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Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks
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Subject: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Peter T. Date: 22 Aug 01 - 09:51 AM This week's New Republic notes that Laura Bush's favourite passage in literature is The Grand Inquisitor section of The Brothers Karamazov (!) She says: "It's about life, and it's about death, and it's about Christ. I find it really reassuring." [Here’s a link to the New Republic article, from 05-Feb-01. --JoeClone, 25-Aug-01.] This seems to me to be a vein worth digging into. Some other proposed not-quite-the idea responses to great literature from the First Lady: Hamlet: "Certainly it is about a death in the family, which is hard on everyone. But at least there is continuity in the government at the end, which is a comfort." Romeo and Juliet: "To begin with they were both underage, and he was out very late drinking, probably, and that is just a recipe for trouble. Counselling would have helped. But the families did come together during the funeral, so some good came of it." Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling: "It is about angst, and suffering, and the desperate need to fling oneself unknowingly over the yawning abyss in absurd ridiculous hope, rather like my husband's tax cut. But it was a good read. I could hardly wait to see how it came out. That Abraham and Isaac were reconciled and had lamb chops for dinner cheered me up enormously." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Amos Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:00 AM LOL! Moby Dick: "I was entranced by the difficulties of the Captain, and felt sorry for him; but I think it shows that getting obsessed about revenge is probably not good for you, because Ahab died in the end. Most important it is about whales." Huckleberry Finn: "It really shows how important family values are and this message is as true now as it was then." Sailing Alone Around the World: "It's about sailing. Around the world. Alone. I didn't care for it as much as I did the Brothers Karamazov." Julius Caesar: "A very well-written and poetic play about the forces which are undermining the Democratic party today." God, Peter, the wickedness of your quick and subtle wit sometimes defies all measure! A. |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Peter T. Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:01 AM The Long Black Veil: "One of my favourite songs, though I would have thought a shorter veil would be more inconspicuous, and she would be less talked about in the community." House of the Rising Sun:"I always think this is such a cheery song, right from the title. It is important to have somewhere you came from, and somewhere to go back to, when times are hard."
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Peter T. Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:14 AM Report of the Warren Commission: "I always recommend this book when people ask me for a travel book about what Dallas was like in the old days. The descriptions of the people and the places are so fascinating and lifelike." "Blowing in the Wind" - "Again, a favourite song of mine, from before my time, of course, but it raises important questions about counting, etc., which are of course important to teachers. How can we find ways of getting children interested in mathematics? Dylan's song is one entry point, I find." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: catspaw49 Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:20 AM STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!Aw geez PT, I'm dyin' here!!!!!! Only you could have come up with this one and it is a gem!!!!!!!!! Can't type anymore.........Gonna' go fix some damn eggs and try to quit laughing............Just great!!!!! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Hollowfox Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:51 AM 'Spaw, your eggs are broken? |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: catspaw49 Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:54 AM Everybody's a comedian...........Well done 'Fox!...The eggs on the other hand were "over easy"........What they went over I have no idea, but it was pretty easy on them so it couldn't have been too high.......... Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: katlaughing Date: 22 Aug 01 - 11:04 AM Gone With the Wind: "Well, Scarlett was a very intelligent, but troubled woman. I could really understand where she was coming from and I liked her philosophy about tomorrow. It gives one such hope to think about things tomorrow."
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: GUEST,Don Meixner Date: 22 Aug 01 - 11:12 AM Annie, The Musical: "Well, Annie was a very intelligent little Girl, But she had some troubles too. I could really understand where was coming from and I liked her philosophy about tomorrow. It gives one such hope to think about things tomorrow. |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Amos Date: 22 Aug 01 - 11:18 AM Uncle Tom's Cabin: "I was surprised to find that this book is not actually about interior design. However I found the characters very intersting and the plot is entertaining. It is a very good read." The Red and the Black (Stendahl): "It is about a young man struggling with his feelings and about how bad war is. It really shows us why we should avoid war if possible." Ulysses: "This wonderful book is about beautiful Dublin, Ireland. I had a great-great grandfather fromt here so I feel like I have almost already read it."
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: katlaughing Date: 22 Aug 01 - 11:30 AM (Don: LMAO, I'd thought how appropriate for that one, too! You plagarist, you!) Everything I Needed to Know I Learned In Kindergarten: "I read this one aloud to Georgie. We both felt it was so important as a validation of his educational upbringing. It set such a good example for our girls and really shows the importance of early childhood skooling (sic). It would give everyone such a headstart if they would read this one before they start skool." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: GUEST,Deda Date: 22 Aug 01 - 11:32 AM Book of Genesis: "Well, of course the flood was a terrible thing. But Noah and his sons survived so that was very comforting. And rainbows are so pretty, I always think." Exodus: "I couldn't help thinking how messy it must have been walking across the bottom of the sea like that." the Odyssey: "Well, Odysseus is not always a very good role model, is he. And then, it was such a shame about all those dreadful suitors. But the family was together at the end, so everything came out fine."
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Amos Date: 22 Aug 01 - 12:01 PM The Mudcat Cafe: "This is one of those Internet places you read about. To me it is a bit like going to a party where you don't know the people there; it always makes me a bit uncomfortable, of course, but if I make the acquaintance of new friends, with similar idelas to our own, then it is worthwhile. However,t his is not that kind of a party so I am not going to recommend this world-wide web site to Weewee. That's what I call him -- Weewee." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: SharonA Date: 22 Aug 01 - 12:03 PM Numbers: "I think that numbers are very important in our educational system today, as "fuzzy math" is such a terrible problem. Also, this book talks about fathers and sons, and family values are so essential to our society." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: JenEllen Date: 22 Aug 01 - 12:05 PM Great Expectations: "Everyone dies sometimes, so you should make the most of your time with your loved ones, even if they are poor." Thoreau's Civil Disobedience: "People should be happy with this great country of ours. When most workers are being replaced by technology, it's not every country that will let men serve as machines." Great Gatsby: "Just goes to show that no matter how big that tax rebate is, it can never buy you class and style." Kafka's Metamorphoses: "Like Georgie always tells me, some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: JenEllen Date: 22 Aug 01 - 12:17 PM The Yearling: "..fascinated me because I didn't know how detrimental wildlife, even a baby deer, were to the core of the American family. This is why I support my husband in wiping out all wildlife in places like Alaska and Yosemite, for the good of the American family..." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Amos Date: 22 Aug 01 - 12:25 PM Aw, Jen... you're bringing tears to my eyes!!! "When most workers are being replaced by technology, it's not every country that will let men serve as machines." is a CLASSIC!!! Love ya, A. |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Peter T. Date: 22 Aug 01 - 12:36 PM The Elements of Style (Strunk and White): "I don't know about this book. It seemed to start and stop, and never really got going. I couldn't follow the plot, though some of it was very well written." The Sun Also Rises: "Another cheerful book with sun in the title. Paris, Spain, what more could you want? I think with some counselling, the main character, Jake, ought to be able to get over his shyness. Certainly the woman is fascinating enough for any man!" The Great Gatsby: "Certainly one of the hero's problems is that he wasn't a very good host. He seems to wander away from his parties, leaves his guests on their own, lets them linger on far too long. He says at one point that his aim is to get Daisy to come to his parties, that is why he holds them. I suspect that she heard that they were not that well-managed. Men are not very good at parties, I am afraid: it needs a woman's touch." Frankenstein: "It gave me a lot of insight into medical schools in Europe, the obvious difficulties with socialized medicine, and how much easier it is for insurance companies and HMO's here to carve up their different responsibilities for coverage." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: catspaw49 Date: 22 Aug 01 - 12:37 PM Geeziz JE!!!! Great!!!!!!! This thread is killing me!!!!!! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Rick Fielding Date: 22 Aug 01 - 01:11 PM Good moring Peter and folks. Laughing too hard to contribute snarky post at the moment. But ohhhh, the material's out there! Heather and Rick |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Wesley S Date: 22 Aug 01 - 01:17 PM "Johnny Got His Gun" - This book disturbed me. It was NOT about the Junior NRA or second amendment rights - both of which George and I support. But I admit I couldn't put it down. The book I mean.... |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: catspaw49 Date: 22 Aug 01 - 01:34 PM To Kill A Mockingbird.......I found some of the portrayals of southern characters to be demeaning, but I believe this book is an excellent "period piece" which does show that the things we have always supported for Negroes have been the right thing to do. It's grand to see how far the coloreds have come." Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: JenEllen Date: 22 Aug 01 - 01:52 PM House of Usher: "I recommend it to all of the Habitat for Humanity workers to remind them that we need to build quality American homes for quality American families." Little Women: "I find it odd that women could survive without a stabilizing male influence in the house, Bushie is very stable and I'd be lost without him, but it does give single women some small comfort that if they have no money, they always have the option of selling their hair to make ends meet." The Old Man and the Sea: "Well, it was about an old man, and the sea, and fishing...I didn't enjoy it as much as I did Moby Dick, it could have used a whale or two." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: JenEllen Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:09 PM Don Quixote: "Really awakened my interest in immigration issues, as well as having vision coverage in HMOs" |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Jack the Sailor Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:12 PM Angela's Ashes, A quaint travelog, featuring the unique quisine of Ireland. I laughed so much I almost kicked over my sh**bucket. |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Little Hawk Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:14 PM Well, I am very impressed. Canada has never had a prime minister's wife who could match this. It goes to show why the USA is the ruling world power, and Canada merely the runner-up. :-) - LH |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Jack the Sailor Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:19 PM Four Green Fields (Tommy Makem) A beautiful descrition of a dear old lady and her property. Too bad about the bandits though. She should have used barbed wire like we use to keep the mexicans out of Texas.... and guard dogs. Yes, guard dogs are good. |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: katlaughing Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:21 PM On Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: "I didn't really understand why they wrote this horrible book. Although, I do think it illustrates the point that retarded and crazy people are much better off not being put away in such places. It is much better for them to be out on their own; it's that good therapy of pulling themselves up by their bootstraps the way Wee-Wee does every morning. They could learn a lot from him." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: GUEST,Celtic Soul Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:38 PM "The Cat in the Hat" "I don't agree with that Cat attempting to come into a home where 2 children are left alone and start up trouble. And children who cover up destruction in the home instead of letting their parents know what has occured in their absence are obviously troubled and in need of guidance. It does show you that stay home Mothers are invaluable to our society, and this is a message I wholeheartedly support." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: MMario Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:49 PM "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" I found this even more dark in tone then the first in the series; the main character being a repeat offender for breaking and entering, plus contributing to the delinquency of minors. Of course, the author does end the series by having the criminal utilizing his influence over Thing 1 and Thing 2 to correct the damage; an obvious metaphor for the rehabilitation done in the prison and judicial systems of our great country. I'm still not sure that the mother should have left her children alone though. |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: SharonA Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:56 PM One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: "Quite a delightful cookbook. George especially appreciated the section on the many uses for old fish. He said he would try some on me." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: GUEST,Deda Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:01 PM Ferdinand the Bull -- "Well, Ferdinand is obviously a non-conformist and I do not think this is the message we should be sending to the children of this great country, that if you just sit under a tree somewhere you'll be happy. I think they need to join 4H clubs, and attend their church youth groups and so forth. Ferdinand doesn't do anything like that." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: MMario Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:04 PM "The Alphabet Book" ~ It was Fascinating! I couldn't put it down for days. The rich sweep of vision, metaphor and simile- A is for Apple! I'm not sure about some of the words though, I think some may be a little naughty (B is for ball) |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: SharonA Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:05 PM Green Eggs and Ham: "I found this even more dark in tone then the first in the cookbook series; the main character being a repeat offender for breaking and entering, plus stalking and harassment. Of course, the author does end the series by having the criminal utilizing his influence over the victim to convince him of the ultimate rightness of the stalker's behavior; an obvious metaphor for the modern-day married couple who should stay together for better or worse, and forget these silly 'protection orders' against one another." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Jack the Sailor Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:07 PM A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy "Did that stuff really happen?" |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Jack the Sailor Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:21 PM "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" Any resemblence to the Republican Party is purely coincidence. "Animal House" Any resemblence to my husband's past is purely coincidence. "Clueless" Any resemblence to my daughters is purely coincidence. |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: SharonA Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:36 PM All the President's Men: "This book is evil and should be banned from every library in America. The whole premise that Republicans did anything wrong is preposterous. It was those Democrats, trying to muddy the waters and deceive the American public in order to fudge the election unfairly in their favor, just like they always do. Their legal maneuvering was simply reprehensible. Thank goodness that Georgie and I were able to show America that we Republicans are on the side of truth and righteousness, and those Democrats have finally been put in their place." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Little Hawk Date: 22 Aug 01 - 04:50 PM I wonder if we could get Laura's evaluation of Canadian culture and politics? I should think that could be quite enlightening... I would contribute some more book reviews, but I am too mentally exhausted to concoct any at the moment. - LH |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Amos Date: 22 Aug 01 - 06:34 PM The Boat That Wouldn't Float(Farley Mowat) "This book is a Canadian product so I haven't told Weewee I read it. It shows an interesting vierw of the other side of life, such as people who are constantly bailing out their boats, but I would not recommend it for young people, as I feel it promotes recklessness and distracts people from their career planning." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: harpgirl Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:14 PM ...people's public personna's bore the shit our of me...we don't know who she is yet because she doesn't know...she's a stepford wife... |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Sorcha Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:25 PM OMYGAWD!!!!ROFLMAO!! Too, too much. |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: CarolC Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:39 PM Harold and his purple crayon. My husband particularly loves that book because it has no words. (Ooohhh... did I just say that?) |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Celtic Soul Date: 22 Aug 01 - 08:29 PM ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my GOD! CarolC, that one is TOO funny! |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Amos Date: 22 Aug 01 - 09:34 PM All the King's Men In spite of the fact that this is a historical novel I think it really should win a proze for how well it shows what real representative government can be like when it is done in a true spirit of liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I would recommend it to anyone who is till comlaining about the misunderstandings Weewee had to deal with about that Florida thing in the Sunshine State. I've even sent a copy to my brother-in-law, I enjoyed it so much." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 23 Aug 01 - 08:25 AM Stepford Wives - I thought this was a silly book. I mean, all these women were good wives and mothers. Where was the story here? |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: RangerSteve Date: 23 Aug 01 - 08:35 AM Oliver Twist - I was disturbed over the depiction of the orphanage from a liberal standpoint. After all, Oliver turned out ok in the end, so his experiences in the orphanage must have done him some good. Ben Hur - This book shows how important religious tolerance is. I mean, Jesus, a Christian, healed Ben's mother and sister, even though they were Jews. I'm sure the Hur family became Christians after that. That's why we should support Israel whole-heartedly. |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Peter T. Date: 23 Aug 01 - 10:02 AM King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table -- "Well, to begin with, don't leave sharp knives lying around for children to play with."
Othello: - "Here again, neatness counts. You have to check the laundry and dry cleaning when they come back, did you get back the same as you sent in, handkerchiefs, undies, etc. Same with socks, if you roll them together properly, you don't start losing a sock here and a sock there. Especially if you are travelling."
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: mousethief Date: 23 Aug 01 - 11:50 AM Being and Nothingness (Sartre) -- This confusing book didn't have much of a plot, but I think that it really covers the bases. I mean, Being, and Nothingness -- what else is there? The Plague (Camus) -- I think it's wonderful the way people can pull together when hard times hit. Communist Manifesto (Marx and Engalls) -- This book is wrong-headed from the start. Why, it treats job-providing factory owners as if they were criminal or something! Clearly these boys were sullied by their experiences in classes taught by godless union shills. Crime and Punishment (Dostoyevsky) -- This book shows quite clearly that if we don't punish criminals severely, there is no deterrent effect. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck) -- I love gardening. Cry, the Beloved Country (Paton) -- It's so horrible the things that happen to negroes in South Africa. I'm glad this country could never be like that. Charlie Brown's Dictionary (Schulz) -- This is one of Weewee's favorites. He says it's important to have a strong vocabulary, so he learns a new word from this book every month. Mein Kampf (Hitler) -- Silly people who complain about prison conditions in this country should read this book! Like we have anything to complain about! Sheesh! If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Numeroff) -- A chilling indictment of the welfare state. this is too easy! Alex |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: Peter T. Date: 23 Aug 01 - 11:59 AM The Scarlet Letter -- "As a teacher, I can certainly relate to this book. Grades are very important to students, and the movements to do away with them have been widely discredited." "Fire and Rain" - "Another uplifting song. The singer's friend has just been through serious surgery, and has gone, presumably home. Just as there will always be fire and always rain, the singer and his friend will get to see each other again. Life affirming in the best sense." "St. James Infirmary" - Another song that shows how far we have come in health care provision for the poor. For instance, she would certainly now be laid out on a warm slab of concrete." |
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Subject: RE: Laura Bush: The Existentialist Speaks From: JenEllen Date: 23 Aug 01 - 12:09 PM Omigawd Alex! Topolino Mio! You got some winners there!! ~J tearsinhereyes |
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