Good-bye George W. Bush.
I know his approval ratings are terrible and the press has been very harsh. However, a few letters to the editors brought up a good point.
Not to defend GWB but we don't live in a dictatorship. Where was Congress? The press? The man was re-elected.
We were warned five years ago about sub-prime lending and yet people still kept buying houses with no/little money done. Congress voted to reduce banking regulations. We can't blame GWB for everything.
In the build up to the Iraq war there were a couple Op-eds against the war but I really don't remember there being an outrage about it. Remember how some members of Congress mocked France for not supporting us and renamed French Fries, Freedom Fries in the dining halls? Some members voted for war authorization without even reading the bill. I know it was a lot of pages but come on, this is voting for war, not American Idol.
When I look back on the past eight years I get a little freaked out. What happened to checks and balances? Bush couldn't help that 9/11 and Katrina happened during his presidency. 9/11 happened within his first year and would have tested any new president. It was his and his administration's reactions to these events that he's being judged on.
At least Bush is reflective as he leaves office. All the people I know who have dealt with him like him as a person, it's Cheney they can't stand. True to form Cheney is leaving the office disgracefully. No class, no regrets, he should be arrested for trampling all over our Constitution.
I'm curious to see what Laura Bush's book will be about. I've always wondered what she was really thinking during the past eight years.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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12 comments:
So true. I always try to be sure I say "the administration" when venting my frustrations because the last eight years certainly weren't all one man's fault; it will be very interesting to see the truth that comes out over the next several years and decades....
Well I know she was snippy about Obama's criticisms of W during the race. IN my mind that says either "uber naive" or " uber poor sport".
And W is just inept. He should have never been there in the first place. He was a relatively blank slate that played puppet to many evil people, Cheney first and foremost. I still don't know if he even realizes what a farce he's made of the US government, it's image and it's processes.
Perhaps W and Prince Phillip could have their own show, you know the kind where they could talk for 30 minutes about a world issue. Just think of the sound bytes that would come out of that ;)!
Me too, I have always wondered what Laura thought of it all. And I do think GWB would be the guy to have a burger with at the local diner, he seems more comfortable in that role anyway. I never thought he was a bad person -- but his ineptness has led to so many disasters, the worst being in the company he chose to surround himself with, and his lack of ability (or interest) to separate intellect from loyalty (which he craved so badly).
It is a new day -- one of intellectual curiosity, intelligence, and un sacco di problemi. Let's all hold hands and hope for the best.
What a day in histor
It's not all his fault. It's never one person's fault.
OTOH, he is a supremely self-centered good 'ol boy who has only considered the interests of himself and uber-rich cronies.
He and Cheney together trashed the Constitution and the damage his administration has done to our economy, our Constitution and our world standing is possibly irreparable.
This isn't dissenting with your post, I'm just so d----d angry at Bush/Cheney and will never get over how he just stepped on this country.
Oh, the damage and the lives lost!
michelle - I agree with will be interesting to see how history views his administration.
lilacspecs - I'd really like to get to the bottom of the Cheney/Bush dynamic. I don't understand it.
joanne - ha. 30 minutes?
diana - what a day indeed. I think GWB issues about loyalty really hurt him. He was the opposition extreme from Bill Clinton who would throw a friend under a bus in a minute (remember Lani Guirner). GWB would not even entertain listening to different opinions. His "you're either with us or against us" rhetoric was not the way to go. Nobody likes or respects a bully especially when their own house in not in order.
jen - I understand. Remember all my rants during the election? Already I feel our standing in the world has improved a little. But these economic problems, the wars, the environment, our rights, education, etc. it's going to take a long time to repair that damage. A very long time.
I read that 75 % of Americans don't support Bush and are happy to see him go. Makes me seriously wonder what's wrong with the other 25%. HA HA HA
Seriously though, I'm in the 75%, glad to see Bush go, but for all the hype surrounding Obama and his 'Change' campaign I don't have many hopes for a better future.
j. doe - ha. I don't know about that 25%, maybe they have stock in Halliburton?
I do worry that expectations are extremely high. We'll see. Every economic article I've read says things are going to get worse before they get better. This is not good news. Sigh
In Obama's speech today; he asked that we focus on hope rather than fear. We've lived in fear for the last eight years. The lifestyle we've come to "expect" will change but I see it as a postive step forward. It is about simplifying rather than multiplying. My ancestors would have loved 1/10th of what I've got today.
Congratulations to the new President & First Lady. George is gone and now the real work begins. This is an amazing day and time for America and the world.
Amen sister! there are many parties at fault including us citizens. I am also interested in Laura's book. i've always liked her, even though i've never liked her husband. - she just seems like a nice quiet person. who knows if thats true. we'll see.
ms. violetta - that so true. It's a new year and a new era. Yeah.
sdg - it is an amazing time. I'm just relieved that crew is gone. I know Obama will make mistakes, things will go wrong but I feel a lot better knowing at least we have people in office who care about folks other than themselves and their rich oil friends.
texas - I'm interested to see if she will actually open up a little bit in her book. She was a didn't marry GWB until she was "older", is a voracious reader, and did not come from a political family.
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