After counting down each of the Top 100 Bush moments to commemorate the last 100 days of the Bush presidency, the TOP MOMENT of the Bush presidency is one I knew way before it happened.
This is the only one not a video - it was taken at 11:59 a.m. EST (by my clock.) In other words, the very last minute Bush was president.
I've thought this for a long time, though only today did I know it really would have an exact time no matter what. I learned from the coverage that regardless of when Obama took the oath of office, he was president at exactly noon per the constitution.
And now I will go sigh the biggest sigh of relief ever...
The number two moment comes on the very last full day of Bush being in charge of the button. At 11:59 a.m. today, the countdown for his last 24 hours starts.
The # 2 moment I've been saving since election night.
Meaning, of course, that the #2 moment in Bush's presidency was Nov. 4, 2008. I posted one version in which a mass of people swarmed the White House, once the election was called, and started singing and cheering.
I've wondered, since, if Bushie could hear anything. I've since watched a documentary, and though I can't remember which one, one of the First Ladies remarked that it just killed her husband that he could hear all the anti-war protestors outside the White House. So on the question of whether he could hear, I'm going to go with, "Hopefully."
But this topped that sight - because in these they could all agree on one (off-key and probably half-drunk) song to sing. I think you'll pick up on it pretty quick.
#3! All right folks! This is really going to happen! Even though, in three days, Bush will still be able to do as many dumb things as he wants, he's not going to do it in our name, on our dime!
I'm not sure why this #3 moment cracks me up so much - but the metaphors are many.
I had long been saving one of my favorites for the #4 spot, but Ishmael of Kodiak Konfidential directed my attention (yes, much as an easily distracted toddler) to a very profound post on Slate.com - the Top 25 Bushisms of all time (though I'm not totally convinced he's going to sit down and shut up in just four short days.) There were some real classics ("Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?" !) - and even some I haven't heard before. Because really, 100 of Bush's moments isn't nearly enough to carve a spot in the great wealth of Bushisms he's accumulated in eight years. It's going to take the next eight tracking them all down and collecting them. Maybe that is what his presidential library will have - certainly it couldn't have BOOKS WITHOUT PICTURES (which, by the way, is a subject of one of the other excellentt Bushisms.)
I have a new nearly-favorite - another that really just displays Bush's frame of thinking, while being chuckle-worthy at the same time. I actually wasn't going to switch it up, despite liking the quote, until I actually tracked down the video. The part that sold it for me was how everybody claps, nodding their heads as he spews forth Bush wisdom. Sigh.
Five, hopefully short, days left. I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
This moment was also chosen for how much it shows "who is this Bush guy anyway?" Or - how Bush can deliver the lines he's given, and then go back to "real business."
I was saving this one until one of the last, just because of the pure exasperation when listening to it. Basically, it's Bush describing one of the most important issues to Native people... or trying to discuss. It's not pretty.
Okay. I'm officially excited. I think I can now safely say I am MORE excited that Obama will be getting sworn in than that Bush will no longer be in charge. One more week left of him...
You know, I keep hearing that at the very end of a term, approval ratings for even the worst presidents get a bit of a surge. They keep saying this, as if the same will happen with Bush. The problem is, Bush keeps TALKING and MAKING DECISIONS. He isn't giving us a chance to to think, "Well, maybe he wasn't as bad as I thought..." and in the joy that is Obama's inauguration forgive and forget (or just forget.) No, he keeps reminding us of everything he's responsible for.
Case in point - his last press conference. I honestly watched a lot of this trying to grab out some bit that was more "Bush" than the other. But it's like they wrapped up the whole last eight years and put it in one bite-size press conference - including such golden nuggets as not looking inward when there's a party loss, not understanding why people get angry or hostile with him, and not worrying about the "little voices" that disagree with him.
I liked one reporter who said, regardless of his goals, the execution of his ideals was the disappointing part. Another reporter asked Bush about a term coined - "Bush derangement syndrome."
In any case, this is an interesting press conference I think people will be taking apart for years, which is why it made the list as #7.
#7 Top Bush Moment
(This is just part two of the conference, if you want more check out the links after it plays.)
#8 Top Bush Moment
I think this one can get downplayed a bit, but it is integral to understanding Bush. In a moment of heat in front of the cameras (okay, there's been a lot) you get to here the voices rattling around in Bush's head. The statement really says a lot about what worldview we've been living under for the better part of a decade now. "I'm the decider, and I decide what's best."
#9 Top Bush Moment
In a rare moment of recognizing failure (or at least SAYING he recognizes failure) Bush acknowledges Katrina... uh.. "serious problems." It would have a lot more meaning if he hadn't just fully defended the Katrina decisions a few days ago.
#10 - Hands down the WORST moment of the Bush presidency... how little we knew...
Only two weeks to go folks! Two weeks from now the nightmare will be over.
We're now in "classic" Bush territory - some quips from Dubya that have withstood the test of time - or rather withstood all the OTHER incredibly dumb things he's said to be the epitomy, for one reason or the other, or presidential intelligence in the new millenium (so far.)
#14 Best (or worst) Bush Moments
These two are classic Dubya-speak - the "Internets" and "The Google." Or - why our tech economy REALLY went down...
#15
#16 An ultimate, and one I have often heard quoted... "Is our children learning?" This versio actually has this quote, and Bush's follow-up (posted here before) of "Children's do learn."
#17 And of course, Bush saying the truth, without meaning to.
#18... just makes my stomach turn a little. A lot about Bush's recent interviews has made me really NOT want to watch them as he gives us a little bit of what is actually in his head as he makes these decisions.
Ive shown this recently, and of course everyone has seen it, but this truly was the Best Bush Moment of 2008. It was pretty easy actually. You know what I'm talking about. The Shoe.
I like this video because it shows the incident with "fitting epic music." And I just like watching it over and over.
As a Christmas present to Bush (and pretty much to everyone else) I'm sending out the 25th Top moment early. Really, it's because I'll be playing with all my new toys.... er... important, useful things for a productive life and I won't feel like posting (probably.)
It is a present for one and all though, because Bush doesn't make an appearance in this one. It is just a little video someone did showing what happens when Santa tries to deliver copies of the constitution to the White House.
Merry Christmas!!
#26 Top Bush Moment
I saw this on a video, but can only find the sound byte (with a little bit freaky graphics) for more of Bush's articulation. In this case, I don't think we can expect Bush to speak intelligently about tide's turning. As he says here, he was born in a desert.
#27 Top Bush Moment
Merry Christmas Bush. Not that it would make any difference to him, but Bush should have someone saying things like this to his face every day.
The 28th one was actually kinda cute - Bush gives Muhammad Ali a medal, and Ali gives Bush the "crazy" sign. Very few could get away with it, but who's really going to take on Ali?
I confess that every time I see Bush in the news now, it's sort of this, "Wow - he's STILL there?" Ever since Obama got elected, I just can't see the purpose in dragging this out. Especially since the likelihood of me winning some inaugural lottery and being able to go to the ceremony is out, I'm all for Obama running down to some courthouse, paying some sort of fee, and getting sworn in today. Or flying to Vegas. Betcha they can get it done quick...
In any case, we're under 30 days at least!
#29 Best (or Worst) Top Bush moment
It is amazing how childish Bush can look so much of the time. And now we know what happens when you let an immature bully into the White House. But this does kind of make you chuckle - how the international community is treating him now that he's definitely on his way out. Like the outcast kid. I think they should still be nice - Bush certainly has the capacity to screw them over before he heads out!
#30
But ignoring Bush is not left to foreign diplomats alone. Here's Bush trying to wave and get the attention of his adoring public in North Carolina. Or... not so adoring.
#29
And if ignoring just isn't enough, what does it sound like when a whole stadium people - in Washington - show their appreciation for Bush? The booing is pretty obvious, but for full effect, listen to the tone of the crowd when the owner is announced vs. the president. The quickest pitch by a president ever.
For these top moments, it's Bush dodging more things... this time journalist's questions. Sometimes it's clear Bush just doesn't know what the heck the media are talking about. In both these cases, Bush just displays his shoe-dodgin' skills in the verbal arena as well.
In this case, he's not going to confirm what kind of techniques they use in torture.. err... interrogation so they don't alert the enemy. Umm... isn't that kind of confirming it in and of itself?
Again, Bush uses the classified card to not have to answer.
On second thought... maybe he's NOT so good at dodging. He just comes right out and says (like another highly public politician I know) "I'm not going to talk about that," and always seemed surprised when people keep bringing stuff up.
After counting down each of the Top 100 Bush moments to commemorate the last 100 days of the Bush presidency, the TOP MOMENT of the Bush presidency is one I knew way before it happened.
