Tony DeyalIS GEORGE W. BUSH, the leader of the free world, and most powerful human being on earth an idiot, a moron, both, or none of the above? The question, long simmering in the melting pot of American politics, has now become food for thought globally as Mr. Bush has been accused of making the leap from the frying pan of the linguistically challenged into the fire of the mentally disabled. Is he or isn't he? The imagination quayles.
In an event reminiscent of the story of the Emperor's new clothes, Francoise Ducros, Communications Director to Jean Chretien, Canada's Prime Minister, described George W. as a "moron". A "moron" is defined as "a foolish or stupid person." Ms. Durcos eventually resigned because the ensuing controversy made it difficult to function effectively in such a high-profile and politically sensitive post. Then a media adviser to the Alberta Government of Canada, commenting on the "moron" issue, described Mr. Bush as "that idiot." This was later retracted on the basis that "George Bush holds a BS from Yale and an MBA from Harvard ... and cannot be fairly characterised as uneducated or unintelligent."
An "idiot" is defined as "a person with severe mental retardation" or a "foolish or senseless person." Clearly political or professional pressures have been brought to bear on the issue. It is most meet, therefore, that we examine the matter objectively rather than subjectively. I place before you, dear reader, for your judgement some of Mr. Bush's statements. Since the long arm of America cannot reach into your heads to force you to change your mind, you alone will know if he is or isn't.
Following are some quotations from George W. Bush. There are several thousand pages composed entirely of "Bushims" as they are known. I offer you a mere sampling here.
1) "I was proud the other day when both Republicans and Democrats stood with me in the Rose Garden to announce their support for a clear statement of purpose: you disarm, or we will." - George W. Bush, speaking about Saddam Hussein, Manchester, N.H., Oct. 5, 2002.
2) "People say, how can I help on this war against terror?How can I fight evil? You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in's house and say I love you." - George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2002.
3) "It is white." - George W. Bush, asked by a child in Britain what the White House was like, July 19, 2001.
4) "Do you have blacks, too?" - George W. Bush, to Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso, Nov. 8, 2001, as reported in an April 28, 2002, Estado Sao Pauloan column by Fernando Pedreira, a close friend of President Cardoso.
5) "We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, as we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease." - George W. Bush, at a news conference in Europe, June 14, 2001.
6) "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test." - George W. Bush, Feb. 21, 2001.
7) "There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." George W. Bush, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002.
8) "There's no cave deep enough for America, or dark enough to hide." - George W. Bush, Oklahoma City, Aug. 29, 2002.
9) "I promise you I will listen to what has been said here, even though I wasn't here." - George W. Bush, speaking at the President's Economic Forum in Waco, Texas, Aug. 13, 2002.
10) "The trial lawyers are very politically powerful. But here in Texas we took them on and got some good medical - medical malpractice." - George W. Bush, Waco, Texas, Aug. 13, 2002.
11) "We've tripled the amount of money - I believe it's from $50 million up to $195 million available." - George W. Bush, Lima, Peru, March 23, 2002.
12) "I am here to make an announcement that this Thursday, ticket counters and airplanes will fly out of Ronald Reagan Airport." - George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Oct. 3, 2001.
13) "We are fully committed to working with both sides to bring the level of terror down to an acceptable level for both." - George W. Bush, after a meeting with Congressional leaders, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2001.
2) I think anybody who doesn't think I'm smart enough to handle the job is underestimating. - George W. Bush reported in U.S. News & World Report, April 3, 2000.
Were the people who described President George W. Bush as "idiot" or "moron" underestimating? It is true that all of us do and say idiotic things, that there are times our words and actions border on the moronic, but given the samples and examples are these illustrative of a way of life or the norm for George W. Bush? If that is the case, what does it say about him? Do you think him capable of asking when he sees a sign that says "Free Big Mac, Why? What did he do?" Do you think that if he found out his daughter was pregnant he would reassure her with the words, "Don't worry. Maybe it isn't yours?" If you do then you are moron the ball than he is.
Tony Deyal was last seen asking, "What's the difference between Mussolini and George W. Bush?" Mussolini was elected.
