Detachment: The Bush Clan

A total disconnect can be seen from Bush II. He has no clear understanding, or real concern for the Gulf Coast. This president can not be blamed for his apathy. How can you ask someone to understand a situation, in which they have no real world experience? He is equivalent to a primary school child trying to contemplate the sufferings of ‘witches’ during the Salem trials. In turn, they are more horrified by the acts themselves than having true empathy during dialogue. In other words, they ask ‘how could we burn people?’ not ‘what does it feel like to get burned’?

The ‘burning’ of people in the wake of Katrina has revealed a president absent of any empathy for his follow man. He is only aware of these people because he must, for political reasons. The force of such a storm has unearthed the true character of Bush II. You are right, I am pointing fingers and laying blame. Bush is a miserable example of leadership, strength, attentiveness and character. This is so apparent and unrelenting in its truth that all people, from all walks of life, must seek out Bush’s explanation for faltering in such an appalling manner. Defending Bush in this situation is equivalent to supporting his actions during this crisis. This would mean supporting dilapidated instructions and misguided inactionwhich lead to deaths.

Moreover, Mrs. Barbara Bush, the matriarch of the Bush clan, underscores this callous nature which pulsates through the Bush family. With her guidance as a mother and wife she has displayed most of the characteristics of a latter day Marie Antoinette. First, in 2003 she uttered this response in reference to Iraqi deaths, "Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? It's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?" Then her eloquence continued Monday (9-5-05) with a remark concerning the refugees in Texas. “While the federal government has been widely criticized for its slow response, former First Lady Barbara Bush told the radio show Marketplace that the relocation is "working very well" for some of those forced out of New Orleans since they were "underprivileged anyway." This is Barbara Bush speaking at the Astrodome in Houston. "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this working very well for them," Bush said.” This woman is responsible for the early formation of social values and morals in the Bush household. Thus, the Bush clan reeks of stubborn ignorance and societal naivety. Consequently, Bush II is a product of white wealth and political patronage, what else do you expect from him?

Long gone are the days of Eleanor Roosevelt and her ability to move past her prior determinants of wealth, class and race and to become a lightning rod for change, societal equality and true leadership.