Billboard: George W. Bush "Miss Me Yet" image: Minnesota Public Radio
Over at NPRthere appears to be a mystery afoot regarding the ownership of a billboard depicting former President Bush – with the simple phrase: “Miss me Yet?”. The board, which is located off a highway in Wyoming, has some blogs abuzz with the question of who might be responsible and alternately, if it is real or photo shopped. According to NPR, it is real, and the question as to who installed the board, is moot. Why? When one considers the fact that, although it’s only been a year since the much-maligned (in some cases fairly in most, not) George W Bush left office, a poll taken in December by Public Policy Polling and reported by Politico showed that 44% of the respondents wanted Bush back.
No kidding.
All about Civics:
When the majority wake up to the fact that the Office of the President is, indeed lofty, and the individual in the seat, is both the head of their political party, as well as either hamstrung or helped by Congress (should that congress not agree or be, for example, of a different political party). It is apparent that Bush made mistakes (human after all) and was, in essence, hamstrung, along with the rest of the Republican party, since 2006. 2006 by way of explanation, was the year the Democrats took the majority of the seats in the House and the Senate – as a reminder, the House and the Senate have control over finances, the President does not – unless of course, he (or someday she), has a congress in concert. In that case, all kinds of things can go either right or wrong, depending upon one’s political point of view.
Prior to 2006, Bush enjoyed an extremely vocal minority – one that took every opportunity to stick it to him, so to speak. Speaking of which, the Presidents “speech patterns” and colloquialism remained the butt of both mainstream media jokes (see your local paper, your evening newscast, or MSN and CNN), that said, his predecessor, even with the aid of a teleprompter has difficulties accurately pronouncing words – of course, that has not been widely publicized (YouTube video below), because it has happened, once, that we are aware of.
With the Iranians planning to ”Stun the West” on February 11th, one has to sit back and ask three questions: 1) Would the Iranians have dared to make such a comment if that madman, cowboy from Texas was in the driver’s seat? 2: How long will it take the Obama administration to issue a statement of condemnation following whatever “shock” the “west” is about to receive? Finally 3: Do you feel particularly safe lately?
George Bush: Miss me Yet? - Billboard from off the Wyoming Highway - image Minnesota Public Radio
Perhaps the best letter published is from the blog: Hillbuzz.org. The Letter, published immediately following Obama’s inauguration is a reflection from a group of Chicago Democrats who wrote the most heartfelt of all the letters and essays regarding President George W. Bush one can find. It is entitled: “Goodbye and thank you, George W. Bush. You did the very best that you could, and we are grateful for your service.” And can be read in its entirety here It is a strongly recommended read as it speaks volumes as to why, a year later, the former President is tracking strongly in polls, and someone in Wyoming feels t worth the time and money to put up that billboard. One wonders how long it will take before others pop up, here and there, along the highways and byways of the nation.
Video of President Obama, mispronouncing, not once, but three times, the simple word “corpsman”:
