Commander Guy

Is George W. Bush stupid, or just inarticulate? I've been talking with some conservative friends who argue the latter and I've been trying to understand their point of view. Let's face it, we all know people who are sharp yet unable (say) to solve an algebra equation. So can't someone be deficient in English as well? And still be smart? Are communication deficiencies just more visible than mathematical deficiencies?

I'm afraid I haven't been swayed. And the reason is because we're talking about the President of the United States. I'll grant that a farmer who only utters grunts may be very smart; it takes a lot of intelligence to run a farm, but farming doesn't require a diploma from Toastmasters.

Running the country does. Communicating effectively with citizens, congress, and heads of state is crucial to the job. I'll go further and argue that effective communication isn't enough; the "leader of the free world" should be eloquent and inspiring. And well read. Not someone "looking for a book to read."

Okay, you say, all I've argued is that Bush can't do his job. His inarticulacy doesn't necessarily mean he's stupid.

Yes, I'm afraid it does. You don't have to remember your high school algebra; chances are you've never had to use it. You don't have to know the chemical make-up of the mineral quartz.* But as long as you move in circles that emphasize brain over brawn, incompetence in communication spells lower intelligence.

I come from a technical background (and family) and every mathematician, scientist, and engineer I know (the kind of people you'd generally consider to have de-emphasized language and literature in their careers) have been excellent communicators. A man who has dedicated his life to diplomacy and doesn't know the fundamentals of English grammar is (not to put too fine a point on it) a dumb fuck.

Following is a selection of "Bushisms." I lifted them from Daniel Kurtzman, who has compiled many, many, many more (these are just some of my favorites).

When you're done gawking at them you can watch a video that attempts to be objective about whether Bush is stupid or just inarticulate (more Bushisms in the video). And you can decide for yourself.

Some of my favorite Bushisms (appropriately illustrated):

"These are big achievements for this country, and the people of Bulgaria ought to be proud of the achievements that they have achieved."

"The problem with the French is that they don't have a word for entrepreneur."

"Do you [Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso] have blacks, too?"

"It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber."

"It's a time of sorrow and sadness when we lose a loss of life."

"It is clear our nation is reliant upon big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas."

"The point now is how do we work together to achieve important goals. And one such goal is a democracy in Germany."

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."

"The best way to relieve families from time to time is to let them keep some of their own money."

"My trip to Asia begins here in Japan for an important reason. It begins here because for a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times. From that alliance has come an era of peace in the Pacific."

"Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die."

"I think we agree, the past is over."

"I'm the commander---see, I don't need to explain---I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being president."

"The question is, who ought to make that decision? The Congress or the commanders? And as you know, my position is clear---I'm a commander guy."

"The relations with, uhh, Europe are important relations, and they've, uhh, because, we do share values. And, they're universal values, they're not American values or, you know---European values, they're universal values. And those values, uhh, being universal, ought to be applied everywhere."

"Border relations between Canada and Mexico have never been better."

"I understand that the unrest in the Middle East creates unrest throughout the region."

"There's only one person who hugs the mothers and the widows, the wives and the kids upon the death of their loved one. Others hug but having committed the troops, I've got an additional responsibility to hug and that's me and I know what it's like."

"Wisdom and strength, and my family, is what I'd like for you to pray for."

"There's a lot of people in the Middle East who are desirous to get into the Mitchell process. And---but first things first. The---these terrorist acts and, you know, the responses have got to end in order for us to get the framework---the groundwork---not framework, the groundwork to discuss a framework for peace, to lay the---all right."

"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."

"I think younger workers---first of all, younger workers have been promised benefits the government---promises that have been promised, benefits that we can't keep. That's just the way it is."

"One of the things I've used on the Google is to pull up maps. It's very interesting to see---I've forgot the name of the program---but you get the satellite, and you can---like, I kinda like to look at the ranch. It remind me of where I wanna be sometimes."

"And so, what General Petraeus is saying, some early signs, still dangerous, but give me---give my chance a plan to work."

"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill."

"It's very important for folks to understand that when there's more trade, there's more commerce."

"One has a stronger hand when there's more people playing your same cards."

"There are some similarities, of course [between Iraq and Vietnam]. Death is terrible."

"I like the idea of people running for office. There's a positive effect when you run for office. Maybe some will run for office and say, vote for me, I look forward to blowing up America. I don't know, I don't know if that will be their platform or not."

"I like to tell people when the final history is written on Iraq, it will look like just a comma because there is---my point is, there's a strong will for democracy."

"I said I was looking for a book to read, Laura said you ought to try Camus. I also read three Shakespeares. I've got a eck-a-lec-tic reading list."

"Forms of government matter, in my opinion. It matters how---the nature of the government in which people live."

"See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction."

"I do think we need for a troop to be able to house his family. That's an important part of building morale in the military."

"And I suspect that what you'll see, Toby, is there will be a momentum, momentum will be gathered. Houses will begat jobs, jobs will begat houses."

"The solution to Iraq---an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself---is more than a military mission. Precisely the reason why I sent more troops into Baghdad."

"I'll be glad to talk about ranching, but I haven't seen the movie [Brokeback Mountain]. I've heard about it. I hope you go---you know---I hope you go back to the ranch and the farm is what I'm about to say."

"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test."

"I'm a strong proponent of the restoration of the wetlands, for a lot of reasons. There's a practical reason, though, when it comes to hurricanes: The stronger the wetlands, the more likely the damage of the hurricane."

"I understand small business growth. I was one."

"I appreciate that question because I, in the state of Texas, had heard a lot of discussion about a faith-based initiative eroding the important bridge between church and state."

"You never know what your history is going to be like until long after you're gone."

"I firmly believe the death tax is good for people from all walks of life all throughout our society."

"Our priorities is our faith."

"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures."

"I think anybody who doesn't think I'm smart enough to handle the job is underestimating."

"I hope you leave here and walk out and say, 'What did he say?'"


*silicon-dioxide