The Insanity in Chief

After seeing tonight's 60 Minutes program, which led with the interview of President Bush, I now realize that Einstein's definition of insanity is indeed valid:

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

Good one, Al. Our president was on the program tonight, and was steadfast in his belief and determined that his course is the right one, regardless of what 68% of Americans think, most of Congress or even the people directly involved.

Neither is he concerned that he is unpopular, unloved or disagreeable. When people are not concerned about how others perceive them, it is a sign of something more deeply wrong in their personal behavior. There are TV shows devoted to such behavior. That one on the Style Channel, where family members go into someone's closet and remove all the disgusting clothing that this person has been wearing for years, seemingly oblivious to the stares and ridicule of others. Generally, the person whose closet is being raided seems incredulous that anyone would think that their tastes in clothes were odd or offensive. My general opinion is that they may be missing their true calling of a career in politics.

The President is also not concerned that his legacy will be tarnished by his actions or that the historical viewpoint of his presidency will be tarnished by his dishonesty with the American public, the issues surrounding the purpose of our time in Iraq or the idea that we are there at all.

During the program, he was shown going into a meeting with surviving family members of soldiers who were killed over there. When he came out, he was said to be "a different person", but I know otherwise. He may be different because he was a bit surprised, but if he was truly a different person, his ideas and opinions would have changed. They have not, and he is not.

He called himself a Commander in Chief, and told us that sometimes a Commander has to educate people as to the purpose and philosophy of war. What is there about war that we may not have learned over the last 231 years that you could teach us? Your best lessons to the American public would likely be those on how to be steadfast in your beliefs, even after public opinion has raided your closet and found your clothes to be offensive. What you can teach us about war and its effects on people would fall woefully short and not worthy of the time I would spend listening to you.

Through all of the 20 or so minutes of the interview, I was forced to look at your smug face, and as I gazed into your eyes, I could see the look of doubt, fear and distrust that we have come to accept as your legacy over these last 6 years. You are neither a good enough actor nor a good enough statesman to sell any of your new ideas. They sound too much like your old ideas, and the only difference is that it will cost more lives and require more men and women to be laid to rest as you fulfill some sort of empty promise to us in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001.

We were behind you then, Mr. Bush. We thought that your thoughts, hopes and ideas were shared by us. Your approval amongst us was never higher, even after your election. Then, your ideas went woefully awry. Somehow, you invaded the wrong country and chased after the wrong "evil doer". It was always my opinion that you were taking revenge on the man who once threatened your father, and now that he has been hanged, your purpose in living has been fulfilled - at least as far as the Bush family is concerned.

Now, it is your duty as the Commander in Chief to fulfill your purpose to the people who elected you - twice. Although it was scarcely 49% of them, we nonetheless accepted you in the office, with the feeling that you were our representative. Now, we know better. You do not represent us. You do not represent the members of Congress that we have elected to represent us. You represent yourself, your military-industrial complex and the giants of business and politics who have inserted you into the Oval Office in their best efforts to have a puppet in charge of their kingdom.

You will not listen to us, no matter how loudly we cry. You will not listen to the mothers, fathers, wives, husbands or children of the men and women who you send to death, and you will most certainly not listen to anyone who is not directly connected to your party or business interests.

From time to time, I wonder why people have soured on politics. It's important, I think, and when Election Day rolls around, I try to encourage people to get to the polls and vote - even if it's just for a candidate or ballot question. Generally, I get a blank stare and a comment that wonders why they should bother, because it seems the world goes on, regardless of what they think. Those same people will soon be punching the phone with the '800 number' of the American Idol candidate of their choice, and they figure that their vote will matter more than the one they cast in November. I wonder why people don't get out and protest, call the White House or write a letter to let him know that we do not approve of what is being done.

Then, I see an interview with the president and I think that they are right, and I wonder why I waste my time. I keep voting, expecting that the people we elect will help things get better.

I must be insane.