My wife and I had a chat this morning, as I read and she baked bread. It came from a reverie I had about hypothetically meeting George W Bush in person, at a reception line, or fund raiser, some such thing.
I told her I would like to walk up to him, smiling, reach out to shake his hand, and say "Mr. Bush, on the behalf of the American people and the people of the world.." and as I clasp his hand, looking him in the eye with a level gaze, I'd spit in his face.
If this took place after he was out of office, I think I'd get a fine, maybe a few days in jail, but that's all. If he was still in office, it would probably get me a month in St. Elizabeth's.
Of course, there's many things one could do as a political opponent in such a situation. But I can't imagine any brief statement or attempt to engage him as being anywhere near as satisfying as a wire service photo of that pissy frat boy wiping a hocker off his face with his handkerchief.
I know how foolish and puerile this fantasy is.
My wife asked me if I read something this morning that made me feel this way. I told her everything I've read for the last six years makes me feel this way.
My apologies to those of you whom my line of thought this Sunday morning may discomfit. But I feel a bit refreshed by it, alas.
What would you do if you met George W Bush in person?