Worth a thousand words

Prompted by news of George Bush's "increased confidence" in Alberto Gonzales, I felt suddenly compelled to find an image or icon that would accurately summarize the driving philosophy of the Bush presidency. I think we have a winner.

Let's face it - this shot pretty much encapsulates White House attitudes toward the Constitution, the economy, the Geneva Conventions, the environment, New Orleans, women's rights, science, world peace, the American voter, and truth in general. If anything, it should be The Decider's official portrait.

I know I've broken with tradition here by using a photo as part of my post. But I've reached a point where I can't even find the words any more to adequately express my sense of bewilderment, embarrassment, and incredulity at this Administration. How have we let it come to this, America? How is it possible that we've begun the new millennium with this collection of imbeciles and ideologues at the helm? How will we ever explain to future generations that this petty despot and his minions faced no serious attempt by a 21st Century citizenry to remove them from power?

It's beyond unthinkable that, after Gonzo's pathetic testimony last week, Boy George would have the temerity to claim:

The attorney general went up and gave a very candid assessment, and answered every question he could possibly answer...in a way that increased my confidence in his ability to do the job.

Are you f#%king kidding me?!?!

I mean, "mistakes were made," and the AG accepted "full responsibility." Too bad that under the bumbling stewardship of George the Younger, "responsibility" translates into a complete lack of consequences. George Tenet, anyone?

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised at all. Come to think of it, the most consistent characteristic of Bush's three-ring circus has been the appointment of unqualified political cronies to positions of vast importance and power. After all, the tone is set at the top. And as Bill Maher pointed out so accurately last Friday, Dubyah seems to have specifically chosen Administration officials around whom he can feel like "the smartest person in the room."

In that light, maybe this image is an even better one. It certainly reflects the mentality of those among us who twice "elected" the worst president in our history, and who continue to blindly support him today.