Moron or idiot?
November 27, 2002 2:00 AM Subscribe
This post was deleted for the following reason:
Bye Bye. In other news, Chretien aide resigns over "moron" remark.
posted by hama7 at 2:14 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by hama7 at 2:14 AM on November 27, 2002
Judging by the way he wiped the floor with the Democrats in the last election... neither.
Underestimating Bush (or any political opponent) for that matter is a sure fire way to lose an election.
posted by PenDevil at 2:25 AM on November 27, 2002
Underestimating Bush (or any political opponent) for that matter is a sure fire way to lose an election.
posted by PenDevil at 2:25 AM on November 27, 2002
Well, the rote insults are tiresome, it's true, but come on! But this is GWB we're talking about here...
It's too bad Ducros's resignation was accepted. There can't be much doubt that privately, people in governments all over the world are saying the same thing and worse.
But I guess 'privately' is the key word, here.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 2:25 AM on November 27, 2002
It's too bad Ducros's resignation was accepted. There can't be much doubt that privately, people in governments all over the world are saying the same thing and worse.
But I guess 'privately' is the key word, here.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 2:25 AM on November 27, 2002
. Judging by the way he wiped the floor with the Democrats in the last election... neither.
The Republicans wiped the floor, Bush did not. The White House staff helped. I highly doubt Bush is responsible for Republican election strategy.
He's still a moron (imho) - people within his party are not.
posted by tomcosgrave at 2:53 AM on November 27, 2002
The Republicans wiped the floor, Bush did not. The White House staff helped. I highly doubt Bush is responsible for Republican election strategy.
He's still a moron (imho) - people within his party are not.
posted by tomcosgrave at 2:53 AM on November 27, 2002
Maybe he is a moron... but he also still has his job :)
posted by DrDoberman at 3:09 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by DrDoberman at 3:09 AM on November 27, 2002
"One person calls Bush a moron, another calls him an idiot. Which is correct?"
Both.
posted by Jade Dragon at 4:10 AM on November 27, 2002
Both.
posted by Jade Dragon at 4:10 AM on November 27, 2002
This was posted last week and it was promptly deleted by Matt. Dangling baby/vibrating broom.
posted by mcwetboy at 4:22 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by mcwetboy at 4:22 AM on November 27, 2002
See...that's the beauty of America -- you are free to choose, moron, idiot, whatever. Just choose wisely because you decision will be on your permanent record on the Patriots Database
posted by ElvisJesus at 4:25 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by ElvisJesus at 4:25 AM on November 27, 2002
tomsosgrave: Yes and no. Bush is not responsible for the entire victory but he played an important part. Bush campaigned like an absolute demon before the elections and the Democrats underestimated his popularity and the popularity of some of his policies and didn't do much to counter it.
posted by PenDevil at 4:44 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by PenDevil at 4:44 AM on November 27, 2002
Thank you Canada for your candor and honesty. Are there still spots open in BC for immigrants?
posted by nofundy at 4:51 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by nofundy at 4:51 AM on November 27, 2002
It's a shame this is going to be deleted because I just remembered this lovely quote:
When the Nixon tapes were played to the public, there was a section where Nixon calls Pierre Trudeau (Canadian Prime Minister at the time) and "asshole" (for beating Nixon to the punch and visiting China before him).
Trudeau's response when the media confronted him about the comment was typical of his wit:
"I've been called worse things by better people."
posted by grum@work at 4:51 AM on November 27, 2002
When the Nixon tapes were played to the public, there was a section where Nixon calls Pierre Trudeau (Canadian Prime Minister at the time) and "asshole" (for beating Nixon to the punch and visiting China before him).
Trudeau's response when the media confronted him about the comment was typical of his wit:
"I've been called worse things by better people."
posted by grum@work at 4:51 AM on November 27, 2002
The difference between an idiot, an imbecile, and a moron is actually ... well-defined. These are all French words (ee dee YOH, ann bay SEEL, mo ROHN) that were applied to specific classifications of intelligence -- or lack thereof -- in the late 19th century. Since a moron is someone who has not advanced beyond the mental age of 12 years, and an idiot is someone who has not advanced beyond the mental age of three, clearly calling someone an idiot is a far graver charge.
posted by dhartung at 5:11 AM on November 27, 2002
TERM MENTAL AGE IQ idiot up to 3 <25 imbecile up to 7 25-50 moron up to 12 50-70(Crap, the current posting process screws up PRE tags royally.)
posted by dhartung at 5:11 AM on November 27, 2002
Scotty, what in the world is the point of this post? Isn't this exactly the sort of thread we're *not* supposed to start on MetaFilter; pointless bickering that neither informs nor illuminates. Phui. Shame on you.
posted by mojohand at 5:25 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by mojohand at 5:25 AM on November 27, 2002
Which is correct?
That's a leading question right there, folks!
posted by Pretty_Generic at 5:31 AM on November 27, 2002
That's a leading question right there, folks!
posted by Pretty_Generic at 5:31 AM on November 27, 2002
Actually, without dwelling on the actual statement there is an interesting question about the accountability of the press.
In this article it seems clear that the reporter who broke the story eavesdropped on a private story and did not even bother going back to the source for clarification.
Given the bad blood that exists between the PMO and the National Post, did the reporter act ethically in reporting this story?
Also, much is made about Ducros having an abrasive personality and clearly having favourites in the press gallery (and apparently Fife wasn't one of them). But isn't this the way the game is played everywhere? I would be surprised if Ari Fleischer didn't play favourites with some of the White House press corps and deny access to people who don't play by his rules.
posted by smcniven at 6:08 AM on November 27, 2002
In this article it seems clear that the reporter who broke the story eavesdropped on a private story and did not even bother going back to the source for clarification.
Given the bad blood that exists between the PMO and the National Post, did the reporter act ethically in reporting this story?
Also, much is made about Ducros having an abrasive personality and clearly having favourites in the press gallery (and apparently Fife wasn't one of them). But isn't this the way the game is played everywhere? I would be surprised if Ari Fleischer didn't play favourites with some of the White House press corps and deny access to people who don't play by his rules.
posted by smcniven at 6:08 AM on November 27, 2002
It's not true that Bush won the election because Democrats underestimated him. The Democrats got steamrollered because they spend the entire time standing around and wringing their hands waiting for someone to grow a spine. There were plenty of issues they could have used to shut down Bush's momentum. They ignored those.
Hence, despite the fact that Bush is a moron (which people around the world seem to agree on) Democrats sucked so hard that he carried the day.
Even morons will appear smart if the geniuses stand around fidgeting and drooling.
And this post is total poo. Steaming flame bait? Just because people like to throw stones you need to wander around passing out rocks? "Here you go. Don't throw this.Here you go. Don't throw this.Here you go. Don't throw this."
posted by y6y6y6 at 6:39 AM on November 27, 2002
Hence, despite the fact that Bush is a moron (which people around the world seem to agree on) Democrats sucked so hard that he carried the day.
Even morons will appear smart if the geniuses stand around fidgeting and drooling.
And this post is total poo. Steaming flame bait? Just because people like to throw stones you need to wander around passing out rocks? "Here you go. Don't throw this.Here you go. Don't throw this.Here you go. Don't throw this."
posted by y6y6y6 at 6:39 AM on November 27, 2002
What is wrong with people. Bush really can't be unintelligent. I am sure he can hold his own a little better than people think. You ,know, everyone has something wrong with them that in some way makes everyone else's life a little worse. I wish everyone would stop bitching and moaning and just do their part without belittling others.
posted by grehy at 6:41 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by grehy at 6:41 AM on November 27, 2002
Bush really can't be unintelligent.
Why can't he? When Reagan was in office, he was in bad mental shape, and the population of the US thought he was doing OK. That's because he had a support staff to cover up his weirdness, and to do things to make him look good, intelligent, etc. Only after his term did the truth come out.
If that can be true (a president with developing Alzheimers), why can't the sitting president be stupid? If he picks his friends well, and listens to his dad and his advisers, won't he appear to be governing effectively?
posted by websavvy at 7:09 AM on November 27, 2002
Why can't he? When Reagan was in office, he was in bad mental shape, and the population of the US thought he was doing OK. That's because he had a support staff to cover up his weirdness, and to do things to make him look good, intelligent, etc. Only after his term did the truth come out.
If that can be true (a president with developing Alzheimers), why can't the sitting president be stupid? If he picks his friends well, and listens to his dad and his advisers, won't he appear to be governing effectively?
posted by websavvy at 7:09 AM on November 27, 2002
Although discussion about whether GWB is a moron may have become a little tired on MeFi... the issue of senior political aides calling him one is getting a lot of media coverage in Canada.
posted by Stuart_R at 7:09 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by Stuart_R at 7:09 AM on November 27, 2002
When things were obviously better in our country from 1993-2000, we had to listen to bitter, negative people trash our intelligent, popular president on the most trivial of matters.
Bush, an idiot selected by a minority, has at least two years and maybe six years left (if he can find a way to cheat again)... so it's our turn, get used to it.
posted by Ben Grimm at 7:12 AM on November 27, 2002
Bush, an idiot selected by a minority, has at least two years and maybe six years left (if he can find a way to cheat again)... so it's our turn, get used to it.
posted by Ben Grimm at 7:12 AM on November 27, 2002
Bush really can't be unintelligent. I am sure he can hold his own a little better than people think.
I defy you to demonstrate otherwise. Bush is the ultimate expression of the Politician as Product we Americans were forced to confront during the Clinton years, a product with no demonstrable skills in leadership, business acumen or politics.
Do not confuse the experience, political savvy and sheer determination of will that infuses and motivates everyone from Dick Cheney on down for "intelligence" on the part of George W. Bush. He is a figurehead, nothing more, nothing less, albeit based on the mood of the population at large, a surprisingly effective one.
posted by JollyWanker at 7:15 AM on November 27, 2002
I defy you to demonstrate otherwise. Bush is the ultimate expression of the Politician as Product we Americans were forced to confront during the Clinton years, a product with no demonstrable skills in leadership, business acumen or politics.
Do not confuse the experience, political savvy and sheer determination of will that infuses and motivates everyone from Dick Cheney on down for "intelligence" on the part of George W. Bush. He is a figurehead, nothing more, nothing less, albeit based on the mood of the population at large, a surprisingly effective one.
posted by JollyWanker at 7:15 AM on November 27, 2002
See...that's the beauty of America -- you are free to choose
ElvisJesus , you must not have been around for the 2000 Presidential election.
posted by four panels at 7:25 AM on November 27, 2002
ElvisJesus , you must not have been around for the 2000 Presidential election.
posted by four panels at 7:25 AM on November 27, 2002
By all means, continue to underestimate Bush-- it's worked so well in the past.
posted by gwint at 7:34 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by gwint at 7:34 AM on November 27, 2002
Thanks for clearing up the whole idiot, moron and imbecile thing, dhartung. Now we see that it's all related to IQ. Does anyone know the IQ of GWB?
Maybe this urban legends report can shed some light but I doubt it.
Does this prove that IQ isn't the measure that it's cracked up to be. Maybe there is a little of Chauncy Gardener in the presidency.
posted by MaddCutty at 7:36 AM on November 27, 2002
Maybe this urban legends report can shed some light but I doubt it.
Does this prove that IQ isn't the measure that it's cracked up to be. Maybe there is a little of Chauncy Gardener in the presidency.
posted by MaddCutty at 7:36 AM on November 27, 2002
Hmm. Matt must still be sleeping.
posted by pardonyou? at 7:43 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by pardonyou? at 7:43 AM on November 27, 2002
four panels:
We give you politicians
And you call it choice
We let you do the voting
And you think you have a voice
Little Steven
posted by ElvisJesus at 8:03 AM on November 27, 2002
We give you politicians
And you call it choice
We let you do the voting
And you think you have a voice
Little Steven
posted by ElvisJesus at 8:03 AM on November 27, 2002
Should have taken you to The Camouflage of Righteousness but it didn't. Click on it yourself. Sorry
posted by ElvisJesus at 8:07 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by ElvisJesus at 8:07 AM on November 27, 2002
Canadians calling Bush a mental defective is highly amusing. What next? Al Gore decrying media prejudice? Islam calling itself a religion of peace? Oh, wait.. nevermind.
posted by paleocon at 8:09 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by paleocon at 8:09 AM on November 27, 2002
as soon as GW finds out where canada is, he'll run for president, lose, and of course become president-- so watch it.
posted by tsarfan at 8:18 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by tsarfan at 8:18 AM on November 27, 2002
George Bush: "Condoleeza! Nice to see you. What's happening?"
Condoleeza Rice: "Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China"
George: Great. "Lay it on me"
Condoleeza: " 'Hu' is the new leader of China"
George: "That's what I want to know"
Condoleeza: "That's what I'm telling you"
George: "That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?"
Condoleeza: "Yes"
George: "I mean the fellow's name"
Condoleeza: "Hu!"
George: "The guy in China"
Condoleeza: "Hu"
George: "The new leader of China"
Condoleeza: "Hu!"
George: "The Chinaman!"
Condoleeza: "Hu is leading China"
George: "Now whaddya' asking me for?"
Condoleeza: "I'm telling you Hu is leading China."
George: "Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?"
Condoleeza: "That's the man's name."
George: "That's who's name?"
Condoleeza: "Yes"
George: "Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?"
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East"
Condoleeza: "That's correct"
George: "Then who is in China?"
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "Yassir is in China?"
Condoleeza: "No, sir."
George: "Then who is?"
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "Yassir?"
Condoleeza: "No, sir"
George: "Look, Condoleeza. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone."
Condoleeza: "Kofi?"
George: "No, thanks"
Condoleeza: "You want Kofi?"
George: "No"
Condoleeza: "You don't want Kofi"
George: "No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N."
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N."
Condoleeza: "Kofi?"
George: "Milk! Will you please make the call?"
Condoleeza: "And call who?"
George: "Who is the guy at the U.N.?"
Condoleeza: "Hu is the guy in China"
George: "Will you stay out of China?!"
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N."
Condoleeza: "Kofi?"
George: "All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone"
posted by delboy_trotter at 8:18 AM on November 27, 2002
Condoleeza Rice: "Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China"
George: Great. "Lay it on me"
Condoleeza: " 'Hu' is the new leader of China"
George: "That's what I want to know"
Condoleeza: "That's what I'm telling you"
George: "That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?"
Condoleeza: "Yes"
George: "I mean the fellow's name"
Condoleeza: "Hu!"
George: "The guy in China"
Condoleeza: "Hu"
George: "The new leader of China"
Condoleeza: "Hu!"
George: "The Chinaman!"
Condoleeza: "Hu is leading China"
George: "Now whaddya' asking me for?"
Condoleeza: "I'm telling you Hu is leading China."
George: "Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?"
Condoleeza: "That's the man's name."
George: "That's who's name?"
Condoleeza: "Yes"
George: "Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?"
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East"
Condoleeza: "That's correct"
George: "Then who is in China?"
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "Yassir is in China?"
Condoleeza: "No, sir."
George: "Then who is?"
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "Yassir?"
Condoleeza: "No, sir"
George: "Look, Condoleeza. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone."
Condoleeza: "Kofi?"
George: "No, thanks"
Condoleeza: "You want Kofi?"
George: "No"
Condoleeza: "You don't want Kofi"
George: "No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N."
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N."
Condoleeza: "Kofi?"
George: "Milk! Will you please make the call?"
Condoleeza: "And call who?"
George: "Who is the guy at the U.N.?"
Condoleeza: "Hu is the guy in China"
George: "Will you stay out of China?!"
Condoleeza: "Yes, sir"
George: "And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N."
Condoleeza: "Kofi?"
George: "All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone"
posted by delboy_trotter at 8:18 AM on November 27, 2002
Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's...
Thank you Canada for your candor and honesty. Are there still spots open in BC for immigrants?
Nofundy, you are welcome here (Van BC) as far as I'm concerned.
posted by holycola at 8:21 AM on November 27, 2002
Thank you Canada for your candor and honesty. Are there still spots open in BC for immigrants?
Nofundy, you are welcome here (Van BC) as far as I'm concerned.
posted by holycola at 8:21 AM on November 27, 2002
To quote the Dodo, "Everyone has won and all must have prizes."
posted by orange swan at 8:26 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by orange swan at 8:26 AM on November 27, 2002
dhartung, this post will probably be deleted before you see this, but I can't let a false etymology pass unremarked. There is no French word "moron"; the English word was invented by the American Association for the Study of the Feeble-minded (you can see why they wanted a new word) in 1910 on the basis of Latin morus 'stupid' from Greek moros.
posted by languagehat at 8:36 AM on November 27, 2002
posted by languagehat at 8:36 AM on November 27, 2002
Bush really can't be unintelligent. I am sure he can hold his own a little better than people think.
Have you ever heard him make a speech or answer questions, while outside the reigns of his handlers and writers? I'm not saying he has the IQ of a mongoloid, but he's clearly unqualified to be the President. He was elected primarily on the name recognition of his father.
If there hadn't been a President George Bush Sr, do you think there would be a President George Bush Jr?
posted by SweetJesus at 8:55 AM on November 27, 2002
Have you ever heard him make a speech or answer questions, while outside the reigns of his handlers and writers? I'm not saying he has the IQ of a mongoloid, but he's clearly unqualified to be the President. He was elected primarily on the name recognition of his father.
If there hadn't been a President George Bush Sr, do you think there would be a President George Bush Jr?
posted by SweetJesus at 8:55 AM on November 27, 2002
If there hadn't been a President George Bush Sr, do you think there would be a President George Bush Jr?
Eh? You can say that for anyone.
"If there hadn't been a President Bill Clinton do you think there would be a President Al Gore?"
or what about
"If there hadn't been a President John Adams do you think there would be a President John Quincy Adams?"
posted by PenDevil at 9:04 AM on November 27, 2002
Eh? You can say that for anyone.
"If there hadn't been a President Bill Clinton do you think there would be a President Al Gore?"
or what about
"If there hadn't been a President John Adams do you think there would be a President John Quincy Adams?"
posted by PenDevil at 9:04 AM on November 27, 2002
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posted by y2karl at 2:05 AM on November 27, 2002