Hooray for Harry

It's quite a bit easier to criticize the President clearly and rationally in writing than in person, especially considering how rare it is that Bush is ever seen in a non-scripted public moment. And so you have to hand it to Harry Taylor, a commercial real estate broker in North Carolina, who may be the first person in the last six years to tell the President directly what the problem is. (To watch the video, scroll down here.)

Here's what he said, minus Bush's joking interruptions:

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You never stop talking about freedom, and I appreciate that. But while I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges, to try to preclude me from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food. What I want to say to you, is that I, in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by, my leadership in Washington. I feel like, despite your rhetoric, that compassion and common sense have been left far behind during your administration. I would hope, from time to time, that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself.

No, Bush didn't respond by breaking down in tears and apologizing for all the bad he's done and then promising to resign immediately. But perhaps, as the protestors outside chanted "Liar" and "Worst President Ever," he had a little more idea what in the hell they were talking about.