Iraq Is Not Hilarious, Mr. President

[unhappycamper]

Iraq Is Not Hilarious, Mr. President
Bob Cessca
1.15.2007

I can't fully explain why I continue to watch television appearances by the president -- the press conferences, interviews, speeches, addresses, and impromptu comments. All of it. Some of my friends and family have long since abandoned watching the president for reasons as varied as: "I'm sick of his pointy face," to, "Sorry. I'd rather watch the DVD commentary track for Lucky Number Slevin because it's less ridiculous."

But I keep on watching. Perhaps it's because of my job here or maybe it's a touch of masochism in my personality. I'm fairly certain it's because I've always been a student of the American presidency and as such I feel our current president is so bad as to be historically significant in innumerable ways.

That said, there's one aspect to President Bush's public speaking style that's forcing me to rethink my interest in watching. For a while this one particular idiosyncrasy was fascinating to observe, however outrageous. Now it just makes me want to get up from the TV or computer and just run away really fast. One of those cinematic angry sprinting runs -- the head thrown back, teeth gnashed, fists pumping -- the kind that always ends with a drunken bloody fracas at a pub for some reason. I really can't cope with it anymore because it's just so damn wrong. We've all noticed this particular affectation over the years and many of us have written about it on the blogs: The president tends to grin and laugh when discussing deadly serious topics.

The most recent occurrences of the president's giggle-fits happen to have been documented during his 60 Minutes interview Sunday night (video via C&L). The smirking and smiling and laughing was so rampant that I almost completely overlooked not only the substance of his criminally misguided bullshit, but I also nearly missed Scott Pelley's repeated use of the pejorative "Democrat" form when discussing Democratic legislation and Democratic opposition to the war.

~snip~

But worse, he can't even fake the dignity and tact required to discuss Iraq without the cockeyed smirk of a stoned teenager who's being grilled by his parents after coming home late; the laughter seeming to bubble and tickle just below the surface of a thinly aloof facade. Maybe it's embarrassment. Maybe it's poorly-executed stage direction from his media consultants, i.e. "be more casual than last week's speech, sir." Or maybe he thinks it's all just a game. Maybe the unspoken financial goals of those who are profiting from the war have been achieved. Maybe his own hinted political goals have been achieved (re-election, for example). So other than some occasional ugliness, his mission really has been accomplished, and thus, good times.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/iraq-is-not-hilarious-mr_b_38726.html

[izzie]

1. I read he talks like that to be near the common people.

I have read he said they like it. I am sure a common person and hate it my self.

[warrior1]

2. He's not the President

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. he and Paula partied hearty

[rock]

4. A clear indication that he has a personality disorder

No, I'm not an expert in the phsychiatric field, but in this case, one is not needed.

[SpiralHawk]

5. "Well, if your republicon cronies are getting rich, then it is funny." - Commander AWOL

smirk smirk smirk - Commander AWOL

[Skittles]

6. he is one f***ing UGLY SOB

inside and OUT