No golf if Baghdad’s burning?
Annika’s on her way out, Sergio’s on his way back, but the week’s biggest golf story might be that President George W. Bush isn’t playing anymore.
Bush, a 15-handicap, told Politico magazine that he stopped playing in 2003 because he thought it looked inappropriate for him to be on the course while the country was at war.
"I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal," he said in an interview for Yahoo! News and Politico magazine.
"I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf," he said. "I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them."
A nice gesture by Bush, I thought. For people who don’t play, golf still conjures images of the idle rich—the people I play with are neither, or at least not rich—and Bush was being sensitive to appearances, which in his business can be everything. Other people I talked to thought it was a little ridiculous. If the president likes to play golf he shouldn’t feel guilty about it.
Still others think the idea that giving up golf constitutes a sacrifice is an insult to soldiers and their families. Speaking in The Telegraph (a UK paper), anti-war veteran Brandon Friedman said, “For President Bush to imply that he somehow stands in solidarity with families of American soldiers by giving up golf is disgraceful.”
What do you think of President Bush not playing golf anymore? Join the conversation below.
Posted by: P. Arnold | May 22, 2008 2:51:53 PM
MJR, save your rhetoric about the troops for your lefty buds. The Military is conservative because the right is not invested in their defeat.
Posted by: DAC | May 21, 2008 2:59:17 PM
giving up golf for the troops (although he has golfed since this proclamation), what a joke. Typical right-wing obsession with symbols (lapel pins, bumper stickers) that don't really consitute real sacrifice or mean anything
Posted by: Ed S | May 21, 2008 2:29:13 AM
Tomorrow I'm going to show my solidarity with the poor by giving up caviar.
Posted by: Don R. Shaw, Jr. | May 20, 2008 3:24:27 AM
At least the thought was nice. To actually quit is foolish. I knonw a lot who've commented do not think he should be allowed anything to enjoy and would only be happy if he were somehow caused to suffer great pain, and to have to do so repeatedly. And they apparently think he runs around setting a price of gas, and is responsible for everything they can think of that they don't like regardless of what it is - "it's his fault" and they seem to believe that's true. I have my own solution - just keep on writing in "B. Goldwater". Seems like the best option currently around, and GW can or can not play golf as he wishes. I don't see thkat it makes any difference to much of anything.
Posted by: Steve | May 20, 2008 3:00:16 AM
President Bush doesn't always come off as the brightest, most articulate president we've ever had, but I believe he is a man of integrity, and honor. I would not care to judge him as to whether he should or shouldn't play golf....that's his business, it seems to me. I would guess that at least 1/3 of the posters here didn't vote for or against the man, either time. President Bush deserves the respect of the office he holds, whether you agree with his policies or not. Yes, I voted for him both times, and am not ashamed of that. Sometimes he says things that make you cringe, or laugh, or wonder, huh? But he is a good man, and he is our President.
Posted by: HB | May 19, 2008 8:24:21 PM
He should have given up the presidency instead.
Posted by: aristocrat! | May 19, 2008 7:32:47 PM
Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden that is the real reason he is not going to play. He won't play until he is officially out of office. 15 handicap yeah right and Bill Clinton didn't take mulligans either.
Posted by: carl | May 19, 2008 6:01:28 PM
what is scary, and sad, is he thinks it really matters-someone cares.Not that there are so many world leaders that also do not measure up to their position,two branch's of our govt. have abandoned the 'us' concept for the 'me' concept. Maybe the dumbest president we have ever had and the greediest, self-serving congress we have ever had.
Posted by: jack seymour | May 19, 2008 5:33:02 PM
this is just another ploy by the dumbest man to ever sit in the whitehouse.
Posted by: Bob Rush | May 19, 2008 5:28:40 PM
Golf is better off if he does not play. At least that way he can't mess the game up like he has so many other things.
Posted by: CJones | May 19, 2008 4:50:38 PM
First, to the Commentors who believe that one can only understand the game of golf by looking ay it from the right side of the fairway, I say hogwash. I grew up in California, played baseball and tennis and have come to love golf with a passion not felt for the other two sports--and I am a Liberal living in the DC area. As with so much about his motivation for invading Iraq, POTUS basically lied when he said he stopped playing because of the war; the Washington Post has since run a story detailing the number of times POTUS actually has played golf subsequent to his claim that he quit playing. Further, as to the claptrap about the Democratic majority not improving the economy over the last two years, that's not even a reasonable statement. For 12 of the last 14 years, the Conservative majority have controlled Congress, with POTUS leading the blank check signing Right and taking us deeper into debt than Reagan left us after his eight years of anti-Soviet folly; left us stuck with a conservative Supreme Court that has taken a pro-business position on major social policy issues; left us alienated from the rest of the international community because of his 'principled' stands and support of autocrats like Pervez Musharraf. That George W. Bush's staff have openly confessed their concern for his legacy--not the damage done to this great country or it's reputation--speaks volumes about why golf is better off not having to be concerned about his departure (most likely on his mountain bike) from the game of golf, a game based on honor, tradition and reverence.
Posted by: CJones | May 19, 2008 4:48:14 PM
First, to the Commentors who believe that one can only understand the game of golf by looking ay it from the right side of the fairway, I say hogwash. I grew up in California, played baseball and tennis and have come to love golf with a passion not felt for the other two sports--and I am a Liberal living in the DC area. As with so much about his motivation for invading Iraq, POTUS basically lied when he said he stopped playing because of the war; the Washington Post has since run a story detailing the number of times POTUS actually has played golf subsequent to his claim that he quit playing. Further, as to the claptrap about the Democratic majority not improving the economy over the last two years, that's not even a reasonable statement. For 12 of the last 14 years, the Conservative majority have controlled Congress, with POTUS leading the blank check signing Right and taking us deeper into debt than Reagan left us after his eight years of anti-Soviet folly; left us stuck with a conservative Supreme Court that has taken a pro-business position on major social policy issues; left us alienated from the rest of the international community because of his 'principled' stands and support of autocrats like Pervez Musharraf. That George W. Bush's staff have openly confessed their concern for his legacy--not the damage done to this great country or it's reputation--speaks volumes about why golf is better off not having to be concerned about his departure (most likely on his mountain bike) from the game of golf, a game based on honor, tradition and reverence.
Posted by: Tom G | May 19, 2008 4:26:44 PM
Of all the self serving jackasses, the negative posts on this site are indicative of the left mentality. Eisenhower, Kennedy, Ford, Clinton, elder Bush have all played golf and/or still do. How many dems play? They should get off their high handicaps and open up the Alaskan territory and the Florida Gulf to secure enough oil to free us of our dependency once and for all. Then you will see how fast foreign oil drops in price. Guaranteed. Further, I guess if we had not gone into the mid-east full force, it probably would have escalated to full blown war between Russia and France over the oil there. Hypocritical crap, me thinks.
Posted by: dmocini | May 19, 2008 2:20:55 PM
It looks like most of the comments come from far left of the fairway. More practice might help them understand that being President in a time of war is a 24/7 responsibility. The Democratic majority has done little to improve the economy in almost two years, no increase in domestic production of oil, development of additional nuclear power plants or similar acts that might have made the current administration look good. Instead they have chosen to "bash Bush" whenever possible and the average citizen is paying the price mostly at the gas pump or grocery store. If more members of congress would give up their "earmarks" and produce legislation that was fiscally responsible the average American would be in better shape today.
Posted by: rmadsen | May 19, 2008 2:08:51 PM
I remarked to a friend several years ago that if I were invited to play Pebble Beach with Bill Clinton, that I'd have to decline. This is coming from a certified fanatic of the game. I hope all you sad people that are bashing President Bush are not really true fans of the game; because in my experience; people who truly understand the game tend to be conservative and honorable. Bush has made mistakes of course. I wish he could communicate better to an American society that unfortunately is made up of mostly juveniles who understand very little of what makes a country great and vote like they are choosing a prom queen. He also should have vetoed a lot more spending bills and used his position to try and reign in congress. But the biggest failures of our government lately have little to do with the position of president, be he a democrat or republican.
Posted by: rmadsen | May 19, 2008 2:07:44 PM
I remarked to a friend several years ago that if I were invited to play Pebble Beach with Bill Clinton, that I'd have to decline. This is coming from a certified fanatic of the game. I hope all you sad people that are bashing President Bush are not really true fans of the game; because in my experience; people who truly understand the game tend to be conservative and honorable. Bush has made mistakes of course. I wish he could communicate better to an American society that unfortunately is made up of mostly juveniles who understand very little of what makes a country great and vote like they are choosing a prom queen. He also should have vetoed a lot more spending bills and used his position to try and reign in congress. But the biggest failures of our government lately have little to do with the position of president, be he a democrat or republican.
Posted by: David Forde | May 19, 2008 1:42:01 PM
Shame he did not give up the presidency instead. many would have been alive,but for his stupidity,and greed.
Posted by: papilon santorini | May 19, 2008 1:22:46 PM
He needs to play golf with the talibans, the osamas and all those crack heads from middle east. Maybe that will improve his handicap....you americans should be ashamed to elect a jackass like that as your president. Next time do a better job!!!
Posted by: Steve | May 19, 2008 12:47:10 PM
Thanks George!
I was having prangs of guilt the last couple times I played because of the other things I could (and probably should) be doing to help this country instead of playing golf. But now that I hear the person responsible for the mess this country is in has given it up, I can keep on swinging. YEAH GEORGE!! You fool!
Posted by: Doug | May 19, 2008 12:43:35 PM
As a 15 handicapper, he's more qualified to play golf than be president. I agree with those who say he should play more golf, and give up his job to someone with a higher IQ and college GPA. His gesture is about as sincere as his military service (which was conveniently in Florida where he could work on political campaigns for his father instead of actually "serve" in the military. I hope he just stays home the rest of his life and off of any course I play.
Posted by: Joan Hough | May 19, 2008 12:32:20 PM
I am practically speechless which I suppose isn't totally true as I am now atttempting to share comments. If I were to express all of my feelings about Mr. Bush and his "two presidencies", I would be typing all day. Instead I will comment on the "golf" issue only. With all of the extraordinary messes Mr. Bush has created - with or without the assistance of Congress - his leisure activities whether golfing or coloring in his coloring books are, after all, of no consequence. We will be rid of him in the next 7 months and can only pray that the damage done to our country and its citizens can begin to be overturned as expediciously as possible.
Posted by: MJR | May 19, 2008 12:24:28 PM
Hey Brad, Arnold, etc.. you miss the point. First, he lied about giving up golf. Second, Brad 9/11 happened on his watch. As far as being afraid to go to the store, I bet you weren't afraid even after 9/11. As far as the ALL Volunteer military, they are the best. So let's use them effectvely. It's amazing though how they can stil vote republican. Look at the scandle at Walter Reed, all the cuts this administration has made in benifits. I say let's give them a GI Bill like the one after WWII. Let's treat them with respect. Give them the REAL care they deserve.
Posted by: Michael Fox | May 19, 2008 12:22:44 PM
I admire the President for this gesture. Most, if not all of his critics can stand the fact that he is a decent man. I am a veteran who appreciates and applaude George Bush for being sensitive to this. God bless you and every other public servant!
Posted by: MJR | May 19, 2008 12:14:55 PM
If he had told the truth about giving up golf that would be one thing, but he lied about it. He was playing months later. Golf is a game of integrety, honesty. If you play it right, you call penalties on oneself. This guy doesn't admit to his mistakes, I wouldn't trust him on a golf course. As a rules official, I would have DQ'd him...
Posted by: Rob Pomeranz | May 19, 2008 12:13:32 PM
Had the previous president given up golf, then just maybe Bin Laden would not be around today.
Way to go, George W....
Posted by: P. Arnold | May 19, 2008 12:03:30 PM
Some people just hate Bush and no matter what he did they would criticize him.
I have problems with some of his policies; they aren't conservative enough. But the Bush Bashers are childish and disgusting in their bias.
I say play golf and to hell with the cry-babies.
Posted by: John | May 19, 2008 12:02:56 PM
The world would be a safer place if he played more golf. The guy is insane, he has left an absurd, unmanageable legacy that the American people will have to deal with for years to come.
Posted by: jim | May 19, 2008 11:51:35 AM
Give the guy some credit. I don't like what's going on in this country either foreign or domestically...but he is not the "worst president in history." This is the worst Congress in history. You think one man runs this country. Think again. And it's not going to change until you get rid of the ol' farts in congress and re-arrange the political system before anything get better.
Posted by: VandyDon | May 19, 2008 9:14:09 AM
Though he expressed it in an inarticulate manner, his point clearly is that the view of the Commander-in-Chief enjoying a recreational outing has been, and would be, used by some as a direct commentary on how much he "cares" about the efforts of those in the military. Each of us can appreciate that his is the toughest of jobs, that he takes no pleasure in sending people to war, that he does empathize (in face to face conversations) with the families of those in the service. To those of you who actually expressed that the President - no matter who he or she might be - can "control" oil prices, or "the economy" - grow up and understand the realities of a free market economy. Those who have consistently argued against expansion of oil exploration, and who continue to insist on buying and driving the Hummers in the world - take a look in the mirror.
Respectfully,
VandyDon
Posted by: Eric | May 18, 2008 10:47:13 PM
i wouldnt mind a president playing golf if he could do a better job with the still incompetent katrina relief, record gas prices, record food price increases, record foreclosures, etc. we need leadership and he's mailing it in. what a disappointment.
Posted by: Thomas Head-Rapson | May 18, 2008 10:12:01 PM
And to think that I felt like giving the game up when I discovered that Bush was a golfer too.
I am not a believer of any religion, but IF either of the Christian, Jewish or Muslim religions is true, then I know where Bush is going one day - to a hell worse than that to which he sent thousands of his own people and Iraqis - war-torn Iraq.
Posted by: Brad | May 18, 2008 7:12:28 PM
Amazing. I voted for the guy twice and have not agreed on everything he or his staff has done. However, the last time I checked I haven't been afraid to go to the local grocery store and worry about being blown into little pieces. For you idiots who think he has done the troops wrong....check your draft card. Oh yea, I forgot there aren't any draft cards. As tragic as the loss of lives have been, they have been sacrifices made by the troops themselves as VOLUNTEERS! Thank them for their sacrifice and quit using their deaths as political fodder to get one of two losers into the White House.
Posted by: DaveC | May 18, 2008 8:38:04 AM
I never heard him say he encouraged any of his family or friends to fight in the war. Golf doesn't matter in supporting the war..putting your own flesh and blood behind it is leadership
Posted by: King | May 18, 2008 2:46:49 AM
A real phoney. Maybe his game wasnt improving further. He could have done a better job at the golf course than with the American presidency.... a job of a Caddy... mabe who knows?????????
Posted by: steve Chase | May 18, 2008 2:23:13 AM
who cares what george bush says or does. he's gone. worst president in history. Bravo!!!
Posted by: Whity | May 17, 2008 1:28:11 PM
I am pretty sure the man can't win, you will criticize either way...someone up further said that also...if you must make this a political forum and a place to spout your political ignorance you have too much time on your hands and too many opinions for your own good. Its a golf page!!! I am sure you will criticize me for these statements too...
Posted by: Annushka | May 17, 2008 8:36:41 AM
He still played golf, he lies so much he can't even tell what reality is. He never stopped. To bad he didnt say he would step down as president., but then after the first 4 lousy year we (not I personally) re-elected the guy.
Posted by: Paul | May 16, 2008 6:41:37 PM
I would have preferred he give up the Presidency and play more golf.
Posted by: glen weaver | May 16, 2008 5:13:03 PM
I am a golfer, and i strongly understand his feelings about not playing for the reasons he gave, but I would like for him to drive his car and buy the $4 gas, then see how he feels. He should have conterolled the oil prices better.
Posted by: Arizona | May 16, 2008 2:56:47 PM
Why didn't he just give up the presidencey and stay on the links he would have done a better job!
Posted by: Uru | May 16, 2008 12:28:58 PM
I would prefer Bush give up the Presidency out of respect for our troops.
Posted by: Oliver Dyer, Major, USAR, retired | May 16, 2008 11:49:52 AM
The sacrifice means little. A more fitting act would have been to conduct the war in a more effective manner. With the proper amount of troops, properly armored vehicles and with the focus on Afghanistan not Iraq.
Posted by: ED | May 16, 2008 10:57:36 AM
If he wants to show solidarity let him send his twins over there to fight like so many other parents have done, giving up golf is just ridiculous!
Posted by: Mark | May 16, 2008 10:10:28 AM
Mmmmmm....
Seems like President Bush does care about what Michael Moore has to say afterall! That 'Now watch this drive' moment obviously struck a chord.
Agreed it's a bit of an empty gesture. I think that perhaps the families of those servicemen and women serving in Iraq are more concerned with what President Bush does when he his behind the Oval Office desk, not what he does when he is away from it.
Posted by: Robert | May 16, 2008 9:39:03 AM
This man Bush is sickening. It's a shame he is our leader! he has caused so much pain and chaos in the world and now the "saint" has sacrficed his golf.
Posted by: Lifo | May 16, 2008 9:10:58 AM
If Bush continued to play you would bash him. He does something nice and you bash him. Dont forget that most of Congress approved this war as well as the American public before it started. Hindsight is 20/20!
Posted by: hitemstrait | May 16, 2008 7:55:31 AM
This has to be the biggest joke since the war started. 4,000 people died because of his lies, no hope of stopping the death toll and his sacrifice is giving up golf??? What's next, is he going to start riding a bicycle to the bank to cash his oil stock dividend checks to protest the price of oil?
Posted by: George Dovel | May 16, 2008 2:18:40 AM
"A nice gesture"?? This from a president who at the White House Correspondents dinner around that same time made a big funny joke out of not being able to find WMDs -- while men and women were dying as a result of his cooked evidence and nonexistent planning. From dodging combat duty himself to using political and religious litmus tests for Iraq reconstruction contracts to failing to take care of returning soldiers, Bush has made a very clear “gesture” of how little respect he has for the military. The only way he could show respect now would be to apologize and resign.
Posted by: Will | May 15, 2008 8:27:30 PM
Right on Bdawg. I am with you. If George W. thinks that giving up golf will make up for the more than 4,000 Americans who have lost their lives in a war in Iraq I think that he is badly mistaken...yet again. Another erroneous judgement on his part. "It's par for the course" though for Bush.
Posted by: Bdawg | May 15, 2008 3:49:11 PM
What a phoney. First off in the interview he said he decided in August 2003 to give up golf, even though there are AP photos of him playing golf in October 2003. Second, to say that is a sacrifice while his decision to start a war led to 4,000 deaths is absurd. I'm sure our brave men and women in the armed forces could care less is GWB is playing golf, I'm sure they are more concerned with how he is going to bring them home.