When is a Bush just a Bush?

“BEATING ABOUT THE…BUSH?”


CIRCA; 1700’s
LOCATION; ENGLAND
FIRST RECORDED USAGE; The phrase first appeared in 'Generydes -circa 1440:
"Some bete the bussh and some the byrdes take."

MEANING; to prevaricate and/or avoid the main issue of concern; avoid a potential argument.

Explanation-

In the 18th Century well-heeled huntsman would employ young men to walk in front of the hunting party to scare up the game from their hiding places. Commonly they would use sticks to beat the shrubs, thickets and bushes to more effectively flush-out the game into hunters’ sight/site.

A few of these game rousers were scared that they may stumble across a wild boar or similar ill-tempered beast. So, rather than get bitten these timid valets would less than enthusiastically "Beat Around the Bush". The term describes those that really don't want to flush out the beast.



Beating Around the Exxon Bush-

It is ironic that this 18th century phrase has extraordinary relevance today. President Bush took the time to tell us that we need to seek-out alternatives to our dependence on foreign oil! He did so in a single sentence during the 2006 state of the union address…”America is addicted to oil”. (Is the pusher chastising his clients?)

Of course, I humbly offer Mr. Bush is "Beating Around the Bush". The very real and serious matter of energy dependence requires a much more inspiring and engaged Presidential message/action. In the early 60's JFK stood at the inaugural podium and informed us that we would send a man to the moon and back within the decade. The technology to do so did not exist when JFK said it. Yet, after the President provided the inspiration, the Congress followed with funding and the genius of the American people provided the rest.

We don't need a JFK type push, but a genuine GWB full court press. The current technology for alternatives is further along than Willy Braun's rockets were in the early 60's. We don't need Federal funding (so the do nothing Congress can relax), but we do need the Big Oil protectionist to quit sending tax-funded research dollars to those that have no stake in the solution.

Asking Exxon to find the viable alternative to their business model inspires another adage/phrase...
…"the fox is watching the hen house"!