Mendacity

(e) None of the above.

Why do I say this? Clearly (a) and (b) incorrect; Bush never makes any statement about a particular act. The answer can't really be (c), since Bush's claim here is that every state in the union has gun-free schools, not that every state has a law banning guns on school grounds. And even then, his claim is only that he's sure, which doesn't mean a thing. On the question of what to do with kids who try to bring guns to schools, Bush says only that there should be consequences, not whether penalties should be strengthend or at least more vigorously enforced.

So, if I read this passage correctly, then-Governor Bush managed to talk for two minutes about guns without saying anything more obvious than "having guns in schools is bad", and "we should love children". It takes a special kind of chutzpah to duck the question so completely.

While fact-checking Bush quotes for this piece on the President's new energy political speeches, I came across this quote:

Now, put on your SAT or LSAT hat and answer one question. Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the passage?

(a) Bush would lobby Congress to pass the Gun-Free School Zones Act
(b) Bush would sign the Gun-Free School Zones Act, but not actively lobby Congress for it
(c) Every state in the union has laws banning guns from school property.
(d) Bush supports increasing penalties for carrying a gun to school
(e) None of the above