First Things' ON THE SQUARE has a really timely, funny article here, about a game one family is playing called "Blame It On W".
Here in Madison, this game has often been played as a not-game, a serious take on the issues of the day. The other day, grabbing a sandwich at Mildred's Sandwich Shop, in the very heart of the regentrified near east side of MadTown, I heard coming from the radio in the kitchen, an AirAmerica (or what have you) commentator ranting: "Why CAN'T we blame Bush for the collapse of that bridge in Minneapolis??!! After all...." Lots of folks here take this stuff as gospel. I'm having a lot of conversations that are very surreal about our current president.
The list of possibilities is almost endless. See what rationales you can come up with for the following scenarios:
- Bush caused the space shuttle Columbia disaster because....
- W and his minions were behind the Utah mine collapse. Did you know...?
- The low birth rate in Korea was caused by Bush's....
- We're eating more beets! But if it were up to Bush....
Bush caricature by Ken Roberts.
9 comments:
I really truly hope that whoever wrote that article wasn't being serious.
Oh, never worry. The game is completely tongue-in-cheek.
Dad
its a pitty really, because the REAL and long lasting issues his administration has created, public debt, constitutional issues, are not being discussed. and so I reluctantly dont get to put all the blame on him but must share it with my party that controls congress now. it´s cool to have a divided government . I have to pray for both parties in power. and man does it wear on my ego to have to be sincere about it, root for them and wish them all the best, and keep the 8th commandment.
Frank, are you kidding? It seems to me the flaws in Bush's admin are being discussed ad nauseum. The point of the game is that his flaws are being discussed critically by both parties plus the independents among us, to the extent that so much is being dumped at his doorstep it is becoming humorous. Absurd.
We had a lot of fun at Clinton's expense also. The grandaddy of them all, of course, was Nixon.
As for Bush, I'm still trying to figure out if his legacy will be as the stupidest, most inept president to ever be seated, or the most powerful, dangerous president. I disagree with both, but I don't think you can have it both ways.
But. Back to the game.
Did you know that Bush and Cheney forced Sean Penn to fly to Venezuela to visit with Chavez? They even bought his ticket!
Other Presidents have used their office to do stupid, inept, dangerous, and powerful things. However, for the sheer magnitude and endurance in each of these categories, this President must rank at the top of the list.
Daniel, you write as if Bush invaded Iraq in some sort of political vacuum. If he is the most inept and stupid of all time, he has a lot of company. You may be forced to label this generation as the stupidest and most inept generation of all time, as he enjoyed the support of the majority of voters and got the overwhelming approval of Congress to move ahead with his invasion plans. Try reading John Edwards speech to congress in 2002 regarding what a world threat Hussein was; how he had to be taken out.
No, I think there is a lot more offense being taken by Americans now than ever given by Bush.
But, back to the game!
Sure, a majority of congressmen including the current ones are his enablers. Congress continues to ratify his stupid, inept, dangerous, and power grabbing acts.
In 2004, VP Candidate John Edwards refused to admit his Iraq vote was a gross error. Confronted on Meet The Press, he blamed his wife's medical condition for his personal failure to take responsibility for his own action.
If you wish to continue a pattern of ineptness, irresponsibility, and incompetance in the oval office, vote for John Edwards or anyone of the chorus of Democrat and Republican candidates who support the interventionist wars that are destroying our country. If you wish to end this dangerous foolishness, vote for Ron Paul.
Thank you Daniel, for having the courtesy to tell me what your agenda is.
Might I suggest that you are backing a candidate who can't possibly win? He may interject a word or two into the national conversation. That shouldn't discourage you from backing him. I've spent most of my adult life voting against candidates rather than for anyone. I've learned that putting much hope in political candidates is akin to spending a dollar on a lottery ticket.
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