Anyone else think

GW finally found that stash of Cutty Sark he hid back in '99? Pic via.

Oh Em Gee, Laura Bush "totally forgot" to watch President Obama's address!

By GottaLaff

A former First Lady, who is married to a former president who gave several State of the Union Addresses that the former first lady attended, forgot. To watch. The present president's. SOTUish Address:

Despite the lack of newspaper delivery at their new home, the former first lady said they are keeping up with the news back in the nation's capital but they certainly are not operating on Washington's clock.

In fact, Mrs. Bush said she did not watch President Obama's address to Congress on Tuesday night because she "totally forgot about it."

"The next day I thought it was so ironic that for eight years I would be a nervous wreck before the State of the Union, and for days before, as George would be preparing his speech, worried about it and thinking about what was going to be in the speech. And this time it came and went and I didn't even think about it."

Way to be a role model, Pickles. The epitome of patriotism. Or dementia. I can't decide which.

Political Carnival Exclusive! An insider's look at Bushes' post-White House 2 million dollar 'hood

By GottaLaff

Preston Hollow. Sounds like a children's book, or maybe a summer home for Winnie the Pooh. So carefree, so inviting, so... ::brace yourselves:: ...Bush. This Preston Hollow is in a very wealthy area of Texas. This is where Ross Perot lives. This is where Mary Kay lived. This is where the Bushes invested $2.07 million dollars.

And this is where Commenter Eve decided to motor one fine day, but wowzers, what a shock it was for Commenter Eve! Now, mind you, Eve has friends, rich ones, who live in the area. Here is how she describes where they live:

Their home is on 4 acres with a pond, pool and servant quarters that are at least as big as my home. Probably bigger.

As Eve notes, not all homes there are huge and on acres of land. Some serve as tear-downs for those who want to build McMansions and need more land. Why, that very thing happened to my childhood home in Encino. I no longer have a childhood home. But I digress...

Let's discuss Preston Hollow itself: P.H. used to be its own town, but is now part of Dallas. However:

I was surprised that the street where Bush will live is considered Preston Hollow, because it's not in the boundaries of that former town. Apparently the realtors call a much larger area "Preston Hollow" now for marketing purposes. Within the boundaries of "Old" Preston Hollow is the wealthiest part of Dallas. But even outside of Old Preston Hollow this whole area of North Dallas is mostly a high-income demographic.

Now... I bet you're all waiting for the shocking part. Spoiler alert: It's not as shocking as, say, seeing a beautiful democracy of a country get ravaged by a rogue administration. But it is eyebrow-raising:

Here is why I was shocked. While the street is very nice and somewhat costly, for people who are very wealthy, like the Bushes, this is a very modest street and a very modest home. I couldn't believe this is where they will live. I'm shocked I tell you!

Let's recap: Eve was shocked. Now for some comic relief:

As I was leaving a couple in an SUV stopped me. They were looking for the house, too. They quickly told me they couldn't stand the "son of a bitch". And they, too, were really surprised they picked that street. They pointed out that the area heavily supports Democrats.

I hope there were a few Obama signs around when Laura scouted out her new 'hood.

There were a few homes in the immediate area with small yard signs that said "Welcome Home, George & Laura". But let me emphasize that it was VERY, VERY few.

Okay everyone, get out your tinfoil garb and conspiracy how-to handbooks. Call TMZ. Gather in Comments. We have work to do:

So why such a modest home?

Will they buy a few homes, tear them down, and build a big compound? One where they can keep George away from real people who might tell him what they think?

Are the Bushes about to split as we've read for so long in the likes of the National Enquirer and this will be Laura's home? George has reportedly never seen this house.

Or did they have all their money in a blind trust with Madoff?

Inquiring minds want to know.

I hope you enjoyed our little tour. Not only do we break news, we don't bother to fix it once it's broken.

Quote Of The Day

Well, Pickles we can blame on over medication, but what's Condi's excuse?

"I think generations pretty soon are going to start to thank this president for what he's done. This generation will," Condoleeza Rice said.

Homes sweet homes: The Bushes' Big New Two Million Dollar Purchase

By GottaLaff

Yesterday I posted about the Big New Sprawling home the Bushes just bought, which is two hours away from their other big sprawling home. Now you can see what they splurged on:

(via)

See George and Laura's home! Big, big, big!

The home, on a Dallas cul-de-sac, sits on 1.13 acres and offers 8501 square feet of living space, according to city appraisal records. The property was purchased for $2.07 million in early-October by Robert McCleskey, the president's accountant, who is listed as trustee on deed records. Built in 1959, the home has been improved with a detached garage (1150 square feet), servants quarters (896 square feet), and a storage building (240 square feet). While the Bush property certainly appears comfortable, it is dwarfed by the 20-acre estate it abuts. That sprawling property is owned by billionaire investor Tom Hicks, who, in 1998, purchased the Texas Rangers from a partnership in which Bush held a stake (the deal netted the future president about $15 million). Hicks, 62, was a leading supporter of Rudolph Giuliani's presidential bid and hosted a fundraiser last year at his home--reportedly the largest in Dallas--for the former New York City mayor.

Their garage is bigger than many houses, if one is lucky enough to be able to afford a Bush-garage-sized house, that is.

See the rest of America default on rent/mortgage payments. Starve, America, starve. Starve, starve, starve!

We all knew the ranch in Crawford was a set. Like Reagan's movie ranch, where he posed for the cameras to make everyone think he was a working man while he was leading the charge on union busting, Bush's Crawford photo op background was all about getting him elected. Now that he's off the public housing teat, he's moving into a $2 million house complete with servant's quarters.

Good ol' beer buddy Cowboy George, your facade is showing. And so are your crass hypocrisy and middle finger.

From the Dep't. of Let 'Em Eat Cake-- The Bushes' new upscale Dallas home

By GottaLaff

It's bad enough that Bush's New Rules are some of the most offensive Nose-Thumbing assaults on the U.S. one can imagine, even for him. Now we have Laura's blithely oblivious, insensitive little holiday toss-off:

Laura Bush confirmed that she and the President are buying a house in Dallas, about two hours from his beloved Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas.

She broke the news while unveiling the White House’s patriotic Christmas décor this morning, explaining that her family will be "very careful" with spending this holiday to save up for their real estate purchase.

“We will be moving to Dallas in January and there might be a new house coming along. So I think that's where we'll spend our Christmas money," she added.

So they'll actually have residual Christmas money to spend... after they pick up a new house... which will be near their other house... which is part of an enormous "ranch".

I'm simply tickled to pieces that they're able to go shopping with all that extra leftover cash... in all those stores... that no longer exist... because they went under.

Hey! I bet, if all of us are very frugal and wisely save our pennies, we could buy a house, too! Made out of cardboard. Under a bridge. Location! Location! Location!

The couple is said to be looking in the upscale Highland Park area around Southern Methodist University, where Mrs. Bush attended college, and where the president intends to build his library and a policy institute.

I hope they manage to qualify for a decent loan.

And that they, unlike a former Republican presidential candidate we know, can keep track of the number of homes they own.

The more things change...

By GottaLaff

Laura Bush, on post-White House life:

She said she and her husband plan to spend their weeks in Dallas and weekends at their ranch in Crawford, Texas.

And this is different from their present life how?

Bush White House Caught in Hanukkah Gaffe

By GottaLaff

If it's Wednesday (or Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday), it must be a Bush gaffe:

A picture of a Christmas tree is not the first thing you would expect to see on an invitation to an event celebrating Hanukkah, but that is exactly what recipients of invitations to this year's White House Hanukkah reception initially got in the mail.

The invitation sent to American Jewish leaders on behalf of the President and First Lady, requesting "the pleasure of your company at a Hanukkah reception," bore an image of a Clydesdale horse drawn cart, carrying the White House Christmas tree, with a Christmas wreath-adorned White House in the background.

Mrs. Bush's press secretary, Sally McDonough:

"Mrs. Bush is apologetic, It is just something that fell through the cracks," she said, referring to the role of the First Lady's office in sending out the invitations.

The card as originally intended featured a menorah given to the White House during Harry Truman's presidency.

It's the thought that counts. Right?

Sasha and Malia play (White) house

By GottaLaff

The goils took a look at their new home, courtesy of Pickles:

The Obama girls, their mom and grandmother are checking out their new home on Tuesday afternoon, visiting the White House residence at the invitation of First Lady Laura Bush. [...]

Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 have been in Washington since Sunday night checking out new schools with their mother. Michelle's mom, Marion Robinson, who will move to Washington with the incoming First Family is also with the family.

Cutest kids ever!

Compare And Contrast

Wow.

Laura Bush says IWRC* Palin lacks foreign policy experience

By GottaLaff

Pickles, Pickles, Pickles, what will the hubby say?

First Lady Laura Bush told CNN Wednesday Sarah Palin lacks experience in foreign policy, but quickly added the Alaska governor is "a very quick study."

Asked by CNN's Zain Verjee if she thought Palin's resume included sufficient foreign policy experience, Bush said, "Of course she doesn't have that."

Of course she doesn't. Unless you include IWRC* Palin's handshakes with those many upon many Fancy Schmancy Dignitaries. I'm sure they transmitted Experience Germs when their hands made contact... unless. Unless! Unless IWRC used Purel post-meet-'n'-greet.

Foreign policy experience: Poof! Gone in a disinfected flash.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

Cindy McCain speaks: Liveblog

By GottaLaff

Cindy Lou is asking us to take off our Republican hats again, and put on our American ones. Soooo... Republicans aren't American? They're mutually exclusive. Oh, and I never got one of those Republican hats. I must remember to put that on a Things Not to Request list of some kind.

She's asking for relief for the victims of the hurricane. I can't fault that. In fact, I commend it. Now Pickles is doing the same. Good. I hope they raise a record amount.

That's it? Short and sweet.

Oh, and in case you missed it, this is now The Party of Mavericks. Someone tell James Garner.

Laura Bush on McCain's VP Pick

Holy crap, watertiger is so spot on. I'm not sure, but I seem to remember from my "Aging Gracefully 101" that you're supposed to tone down the lipstick as you go. Someone drop a line to Laura, pleae? BTW- how fast is Laura dancing about McCain distancing himself from Georgie? Good drugs there.

Banned video of Bush: "Wall Street Got Drunk"

By GottaLaff

It would be appropriate to ban all video of George W. Bush, but that won't happen. Instead, he's everywhere, including here:

How appropriate that he's talking about Wall Street "getting drunk":

An ABC-TV outlet in Houston, and now the Houston Chronicle, have posted a video taken at a political fundraiser for Pete Olson, featuring George W. Bush last week -- capturing some embarrassing/revealing moments after, he noted, he had asked cameras to be turned off.

The first moments form the July 18 event find him speaking almost incoherently in admitting, for once, that his friends in big business had screwed up: "There's no question about it. Wall Street got drunk ---that's one of the reasons I asked you to turn off the TV cameras -- it got drunk and now it's got a hangover. The question is how long will it sober up and not try to do all these fancy financial instruments."

Is he referring to Wall Street or himself?

Then, making light of the foreclosure crisis, he said: "And then we got a housing issue... not in Houston, and evidently not in Dallas, because Laura's over there trying to buy a house. [great laughter] I like Crawford but unfortunately after eight years of sacrifice, I am apparently no longer the decision maker."

From your mush mouth to any deity's ears.

No one is saying how ABC's Miya Shay got the video or how it emerged.

Most likely because no one wants to be waterboarded.

H/t: Commenter Chris (I remembered this time!)

Laura Bush McClellan

By GottaLaff

ABC White House correspondent Ann Compton on being stunned at how Scott McLellan was in his new book:

“I would find it easier to believe that Laura Bush wrote this than Scott McClellan,” Compton added.

So Laura resents Georgie, too?