Laura Bush thinks books cure asthma: An exercise in wingnut logic

[theliberalavenger]

I saw the post about Laura Bush bringing Mrs. Beazly (the Bushes' lovely scottish terrier) to a DC classroom and it reminded me of this stunning story about Mrs. Bush - that she, in fact, thinks books cure asthma:

http://liberalavenger.com/2004/07/using-republican-logic-to-assassinate.html

[Elidor]

1. She should be ashamed!!!

"Laura Bush thinks that books cures asthma," and you know what?

SHE SHOULD BE ASHAMED!

[solinvictus]

2. Two words..

Elena Ceausescu.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Are you serious?

Does she honestly think THAT? What a moron! She's just as bad as her husband! Does stupidity run in that family? Wait, I don't need an answer...

[LdyGuique]

4. You either missed the point of the blog or you're copying tactics of the

Repugs --

The article was about how using half-truths trashes someone's character.

The full quote on how one "might" set up Laura Bush:

Let's use this logic to draw our own conclusions about the Bush Administration, children and asthma...

This speech by Laura Bush posted on the Bush campaign website makes some bold assertions:

The title:


"Mrs. Bush Looks to Reading as 'Prescription' for Healthier, More Educated Children and Families"

The speech is ostensibly about a program called "Reach Out and Read," a virtuous program that provides books to pediatricians to give to their patients - the idea being that children who read will be happier, healthier and more successful. Nothing wrong with that.

Using Republican logic to assassinate character, we can pull some quotes from the story:


"Pediatricians who prescribe reading are not just helping children learn to love books and reading, but they're helping parents as well."

"Dr. Donna Bacchi, a pediatrician at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, started a reading program there in her practice. And she told me that she just thought she would practice the very first prescription. So she had a little patient who came in with asthma."

What can we do with this information now to cut Laura Bush down as an oaf, worthy of our derision?

Some key words:

Reading, Prescription, Healthier, Asthma

The new catchphrase:

"Laura Bush thinks that books cures asthma."

Say it 10 times and you'll start to believe it. Post it on your blog and your readers will believe it. Say it on FoxNews and millions will believe it!

Remember Al Gore and the internet? Michael Moore hates America? John Kerry doesn't support our troops?

Of course you do - and these memes were created in precisely the same fashion.

"Laura Bush thinks that books cures asthma," and you know what?

SHE SHOULD BE ASHAMED!

I don't condone the RW's use of this technique and I don't condone it being used by DUers.

[theliberalavenger]

5. It was written as a lesson to Michelle Malkin...

...and not advanced seriously as a "talking point."

It is amongst the cheapest and most despicable smear-tactics used in politics. It is indeed shameful.

[LdyGuique]

10. btw -- my mistake :)

I didn't pick up on your nick, and the URL domain name :)

[Arkana]

6. Earth to Pickles: We've already got one Dr. Laura

and she sucks too. We don't need another. Piss off.

[BattyDem]

7. I wish I knew that an hour ago ...

when I had a severe asthma attack and the inhaler didn't help. Next time I'll keep a book handy instead of messing with that silly nebulizer! :eyes:

[Valerie5555]

8. Thought Frank Deford said exercise not reading prolonged the lives of CF

and asthma victims for he had 1 kid who was affected by the former affliction, (cystic fibrosis.). She since died more than 25 years ago.

[spuddonna]

9. bwaa haa!

Actually, books can trigger asthma... I have asthma, and old, dusty books will trigger nasty attacks for me...

Hmm, so we should add that...

Laura Bush wants our children to read and have asthma attacks!
SHE SHOULD BE ASHAMED!!

;)