Commanders In Chief

This morning, Daniel was reviewing with me which days I had off, at the end of "lo these many days" of vacation around Christmas and New Years. I pointed out that, putting together Monday and Friday, I had four days off this past weekend, for New Years, and last weekend, for Christmas. I also pointed out how nice it was of the president of my company to give us these days off.

Daniel was impressed with the title, but then he asked, "Is the president of our side of the world way better" [than the president of my company]?" I didn't endorse the "better" category - and I also didn't question the "of our side of the world" title, although I suspect that even this scope for his title is an understatement in the present day, but I said yes - "the" president is very powerful.

Then he started asking me about The Bushes. The Bushes are hard for anyone to keep track of, but especially if you're six years old. But Daniel remembered two things: that one of them was "George Walker Bush" (who can forget "Walker" - something basically we all do), and that the "Walker" one was a particular disaster as president. We don't really mince words around here. But Daniel wanted to know about the other one. I told him George Herbert Walker Bush was not so bad. I also clarified that Herbert Walker was Walker's father. Daniel asked me if George H. W. Bush wanted George W. Bush to be a good president. I said with some confidence that yes - I thought George I had probably hoped that George II would be a good president.

Daniel broke the painful news:

"Well, his dream didn't come true."

(January 2, 2012)