In hindsight...

[Rhiannon]

He wasn't so bad, was he, given the hours we now see Stateside.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/michael-gerson-george-w-bush-a-principled-president/2013/04/24/2c6d819c-ad2f-11e2-b6fd-ba6f5f26d70e_story.html?utm_term=.006ed08146c3

[Roses]

I can't access the link, however it appears to be saying Dubya wasn't so bad. I agree, compared to Trump he was a good president

[Aruntraveller]

Sadly I can't open the article.  My only thought is politicians often look better with hindsight. Whether it is really deserved I don't know. He was a more "traditional" politician, but was he not also a warmonger of a worse type than Trump has been thus far?

Don't get me wrong I think unless Trump gets deposed in some way, he will do something so beyond the pale that even his supporters will realise the sheer mendacity and brutality and stupidity and cunning he exhibits, but I fear by then it will be too late.

[SteveH]

I can't access the link, however it appears to be saying Dubya wasn't so bad. I agree, compared to Trump he was a good president

A chimpanzee would be a good president compared to Trump. Objectively speaking, Dubya was pretty bad.

[Roses]

A chimpanzee would be a good president compared to Trump. Objectively speaking, Dubya was pretty bad.

WOW we are in agreement. 

[jeremyp]

Don't get me wrong I think unless Trump gets deposed in some way, he will do something so beyond the pale that even his supporters will realise the sheer mendacity and brutality and stupidity and cunning he exhibits, but I fear by then it will be too late.

Given his pronouncements so far on the environment, it’s entirely possible he has already done the beyond the pale thing - we just don’t know it yet.

[Harrowby Hall]

What comes out of the article - for me - is the suggestion that, for all his manifest faults, George W Bush - as president and also now - was and is a decent human being. Donald Trump fails this test totally.

[Roses]

I wonder what it will take before the US realises Trump has gone too far?

[Rhiannon]

What comes out of the article - for me - is the suggestion that, for all his manifest faults, George W Bush - as president and also now - was and is a decent human being. Donald Trump fails this test totally.

Yes, that’s what I git from it too.

[jeremyp]

Yes, that’s what I git from it too.

Freudian slop?

[jeremyp]

What comes out of the article - for me - is the suggestion that, for all his manifest faults, George W Bush - as president and also now - was and is a decent human being. Donald Trump fails this test totally.

My overriding memory of the GW Bush presidency is of a TV clip of him in a primary school class when somebody comes up to him and whispers something in his ear. This was him being informed that an airliner had just crashed into the World Trade Centre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg5NvKpJfKE

It puts a human face on his presidency, but we must remember he did some fairly bad things like invading Iraq.

[Rhiannon]

He did some shockingly bad things. But he didn’t see migrants as vermin. And he did understand human suffering. Trump is devoid of feeling for anyone other than himself.

[Roses]

He did some shockingly bad things. But he didn’t see migrants as vermin. And he did understand human suffering. Trump is devoid of feeling for anyone other than himself.

That definitely appears to be the case.

[jeremyp]

He did some shockingly bad things. But he didn’t see migrants as vermin. And he did understand human suffering. Trump is devoid of feeling for anyone other than himself.

Have you read Fear by Bob Woodward? I’m only two thirds of the way through, but it’s quite shocking. Trump is like a child in many respects. He treats the West Wing like The Apprentice. He can’t grasp basic facts of economics. It’s scary that he is in charge.

[Roses]

Have you read Fear by Bob Woodward? I’m only two thirds of the way through, but it’s quite shocking. Trump is like a child in many respects. He treats the West Wing like The Apprentice. He can’t grasp basic facts of economics. It’s scary that he is in charge.

In which case one wonders how he managed to acquire so much wealth.

[Rhiannon]

Have you read Fear by Bob Woodward? I’m only two thirds of the way through, but it’s quite shocking. Trump is like a child in many respects. He treats the West Wing like The Apprentice. He can’t grasp basic facts of economics. It’s scary that he is in charge.

I haven't read it but I've read about it. Trump's personality type is one that I'm familiar with and the grandiose self belief is incredibly worrying in someone that isn't that bright.

[jeremyp]

In which case one wonders how he managed to acquire so much wealth.

You now what they say? If you want to make a small fortune, start with a large one.

Trump was given or inherited a substantial sum of money from his father. In his business dealings, he tends to rip off his suppliers and contractors by refusing to pay them or taking them to court. His companies have gone bankrupt at least five times allowing him to walk away from his obligations.

He's acquired his wealth (excepting his inheritance) essentially by bullying it out of other people.

[Roses]

You now what they say? If you want to make a small fortune, start with a large one.

Trump was given or inherited a substantial sum of money from his father. In his business dealings, he tends to rip off his suppliers and contractors by refusing to pay them or taking them to court. His companies have gone bankrupt at least five times allowing him to walk away from his obligations.

He's acquired his wealth (excepting his inheritance) essentially by bullying it out of other people.

Trump's business dealings should be scrutinised by the powers that be, especially as he refuses to reveal his tax returns.

[jeremyp]

Trump's business dealings should be scrutinised by the powers that be, especially as he refuses to reveal his tax returns.

I think they probably are being scrutinized. Nobody is going to take any action though, until he leaves office.

[SteveH]

In which case one wonders how he managed to acquire so much wealth.

One can be very good at making money without being very intelligent in the general sense, or knowing very much.