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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Goodbye, Mr. President

If you love President Bush, as I do, please go read this article. Bush and the Bush Haters by J.R. Dunn is a fitting coda to the man's presidency.

Yes, he was not a "true conservative," he and congress joined forces to spend us into oblivion, and his inability, or disinclination, to advocate for his policies or even defend himself was maddening. He damaged the conservative cause, but I believe him to be a good and honorable man, as politicians go.


Here's an excerpt from the article. I agree with every word of it:

It can be stated without fear of serious argument that no previous president has been treated as brutally, viciously, and unfairly as George W. Bush.

Bush 43 endured a deliberate and planned assault on everything he stood for, everything he was involved in, everything he tried to accomplish. Those who worked with him suffered nearly as much (and some even more -- at least one, Scooter Libby, was convicted on utterly specious charges in what amounts to a show trial).

His detractors were willing to risk the country's safety, its economic health, and the very balance of the democratic system of government in order to get at him. They were out to bring him down at all costs, or at the very least destroy his personal and presidential reputation. At this they have been half successful, at a high price for the country and its government.

Although everyone insists on doing so, it is impossible to judge Bush, his achievements, or his failings, without taking these attacks into account. Before any serious analysis of the Bush presidency can be made, some attempt to encompass the campaign against him must be carried out. I hope no one is holding his breath.

Dunn sums it all up nicely in this paragraph. Be sure to follow the links he provides concerning President Bush's rehabilitation. It's too bad it took his leaving the White House to see some positive commentary.
And as for the "worst president in history" himself, George W. Bush has exhibited nothing but his accustomed serenity. Despite the worst his enemies could throw at him, his rehabilitation has already begun (as can be seen here, here, here, and here). He will be viewed at last as a man who picked up the worst hand of cards dealt to any president since Roosevelt and who played it out better than anyone had a right to expect.
Farewell, President Bush.

9 comments:

Finntann said...

Yes, but we have CHANGE now... this afternoon I had two nickels, a dime, and three pennies.

Russell said...

you better spend that 23 cents now...because inflation is going to start eating it up pretty quickly.

i don't have any doubts the bush is a good person...but he has been an economic disaster lately.

the parallels between hoover>>>roosevelt and bush>>>obama are stunning. it both cases of economic turmoil we had a "conservative" implementing disastrous policies and handing off power to someone even less informed. the last time it took more than 10 years and a world war to climb out of the mess that was created and perpetuated.

Silverfiddle said...

Hopefully President Obama's economic team has learned the right lessons from the past. I guess we'll see soon enough.

Russell said...

the $1 trillion stimulus plan tells me they learned nothing from the hoover/roosevelt experience. it's as if they think the new deal was successful or something. well, here's what roosevelt's treasury secretary had to say about the the first 8 years of the new deal:

“We have tried spending money. We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work.”

“I want to see this country prosperous. I want to see people get a job. I want to see people get enough to eat. We have never made good on our promises.”

“I say after eight years of this Administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started. … And an enormous debt to boot!”

Anonymous said...

The new deal was a success.

Russell said...

you weren't there. morgenthau was.

Dr. Bob said...

I once knew Amy Nitsche. Any relation?

Silverfiddle said...

No. And I hope Amy isn't dead like the good Friedrich!

Anonymous said...

probably drunk

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