Farewell to a Funny Father and Son

The "son" is only 12 years younger than the "father," but both are retiring and have decided its time to say goodbye.

A Message from George W Bush from Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell, 41, as POTUS 43 is taking his Bush son out of office — with better reviews than the real guy got in office — and the world will get along, just as it has without 53-year-old Dana Carvey's POTUS 41 (and just as we have gotten along without the real father and will benefit from no more son).

So the best of father and son will be gone and the characters unlikely to return unless John Ellis or Babs and Jen can be encouraged to step up so that Saturday Night Live can fill their shoes. All the can be said is comedy will be the poorer as son and father head off into the dark night.

Dana Carvey - George Bush
by quouequoueg

Will Ferrell as George Bush - watch more funny videos

Don Shak Tha Groove Thang

Lufkin, Texas, police arrested Andrew Darnell Dodd last year for shaking his thing as he ran naked down the street while carrying his son, 1. But they didn't keep him — and he's just been snatched up again for letting his son get into his PCP.

Such is the danger when dads are allowed to move freely ... at least in terms of what children fear. There may be times when dads are tutu cute, as when they join their daughters in the Vermont Nutcracker. But that's not usually the case.



The fact is, just as in the case of the Bush twins, kids usually just want to get dad home and out of public so people stop laughing at him.

It's the rare dad who should shake it.



And, unfortunately, this one's no sugar plum fairy.

Eclipsing Sons

One famous son decided to follow in his father's footsteps, eventually choosing to take even greater strides. Another chose to run in the opposite direction from his father, but rather than avoid the same mistakes he dragged the both down.

So are the themes of Jacob Weisberg's profile, "The Bush Tragedy," and Gurdon Brewster's memoir, "No Turning Back: My Summer With Daddy King." Weisberg explores 43s attempts to both avenge and shame 41s presidential legacy. By now it is fairly well trod material. Brewster, on the other hand, has made it his mission to give a father the historical due he was denied by his nova-like son by telling a story also known, but only to a much more intimate circle.

** For next week's class, compare and contrast what use learnings from dad should be put to. **

Bush Love

As often as they are used for props, it is also true (particularly as they get older) that children can be political liabilities who sometimes have to be hidden — in the Alabama air national guard, for example. They can even [quietly] be political enemies. But no matter how much they don't listen or continue to screw up on a public stage, it doesn't mean that a father won't love them. As Bush 41 says about 43, "[He] has my full, unequivocal support ... That's a father caring about his son and his president."

** Does 41 let himself consider what would have happened if son Jeb rather than namesake George was 43? **

Parting With Money Is Such Sorrow

Many are leaving the sinking administration's ship with a variety of excuses. Tony Snow said he was quitting speaking for the president for money (and love). He didn't want to tell his kids they had to give up everything they had, "so daddy can work at the White House." Hopefully he has gotten out in time, or at least before they get themselves a good lawyer and head off to court in search of more allowance.

** Perhaps a fool as well, but a daddy and his money are (certainly) soon parted. **