Finished Su 1/1/12
(A third Soft Skull Press edition with a preface by Greg Palast and a new introduction by Mark Crispin Miller)
I read this book because I recently saw the documentary, "Horns and Halos" which was more about the author, James Hatfield, and how the writing of this book had such a negative impact on his life. Before the film was released, he committed suicide. The documentary seemed to be more about who should be allowed to have a say in the compiling of the historical record. Hatfield had a criminal record, and it was generally believed (by some people) that his input and observations could not be trusted. I was expecting the book to be a complete hatchet-job, but actually I have more respect for Bush after reading the book that I did before.
Interesting Facts:
-Bush had a sister, Robin, that died of leukemia when she was three and he was seven. This made him the oldest child in the family by seven years, and he was almost a father figure to the other children. His father was always on the road due to his oil field business.
-Obviously his father used his pull to get him in The Texas National Guard, but it is possible that he would have been given special consideration regardless of his family, because he wanted to become a pilot, and that required over a year of training. Most young men could not afford to be tied up for that length of time.
-He stopped drinking right after his fortieth birthday party. His father, his wife, and various family members were well aware of his heavy drinking, and knew for many years that he had a problem with alcohol.
The story about him dancing nude and drunk on the bar in the officer's club of The Texas National Guard was first mentioned in The Drudge Report. Republican power-brokers were afraid that such a photo existed, and it could possibly end his political career. And, this type of behavior doesn't seem that far afield of what Bush will acknowledge, although he seems to generalize it all as 'young and irresponsible behavior', and he doesn't go into much detail.
-His father actually made money by drilling for oil in Midland, Texas. When George W. was involved in the oil business it seems that he made his money by clever manipulation of loans and favors.
-His co-ownership of The Texas Rangers seems to be all about manipulation of money. To me, it is obvious that if the city of Arlington Texas felt that they needed a ballpark, municipal leaders making $60,000 to $80,000 could have attracted investment money and come up with the taxes necessary to fund the project. Why was it necessary for 'The Venture Capitalists'(Vultures) to come in, and skim millions off the top? If a stadium was deemed an asset to the community, then the assets should have gone to the community, and not to rich carpet-baggers.
The 'Big Reveal' about Bush's 1972 alleged cocaine bust is included in an Afterword to the book. Hatfield says that due to an arrest for possession, he was forced to work for Project P.U.L.L, a now-defunct inner-city program for troubled teens, and then his record was cleared. This was set up by his father, George H.W. Bush who was at the time the US ambassador to the UN. And, it seems that George W. was issued a new drivers license number in 1994 which effectively erased any trace of possible illegalities. Who deemed this necessary, and why? Years later Bush would hedge any questions about drug use, and would talk of a 'statute of limitations' which would apply to no other government official other than himself. He always has claimed that he was 'young and irresponsible', but he never cut anyone else any slack if they acted young and irresponsible.
At the end of the book, without a doubt, I felt that George W. Bush seems like the kind of guy who was at the right place, at the right time, and with the help of a wealthy and influential family, always landed on his feet. The book is well-written, fully documented, and provides a rather realistic portrayal of a complicated character. He is probably highly personable and socially adept, yet clearly, the man is more 'lucky', than 'successful', and I doubt if any of us would even know who he was had he not been connected to a powerful and wealthy political dynasty.
-"Compassionate Conservatism" is when they ask you how you want your jello before they throw the switch.
-"Compassionate Conservatism" is like a vegetarian cannibal.
"Born on third base, and is convinced that he hit a triple"
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