Did Pres. Bush fake his idiocy?

[AiliailiA]

Eh, he was of average intelligence I think, poor speaking ability, but that doesn't mean he was unintelligent.

Above average intelligence probably, but while it's galling to consider: politicians generally are above average intelligence. And his speaking ability was average or above for the general population ... below average for politicians.

Public speaking is the essential qualification to be a politician.

[Maurepas]

Eh, he was of average intelligence I think, poor speaking ability, but that doesn't mean he was unintelligent.

Above average intelligence probably, but while it's galling to consider: politicians generally are above average intelligence. And his speaking ability was average or above for the general population ... below average for politicians.

Public speaking is the essential qualification to be a politician.

Not really, at least not for him, tbqh. For a new guy in politics? Sure, but Bush's primary qualification was being part of the Bush family, let's be honest.

[Saiwania]

George W. Bush was never an idiot to begin with, he was highly intelligent. His opponents just liked to pick him apart whenever he could be criticized on something. Bush graduated from both Yale and Harvard Business School.

Bush is the only US president so far to have an MBA. You don't receive such an advanced and coveted degree without really putting the intellectual effort into it, given how much competition there is for the degree (despite money not being a problem for him).

[AiliailiA]

George W. Bush was never an idiot to begin with, he was highly intelligent. His opponents just liked to pick him apart whenever he could be criticized on something. Bush graduated from both Yale and Harvard Business School.

Yes, BA in History from Yale and MBA from Harvard. His grades are unknown, he didn't gain any particular distinction, but just graduating is sufficient to guess that was above average in intelligence.

The thread question though, is did he feign less intelligence than he had? Not even his biggest fan could listen to him answering questions and think "hey, this guy is highly intelligent!"

[The Black Forrest]

George W. Bush was never an idiot to begin with, he was highly intelligent. His opponents just liked to pick him apart whenever he could be criticized on something. Bush graduated from both Yale and Harvard Business School.

Yes, BA in History from Yale and MBA from Harvard. His grades are unknown, he didn't gain any particular distinction, but just graduating is sufficient to guess that was above average in intelligence.

The thread question though, is did he feign less intelligence than he had? Not even his biggest fan could listen to him answering questions and think "hey, this guy is highly intelligent!"

You left out his entrance to the schools were probably through daddies influence.

But over all don't you have to be rather intelligent to invent a language? I think we have misunderestimated his edumacation.

[The Corparation]

He wasn't a moron, but he wasn't a genius. He's average intelligence. That said the media got really really good at making him look stupid.

[The Black Forrest]

He wasn't a moron, but he wasn't a genius. He's average intelligence. That said the media got really really good at making him look stupid.

Oh come now. They really didn't have to work that hard. He helped them whenever possible.

[Des-Bal]

I don't think he was particularly bright but he wasn't stupid. He wasn't acting but the fact he seemed dull made him accessible.

[Natty Narwhal]

He was simply incompatible with his position.

[Icamera]

Why would a smart person fake idiocy?

Because it means that people rarely see your ulterior motives. Obviously you're not very smart, or you'd have realised this.

So according to you he's not smart for thinking a smart person would not pretend not to be smart while the smart person would not have revealed how smart he is in order to achieve his goals?

If you can follow that, I tip my hat to you. Wait, I change my mind--I don't want to get any sun in my eyes...

...but seriously. If you can follow that, you're definitely smar--er, intelligent.

[Rusikstan]

Eh, he was of average intelligence I think, poor speaking ability, but that doesn't mean he was unintelligent. I simply think he subscribed to a lot of theories and policies that were either outdated, incorrect, or simply bad for the United States, and he surrounded himself with people who were basically just "yes men" for those same positions.

I'd say this sums it up.

[New England and The Maritimes]

Eh, he was of average intelligence I think, poor speaking ability, but that doesn't mean he was unintelligent. I simply think he subscribed to a lot of theories and policies that were either outdated, incorrect, or simply bad for the United States, and he surrounded himself with people who were basically just "yes men" for those same positions.

I'd say this sums it up.

This doesn't explain his complete inability to utter a complete sentence without screwing it up.

As for me, I'd say he was decent during his campaign and a lot of it was faked then, but as his job got more and more stressful, he didn't have to fake it anymore.

[Des-Bal]

This doesn't explain his complete inability to utter a complete sentence without screwing it up.

As for me, I'd say he was decent during his campaign and a lot of it was faked then, but as his job got more and more stressful, he didn't have to fake it anymore.

He was a terrible orator, it made him look like a dumbass but it made him easy to trust.

[Ashmoria]

He was unwise; intelligence has nothing to do with it. People who say he was stupid likely don't have much intelligence themselves. 125 IQ is hardly low, by any standard.

yeah

he wasnt stupid he was unprepared.

he smartened up in his second term and stopped letting cheney run things.

[Hippostania]

Pres. Bush (43) was called an "Idiot" by many of his critics and by in my opinion, unoriginal comedians. The media also did not give him much credit and was very biased towards him. I must say before I go on, that I am no way of supporter of Pres. Bush and I believe that he and members of his administration needs to be charged and put on trial.

One of the best presidents of the United States and the members of his administration must be put on a trial for
A) Liberating two countries from opression
B) Protecting internal security by signing the PATRIOT Act and founding the Department of Homeland Security
C) Guiding America through difficult times during the financial crisis

..wait? What? What the hell? Why would you do that?

[Risottia]

To go on, I been studying and think hard about the theory that Pres. Bush was an “idiot”. In fact, I believe that he faked his perceived unintelligence and that behind the scenes, he was rather intelligence.

Considering the amount of errors, I won't take your word about your studies on someone else's intelligence or lack thereof.

[Des-Bal]

One of the best presidents of the United States and the members of his administration must be put on a trial for
A) Liberating two countries from opression
B) Protecting internal security by signing the PATRIOT Act and founding the Department of Homeland Security
C) Guiding America through difficult times during the financial crisis

..wait? What? What the hell? Why would you do that?

He gave terrorists the chance to seize power in two states that while douchebags were fairly stable.

If I had the choice between getting rid of the patriot act or killing Hitler while curing cancer I wouldn't have an easy choice.

He guided America through difficult financial times like my drunk uncle guided his pickup truck off the difficult road and into a difficult ditch.

[Ashmoria]

Pres. Bush (43) was called an "Idiot" by many of his critics and by in my opinion, unoriginal comedians. The media also did not give him much credit and was very biased towards him. I must say before I go on, that I am no way of supporter of Pres. Bush and I believe that he and members of his administration needs to be charged and put on trial.

One of the best presidents of the United States and the members of his administration must be put on a trial for
A) Liberating two countries from opression
B) Protecting internal security by signing the PATRIOT Act and founding the Department of Homeland Security
C) Guiding America through difficult times during the financial crisis

..wait? What? What the hell? Why would you do that?

it turns out that torture is an international war crime. who knew?

oh yeah, everyone knows that.

[The shee species]

Nobody can act that well.

[Risottia]

Nobody can act that well.

Well, Ronald Reagan was an actor.
Mind you, I don't reckon he was acting during his terms...

[Hippostania]

One of the best presidents of the United States and the members of his administration must be put on a trial for
A) Liberating two countries from opression
B) Protecting internal security by signing the PATRIOT Act and founding the Department of Homeland Security
C) Guiding America through difficult times during the financial crisis

..wait? What? What the hell? Why would you do that?

He gave terrorists the chance to seize power in two states that while douchebags were fairly stable.

If I had the choice between getting rid of the patriot act or killing Hitler while curing cancer I wouldn't have an easy choice.

He guided America through difficult financial times like my drunk uncle guided his pickup truck off the difficult road and into a difficult ditch.

Terrorists? You mean the legitimate governments of Afghanistan and Iraq? Yeah, liberating those countries from opression was definately worth it. He brought peace, freedom and democracy to tens of millions of people
I just can't believe why anyone would want to get rid of the PATRIOT Act. If you're not a terrorist, you have nothing to worry about. PATRIOT Act has most likely saved the US from tens of terrorist attacks
Well, he did quite well imo.

One of the best presidents of the United States and the members of his administration must be put on a trial for
A) Liberating two countries from opression
B) Protecting internal security by signing the PATRIOT Act and founding the Department of Homeland Security
C) Guiding America through difficult times during the financial crisis

..wait? What? What the hell? Why would you do that?

it turns out that torture is an international war crime. who knew?

oh yeah, everyone knows that.

Oh yes, because the rights of terrorists who plan to murder thousands of innocent Americans must be respected.

[Risottia]

Oh yes, because the rights of terrorists who plan to murder thousands of innocent Americans must be respected.

Yes. That's the difference between a rule-of-law democracy and *insert your favourite psycho dictatorship here*.

[Hippostania]

Oh yes, because the rights of terrorists who plan to murder thousands of innocent Americans must be respected.

Yes. That's the difference between a rule-of-law democracy and *insert your favourite psycho dictatorship here*.

That torture was needed to extract information that might've saved the lives of thousands of Americans. I'd say it was worth it.

[Des-Bal]

Terrorists? You mean the legitimate governments of Afghanistan and Iraq? Yeah, liberating those countries from opression was definately worth it. He brought peace, freedom and democracy to tens of millions of people
I just can't believe why anyone would want to get rid of the PATRIOT Act. If you're not a terrorist, you have nothing to worry about. PATRIOT Act has most likely saved the US from tens of terrorist attacks
Well, he did quite well imo.

1. He brought down the legitimate governments of Iraq and Afghanistan giving terrorists the opportunity to gain legitimacy, this means that if we leave now there's not much to keep them in line.
2. Bringing democracy is the exact opposite of bringing peace and freedom, nobody on this earth has ever suggested in an informed sober state that the transition into democracy is peaceful or free. He brought Anarchy and suffering that with any luck will transform into a corrupt quasi-democratic government and then over a period of decades maybe something nice.
3. The Patriot Act is cancer, why can't I look around in your house if you have nothing to hide?
4. I'd like to see some numbers on exactly how much good the patriot act has done.

[Ashmoria]

it turns out that torture is an international war crime. who knew?

oh yeah, everyone knows that.

Oh yes, because the rights of terrorists who plan to murder thousands of innocent Americans must be respected.

yeah

it turns out to be a US law as well as international law that we have signed on to.

go figure.