Ride 'Em Brush Cutter!

[kliljedahl]

Cowboy Imagery and the American Presidency

By DON SANTINA
December 19, 2005

Helen Miers knew what Vladimir Putin didn't.

When Helen visited George W. Bush on his spread in Crawford, Texas, she came prepared for a round of brush cutting.

Poor Vladimir. He took horseback riding lessons in preparation for his visit to the American president's place. He thought he'd be doing a little loping around the ranch with Cowboy George: wind in his hair, the open range, tumbleweeds, yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-oh.

And why shouldn't Mr. Putin expect such a session with cow ponies and corrals? Like many people, he had seen photos of the president in his Stetson hat and cowboy boots, squinting crinkled-eyed into the sun in classic western posture. And heck, ol' George's language is peppered with cowboyisms like "smoke 'em out" and "bring 'em on."

What a disappointment it must have been for the Russian president! George W. doesn't ride a horse around his Crawford ranch. George W. rides a pickup truck with four wheels--not four legs. He puts his feet on gas and brake pedals, not into stirrups.

President Bush's cowboy image--and the extensive Crawford stage set which would put western film director John Ford to shame-was created by skilled public relations experts for presidential photo opportunities, not to run cattle.



Keith’s Barbeque Central

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. It was a pig farm.

And Bush is afraid of horses.
And native Texans will remind you that he is a #$%#$% carpetbagger from CT.

[mcscajun]

2. I've seen the Texans on this board use a local saying about guys

like Bush:

"All Hat and No Cattle" -- in short -- a Faux Cowboy -- a FRAUD.

[4_TN_TITANS]

3. What a good article...

great read, thanks!