I'm quite disappointed

[Domitan]

This is about the Bush finger story. This has set off quite a storm here and in a few other places (e.g., AmericaBlog haloscan). Quite a diversity of opinions about what Bush put up last night. The bird! The index finger! The thumb! The pen! The dildo! The whatever!

Fascinating to see all the speculations and how people come to their conclusions. People feel strongly one way or another. Regardless, the ambiguity of the identity of Bush's identity sure has set off a firestorm of passion and reason. That's all good.

BUT what has really disappointed me was seeing many labelling as trolls or Bush apologists those of us 1) who see this as a thumb or other non-bird digits or 2) who are not yet convinced that it's a middle finger. Please, get a bloody grip! While it's fine if you believe so strongly that Bush actually did flip the bird, you're out of line to brand anyone with dissenting opinions as "idiots" or part of the "enemy camp". You want so badly to nail Bush for this. Understandable. But don't lose your sense of reason to the point that you attack those of us who are actually on your side just because we don't see eye to eye on this or certain other issues. There is a reason some of us are measured in reaching conclusions about this Bush-finger. That's part of fighting smart, not running half-cocked and blind into potential traps.

[Moochy]

1. Don't leave out us chili finger theorists...

I say it's another finger from that Wendy's chili finger lady..

SHE MUST BE STOPPED!

PS she's a scientologist who eats veal too.

[Domitan]

2. You're an utter loonie!

It's Jimmy Hoffa's finger!

[Moochy]

8. I agree with your OP :) bush gives everyone the finger so what?

And I say you are Geraldo Rivera ... Let go of Jimmy Hoffa, Geraldo let it go!!

[0rganism]

3. The pen is mightier than the finger, unfortunately

The finger, if that's what it turns out to be, is just more proof of what we already know.

The real damage bush is about to do is with that goddam pen. Sometimes I wish all the ballpoint ink in America would just disappear, get raptured away or something, so he couldn't sign anymore crappy legislation. Then I remember he'd probably just switch over to crayon...

[seabeyond]

4. thoughtit was finger, then pen and now back to finger

looking closer at the picture looks like palm with fingers down and one up facing reporters

hey. gotta find out the truth. seems to me to be finger

[SmokingJacket]

6. Yeah, the Great Skinner had me convinced for a while...

now I don't know, but think that it doesn't matter, since the whole body gesture was obviously "f you," pen or finger. He thought he was out of reach of the cameras at that point.

And since Scott didn't deny...

Anyway, it's against the rules to accuse people of freeperdom!

[seabeyond]

18. i agree. no need to point the figner, though the first person

to suggest to me it was a thumb, i was a little short. the first picture so looked like finger, i couldnt believe someone (with low posts, lol lol) and listening to hannity, would be suggesting thumb. lol. i hadnt heard of the controversy yet. i do like being open minded though, even if it is my mistake

yes it behoves us, to look once twice and three times in dealing with bush

my biggest thought on finger, a news person said, hey what was that for, incredously. thinking finger

[Connie_Corleone]

5. You're all wrong.

It's quite obvious it's his big toe.

[Spinzonner]

9. Actually, I was concerned it might be another, um, external appendage

but then I realized he has a eenie-teeny one.

Though I could see it having become bonded to his palm.

[Stirk]

7. No kidding. I can't believe anyone could be so stupid as to

turn "finger/thumb" into a test of political purity.

And for the record, it's a thumb.

[annabanana]

10. aw c'mon... an occasional stupid dust-up blows out some

of the cobwebs, now and again...
:P

[marions ghost]

11. dont lose your sense of humor...

:) of course there are many other theories to explain popping up your appendage while marching off down a crowded corridor with your henchmen, while a posse of reporters nips at your heels calling out annoying questions...

[Domitan]

14. Tell me about it!

It's easy to lose some humour when being accused of freeper tactics. I'll just have to redirect myself into doing more witty repartees.

[Booster]

16. Ain't that the truth. I had a sense of humor when I woke up this

morning, but the attitudes I've run into today on DU have been downright hostile - kind of like when you disagree with a freeper. Get a grip, people, and lighten up. I know everyone is pissed about CAFTA, but did anybody really expect it wouldn't pass? They have all the power, remember?

[Sal Minella]

12. I see a pen, but definitely an F.U. gesture because

he's showing the reporters/cameras/us that he's going to use THAT pen, that very upraised F.U. pen, to sign the CAFTA legislation that arms and legs are being broken to pass.... eh?

[Domitan]

13. You have a very good point

about it being a symbolic FU regardless.

[fooj]

15. This is the least of Shrub's worries.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I don't see why Scotty McLiar didn't refute it if it wasn't so. Hell, they refute everything else. I also don't understand why an issue as "irrelevant" as this would prompt a phone call from the White House. To Americablog, no less. Come on. No phone calls for torture, treason or lying to the American people (let's not forget thievery) but they find it necessary to actually make a phone call to John Aravosis? IMHO, that was no thumb. You don't get a phone call from a group of thugs in the WH who ignore a half million signatures re: Downing Street (the list is endless) over a stupid "misunderstanding"...really. IMO, that's just common sense. Me thinks Dim Son was a little cranky for being kept up way past his bedtime. However, I respect your right to believe what you will. Let's just leave it at that.

Peace.

[Domitan]

17. Heh

It's a lot easier to have a discourse here than on AmericaBlog's haloscan. Well I admit that in light of the new revelations of the phone call to John Avarosis, it does raise eyebrows here. Cover-up or bait? Hard to say for me now.

I have no problem with your stance on the Bush finger. So we shall agree to disagree...but who knows, we might agree before too long ;)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

19. I find it hilarious that anyone's taking any of this seriously.

I haven't followed the threads, other than glance at the OPs, and throw in a quip.

Hell, Boobya, has been figuratively flipping the bird to everyone since he started infesting the White House.