The Bush Log (GREAT read)

POLITICS: The Bush Log (PP: Bee-Bots) By E.G. Ross, Editor Nothing is unthinkable, nothing impossible to the balanced person, provided it arises out of the needs of life and is dedicated to life's further developments. —Lewis Mumford

THE WHITE HOUSE (George W. Bush, Personal Log, May 17, 2001)—Well, they're at it again. The conservatives and libertarians, in and out of the media. Bitchin' at me for spendin' too much money. Cavin' in, they call it. Cow-towin' to the liberal porkers, they say. Abandonin' my free-market principles, they claim. Didn't like me signin' the farm bill. No, sir. Or the campaign finance reform bill. Or for askin' for steel tariffs, more prescription drug benefits, or bigger bucks for education. They've been getting' pretty huffy about these compromises of mine. But am I worried? Not really. Not about that. You see, I got plenty on my plate and I don't believe in frettin' and fussin' in the wrong directions. You wanna understand me? Then understand that.

The critics forget. What they forget could fill Texas stadium. For one thing, they forget that the American people like me. Like what I'm doin'. 'Specially like my priorities. What's my biggest priority? The war. Operation Enduring Freedom. I called it that for a reason. But it already seems to be fadin' in the critics minds, even though I laid it out to 'em plain and true on national TV several times. I guess some people just can't fill a boot no matter how many times you give 'em a pair to try on.

They also seem to forget that if we don't win this war, we're gonna suffer some slams that'll make the 9/11 Massacre look like a black eye at recess. I don't forget that. I can't afford to. Don't have the luxury. I don't forget those l'il porkers across the aisle in Congress, either. Not to mention the porkers in my own party. There's plenty of 'em. And I don't forget that you gotta give in order to get. Maybe it ain't nice, but that's politics in America today. Might be different some day. Don't know. But that's how it is now and I gotta live with it.

I know, above everythin' else, I hafta get my war budget. Hafta get my defense, security, and intelligence bills passed and funded. That's tops. Numero uno. All else salutes that flag. 'Cause if we lose this War on Terr'ism, we might as well drop the rest of our money down the nearest two-holer. If the terr'ists win, then the rest of it ain't gonna matter. I know that. I keep that in mind. I go to sleep with that every night. Ask Laura. She knows.

Just a couple days ago, the spy-eye boys told me old Osama and his buddies have put another couple hundred of their boys into the US. Snuk 'em in through our still-porous borders. They're plannin' somethin' big. We don't know 'xactly what it is, but it's big, and that scares me. We don't know because our intelligence ain't up to snuff. Let's be honest. For the previous eight years Uncle Sam let it run to rust. Hell, ol' Clinton hardly ever even listened to his intel boys. Never knew what was goin' on and when they did get through now and then, he ignored 'em. That's why I got these problems, but I can't say that in public. Too grumpy-soundin'. Gotta keep the spirits of the country up. Gotta keep the bi-partisan coalition in Congress solid. Can't risk bein' nasty to the other party. Gotta do that bi-partisan stuff in war. Ol' Roosevelt and Truman knew it. Darn smart attitude. So far, it's workin'. The polls show me with an 80% or better trust ratin'. Best ever since World War II. That's great, 'cause it helps me get things done. The liberals gripe and groan, but enough are supportin' me to keep the war goin' okay.

And don't underestimate their help. I need all the allies I can get in Congress. This is a new kind of fight. A big one. Bigger than a lot of people know. Very widespread, very dangerous. In private, I call it World War IV. (The Cold War was World War III.) Make no mistake about it, this is a world war. Trouble is, it's pretty much up to America to lead—if we're gonna win. How come? 'Cause our allies let their defenses go to pot even more than we did over the last decade. Their ability to help is sadly limited. We're the only place on the planet that's got the motive and the muscle for a job of this magnitude. We're the only ones who can take on Osama and all the rest of the terr'ists and smack 'em like they deserve to be smacked.

And we'll succeed. Don't ever doubt it. But it's a crash job. That's important to remember. Lotta neglect to make up for. Lotta catchin' up to do in the middle of the campaign. I know things are slippin' through our defenses, too. I worry about it. I go to sleep wonderin' what I'll wake up to and how many lives might be lost and what nasty surprises I'm gonna have to deal with the next day. That's what I think about 90% of the time—not pork or politics. Thousands of innocent lives got snuffed by the evil-doers on September 11th. It cut me deep. Really did. Aged me. Shook me up—but hardened my resolve, too. Let me know where my real job lies. It's a war and I gotta come out on top. I owe the country that. Gotta keep America safe—and, frankly, I don't care if it costs a lot to do it. Far as I'm concerned, that's darned near irrelevant.

One of the costs is signin' those pork bills, the ones the critics on the right keep yammerin' about. They don't seem to see that if I don't give 'em to the liberals, given how thin the GOP's control of Congress is, then I won't get my defense and intelligence and homeland security bills. Good chance I won't; at least I won't get enough. There's nothin' so surly and obstructionist as a disgruntled liberal. I don't say that in public either, but I know it. They're reluctant allies anyway. Most of 'em don't partic'lary like the military at the get-go. So I can't let 'em wreck this war effort. Can't risk it. Can't let the war be lost because I'm balled up fightin' piddly battles about farm bills, education, a tariff or two, and so on. Gotta set those differences aside for now—even though it sticks in my craw to do it. Believe me, I know the principles involved. I was the candidate who graduated with the MBA. In an ideal world, I can even understand my critics' disappointment. But darn it, we don't live in an ideal world and there's just no time for all that. Too many people's lives are in danger every day. The public seems to remember it, but I'm not so sure everybody in Congress does anymore. Not as well as they should.

Despite what some in the Al Gore camp still believe, I didn't just fall off a hay wagon. I can see that Congress is startin' to nip at me from the alleys. Startin' to lose its sense of urgency about the war. Losin' its priorities. Forgettin' how terrible the terr'ists can be. Heard from one of the military intel boys the other day that the terr'ists want to hit the US again—hard, soon. Maybe around the 4th of July or some other important holiday. Maybe as early as Memorial Day or even Armed Forces Day this month, or Flag Day in June. Wanna whack us where it hurts again on some day that's important to us. Wanna hit us hard. Wanna kill a lot of middle-class Americans, bring it home, show us they can strike anywhere, anytime. Make us bend and give up.

I understand the terr'ists, I really do. The 9/11 Massacre was just their openin' shot. They're driven by religious fanaticism. Never forget that. They don't think like we do. Their radical mullahs and muftis tell 'em that if they keep hittin' us, they can destroy our will to resist. They haven't figured out that it doesn't work that way with Americans. Americans get riled. They get madder an' madder. Then they get goin'. The terr'ists haven't figured out that if they hit us again, we'll escalate in a way they can't imagine. They think they've already seen our Terrible Swift Sword, but they've only seen a few pokes from it. On some things—like survival—Americans just aren't a tolerant people. It was too darned hard to win this country. Americans know what survival cost us and our ancestors. They ain't givin' it up to a bunch of fanatical theocrats stuck in 8th century thinkin'.

Am I worried? You bet I am. 'Cause if the terr'ists hit us again hard enough, then I'm gonna have to haul out the really big stuff. Maybe even the nukes. I've seen the possibility comin'. Don't think I haven't. That's why I quietly ordered 'em upgraded months ago. I know the chances are high that I'm gonna have to do things no president really wants to do. Might have to wipe out Tehran, Baghdad, and who knows what other cities of those nations that, despite my warnings, continue to coddle the terr'ists. That's how hot the American people's rage is gonna burn if we get hit hard again. I may end up in Truman's position with the Japs. Like they said to Truman, the American people will say to me, "Get them sumbitches before they hit us again!" I might have to do that. The cost could be high. Could be a lot of innocent lives lost. A lot of collateral damage. A lot of political damage to alliances, too. I know all that. I've seen the data. Heard the experts. I know what goin' nuke could cost us. But I might have to do it anyway. Don't want to, but might have to.

See, if I don't get my military precision weapons, intelligence upgrades, and the other war-fightin' goodies I need—real soon—then the terr'ists are gonna find another seam in Uncle Sam's suit. Like the hornets they are, they're gonna swarm in and sting us a lot more than they did on 9/11. Saw a private preview of the new Tom Clancy film, The Sum of All Fears, the other night. It hit home. I know that stuff could happen for real. The terr'ists ain't afraid to use nukes if they get 'em. And the longer it takes for us to wipe out their cells and bases and tone down the nations that support 'em, then the more likely that a Clancy scenario could come true. Can't let it happen. Pray that it won't. Pray every night.

I don't let on to the public about my fears. Can't. A president can't afford to do much of that. Bad for national morale. But it drives me into cold sweats thinkin' about it. No, I don't let on, but I see it in my nightmares. I see it in my face in the mirror every mornin', too. Gettin' grayer fast now. Gettin' deeper lines. More haggard lookin'. Stomach doesn't always feel good. Takes a toll. Grinds at me, just knowin' how the terr'ists could still blind-side us. Worries me how vulnerable we are and how much there is to do. It's all on me, of course. On my shoulders. The responsibility stops at my desk.

Got good people around me, though. Smart advisors. And they all tell me what my gut already told me long time ago: don't sweat the small stuff. Stick to the big things and we'll win—and America will survive to go on as a great nation. I can't worry about domestic spendin'. Gotta swallow the bad taste and let the porkers have their swill now an' then. That's the price of keepin' the war on track. If we don't win it, well—I hate to even think about that. But the American people know. They're nobody's fools. They think like I do, in honest, simple, straight-arrow terms. I like 'em. Reagan was right. On a lot of issues, when the rubber meets the road, the people can show more sense than Congress or the media.

So I owe it to the people. Gotta live up to their trust. They're countin' on me. They believe in me. Want me to protect them and their kids and all the kids to come. That's my mission. Make no mistake about it, this is a crucial point in US history—even if the critics don't seem to realize it. It ain't complicated. For me, everythin' else is secondary to the war. Everythin' else we can recover from—a lot easier than we could recover from losin' the war. I remind myself of that every night—and again every mornin' when I look in the mirror and see another line in my face and more gray hair. Laura sees it, too. She's worried, much more than she admits or lets the press notice. She's a good gal. Tough. Compassionate. Understanding. Perfect for me. Like my prayers, she gives me strength. That's good, 'cause I'm doin' what I'm doin' for her—and for the millions of other wives, husbands, single folks, and children who are just as good, just as important.

Protect and defend. That's my number one job. That's what I'm doin' an' I don't forget it. Not for a minute. I'm determined to see it through—or die tryin'. I'll worry about the spendin' critics when the war is over. For now, let 'em moan and chew their nails. I got bigger fish to fry. Gotta keep the mission in mind: save the country from the terr'ists in this new world war. Well, need some sleep now. It's way after midnight again, and I've got another long day that starts in under four hours. Lotsa threats to deal with that the public never hears about. Lotsa things that twist my insides into a knot. But, hey. That's the job. I ain't complainin'. Just lettin' off some steam here in private. This is the job they're payin' me to do. I asked for it, I got it, and I'll do it. I swore an oath that I would, and I will. All else salutes that goal. It's a matter of priorities. A matter of the country's survival. And a matter of honor. —GWB, Personal Log, 1:05 a.m.

You seem like a nice guy and all but I find it very hard to take you seriously.

ROFLOL!! Well, my beloved husband takes me seriously, and my four grown and nearly grown children take me seriously, my college students take me seriously, and my numerous dear and thoughtful friends take me seriously. My church takes me seriously.........actually everyone who is important to me takes me seriously.

The fact that you do not merely amuses me. HA!

Actually I don't believe that either, I think President Bush is pandering to the majority of Americans, Just like Reagan did, he is taking his message to the people so he can get through what he can right now. And I think he has done a good job of it when you look what he has taken a stand on. Sure CFR is a stinker, and so is the education bill, but that don't make me hate him. Look at the first three years of Reagan's Presidency and you will see that Reagan pandered to the middle as much if not more.

Could the Free Republic please give this person the boot?

Sorry. I was here a few years before you figured out how to use your computer, and will probably be here long after your Alzheimers renders you inable to post.

Whining to the Mods eh? You Bush-bots are like effen clones of one mind. Say something less than glowing about your mascott/figurehead/hero and you want the mods to make those bad men go away.

So sorry, you don't win a cookie as it doesn't work that way in the real world.

its not all tripe ,sit your ass in the Presidents chair,read all the threats,fight congress over really petty crap and try to realise your IT the only guy elected at this moment to handle this moment,its gotta be harsh.I don't like the spending, CFR,the bi-partisan suck up anymore than you do but I do respect his effort to keep the trains running.Oh yeah and heres the cruelest insult of all have the top leaders in the other party start a smear campaign saying YOU KNEW AND DID NOTHING.Lets at least give Bush his due.

Fighting a war has nothing to do with deficit spending OUR money like a damn crack whore. It also has nothing to do with signing unconstitutional legislation.

What part of "If we don't win this war" DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND

If we don't win this war it ain't gonna matter what he signs because there won't be a constitution .. and there won't be a country for you to COMPLAIN about

Oh and you won't have to worry about speaking spanish .. because terrorists don't speak spanish

He's "pandering to the majority of Americans" but that's not buying votes? On Reagan, that was an entirely different era; Democrats and liberalism were firmly in control - that's not true today. On balance I'd say Reagan did far better relative to his environment than Bush is doing relative to his.

(For the record, I don't hate Bush.)

I think he's a great CiC and a great guy. I also think that this latest attack againt him (what did he know and when did he know it) is wrong and uncalled for.

That said, the notion that he's promoting all of this liberal and unconstitutional legislation because he's some great patriot is absolutely absurd. Just as absurd is the idea that it's all some grand scheme so that he can come out of the closet at some later date as the great conservative that he really is.

It wouldn't be so bad if he (like Reagan) held his nose and signed legislation he didn't agree with for the sake of horse trading to get what he wants, but that's not the case. Most of this stuff was on HIS INITIATIVE.

Sorry, but he should be giving some of the spoils of war (war in the political sense) to those of us who supported him, instead of pandering to those we fought against in election 2000.

This man is no conservative. In fact he's done nothing but divide us and made us fight amongst ourselves. If he had any balls he'd expend some of his political capital and do what's right instead of doing what's thought to be politically expedient.

Some here have compared him to Reagan. What a damn joke, as he couldn't hold a freaking candle to RR. Reagan led the country and the world to a path of freedom and taught many what the meaning of conservatism was.

This guy talk to Mr. Rove and sticks his finger in the wind.

Sure CFR is a stinker, and so is the education bill, but that don't make me hate him.

MJY, Bush will always take a half full glass, rather an empty one. He hasn't turned his back on these issues, but realized this was the best he was going to get out of Congress. Plus he lived up to his promise to try to end the stalemate in Washington. I think it's a rather crafty political ploy and it worked well for him in Texas. He can honestly claim he worked with the opposition, store up his political capital for a big one, and scream "obstruction" when the Dems stonewall him. I suspect he's close to screaming loud and long over his judicial nominess. He's patient and will wait and watch for an opportune moment to revisit these issues.

At some point, your presence here will be judged counter-productive. I don't know when, but it will.

I look forward to that day.

OK that's the third insulting post from you to me. The other 2 I didn't resond to because you're not worth responding to. Are you find someone else to pester now or continue to stalk me like the MJY goof-ball.

I know you hate me because I say unkind things about your precious Jorge, but get used to it. Much to your horror I'm not going away, as I'm having way too much fun watching your eyeballs bleed with hatred.

PS - I said NOT A THING TO YOU before you came on here and started hurling insults and name calling. It doesn't bother me, as your "attack anyone who is unkind to my dreamboat" SOP is pretty well known around here, we're all used to it.

Well, you attacked my friend, you attacked everyone on the DITL thread, you attacked supporters of President Bush, and you attacked President Bush himself. Calling him Jorge is not exactly endearing to his supporters.

So I guess its unfair of me to atack you, because you didn't mention me by name? Ha!

Here's a clue: I am a lady, but I do not play bean-bag. You attack my president, I will be after you in a New York minute. I am a Bushie, darn proud of it, and I am not taking any of this junk any more.

AND, I stand 100% behind my comment that you are JUST like Daschle.

You've just admitted that you attack those who speak ill of your hunk-boy. Save your your ingenious "attacks" for someone who cares. Not that your silly "attacks" bother me, they're just a total waste of time.

Maybe you don't get it M'am, but I don't care what you think. If I valued your opinion or thought you had something valuable to offer I would care. I don't care what you think about me, about the world or about the President. You're irrelavent. I never ever respond to you except to reply to you go when off on me when you forget to take your hormone pills.

Now go bother someone who does care, you're wasting your time. Do you think that someone you want to see gone actually gives a rat's ass what you think?

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