New slant on a Teflon presidency, by Ellen Goodman

[paineinthearse]

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/01/20/new_slant_on_a_teflon_presidency/

New slant on a Teflon presidency
By Ellen Goodman | January 20, 2005

I AM NOT one of those dyspeptic folks spending inaugural week in mourning. No black for this blue gal. I will leave it to the more ardent opponents to turn their backs, die-in in D.C., and "not spend one damn dime." I even passed up the chance to join the disloyal opposition that sailed to Cozumel on what they call the Denial Cruise.

<snip>

My optimism begins with the cry: "TGIFB" or Thank God It's Finally Begun. The worst part of the post-election weeks was the dazed recognition that it was still the first Bush term. Once the $40 million halftime show is over, the clock is ticking. More than that, my brand of hope springs from the old joke about the optimist given a roomful of horse manure for his birthday. He cheerfully began shoveling on the assumption that "there's got to be a pony in here somewhere."

The particular pony that I am grabbing onto is a little noticed warning issued last week about -- ta da -- Teflon. The Bush administration's EPA announced that even low-level exposure to one of the chemicals in Teflon might pose a risk to human health. Well, I figure it this way: If Teflon is losing its Teflon image, can the Teflon presidency be far behind?

<snip>

If we've learned anything these four years, it's that being a conservative means never having to say you're sorry. Bill O'Reilly still sits in the "no spin zone" after settling a dirty talk suit. Bill Bennett remains the resident moralist despite his habit as a big-time gambler. Rush Limbaugh hasn't lost a dittohead for being an addict. And Armstrong "I'm not a journalist, I'm a pundit" Williams still has 240K of your tax dollars in his jeans. There just weren't any sticky wickets on this White House lawn.

<snip>

TGIFB. I think I'll stick around. And stick is the operative word.

[Robbien]

1. This sure is an upbeat take on the whole Bush mess

Even though I do not agree with her optimistic view the Bush cabal will be paying for their greed and corruption, it is a nice dream.

The Teflon mess will be fading into the ether following along with Halliburton and the rest.