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Good ol' fashioned Bush Racism
Bush is not just clueless about structural racism, he is personally racist. He managed to insult the President of the Phillipines this week by unforgivable off hand comments about the Phillipine-Americans cooks in the White House kitchen. President Gloria Macapagal Arroya was there on a sad and serious mission to seek US aid for help with the terrible tragedies that the country had suffered recently.
Then there is this photo of him this week with some kids who have been forced out of their homes by flooding in Iowa in which he is rubbing the head of a young black boy (bushkids.jpg) that you have to see to fully appreciate. Who does not know that this is considered a racial insult and is deeply offensive to black people, especially for a white person to do it to a child. Just imagine Po' ol' Massah Bush trying to do that to Obama at the Inaugural. At least Obama is tall, but I recommend that he wear a hat.
Comments (6)
I am going to politely disagree. Not about what he did or it's meaning, but his understanding.
I personally think he is so out of touch, dumb if you want, that he doesn't even know.
I had a conversation with a relative who is very close to Bush and I mean close as in business partners at one time, been to their house etc etc. I was told the at at least Bush didn't lie. I said I agree up to a point. I said hard to be called a liar if your are so completely without a clue you don't even know you are lying.
June 26, 2008 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't disagree with you when you say he doesn't know but when it comes to touching it is also a matter of simple manners, and it helps if you are at least dimly aware of cultural preferences. Bush does have a"touching" problem (remember his rubbing Angela Merkel's shoulders?) Many women experience that kind of unwelcome touch as extremely unpleasant and an expression of male dominance. His teasing and nicknaming are also dominance behaviors, and they let everyone know who the alpha dog is. I'm bringing it up because these guys, McCain included, think this stuff is OK.
June 26, 2008 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you have to be far more careful about calling people racist. Bush appointed the first African American National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.
You just give the GOP and Faux News unnecessary ammunition to argue that the Left is playing the race card. We need that like a hole in the head.
June 26, 2008 8:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I seriously doubt that they are paying any attention to me so don't be so concerned. Bush is not running for re-election--his two persons-of-color high level appointments (plus some of the other ones like Gonzales) are just another form of self-congratulatory tokenism/racism. Some of my best friends are .... and all that.
June 26, 2008 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Color me whatever, but I've always believed Bush is a bigot. However, I do think much of it is based on his sense of entitlement. That and he truly isn't very bright. No snark and No Kidding. But he is crafty enough to latch on to the Roves, Cheneys, Rumsfields and others who not only can concieve of evil doings but take glee in being able to toss them around like confetti.
Too harsh?
June 27, 2008 1:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd have to disagree as well. Bush isn't a racist, he's a classist. So long as you have money, he doesn't care what color you are.
June 27, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
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