Hollow words?

[Guest]

I saw this meme on someone's Facebook page. While there is some truth to it, the message came out as hollow to me when I took into account the life history of the person who originated these words:

 

After all, while I respect Mrs. Bush, she never earned a single university degree in her life (though she was bestowed many honorary degrees), nor did she have to earn a single dollar, win a single legal case, nor close a single business deal (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). Everything she had, in fact, was because people gave things to her, most of all her husband. She did hold a lot of sway in many matters, especially in her family, but all of this was on the backs of hard work from other people (especially her husband, of course). Yes, she was very supportive of him, and a small part of his success was probably thanks to her. However, the blood, sweat, and tears came from other people.

Had these words come from a self-made woman or man, they would carry far more meaning, in my view. I would imagine most people would have loved to be in her shoes: never having to compete (or cooperate) with someone else or do hard work, just having to be a devoted spouse. When I hear those words quoted to her, my first thought is "Easy for you to have said that."

[MikeBiDude]

[+ WilliamM]

Barbara was a stay at home mother.

 

George W. Bush may not have fully deserved becoming president,but he was re-elected. My guess, Barbara Bush would agree George W. was not really born to be president .

 

When did raising children become not valuable?

[Guest]

Well, my point is that most (by far the vast majority of) people do need to pass tests, win cases, and otherwise struggle for a living. I'm not against sitting around smelling the flowers, it's just the messenger in this case, who never needed to pass a single test or do anything on her own.

[MikeBiDude]

Well, my point is that most (by far the vast majority of) people do need to pass tests, win cases, and otherwise struggle for a living. I'm not against sitting around smelling the flowers, it's just the messenger in this case, who never needed to pass a single test or do anything on her own.

What @WilliamM said:

 

When did raising children become not valuable?

 

Although you’re soon to be married...you’re obviously not a “family man”..she does mention missed moments “spent with a husband” you might dwell on that.

[MikeBiDude]

Well, my point is that most (by far the vast majority of) people do need to pass tests, win cases, and otherwise struggle for a living. I'm not against sitting around smelling the flowers, it's just the messenger in this case, who never needed to pass a single test or do anything on her own.

And by the way.....you’ve brought this up before? Thread started by you? You must really have a Barbara bug up your butt! See below:

 

https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/do-you-agree-with-this-advice.135903/

[Guest]

Well, you missed my point. My point is that had those words been said by a woman whose life had been defined by her own accomplishments, such as by Nancy Pelosi, Kirsten Gillibrand, Anne McClain, Mae Jemison, Angela Merkel, Oprah Winfrey, or Sonia Sotomayor, that those words would have more meaning. I don't disagree that family time is important. My point is that BB had nothing else to do in her life, so those words are less meaningful when coming from her. And I have spent some wonderful times with my fiance, and I cherish every moment. When I retire, I'll have even more time!

[MikeBiDude]

My point is that had those words been said by a woman whose life had been defined by her own accomplishments,

Again...you’re dismissing full time moms, homemakers, spouses as “less than”. You’re entitled to your interpretation.

[Guest]

And by the way.....you’ve brought this up before? Thread started by you? You must really have a Barbara bug up your butt!

 

Yeah, I guess my opinion hasn't changed in the 1.5 years since that string!

[+ WilliamM]

Barbara Bush had six children. She was far more than just a little helpful to her husband. She took a back seat to Nancy Reagan for eight years. Mrs Bush often filled in for President Bush, at least once at The Kennedy Center Honors.

 

My grandmother had eight children. It was not as easy.

[+ sync]

In life, passing a test, winning a verdict, or closing a deal are not limited to legal, academic, or business parameters.

[+ WilliamM]

Barbara Bush was born in 1925. Instead of choosing college in 1943, she could have helped win the war by operating a dangerous machine in a factory. Who knows, one day she might have become a factory owner. Or Barb could have volunteered at her local rationing board, or sold war bonds on the side.

 

Certainly more satisfying than Nancy Reagan getting a small role in a Broadway music with Yul Brynner.

[+ WilliamM]

Well, my point is that most (by far the vast majority of) people do need to pass tests, win cases, and otherwise struggle for a living. I'm not against sitting around smelling the flowers, it's just the messenger in this case, who never needed to pass a single test or do anything on her own.

 

She was First Lady of the United States for four freaking years. That is a significant test. She was compared to Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Nancy Reagan and (perhaps) Martha Washington.

[instudiocity]

@Unicorn Read her bio, then come back here and continue to paper over her accomplishments, trials, tests, cases, and self-sacrifices to her husband, family, friends, Americans, world citizens, kids with Dyslexia and kids with Leukemia.

 

How many schools and hospitals are named after you? Barbara has 5 schools and 1 children's hospital name after her.

 

How many books have you written? She's written at least 4.

 

You may not agree with Ms Bush, but you sure should respect her accomplishments.

 

Why not just post, "Well, I hate her no matter her accomplishments." At least you'd be respecting what she accomplished instead of re-writing her history to tar and feather the dead. Why? To satisfy your jealousy?

[+ WilliamM]

@Unicorn Read her bio, then come back here and continue to paper over her accomplishments, trials, tests, cases, and self-sacrifices to her husband, family, friends, Americans, world citizens, kids with Dyslexia and kids with Leukemia.

 

How many schools and hospitals are named after you? Barbara has 5 schools and 1 children's hospital name after her.

 

How many books have you written? She's written at least 4.

 

You may not agree with Ms Bush, but you sure should respect her accomplishments.

 

Why not just post, "Well, I hate her no matter her accomplishments." At least you'd be respecting what she accomplished instead of re-writing her history to tar and feather the dead. Why? To satisfy your jealousy?

 

And rewriting Mrs. Bush's history a second time since @Unicorn has posted on her before.

[instudiocity]

And rewriting Mrs. Bush's history a second time since @Unicorn has posted on her before.

I dunno, maybe @Unicorn is just having a bout of gas? <-humor

[+ Snbrd]

Read "The Matriarch", by Susan Page, her biography of Barbara Bush. She was a strident advocate for LGBT rights way before it was fashionable and was the first and ONLY one to call attention to AIDS.

[Rudynate]

Well, my point is that most (by far the vast majority of) people do need to pass tests, win cases, and otherwise struggle for a living. I'm not against sitting around smelling the flowers, it's just the messenger in this case, who never needed to pass a single test or do anything on her own.

 

 

 

It also seems that she was disparaging an arena of life in which she had no experience or success in order to make herself feel better about her lack of experience and success.