Here's to You, America: Bush's Most Public Secret

[seafan]

Here's to You, America: Bush's Most Public Secret

Justin Frank, MD
12-9-05

After this drink I'm going to stop. I promise, so help me God. These two sentences are familiar to anyone who is an alcoholic, has been an alcoholic, or has known an alcoholic. Four generations ago Eugene O'Neill portrayed a group of alcoholics promising to themselves and each other simply that they would go for a walk around the block – tomorrow.

Fast forward to December 2005 and the recently described Bush Syndrome, and look at one of its fundamental characteristics -- alcoholism. George Bush, by all counts, is an untreated alcoholic who supposedly has not been drinking for close to twenty years. Now he has traded in promises never to drink for newer, more appealing ones -- such as promising to protect America. While not so simple as taking a walk around the block, the "ism" in alcoholism is unchanged.

He promises and doesn't deliver. Partly this is because Bush's brain is compromised either by past long-term alcohol abuse or by having started drinking again. In either case Bush remains untreated. Paul Krugman wrote (December 9) that Bush "seems to have forgotten his promise" to reconstruct both Iraq and the Gulf Coast. That is true -- alcoholics do not remember promises they make. They do not even remember what the problems were in the first place -- hence no new staff members for FEMA.

If an alcoholic has the slightest disinclination, he won't follow through. Thus Bush only follows up when he is running for office or on a treadmill. But that's it. Former administration officials describe Bush as detached. Of course he is -- nobody is more detached than someone immersed in a post-alcohol haze. This is why Bush doesn't make public appearances unless his audience is heavily vetted. What strikes me is that none of the critics who have remarked on his behavior link it to alcoholism. They behave like enablers, frightened that the person in charge might be drinking.

...

It remains essential that Bush be psychologically tested -- now. It is already late in the game for a successful war on terror, for protecting the environment, health care and education, for protecting our civil liberties. And government corruption is rampant at all levels. Thus it is my ever increasing medical judgment that unless his mental functions are evaluated, President Bush must be contained by Congress. For example all appointments, such as Judge Alito, should be blocked until he is deemed mentally competent -- radical political leanings notwithstanding -- to govern.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justin-frank/heres-to-you-america-b_b_11963.html


Congress must contain Bush. No more appointments or nominations until he is evaluated. Indeed.

[stepnw1f]

1. This Guy Never started Rehabilitating

He went from one lie to another his whole life. That's why this whole country has gotten so fucked up. A rich brat destroyed America. I will never forget that FACT.

[texpatriot2004]

4. You're right. I won't forget it either. nm

[Jed Dilligan]

7. Plus

He thinks the word is "rehabilitizing" (probably)

[DemInDistress]

2. seafan...I couldn't agree more with what you just posted...

No evaluation..no more money or troops.

[jeanarrett]

3. I agree with you wholeheartedly. But who is going to force

him into an psychological or mental health evaulation? The guy can't even admit he's ever made a mistake. He would never have made it in AA anyway, even if he had gone. He has no humility. His life is not unmanageable, he's got no regrets, etc. The guy claims this sober. I've known a lot of drunks that could admit while actively drinking that they've screwed up big time. Bush can't even acknowledge that while allegedly sober. Patent sociopath.

Edited: for "allegedly" sober.

[DemInDistress]

5. jean..we the people can force the issue..

It will need more attention though. I agree jean, it would be tough and more attention to this issue may generate some needed balls by Congress.

[seafan]

6. I think you're right, here. Alcoholics don't utilize logic and reason

like normal, unaddicted persons. An outside entity is often required to instigate treatment for the individual.

In *'s case, the outside force is his boss. That's us. Getting this into the dialog with our elected Reps/Senators will force them to start addressing it.

This man truly is dangerously impaired and must be contained by Congress. Think we can get a UN resolution to contain *? Certainly, we know he has WMD's. We need to remove the dictator so we can enjoy democracy.