Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Clinton's book was over 1,000 pages in a small font; Bush's is 477 pages in a large font. I think this may be indicative of some of the differences in decision-making between the two men. >>> To be fair to W on this point, he specifically mentioned at the beginning that Decision Points was NOT a general-purpose memoir or history on his Presidency. Rather, he wanted to talk specifically about certain "decision points" he faced and how he dealt with them. The Clinton book was an attempt to cover his presidency in general.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Clinton wrote his book like he delivered his speeches...long winded. (He was a great speaker, to be sure.)
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<When I saw the title of this thread my first thought was "Please let this be about George W".>> LOL!! Actually for a few brief moments I considered "Ann gave me Bush for my Birthday". But I figured having that up there as a topic title was going just a bit too far. Besides, I knew that if Ann ever saw that title she would NOT be amused. And who want to spend their birthday sleeping on the sofa?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Can someone please tell me why Weiner had to step down but Clinton did not? Are we to expect less from the President? I'm still lost as to what happened there.>> You have to remember that Clinton certainly did not walk away without taking his whuppin. He became only the second President in U.S. history to be impeached. I agree with dshyates about the false outrage, but there was also a HUGE difference between Clinton and Weiner. Congressional Democrats largely supported Clinton. The only Democrat to support Weiner was Rangel, which probably hurt him more than it helped him. When you have both the President of the U.S. and the House Minority Leader asking for your resignation, what choice do you have? It also probably didn't help any that his name was "Weiner".
Originally Posted By ecdc >>I'm still shaking my head over that one.<< And three years after massive fraud and one of the largest financial meltdowns in American history, not a single person has been prosecuted. Some people like to point to Bernie Madoff, but only because they see headlines and have no clue he had nothing to do with the widespread fraud on the part of financial institutions. These people stole. I do not get this country sometimes.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>I do not get this country sometimes.<< We really, really care what kind of kinky stuff other people are into, so that we can judge them for it. This may be the first sex scandal that was without sex of any kind. And I don't mean the Bill Clinton "well THAT isn't really sexual relations" kind of sex. I mean sex where not only didn't anyone touch anyone else, they weren't even in the same time zone! What's funny is that on the one hand we imagine ourselves to be Puritans, but meanwhile we have to be the most sex obsessed culture ever.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer "This is not a book to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force." -- Dorothy Parker
Originally Posted By ecdc >>We really, really care what kind of kinky stuff other people are into, so that we can judge them for it.<< Is it to feel more "normal" ourselves? It's all so strange. Or is it our way of signaling to the culture that "we're in the mainstream." When people were calling Weiner a creep and various other things when his texts came out, my first thought was, "Does any of us want what we say or how we behave in our most private moments to be public?" Weiner brought it on himself, sure, for doing it so openly as a Congressman. But now we're going to judge other people for talking a certain way when I bet 70% of us have done just that at one point or another? One of my favorite South Park moments is in the Lord of the Rings spoof episode. Stan's parents, Randy and Sharon are in the bedroom gearing up. They're wearing sexy outfits and talking all hot to each other. It's great because they're just normal people, not super attractive, in this moment and we're watching totally out of context, so it's absurd. But it's how most of us are, at least at one point or another. So why are any of us judging or commenting on someone else's private life? Judge Bill Clinton for his...um...judgment. Demand Weiner's resignation because it's distracting. But really? Mocking the fact that (shock!) charismatic men like sex?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>When people were calling Weiner a creep and various other things when his texts came out, my first thought was, "Does any of us want what we say or how we behave in our most private moments to be public?" << Right? Casting the first stone, and all of that. >>is it our way of signaling to the culture that "we're in the mainstream."<< I think that might be it. That surely has a lot to do with the popularity of "reality" shows that air the dirty laundry and bad behavior of real housewives or Jersey shore goofballs. The viewer can think to themselves "My life may not be where I want it to be, and I'm kind of a mess, but at least I'm not THAT bad." Humans are funny people. And American humans are the funniest of all at times.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>But now we're going to judge other people for talking a certain way when I bet 70% of us have done just that at one point or another?<< Yep. Plus, it has the online aspect which still feels extra strange (or extra dirty) for some reason.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<"This is not a book to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force." -- Dorothy Parker>> And 4,772 reviews at Barnes and Noble.com have left it with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. If it's just the same with you, I'll read it before deciding for myself if its' any good. Because in the end, I'm the Decider. LOL
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "And, maybe no one lost a job because of the Bush doctrine but I'd say it is safe to say that McCain lost an election because of it." McCain lost because of Palin. Period, end of discussion. He would have had my vote otherwise to be sure.
Originally Posted By LoyalOrderWaterBuffa Oh that is not true. Palin is not hurting any boDy and we are so tired of the lies instigated against her. Cant she enjoy some peace for once in her life. Just once that is all I am asking. So she made a mistake can't we get pass this I am using This bran new iPad from apple and it is harder to type this than bEfore .
Originally Posted By LoyalOrderWaterBuffa I know what your saying. Why can't we just be left alone and not hounded over Internet sexy fun. Every oNe needs to leave every one be. This isn't a right or wrong tHing. Hate me all you want but I don't care hahahahahahheeeheehehahahhehe
Originally Posted By Dabob2 ^^LOL! "And three years after massive fraud and one of the largest financial meltdowns in American history, not a single person has been prosecuted." Yeah, still shaking my head at that one, too. Not only has no one been prosecuted, the people who brought us to the brink of disaster largely made out like, well, bandits.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Hey RT, when you finish reading it, can we color the pictures?>> I was actually kind of disappointed that it wasn't written in crayon...
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< McCain lost because of Palin. Period, end of discussion. He would have had my vote otherwise to be sure. >>> Mark me down in the same camp. I voted for McCain the primary, donated to the campaign, and even went to a rally where I got to see him in person. But as soon as Palin was added to the ticket, I jumped ship.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I had planned at the time to vote for McCain. I was really impressed with Palin's convention speech. Then she opened her mouth the next day and I started to wonder. The Couric interview ended any chance of me voting for McCain.
