George Bush - Stupid or Not??

My friend and I have been having a discussion about George Bush: stupid or not?

I take the former view. He the latter. His definition of intelligent (= not stupid) - the ability to use the mind to solve problems, to reach a desired goal. In that case, anyone who can find the restroom in a restaurant is intelligent. As for George, the only goal he seems to have attained is the presidency, unfortunately.

I have been therapist/organizer to men painting, laying floor, spraying ceilings this week. They get into each others way, they rub up against each other's personality. I have to keep the blood from messing up the paint job. So it makes me very tired indeed when this weekend my friend comes for a visit and hits me over the head repeatedly about my use of the word stupid. "George is not stupid" he says. "He may have a narrow view but I know lots of religious people who have a narrow view and are nevertheless intelligent." What is this argument about, I wonder? Politically, we are on the same side. He is just arguing.

Here is a meaning of the word stupid from the OED: "Belonging to or characterized by stupor or insensibility. Emotionally or morally dull or insensible; apathetic, indifferent." Morally dull or insensible. George has settled for an indelible line of dogma. He refuses contrary counsel despite all observable evidence. The consequences are stark, dire and widespread. People are dying, lives are wreaked. He will not shift, he will not change, he sees this as a genuine virtue. This is not a good thing for a president. Change is the only constant.

Despite having used the power of his mind to gain the presidency, he has not used it for any other purpose than to hold power, express power. Punitive policy. He, like the guys construction workers in the house last week and my friend, seems to be working through something.

Here is a citation that accompanies the definition from the OED:
(The Guardian I (1756) No. 19.86) - It was a cause of great sorrow and melancholy to me, to see a crowd in the habits of the gentry of England stupid to the noblest sentiments we have.

Stupid to the noblest sentiments we have: love, respect, compassion, charity, sympathy, generosity.

For George, lip service.

Here's a sermon by E.L.Doctorow - he uses the word stupid, too.
http://www.bushwatch.com/The%20Unfeeling%20President.mp3