But thanks for making me part of an "elite." I knew I always belonged there, but I've been waiting for somebody to recognize it!

[skunk]

But thanks for making me part of an "elite." I knew I always belonged there, but I've been waiting for somebody to recognize it!It's funny, there's a truckload of pejorative connotations attached to the word élite, isn't there?

[solvs]

Wow, so many good points... but so many bad ones. You almost had me there. Both Tipper and Condi suck (guess which one was buying shoes during Katrina). And don't get me started on education, both my parents are teachers. Plus, privatizing SS is stupid and doesn't fix it's problems.

I admit, I agree with the comments about the Daily Show and the left lacking any agenda (and keeping Kerry off camera). Good ones. :p

[IJ Reilly]

It's funny, there's a truckload of pejorative connotations attached to the word élite, isn't there?

I don't know, you tell me. ;)

In the meantime, I'll be happy to be regarded, however briefly, as being at the top of my class.

[solvs]

Well, here's one thing he may be doing right.

Bush outlines $7.1 billion flu pandemic strategy
Program calls for enough vaccine to protect 20 million Americans
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9883713/

Of course, like the other 86% of people in this (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3080261/#survey) poll, I'll believe it when I see it. Fool me once and all.

[rdowns]

Well, here's one thing he may be doing right.


http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9883713/

Of course, like the other 86% of people in this (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3080261/#survey) poll, I'll believe it when I see it. Fool me once and all.

That's all well and good and, IMO, just another of their "feel good America" BS acts. I equate it with all the DHS crap and trying to make us feel safer when little has changed since 9/11. No way are we able to handle a pandemic.

[solvs]

I take back what I said. Now he's doing the fear mongering again and making this seem worse than it probably is. They we're showing clips of his speeches earlier on the Daily Show. Wow, he really can't do anything right.

For those who think we're just all a bunch of liberals who want to see him fail, I wouldn't hate him as much as I do if he'd just stop sucking so much.

[tristan]

Yeah, the chief of staff woke up last friday and said "How can we change the subject? Oh I know, the bird flu."

[Sdashiki]

recall the swine-flu

same thing

same problems (different war blooded carrier)

NOTHING HAPPENED!

same bullcrap shoved down the throats of the US to keep us paranoid and sheep like.

OMFG ANTHRAX NOOOOOOO!

lol.

I really wish the media would stop labeling this as the black plague all over again.

when was the last time the US population got sick to the point of collapse (like 100 million dead+), which I swear they are saying can happen if just one person you know is sick.

[IJ Reilly]

I really wish the media would stop labeling this as the black plague all over again.

when was the last time the US population got sick to the point of collapse (like 100 million dead+), which I swear they are saying can happen if just one person you know is sick.

No, what is being said is that if the avian flu mutates such that it becomes contagious within the human population that many millions will die worldwide. This is almost certainly true.

The last really big pandemic was the Spanish Influenza of 1917-18. Over 600,000 Americans (out of a population of around 100 million) died. Nobody knows how many died worldwide. Probably in the tens of millions. A similar pandemic today could easily kill hundreds of millions of people.

You're probably too young to remember the last big influenza outbreak in the late 1960s, the Hong Kong flu. It wasn't a particularly bad flu by historical standards, yet I remember at its peak that one-third of my high school was out sick with it.

[tristan]

Actually there was an influenza epidemic in 1918 that killed millions of people in the US and Europe. But anyway, the bird flu potential threat will hopefully be dealt with by some hardworking people at the CDC and NIH, not by a Bush television event. This is one of those issues where Bush needs to give the right people the resources they need and get out of the way.

[solvs]

This is one of those issues where Bush needs to give the right people the resources they need and get out of the way.
You must have forgotten who you were talking about there for a minute. ;)

[solvs]

Finally, something he's done right!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/09/national/main1029007.shtml

[zimv20]

i wonder if bush knows ali joined the nation of islam. seriously.

[solvs]

i wonder if bush knows ali joined the nation of islam. seriously.
Well, the guy's name is Muhammad Ali. But yeah, I don't think he got the connection.

[jelloshotsrule]

i wonder if bush knows ali joined the nation of islam. seriously.

keep your friends close, and your enemies closer...

[IJ Reilly]

Ali's controversial days are well behind him. In fact, almost all of his days are behind him. I don't think giving him the Medal of Freedom can be reasonably interpreted as any kind of a political statement at this point. What are you going to do, wait until he's dead?

[solvs]

I don't think giving him the Medal of Freedom can be reasonably interpreted as any kind of a political statement at this point.
But still, it's something right? I've been trying my hardest to find something so I can at least appear somewhat impartial. It's easy to rag on the Dems, but it's so hard to defend the Repubs. Especially BushCo.

There has got to be something that this man has done right.