The Bush Nightmare is Over
It seems like not too long ago I read a quote from George H.W. Bush regarding dynastic politics and the fate of his sons. In some piece I read, Bush 41 was prompted by the image of the Kennedys to say, 'Wait'll I turn these boys out." That quote always stuck in my mind.
"Wait'll I turn these boys out." And I am sure that Bush Sr. never dreamed it would all play out the way it did. I never thought Bush Sr. should be President. as the former head of the CIA. I thought the first Bush was too practiced in keeping secrets, and powerful ones, to make for a truly honorable Chief Executive. The President must be capable of utilizing the CIA's information like rubbing alcohol. The information cleans the wound but does not actually heal it, That's the job of statesmanship, not covert actions, black ops and lies that lead to war. CIA directors should never be Presidents.
I was equally glad to see Governor Bill Richardson fail in his bid for the Democratic nomination. Energy Secretaries should never be President, as they have also spent chunks of their political careers lying to the American people about nuclear waste and the folly of nuclear power in our country.
Both Bush Sr. and Richardson are viewed as decent honorable men. Liked and respected by their colleagues. Admired and loved by their friends. And so let it be with Bush. Just let him go.
The Bush nightmare is over. How well Obama succeeds, or does not succeed, in the coming term, we can rest assured that on a spiritual level, the worst is over for this country, at least for now. Bush and Cheney are finished.
The Bushes are a dynasty, but I am not sure of what kind. History will tell. They are an uncompromising, hard-headed, entitled and arrogant bunch. Let's say good-bye to George W. Let's wish his wife and family well. Let's not wish him any ill. He's gone. But let us have no more Bushes in the White House. Ever.
PS: Panetta sounds good at CIA. A man with a soul at the desk of William Casey and Richard Helms.
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I agree that it is best to release resentment and not dwell in the toxicity of the past 8 years... if we can't bring GW Bush and Dick Cheney to account for urinating on the Geneva Convention; if we can't Impeach Bush for lying to the American public and prosecuting an illegal war; if we can't force the Bush regime to bring some sort of remuneration to the many people who got fleeced while the Bush cronies padded their corporate nests...th
But let’s not get complacent, these next four years. Already, I've seen a rush toward the "feel good" replace sound discernment in some cases, (affectionately applauding Powell because he spoke out in favor of Obama? How long has it been since he lied to help the military-industrial complex rake in billions of our money, using the blood of our people to pursue the invasion of Iraq?!). The sheer, exuberant relief when Mr. Obama won the presidential election is understandable and almost palpable, but we should be wary of indulging it too far.
A term coined by Gore Vidal is frighteningly apt, "the United States of Amnesia"..
Yes, let's enjoy this historical inaugural and celebrate the potentials and great possibilities, then let go of the "feel good" and get back on our toes.
“When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail.”
~Pearl S. Buck
Alec,
I join in your sentiments. I don't have hate in my heart anymore. I just am relieved that our long nightmare known as the Bush presidency has finally come to a close. Thank God! I also agree about Bush Sr. I don't want anyone connected that closely with the CIA ever becoming president again. Ever.
The Bush years have taken so much out of our country and its people. It's like we are lost in a desert, thirsty for something, anything to take the taste of the last eight years out of our mouths.
I have nothing against Laura Bush and their two girls. I hope they enjoy their new life. I just want to revel in the happiness of knowing that Bush is really, really gone.
The Bush nightmare is over and the Obama nightmare begins.
Is this a complaint or an observation? Since we are acclimated to a criminal and incompetant presidential administration (Bush), then you should be used to yet another one -- if that is what we will get.
It's not Obama's nightmare.
And no more Cheneys thank you.
It's not that simple; nothing is ever that simple. How so many intelligent people can get their hopes up for recycled Clinton people such as Brzezinski and Co. is frightening.
A fake battle between two parties - only two parties to represent over 260 million people - who are really, if you truly examine their policies and proposals, are not that different, has turned into some fairy tale battle between good and evil.
It's more like a children's bedtime story or some summer blockbuster than anything remotely related to the reality of the situation. We need to calmly use our minds and never, even when it's pleasurable - maybe especially when it's pleasurable - get clouded over by simplistic emotions. In the end, that's how they've manipulated every population, every time.
Sorry! I meant "recycled Clinton people and people such as Brzezinski and Co."
Oh, please. There is no difference between Dems and the GOP? That's the absurd argument Ralph Nader peddled. Al Gore would not have taken us into Iraq -- and that's just the beginning. Relax, honey. Enjoy the moment.
Dear Jeep,
In your opinion, this is a moment to be enjoyed.
My opinion may not be the same as yours. No need to be paternalistic.
Bye!
Yes, it's finally over. Bush Junior has always reminded me of those guys in college we all know too well. He's the one who joins the bad boy fraternity. You know the type, all he likes is drinkin', drinkin' and screwin'. He keeps a C average somehow...
Oh, no, it's not over yet! It won't be over until the perps are all in custody and being convicted of crimes against humanity!!!!
I don't know if i can ever have such forgiving feelings toward the Bush administration.
People's 401k's are in freefall right now and it is hard to find encouraging words for those that just want to cash them in and put the money under the mattress.
I have 3 kids in panic..all I can do to reassure them and remind them that they are young and things will get better before they need the money.
Right now at least their parents won't need their help.
Alex, I wonder if we will EVER be rid of the stench of Bush. The country is in shambles in every way imaginable. It will takes many, many years for us to recover. And then there is the looming specter of JEB. Someone must keep this man from EVER becoming President, which is going to be a very hard thing for us to do.
Any person as Bush once said 'God speaks through me" is a dangerous and not wrapped too tight. A person like this believes that out of the billions of people on the planet, they have the insight and direct communication to a higher power. This means they never make mistakes or are never wrong. This is how he became so arrongant. This is not unlike Jim Jones and the other fanatics who obtain leadership positions.
Exactly. It's ridiculous.
Alec,
I thought you were in Europe? I swear I read that if Bush won(last election) you would flee this country.
I then saw an interview where you denied this.
>>The Bushes are a dynasty, but I am not sure of what kind. History will tell. They are an uncompromising, hard-headed, entitled and arrogant bunch. Let's say good-bye to George W. Let's wish his wife and family well. Let's not wish him any ill. He's gone. But let us have no more Bushes in the White House. Ever.
PS: Panetta sounds good at CIA. A man with a soul at the desk of William Casey and Richard Helms.
I agree totally on two counts. (1) Best to let the past stay in the past and move on to the future; it's better karma not to focus on how totally, utterly devastating the George W presidency has been to the whole world. (2) Trust in our political leaders is at a definite shortage; the financial crisis we're in is, in the end, just an extension of a kind of honesty crisis we've been living with for a long time now. No more politicians that you can't trust! Okay - I know that might limit the choices but still and all ...
Hooray that it's less than a week until we have a new - and wonderful - president leading the US. That just might mean that the world can move forward again which would be much appreciated by all of us.
The nightmare won't be officially over until everyone in that administration has their feet held to the fire and is prosecuted for using the Constitution like it was Charmin t.p. If we let them ride off into the sunset after all the chaos and disorder they created, it will be like the country approved of everything that they claimed to do "in the best interests of the United States", where most rational people know that they only did everything they did out of a self-serving nature and that we all didn't approve of their actions.
52 months of economic growth by tax cuts.
It always seemed to me that the tax cuts were just BS to cover up the fact that
the economy was really being stimulated by massive borrowing and spending
The tax cuts only amounted to about $300 per person per year.
Trillions borrowed amounted to about $5000 per person per year.
In his first 6 years the country accumulated 3 trillion dollars of debt.
Thats enough money to pay 10 million people $50000 dollars a year
to do nothing for the 6 years. The country will end up with
between 5 and 10 trillion dollars of debt thanks to Bush.
PK,
See 1999 and when you read without partisanship then let us blame one or the other.
Democratic congress -- Republican Prez just won't work.
It will work when all those 545 dolts realize that they are working for us. we are idiots for voting for them.
And you call that a Republican? He should have been slashing the government down to the bone AND giving tax cuts.
I completely disagree with Baldwin's "just let it go" suggestion for dealing with George W. Bush.
Is Baldwin aware of what damage this man has done, the Constitutional violations, the lies and deceits to get us into an unnecessary war that has caused such death and destruction?
Just let it go. We would not say that about the average lawbreaker.
To let it go means we as Americans accept the misconduct of this administration.
That we are OK with being deceived into an unnecessary, unwise war. We are OK with the manipulation of our intelligence agencies to get the desired but false premise for going to war.
That we are OK with torture, illegal wiretapping, holding prisoners indefinitely without trial, and rendition.
That we are OK with the political manipulation of our Justice system.
That we are OK with political hacks in charge of our regulatory institutions even though these hacks worked against the regulations they were supposed to enforce. The current economic failure reflects that lack of enforcement .
To just let this administration "go" is to let go of the rule of law and our supposed American values.
I suggest that Baldwin and other Americans study up on what those values are.
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