<p>Now, a lot of the time I see a rejoinder to a critique of some action or statement from the current Administration that goes something like this: “You’re just blinded by your hatred of President Bush.” Sometimes “bitterness”, sometimes the oh-so-witty “Bush Derangement Syndrome.”</p>
<p>The thing is, I don’t hate George W. Bush. I think he is incompetent in his job, and arrogant enough not to admit it or do anything about it, but there are a lot of people like that. In fact, I find lots of things about him to like. So I thought I’d make a list:</p>
<li><p>He’s got a decent sense of humor. Seriously. Remember the solemn “We’re going to hunt them down and kill them.” statement, followed by “Now watch this drive!” - looking for WMD’s under the furniture, etc. I think it’s legit. The man’s got a funny bone.</p></li>
<li><p>He’s very fit. All those hours on the bike have done him good. I’m about his age, and believe me - put the two of us in a cage for an ultimate fighting death match and it’s RIP Kluge.</p></li>
<li><p>He seems to genuinely like his wife. Some of you folks may scoff, but I consider that to be a good quality in a middle-to-more aged guy.</p></li>
<li><p>He’s not racist or sexist. What can I say? Karen Hughes, Condoleeza - OK, maybe she is twice as smart as the white guys, but she’s still there (and still got bit by the same hubris bug that seems to have been going around.)</p></li>
<li><p>He’s an alcoholic who’s been sober for XX years. OK, some of my 12 step friends call him a “dry drunk” which apparently is a bad thing, but I admire a guy who’s gone throught wringer and come out the other side.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So let’s hear it for the Bushman. If he wasn’t the President he’d probably be a great next door neighbor.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, he’s the President. But I prefer to think that’s not all his fault.</p>
<p>I don’t think he made a genuine effort to reach out to Democrats. I was hopeful that he would (given the circumstances of the election) but it has always been “my way or the highway.” I don’t see any appointees or advisors that represent any view but his own. That is a huge failing. I like that he has appointed women and minorities to positions of power, although I don’t have much regard for their policies.</p>
<p>He’s a decent human being. He does not put on airs, nor does he appear to hold grudges. He means what he says - very plain spoken. He’s not afraid to see and interact with folks afflicted by tragic circumstances.</p>
<p>I like how he loves, respects and works with his wife. He appears to be able to take a joke. He’s focused - when he determines a significant goal he sees it through. He does not give up. He is not fearful nor flighty. He fights, when necessary. Since 9/11 his Administration has not let another attack happen to the United States. He is no nonsense when it comes to security and virtually everything else.</p>
<p>He’s a leader - he is not swayed by popular breezes and ebbs. </p>
<p>When his administration took over, there was a strong sense in the Executive Branch that the adults were back in charge. Everyone was now being held to a high standard. The looseness of the Clinton years was gone.</p>
<p>Things I like about the opponents of George W. Bush </p>
<ol>
<li>Their numerous and well-thought out alternatives</li>
<li>Their hatred for blind partisanship</li>
<li>Their love for constructive leadership</li>
<li>Their foresight in avoiding the rise of anti-american terrorism</li>
<li>Their lack of hypocrisy </li>
<li>how they do not believe in hollow criticism!</li>
</ol>
<p>But more than anything else, that the very best of “them” is still worst than the current Prez. No wonder “they” are so annoyed all the time.</p>
<p>A brave attempt to find something likeable about Bush, who is now accused, along with his boy Rove of just using evangelicals to get their vote. (The book Countdown, written by a former staffer in his faith-based office, says that Rove would refer to prominent evangelicals as “the nuts.” ) </p>
<p>Post #13. Take everything you wrote and turn it completely around. Then you’ll have reality. If opponents of Bush sound “so annoyed” to you, it’s with good reason. Thousands of reasons, in fact.</p>
<p>Kluge, I honestly didn’t think I’d find anything halfway redeeming in the man. Your list,however, made me grumpily admit that a few of his qualities aren’t vomit-inducing. Like #3. Not a single item, however, redeems him as president.</p>
<p>As a person I don’t entirely dislike George. I mean he’s a huge baseball fan and I think he would be a real cool uncle(The kind that would buy you booze). However he is a dumbass. He has no business running a country. He has been in my mind the worst president of all time. I wouldn’t mind if he were like the mayor of my city, but he shouldn’t be in the white house.</p>
<p>Mr. Xiggi. Your last two posts I find extremely offensive and does not promote good relations. If you want to be humorous or make snide remarks, at least be more subtle.</p>
<p>As someone who has been married and faithful to one wonderful woman for 34 years (as of 3 days from now) I find much to admire in George and Laura, especially after the 8 previous years of being told that “everybody does” marital infidelity and I needed to “get over it”. Or…was that “move on”?</p>