I found this at www.commondreams.org
they've got lots of interesting articles there, I just thought I'd post this one first because it brings up some good points and is more than just a "who said what" review of the so called "debate"
The Buck Passes Here
by Guy Reel
As any critically thinking schoolchild knows, the first step to solving a problem is recognizing that there is a problem. Yet John Kerry failed to make this fundamental point in his first debate with President Bush. Most analysts and early public opinion polls gave the edge in the debate to Kerry, but the senator, frankly, should have mopped the floor with Bush. That he failed to do so once again indicates the weakness in a Kerry campaign that by now should have launched the candidate into a clear lead.
One of Bush's biggest problems is his inability to recognize his own failures and mistakes. Some people call it arrogance; others say it's stupidity; his backers apparently think it's a sign of strength. But Kerry could have easily pointed out this character flaw without being angry or unlikable. And it isn't too late. All Kerry has to do is point out that Bush has an apparent delusional ability to deflect toward others any criticisms that are actually directed at Bush himself. It's the equivalent of a toddler who spills a glasss of milk and when confronted about it, points at the empty chair next to him and says, "I didn't do it. He did."
Think about how Bush responds to criticisms. When Kerry pointed out the mistakes in Iraq, Bush said Kerry was denigrating the troops. When Kerry jibed at Bush for not building a stronger coalition, Bush responded that Kerry was finding fault with the efforts of Poland and Britain. Bush even said that criticisms of the way Bush has handled the Iraqi occupation were actually directed at the "courageous" Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.
Bush makes the same claim all the time. During the debate over the quality of his service in the National Guard, Bush acted like those who were criticizing him were really cricitizing the National Guard. No doubt he'll do it again - he'll probably claim during the debate on domestic policy that when Kerry criticizes Bush's job record, Kerry is actually criticizing the companies who are trying to create more jobs.
This Bush tendency is the true character flaw in this race. It shows a remarkable level of immaturity in a wartime commander in chief. Bush must have a sign on his desk that reads, "The Buck Passes Here." Since he apparently believes he can do no wrong, and that the Iraq War and the economy are going just fine, he assumes his critics must not be criticizing him - that they're really attacking someone else.
In the next debate, Kerry could point all this out and then remark, jovially, "It almost seems as if you have a hard time accepting criticisms, George." This also is the perfect Kerry rejoinder to Bush's incessant hammering of the self-righteous claim that Kerry has changed his position on the Iraq War. Kerry could point out the countless times Bush has switched rationales for the war and intelligence strategies following 9/11. Then he could say, "You're doing it again, George. I've been critiquing your handling of the morass in Iraq, and all you can say is that I've changed my positions. This isn't about the performance of our brave troops. It isn't about Poland or Britain. It's about YOU and what YOU did. Why don't you answer the criticisms instead of passing the buck onto someone else? If I didn't know better, I'd say you have a problem admitting mistakes."
Bush is wearing rose-colored glasses in a dangerous world. His childlike naivete is costing people their lives. Bush claims that not confronting Saddam was a sign of weakness. But the true weakness is an inability to correct, or even see, where mistakes are made and performance can be improved. It means, frankly, that we are being led into the abyss by a blind man.
Guy Reel is an assistant professor of mass communication at Winthrop University. He can be reached at [email protected]
they've got lots of interesting articles there, I just thought I'd post this one first because it brings up some good points and is more than just a "who said what" review of the so called "debate"
The Buck Passes Here
by Guy Reel
As any critically thinking schoolchild knows, the first step to solving a problem is recognizing that there is a problem. Yet John Kerry failed to make this fundamental point in his first debate with President Bush. Most analysts and early public opinion polls gave the edge in the debate to Kerry, but the senator, frankly, should have mopped the floor with Bush. That he failed to do so once again indicates the weakness in a Kerry campaign that by now should have launched the candidate into a clear lead.
One of Bush's biggest problems is his inability to recognize his own failures and mistakes. Some people call it arrogance; others say it's stupidity; his backers apparently think it's a sign of strength. But Kerry could have easily pointed out this character flaw without being angry or unlikable. And it isn't too late. All Kerry has to do is point out that Bush has an apparent delusional ability to deflect toward others any criticisms that are actually directed at Bush himself. It's the equivalent of a toddler who spills a glasss of milk and when confronted about it, points at the empty chair next to him and says, "I didn't do it. He did."
Think about how Bush responds to criticisms. When Kerry pointed out the mistakes in Iraq, Bush said Kerry was denigrating the troops. When Kerry jibed at Bush for not building a stronger coalition, Bush responded that Kerry was finding fault with the efforts of Poland and Britain. Bush even said that criticisms of the way Bush has handled the Iraqi occupation were actually directed at the "courageous" Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.
Bush makes the same claim all the time. During the debate over the quality of his service in the National Guard, Bush acted like those who were criticizing him were really cricitizing the National Guard. No doubt he'll do it again - he'll probably claim during the debate on domestic policy that when Kerry criticizes Bush's job record, Kerry is actually criticizing the companies who are trying to create more jobs.
This Bush tendency is the true character flaw in this race. It shows a remarkable level of immaturity in a wartime commander in chief. Bush must have a sign on his desk that reads, "The Buck Passes Here." Since he apparently believes he can do no wrong, and that the Iraq War and the economy are going just fine, he assumes his critics must not be criticizing him - that they're really attacking someone else.
In the next debate, Kerry could point all this out and then remark, jovially, "It almost seems as if you have a hard time accepting criticisms, George." This also is the perfect Kerry rejoinder to Bush's incessant hammering of the self-righteous claim that Kerry has changed his position on the Iraq War. Kerry could point out the countless times Bush has switched rationales for the war and intelligence strategies following 9/11. Then he could say, "You're doing it again, George. I've been critiquing your handling of the morass in Iraq, and all you can say is that I've changed my positions. This isn't about the performance of our brave troops. It isn't about Poland or Britain. It's about YOU and what YOU did. Why don't you answer the criticisms instead of passing the buck onto someone else? If I didn't know better, I'd say you have a problem admitting mistakes."
Bush is wearing rose-colored glasses in a dangerous world. His childlike naivete is costing people their lives. Bush claims that not confronting Saddam was a sign of weakness. But the true weakness is an inability to correct, or even see, where mistakes are made and performance can be improved. It means, frankly, that we are being led into the abyss by a blind man.
Guy Reel is an assistant professor of mass communication at Winthrop University. He can be reached at [email protected]
