Class Versus Crass
Absolutely great article by Seth Swirsky regarding the stark difference between Bush and his critics. It is entitled Bush's Decency Highlights Democrats' Incivility. In it he details the kindness and class Bush has extended towards the likes of Ted Kennedy and the Clintons, and how they returned his gestures. An example:
On June 14, 2004, President and Mrs. Bush invited Bill and Hillary Clinton to the unveiling of their portraits in the East Room of the White House. A few excerpts of the president's welcoming address once again show Bush to be a man with a warm heart and generous spirit:
"President Clinton and Senator Clinton, welcome home. It's great to see Chelsea. The fact that you survived your teenage years in the White House... speaks to the fact you had a great mom and dad. Thank you all for coming back...We're really glad you're here. As you might know, my father and I have decided to call each other by numbers. He's 41, I'm 43. It's a great pleasure to honor number 42. We're glad you're here, 42...Mr. Rodham did have the joy of seeing his only daughter become America's First Lady. And I know he would not be surprised to see her as she is today, an elected United States Senator, and a woman greatly admired in our country."
Since that evening, Senator Clinton has repaid the President's kindness towards her and her family by saying, among other mean-spirited things: "I sometimes feel that Alfred E. Neuman is in charge in Washington" and "I predict to you that this Administration will go down in history as one of the worst that has ever governed our country." (The last said on Martin Luther King's birthday, a day that should symbolize a coming together of parties and people of diverse viewpoints).
There are many more examples in the article. Read it.
JASmius adds: At what point, though, does "class" decompose into a debilitating lack of self-respect? Is there not a difference between not sinking to your enemies' level and obsequiously prostrating yourself before them for the faint chance of currying their passing goodwill?
That's always been the problem with the "New Tone" gimmick - it was always a pre-emptive one-way street. The alternative isn't to "play chicken" with opposing "traffic," but simply to take another route. Maddeningly, this president will hear nothing of it.
After getting repeatedly run over for five and a half years, I have to question what George Bush would have to lose by becoming, for once, a "major league asshole." Especially as turning the other cheek has not only failed miserably, but is putting national security at escalating risk.
Jennifer replies: I don't agree that GWB has any lack of self-respect whatsoever. He's a good, decent man, in sharp contrast to the liberals surrounding him. I'm sure he'd love to tell Ted Kennedy where to shove his comments, but he's too much of a gentleman to do so...at least within earshot. :-)
On June 14, 2004, President and Mrs. Bush invited Bill and Hillary Clinton to the unveiling of their portraits in the East Room of the White House. A few excerpts of the president's welcoming address once again show Bush to be a man with a warm heart and generous spirit:
"President Clinton and Senator Clinton, welcome home. It's great to see Chelsea. The fact that you survived your teenage years in the White House... speaks to the fact you had a great mom and dad. Thank you all for coming back...We're really glad you're here. As you might know, my father and I have decided to call each other by numbers. He's 41, I'm 43. It's a great pleasure to honor number 42. We're glad you're here, 42...Mr. Rodham did have the joy of seeing his only daughter become America's First Lady. And I know he would not be surprised to see her as she is today, an elected United States Senator, and a woman greatly admired in our country."
Since that evening, Senator Clinton has repaid the President's kindness towards her and her family by saying, among other mean-spirited things: "I sometimes feel that Alfred E. Neuman is in charge in Washington" and "I predict to you that this Administration will go down in history as one of the worst that has ever governed our country." (The last said on Martin Luther King's birthday, a day that should symbolize a coming together of parties and people of diverse viewpoints).
There are many more examples in the article. Read it.
JASmius adds: At what point, though, does "class" decompose into a debilitating lack of self-respect? Is there not a difference between not sinking to your enemies' level and obsequiously prostrating yourself before them for the faint chance of currying their passing goodwill?
That's always been the problem with the "New Tone" gimmick - it was always a pre-emptive one-way street. The alternative isn't to "play chicken" with opposing "traffic," but simply to take another route. Maddeningly, this president will hear nothing of it.
After getting repeatedly run over for five and a half years, I have to question what George Bush would have to lose by becoming, for once, a "major league asshole." Especially as turning the other cheek has not only failed miserably, but is putting national security at escalating risk.
Jennifer replies: I don't agree that GWB has any lack of self-respect whatsoever. He's a good, decent man, in sharp contrast to the liberals surrounding him. I'm sure he'd love to tell Ted Kennedy where to shove his comments, but he's too much of a gentleman to do so...at least within earshot. :-)
posted by Jennifer at 4:13 AM
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