Filthy Wall

I haven’t blogged for a while because I’ve been very busy. Fine, I’ve been very lazy, satisfied?

Looking at the number of noteworthy events, it’s hardly fair to say that there is nothing to write about, and yet, that’s how I generally feel. “What?!” you might exclaim in dismay. Hold your horses, I’ll explain.

Iraq? – You can only say so much about it. It was a lie that blossomed into a spectacular failure, the fruit of which we’re yet to see. I’ll even go out on the limb here and say that it’s impossible to win there. Why? Because nobody has defined in any concrete terms what would constitute a victory (and our goals seem to be changing rather regularly). Meanwhile, it sucks out cash better than a Dyson. Which brings us to the small issue of national debt.

I’ve seen a lot of comparisons of Bush’s economic policies to those of Reagan. And indeed, there are some similarities, - both spent like sailors on leave on causes that were dubious at best. But here’s the key difference, while Reagan increased the national debt by 260%, the economy grew by an annual rate of 3.8% and by the end of Reagan’s term, the economy was almost one-third larger than when he took office. Under Bush? - The comparison leaves me craving a Prozac and a bottle of Stoli. Yes, I’m aware of the view that even under Reagan the economy wasn’t exactly fantastic, and whatever positive momentum it did have, was at the expense of the future. - Fine. It only strengthens the argument: Bush can’t create a good economy even with this gargantuan spending. In other words, there’s absolutely no way in hell that he would be able to do anything for our economy (sorry, anything good for our economy).

So, his foreign affairs seem to mimic closely the behavior of a silverback during mating season, and his domestic policies are… hm… I’m nonplussed… Horrendous? Appalling? Treasonous? - Too many choices, so take your pick.

Well, what else is there? What else would be a good measure of presidential success? - Crisis resolution is one. New Orleans - another theatrical failure. Perhaps we should skip this one. I’m afraid I’ll appear prejudiced against Mr. Bush. I’m not. (I have a visceral aversion to him strictly out of objective reasons.)

The spirit of the country? Perhaps he has united the country, and the nation rallied behind him in support? - No, not so much. In fact, quite the opposite. The country hasn’t been as divided since the civil war.

I can’t find a single noteworthy improvement in the U.S. for which the entire country should be grateful to him. That doesn’t mean, of course, that there aren’t any, and I hope that somebody would point out a few.

It reminds me of an old Hasidic tail about the Rebbe. - A Jew from another sect came to visit him, and proceeded to excoriate the Rebbe’s followers for what appeared to him, as various transgressions. As the visitor was speaking, the Rebbe got up and drew a small black dot on the wall behind him. And when his guest finished berating, the Rebbe pointed behind him and asked, “What do you see there?” “A black dot,” answered the visitor. “Why don’t you notice the white wall,” said the Rebbe.

The wall behind Bush is covered in soot. It’s easier to point out the white spots than to pontificate about the dirt. And his coterie has done a great job of that.