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Don't you think you are overreacting?
There are good, and there are bad presidents (in the free western world). And in the free western world there is FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!! And like good presidents are objects of praise, bad presidents are objects of criticism. Bush is no exception.
Do you think that for the sake of patriotism & politeness people should not express their opinions?
Isn't that a censorship???!!!!
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My dear CD, I'm deeply shocked when somebody in the free western world feels offended by the criticism of their authorities / country. Why? Because my country is located on the edge of the Balkans & has been under communist regime for 45 years, and I know how it fells when freedom of speech is suppressed, and people are arrested due "verbal delicti" (read: criticism of authorities, or the system). Not that's the case in USA - but the reaction of certain too "proud" people (proud of the country, religion, nation, land, symbols, authorities etc) gives me the same (bitter) sensation. Since there is very thin line between being a "healthy supporter", and being an oversensitive supporter (or even fanatic).
And too proud people who felt offended too quickly started a very bloody war in the Balkans (which - thank god - avoided my country), or - in the previous regime - were the snitches & reporting the "problematic" citizens who criticized the country, authorities, or the system.
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USA still are world's superpower & the global cop. Not to mention US economy is still THE factor for the global economy. Therefore USA has a HUGE responsibility to stay sane & rational. Not the first time of such scenario but this one is one of the worst.
Yes, it's rude of your guests who are forcing your to listen all the bashing in your house at your own table. I guess you have some not really diplomatic friends.
I also understand it hurts when you are labeled as "stupid American" - since I also hate such generalizations. Americans are - in average - not more or less stupid than any other nation in average. There's lot of stupid Germans, Japanese, Italians, French, Slovenes as well.
I guess that has something to do with the auto exposure USA does - via its media (incl internet), and the entertainment business. Exposing sensational & stupid things. Due that the representation of Americans is skewed a lot. Gosh! Nation with best scientists & best universities, institutes & laboratories is hardly stupid.
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Bush as a president is not enough sensitive (to the current US & global needs). I don't know what the cause is - either he is not smart enough, or he's just a marionette of special interests. I don't know. I can only tell what media deliver to me.
But ...
I disaggree with you on the line "Bush inherited the mess". Who starts the war in Iraq? Who ignored the global warming issue? Who starts to lead unilateral diplomacy? Bush did.
Yes, I know "he was forced to do it since the terrorism". But I remember it very vividly before 9/11 Bush & the administration were obsessed with the "nuclear rocket shield" & "huge threat from North Korea". No word on Al Quaeda, or Muslim extremism, Iraq, Afghanistan or Iran. Only Israeli - Palestinian question was active. Saddam Hussein and his imaginary WoMD were also not a big issue at that time.
To remember you: Al Quaeda was already a serious threat (Embassy bombing in Kenya / Somalia; attack on USS Cole) ... But Bush, Cheney, Condi, Rumsfeld & Powel thought N. Korea was a bigger threat. Although CIA & other security advisers prepared numerous briefs on Al Quaeda. That's the fact. I only don't know what was the motivation behind ignoring that issue.
Not to start about economical policies of Bush's administration ...
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Yes, Nixon was a bad president. But his bad presidency mostly affected only the USA. While GWB's presidency affected the whole Globe. And not in a good way. That's why GWB (and USA who he represents) are heavily criticized so much.
In current times when most of the world is "globalized" & countries (mostly their economies) are very much co-dependent on each other, its dangerous to have incompetent president in the White House.
Americans are not aware (nor are eg. the Russians) what a responsibility they have when electing a president. So, choosing a president by criteria such as "best buddy to have a beer / barbecue with" (= by likability) is very irresponsible these days.
Its very dangerous (not only in USA) elections became a likability contest ... Which has a result in incompetent presidents / prime ministers who can do a lot of damage in internal & foreign affairs.
In this regards many nations are getting "stupid & even more stupid" ... And that's very dangerous.
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Dear CD, take no offense & have a nice day.
