George W. Bush and Caligula. Comparative history:
1. Daddy a war hero.
2. Wore uniforms, but just played at being in an active unit. Caligula's nickname (he was really named Gaius) meant Little Boots, which were the military style boots he wore when he paraded in front of the troops as a child. Dubya is translated as Flak Jacket, which Bush wore in front of sailors and marines when he was still a child, mentally and emotionally.
3. Relatives in high places. Caligula was son of the great general, Germanicus, was nephew of The Emperor Tiberius, Grandson of the Empress Livia and, by adoption, grandson of Augustus. His other grandfather was Marc Antony. Bush is son of President Bush and grandson of Senator Bush. Great Grandson and namesake of the Walker who invented The Walker Cup of golf.
4. Bizarre political appointments. Caligula appointed a horse his Co-Consul. Bush appointed a horse's ass Ambassador to the United Nations. Both did it to thumb their noses at the legislative branch and show that he held absolute power.
5. Funky marriages. Caligula married Caesonia but slept with one or two of his sisters most of the time. Bush married a Stepford Wife who had committed vehicular manslaughter as a teenager. I don't think he likes his sister that much.
6. Caligula was hugely popular at first. O.K., I never said they were exactly alike.
7. Caligula had a warped sense of humor. Bush thinks the fact that he lied about WMD is a big joke.
8. Caligula's lavish spending depleted the surpluses of Tiberius and Augustus. Bush destroyed the Clinton surplus in less than one year.
9. Caligula was criticized for thinking Emperor was a part time job, as he took many, many vacations. Geez, anyone believe in reincarnation here?
10. Caligula started a war, but the troops never saw combat. He had the soldiers collect sea shells as his spoils of war. Bush started a war and the troops did see combat. Bush is collecting a humorous document called the Iraqi Constitution for his spoils of war.
11. Caligula surrounded himself with people who treated him like a god. Bush surrounds himself with people who worship him and has no contact with the majority of Americans.
12. According to Michael Grant, Caligula demonstrates what can happen when absolute power is combined with a lack of responsibility and respect for others. Bush hasn't quite achieved absolute power yet, but he already has that lack of responsibility and respect for others bit down pat. |
