It’s been said for years that politics is an issue that should not be discussed at the dinner table during the holidays. It tends to divide the family and make for an uncomfortable experience when everyone really should be jovial and enjoying the rare visit with the kin. More so than in years past, people should follow this advice, because when it comes to talking about the Bush presidency, they’re treading some very thin ice.

Folks either really love or really hate George W. Bush, there’s no middle ground. Respectively, those on each side believe Bush can do no wrong or that he can do no good. It’s near impossible to find someone who is indifferent or just accepts the Bush presidency as it is, a mix of good and bad. Hence, most discussions about the direction of the Bush presidency end up being an emotional tiff punctuated by epithets and catcalling. Never before have we seen a presidential reign embodied by such an emotional powder keg. Most of our presidents have been accepted in moderation and not in extremes. You can thank both the sour attitudes of the Left and the stubbornness of the Right for this strange situation.

The Left is most at fault in this love/hate relationship. They had put their hearts, souls, and pocketbooks into the attempt to trounce Bush in the 2004 election, rallying together a wide variety of well-known supporters – celebrities and politicos alike - in an effort to sway the vote of the young voters and baby boomers alike. Bush’s stunning victory was shocking, in fact emotionally draining, to them and they have yet to get over it. Rather than accommodating and respecting the President, and interjecting feedback when deemed truly necessary, the Left finds it fit to find fault in everything Bush does and everyone who supports him. The Left has carried-over their dethroning efforts into this term, hoping to sully Bush’s name and blacken the eye of his accomplishments. They have become nothing more than sore losers greatly anticipating the 2008 election.

The Right, too, can be blamed for dividing this nation. The Right has a perverted belief that patriotism means you are to accept as gospel everything the President (or specifically a conservative president) says and praise everything that he does. Granted, he has run a rather exciting and ambitious presidency, but at the same time he has made some rash if not very poor decisions. It is completely illogical to believe that everything Bush touches turns to gold. Like a deer in headlights, it seems when cornered by the Left the Right tends to feign ignorance to any of Bush’s errancy. This steadfast support ultimately frustrates the Left and justifiably so. It’s this inability to properly debate by the Right that tends to initiate the aggressiveness so common to average, everyday politicalspeak.

Unfortunately, the media has been of no benefit in rectifying this situation. The various outlets are split along party lines as well. The big city newspapers and network news try to paint a picture that would lead one to believe that Bush is a bum and despised by all within our borders and beyond. On the other hand, smaller newspapers and, more so, the predominantly-right leaning talk radio phenomena are in near constant support of everything Bush does and constantly cite how the average American loves Mr. Bush. Taking in all of the above it’s difficult to determine what is spin and what is good, solid reporting of fact.

Accordingly, it’s a war out there. Not in Iraq, but right here in our own borders. There are very few individuals who are not guilty of dividing this nation and creating tension along political lines. Nearly every one of us decides to jump into one of two groups: those who constantly rail against Bush or those who insist on putting him on a pedestal. A common understanding cannot be found. Therefore, make it a point be careful this Christmas. Don’t mention GWB around the dinner table. Chances are if you do, someone, maybe even you, is bound to have a really miserable holiday.