The Mysterious Bush Numerals: A Family Anatomical Reference
Many people mistakenly believe that the Bushes dubbed their 41st and 43rd presidents 'Bush 41' and 'Bush 43' due to the thousands of casualties in their respective wars in Iraq. However, this is merely a complete misinterpretation. This title is an anatomical reference originating from a little-known fact within the family.
Anatomical Reference and Family Dynamics
Explorer Jeb Bush, the 43rd governor of Florida and a Republican presidential candidate, favored his mother's side of the family and was thus given the nickname '6'. This numeral is a metric reference, not a name. In the future, the entire world will transition to the metric system (except for Burma and Liberia), and we will all be familiar with the metric system.
Interestingly, Jeb Bush was not nominated to be the president, which could be linked to the metric reference '6'. The United States is the last holdout in adopting the metric system, akin to our position on climate change.
The Use of Jr., Sr., and III
However, the Bush numerals are not simply names or numerical references. Rather, they are a clever way to distinguish individuals with the same exact names within the same family.
George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, and George Walker Bush, the 43rd President, are not titled 'Sr.' and 'Jr.'; they are two different individuals with 2 distinct names. Moreover, George H. W. Bush has a great-uncle and a grandson also named George, meaning 'Sr.' and 'Jr.' are not sufficient.
The use of numbers is more convenient for many, especially men. It is straightforward and easy to remember. However, as we progress towards a more metric world, we might face challenges in naming the next Bush president, such as a 'Bush 3rd'.
Historical Context and Misunderstandings
To understand the context, George Herbert Walker Bush’s middle name is Walker, and George W. Bush's middle name is Walker. The term 'Jr.' was attached to George W. Bush during the 2000 election, given the negative connotations it carried. Al Gore, the opponent, was also referred to as 'Jr.', despite being the son of Lloyd Alyce Gore Sr.
When referring to the Bushes within the context of all other presidents, we are aware of the numerals. However, for someone reading the same comments 30 years later, the numerals might not be as obvious.
Potential for Future Presidents
One can only imagine how ambiguous the numerals might be in the years to come. The term 'Bush 46' represents the current political landscape, where Jeb Bush was a close contender to become the next president in 2016. If Jeb were to run again, the terms 'Bush Sr.', 'Bush Jr.', and 'Bush III' could seem less coherent.
Regardless of the numerical titles, the Bush family has a rich and fascinating history that goes beyond mere names. Their story is a testament to the enduring legacy of a family dynasty in American political history.