Rolling Stone - Dissed And Dismissed

Rolling Stone has a silly article regarding he prospects of Bush eventually being labeled the worst President in American History. There are several good reasons why the article is nothing but a bunch of silly nonsense, not the least of which is, Rolling Stone is about as relevant to the nation's current political discourse as a bag of bad ten dollar Mexican weed from the seventies is relevant to today's drug culture.

Both also have another thing in common - they can amuse the inexperienced, perhaps even providing a good laughing fit. They'll also both leave you hungry for something a bit more, shall we say, substantive.

In terms of any eventual History, RS makes at least one incredibly glaring ommission - James Earl Carter. Does anyone really believe that any eventual History will compare Carter's isolated energy crisis with Bush's inherited dot com bubble burst, subsequent Wall Street crash augmented by those nasty corporate accounting scandals? Yet, today under Bush the economy is booming, while Carter was summarily dismissed from the Presidency by the American people because he couldn't do a thing but complain.

And what of Carter's hostage crisis, which he never did manage to solve? Any chance History will view it on par with 9/11 and the Afghan War? The reality is the Bush '43 Presidency has endured more challenges than any recent administration and serious history, because it is history, won't have the chance to even begin judging him for years.

One would think that Historians, of all people, would have the good sense to know that one cannot make assessments of historical proportion by reading the day's headlines. The article takes the exact opposite view. Were there any seriousness left to this old counter culture player become mildly amusing rag, they'd realize that. I suspect some of their older, now retired editors certainly would.

Barring a cataclysmic event on the order of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, after which the public might rally around the White House once again, there seems to be little the administration can do to avoid being ranked on the lowest tier of U.S. presidents.

To cut to the chase - let's talk Bush '43 history given what we do know today.

The economy? Not much of anything to criticize there come 20, 50 or 100 years from now. Geo-politics, the source of most of Bush's problems today ... imagine a world in fifty years where little d democracy has legitimately taken hold in the Middle East and a portion of the world previously relegated to third world status and totalitarian regimes propped up by armies, or petrol dollars becomes a thing of the past. That and ultimately that is likely the only thing which will ever bring peace to the Middle East as regards the existence of Israel ... and how many previous Presidents have tried to solve that issue with no real progress?

But if it happens, as it most assuredly could, there will be one Father to that ultimately fulfilled dream - George Bush '43 and no one else. Put that in your History book, Rolling Stone. Assuming you ever even opened one back in your long lost, high profile college days.

As regards the challenges facing any recent presidency, name some? What was Clinton's 9/11, his dot com crash and subsequent Wall Street bubble-burst, additionally fueled by various corporate accounting scandals du jour? Here's a clue, he didn't have any such challenges, yet still managed to accomplish, well, not much in all of eight years. And neither Bush 41, nor Reagan had to face the types of serious challenges across multiple fronts this administration has.

Like it or not, the Bush administration has faced several of the toughest challenges that could face any presidency in areas including the economy, Geo-politics and war. But some silly Historians evidently are more obsessed with headlines, than actual history - so much for not graying the subject matter, perfessors.  Ultimately, the most of today's historians won't ever rate so much as a footnote to history, let alone write a distinguished tome.

Today's history in progress cannot be written or even comparatively against a history of a Lincoln, or anyone else for that matter. There is no history to compare. It's a silly exercise in apples and oranges thinking unfit for a serious academician, unless of course they might eventually have a book to sell.

But, hey, what the hell, Look, Ma! I got my picture in Rolling Stone. Um, no ... I didn't make the cover. Even at Rolling Stone, that's occasionally reserved for someone, ... you know, actually important.

Whether you agree with him or not is a fair question. But one thing is certain - Bush '43 does have vision. There was a time when Rolling Stone had it, too. Unfortunately, those days seem to be gone. Just too much bad weed over tiem, I suppose.

Comments

[bryce]

In the end people will remember Bush for the Iraq war, thanks to Rumsfeld I doubt those memories will be very good.

[xxx]

I am absolutely certain Bush is going to go down as the worst president in the history of this country, bar none.

[splashtc]

In the history of the world-Bush will be remembered as the american president who had the cahonies to confront Islamic terrorists etc...

[Ed]

Sean Wilentz, a fairly well respected historian, notes that ranking Bush while he is still in office is just his view on where he will ultimately be judged, Given that caveat, he presents a pretty solid case.

"The economy? Not much of anything to criticize there come 20, 50 or 100 years from now."

Are you kidding me? Doubling the deficit in 8 years? The long-term effect of Bush's fiscal mismanagement my be even more devastating on the countries future than we can predict. I wouldn't count on economic performance saving his legacy.

[bryce]

Herbert hoover will always be #1

[Dan]

Doubling the deficit in 8 years? The long-term effect of Bush's fiscal mismanagement ...

blah blah blah, substitute Reagan and they said the sme thing. Good, get a new tune writer, these memes are old. Teh learn economics - trade is more important than the current deficit, ultimately. especially in the world we live in today. Reagan was going to destroy America with the deficit ... until it all but disappeared due to tax cuts and economic growth. Yawn....

[Chazz]

Hey Dan,

How much did you get paid to post this propaganda!?

Hasta Luego,

Chazz.

[Ed]

Dan,

You're right, In fact your Credit Card companies agree with you. Keep running up those debts, all the business you stimulate will end up paying them off!

[warrenb]

Republican POSER

[tester]

"imagine a world in fifty years where little d democracy has legitimately taken hold in the Middle East and a portion of the world previously relegated to third world status and totalitarian regimes propped up by armies, or petrol dollars becomes a thing of the past."

Yeah, right. Put down your crack pipe.

"Yet, today under Bush the economy is booming"

Huh? Do we live in the same United states?

[bryce]

It took tax increases by both Bush 41 and Clinton to undue the Reagan deficit.

Bush 43 will probably be remembered much like Lyndon Johnson both of them started a war and then lost.

[annie]

What a load of white flag waving, liberal, left wing Democrats, you got on here today!!

And what a bunch of cowards.

When the going gets a bit rough, 'well we're all for pulling out of here guys, don't want to get hurt'!!

Get your head out of the sand you idiots, the enemy brought the war to you on 9/11. You act like the cowards you are and he will be back, only with far worse next time, that you can bet on!!

President Bush is to be applauded for going after them and not sitting on his backside merely talking about it!!

[bryce]

Good point about 9/11. When is someone going to go after Bin Laden?
The problem with Iraq is not so much going to war in Iraq, the problem is losing the war to Iraq. Donald Rumsfeld has to go.

[mylena]

@ dan : the problem is in whose hands are the debts of the US? you might wonder who in fact owns US....

[Ed]

And exactly what enemy are you referring to Annie? The ones who attacked us? Or are all Muslims enemies? Is it all right we only go after the ones involved in the attack or do we have to subscribe to the view that ethnic cleansing of all Muslims is the only solution?

That's one of Bush's primary errors making him a contender for Worst President, he squandered the support of all Americans by going off on his ill-fated Iraq crusade instead of consolidating the gains in Afghanistan and focusing on al Queda.

Time to get off the kool-aid Annie. Bush's strong support is down to 17%.

[annie]

Ed

Yack, yack, yack!!

Another armchair General!!

Don't worry Ed, 9/11 was just an illusion, it didn't really happen, and while you are figuring out who the enemy is, I would advise you to watch your back!!

[Pug]

Dan, you listen to too much talk radio. You are right, though: Reagan was going to destroy America with the deficits. Now it's Bush's turn as he plays pale, cheap imitation Ronald Reagan. You have a lot to learn about how the deficits disappeared. It took tax increases by the first Bush and Clinton, combined with spending restraint imposed mainly by a Repbulican Congress (remember those Republicans?). That's how it disappeared. You see anything remotely like that now, Dan? Me neither.

Annie: "blah, blah...you're all a bunch of cowards...blah, blah.....", she says while sitting on her ass at a computer. You're the one who needs some new material.

[annie]

What's the matter Pug, too close to the truth for comfort!!

[mylena]

@annie first of all i thought you were living in the UK? right?
Who are precise the enemies ? just give a plain answer on that?
Terroisme itself is nothing new, you should now that....

[annie]

mylena

As you are from the Netherlands,

Is that a 'token' answer!!

[junius]

Um....Carter solved the hostage crisis. The problem for Carter is he didn't solve it fast enough for the election. Or do you think that Reagan was so great that he gets inagurated and that very day he solves the Iran hostage crisis?

[raindrops]

And what a bunch of cowards.

Posted by: annie | Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 02:31 PM

And are you posting your opinions from the war zone, annie? What qualifies you personally as a great hero?? I am sick to death of people throwing around the word COWARD, every time someone disagrees with President Bush or any of his policies. People in this country have the right to disagree with the president in power without automatically being labelled as anti-patriotic or subversive. Supporting the president, supporting the country, and supporting the troops are not the same thing. It is entirely possible to support the ideals of the the country as a whole and to support the troops of this country without supporting a particular president.

I am not naive enough to think we don't need to defend ourselves against terrorists, but I also am not foolish enough to extend any president complete and total unconditional support without questioning his motives and methods. That's my job as a responsible citizen of the US. If you want to be an unthinking slug, that's your disgrace.

[mylena]

not so smart annie: sweetheart I live in the States for more than 6 years and am married to an american...

[mylena]

so maybe you still can answer,,,, but eej quess you have a bit of trouble?

[annie]

What happened to free speech in the US then??

If I believe you are a bunch of cowards, I have a right to say that, so don't try and shut me up with abuse!!

That is your answer to everything you disagree with, hurl abuse at them, from the President on down!!

Sad!!

[annie]

'mylena'

You are originally from the Netherlands, so don't try and pass yourself off as an American.

I mentioned 'token', because that is the Netherland's response to just about everything, 'token'!!

Sweetheart!!!

[mylena]

o serious annie, you are getting pathetic... why dont you just keep sitting in the UK preteding you now more than us citizens... and thinking people actually listen to you....

[mylena]

o and come over here Virgini, we do a lot of SWEETHEART talk here, nothing offensive by the way, southern warmth HON

[mylena]

oh and before we are getting into my typing mistakes i make... my son took some keys off AGAIN...

[Dan]

Um....Carter solved the hostage crisis

LOL Yeah by losing to someone they knew would actually hold them accountable. And Carter doesn't hold terrorist to account right up to today.

[annie]

mylena

Isn't there a 'token' website somewhere you can go post on??

[mylena]

haha what makes you think you are more allowed than me too post here.. Do you like to repeat yourself by the way?

[mylena]

and not to mention we pay the US goverment about 1milj dollars a year taxes for the past year.... token

[mylena]

so maybe you still can answer,,,, but eej quess you have a bit of trouble?

[annie]

mylena

Perhaps the people in the US should bow down and kiss your feet then for paying all those taxes!

This is 'voluntary' contribution, you are talking about??

Or was it what everybody else has to do if they live and earn in the US??

Why preen yourself over that??

[mylena]

sweetheart there we go again, you have in my opinion NO clue where you are talking about they you like to attack ME for being Dutch
well then all i am saying i have been contributing MORE than you do miss....so you can talk the talk... thats all you do

[mylena]

you have no clue because you sit in the UK , thats why you have no clue. and basically we are very happy we pay lots less taxes than we used to

[annie]

Whatever, Mylena, Whatever!!

Don't bother to keep posting back to me, just go enter yourself for the 'I AM WONDERFUL' contest, I am sure there must be one somewhere!!

I am probably seconding that for all those who have ever known you!!

Yawn, Yawn!!

[mylena]

well sweetie the ALL FULL OF YOURSELF is glowing off your text, if you weren't aware of that... by all means i think i m the only one talking to you

have a good sleep, where do you live in UK? my husband is in London now

[mylena]

oh i didnt mean anything by that, eeks now i read it again....

[FloridaPatty]

Millard Filmore. Who? yeah.

[junius]

"LOL Yeah by losing to someone they knew would actually hold them accountable."

Funny, Ronald Reagan holding them accountable. You mean just like he did to those that killed 241 US Servicemen in Lebanon? Or do you not remember what Reagan did the next day? Invade that hotbed of terrorism, Grenada. That would be like if after 9-11, George Bush invaded Aruba instead of Afghanistan. And let's not forget a few years later Reagan sells arms to the same people who held the hostages(Iran Contra) and were probably complicit in the deaths of those servicemen.I bet he had them shaking in their turbans.