December 4, 2000

1:18 PM

Bush attempts to move onand creates a Web site to help facilitate the process. My, he does have bal^H^H^Hguts doesn't he? I think at this point Gore doesn't expect to win and is continuing with his pursuits to make sure the laws get changed for the next election. What do you think?
posted by bkdelong (29 comments total)

I kind of think AG2K is still pursuing the election because he doesn't have the imagination to do anything else.
posted by harmful at 1:24 PM on December 4, 2000

Ditto
posted by Popstar at 1:28 PM on December 4, 2000

I think its insane that two multi-multi-millionaires are asking for contributions to help with their transition.
posted by Doug at 1:31 PM on December 4, 2000

Well, how do you think they got to be millionaires in the first place? Certainly NOT from spending their own money!

Sheesh.
posted by ethmar at 1:33 PM on December 4, 2000

I hate them both. Can I make an anti-donation?
posted by capt.crackpipe at 1:39 PM on December 4, 2000

Like... robbing the transition fund and leaving a note telling them you did it?
posted by gyc at 2:09 PM on December 4, 2000

I will help fund the transition under one condition.

At the onset of any and all future heart attacks, Dick Cheney must grasp his chest and, doing his best Redd Foxx impression, shout out "Elizabeth...It's the Big One". Four years of yuks from the gruff, yet lovable Veep.
posted by Optamystic at 2:24 PM on December 4, 2000

Where's the shopping cart? I want to buy a Secretary of Transportation!
posted by solistrato at 2:27 PM on December 4, 2000

Can I make an anti-donation?

Yeah, please send it to my PayPal account: [e-mail]

(And do it quick, before X.com goes under!)
posted by daveadams at 2:38 PM on December 4, 2000

Does anyone know what Cheney is secretary of? Why is he called that? Is it from Bush Sr. days? If so, what's the deal? I know you are supposed to call a former President "Mr. President", but a secretary? Is this a question?
posted by sylloge at 4:58 PM on December 4, 2000

All compilation and content of this site, including its assembly, design, text, illustrations, photographs, logos, etc. are the intellectual property of the Bush-Cheney Presidential Transition Foundation, IncIs it just me, or does the font in the light blue menu on the bottom of the page look awefully similar to silkscreen? I think I can spot a few differences, but Silkscreen is still the first thing I thought of when I saw those graphics.
posted by tomorama at 5:34 PM on December 4, 2000

Secretary is Cheney’s pony name, as Governor is George’s.

Politics: One big homoerotic allusion after another.
posted by capt.crackpipe at 5:53 PM on December 4, 2000

...Secretary Cheney and I are honored and humbled to have won the state of Florida, which gives us the needed electoral votes to win the election.

that's not the only thing humbled in this election...
posted by lagado at 6:38 PM on December 4, 2000

I believe the font in question is Mini7.

Always commenting on the big issues, that's me.
posted by Georgina at 7:19 PM on December 4, 2000

Secretary Cheney was the Secretary of Defense (I think) at one time either under Reagan or Bush, or both.
posted by da5id at 7:32 PM on December 4, 2000

crackpipe: what IS that link?! lookout.
posted by palegirl at 8:09 PM on December 4, 2000

ignoring court suits
shrub claims he won florida
what a ponyboy
posted by Neb at 9:14 PM on December 4, 2000

da5id got it. When Bush the Elder acceded, he nominated fmr. Sen. John Tower as SecDef. Tower's drinking became an issue, though, and Cheney was his punt. Note that he was also Chief of Staff for Pres. Ford, and an old friend of old Bush family friend James Baker, also in that administration. Of course, GHWB was CIA chief during part of that period as well.

Not that the Republicans would ever resort to cronyism.
posted by dhartung at 9:30 PM on December 4, 2000

it is silkscreen. check the "w"

(no pun intended)
posted by Zeldman at 10:55 PM on December 4, 2000

Time for kottke to rejig that licence agreement, I think.

I do find that "Secretary" epithet tiresome: I don't think it's ever been applied generally. (Do people write "Secretary Kissinger"?)
posted by holgate at 11:59 PM on December 4, 2000

I do find that "Secretary" epithet tiresome: I don't think it's ever been applied generally. (Do people write "Secretary Kissinger"?)

Unfortunately, yes.

It's not just former Cabinet members who are prone to this silliness, but also former Ambassdors -- hence when Bush the Elder was first running for President, back in 1980, he was referred to as "Ambassador Bush", as he'd been the US Ambassador to China.

It's particularly irksome, because by my reading it's an unconstitutional practice. Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 forbids the granting of titles of nobility in the US. Since it is the very nature of nobility that a title derives not from what one does, but who one is, referring to someone by their job title years, nay, generations after the fact is effectively raising their title to nobility. This Is Bad.

It's also just plain embarrassing... Can one imagine "Janitor Smith", "Lawyer Rodriquez", "Architect Miyamoto"?

I'm of the opinion that one should use governmental titles only under very narrow circumstances -- basically, when an official is on the job. If you're testifying before a Congressional committee, yes; if you're schmoozing with someone who happens to work as a Congresscritter while at a party, no. In court to a judge, yes; out of court, no. Etc.

But as we all know, I'm a linguistic prig. :)

posted by aurelian at 3:08 AM on December 5, 2000

So what is it with letting ex-presidents run around using the term for life, anyway? Seems regressive to me.
posted by lagado at 3:23 AM on December 5, 2000

In which case, let's hope that even if he loses, Gore will be referred to as "Vice-President". I'll lobby the UK papers if the rest of you handle the US ones.
posted by holgate at 6:50 AM on December 5, 2000

What is really cool is that, unlike all other former government officials, formal etiquette and protocol gives one the title of President in the perpetual present tense.

I.e., Walter Mondale would be described "Walter Mondale was Vice President from 1977 to 1981," but Jimmy Carter is described thus "Jimmy Carter is the 39th President of the United States."


posted by MattD at 7:59 AM on December 5, 2000

Henceforth, I shall be known as Adorable Preschooler Butterfield.
posted by sylloge at 8:09 AM on December 5, 2000

Does that mean I'm "Little Bastard Craddock"?
posted by tj at 12:32 PM on December 5, 2000

Could be because it is easier to say, less words to write, or anything else. Could be, people are just lazy... who knows?

Well, here's the easy title for former presidents: "Mister". (At least so far.) As in, Mr. Ford, Mr. Carter, Mr. Reagan, etc.

The present tense thing makes sense for living past presidents. "Mr. Carter is the the 39th President of the United States." You know, like, "Mr. Berry is the real King of Rock'n'Roll." :)

But I digress...

(("Mr. Reagan would be the 40th President of the United States, if only he could remember any event more recent than 1986..."))
posted by aurelian at 3:01 PM on December 5, 2000

Miss Manners considers it "puffery", for one.
posted by dhartung at 6:22 PM on December 5, 2000