I’m something of an expert on hate. I hate all kinds of things, like slow cars in the left lane and standing in line for anything. I’m especially an expert on hating presidents. I hated George W. Bush like no other president who’d come before him, even more than Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson, who were trying to draft me and send me to a war we couldn’t win.
I hated Booosh because he was as dumb as a box of hammers, an inarticulate oaf, a liar, in over his head and a fraud. Probably still is, but now that he’s out of office, I don’t care who, or what he is. I have no feeling for him. He has ceased to exist for me although we’re still struggling with his inept legacy of national debt.
Because of the terrible years with Booosh, I completely understand the hatred the right wing has for President Barack Obama. They hate him because he’s black, a Democrat, and not a conservative. In other words, they hate him because of their crippling prejudice. What I don’t understand is the blindness of it.
Every hater worth his bile has to acknowledge when the hated person does something worthy of praise. It’s called balance, rationality and credibility. Even in my hatred for Bush, I had to applaud his attempt at immigration reform. His plan was the most intelligent and reasonable in Washington. That’s why it was shot down by those blockhead Republicans.
I also liked Bush’s war on AIDS in Africa. He sent a ton of money to that continent to do what he could to conquer that hideous disease. I’ll admit that those were the only two things he did in eight years that I thought were praiseworthy, but praise them I do. In other words, I didn’t hate Booosh out of prejudice. I hated him for what he said and did. I had solid reasons for it and we are still paying for his mistakes.
Stop by the Mark Twain House and Museum to see my exhibit of original editorial cartoon art. “Drawing Fire: Bob Englehart’s 30 years at The Courant.” It’s free and will be up to the end of this month. For more information, call the Mark Twain House and Museum at 860-247-0998. As long as you’re there, take a tour!
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