WWW.RIDESIDE.NET

Posted by tgl on 2005-12-08 13:04:28 +0000

This is news?

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-12-08 13:56:05 +0000

No, it's history. ;)

Posted by bizquig3000 on 2005-12-08 13:56:34 +0000

Just a hypothetical question here: why is someone who is talking about current events called an "historian?" Doesn't the inherent definition of "historian" require some distance from the event?

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-12-08 14:02:12 +0000

Huh? And "journalists" are not allowed to talk about history? They are historians talking about current events. So be it. It's not a great article, and there is clearly some bias (and even a typo or two), but I found it interesting that Bush already gets 50 "worst ever votes" out of 415. I wonder what Buchanan, Harding, or Grant got.

Posted by tgl on 2005-12-08 14:04:29 +0000

This post is history.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-12-08 14:05:33 +0000

James K. Polk is history...

Posted by rladew on 2005-12-08 14:12:57 +0000

your welcome to write your own history book now, DB :) ______________________________ I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones. -John Cage

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-12-08 14:22:18 +0000

I'm going to leave it to the historians, as they seem to get it right... although since G.W. Bush routinely rewrites/edits his transcripts, it might be harder than with the others.

Posted by frame609 on 2005-12-08 17:30:02 +0000

Polk = my favorite.

Posted by rladew on 2005-12-08 20:27:40 +0000

Anti conservative sentiment from academia? (George Mason University, closely tied to History News Network) ...How Unusual. This poll holds about as much clout as R. Stone's top 100 guitarists _______________________________ I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones. -John Cage

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-12-09 02:05:11 +0000

It's not anti-conservative. Where did you come up with that? I can assure you that many of the historians who voted for Buchanan as worst Prez. are liberals, even though he was a Democrat. While I admitted there is some bias in the article, it's not like this is a party line thing. And it holds much more clout than a couple RS editors. This is hundreds of historians, liberals and conservatives. The truth stings.

Posted by frame609 on 2005-12-09 02:42:29 +0000

Buchanan, Harding, and Pierce are commonly mentioned as the worst presidents- not a party affiliation thing.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-12-09 02:42:37 +0000

Did he rewrite his transcripts?

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-12-09 03:07:12 +0000

I also have a suspicion that you may have voted for Bush, rladew, and you don't want to admit you voted for the worst president ever. Understandable.

Posted by tgl on 2005-12-09 03:18:58 +0000

Man...

Posted by rladew on 2005-12-09 12:16:59 +0000

I'm so glad I have you to feed me my political opinions and thought process. I should probably stop reading papers , watching the news, and reading / making posts. It doesn't seem to be necessary since you've got me all figured out. _______________________________ I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones. -John Cage

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-12-09 19:36:48 +0000

Not feeding, just analyzing.

Posted by tgl on 2005-12-09 20:08:58 +0000

I'm almost as ashamed of my vote for Kerry in '04 as I am of my vote for Clinton in '92. I blame my youth then, last year, maybe a lack of imagination... I feel like there was no purpose to my voting.

Posted by frame609 on 2005-12-10 00:27:58 +0000

Again: If everyone who said that they were going to vote Nader in '00 had actually done so, things might be different now.

Posted by tgl on 2005-12-12 15:25:47 +0000

My proudest vote: Kennedy in '00.

Posted by rladew on 2005-12-12 16:01:49 +0000

2008 write in candidacy: Quigley / Voss _______________________________ cruft: /kruhft/ [very common; back-formation from crufty] 1. n. An unpleasant substance. The dust that gathers under your bed is cruft; the TMRC Dictionary correctly noted that attackin

Posted by bizquig3000 on 2005-12-12 16:17:52 +0000

Indiana, let it go.

Posted by rladew on 2005-12-12 17:00:49 +0000

Indiana? Is that a Lucas/Spielberg fagen? I dont get it...

Posted by cdubrocker on 2005-12-12 18:03:53 +0000

(from indiatimes.com) When you have done everything humanly possible – with a project, with a business, with a relationship – then the only thing left to do is to let it go. To illustrate her point in a provocative way, she describes a poignant scene in the adventure movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Towards the climax of the film, Indiana Jones and his father have finally found the Holy Grail: “After many adventures and heartaches, Indiana is finally at the precipice – about to grasp the very item he and his father have been searching for. And yet, so precarious is his position on the cliff that his father realizes if Indiana retrieves the grail, he will lose his balance and fall into the pit below. As Indiana is about to lift up the prize, his father whispers, “Let it go.” “There is a long pause, and you can see the anguish in Indiana’s face. Have they come all this way for nothing? Can’t he finally grasp the treasure they’ve been searching for? Can’t he finally make his father proud of him? Another second passes, and his father takes his arm and says more firmly, “Indiana, let it go.”

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-04-18 23:27:41 +0000

While pretty much no one I know reads Rolling Stone for music commentary anymore (ie. rladew's post above), they do have keen insight into politics. And it appears next week's cover story is about the G.W. Bush disaster. Though My Favorite Progressive Republican points out, this Executive and Secretaries have united the 50 states more than people realize.

Posted by tgl on 2006-04-27 23:52:15 +0000

4 cents away from being worse than Brother Jimmy.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2007-05-21 14:33:56 +0000

Carter agrees.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-05-21 14:45:27 +0000

oh, well, if JC says so, then its definitely settled. Good thing there won't ever be another POTUSA after 1/07/09 If the United States is still ongoing, how can anything be deemed the best or worst? We haven't seen it all yet. (Unless Conor has been borrowing Mahatma Chani's property, which I suppose is a distinct possibility)

Posted by tgl on 2007-05-21 14:46:58 +0000

Another reason he's the worst... destruction of the US executive branch in favor of hereditary oligarchy. ;) If Clinton wins in 2008, I would have to say there is.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2007-05-21 15:05:48 +0000

"Worst ever" would imply worst to date, akin to "Best Albums", "Worst hairstyles", etc.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-05-21 15:25:39 +0000

fair enough.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-04-14 16:43:25 +0000

Fuel for the Fire. Thanks Drudge...

Posted by mahatma chani on 2008-04-14 18:17:42 +0000

Just asking: how can a historian accurately assess current events? Doesn't being a "historian," by it's strictest definition, require distance and time from the event one is judging?

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-04-15 07:08:22 +0000

We've been over this before: "Just a hypothetical question here: why is someone who is talking about current events called an "historian?" Doesn't the inherent definition of "historian" require some distance from the event? * By bizquig3000 at 2005 Dec 8 - 8:56am Huh? And "journalists" are not allowed to talk about history? They are historians talking about current events. So be it. # By dawnbixtler at 2005 Dec 8 - 9:02am" I guess one could argue that they cannot be historians on G.W. Bush because there is no time distance.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2008-04-15 07:13:30 +0000

Am I the only one reminded of Socrates, here?

Posted by mahatma chani on 2008-04-15 13:05:37 +0000

Well, I could say that we've gone over this "worst Presidnt ever" post before, too...

Posted by MF DU on 2008-04-16 17:10:51 +0000

The recent Hollywood rumblings of Oliver Stone rushing out a GWB movie before his last day in office also brought to mind this (not so?)long dead thread...

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-05-01 21:41:04 +0000

Happy Anniversary:

Posted by tgl on 2008-05-19 11:13:22 +0000

I think Douthat is right. Bush stands a chance of being redeemed in the eyes of future generations. Not in our lifetimes, however. He certainly can't drop any lower. ...Nixon did get a "bounce" on his death.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-05-19 14:13:12 +0000

President Bush, a man who can't wait to die.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-06-01 06:21:51 +0000

Decent read.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-07-10 18:06:43 +0000

Whe you surround yourself with assholes...

Posted by MF DU on 2008-07-10 19:59:44 +0000

I have no idea why Rove would want to avoid a subonea to talk, especially because that Alabama governor looks pretty sketchy - his name is tied to Richard Scrushy the dude who (allegedly?) directed the Healthsouth company executives and accountants to overinflate the value of the stock to the tune of millions? That's some Enron style corruption. Yikes. Everyone in this story (Rove included) sounds like a scumbag.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-07-11 06:08:27 +0000

MF DU, please... That's the joke in the article. This subpoena has nothing to do with Gov. Siegelman. You sound like Rove's lawyer. Try to separate all Rove's corruption; I know it's hard. This is about lying to everyone about the Attorney firings. Did Rove he help the Attorney General fire people who didn't fall in line with his politics? Take the stand and take an oath like a man. I think we all hope Rove goes to jail for a long time...

Posted by TheFullCleveland on 2008-07-11 12:48:38 +0000

No one's (anyone of importance, at least) going to jail. See: Iran-Contra Affair. What we need to come up with is a snappy name like "Iran-Contra Affair" that the media can parrot and everyone can remember easily to facilitate watercooler conversation about this stuff. And then there can be congressional hearings that all fall under the umbrella of that term, and they won't seem to be about so many things, but just one thing - the absolute wrongheadedness/illegality of most everything this administration has succeeded in accomplishing during its time in office.

Posted by MF DU on 2008-07-11 14:56:14 +0000

Everyone in this story (Rove included) sounds like a scumbag.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-07-12 04:57:47 +0000

Including Conyers and Sanchez?

Posted by tgl on 2008-08-12 05:01:47 +0000

A compelling argument for best president ever. Bush's mistakes:

• sobriety
• listening to Cheney

Maybe not in that order.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-12-01 04:37:44 +0000

The W. Bush final days really drive home the worst-ness. Laughable, except it hurts us all: "One rule would allow coal companies to dump rock and dirt from mountaintop mining operations into nearby streams and valleys."

Posted by dyedon8 on 2008-12-01 04:44:52 +0000

"Really drive home the worst-ness" = a hell of a header. Sayin'.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2009-01-20 06:29:15 +0000

... Has left the building!

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-01-24 01:34:51 +0000

(HT: Chunklet)

Posted by mahatma chani on 2009-01-24 13:03:28 +0000

I'm glad the vast right-wing-biased mainstream media is continuing to lie to the people that Bush left with the worst approval ratings even though Nixon and Truman's were worse. The media martyrdom of 43 continues, so it should be no-contest he'll be considered somewhere in the lower middle of the pack amongst all Presidents.

Posted by tgl on 2009-01-24 16:33:55 +0000

Except now Truman is in the top five, so, ratings be damned. lower-middle-of-the-pack: That'd be generous of future historians. Please link to the "real" approval ratings you're talking about.

Posted by tgl on 2009-01-24 16:37:00 +0000

The media usually always pairs the "worst approval ratings" line with "he had 90% at one point"... so, what's the problem? Sounds fair and balanced to me.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2009-01-24 23:33:09 +0000

Who in the right-wing based media says Bush left with the worst approval ratings? I've never heard this. I think he's 3rd worst as of now, but he'll most likely drop to 2nd worst over time. I'm just glad I never voted for the guy. Does he get the Pardon?

Posted by mahatma chani on 2009-01-24 17:48:00 +0000

Ratings be damned indeed. Gallup polls: here and here.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2009-01-24 23:26:11 +0000

According to the 1st link, Bush did leave with worse ratings than Truman. Any reason you said otherwise?

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-01-25 00:06:24 +0000

Gallup.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2009-01-25 05:38:46 +0000

No.

Posted by tgl on 2009-01-26 10:53:33 +0000

You can cherry pick between polls to get the results you want. Isn't that something the fearless leaders of the GOP are always talking about? He's the worst president ever in the poll I just took: me.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2009-04-21 16:39:05 +0000

Lucas: Cheney isn't Darth Vader; Bush is. Cheney's the Emperor! Stunning!

Posted by tgl on 2009-04-21 17:20:06 +0000

I'm going to have to agree with Amy Davidson, that Bush is more like Jar Jar Binks than any other SW character. HT: Yglesias

Posted by MF DU on 2009-04-21 18:24:27 +0000

I'm gonna have to fight Lucas with his own medicine here and ask that you kindly let this go.

Posted by tgl on 2009-04-21 18:57:37 +0000

We will not.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2009-04-22 05:59:56 +0000

Pot meet Kettle!

Posted by MF DU on 2009-04-22 15:35:16 +0000

Letting Go of the 'Worst President Ever' perseveration that has been going on for ______ years here on RSN was my Indiana Jones post's intent. I get your point about torture and I am not attempting to argue that. At some point there must be something more / better to talk about than GWB. Other than this post here, I rarely spend time on the guy.

Posted by tgl on 2009-04-22 15:40:00 +0000

Some circles are still ruminating on the impeachment of Clinton, so, I'm not sure we're far enough away from W's presidency yet. . . . Grover Cleveland: not his real name. Discuss.

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2009-04-22 18:06:33 +0000

Exactly. History won't let it go. GWB policies were so corrupt and catastrophic, my generation may take decades to recover. MF DU wants to move on, but I feel we need to remember. Those who forget history...

Posted by tgl on 2009-04-22 18:52:48 +0000

Exactly. History won't let it go. GWB policies were so corrupt and catastrophic, my generation may take decades to recover. MF DU wants to move on, but I feel we need to remember.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-04-23 21:47:48 +0000

A+.