Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Check, Please

That was one hulluva soiree, but now it's time to fold the chairs, pay the band, and settle the tab. Let's see, you had the economic collapse and deepening recession, the housing crash and implosion of our financial institutions, the corruption of the Justice Department and the renegade Vice President, two ongoing wars with a side order of torture and a generous helping of CIA secret prisons, warrantless wiretapping, the destruction of the middle class, and the city of New Orleans. All told, your share comes to 1.2 trillion dollars. Do you think we should leave a tip with that?

With yesterday's eye-popping, head-shaking press conference, Bush leaves the presidency just as he arrived, full of it. Full of self-absorption without reflection, and full of pride, who's consequences a man familiar with proverbs should understand. But Bush was never one to dwell on consequences once his "gut" told him what to do. From the very first prime-time televised speech about his "Great Stem-Cell Compromise," Bush has played the presidency as a performance piece, where he goes out, day after day, and plays an amiable Master of Ceremonies to the nefarious deeds being done behind the curtain, just like Chuck Barris putting a smiling face on all the bizarre Gong Show activities going on in the background. He memorably said in 2005, "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again, to kind of catapult the propaganda." Bush certainly catapulted it with the best of them, I only wish someone had informed him beforehand that the President's job was more than Huckster in Chief.

When Bush was asked about Obama's campaign pledge to restore the Unites State's moral standing in the world, he replied, "I strongly disagree that our moral standing has been damaged. It may be among the elites," he continued, "or parts of Europe." Who is it that Bush considers "the elites?" Oh, I remember, it's that Eastern Establishment from whence he came that now disdains him. Bush continued that he was "aware that some of them don't like me; the writers and opiners," almost poetic in blaming the messenger. In fact, Bush blamed everyone and everything except himself for the chasms of neglect that define his presidency. From bad intelligence concerning WMD in Iraq, to bad judgement over the aircraft carrier "Mission Accomplished" banner, to bad advice about the economy, nothing was his fault. Bush was merely a victim of circumstance, like a college fraternity president, embarrassed by a cheating scandal perpetrated by a few of the brothers. Of his time in office, Bush said he "had fun." At least someone did.

A question about a proposed, legal "Bush Doctrine" of pre-emptive pardons for his inquisitioners caused the President's hackles to rise and he abruptly dismissed the question, meaning "it's supposed to be a surprise." If someone's own conduct in office is felonious, do his pardons count later? Finally, addressing the viciousness of what passed as political discourse during his tenure, Bush had the gall to again compare himself with Abraham Lincoln, saying, "There was harsh discord (sic) at #16, and harsh discord for #43," neglecting the fact that aside from being President, the only thing Bush has in common with Lincoln is the hole in the head. The delusional Bush's final press conference was truly "The audacity of dope."

So far, President-elect Obama has been low-key in discussing future investigations of the Bush abuses, saying only, "No one is above the law," but there is a groundswell of people demanding accountability. I don't believe we've seen the last of George Bush in Washington D.C., only next time he'll be answering questions under subpoena in front of a congressional committee. Until that day arrives, as it surely will, my parting wish to George W. Bush is that he gather up all his American flag lapel pins and leftover "W" stickers, his jeans and boots and concho belts, all the Western-themed art and cowboy memorabilia, his "Shakespeares" and biographies of George Washington, the flags, the drapes, and that goddamned rug in the Oval Office and get the fuck out of my White House. Make room for someone who understands that the job is greater than the self-exaltation of one flawed and foolish man who remains thick as a brick until the bitter end. And I do mean bitter.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you should need him in the coming years, look for him in Paraguay where his 100,000 acre ranch should be ready by now.(no extradition treaties)

Anonymous said...

That it appears you, as well as Sputnik57, continue to suffer from what can only be described as Bush Derangement Syndrome is beyond amusing.
GWB was a major disappointment to many you would think would be counted among his supporters with his stances on continuing to myth that most in this country have no problem with immigration but do have a serious problem with ILLEGAL immigration. There is a difference but I suppose that only hate-mongers can see that. The expansion of the federal government was even by Democrat and leftist standards mind-boggling. The bloated federal "education" system continued to grow out of control while in general, producing a lot of "Johnnies" that can't read. Of course, more money will help.
The list is rather extensive but if you choose to , you get the point.
I look forward to reading this exercise in 60's communal thinking once the "messiah" is in office.
By the way ... when was it that government became the answer to "Born-again hippies". Just wondering...
Who's John Gault.

geno722 said...

Great piece Randy. We can't be rid of "W' soon enough. 7 more days is too much. They need to round up W, Cheney, Madoff, and a few other similar criminals and put them in jail. Not a country-club white-collar jail, mind you... just drop them off about 2 AM at 201 Poplar in Memphis, or Central Lockup in New Orleans, or whatever corresponds to it in whatever city you choose, throw 'em in with the general prison population, and see how that goes.

Anonymous said...

I watched the "press conference" yesterday. Randy, you're right to the inth degree. His claim that his major mistake about the banner, was meant to act responsibly and own up to the "most damnable" part of this "presidency". Just a means to diminish his actual crimes, and misdeeds. What a yoke! The real list is too GD long! I only hope that W, and the MF's who abetted him, (Connie, Wolfie, Cheney, Rummy, Pearl, Gonzalez, et.al) find themselves arrested and tried by those "Elites, and some European countries" for war crimes that they've committed, if they should chance to travel abroad now. His decision not to join the world court may come back to bite them. Hope so!!!! I don't think these fuckers will ever end up in U.S. courts. Too bad.

zephyrman

Anonymous said...

Randy,
I could not agree more with you. This man is infamous and a shame to any American that voted for him (I did last election). He is guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity (Americans, Iraqis, you name them), economic greed, where does it stop?
Bob

Anonymous said...

To Anon. at 7:55;
That's funny, I thought all the evangelicals
believed that Bush was the "messiah" when he got elected. Guess not. But Randy, if you think Bush is going anywhere but Dallas you're dreaming. His disciples are lined up ready to fall on their swords for him.

Anonymous said...

"The audacity of dope." Now that is magnificent. If I stop and think about the seed at the bottom of my disdain for the present administration and it's President, I come to the largeness of my discomfort for ignorance in power. All of the jokes about GWB are really all about his lack of available intellect and any facility of judgment with which to guide the intellect that he does have. It's the untethered jeopardy in which we and the rest of the world are placed when we have an ignorant man whose Presidency is a flower arrangement in the garland he fashions around his brow instead of a man who can see and wants the horrific responsibility that is his for the lives in a country and on a planet. Not to be taken lightly, I shouldn't think.

Unfortunately, light thinkers are forever bound up by their deficiencies in perspective, IQ, and desire to "show" everybody what they're made of......which may be a cute compensatory response in junior high school.......not so good on a battlefield, literal and figurative.

The upcoming "Messiah" is messianic only in that he can think, see most sides of a question, make decisions more based on knowledge, study, understanding, and reckoning with the potential outcomes in stark contrast to a man who hoped that a cloud will whisper in his ear about which lever to pull at which machine at the casino.

I suppose any kid who joins the team and can actually see the ball as it approaches the plate, can take a measured swing at it, and knows which way first base is, would be called Babe Ruth on a team that's used to swinging and missing every single time a ball is thrown their way for years and years and years. "Messiah"? Nope. Just a guy with brains not mush.

Anonymous said...

you could have made the same point without the profanity.

Anonymous said...

Randy

Will this blog die after January 20th or will you continue to blame Bush all during the next term?
It's so hard for me to see you being critical of Obama.

Anonymous said...

Randy, this may be your best ever. I LOVED IT. Continue with the winners, J

Anonymous said...

OMG DID YOU SEE GEORGE AND LAURA ON LARRY KING?

Anonymous said...

Yes I did. Bush said Hurricane Katrina wasn't such a low point as him being called a racist because of it. Completely delusional, Nixon style, but without the brain.

Anonymous said...

If you should need him in the coming years, look for him in Paraguay where his 100,000 acre ranch should be ready by now.(no extradition treaties)

actually, since the change of power in Paraguay, the ex-bishop/new president has said publically "no way, Jorge" to the concept of Bush pulling a Josef Mengele...

Anonymous said...

Bush 'Peter Principled' out when he was elected to the presidency. He just didn't have it and this wasn't apparent (to lots of folks) until it was too late. It is almost as if 'they' put him in a corner and told him to play video games while 'they' took care of the business of running the country. I am guessing that 'they' are the big money and power freaks who care nothing for John Q. Public and are only interested in ransacking the country. Maybe 'they' put him in power because they knew that they could get away with their rapacious ways for 8 years. He was a most ineffectual leader. I could compare his presidency with a man who passes out behind the wheel of a car which continues to run over pedestrians, fire hydrants, etc. and the car runs amok for 8 years. He gets out of the car, rubs his eyes and says, 'Well, shucks! (chuckle, chuckle) someone Mickey Finned me'. On the other hand, it will be interesting to see if you give Obama and the Democrats a pass or if you will hold their feet to the fire. The problem in this country is bigger than one man or one party. I'm afraid that we are in the position of having to cast our votes for two dysfunctional parties. I'm afraid that America's problem is more pervasive. I think that we are suffering a crisis of character that goes all the way to Main St. If that is the case, no political party will save us. We will have to be tested in the crucible of suffering until we can regain the character as a nation that is able to survive in a feral world. If we cannot regain the requisite character we are doomed. Shiva will then continue his dance of destruction and he will make Vlad the Impaler look like a choir boy by comparison. When the really bad boys come to power because the people of character failed to prevent this, horror will reign unabated. With all of its faults America is or was the world's last best hope for sustaining a viable civilization. With America out of the way, civil rights will be a thing of the past on planet Earth. Just think of what Hitler would have done if he were not stopped. He would have murdered everyone who did not look or think like him. And there are plenty of Hitlers out there to fill his place. 'Man separated from God is destined to make a hell of Earth'. There is no truer statement. Just wait and see.

Anonymous said...

DON'T LET THESE MANY YEARS OF BAD LIQUOR & PLASIC SURGERY FOOL YOU MR. SPUTNIK 57! I CAN STILL PUT A WHIPPING OF MASS DESTRUCTION ON YOU YOUR TWO TONE HAIRY HEAD! I'VE SEEN YOUR UGLY PICTURE & I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO. TRYING TO DISGUISE ALL THAT MARXIST PHILOSOPHY WITH GROUCHO GLASSES IS WEARING A LITTLE THIN WHEN IT COMES TO YOU TRASHING OUR BELOVED PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH! HE DIDN'T ASK FOR 9/11! THE WHOLE WORLD CHANGED THEN. I DOUBT ANYONE ELSE COULD'VE HANDLED IT BETTER! LAY OFF THE MAN & LET HIM WALK OUT WITH SOME DIGNITY. AND SINCE YOU KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT THE ARENA OF LIFE I CHALLENGE YOU IN THE RING! BOXING! WRESTLING! JEW*JITSU! I DO IT ALL! YOU PICK IT! BUT YOU BETTER CONTACK YOUR FRIEND FATHER FARKEN BECAUSE HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO DELIVER SOME SERIOUS LAST RITES ON YOUR DARKENED SOUL! PLUH!

Anonymous said...

Dignity? uh? Dignity? Did you say dignity? hunh? Dignity? Don't mention anything about dignity! Dignity?

Anonymous said...

Drinking man listens to the voice he hears
In a crowded room with covered up mirrors
Looking for the lost forgotten years For dignity

Father Farken said...

Dear Mickey Rourke! Congratulations on your Golden Globe Award for your role in The Wrestler! Now that your career has been rebooted - do you think that there is a possibility of a HARLEY DAVIDSON & THE MARLBORO MAN II? About Bush! I do agree that we should let George W. Bush leave in dignity....whether he deserves it or not! It's just...well...can't we get this thing moving a wee bit faster! But I must confess the African Immigrants in my church have a great respect for the man...especially in his work to fight aids & combat poverty in Africa. This could explain his participation in the African tribal dance on the White House lawn a few months back! Let's look at it this way! I campaigned heavily for Carter in the 70s & he kind of left us in a big old mess...making Ronald Reagan seem like the 2nd coming! But heck! Look at Carter today! He's a hell of an Ex-President. There is hope for ol' "W" yet! And why do you wanna pick on old Sputnik for? Why his soul is not darkened...but full of light, grace & peace! But I wouldn't mess with the man who was a disciple of Dewey Phillips , studied voice from Rufus Thomas & was taught martial arts at the Graceland School of Karati according to "E" as well as the art of body slamming under his name sake Sputnik Monroe! Plus! He knows Greg Leiberman!
By the way! At your next appointment at the plastic surgeon why don't you see about getting that IRA tatoo removed! Nortern Ireland & Ireland, Catholics, Protestants & McJews are getting it together! It's about time we did! Peace to Ireland! Shalom to all! G*D IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME! Bless yah heart! www.antimonkeybutt.com
Fr. Ferghus Farken

Anonymous said...

Dignity? Who said any thing about dignity?

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous from Farken blog: I have reached out to you with an olive branch of peace! Don't make me come after you! A Peaceful Warrior in the Service of the Lord!Yours truly!
Sireen

Anonymous said...

Sireen, I get the feeling that you are a good person at heart...just a little excitable. Your offer of peace is gratefully received. It is a shame to squabble over inconsequential matters.

Anonymous said...

Greg Lieberman! Father Farken (or anyone) please give me a report on Greg. I have known him since high school days and last saw him in July of '79 at Newby's on Highland. I think that it was called the Bullshot back then.

Anonymous said...

There will never be a cohesive youth culture like there was in the 60's/70's. The counter-culture of that day had its own music, literature, fashion, politics, spirituality, etc. which enabled fellowship and communication amongst the like-minded throughout the free world. There was a complete, and for a while, sustained culture. I have read an opinion that the internet and satellite tv,etc. has fractured the culture into countless mini-cultures and that there is not likely to be anything ever again like what we had in the 60's/70's. Anybody else have another explanation as to why there is no longer a coherent youth culture? For that matter, there appears to be nothing like a culture in America any more. Just a jumbled hodge-podge of lousy music and everyone shuffling around doing their own trip. Perhaps there are small enclaves of people with shared interests, but nothing approaching a country-wide movement. I really miss the old days. Maybe it is youth that I miss, though. One thing is for sure, though. I sure do miss all the good music that we had back then. Apparently lots of other folks do too as the popularity of classical rock radio stations bears witness to.

Father Farken said...

I haven't seen Greg since he was bartending somewhere in Midtown Memphis...I think on S. Cooper! But I do believe our Sputnik keeps up with him. I always had a lot of respect for the man. He is an original! We had a Fransiscan priest at the old Christian Brothers who heard confessions in the chapel. Fr. Francis would sometimes sip some beer or wine while hearing our boring confessions & for our penance you could bet your house it would be 5 Our Fathers & 5 Hail Mary's & a call to make a damn good Act of Contrition. One morning young Greg Lieberman walked in the chapel like a performance acter & said that he has converted to Catholicism & jumped into the confessional & told the good father "Bless me Father for I have sinned! I had sex with my mother! Shot my Daddy! Raped my sister &...my brother & blew up the house of my next door neighbors!" Greg said it loud enough for all the students could hear him! Father Francis' response? "let not your heart be troubled! That will be 5 Our Fathers & 5 Hail Mary's & make a good Act of Contrition!" Greg walked out of the Confessional & looked up into the Heavens & shouted Hallelujah!!! I have always been grateful to Greg! Hey! If G*d can forgive all that baggage...We should come boldly to the throne of grace where Love Abounds! The Peace of the Lord! FR. FERGHUS FARKEN

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing that, Father. Greg was such an interesting and unusual guy. At least when he was young. I hope that he is still faring well.

Father Farken said...

Aw yeah Greg was a great guy! He looked like a movie star, had a great sense of humor, was bright as well as street smart.,.which made me jealous because back then we Frayser boys could only be gravel road smart at best! I have a feeling he is just doing fine! Maybe Randy will give us an update. The Peace of the Lord! FFF

Anonymous said...

Thank you Mr. Anonymous! Some people would call this closure. I call it ppeness & the beginning of a beautiful relationship! Thank you Jesus! Yours truly! SIREEN

Father Farken said...

OPENESS!

Anonymous said...

Did you have to bring up the fraternity scandal?