[Wolfstar]

Good evening, snugs. Don't know if you're still around. It's pretty late. Thank you for this first Dose of the year. :)

In this photo, in addition the GHWB and Barbara, I see former Secretary of State James Baker and former Senator Alan Simpson. Simpson was on a local talk radio show about two weeks ago, talking about the Iraq Study Group and GWB's rejection of their report. Simpson was saying that he doesn't understand why GWB is being "so stubborn" about Iraq. Among other things, Simpson said he "watched that boy grow up," and he "never used to be that way."

I have a very strong opinion about what I believe to be a severe betrayal of GWB by...well, let's just say people who held government jobs during Bush 41's time in office. I have never expressed my full opinion about this here on FR, and probably never will. Also, I realize the photo has to do with honoring a dead president. Still, my anger when I see Baker, Simpson and a number of others is difficult to hold back. They are the same people who helped sink Bush 41's chance at a 2nd term.

[snugs]

I must admit Simpson confuses me one day he says something that is brilliant and very pro the Administration and then another time is is almost exactly opposite.

He has done this a few times in relation to Dick Cheney who is supposed to be a close personal friend.

I think that regardless of what you may say in private to a friend to publicly disagree with them over certain issues is bad form. Better not comment publicly and just mention your reservations in private after all is that not what mature grown ups are supposed to do.

We will never all agree about everything and in some areas the disagreement maybe massive but many people remain friends but I cannot understand when so called friends not only disagree publicly but do it in a manner that is unseemly.

[snugs]

Addendum to my last post re Simpson I have in the past tried to be kind and put it down to him getting older and maybe wanting to please all men but from what you are saying this behaviour is nothing new - interesting.

[texicali]

Wolfstar...that has always bothered me as well....but our President is his own man...remember he was there during alot of his father's presidency and saw what was going on...the loyalty in that family I understand as I have that same trait myself hence Baker and Scowcroft and some others being on the ISG...but I knew when I started hearing and reading the leaks of the report he would formally accept the report then file it in the circular file...he remembered what happened during the 1st Gulf War and will not make that same mistake his dad made...in this vein it is important to remember who led the legal team during the 2000 recount the very same Jimmy Baker that served on the ISG...the loyalty is there but isn't a blind loyalty

[Jewels1091]

wish someone had called in and told simpson, may GWB has conviction of his belief of what he is doing. and that a presidency by committee wouldn't help anyone!

[SuziQ]

I agree with you about folks trying to sink the President. They seem to think that since they were big shots before, that they know what needs to be done now. The world has changed since 1992, and these guys don't seem to be hip to the new tricks. They're like old generals; still fighting the last war.