George W. Bush: Civics Teacher?

Have you been wondering what George W. Bush might, or should do, with his life after he leaves office to the sounds of the human race rejoicing? You're not alone:

A totally crazy Saturday-morning thought: Wouldn't George W. Bush make an awesome high-school government teacher? Wouldn't it be something if his post-presidential life would up being that kind of post-service service? How's that for a model? Who needs Harvard visiting chairs and high-end lectures? How about Crawford High? (Or wherever?)

Reach out and touch the young before they are jaded, or break them of the cynicism pop culture and possibly their parents have passed down to them. Whatever you think of President Bush, he's a likable guy in love with his country with some history and experience to share.

That's from the National Review Online's Kathryn Jean Lopez, who can be counted upon to put some of the dumbest stuff you've ever read in your life on the internet, like it was her job or something (and it is!). And back in the real world, other bloggers are totally pooh-poohing her idea. Steve Benen says that it's "a suggestion that I really hope the president chooses to ignore." Matt Yglesias says the idea comes straight from the "Department of Crazy Notions."

I disagree! I think that the best thing Bush could do with his life is take a few years to explain, at great length, precisely what screwed-up country he thought he was running - its strange rules, its consistent wastefulness, its thoroughgoing inability to cope with crisis, and its pervasive lawlessness. This, to me, sounds like precisely the sort of Sartrean end we all want for Mr. Bush. It can be called Delusions of Adequacy 101.

Comments

[demfriend]

What kind of teacher would McCain be? He doesn't know where countries are and he doesn't know who is fighting who nor the history behind who fights who so is he a candidate for history teacher?Nope to old and has some brain issues so we should feel sorry for him and protect him from the gaffes and let him lie cheat and steal because he is a hero who is as old as dirt.

[JoeBlough]

He could lecture on the psychology of "daddy" issues.

[demfriend]

Bush as a teacher would still be clueless to what he has done and why. He and Cheney have together done some boneheaded stuff but most they have done it to take apart the constitution in a kind of bizarro world way and then put there own words where they thought they should go. The republican congress being of the same ilk have allowed these things to go through. Then the democrats gone into town with the promise of changing and bringing back law and all those things Bush stole...nothing yet shows us beyond they know they have not enough members in congress to override vetos as the republicans no matter how out of the world crazy Bush is on vetos they still back his vetos. People of the republican bent should realize this and vote the republicans out of office and maybe a few dems at the same time who have not stood up when they should have fought laws and did nothing.

[CharlieMarlowe]

Once again, folks, this article is tongue-in-cheek. No-one is seriously suggesting a teaching position of Bush. What class does the picture refer to? Remedial Klansman 101?

[PATina]

hahahahaha... I think those high school students would teach him a thing or two... hahahahaha

[Retrofuturistic]

Yeah, he could proselytize to the high school kids while he was at it, talk to them about abstinence, maybe throw in some fake history and fake science, teach them all about lies, robbery, and manipulation.

[MizLiz]

I'm sure there's some kindergartners out there who would like to hear his rendition of "My Pet Goat"....

[tschlak]

WTF?

[sleepless]

Not so bizzarre an idea given that Mr. torture memo John Yoo teaches as UC Berkeley. It is argued that firing Yoo would be awful for future left leaning faculty who historically have been targets of unfair firings. No one reports what Yoo teaches.

So get Yoo out of Berkeley, team him up with Bush at some circus school. They could sit above a tank filled with sharks. The public could ask questions. New interrogation techniques could be debated.

[coba]

heck yeah i would want bush as my teacher even though he was a horrible president the students would probably be able to skate through the class without doing any work

http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/hillary-supporters-back-obama/

[Thron]

He can't read, speak English properly, and he doesn't needs all this, he receive all his info and knowledge from the higher power. PLEASE! Send him to IRAQ to fight the enemy for 100 years.

[JennyJay]

The best thing George Bush and Dick Cheney should be doing after they leave office is to - - -
SiT IN A JAIL CELL - - - for the next few years.

[piperson]

"Whatever you think of President Bush, he's a likable guy," who tortured people, signed off on over 150 executions, subverted the Dept. of Justice and used it to persecute political enemies. What's not to like about that kind of guy?

[NickNas]

Who wants a C student teaching their kids ANYTHING? Bush is an Idiot and I will bet his "C" was given to him only because of who his father was anyway.

[jmad]

I think the bozo would make a good used car salesman.

[NickNas]

Jmad.....That is an Insult to Used Car Salesmen and Women all over the World.......Seriously

[VillyVal]

Yeah, specializing in pre-owned SUVs.

[chillmonster]

This is absurd. Either he lacks the necessary understanding or respect for the constitution to do well teaching civics.