Awhile back, Professor Ribstein and I discussed (here, here. and here) the unique nature of current vitriolic criticism of President Bush.
Today, the always insightful Virginia Postrel weighs in with one possible reason for the intensity of the Bush-bashing:
When I was in New York a few weeks ago, a friend in the magazine business told me he thinks the ferocious Bush hating that he sees in New York is a way of calming the haters’ fears of terrorism. It’s not rational, but it’s psychologically plausible–blame the cause you can control, at least indirectly through elections, rather than the threats you have no control over.
I thought of that insight today when I glanced at Maureen Dowd’s column and read this sentence, “Maybe it’s because George Bush is relaxing at his ranch down there (again) while Osama is planning a big attack up here (again).”
That is the voice of a petulant child, angry that she has a tummy ache while Daddy is at work or Mommy is visiting a friend, or the voice of a grouchy wife angry that she has a migraine while her husband is out coaching the kids’ baseball team. You’re upset that you’re in pain (we’ve all been there), so you get mad at someone whose presence wouldn’t make the pain any better.
Professor Ribstein is not buying Ms. Postrel’s speculation, and contends that an underlying condescending nature is the root of the Bush bashing.
Bush-bashing on blogs
I have blogged many times on the Bush-bashing phenomenon (e.g.). I swore to myself just yesterday I would leave it alone, but it’s a subject that continues to fascinate me. Let me again define it: a vitriolic hatred of Bush
I agree the Left are spoiled, but their hatred of Bush is a hatred of Christianity. And imperfection; the idea of “Original Sin”, which implies that the Enlightment project, the Perfecting of Man, is doomed to failure.
Yes, all those who are not conservative hate Christianity.
?The man went out and came back in a third time. As before, the robot asked him, ‘What’s your IQ?’ The man replied, ’50.’ The robot then said…
‘So, you gonna vote for Bush again??
I am an avid Bush supporter and I laughed out loud at the above joke. It is hysterically funny. Some of us Republicans possess a sense of humor. I don?t think the same is true with Senator Kerry?s core supporters. They take themselves far too seriously. And yes, that?s why they will probably lose on election day. The swing voters are likely be turned off by their rage and snobbery.