Omar Bennett
It has been alleged that former US President George W. Bush referred to the Constitution as a goddamned piece of paper. This quote was attributed to Bush by Doug Thompson, a former Republican congressional aide and political consultant, in a 2005 article for CapitolHillBlue.com, which was later retracted. While Bush never denied making the statement, there is no solid evidence to support the claim, and it appears to be based on unreliable sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of quote attribution | 9 December 2005 |
| Reporter | Doug Thompson |
| Publication | Capitol Hill Blue |
| Quote | "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face. It's just a goddamned piece of paper!" |
| Quote veracity | Unlikely |
| Number of witnesses | 3 |
| Reporter's political leanings | Former Republican congressional aide |
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What You'll Learn
The quote was reported by Doug Thompson in 2005
The quote, "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face. It's just a goddamned piece of paper!", has been attributed to former US President George W. Bush. This quote was reported by Doug Thompson in an article published on December 9, 2005, in Capitol Hill Blue, a website and newsletter founded by Thompson. In the article, Thompson wrote about a meeting between Bush and Republican congressional leaders, during which Bush allegedly made the statement in response to concerns about the USA Patriot Act undermining the Constitution.
Thompson's reporting has, however, been called into question. FactCheck.org, in an article published in 2007, expressed doubt about the accuracy of the quote, noting that Capitol Hill Blue had a history of using questionable sources and retracting stories. They characterised Thompson's reporting as expressing "extreme personal hostility" towards Bush. Additionally, in 2011, Thompson himself withdrew the story, stating that it was based on sources that he had come to doubt.
Despite these questions about the veracity of the quote, it has been repeated and referenced in various forums and discussions, often as a critique of the Bush administration's relationship with the Constitution. Some commentators have pointed to other instances of the Bush administration's actions or statements that they perceive as disregarding or undermining the Constitution. These include proposed amendments, interpretations of existing laws, and policies related to issues such as marriage, abortion, and surveillance.
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Thompson has since withdrawn the story
The claim that former US President George W. Bush referred to the Constitution as a "goddamned piece of paper" was made by Doug Thompson, a former Republican congressional aide and political consultant. Thompson published the quote in an article for CapitolHillBlue.com in December 2005.
Thompson's article attributed the quote to three unnamed sources. However, the accuracy of the report has been questioned, and Capitol Hill Blue has a history of relying on unreliable sources and retracting stories. In 2011, Thompson himself withdrew the story, stating that he had discovered reasons to doubt the veracity of his sources.
Despite the retraction, the quote has been repeated across various websites and forums, often presented as evidence of the Bush administration's alleged disregard for the Constitution. Some commentators have even claimed to have confirmed the quote with people present at the meeting where Bush supposedly made the statement.
It is worth noting that Bush himself has never denied making the statement, and there is evidence of his administration's controversial relationship with the Constitution. However, the specific claim that he called it a "goddamned piece of paper" remains unsubstantiated.
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Thompson had a history of using questionable sources
It is rumoured that former US President George W. Bush once referred to the Constitution as a "goddamned piece of paper". This quote has been attributed to three unnamed sources and was first reported by Doug Thompson, a former Republican congressional aide and political consultant, in 2005.
Thompson, who has expressed extreme personal hostility towards Bush, has a history of using questionable sources. In 2003, he quoted a phony CIA "source" named "George Harleigh", whom he later admitted never existed. Thompson claimed to have received quotes from "Harleigh" via email and that he had been “checked out”, but no records of such a person could be found. As a result, Thompson revised or deleted 83 stories that relied on information from or quotes by "Harleigh".
In addition to the "Harleigh" incident, Thompson has also been criticised for his reliance on questionable sources and retracting stories on his website, Capitol Hill Blue. The website has been described as having a history of relying on phony sources and apologizing to its readers. In one instance, Thompson quoted a source referring to Bush as exhibiting "the eyes of a madman", further indicating his personal bias and potential lack of credibility.
Given Thompson's history of using questionable sources and his admitted reliance on phony sources, the accuracy of the quote attributed to Bush about the Constitution being "just a goddamned piece of paper" is questionable. While Bush himself has never denied making the statement, the lack of solid proof and the involvement of questionable sources suggest that the quote's authenticity is doubtful.
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The quote has been attributed to three unnamed sources
The quote, "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face. It's just a goddamned piece of paper!", has been attributed to former US President George W. Bush. This quote was first reported by Doug Thompson of Capitol Hill Blue, a website known for its questionable sources and retractions. Thompson has since expressed doubts about the veracity of his sources and removed the article from his website.
However, the quote has also been attributed to three unnamed sources who were allegedly present during the meeting where Bush made the statement. According to one account, Bush screamed these words at Republican congressional leaders in November 2005, expressing his frustration with their concerns about the Patriot Act undermining the Constitution. This report, however, remains unsubstantiated and disputed.
While Bush has never denied making the statement, the likelihood of the report being accurate is considered extremely low. The quote reflects a sentiment that, to the Bush Administration, the Constitution of the United States is viewed as insignificant and disposable, a sentiment that has been echoed by others in his administration, such as Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who described the Constitution as "an outdated document."
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The quote has been criticised by some as outrageous
Thompson, a former Republican congressional aide and political consultant, has been known to express extreme personal hostility towards Bush, calling him a "madman", a "despot", and "a man without honour". In addition, Thompson has a history of using phony sources and retracting stories, casting doubt on the credibility of the quote. Despite this, some individuals have claimed to be present during the meeting where Bush allegedly made the statement and have confirmed the quote.
The quote suggests a dismissive attitude towards the US Constitution, implying that it is insignificant and can be disregarded. This view contradicts the oath of office taken by federal officials, including the President, to "uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States". Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has expressed concern about interpreting the Constitution as a "living document", warning that tinkering with it could lead to a loss of rights.
The criticism of the quote as outrageous stems from the fact that the US Constitution is a foundational document that outlines the rights and freedoms of US citizens. By dismissing it as "just a goddamned piece of paper", Bush appears to undermine the importance of the document and the principles it embodies. This perceived lack of respect for the Constitution has been a point of contention for some, who view it as a sacred text that should be upheld and protected.
Furthermore, the quote suggests a disregard for the checks and balances inherent in the US system of government, where the Constitution serves as a constraint on executive power. By minimising the significance of the Constitution, Bush seems to advocate for a stronger executive branch, unbound by constitutional limitations. This interpretation aligns with criticisms of the Bush administration's expansion of presidential power, particularly in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, and its controversial policies such as the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping, and the use of torture, which some argue violated constitutional rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to multiple sources, George W. Bush did refer to the Constitution as "just a goddamned piece of paper".
The statement was made in 2005, according to reports.
During a meeting with Republican congressional leaders, Bush was confronted about his push to renew certain provisions of the Patriot Act, which some believed undermined the Constitution. In response, Bush said, "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face. It's just a goddamned piece of paper!".
No, to my knowledge, George Bush has never publicly denied making this statement.
The statement caused outrage and criticism, with some accusing the Bush Administration of disregarding the Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees. However, there are also reports that question the validity of the sources and suggest that the quote may not be entirely accurate.
