Crazy Stuff

A pychologist assessing Bush's personality describes him as an "authoritatrian" and notes that the diagnoses of such personality types was made after assessments of the folks who created fascism. The Guardian article claims:

"Bush's deep hatred, as well as love, for both his parents explains how he became a reckless rebel with a death wish. He hated his father for putting his whole life in the shade and for emotionally blackmailing him. He hated his mother for physically and mentally badgering him to fulfil her wishes. But the hatred also explains his radical transformation into an authoritarian fundamentalist. By totally identifying with an extreme version of their strict, religion-fuelled beliefs, he jailed his rebellious self. From now on, his unconscious hatred for them was channelled into a fanatical moral crusade to rid the world of evil... "Id-control is the basis of Bush's presidency but Bush is a man of fierce anger." That anger now rules the world."

Lighter Stuff

On a lighter note, for some examples of the Genius of Capitalism, check out this Guardian article on some smaller companies that have been profiteering from the Iraqi crisis. Highlights include toilet paper featuring the face of Osama bin Laden or a pair of "French Kiss" lips. But my favourite is the Farting and Talking George Bush doll. To quote the site:

"Pull the commander-in-chief's finger and he'll shake, fart, say seven wacky phrases and a fart song in the off-beat tradition of our great leader."

Funny how Americans always feel obliged to refer to their President as a "great leader" even when they are making fun of him. I started reading a book about Bush called "Ambling Into History" but gave up after a short while - the author was evidently very reluctant to actually CRITICIZE Bush. He made allusions and aspersions, but he knew going further would damage sales.

I can understand that Americans do not want to denegrate the POSITION of President, whatever they think of Bush. But it smacks of criticism that the USA has become a religion, and the President and the Flag are as sacred to US citizens as Jesus and the Cross.

To quote Britney Spears: "Honestly, I think we should just trust our president in every decision that he makes and we should just support that."

Australia has a much more laid-back attitude. I once attended a journalists dinner where former PM Bob (nobody called him Robert) Hawke mingled with the crowd after speeches were done. I picked up a plate of hors d'oevres and pretended to be a waiter, moving towards the PM's crowd.

"Here, Bob. Fancy a bite?" I asked. Hawke squinted at the plate.

"Nah. Thanks, mate."

A very Australian moment, I thought.