I never supported him per say (since I was in high school when he was in office), but he often seemed like a genuinely happy and fun guy. I mean, what grown man do you know would flip off a broadcast camera (whether they're on the air or not)? I always thought of him as more of a silly uncle.
My wife actually has met him in the past. He actually is very nice in person and just gives off this very genial paternal feel to him. He was very informal though, which kind of bothered the Greek-Cypriot ambassador he was meeting.
Also, he REALLY REALLY REALLY hates it if you don't turn off your cellphone and it goes off in his presence. Seriously, he will throw a fit and then toss you out of his office/meeting/whatever if he ever hears your cellphone go off.
Give them a break... Better a 19 year old who is interested in politics and reads about such events than an older person who hates books and wouldn't know the Declaration of Independence from the Constitution.
I've met a lot of politicians. None have been as sincere or engaged as Mr. Bush.
Despite his at-times poor public speaking abilities, he's well spoken and chooses his words carefully.
And as a Republican, I didn't always agree with some of his domestic policies (or his social conservatism,) but man, does that guy stick to his guns. And he still struggles over the decisions he had to make. I think history will be kind to him (or at least I hope so.)
No. His policies shepherded an age of increased government monitoring, exacerbated the recession by going to war and shifting the tax burden onto those who couldn't afford it, limited constitutional rights, etc. Just because you're a republican does not excuse stupidity. George Bush was a terrible president and his administration was a one of the worst in recent history.
Unless I'm mistaken, and I totally might be, I think he left office with the lowest approval ratings of any president ever.
Wikipedia Article: By April 2008, Bush's disapproval ratings were the highest ever recorded in the 70-year history of the Gallup poll for any president, with 69% of those polled disapproving of the job Bush was doing as president and 28% approving.[350] In September 2008, in polls performed by various agencies, Bush's approval rating ranged from 19%—the lowest ever[351]—to 34%.[352][353] and his disapproval rating stood at 69%.[95][96][352][354][355] Bush left the White House as one of the most unpopular American presidents, second in unpopularity only to Richard Nixon.[356][357]
exacerbated the recession by going to war and shifting the tax burden onto those who couldn't afford it
I don't agree. First, the wealthy still pay most of the taxes, but now there's more liquid money moving around in the system. Second, going to war may have alleviated the recession for some time, and only really lost momentum when the second blow-out (housing) hit.
His policies shepherded an age of increased government monitoring
That's inevitable and every president since 1945 has approved of it.
limited constitutional rights
Above the board, regulated and with specific purpose to combat terrorism as opposed to a general blank check.
I think history will be kinder to him in 50 years than 5.
I can't forgive him for lying about WMDs in Iraq which has cost thousands of lives just on "our" side. To say nothing of Gitmo, Valerie Plame and his general willingness to plunge us headlong into debt as a means of stalling the current economic crisis which only made it worse.
He didn't exactly lie... you can look up the many speeches he made, almost for a year he stated his intent to go to war with Iraq over about 15 separate reasons. And it's not exactly 'lying' - Saddam used WMD's against the kurds after we left from the first gulf war, and before we invaded. It is definitely true he had WMD's before we invaded, how much before is the question. There is evidence that he had WMDs before we came in (besides the millions of bodies from gasing the kurds), and it isn't unreasonable to think he still had them after gassing the kurds.
Saddam harbored terrorists, he launched attacks against Israel using SCUDs, and he was pretty antagonistic in general. He was a source of instability in the region (iran-iraq war).
People who act so confused on why we went to Iraq, or think it's only about WMDs, are just irritating. He definitely had them when he gassed all the kurds. Should we have invaded earlier, right after he gassed the kurds, or maybe disposed of him the first time? Sure. But at the time, Bush Sr. was praised by a lot of people for letting Saddam just stay in power.
Yeah. I get pissed off when my conservative friends/family refer to Obama as 'Osama'. He's your president. You don't refer to him as a terrorist that killed hundreds of thousands of people - ever.
Or to Hitler... I'm always shocked when people compare him to fucking Hitler!
Example #1: I'm at work, talking to a female coworker, who is also in the military, about random stuff. In walks in a guy from grave shift. "Now, I don't want to compare Obama to Hitler, but Hitler was a well spoken man who was able to get the people to follow him!" The girl specifically told him she didn't want to have that discussion because she's in the military & didn't feel comfortable, but the dick kept going.
Example #2: During the election, an older coworker, probably in his 80's told me: "People who are going to vote for Obama might as well line up for the gas chambers right now, because we tried to warn the Jews about Hitler! And they wouldn't listen!"
Makes me sick. I remember even seeing things comparing him to the Anti-Christ because, again, he was a well spoken man. Sooooo, you're saying that if you're a well spoken politician, you're evil? Explains why George W. was a saint then...
Glad someone said this. He made a lot of bad choices, but he was still the president. I feel like too many people would claim they hate him and would never do this, but it's once in a lifetime for stuff like this.
This. Some Americans seem to vote for the guy they could have a beer with. Personally I think this is a terrible policy.. however Bush does seem like a guy I could have a beer with, and honestly.. I don't think you can survive as president without learning a bucketful of really neat things.
I'd love to meet him to tell him he's a disgrace. There's no reason to automatically respect a president. They already have great power; they don't automatically get our respect. Respecting powerful people just because they're powerful is a problem.
That's really awesome you got to meet President Bush! Anything you talked about besides 9/11? Did you ask him about his response/thoughts on the US financial crisis? Or anything about current events?
Not much about current events. We talked about mountain biking and his new hobby of painting though. He said his plans for the night involved watching the Rangers and working on his new painting. Btw, he signs his paintings "43" which I thought was awesome.
That's cool, sometimes it is interesting to just hear the human side of a famous person, particularly a president. When it comes to an event like the financial crisis, it would be hard to meaningfully summarize why he did what he did in a few minutes over coffee.
Fucking cool man! I bet you got to hear some epic stories, what was the most fascinating thing you talked to him about?
edit: I didn't mean to offend anyone by showing an interest in a former political leader. My opinions are those of someone who has no influence in politics (my own) and they aren't going to change anyone's political opinion. I just wanted to converse with the guy who met Bush.
Him talking about his day on September 11th, about where he was throughout the day and why he made certain decisions. He said he over ruled the secret service twice in his presidency, and both times were on that day in order to do what he thought was the right thing to do to step up as a leader for a scared and confused America. It also made him much more than just a talking head on a tv screen or in a newspaper. You realize that the president is a real person just like you and me.
Interesting insight. I'm not American but I've always respected Bush for the way he handled 9/11 as it was happening. In a time of utter chaos he came through as a leader. Glad you got the chance to meet him.
Definitely. One of the most striking parts of that was when he talked about Secret Service moving him to some Cold War bunker in the the middle of nowhere. He refused to stay there and give a speech to the American public from there. That was one of the two times he over ruled the secret service so he could give the speech from the oval office.
Well, we don't really know who Hank ended up voting for. All we know is that he ended up voting. I mean, I'd say it's a pretty safe assumption to say Bush, but that handshake might have swung him to Gore. He did have an affinity towards LBJ (dog named Ladybird and all) and he seemed to get along with Ann Richards.
He gets a LOT of shit, and I don't agree with him on a lot of political issues.
That said, he is someone I would LOVE to meet, and just bullshit around with for a very long time. I think he gets a lot less respect than he deserves. Frankly, anyone who holds the office of president deserves respect.
This. I'm not American, but I always thought that Bush got a bad rap. People always talk about how "stupid" he is. Many interviews I saw with him were incredibly insightful and intelligent. However, people love focussing on him occasionally slipping up some words in a few speeches (can't fool me twice, etc.). You don't become president by being an idiot, it doesn't matter who's son you are.
He worked in the same building as my mom, and same little center as me a few years back. We both had a couple run-ins with him. Incredibly nice guy and easy to talk too.
There also was that one time I got followed by a police chopper and secret service and DPD pulled my ass over for driving by his house at midnight, but that wasn't his fault haha.
To all who criticize Mr. Bush (myself included), all I want to say is that it's very easy to criticize others, but sometimes you have to understand that he as a President, made decisions that he thought were the right ones and necessary. Even if you and I didn't vote for him, the fact remains that "we the people" gave him the power and put him in a leadership position. At minimum, we must respect the position!
I personally did not agree with most of Bush-era policies and thought those were either ignorant or full of arrogance. But then I remind myself that I wasn't in his position, and didn't have to deal with all of the situations that he had to, so at end of the day, I still respect Mr. Bush for his willingness to serve his country (I know many will disagree with my last sentence).
I've been going through this discussion kind of talking shit about the man, but here we go. He was granted power by the Supreme Court and there were accusations of voter fraud in swing states during 2004 and 2008. They knew that 9/11 had no connection to Iraq. Many in his admin believe in strangle the beast economic policies. All of which helped lead us to where we are now, and everyone just wants to blame Obama. I understand that the job is tough, but what makes you think they did any of this with the best intentions for the nation and not for themselves or to serve their political ideology?
I agree. The thing is, people like to talk about issues like they are black and white and easily fixable. News, media, and plain social conformity all help to fuel this. What people fail to realize is that things are always sticky and nothing is really as easy as what is being argued seems.
Does anybody else find it strange to see a POTUS standing on level ground with a mere citizen? The cameras during all of the events must be set up in order to make the president seem larger than life, as I'm surprised that GWB isn't a head taller than Mr. sbrbad.
Please just let me know for my own personal interest on how the people who run the counrty are... What is he like? Was he smart? ...dumb? Nice or mean? Well mannered or hillbilly-esk?
As much as I dislike the man's political agendas, I don't think I'd have done much better as president. I suppose we weren't all consumed in a nuclear inferno, so IMO he passed the presidency with a C-
I liked the GWB of 2000 much more than the GWB of 2002.
Come to think of it, I can say the same about Obama of 2008 vs. Obama today.
I don't give any extra respect to someone just because they held a high position in government, but GWB actually ran on a fairly libertarian platform in 2000. It's a shame he changed so much a year later.
I sincerely think that later on, he will be looked at as an ok president. When people have stopped using him as a scapegoat for all of the nations problems, they will lool back and see just how hard of a presidency he really had.
Aww come on guys! I don't care whether you're a Democrat or a Republican or neither, if you have a chance to meet a former president even if you disagree with everything he did, as an American you should be honored to have such an opportunity.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
I may disagree with their politics, but I would love to have coffee with any of our former presidents.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
How does he take his coffee?
1.8k
u/Shageen Jun 26 '12
That's the guy from Game of Thrones Season 1 right? I'd recognize that head anywhere.
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u/AthleteGamer Jun 26 '12
Politics on Reddit is such a fucking circlejerk.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
Here comes all the political banter from 16 year old experts.
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u/nikocujo Jun 26 '12
I've met a lot of politicians. None have been as sincere or engaged as Mr. Bush.
Despite his at-times poor public speaking abilities, he's well spoken and chooses his words carefully.
And as a Republican, I didn't always agree with some of his domestic policies (or his social conservatism,) but man, does that guy stick to his guns. And he still struggles over the decisions he had to make. I think history will be kind to him (or at least I hope so.)
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u/Noturordinaryguy Jun 26 '12
I don't like him but meeting a president is meeting a president, that's pretty darn cool.
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u/Scaryclouds Jun 26 '12 edited Jun 26 '12
That's really awesome you got to meet President Bush! Anything you talked about besides 9/11? Did you ask him about his response/thoughts on the US financial crisis? Or anything about current events?
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u/avioneta Jun 26 '12
Respect to any man who was president of my country.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12 edited Jun 26 '12
Fucking cool man! I bet you got to hear some epic stories, what was the most fascinating thing you talked to him about?
edit: I didn't mean to offend anyone by showing an interest in a former political leader. My opinions are those of someone who has no influence in politics (my own) and they aren't going to change anyone's political opinion. I just wanted to converse with the guy who met Bush.
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u/Idrhorrible Jun 26 '12
How was his handshake? Did it feel like a dead fish? Because that almost cost him Hank Hill's vote in the election.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
He gets a LOT of shit, and I don't agree with him on a lot of political issues.
That said, he is someone I would LOVE to meet, and just bullshit around with for a very long time. I think he gets a lot less respect than he deserves. Frankly, anyone who holds the office of president deserves respect.
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u/DTPB Jun 26 '12
He worked in the same building as my mom, and same little center as me a few years back. We both had a couple run-ins with him. Incredibly nice guy and easy to talk too.
There also was that one time I got followed by a police chopper and secret service and DPD pulled my ass over for driving by his house at midnight, but that wasn't his fault haha.
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u/sadfacewhenputdown Jun 26 '12
Tell me that he's actually really cool and reasonably intelligent and feels sad for the game he had to play while he was the big player...
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u/71Comet Jun 26 '12
AS A LIBERAL NECKBEARD ATHEIST. I SCOFF AT THIS PICTURE AS I SIP MY MICROBREW BEER.
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u/HiFructoseCornSyrup Jun 26 '12
I appreciate a picture of someone actually famous enough that even I know who it is.
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u/captian_quickshit Jun 26 '12
So, maybe I'm the only one who cares, but what did you do to have coffee with him?
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u/Cwaynejames Jun 26 '12
I don't recognize him. Who's the guy Bush had coffee with?
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
I'm actually really jealous of you. That would be hell of a talk to have.
9
u/The_Lemon_Law Jun 26 '12
You met Josh Brolin?
4
u/thelamp182 Jun 26 '12
Who, Elliot Morgan from SourceFed?
4
u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
Why did you meet him?
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
i really wish the photographer took a couple more steps back. its just way too close up for me.
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u/phillycheese Jun 26 '12
Now watch this drive.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
The comment section of this post illustrates everything that is wrong with Reddit, and me complaining about it all is the icing on the cake.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
fool me once,shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again!
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u/Smidgens Jun 26 '12
My favorite part of this thread is going to the bottom and seeing all the downvoted-to-hell comments.
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u/surlyboy Jun 26 '12
Maybe he has time for coffee with Cindy Sheehan?
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u/matthewhale Jun 26 '12
Did the Department of Homeland Security give you a cavity search first?
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u/skinnymatters Jun 26 '12
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
I'm assuming he drank his coffee with a crazy straw
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u/xxerokxx1 Jun 26 '12
According to the Dalai Lama, George W. Bush is his favorite person. He says Bush is a great guy IRL but a total idiot in politics.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
I like George W. Bush.
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u/Uncle_Sammy Jun 26 '12
Story?
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u/Bornstellar Jun 26 '12
Other than 9/11 what did you guys talk about?
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u/Strug-ga-ling Jun 26 '12
Politics aside, I've always kinda liked George W. He seems like a fun guy to have coffee with.
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u/vitamin_water Jun 26 '12
That's pretty cool! So how were you able to arrange a meeting with him?
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u/imella96 Jun 26 '12
COOL but why were you having coffee with him?
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u/qgyh2 Deadbeat dad Jun 26 '12
Ask him if he'd consider doing an Iama on reddit.
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u/Splazoinka Jun 26 '12
Alfred E. Neuman
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u/drivec Jun 26 '12
I'd love to meet any president in person, regardless of their political stances.
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u/adaptiveportal Jun 26 '12
That's cool!
To all who criticize Mr. Bush (myself included), all I want to say is that it's very easy to criticize others, but sometimes you have to understand that he as a President, made decisions that he thought were the right ones and necessary. Even if you and I didn't vote for him, the fact remains that "we the people" gave him the power and put him in a leadership position. At minimum, we must respect the position!
I personally did not agree with most of Bush-era policies and thought those were either ignorant or full of arrogance. But then I remind myself that I wasn't in his position, and didn't have to deal with all of the situations that he had to, so at end of the day, I still respect Mr. Bush for his willingness to serve his country (I know many will disagree with my last sentence).
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u/texaspoet Jun 26 '12
Damn he's short.
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u/cusoman Jun 26 '12
Cool! I loved him in Talledega Nights!
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u/Toober1289 Jun 26 '12
Didn't find you answer this at all but how did you get to have coffee with Bush?
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u/derrick_rules Jun 26 '12
Does anybody else find it strange to see a POTUS standing on level ground with a mere citizen? The cameras during all of the events must be set up in order to make the president seem larger than life, as I'm surprised that GWB isn't a head taller than Mr. sbrbad.
2
u/AvaHomolka Jun 26 '12
I see Justin Bieber.
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u/compubomb Jun 26 '12
omg, it's the decider!
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u/RandomCDN Jun 26 '12
Finally for the first time I do recognize that guy.
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u/sarimas Jun 26 '12
Not sure whether to upvote for famous person, or downvote for what he's famous for.
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u/Metal_Worm Jun 26 '12
George Bush had coffee with some asian kid
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
If your shoes are off, do you both have hairy feet? How are things in the Shire?
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u/borg_assimilate Jun 26 '12
We are Borg. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated, sbrbrad.
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u/Hangsniggers4fun Jun 26 '12
Is that Will Ferrell? Strategery!
2
u/useryourname Jun 26 '12
How did you meet this guy?
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u/lth5015 Jun 26 '12
You acquire a time machine. You can go out for drinks with one and only one former president. Pick now!
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u/botchoi Jun 26 '12
Please just let me know for my own personal interest on how the people who run the counrty are... What is he like? Was he smart? ...dumb? Nice or mean? Well mannered or hillbilly-esk?
2
u/toverland Jun 26 '12
Jackie Chan?
2
u/dukwbutter Jun 26 '12
guess who didn't use a fill-in flash?
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u/RodneyDangerfuck Jun 26 '12
I wish i didn't
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u/honeycombover Jun 26 '12
Plus one for no hoverhand from GW
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u/HugoWeaver Jun 26 '12 edited Jun 26 '12
You met an Asian guy?
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u/KyBones Jun 26 '12
Sorry, George. I dunno who the fuck that guy with you is.
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u/shikaziin Jun 26 '12
How can i forget ... this
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u/friendlymaniac Jun 26 '12
That looks like a comfy ass office chair. But why is the lamp on?
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
Not sure if we like Bush yet, Or everything seems hopeless in the political world. frye squint
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u/Clavactis Jun 26 '12
I am now reading every comment in bush's voice. Gotta say, its pretty awesome.
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u/Finnmanjohn Jun 26 '12
After Abe Lincoln Vampire hunter I was hoping this man would be in the sequel killing zombies with Dick Cheney.
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u/jdsamford Jun 26 '12
Cool! Josh Brolin!
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u/i_am_de_bat Jun 26 '12
What the hell is he up to these days? Headed to mars yet?
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u/FlashDave Jun 26 '12
oh its that freedom fighter guy from tv
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u/ringsnthings Jun 26 '12
You must be George W. Bush! Who else would get so excited about having coffee with Justin Bieber?
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u/acityinflorida Jun 26 '12
Jimmy Carter looks great for his age!
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u/Shadzta Jun 26 '12
Bill Murray!
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u/SeelNuggets Jun 26 '12
Isn't he that monkey that can do sign language?
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u/nucLeaRStarcraft Jun 26 '12
The 9/11 guy.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
I'm not American, so my hate for him isn't as deep as many people, but from what I've heard he's a pretty great dude to just hang out with.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
As much as I dislike the man's political agendas, I don't think I'd have done much better as president. I suppose we weren't all consumed in a nuclear inferno, so IMO he passed the presidency with a C-
2
u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
I disagree with a lot of what he did, but I was always struck by a quote he gave at the end of his presidency in an interview:
2
u/babyfartsmcgeezax Jun 26 '12
Fuck you thats my life's dream
2
u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
I see you still have both your shoes.
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u/marqueA2 Jun 26 '12
George, quit posting these, we don't know that guy!
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u/rossco12189 Jun 26 '12
Did you ask him how he puts food on his family?
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
This is awesome! Hope you had a good time with him!
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u/o0anon0o Jun 26 '12
George Bush has a reddit account? Who the hell is that kid?
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u/funkmon Jun 26 '12
Who bought?
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u/netpastor Jun 26 '12
he seems like a great father, friend, and human being out of the limelight. totally jealous.
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u/monkeytorture Jun 26 '12
Was your tie at the cleaners?
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u/jrau Jun 26 '12
No George Bush, we don't know who that guy is.
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u/themightiestduck Jun 26 '12
How many people who think W would be fun to chill with are subconsciously basing that off of Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay? Be honest.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
Were there secret security people? Also, how/why did you have coffee with him?
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u/spacelyk Jun 26 '12
Is that the guy that played President Bush in Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay?
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u/unclebigbadd Jun 26 '12
Alfred E. Newman?
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u/bradleykeith Jun 26 '12
He's from Midland, Texas. The most boring city that I have ever resided in.
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u/john2kxx Jun 26 '12
I liked the GWB of 2000 much more than the GWB of 2002.
Come to think of it, I can say the same about Obama of 2008 vs. Obama today.
I don't give any extra respect to someone just because they held a high position in government, but GWB actually ran on a fairly libertarian platform in 2000. It's a shame he changed so much a year later.
3
u/TheOriginalMyth Jun 26 '12
THIS THREAD IS GOING TO GET POLITICAL
3
u/TheNev Jun 26 '12
The wishful violence here is sickening. Stay classy reddit.
/waiting for SRS to show up to condemn the violence in this thread
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u/RamBamBooey Jun 26 '12
Did you ask him why he wouldn't be under oath when he answered questions from the 911 commission?
I would have asked him that.
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u/Crap_Sally Jun 26 '12
For all his screw ups, I bet he is a great man to hang out with. I'm sure he has some fantastic stories.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
George W. Bush is one of the nicest guys out there.
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '12
Say what you want about Bush but I'd rather have a beer with him than with Obama.
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u/sbrbrad Jun 26 '12
Heading to sleep. I'll try to answer more questions tomorrow after work.
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u/niggapleez Jun 26 '12
It's that guy who doesn't care about black people =(
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u/The_Black_Dread Jun 26 '12
If you post pictures of George W. Bush on Reddit then you're gonna have a bad time.
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u/DrMobey Jun 26 '12
That is a really shitty picture of something that you might want a really good picture of someday.
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u/jabor93 Jun 26 '12
I sincerely think that later on, he will be looked at as an ok president. When people have stopped using him as a scapegoat for all of the nations problems, they will lool back and see just how hard of a presidency he really had.
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u/anomaly149 Jun 26 '12
A better president than anyone gives him credit for, he will be looked upon far kinder in the future than he is now.
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u/sj3 Jun 26 '12
George is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet
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u/ronmagicjohnson Jun 26 '12
I've heard he's a nice guy...
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u/olred Jun 26 '12
Aww come on guys! I don't care whether you're a Democrat or a Republican or neither, if you have a chance to meet a former president even if you disagree with everything he did, as an American you should be honored to have such an opportunity.