I called for Jacob Weisberg to stop publishing Bushisms on Slate. I’ve now decided to counter them as he publishes them (for all the good it’ll do). Weisberg takes these statements out of context, so I will do the same–meaning, I will consider each Bushism as a separate speech act just as Weisberg does. Today’s entry is certainly an example of Bush’s clumsy speaking (wow, that’s a tough target to hit), but let’s consider the content. He is taking responsibility for consoling the relatives of those who may be killed in battle by his orders. Another president took the same responsibility on 21 November 1864. One is certainly more eloquently stated than the other. The sentiment deserves praise. End the Bushisms!
The Rhetorica Network
I offer commentary on the rhetoric of the American conversation, especially as it unfolds in documentary film, the news media, and politics. Check out my feeds on Twitter and Instagram. Also be sure to see my work at Carbon Trace Productions, a non-profit documentary film studio in Springfield, Missouri. I am a Professor of Media & Journalism at Missouri State University. I teach classes in mobile journalism and documentary filmmaking.
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