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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: cnyndwllr who wrote (442494)	8/13/2003 5:32:22 PM
From: Thomas A Watson	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

One thing that is clear is that technology, systems, science, process, logistics, planning and intelligence ignoramus come to the quite stupid conclusion that, 'the "evidence" was exaggerated, misrepresented and presented in a one-sided fashion by those that wanted to justify the invasion of Iraq.' Such people don't know a science literate person from a jackass. Such a conclusion is a clear idiot identification event cue.

To: cnyndwllr who wrote (442494)	8/13/2003 6:10:10 PM
From: cnyndwllr	Respond to of 769670

>>"The authors also peer into the psyche of President George Bush, who turns out to be a textbook case. The telltale signs are his preference for moral certainty and frequently expressed dislike of nuance. "This intolerance of ambiguity can lead people to cling to the familiar, to arrive at premature conclusions, and to impose simplistic cliches and stereotypes," the authors argue in the Psychological Bulletin. One of the psychologists behind the study, Jack Glaser, said the aversion to shades of grey and the need for "closure" could explain the fact that the Bush administration ignored intelligence that contradicted its beliefs about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction."<< www. guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1017546,00.html The question is whether the greatest military power in the world, the one superpower, and the nation that will set the stage for the values, relationships and conflict in the world for the next decades, should be managed by those who see things in black and white terms? There's an easy answer which is revealed in a question: "Is the world simple or complicated?" If it's simple then we should choose leader who see the "simple truth." If it is complicated then we should choose leaders who see the nuances, the complexities and who can evaluate and weigh competing options that change with each situation. In a sense it seems to me that if you are a "the Bible tells me everything I need to know" believer, then you're more likely to see the world in simple, "black and white" terms. I believe that Bush and many of his supporters see the "truth" in such terms and for them it's simply a matter of destroying "evil" and requiring "good." When conversing, dealing with or analyzing such thinkers and their thinking, it's not a matter of logic, it's a matter of "faith, belief and rightness." Logic falls prey to dogmatism and there is no real debate. I think that's why some of us question everything in terms of whether it makes logical sense and others tend to accept what our administration tells us. I suspect that explains why many people who are fine people, good friends and fun to be around, cannot get along with each other when the issues turn to religion or politics. It's not just those that are devout who exhibit such characteristics; we all have a capacity for single mindedness at times, even those of us who tend to see many shades of grey. For instance, when we're scared, angry, hungry or aroused, we often see things from only one perspective. I think one reason for the Bush popularity following 9/11, was that he fit our perception of the kind of person we wanted to lead us when we felt "attacked." Someone who would err on the side of force, who would be more likely to go too far than to stop short when attacking the enemy, who would not be swayed by "what ifs" or "maybes." The problem with that, of course, is that when the retaliation ends, we have to find a way to live with those against whom we have exacted our revenge. If we cast our net too widely, they will find their own revenge. If we are using 9/11 as an excuse to control the Middle East, can we do it, should we do it and what will be the long term consequences of our actions. People who like things in black and white, who believe in good vs evil and who feel they are doing the Lord's work, as well as those who see a profit, may not worry about that kind of stuff. I know one thing, I've got three children, I identify with our soldiers in Iraq and I sure as hell do worry about it.