Rick Warren and Flying Shoes

I don't care what anyone says, George Bush deserves to have shoes thrown at him. I don't want him hit. I don't want him injured, but public humiliation in the eyes of the world is the absolute least he should suffer.

I've been surprised by the outrage of some of my liberal friends. "He's the President of the United States! The office deserves more respect!" "As an American, I take that assault personally!"

I agree that the office of the President of the United States deserves respect, and the first person to display that respect should be the person holding that office. To say that every day, in every way, George W. Bush fails demonstrate that he's fit to even be in the same room with the President of United States, let alone BE the President of the United States is obvious. And his presidential portrait just proves the point again.

It's the wrapper of the packaging of George W. Bush as "one of the people." It gives no hint of the troubled times over which he "presided," nor does it do anything other than capture his likeness. There's no metaphor, no depth, nothing but an image; not unlike the Bush II presidency.

However, what I find offensive is that Mr. Bush couldn't bother to be painted wearing a suit. This is not a class portrait. This is an historical document. I can almost guarantee you that Barak Obama will be painted wearing a suit, and probably every other president in this century. And in the great hall of presidential portraits, there will be W., looking every bit as inappropriate for the office that he's defaced for the past eight years.

Sometimes I just don't understand liberal outrage. Take Rick Warren and the inaugural invocation. Yes, Rick Warren is a political opportunist pandering to the basest fears of his dim followers. And clearly this is a political move for Barak Obama, an unequivocal demonstration of his promise to reach across differences and include everyone in his administration. After the past eight years of the most exclusive of the old boys' network pillaging the planet in every way imaginable, Barak Obama's selection is startling.

But I think what liberals are missing is that in five years, when Obama signs the amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing equal rights to ALL Americans -- a redundant amendment, but one that is sadly necessary -- he will be able to say to the nostril-flaring Bible beaters, "What's your damage? My presidency was blessed by one of you. What more do you want?"

Of course, if and when that day happens, it's quite likely that Obama will be dodging more than a few wayward shoes.