Althouse: George Bush shows up for jury duty.

August 5, 2015

George Bush shows up for jury duty.

"I turned around and he was seated right behind me and I said, 'I think I know that guy'... Then the judge introduced him and said it was an honor to have the former president of the United States in the court... He was laughing and talking and it helped ease the tension... I said it was an honor to meet him and I thanked him for being there... He thanked me as well."

21 comments:

Achilles said...: Video was probably removed because it demonstrates Bush might actually be a decent human being. Compared to the current WH occupant, who is not, it makes the lefties feel uncomfortable.; 8/5/15, 4:08 PM
The Godfather said...: If Obama were on the panel for a jury that was going to try me -- for anything -- I hope I'd be able to strike him for cause. Hate to have to use a peremptory to get rid of him.

BTW, I wonder if anyone knows what former presidents have served on juries, or at least showed up for jury duty. I don't think I've ever heard of this before.; 8/5/15, 4:17 PM
Big Mike said...: Good for him. I wish every politician, no matter which party, had the same level of humility and good common sense.; 8/5/15, 4:20 PM
Birches said...: Sigh....love that guy, even if I didn't always agree with him as President.; 8/5/15, 4:56 PM
ndspinelli said...: The week of the first Nebraska v UW football game, I was on jury duty. As I sat there reading my book on kindle Barry Alvarez, the former coach and current AD walked up and sat next to me. I was reading the bio of Stan Musial, who is from the same area of western PA. as is Alvarez. We chatted about Musial and other great athletes from the area. I commented to Alvarez he could not have gotten called on a worse week. Not only was this a huge game, Alvarez is a Nebraska alum. To his credit, Alvarez just smiled and said it was his civic duty. I wrote a letter to the editor commending Alvarez. I have never been a fan of the guy. But, he showed me something that day. We both got dismissed that Monday afternoon!; 8/5/15, 5:10 PM
Leigh said...: @TheGodfather ... Nobody was on trial for a crime; he's at the civil courthouse, believe you me. Had he been called to the criminal courthouse, he'd be wearing a HazMat suit and a respirator. It's that bad ... indescribably filthy and dirty. It's also doubtful any judge would strike him for cause, even though they're all Dems, because with him on their jury, they'd get a ton of press.; 8/5/15, 5:45 PM
machine said...: ...decent human beings do not lie their country into war...then pretend to look under the sofa for the "evidence".; 8/5/15, 6:02 PM
Sam L. said...: He didn't.; 8/5/15, 6:06 PM
Bobber Fleck said...: Unlike the current President, Mr. Bush is a gracious and kind man. The time and attention he has given to our wounded warriors has been inspirational. He is a humble and caring man who appreciates the people around him.

Like Birches, I didn't always agree with him, but hold him in the highest regard.; 8/5/15, 6:07 PM
Anonymous said...: I miss President Bush.

What a good man.; 8/5/15, 6:50 PM
Anonymous said...: machine, you should go read Bob Woodward on the subject of Bush lying us into war.

HA! As if you'd actually challenge your own bigotry.

Sometimes I crack myself up.; 8/5/15, 7:03 PM
chickelit said...: Jury duty is one of the best "free" lessons in civics/law that the average person can have.

And yet, I work with young people who avoid voting because "that's when jury duty" starts. They dislike the very notion. They also fear employer repercussions and many are ignorant of State and Federal laws protecting them.; 8/5/15, 9:17 PM
The Godfather said...: @Leigh: Sorry to hear about the conditions in the criminal courts in Texas. I'm surprised. but only a little. In Connecticut, where I grew up, they built a new civil court building in Middletown (as I recall) so that the civil parties wouldn't have to rub elbows with the dregs of the drunk tank, etc., particularly on Monday mornings.

I've lived, and been called to jury duty, in Montgomery Co., MD, the District of Columbia, and Broward Co (Ft. Lauderdale), FL. I was a member of the bar in all three jurisdictions, and I was mostly passed over for actual jury service -- except in Ft. Lauderdale, where I sat on a criminal (possession of a prescription drug w/o a prescription) case. All three jurisdictions treated their prospective jurors reasonably well, the courthouses were clean, the personnel were polite and (for government employees) competent.; 8/5/15, 9:20 PM
MacMacConnell said...: Leigh
Do some states have different courthouses for different purposes, civil and criminal?

I have served jury duty more than twice in Kansas for both civil and criminal trials, same judges, same courtrooms.

Anyone surprised by Bush showing up for jury duty didn't pay attention for the last twenty four years.; 8/5/15, 9:29 PM
Spiros Pappas said...: George W. Bush is something like Bill Cosby. Everybody, especially the media, remember him fondly. "Whatever your politics, he's still a 'good' man who governed during difficult times". And then one day it all changes.; 8/5/15, 10:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Spiros, your mind needs a bailout.; 8/5/15, 10:52 PM
chickelit said...: @Livermoron: LOL!; 8/5/15, 10:57 PM
damikesc said...: Bush was a meh President, but a very good person.

And I love jury duty. A few days off work with pay to not be called? Awesome. And if I got called, I find the stories of others fascinating.; 8/6/15, 7:44 AM
DanTheMan said...: If the jurors elect Bush as foreman, will the Dems demand a recount?; 8/6/15, 8:44 AM
mikee said...: I recall a news article on the day GW Bush left Texas for the White House, in which a supporter of his was quoted, "You're gonna appreciate him." In a lot of ways, that was a defining statement for the Bush presidency.

I think history will be much kinder to the 8 years of GWBush than the current president.

Carter, at least, has moved one notch down the list of worst presidents of my lifetime.; 8/6/15, 11:07 AM
lgv said...: "Bush was a meh President, but a very good person."

He was worse the "meh" as President and better than a "a very good person". He has his father's values and humility.; 8/6/15, 12:56 PM