Not even sure what to make of this one. Following up on a story headlined “Bush’s Erratic Behavior Worries White House Aides” (as pointed to on the BRAD BLOG last month), Capitol Hill Blue, the self-proclaimed “politically agnostic” news site (the oldest one on the WWW) files a report today headlined “Sullen, Depressed President Retreats Into Private, Paranoid World“.
The lack of named sources in the report is again troubling here, but the “newsworthiness” of a “Commander-in-Chief” being prescribed “powerful anti-depressant drugs” is at least as notable as “WOMAN NAMES BILL CLINTON FATHER OF SON IN SHOCKING VIDEO CONFESSION” as reported by Drudge back in 1999. Not to mention that had this story, anonymous sources or not, been about Kerry instead of Bush, you can bet your boots that not only would it be leading The Drudge Report today (with a SIREN!), but it would be splattered over the entire “Liberal” and Extremist Media.
Such as it’s about Bush, however, it’s been picked up nowhere else yet that I’ve seen today. I’m waiting for the White House release of today’s Press Gaggle to see if anyone asks about the story. Though I have a feeling the “Liberal” Media may drop that ball as well. What a shock.
Here’s the first few grafs. The entire story is worth reading however for those familiar with the “dry alcoholic” syndrome or otherwise interested in some stunning (if true) insider gossip about a White House in disarray:
Cabinet officials, senior White House aides and leaders on Capitol Hill complain privately about the increasing lack of “face time” with the President and campaign advisors are worried the depressed President may not be up to the rigors of a tough re-election campaign.
“Yes, there are concerns,” a top Republican political advisor admitted privately Wednesday. “The George W. Bush we see today is not the same, gregarious, back-slapping President of old. He’s moody, distrustful and withdrawn.”
Bush’s erratic behavior and sharp mood swings led White House physician Col. Richard J. Tubb to put the President on powerful anti-depressant drugs after he stormed off stage rather than answer reporters’ questions about his relationship with indicted Enron executive Kenneth J. Lay, but White House insiders say the strong, prescription medications seem to increase Bush’s sullen behavior towards those around him.
“This is a President known for his ability to charm people one-on-one,” says a staff member to House Speaker Dennis J. Hastert. “Not any more.”
(Thanks to Jaime for the tip on this story!)
Hardly seems credible, but your point is well noted! Just ask Sandy Berger!
I saw this story before you saw it Brad. If it is true, he needs to step down. It does seem a bit odd though. I think we are all taking too many drugs both illegal, as in pot,xstacy, cocaine, etc., and legal drugs like for ADD, which from what I have experienced with friend’s kids, is really a lack of discipline by the parents.
okay, i’m gonna hafta say it: exactly why is the idea that Bush is taking anti-depressants a newsworthy item? please elucidate.
i’m not sure how i feel about the idea myself; at first, i thought what i imagine most people are thinking, that it shows a troubling inability to handle the job.
but perhaps that is unfair. they never took anti-depressants in previous administrations because they hadn’t been invented yet, but does that automatically make them fundamentally better?
it doesn’t seem like a fair assumption. we wouldn’t ask a president to step down for taking a prescription drug to treat a heart ailment; what is really different about the two situations?
why is there shame or ignominy in using medical breakthroughs to address mental health?
i think the idea that Bush is taking anti-depressants is so odd, if it is true, is that the dosage for anti-depressants has to be monitored carefully. It is rare that the right dosage and right drug is immediately prescribed.
On the other hand an untreated alcoholic on anti-depressants is a dangerous thing. In fact the "cure" for his outbursts could prove worse than his outbursts. It could cause him to be even more erratic or mess with his senses.
This last would explain a lot about some of Bushs recent statements. Like running around claiming Americans are safer while members of his administration are screaming that the sky is falling.
It could also explain his falling off his bike.
Hi Everyone!
Thanks to Jaime, I have discovered this site.
How refreshing 😀 And how nice to see that this particular issue is being brought up (as I heard about it too). You’d never read about this on the Tool’s website. — Sorry, I had to say that.
Anyway– now on to the post, I have believed for a while now that GWB is mentally unstable. Although many people are on anti-depressants (and depression is considered an every day illness nowadays), it should be noted that depressed people make irrational decisions (especially if they forget or don’t take their medication)….
Johanna – Some of us think he actually does know what he is doing and his #1 job is to protect us. Just because you do not like what he is doing does not mean that he is mentally unstable.
Good points Desiree!
Paul,
True. However, just because his #1 job is to protect you, it doesn’t mean he’s doing it.
Des asked:
"okay, i’m gonna hafta say it: exactly why is the idea that Bush is taking anti-depressants a newsworthy item? please elucidate."
Others have spoken up about this, but I’ll toss in a quick thought.
For the *most* part, it’s the eraddic behavior described in the story that’s the biggest concern. If it’s true, it’s very troubling.
Next, if that behavior has called for strong anti-depressants, the American People should know about it. There’s is nothing wrong with taking anti-depressants per se, but the reasons for them, and their effectiveness should be judged and taken into account by Americans when they are deciding who the next President should be.
(johnhp spoke of just some of the notable concerns about dosages and the effects on untreated alcoholics like Bush, etc. as well).
Even Resident BRAD BLOG Fake Conservative Paul has said that Bush should step down if he’s taking anti-depressants. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but I do think it’s newsworthy if true, and we should know about it.
Hope that speaks to your question, Des.
johnhp said:
"It could also explain his falling off his bike."
TWICE!
Brad,
thanks for pointing that out. Remember the first tumble? It was blamed on the rain from the month before….
I remember it well! The "rain" that hadn’t actually occured for months in Crawford according to the weather logs.
Team Bushie can’t even manage to tell the truth about the *weather* for crying out loud!
Big trouble in little Crawford.
I wouldn’t date a woman on Prozac or taking anti-depressants. If the wife had to, that would be one thing. A wife should be for life, while a president is only for 8 years. Tonight I will hear the #1 Beatles cover band in Dallas. Therefore, I may have more than my usual two bourbon and cokes. Hmmm! Some of the groupies smoke dope during the breaks. At 44, maybe I should give it a try. I mean, like, there is no peer pressure.
Paul,
Two questions.
1. What kind of bourbon? (and don’t you know that real southerners — not texans but real southerners — enjoy sour mash — as in the great George Dickel — don’t need cola?)
2. Are you ever going to answer the questions about "the" socialists and "the" communists?
Perhaps Paul misplaced the location of the "President Obama" discussion again.
So here is the URL:
http://www.bradfriedman.com/Bra...s/00000349.htm
And here is a link to it that you can click on, without having to cut and paste!
We aim to serve!
(P.S. Even out here in the NOT South, most of us stopped adding coke to our Bourbon after Junior High School…but maybe that’s just me 😉
you all forgot when he fell off the un-fall-offable IT scooter
jaime,
excellent memory!
i am going to engage in a right wing un-thought experiment. i am going to view the Bush mishaps through the goggles the right wing used to look at Clinton.
didja ever notice that in his first fall off his bike that the cut was lower on his face than his bike helmet? This is imprtant because they claimed the cut came from the bike helmet. the only conclusion i can reach is that Laura is beating him. It explains everything. The video where he appears drunk years after he claimed to have stopped drinking; the time in the restaurant where he referred to a reporter in less than glowing terms in front of families; the pretzel incident was no doubt cover for a severe beating.
You know Laura has killed in the past and theres no guarantee that she won’t do so again. i don’t know if you all revcall but during the 2000 unlection Bush was jogging and was almost hit by a garbage truck in a manner not too dissimilar from the first life laura took.
The only question remaining: where was Laura when flight 800 went down? or the night Vince Foster died….HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM?
Wow. That is a lot easier than actually learning about something.
1. Jack Daniels
2. Cannot find the article
The only question remaining: where was Laura when flight 800 went down?
I think Bush is very right; not to intake any drugs in general and anti-depressants in particular as it does affect one’s ability of working. :rolleyes: