Why does Bush smile/laugh when talking about serious issues?

[Paragon]

Has always been the #1 thing about his demeanor that creeps me out, and it was on display again last night.

I always interpret it as him saying "hey, this thing I'm talking about is so simple, even I understand it".

Why? Anybody?

[Chichiri]

1. Because he doesn't take anything seriously.

Including the Presidency of the United States. He never has, he never will.

[MO_Dem]

4. Exactly what I was thinking!

He's never had to deal with the real world, and it shows!

[yardwork]

2. Because he has brain damage

Inappropriate behavior is a hallmark of dementia. Google frontal lobe dementia and check it out.

[leftofthedial]

3. because he is a sociopath

he enjoys it

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Inappropriate affect.

I think it's because at heart he's an asshole. He really doesn't care about things like little kids getting killed in Iraq, but he knows that he's supposed to act like he cares. And he doesn't know how, because he doesn't feel anything like empathy or concern or sorrow, so he gets nervous and smiles of laughs in his Beavis-and-Butthead way. Heh heh heh.

[sangh0]

I think that's it

He knows he doesn't feel things the way everyone else does, so he has to monitor himself constantly, which leads to being overly self-conscious. That would explain the nervous giggly attitude, as well as a few of his other tics, like the walk, and the hunched shoulders.

[tuvor]

6. BartCop calls him the Giggling Murderer

He has no respect for average joes or janes.

[gmoney]

7. Fear...

he knows he's in way over his head

[dweller]

17. agree

he was never meant for this position.
he lacks the intellect, and finds it humorous that he's there.

laughing so as not to scream.


dp

[othermeans]

8. I think it's "wet brain syndrome" from his years of alcohol abuse

You know when someone is not firing on all cylinders sometimes they get that goofy look.

[punpirate]

10. Yup...

... this boy's still a little wet under the distributor cap.... :)

[Kurt Remarque]

9. arrogant pig

[bringbackfdr]

11. I'll go with the sociopath diagnosis n/t

[BillZBubb]

12. I've noticed this happens more frequently when he is lying.

In poker terms, it's a tell. Your interpretation is right--it's supposed to convey the message that this point is so obvious we can amicably agree on it. There is no need for debate.

Intelligent people are offended by it. It's patronizing and condescending first and foremost, but that it also masks deceit is vile. The rest, sadly, are suckered by it.

[cheezus]

16. I agree - nervous reaction

and it IS folksy. That's the way most Joes react when they need to lie on the spot.

So it looks folksy. ack.

[Must_B_Free]

13. To me hes laughing at us

as if to say "I can't believe you're so stupid that I have to explain this to you." That seem to be his attitude.

[Aunt Anti-bush]

14. People who smirk and laugh while talking...

are usually lying.

[TrustingDog]

15. it's the primal monkey fear thing - they show their teeth....

some call it a smile.

[carpetbagger]

18. I agree. Frightened monkey.

I don't know that I've ever seen George W. Bush smile. It's not a family thing, I've seen old George and Jeb smile, and it's not a politician thing, since I've seen even Nixon give a genuine smile.

The thing that comes closer than anything else is that smirk/facial pucker he does when he's playing alpha male. I've never trusted myself when I thought that the guy gets his endorphins by dominating people, but it makes some sense.

[agates]

19. Inappropriate affect

Typical with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.