Comments on: Friday Bush Retrospective http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2008/11/friday-bush-retrospective Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:39:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Kathy http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2008/11/friday-bush-retrospective/comment-page-1#comment-46637 Kathy Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:03:47 +0000 http://commentsfromleftfield.com/?p=6534#comment-46637 Dean, Re your first paragraph: That's such a disingenuous question, I'm surprised even you would pretend you don't know what I am saying you are in denial about -- whether you agree or not. Re your 2nd paragraph: The chart at Politico does go back as far as Truman, that is absolutely true. Which is why I mentioned that Bush will be leaving office the most unpopular president in 56 years, which is when the Truman presidency ended. I've certainly read the assertions that the Truman presidency is much more favorably regarded now than it was in 1952, but the places I've read those assertions are all either right-wing bloggers or media pundits. I haven't seen any actual factual support, outside of right-wing sources (or inside right-wing sources for that matter) for the argument that Truman was "one of the 20th century's greatest presidents." I think it's fair to say that Truman's image improved over the years and is better now than it was when he left office, but that's not saying much that's positive for George W. Bush. It's certainly possible, as I read one place today that I can't now remember, that decades from now Bush will be viewed as merely incompetent, rather than as a lying, manipulative, amoral war criminal who shredded the Constitution and moved the U.S. closer to being like our enemies in terms of human rights as opposed to influencing other countries to move closer to being like the U.S. was before Bush. But that's not saying much, is it? Dean,

Re your first paragraph: That’s such a disingenuous question, I’m surprised even you would pretend you don’t know what I am saying you are in denial about — whether you agree or not.

Re your 2nd paragraph: The chart at Politico does go back as far as Truman, that is absolutely true. Which is why I mentioned that Bush will be leaving office the most unpopular president in 56 years, which is when the Truman presidency ended.

I’ve certainly read the assertions that the Truman presidency is much more favorably regarded now than it was in 1952, but the places I’ve read those assertions are all either right-wing bloggers or media pundits. I haven’t seen any actual factual support, outside of right-wing sources (or inside right-wing sources for that matter) for the argument that Truman was “one of the 20th century’s greatest presidents.”

I think it’s fair to say that Truman’s image improved over the years and is better now than it was when he left office, but that’s not saying much that’s positive for George W. Bush. It’s certainly possible, as I read one place today that I can’t now remember, that decades from now Bush will be viewed as merely incompetent, rather than as a lying, manipulative, amoral war criminal who shredded the Constitution and moved the U.S. closer to being like our enemies in terms of human rights as opposed to influencing other countries to move closer to being like the U.S. was before Bush. But that’s not saying much, is it?

]]> By: Dean Esmay http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2008/11/friday-bush-retrospective/comment-page-1#comment-46633 Dean Esmay Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:05:36 +0000 http://commentsfromleftfield.com/?p=6534#comment-46633 What is it I'm supposed to be in denial about exactly? I don't deny that the President is disliked, and I don't deny that he's been the subject of some of the most vicious and hateful rhetoric in Presidential history. So by linking me as "in denial," I have to ask, what is it that I'm denying? Since I don't deny that he's unpopular at the moment, what else would I be denying to note the vicious nastiness in how he was treated from the moment he stepped into office? Good grief. Although it is rather ironic that when you bring up the approval ratings, you mention Truman, since he also left office with incredibly low approval ratings. Guess what? Harry's remembered as one of the 20th Century's greatest Presidents, and is a beloved figure both in his own party and the opposition party. So who's in denial about what here? Methinks you may be in denial about the vicious nasty irrationality of many of his critics--and might you just be one of the vicious nasty irrational ones yourself? I suppose time will tell. Still, take a good hard look in the mirror and consider the matter, I encourage you. Pax. What is it I’m supposed to be in denial about exactly? I don’t deny that the President is disliked, and I don’t deny that he’s been the subject of some of the most vicious and hateful rhetoric in Presidential history. So by linking me as “in denial,” I have to ask, what is it that I’m denying? Since I don’t deny that he’s unpopular at the moment, what else would I be denying to note the vicious nastiness in how he was treated from the moment he stepped into office? Good grief.

Although it is rather ironic that when you bring up the approval ratings, you mention Truman, since he also left office with incredibly low approval ratings. Guess what? Harry’s remembered as one of the 20th Century’s greatest Presidents, and is a beloved figure both in his own party and the opposition party. So who’s in denial about what here? Methinks you may be in denial about the vicious nasty irrationality of many of his critics–and might you just be one of the vicious nasty irrational ones yourself? I suppose time will tell. Still, take a good hard look in the mirror and consider the matter, I encourage you.

Pax.

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