Bush a "Dry Drunk"?

[Fitswimmer]

Ok, this is where I get off the bus. GW Bush has failed me as a President in ways that I could never have imagined, but I draw the line at going after him like this.

I remember people talking about how a sitting President not too many years ago was a "sex addict" and his addiction was obscuring his focus on matters of state. The evidence against him was no more compelling than a paper napkin around a glass.

I know people hate this President and that's certainly their right, just as it was other people's right to hate the last President. However, they are still human beings, with families and I really think that this kind of thing is insensitive.

 

[punkin]

I hate Bush for his actions while POTUS. If he's also a drunk (dry or otherwise), it is sad for his family but doesn't impact my disdain for him one way or another. I'm with Fitzswimmer on that.

 

[RitaZ.]

Here's a checklist of traits of the dry drunk:

* Exaggerated self-importance and pomposity
* Grandiose behavior
* A rigid, judgmental outlook
* Impatience
* Childish behavior
* Irresponsible behavior
* Irrational rationalization
* Projection
* Overreaction

I guess the DIS must have a lot of dry drunks because I see several posters exhibiting the above behaviors in their writing on a daily basis.

 

[stargrazer]

I guess the DIS must have a lot of dry drunks because I see several posters exhibiting the above behaviors in their writing on a daily basis.

 

[JunieJay]

I guess the DIS must have a lot of dry drunks because I see several posters exhibiting the above behaviors in their writing on a daily basis.

 

[mickeyfan2]

That's how people get over bad habits and/or addictions. One bad habit gets replaced with an acceptable one. This isn't exclusive to drinking.

Yup. I know an ex-alcoholic who now jogs all day and night. That is his new addiction.

I also know an ex-alcoholic who loves O'Douls beer.

Another alcoholic became religious when he went sober. Well he is back to drinking and screw the religon.

 

[LindaR]

When you put yourself in the public eye.......whether the entertainment business, public service, or any other public "arena", you are IN the public eye. So EVERYTHING you do is subject to public scrutiny. Especially those who are responsible for other's lives. Being president is a 24/7 responsibility. "The Call" can come at any hour, any day, and if you are under the influence, you should not have the responsibility of our nation to mess with.

Upholding the responsibility of the Office of the President of the United States is a huge responsibility.......one that should be taken seriously for the length of that term.

I will criticize him and not feel bad. If one cannot stand the heat, one should remove oneself from the kitchen........before its burnt down.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Here's a checklist of traits of the dry drunk:

* Exaggerated self-importance and pomposity
* Grandiose behavior
* A rigid, judgmental outlook
* Impatience
* Childish behavior
* Irresponsible behavior
* Irrational rationalization
* Projection
* Overreaction

Check, check, check, check, etc. etc. etc.

I know many people (mother's family) that exhibit all of these traits and none of them ever drink a drop. So now I know the cure. I need to start them drinking!!!

 

[Fitswimmer]

When you put yourself in the public eye.......whether the entertainment business, public service, or any other public "arena", you are IN the public eye. So EVERYTHING you do is subject to public scrutiny. Especially those who are responsible for other's lives. Being president is a 24/7 responsibility. "The Call" can come at any hour, any day, and if you are under the influence, you should not have the responsibility of our nation to mess with.

Upholding the responsibility of the Office of the President of the United States is a huge responsibility.......one that should be taken seriously for the length of that term.

I will criticize him and not feel bad. If one cannot stand the heat, one should remove oneself from the kitchen........before its burnt down.

There's NOTHING wrong with criticizing his politics or his decision making while in office -that's goes with the job of being President.

However, going after a President and speculating about his drinking or sex habits is going too far, IMHO. Can you imagine what Chelsea Clinton went through when the whole Monica thing was going on? People going on all day about the state of her parent's marriage? I can't imagine being a friend or a family member of a politician and reading some of the things people say. Especially when the stories are pure speculation.

 

[Royalbear]

No, we know he CLAIMS he doesn't drink.

And frankly, his word isn't worth that much to me.



It's not a matter of habit -- it's personality traits -- level of aggression, level of sneakiness, etc.

Here's a checklist of traits of the dry drunk:

* Exaggerated self-importance and pomposity
* Grandiose behavior
* A rigid, judgmental outlook
* Impatience
* Childish behavior
* Irresponsible behavior
* Irrational rationalization
* Projection
* Overreaction

Check, check, check, check, etc. etc. etc.

Sounds like Clinton, Bush SR, Reagan, Carter, etc,etc, etc.

 

[Missy1961]

Ok, this is where I get off the bus. GW Bush has failed me as a President in ways that I could never have imagined, but I draw the line at going after him like this.

I remember people talking about how a sitting President not too many years ago was a "sex addict" and his addiction was obscuring his focus on matters of state. The evidence against him was no more compelling than a paper napkin around a glass.

I know people hate this President and that's certainly their right, just as it was other people's right to hate the last President. However, they are still human beings, with families and I really think that this kind of thing is insensitive.

I have never liked GWB. I do not agree with 99% of the things he has done as President. But I'm with you, I won't go down this road.

 

[Galahad]

Sounds like Clinton, Bush SR, Reagan, Carter, etc,etc, etc.

Certainly given any observers point of view this is exactly right. President Bush can be a bad president or a president you don't like without being a sloppy drunk with multiple disorders and evil traits. President Clinton can be a bad president or a president you don't like without sleeping with everything in a skirt and running cocaine in Arkansas. The need to inflate a public figures virtues or vices is universal - and tiresome.

 

[disneyfan67]

Ok, this is where I get off the bus. GW Bush has failed me as a President in ways that I could never have imagined, but I draw the line at going after him like this.

I remember people talking about how a sitting President not too many years ago was a "sex addict" and his addiction was obscuring his focus on matters of state. The evidence against him was no more compelling than a paper napkin around a glass.

I know people hate this President and that's certainly their right, just as it was other people's right to hate the last President. However, they are still human beings, with families and I really think that this kind of thing is insensitive.

I have to agree with you as well. This subject is over the top, IMO.

I'm disappointed in many ways too, but I can't go along with this and it isn't right. If you want to know why we stuck with the people we have as politicians, look no further than stuff like this. It's just wrong, it really is and makes it look like people are just slaming him because they see a opportunity to do so.

 

[Heidict]

Ok, this is where I get off the bus. GW Bush has failed me as a President in ways that I could never have imagined, but I draw the line at going after him like this.

I remember people talking about how a sitting President not too many years ago was a "sex addict" and his addiction was obscuring his focus on matters of state. The evidence against him was no more compelling than a paper napkin around a glass.

I know people hate this President and that's certainly their right, just as it was other people's right to hate the last President. However, they are still human beings, with families and I really think that this kind of thing is insensitive.

ITA. It seems that people hate Bush so much that they will come up with whatever wild and outlandish thing they can think of to slam him. I can't imagine putting that much time and energy into something like this. Wonder what they are going to do when Bush leaves the Whitehouse and they have all that time left on their hands?

 

[Christopher Robin]

Wonder what they are going to do when Bush leaves the Whitehouse and they have all that time left on their hands?

They'll probably go to Disney World.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Wonder what they are going to do when Bush leaves the Whitehouse and they have all that time left on their hands?

Most likely the same way I did when Clinton left office...totally relieved of the anguish.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Ok, this is where I get off the bus. GW Bush has failed me as a President in ways that I could never have imagined, but I draw the line at going after him like this.

I remember people talking about how a sitting President not too many years ago was a "sex addict" and his addiction was obscuring his focus on matters of state. The evidence against him was no more compelling than a paper napkin around a glass.

I know people hate this President and that's certainly their right, just as it was other people's right to hate the last President. However, they are still human beings, with families and I really think that this kind of thing is insensitive.

I'm gonna agree.

As to the article: I just kept thinking that it would all have to apply to his staff and speech writers as well...I mean he doesn't come with all that stuff on his own.....

 

[daisax]

I don't care if Laura's living there or not. That's gossip. (So I suppose I care on a gossip level).

Whether the President of the United States is an active alcoholic, yes, I care. I'm amazed that others would think it's none of our business.

I guess we'll have to wait for the equivalent of the Kissinger memoir (which told of a drunken Nixon kneeling in the Oval Office and talking to the portraits of former presidents.)

 

[ead79]

I agree with the posters who do not agree with this. I find the term "dry drunk" especially distasteful and insulting to people (whether they be GWB or anybody who has struggled with an alcohol addiction) who have worked to conquer an addiction. If you are an alcoholic who no longer drinks, then you are sober, not a "dry drunk." Regardless of anyone's opinion on the President, I think this crosses the line.

 

[ead79]

I don't care if Laura's living there or not. That's gossip. (So I suppose I care on a gossip level).

Whether the President of the United States is an active alcoholic, yes, I care. I'm amazed that others would think it's none of our business.

I guess we'll have to wait for the equivalent of the Kissinger memoir (which told of a drunken Nixon kneeling in the Oval Office and talking to the portraits of former presidents.)

I absolutely care if a current President is an active alcoholic. However, he is not being accused of being an active alcoholic, but rather a "dry drunk."

It sounds like you assume he is definitely an active alcoholic if you're expecting a Kissinger-esque memo.