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Here's a photo of our last four presidents posing in the oval office recently with president-elect Obama. There is a story here in their positioning and attitude and it must be told : Allen L Roland
President elect Barack Obama meets with President Bush and their predecessors ~ George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter in the oval office on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009.
Let me read into their individual body language and positioning for this photo ~ for it speaks volumes.
From left to right ~ George H.W. Bush is obviously rightfully embarrassed and troubled by his son's disintegration of his own legacy with his wanton destruction of the constitution and willful preemptive war and occupation of Iraq. Even an aircraft carrier being named after himself cannot erase the humiliation that George W has brought on his name. He will never forgive him and can barely contain his disgust.
President-elect Barack Obama looks somewhat humbled by being in their presence but there is an air of disbelief and submissiveness if not subservience in being placed, almost like the heir apparent, between both Bushes. The deal has been made ~ there will be no legal proceedings against G.W. Bush when Obama takes office. He's one of the insiders now and will not rock the boat.
President G.W. Bush is oblivious as usual and obviously still can't quite reconcile the fact that he won't be the decider in less than ten days. His entitled mind still cannot fathom his own responsibility for the chaos he has created during his 8 year reign. His vacuous look of bemusement betrays his deep inner insecurity and thought process which is still wondering after eight long years ~ What am I doing here ?
Bill Clinton obviously still see's himself as the center of attention, note his magenta tie, but also note how no one is standing close to him. He can't quite escape the memory of his scandalous sexual behavior with Monica Lewinsky in this office, perhaps under that very same desk, and there is a tinge of self-consciousness and embarrassment in his demeanor.
Jimmy Carter is the only Nobel Laureate and comfortable person in the room. Carter is a peace activist and truth teller and though publicly ostracized by the rest ( note position in group) for his rightful and truthful stand against Israel with his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid as well as his willingness to challenge assumptions that have long prevailed in America about Israel and its relationship with the Palestinians ~ he is the only one who appears to not only be enjoying himself but is also comfortable and at peace with himself.
I couldn't resist this BuckFush cartoon in finishing this post and also reminding Obama that G.W Bush has left him an economic nightmare gift of an over 1.2 trillion dollar debt from which it may well take years to recover. And that's not counting a 700 Billion dollar stimulus that could bring the deficit closer to 2 trillion dollars. Buckle your seat belt, Barack ~ this is an economic train wreck of epic proportions and unless you take drastic action ~ it will eventually be blamed on you !
Allen L Roland
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