djprocess wrote:
I do think he has got a very intelligent team around him. But he does seem to be a bit of a idiot. I dont think it would be possible to consitantly act the fool for so long unless you were one.
I think there’s a difference between ignorance and stupidity. He’s not as brainy as Blair or Brown but not that daft either.
A lot of “Bushisms” are just the use of “common” dialect (and even Blair has been known to use “Estuary English” on occasions when addressing a working class audience), just mixing up words whilst under pressure, or complete ignorance of what actually goes on in foreign nations (which a lot of right-wing Americans suffer from).
Also I think in Britain we are used to very eloquent politicians because of the quality of Churchills speeches (fuelled by amfetamines!) or the well crafted spin of Thatcher and Blair, plus the constant debate and discussion before any political decision is actually made (which depends a lot on being able to express yourself well) – as someone who works for Whitehall you must have noticed this!
I don’t think there is that much debate in American politics, they are extremely polarised and tribal and at the end of the day force and the gun are the ultimate deciders of what may happen – they have had two “liberal” presidents assasinated, as well as other politicians meeting dubious ends.
Their own feds say that one IED goes off every day in the USA due to “non terrorist” offences.
The way I interpret their societies desire to own and carry so many guns is that they (or at least some states) essentially live in a permanent state of civil war (the only reason I can think of to constantly feel the need to carry a gun for self defence)
John Major (remember him?) did come out with some surreal phrases such saying in an interview “a soundbite never buttered a parsnip” (thus creating a perfect soundbite!)
and “when your back is against the wall, the best thing to do is to turn round and keep fighting” :laugh_at:
