Vital signs are weak, Cover Girl. But Duke's no ordinary man.

I was debating a more conservative buddy at work and his view of how America projects itself to the world and it struck me that much of his own sense of politics, at least his continued loyalty to George W. Bush, stems from his belief that Bush's redeeming and defining quality is the concept that he's muy macho.

When my friend looks at George W. Bush Commander Guy he sees this-

The picture of resolution and strength.

But what most of America and much of the rest of the world see when they look at Bush is something more like this-

Therein lies the breakdown of communication between my friend an I. He has a twisted view of machismo.