A feral, jumpy animal

Jon comments on the previous "Harry" post..

..at first, I laughed when Bush said "it's obvious you don't like me very much... go on."

But the more I thought of the more it disgusted me. This is just another example of how closed minded he is. He didn't hear what Harry said at all. And he made a joke out of someone expressing their feelings... and he's supposed to be compassionate? To borrow a line from the movie 'Princess Bride':

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means".

Compassionate? Jon, gotta be careful throwing that "C" word around. People will start writing, in their heads, what they think you're gonna say, before you've even said it. No listening after that word for many, just planning--how they're gonna scoff, or pants you, or search for exceptions to the rule so as to keep some distance to the verity you raise. Oh sure, they want compassion, value it, try to secure it for those they love. It's not that the concept is alien. Just bastardized. The Compassion you speak of is means-tested by many, usually with thin-sliced, snap judgments. We've heard of economic irrationalism--well, this is feeling phobia and fear-based benefit distribution. A skill honed by cynics, generously applied to any and all comers who might suggest a change in the draperies.

Bush is a feral, jumpy animal. We're familair with the species in our professional lives, even if we don't spend time pondering or naming the genus. As such, he's keenly tuned to aggressors, whether overt, or nicely turned out and calmly demeanored, like Harry. He saw Harry coming with his slow, measured wind-up. Bush's situational awareness is built and practiced for such things.

He's not a smart man, not particularly complex or forward thinking. As such he lives by his wits, and snap decisions, shutting down demanding discussion, forcing premature closure of debate. Why? Because he knows it's not his strong suit. If he stands still long enough, we can see and measure him and his responses. He knows this, and has fashioned his world and his tactics to maximize his pleasure, and minimize his exposure.

"So I'm not your favorite guy! Heheheh" is a strategic stutter-step any dissembler might use to attempt to derail what they feel is a mounting assault. It is reflexive and gives any doubting supporters who may be listening to "a Harry" a moment or two to regain their confidence and allegiance in the dissembler.

The National Chamber of Commerce compiles numbers on consumer fraud--fly by night painters, roofers, encylopeadia salesmen, etc. They estimate that for every complaint they get, four rip-offs go unreported. Why? Because we all love to think we're as savvy as Jack Welch or Simon Cowell. The truth is many are thick as bricks and easily manipulated by the "skills" Bush (and his fellow Rs) demonstrate daily. A lot of voters would like to repossess their November vote. But that would indict them, not Bush.