on the weekend, at home, to compensate for the frustration that is experienced in the week before.
We're all familiar with this type of personality; no one can go through lnumber of close contacts whom one has closely observed who have a problem in this direction. Weife without knowing a (^)
also know of cases, when extremely stressed, overloaded --shall we say, circuits overloaded -- that
the behavior we see is that which we would rightly associate with a psychotic or semi-psychotic
state, as I observed in George Bush first in that press conference broadcast in the high point of the
US invasion of Panama.
There is no question, on the one hand, that if George Bush is such a personality -- and there is no
doubt that he is a disturbed personality who has great difficulty in coping rationally with the
frustrations associated with his office under present conditions -- there's no question that what he
did in Panama, what he did in Iraq at some points must have been colored by psychosis, or this kindof psychosis. [fn 42]
Was Operation Desert Storm really Operation Thyroid Storm? On May 20, one of the most
fanatical supporters of war against Iraq had attempted to pre-empt the discussion of the role of
hyperthyroid mental instability in Bush's military decisions. This was William Safire, who wrote:
Next, with more sinister intent, we can expect this question: To what extent was the President's
uncharacteristically activist mindset after the Iraqi invasion affected by a hyperthyroid condition?
Was he hyper last August 2? Did the overactive gland affect his decision to launch the air war or the
ground war early this year? [fn 43]
Bush himself had been asked to comment about this possibility. He replied that any idea that his
warmongering in the Gulf had been facilitated by his thryoid disorder was "just plain, old-
fashioned malarkey." Before leaving on a visit to St. Paul, Minnesota, Bush protested that his health
was fine. "I'm not wary, you knoweverything's okay. They diagnosed it right, treated it right, and there's nothing more serious to it.", wondering what happens next," he said. It makes me happy (^)
Just after he had boarded Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base for his trip to the Twin Cities,
Bush called reporters together and declared: "I just want to say everything's fine." Asked about any
side effects of the five medicines he was then taking, Bush answered that his medication "affects
my tummy. But it doesn't affect my willingness and eagerness to get to the office." In an apparentallusion to Lincoln's celebrated comment on the alleged alcoholism of Gen. Grant, Bush even
suggested that his thryoid excess may have been an advantage: "There's a great man who suggested,
'If that's your problem, then get more thyroid problems because it went very well, indeed.'" [fn 44]
During June, there were hints from Bush and his retinue that he might not run for pre1992. This was largely a cynical public relations ploy, attempting to generate a story when it wassident again in
clear that Bush was monomaniacally obsessed with holding onto power as long his he could and by
any means. On a visit to Los Angeles, Bush alluded to this question, and tried to portray himself as
a man whose sense of duty to the voters would only allow him to consider re-election if he were in
perfect condition. Would he run again? "I haven't decided. It's too early. Don't push me." There wasthe testy note again. Any reasons why he might not? "Can't really think of a reason except,
certainly, health."
I'd owe it to the American people to say, 'Hey, I'm up for the job for four more years.' I think [my]
health's in good eperfect yet, but I'm getting there....I want to get off all this medicine. [fn 45] nough shape to certify, but I want to take a look at it later on. I can't tell you I feel
I'm absolutely convinced on that one -- if you had to ask me on that one today -- I think health's in
good enough shape to certify, 'Yeah.' But I want to take a look at it later on. I don't know. I've got a
strong-willed wife. Oh, she's strong. The Silver Fox, boy.