On the use of nicknames for Bush

[realisticphish]

Mods, move this if you want, but I'm posting this here because I thought it might be too frivolous for GD, and I also wanted to avoid being torn apart by angry wolves :)

I really hate stupid nicknames for Bush. You know, Dim Son, Chimpy McCokespoon, or indeed ANY ape references whatsoever. To me, Bush is evil enough, and there's no need to get ridiculous about what we call him. The "Bush is stupid and looks like a monkey" thing, while true, has reached the point where it's nothing more than white noise in political discussion. Too often it is the last resort of people who have run out of legitimate criticisms (though I don't understand how THAT could happen), and often I will kind of ignore what they say after that.

There is so much evil in this administration that making Bush into a "good ol' wacky stupid george" guy deadens the impact of the truly heinous things he has done. I know that ridicule is often a great weapon against oppression, but this particular ridicule is pretty much universally accepted, even by most conservatives. They just think that it's a good thing, for some insane reason.

I'm not trying to be a language nazi or anything, and by all means continue to do whatever the hell you want. I know I've used several nicknames before (Mainly Shrub and *), and do still occasionally. So I guess I'm a gigantic hypocrite :). I just wondered if other people felt the same way I do.

[Droopy]

1. I just call him Bush

I used to use some nicknames, but I don't anymore. I also refer to Republicans as Republicans.

[realisticphish]

2. you mean

they aren't Repukevilkkkans from Hell?? :)

[Droopy]

3. lol

Nope, just wrong-headed, bassackwards, fools who haven't seen the light of our philosophy. In other words, Republicans. I'm sure we all share the same sentiment regarding those on the other side of the aisle, but I don't think we need to dehumanize them.

[thefool_wa]

9. I use repugs

but that is only because it is easier/faster to type than republicans.

And I totally disagree - they are inhuman monsters bent on total control not only of this country, but the world. They dehumanize themselves, we don't do it by calling them names.

[Droopy]

12. Any party that controls our government

controls the country and the world.

The Republicans controlled our government entirely for 2 years. They didn't do much of anything except keep us involved in that quagmire over in Iraq. And keep in mind that a lot of Democrats voted to get us invloved in that.

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. I've been calling him simply 'W' for years

I enjoy reducing him to a single letter.

Also, I don't hear "Dubya" in my head. I hear "Wuh," because it seems that's how he'd pronounce it.

Republicans are "Republics," since they insist on referring to the "Democrat Party."

[realisticphish]

6. W seems alright to me

cause that's pretty much a universal thing

[thefool_wa]

10. I do the same

I also use "W" (in the quotes) to mean "whatever!" in chat. I figure its a nice little homage...

[Omphaloskepsis]

5. I completely agree.

It bothers me too. I just refuse to refer to him as President.

[thefool_wa]

7. Not me

I find that degrading and insulting nicknames for our clueless leader add color and creativity to conversation that is typically depressing and angering.

I particularly like Chimpy McCokespoon - I had never heard that one before. :rofl:

For ease in typing I stick to "W" - but that is mostly because that is what I use to mean "whatever!" when chatting so the muscle memory kicks it out quickly. The guy is a loon, a criminal, and the greatest disgrace this country has ever been forced to endure. Call him every name in the book as far as I'm concerned.

[hippywife]

8. I don't usually use the odd

little nicknames for him, either, for much the same reason as you state. The one thing I will never do, however, is refer to him as President.

[undeterred]

11. I think its overdone on Stephanie Miller

I don't mind it here on DU because, if not here, then where?

With people I am sure feel the same way, I call him the Chimp.

Surprisingly, my Canadian friends were calling him Dubya back in 2001.

I think he's the kind of guy who begs nicknames.

[realisticphish]

13. granted, it doesn't bother me as much on DU

but when you're trying to have a serious discussion and someone says that, it seems like a derail to me.

[Tim314159]

14. I usually don't use them myself...

...but I understand the need for people to inject humor into the situation.

Don't forget that Bush is famous for using nicknames for other people:

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nicknames_used_by_George_W._Bush>

[lutefisk]

15. In actual conversation it's "Bush"

But on DU I mix in nicknames to be disrespectful and add some extra meaning to any reference- for example "junior" reminds the reader that George W. Bush is only where he is because of who his father is, and that he shares his name. I also sometimes use "chimperor" or very rarely "chimpolini" to refer to his dictatorial and fascist policies and actions. I also sometimes use the nicknames as a way of co-opting the power the little asshole (not really a nickname) gains from giving absurd nicknames to others.

I agree that the nicknames are not wise to use when one is trying to make an argument outside of DU...

[realisticphish]

16. right

Your last point is pretty much where I stand; though I choose not to use them here, I don't mind it so much :thumbsup: