Honest In All Of Our Affairs

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Secretly recorded tapes of President George Bush made by a family friend between 1998 and 2000 include a tacit admission that Bush once used marijuana, the Chicago Tribune reported Feb. 20.
The tapes made by Doug Wead included a discussion about Bush's past behavior and how it might affect his chances as a presidential candidate. Bush defended his decision to refuse to directly answer reporters' questions about allegations of past marijuana use, saying, "I wouldn't answer the marijuana questions. You know why? Because I don't want some little kid doing what I tried."

When Wead stated that Bush had denied having used cocaine, Bush corrected him, saying: "I haven't denied anything."

Asked about the statements on the tapes, a White House spokesperson did not question the authenticity of the recordings but would not address the questions about drug use. "That has been asked and answered so many times there is nothing more to add," said spokesman Trent Duffy.


Bush Recordings Prompt Discussion on Drug Chat
2/25/2005






Secretly recorded tapes capture President Bush saying that he would not disclose his past drug use for fear of negatively influencing children, but experts say this approach could backfire, Newsday reported Feb. 22.
Prevention experts say the best approach is to talk to kids early and honestly about drug use and its pitfalls. "Don't cover it up, but be honest and straightforward with your children," said Elaine Lederer, director of the Long Island Consultation Center in Rego Park, N.Y.

Bush said in the 1998 discussions with a family friend that he would not answer questions about allegations of past drug use "because I don't want some little kid doing what I tried." Tom Hedrick of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America said parents could use Bush's tacit admission as an opportunity to discuss drugs with their kids.

Children don't need to know all of the details about their parents past use of drugs. But by being honest, parents can offer valuable insight into the allure and dangers of drugs -- and why they decided to stop using, assuming they have. "Do you know how many college students say they got their pot from their parents' stash?" said M. Joann Wright, staff psychologist for Student Counseling Services at Hofstra University. "A lot of times parents are trying to be the cool parents. It's not about you or your reputation. It's about your children's future."







The 1 thing I've tried to do these past few years is be honest with my kids and not lie to them about my past drug use. Why do the powers that be have to lie? I have little or no respect for this man. I'd have had respect for him to have gotten honest in his answers about his drug use. I want all of the people running for office to not lie and admit that they did what millions of us have done and continue to do.

[Jane63]

With all due respect, Captain, I totally disagree.
First of all, I do not agree with the nature of which the tapes were recorded...a supposidly "private" meeting between two old friends in which the then Gov. Bush thought he was confiding something he did not want to be spread all over the media in such a haphazard and careless way much like it is being done now! {media thrive on this BS! We shouldn't fall prey!}
Secondly, Mr.Wead admitted that he didn't want to make the tapes public, but then turned around and gave them to The NY Times in order to defend a passage he wrote...OK, which is it? Either he wants to make megabucks off the story or he does not...humm...
And lastly, since when does fessing up to everything bad we have done in our past really help anyone, let alone oursleves? I'm sorry, but this whole concept of admitting it to the world just doesn't strike me as very healthy for anyone! You make a mistake, you correct it and you go on with life trying not to make the same mistake again!
I have a teenager as well and we have the most wonderful, open relationship possible for a mother and daughter to have...we talk about everything and always have. She is well aware of my past and problems I have encountered, but she knows only what I want her to know and I keep it that way...I remember well the days of my youth and how carefree and "immortal" I thought I was! If she knows some of the things I got away with, and lived to tell her about them, that will only justify the fact that she too, might survive!

Sorry about the rant...this sort of strikes a cord, but in my opinion there are some things better left unsaid!
Be well!!
Jane

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Jane,

I told my kids of my driug use. I didn't beat around the bush so to speak. What I get from this is the not being honest from Bush. That's the difference of being a man and admitting I've made mistakes.

My hope is my kids will believe me when, I tell them not to do drugs not to drink or smoke cigarettes. I lead by example, I don't do any of these things. By being open , I hope my son and daughter still under age will talk to me on any issues they have.


I didn't copy the part that Wead didn't make these public before the election. Wead's publisher wanted him to make them public then. Bush's past DUI's and other things in his past make me think dry drunk.

This is not to single out Bush. Clinton should have admitted he inhaled.

[Jane63]

Captain,
Yes, we can only hope that our children will come to us for guidence and help in making good choices! I didn't mean to sound harsh....Honestly, I think any parent who pays attention and makes them their priority, no matter how they do it, is a good parent!

Politics are a passion of mine {LOL!} ...and always have been! I was quite active when I was younger and really enjoyed this years debates and election...really gets my BP going sometimes tho! LOL!
Take care!
Jane

[splendra]

I am hoping I will be able to let go of the bad feelings I have for Bush....I still can't believe he got elected but the ecconomy is convincing me that it is true...

[Hacker 2255]

splendra.....wait until the upcoming changes to SSI/Medicare take place and then you'll have no trouble believing the shrub won back to back elections without one grain of human substance to his existance.

Jane.....lest we not forget that the conversations Monica Lewinskey had with Linda Tripp were supposed to be "private", personal and confidiential, but Ms. Tripp felt "obligated" to turn those tapes over to some of her Republican higher up acquaintances and lo and behold we almost had an impeachment take place and 20 plus million dollars wasted on looking into it's possiblilty. Just more of the right wings double standard. Ethics and honesty back in politics my foot....just more of the power brokering that's unfortunately become politics in the U.S. and will continue to be so until big business is pushed out of it.

Captain...I agree with your original thought on being honest and above board in all affairs as those of us who try to use the 12 steps and traditions as a roadmap to live our lives by feel compelled to do so. The most painful action I ever took was being honest with my daughters and son about my addiction and owning up to the lies I told them, the time I robbed from them and the embarrassment and hurt I caused them through my actions while they were still kids. They are now all in their 20's and that pain I saw in all their faces when I came clean is just part of the reminder of why I need to live my life in a much different manner than I was while in active addiction!!!!!!! God grant me the serenity.......

Finally, I wish the media would quit perpetuating the myth of George Bush being a Texan.....he was born in Conneticut and just moved to Texas with the rest of his carpetbagging family. As I've said before, it takes more than a pair of Tony Llama boots to make someone a Texan!!


Peace,


Hack

[Jane63]

Jane.....lest we not forget that the conversations Monica Lewinskey had with Linda Tripp were supposed to be "private", personal and confidiential, but Ms. Tripp felt "obligated" to turn those tapes over to some of her Republican higher up acquaintances and lo and behold we almost had an impeachment take place and 20 plus million dollars wasted on looking into it's possiblilty. Just more of the right wings double standard. Ethics and honesty back in politics my foot....just more of the power brokering that's unfortunately become politics in the U.S. and will continue to be so until big business is pushed out of it.

Hack,
It is difficult to compare what happened during the Clintoon administration to what we are discussing...after all, President Bush admits to doing drugs and leading a wrongful lifestyle in his younger days, but Clintoon was still doing his dirty deeds while in office {literally!!}! The scandel with Lewinskey was just plain revolting and an embarrassment to our country!

I don't claim to be totally happy with everything Pres.Bush does, but I voted for him and try to have faith that he will do the right thing for our country.
Jane

[splendra]

I just wonder what bush is lying about?

[grateful81903]

Jane, i am completely in agreement with you - course i am a Bush fan...i hope he can do all that he sets out to do...
as far as sharing our experience with our children - i don't believe its necessary until we can also back it up with our Strength & Hope, at a time when they can understand!
my 7 year old daughter asked me last nite if i had any experience with the police, i do, and i had to tell her the story, i was compelled, however, i didn't give her the details and tried to instill a message, the type, quantity, effect of the drugs (that surely wasn't necessary information!)
my perspective on what bush said is this~some may think it is ok to experiment with drugs if they knew the leader of the free world did...not true

[Time2Surrender]

Originally Posted by Jane63

With all due respect, Captain, I totally disagree.
First of all, I do not agree with the nature of which the tapes were recorded...a supposidly "private" meeting between two old friends in which the then Gov. Bush thought he was confiding something he did not want to be spread all over the media in such a haphazard and careless way much like it is being done now!

Yeah,kinda like when Monica was confiding in a supposably "private" conversation with Linda Trip? I never did like or trust Bush.

[Time2Surrender]

Originally Posted by splendra

I just wonder what bush is lying about?

More like what is he not lying about? I would say if his lips are moving,odds are he is lying.

[Patsyd1]

It is difficult to compare what happened during the Clintoon administration to what we are discussing...after all, President Bush admits to doing drugs and leading a wrongful lifestyle in his younger days, but Clintoon was still doing his dirty deeds while in office {literally!!}! The scandel with Lewinskey was just plain revolting and an embarrassment to our country!

I don't claim to be totally happy with everything Pres.Bush does, but I voted for him and try to have faith that he will do the right thing for our country.

Whats difficult? Clinton lied through his teeth about his affair, and yes that was embarressing to the country.

Bush, lied through his teeth about weapons of distruction, to get his own way and to do what he wanted to do. That was not only an embarressment to this country, but its an embarrassment that has effected this country all over the world.

I didn't vote for Bush, because he isn't a leader in any way, shape or fashion and he doesn't have an ounce of honor and integrity or the qualifications from any stand point, in order to be in the Oval Office, holding the title of President of the United States.

He has been a liar, he is a liar, and he will continue to be a liar. Nothing new, because if nothing changes, then nothing changes.

[CAPTAINZING2000]

I didn't mean for this to get off the original train of thought. My thoughts are I don't care what Clinton did with Monica. I don't care if, Bush has an affair. They all have to live with in their skin. Both men should have fessed up.

Once a person makes the decision to run for public office, they have to be willing to live with their past indiscretions or, future conduct.

Having grown up in the late 60's and 70's, I'm not going to hold any one in office with less respect for trying drugs. My problem is, how can you talk the talk if, you can't walk the walk. Which ever president that's in office needs to be aware of what damage drugs are doing to our culture.

There needs to be bigger emphasis on drug education and rehabilitation. We have a revolving door system on the addicts here in this country.

The sad part of it is it's a business for our court system. Why is it legal to buy alcohol and not for drugs. Let me assure everyone in here after doing most drugs known to man. Alcohol is as bad if not worse then the other drugs. I'd venture to say after smoking pot, alcohol is far worse in my opinion.

As long as profits being made on the drugs being illigal, drugs will never be Decriminalized.

I no longer worry about myself. I'm worried my sons and daughters get mixed up with the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

[Jane63]

The election was close and we are basically a "split nation" {almost 50/50%} and everyone seems to have their own reasons for liking or disliking President Bush.
Personally, I was very pleased to see Saddam put behind bars and not killing and torturing his people or plotting revenge against the US with terrorists somewhere!
I must digress though and hop down off my soapbox before my BP goes haywire!

Grateful,
My daughter is almost 18-yrs old and I still haven't told her the whole story...just certain details and most importantly, the consequences! I do plan on telling her everything one day...probably when she is older and has children of her own. That, to me, is about the only time when they truly can appreciate what a mother/woman/human being goes through in their journey through life! {JMHO}...We do have some amazing talks though!
Good luck with your little one and God Bless!!
Jane

[splendra]

Yea Captain I wonder when drug addiction is going to be reckonized as a medical condition rather than a criminal offence....

I guess not by a president who can't be honest about his drug use....

[woodchip]

Im woodchip,
& I am a alcoholic & an addict (and at the risk of loosing friends here) I AM PROUD TO BE CANADIAN citizen.which means yes, I can.t vote ...but lived in detroit area since I was 4 yrs.old.my pals tease me saying that I cant have an opinion on these matter's THANK GOD i was not put in the position of picking bush vs.kerry.My union Brothers at work were all told to go "Kerry".but in reality..few did.whats my point here? In this day & age I think a perent should tell thier kids above what iswas like, what you did, and what its like now.and pray they repect & Love you enough to NOT go that path. The president however is not required to do a 4th & 5th step ( well, maybe Bush?? )but not with the entire free world. I think even the Pope couldnt run for elected office if all were publicly revealed.I say there is NOBODY...nobody who would win an election if the dirt-digging of there pasts were told.certaintly not in S.R. & I doubt anywhere else

[CAPTAINZING2000]

U know we had a president that lied about oral sex. That was a moral issue and not the criminal issue it was made out to be. Then of course we had Nixon. Nixon thought, it was ok to allow break in's and obstruction of justice.

While Clinton's act if, Bush doesn't have to admit to his drug use, why should a man admit to the oral sex? We're going to lose a large # of our work force if, we lock up everyone that's committed both offenses.

Where do we draw the lines?



Jane,

YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN READING HOW WE HAVE BEEN TORTURING PRISONERS IN IRAQ

http://www.thememoryhole.org/war/iraqis_tortured/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2005Jan24.html

AND GAUNTANAMO BAY.

WE'RE DOING THE SAME THINGS TO THE IRAQ'S THAT SADDAM WAS DOING.

http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB82/

When, I see these pictures, I'm ashamed to be an American. You're probably a little 2 young to understand what it was like during Viet Nam. I lived thru it. Ask John McCain how he liked the treatment in Nam


Matt 25:40

[Jane63]

By His Blood,
I liked your post! I only wanted to say that my reference to things being ALMOST 50/50 was entirely correct in that people really were, and still are divided and it was a close election. {Popular vote stats: BUSH:59,459,765 and KERRY:55,949,407}
I live in the "great" Buckeye swing state and was very thankful when both gentlemen shook hands and called it a day...{fearing that we might turn into another "FLA" for awhile!}

Captain,
Yes, I have heard about the Iraqui prison tortures and also how the people doing them are being brought to justice. Seems there are a few "bad eggs" everywhere, but I am never ashamed to be American because of them...I am proud of my President, my country, those who have defended it and still are defending it.
I was a carefree youngster during the Vietnam era, but have several family members and friends who served.
I might not "totally" understand, but I look at things in a different perspective since 9/11. Somewhere I read something that best describes my own feelings..."We were a nation asleep until that fateful morning {9/11} when we all AWOKE..."...I pray that we continue to stay awake!

Jane

[CAPTAINZING2000]

The reason I posted this in the first place is, the powers that be are clueless. What ever party you voted for.

You have to get honest in this if you want to get clean and sober. Otherwise you're a dry drunk. How many of us in here took drugs that weren't prescribed by a doctor? You think, you should go to prison for it? Bush after the drinking and drug use could do something positive with this.

Drugs should be decriminalized. Send people to rehabs until they get clean and sober.
The reason I say this is because, my sponser is a drug counsellor. He says, when you take a group of men in prison, they're not focused on their problem. All the men want to do is get out and try and not get caught the next time.

So I ask you, since Bush didn't fully disclose his past drug use, will not set any or hardly any funds for drug education aside are we going to be any better off in 4 years on the war on drugs?

As I said, both parties needs to address this. There's an epidemic in the rural area I live in. It's unbelieveable the amount of people using meth. Something has to be done to stop this. Sending people to prison isn't working.

[woodchip]

kaptain. my hats are off to you and all veterans who served our ( i know Im canadian) country.this is the land I love,live,& pay taxes ( LOTS )in 1978 when I was graduating High school , I was forced to register for the last "draft"& remember thinking ..waita minute,can drink yet, cant vote ever,But hey, Im good enuff to hold a rifle & Kill for whatever ( i think it was still nixon) desides . Im a war history Buff,love the history channel, band of brothers.all wars from ww1 to the current,But the Vietnam conflict /war blows my mind to this day. If you were there & are sober today.You are my hero. I also see an epidemic of "all style drugs"in an area that was rural 15 yrs ago & is suburbian Hell today.Too much building boom.Im sorry I was too messed up to start a family and now at 44 yrs old TOO LATE 9 i think) but am often glad because I dont like the FUTURE. no jobs, best job is selling dope,prisons full of mostly addicts who are not being treated and all at our taxpayers expense.Im a landlord of 3 houses & the taxes have quadrupled since I sobered up and bought them.Im whining now But I think I personnally Bought one patriot missle myself with TAXES

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Wood Chip,


I didn't serve I signed up for the U.S NAVY after graduating H.S I was turned down because my right leg is shorter then my left leg. Really quite common. My son is serving on the Truman in the Persian Gulf.

We had to talk about this. He loaded the bombs that were dropped on Iraq. Take any of these young men and put them in combat conditions and see if, that doesn't make a difference in their life.

My son enlisted after 9/11. With no weapons found and Bin Laden still on the loose he and several of his crew mates are not very happy about this war. It's their beliefs they've killed a lot of little kids for no reason what so ever.

My son's had to do a lot praying over this.

[Bozo]

Originally Posted by splendra </