Bush is Reading 2 Books
G.W. Bush, while on his 704th vacation, is reading two books. Since he's bragged about never finishing a whole book and seldom reading newspapers, we should be worried about how the very little that he reads overly impresses his untutored mind. And sure enough, he reads for inspiration the kinds of authors who fit comfortably into his narrowly distorted worldview. Here are the two books:1. When Trumpets Call: Theodore Roosevelt After the White House by Patricia O'Toole. Speculation is that Bush is planning ahead for his own "after the White House" career, just like Teddy: safari, etc. Deeper speculation is that Bush looks for inspiration to TR on imperial leadership-- remember that TR was the macho mover behind the American shift away from a republic and toward a colonial power. It's not so much neoconservative as retro. Actually this book does not hero worship TR, but suggests his blinkered limitations also.
2. Imperial Grunts: The American Military on the Ground by Robert Kaplan. This book is much more worrying -- by one of the most reactionary and pro-imperialist flag wavers of American might = right. Rather than "support our troops", this author would have us exploit their gruntness for world domination. The next time I run across Robert Kaplan at some bookstore reading, I'll be sure to explain to him why he's a danger to himself and others, and therefore legally insane.
And that's it for the GW Bush information this New Year -- a retro-imperialist and a neo-imperialist. Does this offer us any hope for the future of the Executive Branch?
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? LOOK AT THE BOOK COVER IN BUSH'S HANDS.For a more detailed description of these books, see:Jim Lobe: Anti-Imperialists Beware - Bush Is Reading Again
posted by E. Heroux @ 1:00 PM
1 Comments:
So then what book ought GW Bush to read instead? That's easy:
Bush on the Couch by Justin A. Frank.
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