Is Bush neuro-impaired?

POSTED BY: SignyM
UPDATED: Thursday, December 16, 2004 02:09
VIEWED: 8191
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SIGNYM

Wednesday, October 20, 2004 3:39 AM

I had three people independently remark to me that Bush looked "drugged" in the third debate. One person commented on his wide-eyed, fixed expression and the fact that one-half of his face didn't move. The second person commented that one-half of his face didn't move. The third person commented on his fixed expression and lapses. Alas, I didn't watch the third debate (altho I listened to half of it on my way home) but I and others tossed around a few ideas- Bell's palsy, a stroke, too much botox (it WOULD keep him from scowling!) and others.

But just a few days ago, I saw a parallel biography of Bush and Kerry, and I was struck by Bush's vitality and wit in the old news clips. And today, someone passed along a letter to the editor from the Atlantic Monthly in which a physician tentatively diagnoses presenile dementia in Bush.

I'm beginning to wonder if maybe Dr. Price is correct.

www.onlinejournal.com/Special_Reports/091804Mazza/091804mazza.html

SIGMANUNKI

Wednesday, October 20, 2004 4:39 AM

I just call it the long term effects of drinking/drug problems. If it has a clinical name, even better. It'd be interesting to know for sure.

----
"Canada being mad at you is like Mr. Rogers throwing a brick through your window." -Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

RUE

Friday, October 22, 2004 2:11 AM

Maybe there was a reason to choke on that pretzel, for example, impaired swallowing reflexes.
I agree he's not what he used to be. I was noticing the face-drag about 22mos ago, I'd see it on BBC coverage but not on US coverage, as the US usually photographed from the better side, or with strong light eliminating the shadow. The BBC was also better about capturing the verbal stumbles (for which Bush was already famous) and absences (which were new).
Whatever it is, Bush has given so few news conferences that there's not a lot to go on to track the deterioration. But if O'Neill's book is to be believed, Bush was non-responsive and non-verbal early-on during meetings. So it's been a while.

JEBBYPAL

Friday, October 22, 2004 2:15 AM

GW is a walking ad in "just say no" to cocaine and alcohol abuse! That or perhaps evidence that being a "reborn" christian doesn't protect you from the damage you did to your body beforehand??

The Strawberry Monkey who defends tight pants everywhere!

GINOBIFFARONI

Friday, October 22, 2004 2:37 AM

Mentioned Before --- http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=18&t=7442

Oh come on, it is simply part of his sad medical condition:

http://www.brain-train.com/articles/computer.htm

After all, haven't we all noticed the signs:

attention/concentration
impulsivity
distractibility
cognitive endurance
thinking/performance speed
eye-hand coordination
learning/memory visual
tracking/scanning planning/organization
qualitycontrol/self-monitoring
problem-solving
sequencing
spatial analysis/synthesis
reasoning/abstraction
inattention/neglect

BTW I apologize to anyone who has such troubles in advance, but tell me, Am I really wrong ?

" Don't Blame Me I Voted For Kudos "

RUE

Friday, October 22, 2004 3:06 AM

I'm just trying to figure out which condition it is. I'm pretty good at most, but this has me puzzled. My recollection of the last debate gives me a creepy feeling. It almost seems like he was trained to give pre-formed responses to a triggering word or phrase. Good! Here's the fish! No no, you'll get an electric shock! There wasn't a lot of thought going on.

SIGNYM

Friday, October 22, 2004 3:38 AM

All I can say is... if drinking causes progressive neuro-degeneration, I better stop drinking NOW!!!

GINOBIFFARONI

Friday, October 22, 2004 3:41 AM

Perhaps drinking combined with the long term use of Cocaine...

" Don't Blame Me I Voted For Kudos "

SIGNYM

Friday, October 22, 2004 3:43 AM

If it's true that Bush's neurons are worse for wear, this would make the SECOND Republican mouthpiece that had lost a few marbles. The first, or course, was Ronald Reagan. I know he was the icon of the rich and the deluded working class, but the joke that was going around about him during his presidency was ... "Did you hear about the Ragean typewriter? No memory and no colon!" It was obvious even then to the un-enamored that there was something just a bit off about him.

AURAPTOR

Friday, October 22, 2004 4:30 AM

Being President does wear on the body, and even more so during times of stress ( war ). That's a given. As per the debates, it's well known that Bush had been assisting the Hurricane victims,passing out emergency goods and meeting the good folks of Florida. While good intentioned, he clearly over did it. By the 3rd debate, he had learned his lesson, and I'm sure he was glad the whole silly mess was over.

As for diagnosing Presidents, I recall clinical psychologist saying that Bill Clinton had clear indications of sociopathic tendancies due to the high number of times he blinked. And not just during debates.

This kind of talk was due to come out right before the election. Seems some folks just get that despirate for ANY sort of an edge, and smearing the opponent by any means is 'ok' to some.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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