Several people have pointed out to me that a January 2001 article in the Onion called “Bush: ‘Our Long National Nightmare Of Peace And Prosperity Is Finally Over” was an accurate prediction of things to come for America:

“Finally, the horrific misrule of the Democrats has been brought to a close,” House Majority Leader Dennis Hastert (R-IL) told reporters. “Under Bush, we can all look forward to military aggression, deregulation of dangerous, greedy industries, and the defunding of vital domestic social-service programs upon which millions depend. Mercifully, we can now say goodbye to the awful nightmare that was Clinton’s America.”

“For years, I tirelessly preached the message that Clinton must be stopped,” conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh said. “And yet, in 1996, the American public failed to heed my urgent warnings, re-electing Clinton despite the fact that the nation was prosperous and at peace under his regime. But now, thank God, that’s all done with. Once again, we will enjoy mounting debt, jingoism, nuclear paranoia, mass deficit, and a massive military build-up.”

Consider this detail:

During the 40-minute speech, Bush also promised to bring an end to the severe war drought that plagued the nation under Clinton, assuring citizens that the U.S. will engage in at least one Gulf War-level armed conflict in the next four years.

“You better believe we’re going to mix it up with somebody at some point during my administration,” said Bush, who plans a 250 percent boost in military spending. “Unlike my predecessor, I am fully committed to putting soldiers in battle situations. Otherwise, what is the point of even having a military?”

At least one?

How funny and silly it might have seemed in the initial days of the Bush administration…little did we realize back then that the majority of useful analysis and insight would need to come from the modern day equivalent of court jesters.

Mission accomplished yet?

Apparently Bush just tried to explain away the current financial crisis as “Wall Street got drunk — one reason I told you to turn off your TV recorders — and now it’s got a hangover.” Risk and consequences seem to be abstract concepts, or even a silly joke, to the President.