A billboard on the Nepean Highway here in Melbourne advertising some website had the slogan “So easy, anyone can use it.” Next to the slogan was a big picture of George W. Bush with a laptop and an appropriately stupid look on his face. Here’s a pic of the same billboard in Sydney (from Ozblog):
I have a question. What do you think about George Bush being portrayed in this way?
Do you:
A) Think that, as President of the United States and thus a foreign head of state and a world leader, he is entitled to some respect, regardless of mistakes he has made
Or
b) Not particularly worried. He’s a doofus and he’s had it coming.
To Americans reading this: What do think of your President being portrayed in this way in other countries?
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June 3, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Theda K.
I think it’s funny. Americans make fun of Bush all the time (in the popular media, like the late shows and such). So it’s no big deal.
June 3, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Scott
I’m an american. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of that ad, but then again I don’t like the way some of the late shows act either, so I may be in the minority
June 3, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Pete Aldin
Unfortunately he’s earned it. It’s not like he’s made one or two faux pas. He’s consistently been messing up speeches, declaring unnecessary wars and … being John Howard’s friend.
Then again, with moments of idiocy like I fessed up to at Middle Zone Musings, I’m probably not far behind him. The difference is, I’m not the “Leader of the Free World.”
June 3, 2007 at 9:58 pm
markk
A lot of the comedy regarding Bush is certainly very funny; and what with Bush’s many gaffes in his speeches, quite self-inflicted. And that is before we consider blunders such as his handling of the war on Iraq, etc.
I guess what I’m trying to ask here is what level of respect should we give to those who run our countries. When in Thailand, I was greatly impressed by the level of respect they had for their king. They take it so far that YouTube was recently blocked in Thailand for hosting videos that mocked the king (who is largely a symbolic figure and has no real power). While I would hardly advocate that here, it did make me think about the way we treat our leaders.
Compared to the way the king of Thailand is treated, the way we in the West treat our leaders is often uncalled for, lacks class and is just plain shabby. For example, think of the treatment dished out to Bill Clinton or the British royal family. What does that say about our society?
While our leaders need to be held accountable, malicious criticism or ridicule makes it harder for them to do the job that we elected them to do and demeans society as a whole.
We did elect them, after all.
June 4, 2007 at 2:26 am
Angie
I think the billboard is a cheap shot on the part of the advertiser.
Despite the things I agree with and the things I disagree with when it comes to Bush, he is the President of my country and absolutely deserves a level of respect. When Clinton was in office, about half the country hated him. Now Bush is in office and half the country wants him gone. It’s just par for the course. The only thing that is different is that people have become ruder, more vocal and less willing to show anyone at all respect.
The kids in our schools don’t respect their administrators, employees don’t respect their bosses, and spouses don’t respect one another. It’s just a trickle down of the attitude modern man seems to have of the world around him. There is an excellent article in the new issue of Fortune Magazine about Generation Y entering the workforce. It’s called You Raised Them, Now Manage Them and it focuses on the sense of entitlement and arrogance of this generation.
June 4, 2007 at 8:41 am
themolk
How can it be anything BUT (b)?!?!?!
I did like his last speech to the press club - whoever wrote it for him and he in approving it let himself have a good dig at himself.
June 4, 2007 at 2:34 pm
markk
Yeah Bush has no problem poking fun at himself, which can only be a good thing.
I think Clinton had it much worse than Bush as far as all this is concerned, particularly during the height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
“You Raised Them, Now Manage Them” just says it all I think. Gen Y are selfish; but are Gen X any better? Or Gen W (?)
Pete, I’d vote for ya …
June 5, 2007 at 2:19 am
Cobwebs
We do it ourselves. I work in the DC area; there’s a brand of pistachios called “Everybodys Nuts” which have billboards with the slogan, “The Second Biggest Nut in DC.”
Although any leader deserves some measure of respect, I’m a little leery of the idea that it’s wrong to poke fun at the government. Once you aren’t allowed to make fun of public figures, it’s not a huge stretch until you aren’t allowed to criticize them at all.
June 5, 2007 at 1:26 pm
markk
Somewhere there’s a line between good humour and spite. I wouldn’t want it to be “not allowed” in any sense though. Not unless I’m the one in charge
June 5, 2007 at 4:59 pm
benjamin
I don’t know why exactly, but it doesn’t bother me when politicians are made fun of if it’s done well, on a comedy or parody show. It seems dodgy to it in advertising though. Selling your product by saying ‘Yes, we think he’s a dumb ass just like the majority’ just seems like a cheap shot.
June 5, 2007 at 5:26 pm
markk
I know what you mean. Advertising seems to specialise in cheap shots sometimes.
May 23, 2008 at 10:06 am
Joe
Who the cares! every truly FREE DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY makes fun of world leaders at times. If you cannot take being joked at then maybe you
should have not ran for public office. Also as an American who has seen
a number of presidents come and go, George Walker Bush Is about the
funniest man I have ever seen In office. If you pay close attention to his
body language he could really give a rats ass to what people think. I really
respect his attitude, nonetheless he Is by far at least In my lifetime the
worst president I have ever seen.
May 24, 2008 at 9:13 am
markk
Indeed - I think his idiosyncrasies are more deliberate than most people realise.