The U.S. is history’s militarily strongest power. It’s global influence is second to none. The personality at the helmet of such an actor in global affairs cannot but attract curiosity and scrutiny.
Over the last couple of years, TFF has collected articles about Mr. Bush, his personality, mode of operation, leadership, his family background, etc. Below we offer you a mini library of links to the essential reading.
We have avoided all that smacks political propaganda, anti-Americanism and hate. Each is based on considerable knowledge and scholarship, some on personal experience. Virtually all are from American sources. The lack of similar discussions in Europe and elsewhere – Japan for instance – is conspicuous, if not mind-boggling.
There are aspects in these article that should make every concerned reader ask: will democracies survive without a minimum of quality control of their leaders?
Browse, read here and there and ask yourself: Should George W. Bush ever have been trusted the power he has, including thepower to wage conventional and nuclear war – without the consent of Congress? And what kind of society, what kind of political system – and political psychology – make it anyhow possible?
1. George W. Bush’ psychology & state of mind
Washington Post 1999 and onwards
The making of a president.
A seven-part series on Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush traces the Texas governor’s lifelong effort to reconcile the expectations placed on him with the success he sought. (Also see Post series “Understanding Bush” and “Bush’ Texas Record”
Ron Suskind, New York Times, October 17, 2004 at TruthOut
Without a Doubt.
Civil war over Bush’s faith-based rule?
Bill Keller, New York Times, March 23, 2002
The soul of George W. Bush
David Greenber, The New Yorker, July 2004
Fathers and Sons. George W. Bush and his forebears
Andrew Stephen, The Observer, October 17, 2004
Has Bush lost his reason? The President’s apparent mental fragility should give US voters pause for thought at the ballot box
Julian Borger, The Guardian, August 13, 2003
Study of Bush’s psychology touches a nerve
About a study funded by the US government.
Ira Kay, CounterPunch
The mental map of the Bush Presidency – his ideas about the world map…
Robert L. Knowles, Information Clearing House, October 26, 2004
The Bush family tree: Consider again for the first time
Daniel Schorr, Christian Science Monitor, March 26, 2004
Was Bush fixated on ‘getting Saddam’?
Doug Thompson, Capital Hill Blue
Bush’s erratic behaviour worries White House aides
Renana Brooks, clinical psychologist, SeattlePi.com
Power of Presidency resides in language as well as law
The Guardian, June 2, 2003
‘ George Bush is being childish’
New York Times editorial, June 1
Los Angeles Times – Editorial, October 7, 2004
Is He a Dope?
Liz Marlantes, Christian Science Monitor, July 18, 2003
More John Wayne rhetorics infuses politics – growing machismo in public discourse
Helen Thomas, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Nothing sweeter to Bush than revenge
Peter Beinart, The New Republic, October 11, 2004 & TruthOut
Speech impediment.
A more decent president would not accuse his opponent of assisting terrorists and harming American troops merely because he criticizes U.S. policy.
