I realize that many dKos members knew right off the bat that Bush and his whole administration were utter scumbags. However, for many people, myself included, it wasn't immediately obvious just HOW scummy they were.
Yes, I voted for Gore; and yes, I got a queasy "ut-oh" feeling as I beheld the shame that was the 2000 Florida post-election meltdown. This was the point that I realized that Bush's team was, shall we say, "ugly".
Even so, in spite of my distaste for Bush's policies, it wasn't until a couple of weeks after 9/11 that I had my first real recognition that something was SERIOUSLY wrong with his administration--something far beyond simply being a bad President with bad policies.
For me, that moment was 9/26/01: during the daily press briefing, Ari Fleischer was asked about Bill Maher's infamous "9/11 hijackers weren't cowards" comment, and his response sent a chill down my spine:
"Q As Commander-In-Chief, what was the President's reaction to television's Bill Maher, in his announcement that members of our Armed Forces who deal with missiles are cowards, while the armed terrorists who killed 6,000 unarmed are not cowards, for which Maher was briefly moved off a Washington television station?
...
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm aware of the press reports about what he said. I have not seen the actual transcript of the show itself. But assuming the press reports are right, it's a terrible thing to say, and it unfortunate. And that's why -- there was an earlier question about has the President said anything to people in his own party -- they're reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do. This is not a time for remarks like that; there never is."
All Americans need to watch what they say and watch what they do???
I had a major "whoa..." moment there. This was the point that I realized that the Bush administration was, shall we say, "evil".
Even so, as disturbed as I was by this, it wasn't until July 2, 2003 that I had my next revelation--yes, this was Bush's jaw-droppingly stupid "Bring 'em on" speech. I had to re-read his words to make sure that I had heard him right--did he actually just INVITE people to attack, wound and kill U.S. troops?? Publicly? Deliberately?
This was the point that I realized that Bush was, shall we say, "utterly incompetent and didn't have the slightest fucking clue what he was doing".
The next day I donated $50 to Howard Dean's campaign, and I haven't looked back since.
Anyway, I just thought this would be a good time to ask which of Bush's bone-chillingly awful statements/actions/whatever are the one(s) that woke you from your political slumber (those who weren't previously active, that is).
Since it's late and I'm tired, I'll only include the ones I mentioned in the poll, but please feel free to add your own in the comments!
UPDATE: I know the poll is missing at least a dozen option; it was late and I was tired when I posted it. Fortunately, kamarvt posted a link to a similar, but far more inclusive poll that he posted last year; I'd advise everyone to check that one out as well!