Marty Kaplan: "It's not a Freudian slip; it's an Orwellian siren, an

[understandinglife]

... an anti-democratic red alert.

Here's how W is defending the Dubai decision: "The more people learn about the transaction that has been scrutinized and approved by my government, the more they'll be comforted..."

For a moment, set aside the "trust-me" part of this, and focus instead on the "my government" bit. If he'd said "my administration," I wouldn't have blinked.

"My cabinet" would also have raised no hackles. If he really wanted to use the word "government," then how about these pronouns as antecedents for "people": "their government" or "our government."

But no, he said "my government." I don't think that's just a garden variety Bushism, a trivial malapropism. I think it goes right to his understanding of who he is, and who we are. It's not a Freudian slip; it's an Orwellian siren, an anti-democratic red alert.

More at the link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marty-kaplan/w-my-government_b_16224.html

Any doubt that America is an oligarchy being ruled by a totalitarian dictator ... I don't have any, any more.

Seems "We the People ..." have some work to do and it doesn't look all that different than the work some folk had to do in 1775.


Peace.

[mom cat]

1. Nice catch and analysis. K&R

[liveoaktx]

12. Here's the VIDEO of him saying that

Ass

[mom cat]

14. My you have been busy today. Thanks ffor all you do.

:toast::toast::smoke::smoke::yourock::smoke::smoke::toast::toast:

[understandinglife]

30. Thank you, once again!!!

Peace.

[Laelth]

56. Here's the CNN Screenshot

-Laelth

[Twist_U_Up]

67. deleted fixed.

[file83]

2. "A Dictatorship would be a heckuva lot easier...just so long as I'm the

DICTATOR!!!"

--W.

[WildEyedLiberal]

3. Scary.

Did you hear his other "freudian slip"? Something about "we are pursuing this because there is no concern for national security"?

More importantly, will people see the signs in time to wake up?

[ginnyinWI]

4. the people have no president

And they have no leader("look behind you, George"). They have a ruler. But in fairness, George isn't the last word, either. His corporate masters are. He lives to serve the interests of the almighty corporate dollar.

[AndyA]

5. Bush: "My government"

MY GOVERNMENT
MY GOVERNMENT
MY GOVERNMENT

DICTATOR

[Art_from_Ark]

37. So it was "approved" by "his" government,

which obivously doesn't include Congress which is ready to disapprove it.

[Marie26]

6. No, it's OUR government,

and we're your boss. Got that, Bush? He also has a quaint habit of assuming the government only consists of the Executive Branch - like saying "the government approved" the ports deal. It's not to hard to see what Bush wants; he'll eventually come right out and tell you.

[IronLionZion]

20. The Saudis and the Emiratis are his boss

and corporate cronies too. they pay him a lot more than we do.

[Marie26]

21. He might be getting some payoffs

on the side, but we're the ones who hired him. And if he's taking bribes, or stealing from the office, we're the ones who can fire him. We are his boss - and we should never forget it. Bush tries to create this impression that we are there to serve him, and it's easy to fall into that. In reality, he is there to serve us. We are his authority, and we should never allow him to make us feel intimidated or powerless.

[lyonn]

7. The way he stated it stood out to me also

When he speaks of the U.S. it sounds like it is in the "possessive" term, but this time it was outstanding. He has a definite problem with relating to this country as "ours." bush wants us to trust him once again on the port issue while Rome, oops, Iraq is burning while he is bring democracy to those lucky people. We feel a bit of their pain, this was not my war either.

[Beetwasher]

8. Jumped Right Out At Me Too When I Read It

He's said stuff like that before. It's not a slip. He think he owns the US.

[Marr]

9. Ever notice how he gestures towards himself when he says "the U.S."?

He does it all the time, and it's bothered me since I first saw it in 2002. He's got an "I am the state" attitude.

[Marie26]

22. "L'etat, c'est moi"

I think you've got it. Thanks for that post - you've perfectly captured what he's really saying.

[Patsy Stone]

34. Just what I was gonna say!

Thanks, ul! K&R!

[Peace Patriot]

10. Throw Diebold and ES&S election theft machines into 'Boston Harbor' NOW!

Actually, I don't think it can be done overnight--the corruption is so widespread and entrenched--but you get the idea.

[understandinglife]

11. " ... but you get the idea." Yes, indeed.

Peace.

[In Truth We Trust]

45. NOW!!!

[understandinglife]

13. "You don't need to be a member of the Council on Foreign Relations to ...

... grasp that a country that embraced the Taliban, was a financial hub for the 9/11 attackers, and whose own ports were used by notorious Pakistani scientist A.Q. Kahn to smuggle nuclear components to Iran, Libya, and North Korea, probably shouldn't be handed the keys to shipping operations in New York, New Jersey, Miami, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New Orleans (I mean, c'mon, haven't Bush and Chertoff done enough damage to the Big Easy?).

This deal is a nonstarter and a no-brainer. A Harriet Miers debacle to the hundredth- power. Next thing you know, the president will be assuring us that he knows what's in the heart of Dubai Ports World, Inc.

But instead of pulling back from the deal and hurriedly looking for the port operations equivalent of Sam Alito, the president stomped his feet, held his breath, and stuck out his veto.

Bush hasn't vetoed a single bill in five years. Turns out his line in the sand can be found in the deserts of the UAE.

More from Arianna Huffington on Dubious About Dubai: Cutting to the Heart of Bush's National Security Hypocrisy at the link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/dubious-about-dubai-cutt_b_16187.html

Let us hope this is the last "George" that "We the People ..." need to remove from dictatorial, kingly power in OUR Nation's history.


Peace.

[HootieMcBoob]

15. I caught that too n/t

[callous taoboy]

62. I caught it, too. I thought I heard it wrong. n/t

[Marnieworld]

16. He has said this for years!

He always uses my government. This is not new and not a slip. It is exactly what this writer says and that he views it as we live in his country. This has infuriated me for years.

It's consistent with his lack of understanding or respect for any of the traditions and founding fathers' intent for our country.

It's reflected when he jokes about being a dictator- that is the very opposite of what an elected American president is (or was) and to utter the words just spits on the Constitution.

It's also reflected in his power grab and disregard for checks and balances. He has no idea what his position is supposed to be even enough to pretend to believe it. The lack of pretending just shows his arrogance.

But like I said he has been saying this for years.

[DoYouEverWonder]

17. Bush and the gang are a bunch of bullies

That's how they operate. For the last five years they have intimidated us and kept us afraid. Now that fear isn't working anymore, they are taking a very radical and hard line stance. They claim that the president has imperial powers and there is nothing anyone can do about it. I certainly hope they're wrong, but it seems we are past the point of no return, no matter what we do now.

[SeattleGirl]

18. I am absolutely NOT surprised by this.

I've thought for the longest time that Bush sees the government in exactly that way - as his. The office of the President is not something he takes seriously. He sees it as his (he owns it), and his primary purpose for becoming President was to get his hands on as much treasure as possible. I've said it before and I'll say it again: he does not give a flying fuck about the country, the people, the constitution, or the office he holds. It is but the key to the treasure box for him.

[Marie26]

23. Isn't he rich enough?

I've never understood this. Bush was born rich, will die rich, never has to work a day in his life. Why would money be so important to him? Not saying it isn't, but I could never quite wrap my head around this. They're all already rich - Cheney, Rummie, Bush. Why do they need to plunder our government?

[SeattleGirl]

26. Because it's not just monetary treasure they want.

They also want absolute power, and they want a return to the bad old days of a huge separation between the classes. They will occupy the elite unbelieveably rich upper class, and we will occupy the bottom of the economic barrel lower class. There will be no middle class, so the gulf between "them" and "us" will be impassable.

This man is a blasphemy to the Office of the President of the United States, to the Constitution, to the country, and to the people.

[Marie26]

64. Agreed

Maybe he likes states like UAE & Kuwait so much because they represent his ideal vision for America. Fabulously rich upper-class of 10%, who pay no taxes, own most land, & profit from the resources; and then a permanent underclass of 90% to serve them. Lovely.

[electropop]

36. He does own it - he stole it fair and square and he's not giving it back.

Ever.

Not until he is forced to.

[SeattleGirl]

39. Ooops! I forgot! My bad.

:rofl:

[Lisa]

19. what next -- "me, the people"?

Seems he makes an awful lot of these "slips" -- I think the author (and the posters who've called * on this before) are onto something.


"Well, it's an unimaginable honor to be the president during the Fourth of July of this country. It means what these words say, for starters. The great inalienable rights of our country. We're blessed with such values in America. And I -- it's -- I'm a proud man to be the nation based upon such wonderful values."
--Washington, D.C., Jul. 2, 2001

[Time for change]

24. No question about it

And when he said, "Things would be a lot easier if this was a dictatorship -- as long as I'm the dictator", that wasn't a Freudian slip either -- and he wasn't kidding.

[Marie26]

27. Whenever he's complaining

about something being "hard work," there's that unspoken corollary behind it. "Things would be a lot easier if I were a dictator."

[derby378]

25. Fuck him and all the vile filth he has unleashed on our nation

It's our government, you neo-fascist fuck, and we're going to take it back, Diebold or no Diebold.

[bloom]

28. his honesty astounds me. n/t

[Clara T]

29. Orwellian indeed

"There will be no peace. At any given moment for the rest of our lifetimes, there will be multiple conflicts in mutating forms around the globe. Violent conflict will dominate the headlines, but cultural and economic struggles will be steadier and ultimately more decisive. The de facto role of the US armed forces will be to keep the world safe for our economy and open to our cultural assault. To those ends, we will do a fair amount of killing."

[SeveneightyWhoa]

31. This is really quite stupid. Kaplan is WRONG.

In fact this is so utterly pointless that I was inspired to blog about it: http://www.counterbias.com/blog/2006/02/bushs-government-indeed.html

The fact is, saying "my government" does not signal fascism, totalitarianism, authoritarianism -- it doesn't signal anything, really. It's just something that leaders of governments and nations say. Proof? The Prime Ministers of both India and Canada, which are just two examples I came up with, said the same thing -- "my government" -- TODAY!

[SeattleGirl]

32. But this isn't India or Canada, and US Presidents don't

generally say "my government". They say "My Administration."

Plus, if you put that remark against Bush's overall behavior, I believe that he does mean he thinks the government is his to do with as he wishes. He has proven again and again that he believes that the United States of America is his own little treasure pot, and he can take anything he wants, and the rest of us be damned.

So, I cannot agree with your assessment. It's not pointless; it is a very telling statement of how Bush sees this country.

[Art_from_Ark]

38. You are right

Parliamentary systems refer to "forming a new government" when a new prime minister takes over, so the PM would naturally refer to his/her "government". On the other hand, Americans never refer to a new *government* when there is a new president, but rather to a new *administration*

American presidents say "my administration", not "my government".

[SeattleGirl]

40. Thanks Art

I don't think I've ever heard another President, Republican or Democrat, say "my government". It's always "my administration.

[Lisa]

42. plus, people in Canada have already expressed concerns about Harper!

Maybe not the best choice there? (Just before the election, he mumbled something about "don't worry about my being elected, because I will be held in check by the Senate" -- which didn't exactly reassure us. His handlers are probably wondering if it cost them a majority.)

Even though it's true that we do refer to "the Martin government" rather than "the Martin administration" (and the same goes for the provincial level) -- we have a rather different political structure. Apples and oranges (if not apples and golf balls).

But seriously -- American political scientists frequently express concern about the amount of control which Canadian PMs have over appointments to the Senate, the Supreme Court, and even the selection of the Governor-General. We don't even have hearings in front of the House, the way you do in the States. It's one of the major criticisms of our parliamentary system -- other PMs before Harper have been viewed as "dictatorial" (Trudeau, Mulroney, Chretien), and even though I'm a fervent nationalist who doesn't feel shy about criticizing the US in turn -- I have to admit that this is a major problem.

[Usrename]

57. Congress has no role in "his" government.

Other Presidents probably would include Congress in the equation when using a phrase like "my government".

[IronLionZion]

65. In Parliamentary systems, they have to "build" a government

after each election. That's the only reason why they say "my government". They built it. News media will say it's the "government of Manmohan Singh's" or that "Gerhard Schroider has failed to build a government so he'll share it with Angela Merkel". That's just how they say it. Whoever controls Parliament, controls the executive power. Parliamentary my dear Watson.

The US system is very different. Bush doesn't have to "build" his own government. We have the 3 branches which are supposed to exist independently of each other and provide checks and balances. According to Bush, "His government" is just his administration and their corrupt cronies. But it is supposed to be "our government" which includes legislators and judges elected/appointed separately from the Presidential election.

The jack boot is hovering over us all.

[SammyWinstonJack]

33. What's to be expected from someone who knows he wasn't elected

to office, but rather cheated his way in. He figures if he can get away with that not once but TWICE it is his government. The little prick has a dictatorship mentality. Since he get his way almost always, he thinks that politically he's invincible. The power has gone to his head.

[DemReadingDU]

35. Time to impeach this totalitarian dictator !

[pat_k]

41. The Bush Dyslexicon -- what comes out of his mouth is always VERY telling

The Bush Dyslexicon

[SeattleGirl]

47. I'm actually re-reading my copy of the book

I read it when it first came out, and decided it was time to read it again.

[AntiFascist]

43. It's his international Shadow Government...

otherwise known as the BFEE.

[Mr_Spock]

44. I caught that myself - I was thinking the same thing when I heard it

I pay this son-of-a-bitches salary and he works for me??

FIRE HIS ASS NOW!

[Synnical]

46. Ah, Poppy said it, too in his Inaugural Address of 1989

It's not a Freudian slip, it's not Orwellian, it's how these elitists think!

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/presiden/inaug/bush.htm

I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. We will work hand in hand, encouraging, sometimes leading, sometimes being led, rewarding. We will work on this in the White House, in the Cabinet agencies. I will go to the people and the programs that are the brighter points of light, and I will ask every member of my government to become involved. The old ideas are new again because they are not old, they are timeless: duty, sacrifice, commitment, and a patriotism that finds its expression in taking part and pitching in.

[bleever]

48. "My government". How total is his ignorance of American constitutional

democracy?

It's as someone once said of Cindy Crawford's acting debut: it's as though all his lines were just translated from Hungarian, and he's reading them for the first time.

It doesn't even sound like English.

[bonito]

49. watching his speech on fox last week

very amusing, long winded, revealing, and the audience without emotion in there faces, I'm sure could not understand english.
Rover is projecting an image, but he's only fooling himself along with some fools that will wake up eventually.
I got caught off guard today with the election reform postings I cherish much, but have not been reciprocal. Well I for one hold your view points, ah heck, You rock understanding life. Peace

[kimpossible]

50. It really pissed me off when I heard him say that today

Got me cursing at the TV during Olberman. That arrogant little prick!
:grr:

[NastyRiffraff]

51. Another "Freudian slip" and frightening:

Bush, on the port deal:

"This deal wouldn't go forward if we were concerned about the security for the United States of America."

[SeattleGirl]

54. WTF???

I missed that one. That is really frightening!

[Cronus Protagonist]

52. Ummm he does this all the time

It's so common, I've grown used to it since there's no point in complaining and his ego is obviously the largest thing in the known universe.

Educate a Freeper Today!
Buttons, Stickers and Fridge Magnets made in America for brainy people
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[omega minimo]

53. WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT

Remember? :eyes: :think:

[SeattleGirl]

55. Bush doesn't

Or else, he just decided that he didn't like the idea, so he said, the hell with it, it's MY government.

Asshat!

[Buns_of_Fire]

58. Chucklenuts needs a primer on U.S.Government read to him

Perhaps he was inadvertently picking up the term as it is used in parliamentary governments. But that phrasing just don't fly in the U.S. -- I got news for ya, Shit-fer-Brains: it is most assuredly NOT "your" government.

Emperor Chickenshit the Unitary wearies me with his ignorant babbling.

[SeattleGirl]

59. Hey, I'll volunteer!

I'll bring my copy of the Constitution/Bill of Rights. Tuck him in, and read him a REALLY GOOD story -- "How the United States of America is SUPPOSED to Function"!!!!

[Buns_of_Fire]

60. Is there a "My Pet Goat" version of the Constitution?

Good luck. Don't forget his pilly. He gets cranky without his pilly.

[SeattleGirl]

61. I'll bring a pilly for him, but he has to hear the Constitution AS IS!

And if he doesn't like it, tough! I'll pin his eyeballs open, and yell the words in his ears if that's what it takes!

I'm on a mission from God, baby!

[BREMPRO]

63. heard this several times before....

On several occasions i've heard him refer to our government as "MY" government. I don't think you can entirely dismiss this use of words to his poor command of the English language, and lack of poetic subtlety. It seems to me a reflection of his sense of his exclusive command of the US government without public participation. It should be "OUR" government(by the people, for the people!), but he's turned the presidency into a dictatorship, and OUR White House into a throne. He see's himself as a benevolent monarch more than the executive of a democracy. This is more evidence of dangerous delusion. I had the same reaction to the language he used to absolve Dead-eye-Dick of wrongdoing "I'm satisfied with his explanation" "it was a very powerful (not necessarily truthful!) explanation" Meaning in essence, since I, King George, am satisfied, and I trump the law, and am the final authority on these matters, all you plebeian police,lawyer,and courts can stop working. The matter is closed. Hail Cesar!

AND, this Dubai deal and his quick threat of a veto clearly demonstrates where his true allegiance is, not to the flag, or the protection of the American people, but to the international corporatocracy, the cozy elite monied interests, oil barons, megabankers etc... that are his true constituency.

[autorank]

66. autorank provides official endorsement of your analysis!!1

"My government" ... hmmm, you nailed it and nailed it hard.

We're all quail to the Bushistas!

Strongly recommended.

[Twist_U_Up]

68. Talking points

Transaction

and now they are softening us to the reality that this is a dictatorship.

expect to hear it and see it more often and in less subtle ways.

[Wordie]

69. Bush is a fool...but that doesn't necessarily mean that the deal is bad.nt

[WinkyDink]

70. "...if we were concerned about the security of the United States

of America." IF!! IF!!
HE ISN'T!