Group That Was Bashed By Bushies Happy To Have Him On Their Cover

by Gabe Berman
Gabe is the author of Live Like a Fruit Fly

I wasn’t expecting to see W’s toothy grin on the cover of the Jan/Feb edition of the AARP magazine.

The hypocrisy is quite unsettling.

According to their website, “AARP works tirelessly to fulfill the vision: a society in which everyone lives their life with dignity and purpose, and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams…We stand up for our members and society as a strong nonpartisan advocate for social change. We work on the issues that matter, including strengthening Social Security and supporting other retirement savings efforts, promoting adequate and affordable health care, and fostering livable communities.”

My dad said I should read the interview before I pass judgment. Father knows best, so I read the article. Well, at least I attempted to. It’s basically an advertisement for Bush’s book, and all I could think about was 9/11, Iraq, WMD’s, Katrina and the economic meltdown.

It also says on AARP’s website, “For more than 50 years, AARP has been serving its members and society and creating positive social change.”

The AARP was a leading voice against key Bush administration policies, especially Bush’s efforts to privatize Social Security. And the AARP was a target for many groups supporting Bush, such as the Swift Boat Vets.

So, Bush and the AARP are now buddies. Which one compromised more?

By: Gabe Berman

Gabe Berman is a native New Yorker who settled in South Florida after graduating from the University of Miami. An epiphany, a passion, and a trail of breadcrumbs led him out of Corporate America and into the career he was meant for. After eight years of writing columns for the Miami Herald, his book - Live Like A Fruit Fly - was published by HCI Books and subsequently endorsed by Deepak Chopra. His second book, The Complete B.S. Free and Totally Tested Writing Guide, helps artists find their voice and his latest work, Where Is God When Our Loved Ones Get Sick?, uncovers the answer to this haunting question.