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Chapter 1: What prompted the discussion about Trump and Bush Jr.?
Well, howdy there, Internet people, it's Belle again. So today, we're going to talk about Trump versus Bush. Maybe. On President's Day, former President George Bush Jr. wrote a little essay, and it's caused waves within the Republican Party, at least in the portion of the Republican Party that reads essays and think pieces. His essay prompted this question.
Miss Bell, did the boy King George Bush Jr. just take his President's Day event and use it exclusively to point out what a loser President Trump is? I've never seen so much subtle shade in my life. That's what that was, right? Please tell me that's what that was. I'm putting a link to an essay if you haven't seen it.
Chapter 2: How did George Bush Jr.'s essay impact perceptions of Trump?
I'll put that link below so y'all can read it for yourselves and determine what you think. There's a long-standing rule that former presidents don't criticize the current president. However, there's a chance that depicting former President Obama and Michelle as apes might have upset Bush. If you don't know, Bush and Michelle are friends, and not in the, oh, we're cordial in public kind of way.
No, they coordinate their seating arrangement ahead of time to make sure they're by each other. So, maybe going after Bush's bestie was too much. Bush's essay talks about how great Washington was for being modest, giving up power willingly twice, and for remaining civil. In one part, it says, "...our first president could have remained all-powerful, but twice he chose not to.
In so doing, he set a standard for all presidents to live up to." His life with all its flaws and achievements should be studied by all who aspire to leadership. That could be read as a shot at Trump, who doesn't even want to give up power when he loses. Then there's this part, quote,
As a boy, he schooled himself in the gentlemanly arts by copying the 110 maxims from Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, which shaped his character for the rest of his life. Many of the qualities that come to be associated with Washington's leadership, from self-control and courteousness to modesty and diplomacy, can be traced to that short book on manners.
Civility, decent behavior, self-control, modesty, being courteous. Okay, I see it. Then there's this bit, quote, Washington modeled what it means to put the good of the nation over self-interest and selfish ambition.
He embodied integrity and modeled why it's worth aspiring to, and he carried himself with dignity and self-restraint, honoring the office without allowing it to become invested with near-mythical powers. I mean, sure, I can see that as subtle shade about Trump as well. I definitely see the parts people are pointing to, but here's the thing.
George, I'm the decider Bush Jr., isn't known for being a subtle man. I don't actually think this was a calculated dig at Trump. I think he just wrote an essay for President's Day that showcased what Washington was known for. I think that what people are seeing as shade being thrown is just the objective reality that Trump doesn't hold the qualities Americans want in a leader.
He got voted in because many Americans don't value the things that set the traditions of this country. The fact that something this on the nose might be an accident just shows how far the office of the presidency has fallen. That being said, I'm not ruling out Bush being angry about Trump attacking his bestie. Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.
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