Similarities of Bush* to Mussolini

[rogerashton]

Prior to Bush*, I don't think any other national leader was as noted for his physical fitness as Mussolini. Like Mussolini, Bush is noted (rightly or wrongly) for his exercise and fitness. The ideological reason for this is the same, too -- both represent their government as "manly." Both manly rulers sent their troops to overrun a smaller country (Ethiopia in Mussolini's case) with inadequate equipment, due partly to war profiteering by their chronies.

But we cannot push this too far. Mussolini was a genuine linguist who translated Italian poetry into German and cultivated an image as an intellectual.

[kentuck]

1. Both are/were so arrogant that...

if they were caught out in rainstorm, they would have to wear an eggshell over their noses to keep from drowning...

[Lisa]

2. hey, Georgie cultivates an intellectual image too!

His staff are always having him carry a carefully-selected book around, to give the impression that he reads!

[Metta]

3. A couple of pertinent quotes.

"Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power."

Benito Mussolini

"Naturally, the common people don't want war, but after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country."

- Herman Goering speaking at the Nuremberg trials after WWII

[rogerashton]

4. And remember that Mussolini coined the word

totalitarian, meaning by it that no distinction was to be made between his party, the Italian state, and the Italian nation.

That has been a strong Republican tendency since the Nixon-Gahagan Douglas race, but * has taken it to the next level.

[mtnsnake]

5. There are also similarities between Bush & the BTK killer.

Both are/were presidents (BTK was president of his church).

Both justify their agendas by using the church to make them blend in as main stream Americans, instead of the cowards that both of them really are.

Both are responsible for needless deaths of innocent civilians, each in their own way.

Plus, if you really look hard, Bush sometimes has those same flippant expressions that the BTK madman does.

[priller]

6. Bush's fitness regimen is just part of his overall strict schedule

necessary to keep him on the wagon. Bush's days are planned out and scheduled so he doesn't have an idle moment where the "devil" can tempt him to start drinking again. I don't think it's fitness for fitness' sake, it's a byproduct of staying sober.