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.

Comments

[TomTheAlmostUgly]

Mr. Baldwin, just remember that somewhere out there, Jeb Bush is lurking.

And sometime around 2020, we'll start hearing from Barbara Bush (Junior) and Jenna.

[darthmaul]

The "Nightmare" may be over, but the Hangover is just beginning. Obama will spend most of his first term, just trying to crawl out of the hole Bush has left the country in.

[Rule Of Law]

"The Bush Nightmare is Over"

No Alec, it is not.

[ExRepublican]

Hmmph. Good point.

[murderBYzeN]

if those guys in Hollywood are so smart why did they give all their money to Bernie Madoff?? Ha, I love it

[macweenie]

Holy smokes! Every guy in Hollywood gave ALL of his money to Bernie Madoff?!? You had better inform the press - that is just so spectacula­rly... improbable.

I assume by "Ha, I love it" you are referring to hyperbole.

[RoseMerry]

In the immortal language of the Mad Mass Murderer, "do not misunderestimate the President". I don't know if it is possible, but he seems to think that some one has failed to estimate how low he can go. He still has a week.

[VikingKing]

I guess Alex didn't read the memo: Eric Holder agrees with GWB that Al Qaeda does not fall under Geneva; that Panetta and Clinton were among the originators of rendition; that Gitmo was and is entirely legal and not a place where illegal abuse occurred; that Abu Ghraib was not ordered or sanction by higher ups and was not a reflection of the national character or the character of the U.S. military which has performed miraculously in liberating 50 million people and giving the Iraqis and the Afghans a shot at freedom and democracy; that three people were waterboarded and all three were directly linked to 9/11; that the waterboarding yielded critical intelligence saving thousands of lives; that GWB and Cheney have kept us safe for seven years; that the economic failure can be rightly blamed on every single politician in D.C.; that we finally did something to defend ourselves against escalating terror attacks Clinton virtually ignored; and that according to many Democrats, the nightmare has just begun.

http://allanerickson.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/bring-in-the-clowns/

[katocat]

These last few weeks of G.W. feels like they are taking years... we still have 10 more days Alec.

It's not over until we see Cheney and Bush marched out of our house.

[Wake-up]

"Bush Nightmare" funny... you mean:

1) 52 straight months of economic growth (by cutting taxes and getting out of the way)?
2) 50 Million people around the world freed from operation?
3) Not one terrorist attack in the US since 911?
4) No Child Left Behind (NCLB), education reform bill?
5) Medicare prescription drug benefit?
6) Not one scandal which could have bogged-down the office (think the opposite of Slick-willy)
7) I could go on...

Like him or not, he did well... he always sounds like an idiot on TV and I say that's because he's not politically correct and struggles with hiding his honesty...

The only nightmare here is that he really failed to talk directly to the American people enough and confront his enemies...

I look at BO and see nothing but politics..­. trying to make everyone happy and that's going to be a nightmare for sure!

[mari2JJ]

If you think Bush is so great in spite of his crimes against humanity, hmmm, something wrong with your judgment. Besides all that, he has presided over the collapse of our economy that is so bad now that people at the lower end of the economic ladder are suffering untold problems. You also forgot that he gave the signal this ;stupid war so those he ok'd bombs for are now out of existence. His sins will be found out for years to come and we will find just how hate-filled his administration was to poor people, people of color and those not in the upper class. we all need to wait a bit before making those sorts of blanket statement about the Bush tenure. Remember, he decimated civil liberties, he lied us into a really needless war, he blodied the American reputation for fairness in treatment of prisoners and he has also presided over the prelude to a great depression. In other words, he has flunked out in the Presidency just like all of his other tasks, ie hiding from his military obligations, his hell raising in college, etc. Spare us from your distorted evaluation of this truly disgusting President who has led our country to the brink of ruin!!!!!

[aspen]

In an unnecessary, unwise, poorly planned war Bush liberated thousands from their lives, their limbs, and from their homes as millions left Iraq as refugees to escape violance. There is little evidence that the so called democratization is sustainable.

The only reason the Bush administration was not mired down in scandal is because the enabling Congress, Rs and Ds, failed in their Constitutionally mandated oversight role.

[Ralphhi]

Wake up Wake-up. Seriously, When you try to defend the indefensible it makes you sound weak minded and petulent. Bush enriched his friends at the expense of 98% of the country and in so doing trashed a chance at the "American dream" for the rest of us. Let's not even mention the millions of refugees, deaths and suffering in Iraq. If Obama tries to do good things for the rest of us how is that bad? You've got a strange idea of what a nightmare is. We are waking up from one now. Join us.

[Imperial61]

Bush 2:A talentless man.He is the President with the least compelling personal story and the most unintersting and uninsprering story.A squandereor of his on life;in and out of power,and destroyer of what was left of our Republic.H­e exploited the worst in the country:Fe­ar,greed,j­ingoism,,r­eligious fundementi­lism.A man of limited taste,and know culture, he fascinates and inspires nothing but contempt; except amongst the most stubborn of partisens,or his own incompetant syncophants,A cruel liar. A bore at the bar.Withou­t name and connection this miscreant would be in the gutter.Unf­ortunately­, he took the whole country there.

[tulsey]

Don't know where you're getting your facts. As Mark Twain said: "There are lies, damned lies and stastics. You must be getting a chubbie from the push back here. Is that you Ann Coulter?

[macweenie]

I considered taking your post apart line by line but I have learned that arguing with the deluded is a HUGE waste of time and energy. I will just wish you luck and a happy life on your strange little planet and be done.

[Wake-up]

Hey, go for it... I see nothing but hate and conspiricay on this site... I come here in search of another side to the story but there's a lot of 'Bush lied people died' bumper sticker... I don't know, it's scary.

For the record, I'm for less government and more freedom...

[mtracy9]

This guy is delusional in saying that the Bush presidency was anything but a train wreck. Clinton presided over the longest economic expansion in U.S. history, as opposed to Bush's dismal economic record (or course the rich had to pay more -- the top marginal rate increased from 33 to 39 percent). However the rich, along with everyone else, benefited under Clinton, seeing their income and wealth rise substantially. Clinton was able to achieve this incredible economic record while also achieving record budget surpluses.

As for Bush keeping us safe from the terrorists, this argument does not address the fact that the Bush administration was asleep at the wheel before 9/11. Indeed, 9/11 happened on Bush's watch, eight months into his presidency.

As for Bush's having avoided scandals, Bush was just lucky that the Republicans were able to get the Democrats to go along with eliminating the office of Special Prosecutor. Had the office still existed, Bush would have given a Special Prosecutor a never ending litany of things to investigate.

[Wake-up]

Talk about delusional­... I love when you-guys try to re-write history... not really...

Clinton was the lucky one... benefited from the dot-com boom and the infusion of billions of dollars from people and companies trying to get rich from it... But Slick-Willy did cut taxes too...

"Bush administration was asleep at the wheel before 9/11" - excuse me!! Clinton ignored embassy bombings, the first trade center bombing, etc... He had OBL and said no... the blood is on his hands and why? Because he was worried about his PR... I fear the same from BO. Could Bush had done more prior to 911 - sure... but ole Bill kicked this can down the road for years...

Bush and scandal please... how many media types have been digging into this guy (Cheney too) for years and what do they have? NOTHING... you hate the guy, I get it, but lose the 'feelings' and look at the facts.

[chariotdrvr14]

Major crimes were committed in the White House... the people responsible for them SHOULD be brought to justice. Anything less than that would render this a sham democracy.

[Wake-up]

Once again... What crimes??!!

[paintpaintpaint]

Please lets all remember this when JEB makes a go for the White House!

[brynnrose thorn]

Yes. We must not forget that the deluded and fact-free members of society get to vote as well.

[DaveC19]

Bush may be gone but his legacy is a gift that keeps on giving. Everything from the destroyed economy to the continuing occupation in Iraq are not gone.

I want to see the Bush cabal members doing the perp walk. Put them on the rock pile.

[yannaview]

Yes the era of the worst political and economic period ever is coming to an end. But we witnessed a similar period after the civil war. Between 1866and 1876, Afrucan Americans had embarked on a progressive program to rebuild the old South.

But the backward elements of old landowners and warriors who fought to divide our UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, got the Federal Government to withdraw its troops, from the south and they attacked and destroyed the hope for an economic progressive Southern region.

Elements of descendants from that lost time in American history are today posing greatest threat to our national security. We must be vigilant, as we party and jump and sing praises to the new upcoming hope for greater prosperity and progressive success for our beloved USA.

[chrisincalif]

"Let him go" alright ~ to investigation, trial, prison & ignominy where war criminals belong. If our own politicians, despite their *oath* of office, are too cowardly to do the right thing for their very nation, then 'rendition' him to the Hague. Stuff that plane with the rest of his junta members as well.

We imprison more people per capita than *any* other nation on earth, including decades for non-violent crimes -- and you are suggesting that these traitors to our Country get to slink off to live fabulously wealthy lives after what they have done? After the country is bankrupt? After every part of this nation has been damaged? After they have enriched their own coffers and that of their friends? After all the dead are counted, here and in Iraq?

I have an alternative suggestion, Mr. Baldwin: that President Obama appoint a special independent investigator who will follow the trail, wherever it leads.

There is a distinct difference between partisanship and justice.

[TNPA]

Can't say as I totally agree with Alec on this one. One week ago today my son started his FIFTH tour in Iraq. I will not be satisfied until I see the current leading member of the Bush crime family, GW, in shackles in the Hague.

[MysticalPippin]

DITTO TNPA!

While I normally agree with Mr. Baldwin, I have to say on this issue NO! No Way should we allow those disgraceful men get away with the crap they pulled. Not just the water-boarding but the LIES they told to get the senate, congress and the american people to agree to this war in the first place. Not to mention the dispicable way they trashed our credibility, our integrity, our reputation as a fair nation and the economy (which I believe the buck stops there with them on this as well)
Of course you cannot expect any good coming from an administration that stole the presidency in the first place but certainly we had no idea back then what he & Cheney would do to demoralize this country and send us on an 8 year tour of injustices and greed.
I just don't see how we can move on if we allow Bushy boy and his thugs to get away with even half of the crimes they committed.

I pray your son comes home safe.

[nrborod]

The Bush nightmare is over, the damage isn't