Silence Is Golden
By Thomas Lindaman (09/22/06)
President Bush has angered Republicans and conservatives repeatedly during his second term as President. The Dubai ports deal, Harriet Myers, voting for Katherine McPhee over Taylor Hicks on "American Idol." It's been a regular comedy of errors without the comedy at times.
Lately, the GOP and their conservative brethren have said President Bush should have responded to the bizarre comments made by President I’vebeenadinnerjacket of Iraq and President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. For those of you who missed it, the Dynamic Duo of Bush Bashing put on a grand performance at the United Nations, attacking Bush as a warmonger, the Devil, and everything else short of a poopyhead. For a moment there, I thought I was listening to Err America, but I don’t think they have the kind of drawing power for one of them, let alone both.
In the face of such blistering comments, Republicans and conservatives alike have wanted Bush to say, “Listen, knuckleheads. I have access to ‘The Button’ and can reduce both of your countries to glass, ash, and cockroaches.” But he didn’t, thus the frustration. The critics of this lack of action suggest that he’s letting off I’vebeenadinnerjacket and Chavez too easily.
And I say he’s let them and his Democrat critics here fall into his trap.
The most obvious reason Bush didn’t respond to the aforementioned duo is because to respond is to give the accusations weight they don’t deserve. Think about it for a moment. Let’s say someone accuses you of being an evil cyborg monster from the planet Zarkalon 48. (My apologies to anyone reading this who actually is an evil cyborg monster from the planet Zarkalon 48.) It’s an absolutely nuts accusation, but if you respond to it there will be a section of the population who thinks the accusation holds water because you responded to it. We call these people “subscribers to Weekly World News.
Seriously, does anyone outside of DNC Headquarters believe Bush is the Devil? Not likely. So, why waste time, energy, and breath refuting the rantings of Cindy Sheehan’s bestest buddy? It accomplishes nothing.
On a deeper level, though, not responding works like an echo chamber. Without a Bush response, the words of I’madinnerjacket and Chavez have nothing to play off of, meaning they have to stand on their own. Then, the media grab a hold of the story of their comments and repeat them for a day or two, thus compounding their negative impact. After all, no American worth his or her salt wants to hear some bozo from a foreign country run down America.
By now, you may be wondering when the Democrats enter the picture. It’s right here, as a matter of fact. Both New York Representative Charles Rangel and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi came out and took tough stances against Hugo Chavez. As much fun as it is to watch one group of leftists go after another, this had a purpose. Guess who’s trying to shed their image of being a weak, anti-American party? Why, that would be the Democrats, boys and girls! So, predictably, two of the Democrats’ most recognizable figures jump into the fray.
Ah, but this springs the other Bush trap. It sets up both Rangel and Pelosi for questioning about some of their statements not too dissimilar to those of I’vebeenadinnerjacket and Chavez. Meanwhile, other Democrats stayed quiet, which is also a trap because it gives the impression that they don’t necessarily disagree with I’vebeenadinnerjacket and Chavez. Then, there’s Iowa Senator Tom Harkin who both disagreed and agreed with what they said. (On behalf of the thinking Iowans out there, I apologize for Senator Harkin’s remark.) If he keeps it up, Harkin may find himself served a lawsuit by John Kerry for copyright infringement.
Perhaps the best reason Bush should not say a word about I’vebeenadinnerjacket and Chavez’s comments is one of ego. Both of the aforementioned leaders are very conscious of how they appear to the rest of the world. They want to be seen as major players on par with America, so they have to appear that way. To have Bush diss them by not even acknowledging they exist is a huge blow to their egos. I know it is when Jessica Alba doesn’t take my phone calls…or reads my fan mail to her…or has me arrested for violating the terms of the restraining order…well, you get the picture.
By keeping silent about President I’vebeenadinnerjacket and Hugo Chavez’s comments and letting Democrats take up for the President, President Bush is in a win-win situation. Chavez and I’vebeenadinnerjacket look like the maroons they are, and the Democrats will have some explaining to do to their base and to the electorate. And all Bush had to do…was nothing.
Leave it to a government official to figure out how to be successful doing nothing.
(Printer friendly version) Email: Thomas Lindaman
