Why do people here use asterisks when they say bush?

[Lethe]

???

[TrogL]

1. He will have an * next to his name in the list of presidents

once it's finally admitted he was appointed, not elected

[ochazuke]

14. Yes, and I think that came from Justice Breyer

in his dissent from Bush V. Gore. He said there will be an asterisk next to Bush in the history books because he may not have really ascended to the White House by the constitutionally prescribed process.

Or something like that :D

[greyl]

18. Really? I never knew that, cool.

I always assumed it because of what SoCalDem described.

[mattclearing]

2. Doonesbury. n/t

[CottonBear]

19. Yep. In Doonesbury, Dimson is depicted as an *. n/t

[AllegroRondo]

23. as a * with a Roman helmet

[Xithras]

24. Actually, he's had a few hats

Originally he was a * with a Stetson to reflect his "All Hat, No Cattle" status. When * became the "War President", Trudeau switched to a military helmet. When people started accusing * of being imperialistic, Trudeau changed to the Roman helm. It was originally a shiny and impressive helm too, but as public opinion of Bush has fallen, the helm has been increasingly beat up and damaged.

[AllegroRondo]

27. How did Trudeau portray the Senior Bush?

I cant recall. But I remember Dan Quayle was just a feather floating in the air.

[Xithras]

29. IIRC, he didn't...he was totally invisible. n/t

[cdb]

3. * = asshole

in kurt vonneguts breakfast of champions, he used this symbol. It looks like an asshole.

[Phx_Dem]

26. this is what I always thought nt

[AtomicKitten]

4. cootie defense

[Ron Green]

5. Kinda like in baseball, when the stats don't really count, because

there was a short season, or someone didn't really get elected.

[Blue_In_AK]

22. I think it originally referred to Roger Maris

who had an asterisk after his name in the record books when he exceeded Babe Ruth's season home run record...there were more games per season in Maris's day than in Babe Ruth's. However, Roger Maris had honor whereas ** has none. (And I give him two **'s because he stole TWO elections.)

[Catherine Vincent]

6. Bush is an illegitimate prez hence the assterick :)

[TomInTib]

7. Some of us find it painful to type the name. nt

[spanone]

17. I've tried it without the asterik, just can't do it. sorry.

[mike_c]

8. Bush will have a perpetual footnote*....

* first president chosen by the Supreme Court in contravention of voters wishes, widely acknowledged to be the worst president in U.S. history.

I wonder what the Justices are thinking now?

[lonestarnot]

9. Because they'd rather * than bushitler.

[AndyA]

10. The * symbol denotes there's more to the story.

It is properly used when referring to * because there's always more to the story.

[sable302]

11. It's because it's blasphemy to speak the name of the LORD

Come on people! I learned that in Sunday School

:)

[file83]

12. Because * signifies a disclaimer - he wasn't TRULY elected.

[madame defarge]

13. Like Lord Voldemort...

"He who must not be named..."

(I know, I know, that's not the real reason. And besides, Cheney is Lord Voldemort. Bush is more like Wormtail.)

[newspeak]

28. or you mean

he's the "tail" instead of the "tongue?":rofl:

[SoCalDem]

15. no one wants to even SAY his name..gives *² too much legitimacy

*² is what I call him :)

[coalition_unwilling]

16. Simple -- "Bush" is a four-letter word

[Xithras]

20. It was invented by Trudeau in Doonesbury (explanation)

Trudeau often replaces political leaders with "symbols" instead of drawing them, most of which replect his attitude towards them.

Both members of the Bush family have been represented as invisible (a reference to them being nothing but hot air), and GWB is usually drawn as an "asterisk" (a point really) with a military helmet on his head. Bill Clinton was drawn as a waffle, Newt Gingrich was a bomb, and Arnie the gropenator is drawn as a giant hand.

Trudeau is much loved in liberal circles, and his "symbol" for Bush made the jump into common usage.

[Catchawave]

30. I thought Junior was a feather ?

I remember the helmet :)

[npincus]

21. because it is foul and profane and must not be written

[B Calm]

25. Bush is an illegitimate bastard pResident squatting in the White House.