Former President George H.W. Bush hospitalized after contracting infection, spokesman says

How times have changed...

I remember some years back when Ted Kennedy died. There was a thread about it and I popped in long enough to give my condolences. As I did in this thread, I began by stating that I disagreed vehemently with his politics, and I even used the reference of the "Hero of Chappaquiddick."

Then I gave my heartfelt condolences and closed the tab.

I looked in to that thread a little while later and was surprised and shocked that I was the target of much ire over my honesty. It hurt that my condolences were dismissed so easily, but que sera sera.

In this thread I did the same. I expressed my displeasure with Bush's decisions during his life, and then gave my condolences. I really believe this is his Swan Song. He will likely not survive long without Barbara by his side. Again, I am the target of much ire by his detractors.

We are all human. We are given a limited time on this rock with which to try and make our mark. Our power beyond that time span is severely limited. Our ability to inflict punishment on another human after his time is up is simply nonexistent. We are not gods.

Hatred is a disease that poisons the body through the mind. I simply choose not to succumb to such a disease. My life is more precious to me than my attempts to harm the life of another... even when that other is someone who harmed me during his life. So hate away if you must... I will express my sympathies to you as well over your affliction. May you find a cure.

TheRedneck

a reply to: andy06shake

Did you read the post I replied to? Again...

My point is: he might have killed a billion babies, he STILL may feel something for his wife.

Selfish and egocentric people only care for what they care.

Get the point now?

And yes, he was an idiot.

a reply to: Sillyolme

Nobody lives forever... are probably some powerful unfriendly spirits thinking while waiting in suspense for the moment they can welcome their puppet george hw to enter his new home.... a home with an above average uncomfortable ambient temperature.

Zat

a reply to: vinifalou

Yes, i get the point.

Even evil people form bonds with others.

However, there is no point in us crying over his spilled milk.

That's my point.

originally posted by: oldcarpy
a reply to: AndyFromMichigan


Bush killed his wife? Blimey, you Yanks really have it in for your Presidents/ex Presidents.

I almost think you lot might deserve them.

We do deserve them. We really do.

Ever since I learned that Bush was the former head of the CIA, I've been suspicious of why he was chosen as Reagan's VP. And the timing of this, only a week before the last Kennedy files are scheduled to be declassified, has piqued my interest.

a reply to: eNumbra

It's not?

For some of you, it's all about vengeance. As 'trep rightly pointed out, Kuwait was a no-brainer.

Y'all, or too many of you, are acting just like what you're accusing him of being... Odd how threads like this bring out the warmonger in some, isn't it?

originally posted by: seagull
a reply to: eNumbra

It's not?

For some of you, it's all about vengeance. As 'trep rightly pointed out, Kuwait was a no-brainer.

i don’t count Kuwait and the gulf war as an issue?

Y'all, or too many of you, are acting just like what you're accusing him of being...

a criminal? He was head of the CIA, one of the big scary swamp men I hear so much crowing about around here

Odd how threads like this bring out the warmonger in some, isn't it?

Even if he was one of the least bad of recent note why turn soft now? And how is seeking the exposure of secrets and crimes the trait of a warmonger?

a reply to: eNumbra

Coldly celebrating the illness and likely death of a man who has been convicted of nothing, brought to trial for nothing, and instead who's only crime was that he's a figurehead for a group of malcontented whiners who refuse to acknowledge that world leaders have to make difficult choices that sometimes include armed conflict isn't the trait of a warmonger, you're correct on that. It's the trait of a sociopath. He's an old man who served this country with honor. Was he perfect? Hell no, only one man in history has been and the sociopathic asshats of that era killed him for it. He was, however, a respectable man who, I believe, did what he believed was best for this country. (and that's not coming from a partisan position, either. When Jimmy Carter finds himself in his twilight years, I'll say the same. Good hearted man, made many mistakes, but so do we all.)

I find it fascinating that folks who decry support of military action often accuse those of us who stand in support of it of "lacking humanity" are the same folks presently talking out of their asses against an old dying man, using the most pathetic display of "humanity" I've seen since the last time one of their personal Emanuel Goldstein's was reported to be in poor health. Talk about becoming what you (clearly disingenuously) claim to hate.



I'm not going to say I pray Mr. Bush recovers, because I don't suspect he wants to recover. He's probably eager to see his wife again and I hope his transition to the afterlife is pain free and peaceful, as well as a source of comfort and happiness, albeit mixed with grief, for his family.

originally posted by: burdman30ott6
a reply to: eNumbra

Coldly celebrating the illness and likely death of a man [...],.

I did nothing of the sort and if anyone else did I personally missed it- you can address those posters directly.

originally posted by: eNumbra

originally posted by: burdman30ott6
a reply to: eNumbra

Coldly celebrating the illness and likely death of a man [...],.

I did nothing of the sort and if anyone else did I personally missed it- you can address those posters directly.

Bullsnip you didn't. You've been clear in this thread... If decrying any degree of humanity shown towards the man as being "emotional appeals" isn't cold, then...

As an aside, YOU believe he's a war criminal. To your OPINION on that matter, I say it really doesn't mean jack squat what you think about that. He's never been accused by anyone who actually hold the authority, knowledge, and intelligence needed to make that accusation, nor has he ever been tried for it, let alone convicted. In light of that you have two options for action here in the twilight of George H.W. Bush's years: you can do nothing and like it. He was a good vice president, an average one term president who would have gotten a second term if not for a poorly timed recession, and he's been a pretty decent elder statesman, avoiding any controversies that actually matter to most Americans.

Now, in case there was any doubt, I addressed my post to the poster it was intended for, directly.

originally posted by: burdman30ott6

originally posted by: eNumbra

originally posted by: burdman30ott6
a reply to: eNumbra

Coldly celebrating the illness and likely death of a man [...],.

I did nothing of the sort and if anyone else did I personally missed it- you can address those posters directly.

Bullsnip you didn't. You've been clear in this thread... If decrying any degree of humanity shown towards the man as being "emotional appeals" isn't cold, then...

Indifference isn’t celebration, seeing the hypocrisy in what is and isn’t declared virtue signaling around here isn’t celebrating a mans death.

Since you clearly haven’t read my posts I won’t bother reading yours. Seem fair?

a reply to: Sillyolme

Im glad.

Meh, he also talked Nixon into resigning rather than drag a much more divided country than we have today through an impeachment and removal of a president. Difference between then and now is we as a people are far far less tolerant of differing opinion.

Wonder where we would be if he hadn’t done that? Would we have healed from the ripped off bandaid or would we be worse. See, some of the political divisions and bitterness is from being denied that pound of flesh. Especially by active players becoming their own big fish (Hillary and Bush especially). But that Bush was both VP and President and Hillary stopped at Sec of State has to really sting. And like all bad ideas and hurt feelings is shared down the line to the typically apolitical common person repeating what they heard as their own opinion.

Mantras, go figure.

nm

originally posted by: tadaman
a reply to: Ahabstar

Nixon should have been impeached. I dont know why he was given any special privilege and a pass just for being a president, while simultaneously being accused of violating his oath of the office as president.

I would bet that it set a tone for future relativity in government ethics.

Based on what has taken place in DC over the past 20 years, and especially what we're seeing the Obama administration got away with sans any present trials, the US owes Nixon a posthumous apology. We've seen the FBI used to investigate political rivals, the IRS used to pressure political rival associations, the NSA used to collect data on political rivals and their supporters, etc, etc, etc... Watergate was nothing compared to what's happened since with no charges levied.

a reply to: eNumbra

Dude. You sound like the Nazi hunters. "Get em before the kak of ancient age."