We just watched Wordplay, a movie about crossword puzzles. Former President Bill Clinton, one of several players interviewed, talked about his typical encounter with the Saturday* New York Times crossword. He said he almost always starts out stumped, but continues wading through clues until he finds a word he knows, then builds on that word until he solves the entire puzzle. He described himself as a person of average intelligence, and, using his own experience with crossword puzzles as an illustration, went on to say that average people are capable of far more than they imagine.
Say what you will about Bill Clinton . . . the man, his politics, his record . . . he can talk, explain, even inspire. He reaches out to you. He speaks your language, holds your attention, and helps you picture exactly what he wants you to see.
Now try to imagine George W. Bush reaching out and saying something inspirational. No, strike that . . . too far-fetched. Try to imagine Bush explaining how he solves a crossword puzzle. You can’t? Okay, try to imagine Bush explaining how he ties his shoes. Um.
Jesus. What the hell were we thinking when we voted for him the first time around**, let alone the second?
* Crossword fans know that NYT puzzles follow a cycle: easy on Monday, then harder and harder through the week, with the Saturday puzzle being the hardest.
** What, we didn’t vote for him the first time around? Let’s hear it for the Electoral College!
thought you’d enjoy these:
Bumper Stickers for 07
1. Bush: End of an Error
2. That’s OK, I Wasn’t Using My Civil Liberties Anyway
3. Let’s Fix Democracy in this Country First
4. If You Want a Nation Ruled By Religion, move to Iran
5. Bush. Like a Rock. Only Dumber.
6. If You Can Read This, You’re Not Our President
7. Of Course It Hurts: You’re Getting Screwed by an Elephant
8. Hey, Bush Supporters: Embarrassed Yet?
9. George Bush: Creating the Terrorists Our Kids Will Have to Fight
10. Impeachment: It’s Not Just for Blowjobs Anymore
11. America: One Nation, Under Surveillance
12. They Call Him “W” So He Can Spell It
13. Whose God Do You Kill For?
14. Jail to the Chief
15. No, Seriously, Why Did We Invade Iraq?
16. Bush: God’s Way of Proving Intelligent Design is Full Of Cra p
17. Bad President! No Banana.
18. We Need a President Who’s Fluent In At Least One Language
19. We’re Making Enemies Faster Than We Can Kill Them
20. Is It Vietnam Yet?
21. Bush Doesn’t Care About White People, Either
22. Where Are We Going? And Why Are We In This Hand basket?
23. You Elected Him. You Deserve Him.
24. Dubya, Your Dad Shoulda Pulled Out, Too
25. When Bush Took Office, Gas Was $1.46
26. Pray For Impeachment
27. The Republican Party: Our Bridge to the 11th Century
28. What Part of “Bush Lied” Don’t You Understand?
29. One Nation Under Clod
30. 2004: Embarrassed; 2005: Horrified; 2006: Terrified
31. Bush Never Exhaled
32. At Least Nixon Resigned