Editore"s Note
Tilting at Windmills

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July 25, 2006
By: Kevin Drum

YO BLAIR....American newspapers focused mostly on George Bush's contribution to last week's impromptu open-mike conversation with Tony Blair at the G8 summit. Bush's keen observation that we need to "get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over" got most of the attention.

British newspapers, naturally enough, focused on the wince-inducing British side of what they called the "Yo Blair" conversation. For example, here is Andrew Rawnsley a couple of days ago in the Observer:

There's no question which exchange is most enjoyable for those with contempt for the Prime Minister. It is the moment that makes Mr Blair look like the poodle of popular caricature. Worse, he comes over as a poodle who can't even beg his master to toss him a dog biscuit. It is the same bit of the encounter that has caused the most wincing among the Prime Minister's friends.

When Tony Blair offers himself as a Middle East peace envoy, he is casually rebuffed by the American President between bites on a bread roll. Told by Bush that 'Condi is going', the normally fluent Blair is reduced to inarticulate jabbering. 'Well, it's only if, I mean, you know, if she's got a... or if she needs the ground prepared as it were... Because obviously if she goes out, she's got to succeed, if it were, whereas I can go out and just talk.' Yeah, just talk.

Given all this, today's Guardian story summarizing some new poll results surprised me:

Britain should take a much more robust and independent approach to the United States, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published today, which finds strong public opposition to Tony Blair's close working relationship with President Bush.

....Just 30% think the prime minister has got the relationship about right, against 63% saying he has tied Britain too closely to the US.

Isn't that amazing? Blair's longtime subservience to Bush coupled with his apparent inability to influence U.S. policy in any way (the supposed justification for tagging along with Bush) has never been more apparent, and yet 30% of the country still thinks Blair's relationship with Bush is "about right." I wonder what it would take to convince them otherwise?

Kevin Drum 11:44 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (84)

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kevin: 30% of the country still thinks Blair's relationship with Bush is "about right."


is that celsius?

Posted by: thisspaceavailable on July 25, 2006 at 11:46 AM | PERMALINK

Isn't that amazing? 30% of the country still thinks Blair's relationship with Bush is "about right." I wonder what it would take to convince them otherwise?

Remaining Bush defenders in the U.S.: Miller Lite backwash.

Remaining Blair-Bush defenders in the U.K.: Old Peculier backwash.

Posted by: shortstop on July 25, 2006 at 11:47 AM | PERMALINK

No surprise here. 30% of brits like to dress up in ladies lingerie and get tied to bedposts.

Posted by: Al is dead on July 25, 2006 at 11:57 AM | PERMALINK

Has anyone done surveys in the US or abroad that correlate approval or disapproval of an administration or policy with actual *knowledge* about said administration or policy? I suspect that about 30% of the US population doesn't know Bush-with-a-bread-roll about anything.

Posted by: greennotGreen on July 25, 2006 at 12:01 PM | PERMALINK

So now Kevin is complainin about what the Europeons think about us! These are the same Europeons who did nothing while Saddam raped and murdered Iraqis. Is Kevin next going to talk about how much the anti-semitic French hates Bush and Americans? If it wasn't for America France and England would be controlled by the Nazis.

Posted by: Al on July 25, 2006 at 12:12 PM | PERMALINK

Blair's poll numbers are lower than Bush's. It seems the Brit's have a larger percentage of people who have woke up to their insanity.

Posted by: SweettP2063 on July 25, 2006 at 12:16 PM | PERMALINK

I can't help but be reminded of John Roger's comment about a 27% crazification factor. Hopefully it's true as I could plausibly wrap my head around 3% of the population being sane and still think the relationship was "about right" without having to write all of Britain off as a loss.

Posted by: Nick on July 25, 2006 at 12:16 PM | PERMALINK

Seriously, is there a 30% subset in every country that is certifiably insane? Can we trade our 30% for the U.K.'s 30%?

Posted by: Col Bat Guano on July 25, 2006 at 12:18 PM | PERMALINK

Another result of that same poll: [UK] voters are strongly critical of the scale of Israel's military operations in Lebanon, with 61% believing the country has overreacted to the threats it faces.

Attitudes are quite different in the US, where both houses of Congress passed resolutions supporting Israel by overwhelming margins.

I think Europeans get a different slant on news from the Middle East. Particularly with Iraq not appearing successful, it's not surprising that most Brits disapprove of the UK's support for Bush's policies.

I disagree with Kevin's comment, [Blair's]apparent inability to influence U.S. policy in any way (the supposed justification for tagging along with Bush)

My impression is that Blair did influence Bush before the war began. it was presumably Blair's influence that led Bush to dealy while making greater efforts to get UN approval.

Also, I think Blair's main justification for tagging along with Bush is Blair's belief that overthrowing Saddam was the right thing to do.

Posted by: ex-liberal on July 25, 2006 at 12:18 PM | PERMALINK

30% of the country still thinks Blair's relationship with Bush is "about right." I wonder what it would take to convince them otherwise?

More competent opposition on the right? If no credible opposition presents itself people tend to stick with the devil they know. Dems take note.

Posted by: ExBrit on July 25, 2006 at 12:18 PM | PERMALINK

Isn't that amazing? 30% of the country still thinks Blair's relationship with Bush is "about right." I wonder what it would take to convince them otherwise?

My guess is that Bush would have to try to give the Queen a backrub while Blair looked on helplessly.

Posted by: MadLad on July 25, 2006 at 12:19 PM | PERMALINK

If it wasn't for America France and England would be controlled by the Nazis.

You mean, "if it wasn't for American liberals". If Prescott was in charge we'd have negotiated a free trade deal with the Nazis and let the free market work it's magic.

Posted by: B on July 25, 2006 at 12:19 PM | PERMALINK

Just once, I'd like to see "Yo, Blair" or anyone else call dear leader "George", or better yet someone with a nickname respond in kind. I'd like to nominate "Georgie Porgie", "the Chimpster", or "Cheerleader guy".

I'd bet very, very long odds that we would see a freak out of substantial proportions.

Posted by: Fides on July 25, 2006 at 12:29 PM | PERMALINK

Read Al's comments -- its all you need to know. There are always 30% that are brainwashed by the establishment and completely misinformed. 30% believe in Blair, Al believes in Bush.

Posted by: Dicksknee on July 25, 2006 at 12:29 PM | PERMALINK

No surprise here. 30% of brits like to dress up in ladies lingerie and get tied to bedposts.

You mean 70% don't???

Posted by: Stefan on July 25, 2006 at 12:32 PM | PERMALINK

Will this nightmare ever end?

Honestly though, Bush wasn't exactly bred in a culture of deference and respect. His is swagger, arrogance, and elitism. Why should he be any different among the world leaders at the G8 Summit than he is here at home. Rich Oilman isn't a persona one can just throw off at will.

With my last breath before I join the ranks of the insane 30%, is to tell the world "He cannot be elected!"

Right, Cheney....Cheney....?

Posted by: Candy Pants on July 25, 2006 at 12:32 PM | PERMALINK

If it wasn't for America France and England would be controlled by the Nazis.

Well, it certainly is a good thing that America exists, then. That resolves that whole debate about whether we should physically eliminate the existence of America, effective 1939, which is raging in certain quarters. Padded rubber quarters, I believe, belonging to a certain Al. Funny thing - you only ever hear one voice coming out of that room. But it sure sounds like he's arguing with someone.

Posted by: brooksfoe on July 25, 2006 at 12:33 PM | PERMALINK

The 30% are probably Europhobes. An obsequious relationship to the USA is better than any relationship to Europe in their eyes, and apparently we have to pick one or the other.

Posted by: keith on July 25, 2006 at 12:33 PM | PERMALINK

Why is Kevin surprised that 30% of a populace are fools beyond redemtion. Elementary statistics suggests that to be an expected result.

Posted by: nut on July 25, 2006 at 12:33 PM | PERMALINK

Particularly with Iraq not appearing successful, it's not surprising that most Brits disapprove of the UK's support for Bush's policies.

That sentence would be more accurate if you replaced "appearing" with "being." It's not surprising that they don't approve of policies that don't work -- what is suprising is how many of our own backwashers approve of policies that have manifestly failed.

Posted by: Stefan on July 25, 2006 at 12:34 PM | PERMALINK

And more empirical evidence for the Crazification Factor! I wonder if I can write a book like that Long Tail guy ...

Posted by: jonrog1 on July 25, 2006 at 12:34 PM | PERMALINK

Kevin,

I have a female friend who is a republican and when Clinton was going through his issues, she was very happy to point out to me this why she did not trust democrats. As we all know, shortly after Clinton acknowledged his adultery, Newt was also identified as an adulterer and the congressman chosen to replace him as Speaker (name slips me) was also identified as an adulterer, thats how we got Hastert (he was squeaky clean). I asked my friend if she now didnt trust republicans, she looked at me and said no that the republicans were all good men. I looked at her quizzedly and said what does that mean; she then repeated that they were all good men. Thats all I could ever get from her on that subject.

Now whenever I run into a kool-aid drinker (Jim Jones reference for the age disabled) who constantly makes excuses for their guy, I respond with their guy must be a good man.

Posted by: - F on July 25, 2006 at 12:36 PM | PERMALINK

Particularly with Iraq not appearing successful,

Yes, it's all the magic prism that's causing the trouble. Try holding the binoculars the other way around.

Posted by: craigie on July 25, 2006 at 12:37 PM | PERMALINK

The Crazification Factor -- isn't that the Bill O'Reilly show?

Posted by: brooksfoe on July 25, 2006 at 12:37 PM | PERMALINK
Bush's keen observation that we need to "get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over" got most of the attention.

I'm pretty sure Bush's "keen" observation was that what was needed to end the problem was to "get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop..."

Its important to note that distinction, because after laying out this simple solution, Bush sends an envoy to the region to deal with the crises, and that envoy doesn't talk to Syria.

Now, certainly, I think that the Bush's idea was overly simplistic and likely wrong, but if he believed it, shouldn't he have, you know, actually at least tried to do what he said was the solution, and sent someone to try to convince Syria to get Hezbollah to stop?

Posted by: cmdicely on July 25, 2006 at 12:37 PM | PERMALINK

But, cmdicely, by talking to Syria, we'd be rewarding their bad behavior.

If we just keep giving them the silent treatment for a few more years, I just know they'll start crying and apologize. Then the process of healing can begin.

I swear to God, when Bill Kristol was on MTP a while back and Juan Williams gave him a much-needed chewing out, the phrase of Kristol's that really struck me was that we were appeasing Iran by offering to "give them" direct negotiations. What a bunch of freaking loons! Now they've worked themselves into a corner where they absolutely have to talk to these people - and, because they've set it up that way, it looks like a defeat.

Posted by: brooksfoe on July 25, 2006 at 12:42 PM | PERMALINK

"I think Europeans get a different slant on news from the Middle East."

You can say that again. They actually get news reports written by journalists who are not afraid to ask serious questions.

Remember when the Irish reporter tried to get Bush to answer some pointed questions on Iraq? Bush went ballistic. But that sort of news reporting is par for the course in Europe, and in Britain in particular.

Ever watched Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons. Think Bush could survive 30 seconds of that kind of treatment (assuming that any politician would dare to ask him serious questions)?

Posted by: Wonderin on July 25, 2006 at 12:44 PM | PERMALINK

30% of any group doesn't know fuck about shit.

Posted by: cleek on July 25, 2006 at 12:51 PM | PERMALINK

That hardly seems fair -- over even relevant -- Kevin. After all, you might ask the same thing about the 30-some percent of Americans who still approve of our president. Those folks seem far more out of touch than do the Brits you mentioned. The idea that we can go around snickering at anyone else's leadership right now is pretty much ridiculous.

Posted by: chaunceyatrest on July 25, 2006 at 12:52 PM | PERMALINK
...and yet 30% of the country still thinks Blair's relationship with Bush is "about right." I wonder what it would take to convince them otherwise?

I wonder what it will take to convince 23 percent of America's population who are pure right-wing authoritarian followers to enlist and volunteer for combat duty in Iraq.

Posted by: dagger on July 25, 2006 at 12:52 PM | PERMALINK

I have a great deal of respect for Blair. He is keenly intelligent, as even some of the linked articles concede.

What is also interesting is the British poll result that 61% of respondents feel Israel is out of line in the recent attacks. They must lean much stronger against Israel than we do over here.

By the way, I read the complete transcript of the "accidental" open mic conversation. As I anticipated, they were totally appropriate, marked only by frankness and informality. But I guess if you're the type of people who get riled up over thanking someone for a sweater, you're going to find some kind of scandal in anything.

I wonder what sort of stuff I'd hear if I threw a microphone in any of your living rooms on a typical night?

Posted by: sportsfan79 on July 25, 2006 at 12:55 PM | PERMALINK

''If it wasn't for America France and England would be controlled by the Nazis.''

Nh, germany was losing the war to the sovjets before the USA made any meaningful contribution to that war. The USA saved western Europe from Stalin and the sovjets.

Keith probably has it right. There are those in England that will prever to be the 51st state over a controling stake in the EU right now. I think the rest of the UK isn't that interested in that US vs EU mindset. So I'd find it interesting to see how that percentage is devided between them.

Posted by: Ernst on July 25, 2006 at 12:56 PM | PERMALINK

They must lean much stronger against Israel than we do over here.

They do.

Posted by: craigie on July 25, 2006 at 12:58 PM | PERMALINK

"I wonder what it would take to convince them otherwise?"

May I recommend a telephoto lens with night vision enhancement and perhaps a sonic ear and tape recorders when the two have their clandestine meetings in the park late at night.
Of course, Blair may blend in with the other twinks, but hey, just follow Bush, he has a knack for sniffing out Blair.

Posted by: sheerahkahn on July 25, 2006 at 1:01 PM | PERMALINK

No surprise here. 30% of brits like to dress up in ladies lingerie and get tied to bedposts.

Don't knock it if you haven't tried it.

Posted by: tbrosz on July 25, 2006 at 1:09 PM | PERMALINK

I wonder what sort of stuff I'd hear if I threw a microphone in any of your living rooms on a typical night?

Living rooms in private residences versus a public G8 summit of world leaders is apples compared to mangoes.

And what would we hear in your livingroom on a typical night? Perhaps mommy screaming at you for putting your size 5s on the furniture?

Posted by: sportsfan61 on July 25, 2006 at 1:10 PM | PERMALINK

Kevin, I'd really like to hear more about what they're saying in the German and English press about the whole debacle. Both the overheard conversation and the massage!

Posted by: kgb on July 25, 2006 at 1:10 PM | PERMALINK

"These are the same Europeons who did nothing while Saddam raped and murdered Iraqis."

I think the Europeans started doing this when the US began selling weapons to Saddam.

Posted by: Chris on July 25, 2006 at 1:11 PM | PERMALINK

"But I guess if you're the type of people who get riled up over thanking someone for a sweater, you're going to find some kind of scandal in anything."

sportsfan79, perhaps you've misinterpreted what people on the left were so riled up about. It wasn't that Bush said "shit" or that he was yammering on to Tony with his mouth full. It was the confirmation that he held a very simplistic viewpoint of the situation in Lebanon. The "just get Syria to take care of it" thing.

And, as someone point out above, given that he believes that Syria is behind everything, his envoy totally ignores Syria on her recent ME visit!

I believe that Bush is a phenomenal lightweight in matters foreign, and his conversation with Blair proved it.

Posted by: Wonderin on July 25, 2006 at 1:13 PM | PERMALINK

If only they'd compare how well the French social model has faired against the American coporate greed model, I am sure all Britons would favor taking a hostile stance towards America.

Posted by: Freedom Fighter on July 25, 2006 at 1:14 PM | PERMALINK

"If only they'd compare how well the French social model has faired against the American coporate greed model, I am sure all Britons would favor taking a hostile stance towards America."

It's funny because it true...

Do you know how fucked up you have to be to to think looking better then france means something in EU

nobody likes France. you're asking people to compare yourself to the least popular kid around. It's like arguing over the internet, even if you win you still look retared...

Posted by: Ernst on July 25, 2006 at 1:23 PM | PERMALINK

Okay, I skipped down, but did anyone note the Crazification Factor proposed at Kung Fu Monkey?

That was 27%, well within the margin of error to match up with Blair's 30%.

Posted by: Anderson on July 25, 2006 at 1:25 PM | PERMALINK

sportsfan79 (aka, bushlicker69): I wonder what sort of stuff I'd hear if I threw a microphone in any of your living rooms on a typical night?

Hopefully, none of us discuss in our living rooms what and with the same language as the leaders of two of the world's most powerful nations do at a formal meeting.

Posted by: Advocate for God on July 25, 2006 at 1:26 PM | PERMALINK

Ugh.

lose one of the to's add a the before EU

And just assume I wrote retarded.

See, I proved my own point...

Posted by: Ernst on July 25, 2006 at 1:27 PM | PERMALINK

"I think the Europeans started doing this when the US began selling weapons to Saddam."

I could sware Saddam's air force composed of French made Mirages and Russian made MiGs, not F-15s or F-16s...

Strange the US doesn't even appear on this list.

Posted by: Freedom Fighter on July 25, 2006 at 1:28 PM | PERMALINK

Interesting how the share of Brits who think Blair has the Bush relationship "about right" is so close to Bush's US approval rating.

Posted by: pj in jesusland on July 25, 2006 at 1:30 PM | PERMALINK

Strange the US doesn't even appear on this list.

It is strange given that the U.S. sold Iraq dozens of Bell 214ST helicopters that were used in combat, allowed for the shipment of dual-use chemical and biological weapons precursors, and arranged millions in unreported loans to purchase military equipment from other nations in transactions that the U.S was secretly brokering.

Posted by: Windhorse on July 25, 2006 at 2:13 PM | PERMALINK

You're concerned with the 30% of Brits who think otherwise? Hell, we've got around 35% of Americans who still like the guy.

Sounds to me like they're 5% up on us.

Posted by: Jeffrey Davis on July 25, 2006 at 2:14 PM | PERMALINK

I wonder what sort of stuff I'd hear if I threw a microphone in any of your living rooms on a typical night?

The squeals of pleasure of nubile French twin sisters...wait, did I hit "Post"?

Posted by: Stefan on July 25, 2006 at 2:17 PM | PERMALINK

sportsfan: They must lean much stronger against Israel than we do over here.

craigie: They do.

I was even more amused by craigie's palpable patience than I was by sportsfan's pucker-browed bewilderment.

Posted by: shortstop on July 25, 2006 at 2:20 PM | PERMALINK

Stefan wrote:

The squeals of pleasure of nubile French twin sisters...wait, did I hit "Post"?

I don't usually agree with Stefan, but that was still pretty d@mn funny.

Posted by: sportsfan79 on July 25, 2006 at 2:22 PM | PERMALINK

Sportsfan: many thanks.

Posted by: Stefan on July 25, 2006 at 2:24 PM | PERMALINK

Wonderin wrote:
sportsfan79, perhaps you've misinterpreted what people on the left were so riled up about. It wasn't that Bush said "shit" or that he was yammering on to Tony with his mouth full. It was the confirmation that he held a very simplistic viewpoint of the situation in Lebanon. The "just get Syria to take care of it" thing.

And, as someone point out above, given that he believes that Syria is behind everything, his envoy totally ignores Syria on her recent ME visit!

I see your point, Wonderin, and I thank you for your serious reply.

I disagree with the Syria accusation, though. I think the author of that point is discounting how much international relations occur informally over the telephone. I'm only an Engineering Manager myself, but as I climb higher and higher on the corporate ladder, I'm learning firsthand how powerful people seem to treat each other extremely informally behind closed doors, and when making deals.

Posted by: sportsfan79 on July 25, 2006 at 2:26 PM | PERMALINK

I wonder what sort of stuff I'd hear if I threw a microphone in any of your living rooms on a typical night? - sportsfan79

Sportsfan, I hike my leg and fart, scratch my balls, and swear like the sailor I was in my living room but then I am NOT the leader of the free world representing my country among the power elites. What I do or do not in my own home is a FAR cry from what that mentally challenged subhuman does on the world stage, and if you had any pride in your country you would see the difference in the two scenarios INSTANTLY. This isn't "the Real World: Washington D.C." it's our goddamned government run by an ill mannered man-child who shouldn't be trusted to deliver a wedding toast let alone speak to matters of state.

Posted by: Eric Paulsen on July 25, 2006 at 2:28 PM | PERMALINK
I wonder what sort of stuff I'd hear if I threw a microphone in any of your living rooms on a typical night?

Are you saying Bush doesn't know the difference between a night at home with his immediate family and a global summit?

Posted by: cmdicely on July 25, 2006 at 2:31 PM | PERMALINK

You just posted about 64% of the US being completed deluded about Iraq. If only 30% of Britain are deluded, they're doing a whole lot better.

Posted by: Maynard Handley on July 25, 2006 at 2:36 PM | PERMALINK

I wonder what sort of stuff I'd hear if I threw a microphone in any of your living rooms on a typical night?

You are presuming that the open microphone of the Bush "George Raft" impersonation event was an accident. The red meat GOP types love the notion of a dumb-as-nails, un-thinking George Bush. "Accidentally" having George Raft dress down Blair just gives the "base" what they want to see.

Posted by: Jeffrey Davis on July 25, 2006 at 2:41 PM | PERMALINK

sportsfan79, this is Bush's statement to Blair at the G8 summit:

"What they need to do is to get Syria to get Hizbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over."

My interpretation of that statement is that Bush thinks that Syria is calling the shots with Hizbullah, and all we need to do is pressure Syria a bit and they'll get Hizbullah to back off.

I'm no ME expert, but I've been reading pretty widely on this Lebanon issue and it seems to me that Bush's take on matters is very simplistic, and probably entirely wrong, i.e., Syria is not likely to have much influence over what Hizb does or doesn't do, even though it's pretty well acknowledged that Syria has indeed provided them with support.

In other words, I don't think it's feasible that we can "get Syria to get Hizbullah" to end this. And the fact that it at least appears that Bush has such a simplistic take on things is what is particularly irritating.

Posted by: Wonderin on July 25, 2006 at 2:47 PM | PERMALINK

We bomb Britain?

Posted by: Alexander Wolfe on July 25, 2006 at 2:50 PM | PERMALINK

Exactly Wonderin, it's like placing a guy who thinks the internet is a bunch of tubes in charge of regulating it. There is also the "they" in "what they need to do is.' It clearly indicates he is untroubled by events and doesn't think the US has a responsibility to act.

Posted by: B on July 25, 2006 at 3:30 PM | PERMALINK

The thing is what they need to do is to get sponge bob square pants to get Syria, to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over.

Posted by: Al is dead on July 25, 2006 at 3:31 PM | PERMALINK

I didn't find anything Bush said to be completely ridiculous. He just generally sounded like a relative dumbass. His conversation leapt from topic to topic every couple sentences including the babble about the sweater. His joke about the short trip to china highlighting his ignorance. His comments about the budding war in Lebanon were, though brief, displaying exactly the simple minded sloganeering and vague idea about what is going on even with US diplomacy (Rice is, oh I don't know, maybe going over there soon?) one would expect. Blairs seeming mild frustration at talking to him and Bush's failure to recognize that Blair wants to coordinate a diplomatic effort.

The situation is a common one. You are hanging out with a bunch of very smart people and one who is average at best but the dumber one is maybe a very beautiful woman, the President of the United States, or somebody's wife and for some reason hasn't realized that they cannot keep up. The conversation has all these wierd pauses as the dumber person flounders about and the smarter ones try to figure out how to talk down without being too condescending.

Here he is. The President of the United States. He has flown half way around the world to meet the leaders of eight of the most powerful nations on earth. What do we hear? The dumbest guy in the room embarassing himself repeatedly.

Posted by: jefff on July 25, 2006 at 4:02 PM | PERMALINK

wonderin, I read and listened to Bush's entire conversation. The person he wished would "get Syria to get Hizbullah" to end "this shit" was Kofi Annan. Not only was Bush expressing a belief that Syria was calling shots, he was also complaining about the uselessness of Kofi Annan.

Posted by: ex-liberal on July 25, 2006 at 4:13 PM | PERMALINK

Where can I get a couple of those 30% to be my personal servants? I've always wanted a butler with a English accent? Maybe when the Brits vote Tony Blair out I can have him.

Posted by: Carl Nyberg on July 25, 2006 at 4:16 PM | PERMALINK

The situation is a common one. You are hanging out with a bunch of very smart people and one who is average at best but the dumber one is maybe a very beautiful woman, the President of the United States, or somebody's wife and for some reason hasn't realized that they cannot keep up. The conversation has all these wierd pauses as the dumber person flounders about and the smarter ones try to figure out how to talk down without being too condescending.

This happened to me the other night. The dumb one was a very handsome man who was somebody's husband.

Posted by: Friedrich Nietzsche on July 25, 2006 at 4:17 PM | PERMALINK
Not only was Bush expressing a belief that Syria was calling shots, he was also complaining about the uselessness of Kofi Annan.

Surely, you mean he was complaining about his own impotence. I mean, if Kofi Annan and the toothless UN have some capacity to control Syria that Bush lacks...

Posted by: cmdicely on July 25, 2006 at 4:40 PM | PERMALINK

Bush's approval ratings have bottomed out somewhere in the 30s in America., Blair's are in the 30's in Britain. Simple math. Thirty percent of human beings are idiots.

Posted by: Paul on July 25, 2006 at 4:58 PM | PERMALINK

Eric Paulsen wrote:
Sportsfan, I hike my leg and fart, scratch my balls, and swear like the sailor I was in my living room but then I am NOT the leader of the free world representing my country among the power elites.


Well, thanks for your candor, Eric.

I myself get irritated when Bush pronounces the word "nuclear". However, I honestly think the reaction from the left on "Micro-Gate" is more about personal hatred of the man than anything else.

If you pick apart every second of ANY person's life, you are going to come up with some pretty informal moments. And that includes your next door neighbor all the way up to the President of the United States. You don't think these guys talk like they're at a podium every second of every day, do you?!

Hell no. Sometimes they talk when chewing on a dinner roll, and they make stupid small talk about whether or not they want another Diet Coke. In other words, they're regular f---ing humans.

The only amazing fact is how pissed people can get about every little thing the man does. In fact, I can't BELIEVE how much PERSONAL disgust and hatred there is for the man among our nations far left. It is truly incredible to behold.

Posted by: sportsfan79 on July 25, 2006 at 5:33 PM | PERMALINK

3 out of 10 certifiable in any country, looks like.

Actually, I'm kind of relieved that it's not only Americans who are such blind dupes.

Posted by: Cal Gal on July 25, 2006 at 6:43 PM | PERMALINK

I guess it would take that 30% about the same amount of evidence it would take to persuade Bush's core 30%.

Posted by: Kija on July 25, 2006 at 7:08 PM | PERMALINK

The only amazing fact is how pissed people can get about every little thing the man does. In fact, I can't BELIEVE how much PERSONAL disgust and hatred there is for the man among our nations far left. It is truly incredible to behold.

I'm wondering, where you alive during the 1990s when the right wing conducted their rabid crusade against Bill Clinton? Remember the vitriolic level of their personal disgust and hatred? And that was because the man got a blowjob.

Now tell us what our appropriate level of contempt, disgust and scorn should be for a man whose incompetence, mendacity, paranoia and ignorance is contributing to the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the detruction of America's reputation, economic health, and national security.

Posted by: Stefan on July 25, 2006 at 7:13 PM | PERMALINK

I wonder what sort of stuff I'd hear if I threw a microphone in any of your living rooms on a typical night?
A lot of grunting and squealing, just in case you're intrested.

Posted by: America, Fuck Yeah! on July 25, 2006 at 7:44 PM | PERMALINK

Stefan wrote:

I'm wondering, where you alive during the 1990s when the right wing conducted their rabid crusade against Bill Clinton? Remember the vitriolic level of their personal disgust and hatred? And that was because the man got a blowjob.

Yep, I was alive. Thought it was a travesty, and an enormous waste of our national consciousness.

Posted by: sportsfan79 on July 25, 2006 at 7:47 PM | PERMALINK

Drum sez:
Isn't that amazing? Blair's longtime subservience to Bush coupled with his apparent inability to influence U.S. policy in any way (the supposed justification for tagging along with Bush) has never been more apparent, and yet 30% of the country still thinks Blair's relationship with Bush is "about right." I wonder what it would take to convince them otherwise?

Someone may have already pointed this out to Drum, but why is this such a baffling thing?

Hint: No matter how bad things have gotten for Bush, his approval rating has will never not gone to far below 30%. Why?

Duh...

DCS

Posted by: dcshungu on July 25, 2006 at 8:50 PM | PERMALINK

Surely, you mean he was complaining about his own impotence. I mean, if Kofi Annan and the toothless UN have some capacity to control Syria that Bush lacks...

None of your snark, cmdicely. You know I was simply explaining what Bush meant, but you took the opportunity for a shot at Bush.

OK. Riddle me this: The world expects that Kofi Annan will tell Israel to back off, and Israel will back off. The only question is Israel's timing. So, why is the idea of Kofi telling Syria to back off a joke?

Posted by: ex-liberal on July 25, 2006 at 9:23 PM | PERMALINK

In fact, I can't BELIEVE how much PERSONAL disgust and hatred there is for the man among our nations far left. It is truly incredible to behold.

Posted by: sportsfan79 on July 25, 2006 at 5:33 PM | PERMALINK

Ummm. "The far left?" Do you have any idea how much of the western world's population feel this exact same way about your President? You may not get it from watching Fox News, but its YOU whose opinion is in the minority, my friend.

Posted by: Steve N. on July 25, 2006 at 9:41 PM | PERMALINK

What's 30% of Britons who are such died-in-the-wool supporters, when 50% of Americans -- UP FROM 36% LAST YEAR, still think Saddam had WsMD???? Who are dumber, the idiots or the bloody fools?

It is probably a draw!


Off thread ---- four UN Observers deliberately killed by Israel today....... The only UN Observer I remember being killed by Arabs was Col Higgins USMC, but he was hanged for working for the CIA while a UN Observer, thus ipso facto spying for Israel.

Posted by: maunga on July 25, 2006 at 11:44 PM | PERMALINK
Riddle me this: The world expects that Kofi Annan will tell Israel to back off, and Israel will back off.

No, it doesn't. No one in the world expects Israel to listen to Kofi Annan who has, in fact, already told Israel to back off.

In fact, people are looking to the US, which unlike the UN Secretary-General might have some pull with Israel, to exert some influence.

Talk about starting with a false premise, there, ex-lib...

Posted by: cmdicely on July 26, 2006 at 2:49 AM | PERMALINK

My interpretation of that statement is that Bush thinks that Syria is ca  新华社北京7月25日电 中国外交部副部长杨洁篪25日与安提瓜和巴布达、巴哈马国、巴巴多斯、多米尼克国、格林纳达、圭亚那合作共和国、牙买加、圣卢西亚、苏里南共和国、特立尼达和多巴哥共和国的代表在北京举行了中国和加勒比建交国外交部间第三次磋商。 ">lling the shots with Hizbullah, and all we need to  【提要】为了向中国渗透,盘踞在金新月的国际贩毒集团近两年越来越多地采用搭乘国际航班的贩毒方式 ">do is pr 据中国日报特稿 美国前总统克林顿在黑人中曾拥有很高的支持率,因此在卸任后才会把办公室安置在黑人文化重镇、纽约哈莱姆区,并在入驻当天受到盛大欢迎。 ">essure Syria a bit and they'll get Hizbullah to back off.

I'm no ME expert, but I've been reading pretty widely on this Lebanon issue and it seems to me that Bush's take on matters is very simplistic, and probably entirely wrong, i.e., Syria is not likely to have much influence over what Hizb does or doesn't do, even though it's pretty well acknowledged that Syria has indeed provided them with support.My interpretation of that statement is that Bush thinks that Syria is calling the shots with Hizbullah, and all we need to do is pressure Syria a bit and they'll get Hizbullah to back off.

I'm no ME expert, but I've been reading pretty widely on this Lebanon iss

Posted by: dd on July 26, 2006 at 6:27 AM | PERMALINK

Steve N. wrote:
Ummm. "The far left?" Do you have any idea how much of the western world's population feel this exact same way about your President? You may not get it from watching Fox News, but its YOU whose opinion is in the minority, my friend.

That's where YOU'RE wrong, my friend. Much of the world or the country may DISAGREE with the President, but unlike the "far left" (i.e. this board), they have a modicum of respect.

It's the difference between 'disagreement' and 'hatred'. I guess it escaped you.

Posted by: sportsfan79 on July 26, 2006 at 10:05 AM | PERMALINK

I heard Richard Wolffe of Newsweek the other day speaking about this, and he crystallized it for me. Asked if the world sees Bush as a buffoon, he said (paraphrasing), "Well, yes, but lots of world leaders are rude and crude. Most people aren't surprised by Bush's behavior - they see it as confirmation of their image of Americans in general."

I've always been saddened by the image of the ugly American, and I felt we were starting to escape it while Clinton was president. Now it's back. We've known that for a while - this incident just shoved it in our faces again.

It's just another item to add to the list of how the Republicans are harming my country. Low on the list, sure, but on there.

That aside, is it too much to ask that Bush learn basic table manners? My six-year-old does better than him (although I have to continually remind him to stop wiping his hands on his shirt). To be fair, Bush's manners are better than my four-year-old's.

Posted by: zeeeej on July 26, 2006 at 12:53 PM | PERMALINK

What Britain needs is to make some sort of declaration that they are no longer going to blindly submit to the will of King George. Call it a declaration of independence, if you will.

Posted by: Kuas on July 26, 2006 at 5:07 PM | PERMALINK

I'd guess most of the 30% represents people who experienced WWII.

They won't be convinced.

Posted by: Tilli (Mojave Desert) on July 26, 2006 at 5:16 PM | PERMALINK




 

 

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