Narcissus in the White House

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Narcissus in the White House

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by Bill Chickering

"He worships at the altar of a stagnant pool,
And when he sees his reflection, he's fulfilled."

- Bob Dylan, License to Kill

Prior to the president's "major policy address" on Sunday evening,
prognosticators took to the airwaves to offer up hallowed opinions of
their expectations. In unison (of course), they all said that Bush must
be straightforward and "answer some of the hard questions that Americans
are asking."

Did any of these scribes actually believe this was going to happen?
Perhaps a few from FOX did, but I imagine that their scripted reply was
written before the speech was ever delivered.

Alcoholics Anonymous uses a phrase to describe someone for whom the
truth will be forever a stranger. It refers to such people as
"constitutionally incapable" of being honest. Such is the man who now
sits, against the wishes of the majority of the electorate, in the White
House.

George W. Bush's first and last priority is George W. Bush. Sunday
evening's speech was simply an extension of something he has done
throughout his life -- ask others to pay for his mistakes and cover the
tab for a bill he cannot (or won't) pay. Whether it's been a scrape with
the law, a shirking of National Guard duty, or another busted business
venture, junior's always had family and well-connected friends at the
ready with the proper letter or an open checkbook. W's the guy who
swerves 90 miles an hour through crowded traffic and leaves a trail of
blood and busted glass along the highway while he slides through untouched.

Perhaps the most reprehensible and pathetic part of Sunday evening's
speech came when the president asked the troops and the American people
to do something he has never, ever done himself. Sacrifice. His call
callously mocks our troops who have given their all and now are asked to
give even more. And he mocks millions in this country who have lost
their jobs while their president gives away the candy store to his pals.

Bush's message was preeningly narcissistic. More clearly than anything
he has said or done thus far, this speech said, "This is all about me."
He covered no new ground, he simply dug up old lies and repackaged them.

The president lied to make himself look good because making himself look
good is all he knows how to do. He used his best, folksy, down home, aw
shucks manipulation to stick us with the bill for his overbearing ego.
And get ready for the cries of "you don't support the troops" to anyone
who calls his 87 billion dollar request into question. He'll trot out
the flag and once again use brave men and women for his cover. The Karl
Rove whirling dervish machine will go into overdrive.

But it won't work this time, Mr. President. It won't work because we
understand two things very clearly now.

It's about us.

It's not about you.

Bill Chickering
White Bear Lake, MN

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
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