George W. Bush and his family, an old subsite of memories

I believed it too and almost EVERYONE on FR ( with the exception of a few libertarians) enthusiastically supported him. Its very disingenuous to pretend otherwise. Yes we became disappointed as his second term dragged on and our eyes became opened somewhat, but I don't remember hardly anyone outright speaking against him until somewhat in the middle of Obama’s term. We realized we’d been really played by the RNC and Bush was a part of that. But to say we all saw through him from the beginning isnt true. We were so relieved to have someone we thought was a true conservative after the vile Bill Clinton years.

> I believed it too and almost EVERYONE on FR ( with the exception of a few libertarians) enthusiastically supported him. <

You’ve got that right. I voted for W without hesitation in 2000. And the bold way W acted right after 9/11...I was sure he was the right man for the job. Was I wrong.

Then came the 2004 election. I didn’t vote for Kerry. But I didn’t vote for W either. I lost a few conservative friends over that.

He has disappointed me at such a deep level when he wouldn’t fight back during his terms and when he kept quiet during Obama and when he fought Trump. I stopped contributing to the RNC during his terms and told them they had to fight in order for me to contribute.

You and me both. I got very tired of defending him when he refused to defend himself...and by extension, was leaving his supporters twisting in the wind.

The last straw was his shameful treatment of Border Patrol Officers Campion and Ramos. But Gore or Kerry would have been infinitely worse.

Can’t hardly say that anymore after the current Republican congress. They are every bit as bad as the Democrats.

Take away Trump’s judicial appointments and this Republican congress is probably one of the worst congresses in history for an inability to do anything. If breathing wasn’t an involuntary action these dumbasses couldn’t do that.

The worst feeling in the world is that of having been betrayed by someone you supported and defended wholeheartedly.

Along with the feeling of hurt and betrayal is the self-condemnation for ever having believed the betrayer, and going out on a limb to defend him. I lost friends, jobs, customers, and clients (which meant taking a financial hit that I could not afford) because I defended President Bush against leftist attacks back in the day. I did not join FR till 2009, so I did not even have this forum to express myself back then.

That is why there is so much bitterness on this site against George W. Bush. Many people who supported him now look back and think, “How Could I have been so stupid?”, which is a horrible feeling. Nobody likes to think that they have been “Had” no matter where they stand politically.

Being a victim of a con is a sure-fire way to feel like a JERK for allowing oneself to have been deceived, for ignoring red flags, and for making excuses for people against one’s better judgement. That anger gets translated into real resentment and loathing, and is perfectly understandable.

I can’t stand Gore, Kerry, or the Clintons, but I never supported them, so I don’t have the added element of “Betrayal” added to my list of grievances against them.

Just a possible explanation of some of the more bitter postings you are receiving on this thread.

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