In an effort to bring more accuracy to discussions about the Bush family
There have been a lot of nasty and horrible things said about the Bush administration recently, particularly in regard to the handling of the disasters in the Louisiana area. Some of what has been said of them is inaccurate, and in an effort to correct recent widespread mistakes, I'm making a quick post to clear up a few misconceptions.
First of all: George.
What is being said: The sight of George Bush happily playing a guitar at a photo op on Tuesday rather than returning to Washington to devote his full attention to efforts to prevent the loss of life in New Orleans was like Nero fiddling while Rome burned.
The actual truth: The fiddle wasn't invented until the 16th century. However, in a rather surprising twist, it is true that Nero was away at his villa when word reached him of the disaster, much like George was on vacation when the first indications of the storm came in. Unlike George, Nero rushed back to the city to organize fire brigades and help those rendered homeless. So in reality, it's unfair to Nero for us to make this comparison.
Second of all: Barbara.
What is being said: People are comparing her statement, regarding the New Orleans refuges currently sheltering in Houston, that "so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this,"-she chuckles slightly-"this is working very well for them." to Marie Antoinette saying "Let them eat cake."
The actual truth: Marie Antoinette never used that phrase. The exact origins are unclear but they predate the days of the French revolution. Marie-Therese, who lived about a hundred years before, is the current person blamed for the creation of the phrase, and most folks seem to think she actually said something more like "Let them eat brioche".
Thank you, and I hope we can all strive for greater accuracy in the future.
First of all: George.
What is being said: The sight of George Bush happily playing a guitar at a photo op on Tuesday rather than returning to Washington to devote his full attention to efforts to prevent the loss of life in New Orleans was like Nero fiddling while Rome burned.
The actual truth: The fiddle wasn't invented until the 16th century. However, in a rather surprising twist, it is true that Nero was away at his villa when word reached him of the disaster, much like George was on vacation when the first indications of the storm came in. Unlike George, Nero rushed back to the city to organize fire brigades and help those rendered homeless. So in reality, it's unfair to Nero for us to make this comparison.
Second of all: Barbara.
What is being said: People are comparing her statement, regarding the New Orleans refuges currently sheltering in Houston, that "so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this,"-she chuckles slightly-"this is working very well for them." to Marie Antoinette saying "Let them eat cake."
The actual truth: Marie Antoinette never used that phrase. The exact origins are unclear but they predate the days of the French revolution. Marie-Therese, who lived about a hundred years before, is the current person blamed for the creation of the phrase, and most folks seem to think she actually said something more like "Let them eat brioche".
Thank you, and I hope we can all strive for greater accuracy in the future.