In his farewell address yesterday, George W. Bush pointed out that America has gone seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. That is an important fact, but future historians will have to judge the extent to which Bush caused it, and whether it could have been achieved by less costly means. They must also weigh it against the other facts that he leaves two unfinished wars, an economic crisis, and global polls showing a loss of American soft power. Will the enduring icons of the 43rd presidency be Iraq, Guantanamo and Katrina? Or will they be 9/11 and his "freedom agenda?"
As I wrote in The Powers to Lead, Bush had faith and perseverance in pursuing a Wilsonian vision that history is moving toward democracy. But even if we take him at his word that he followed his conscience in pursuit of his vision, unfortunately, he lacked the intellectual curiosity and contextual intelligence necessary to implement it. David McCullough suggests that it takes about 50 years to allow the dust to settle in judging a presidency, and Bush likes to compare himself to Truman who left office with a low rating half a century ago. But Truman had institutional accomplishments like the Marshall Plan and NATO under his belt by the end of his term, and Bush has nothing comparable. Whether his lofty vision led us up the mountain or over a cliff remains to be judged in the long run, but at this point, the odds that future historians will give Bush a good grade do not look favorable.
This was a good sign of an open mind (not that they had to agree with the Israeli action no matter what, but at least they gave some space to logical and moral thinking instead of taking sides). And the same people that took advantage from the fall of Saddam and had these ideas on the Gaza situation surprised me again: "It is Bush and the Americans the terrorists now, not al-Qaeda".
I wonder, how much of your credibility and soft power you have to lose to be called a terrorist by somebody that overcame his traditions and profits from your actions (think about the emotional gradient in such a person).
Is it Vietnam, Relations with China, Soviet Union??
No.
It's Watergate.
What does that tell you about Bush's legacy??
His whole foreign policy was based on the following statement:
"He tried to kill my daddy".
It is as simple and as frustrating as that.
It was a pissing contest with Saddam.
Bush lied.
People died.
Four words tell his sordid tale.
It is his epitaph.
Every move he made, every word he spoke was and is to this day calculated for political effect only. No underlying beliefs or principles at all except a vaguely Rightwing cynicism and disregard for the Common Weal in favor of maintainig the Wealth and Power of the Overclass.
Among the highlights was an enumeration of Bush's complete lack of interest in the threat terrorists posed to our country.
He left us vulnerable on 9/ll by ignoring each and every intelligence warning. (Then he idiotically was out of sight during the entire day, jetting frantically in panic mode around the country on Air Force One).
He let bin Laden escape at Tora Bora.
There is NOTHING positive historians will say about Bush other than the financial aid to fight AIDS in Africa.
Zero. Zip. Nada. He's unquestionably, without any doubt whatsoever, "The Worst President In History".
He is the current worst president in the history of the world.
In fifty years there will be written about this period, but his name will not be uttered or written.
Just once I wish columnists like you would repeat facts instead of lies.
Prior to that time there was lots of room for the marginal or stupid scions of wealth (such as GWB) to sleep right through and get a "degree".
That GI Bill fueled a big post-war boom that Reagan began the destruction of. Bush seems to have finished it.
Remembered as Truman is!? Ha! Give me a break!
2. If you think Obama is going to close Gitmo and leave Iraq/Afganistan in the next 4 years, you're in for a surprise.
The old Rightwing mantra: Carter was a bad President. He was prescient on the need for improving fuel efficiency, favored World Peace and all the economic and educational policies destroyed by Republicans.
He also was the unfortunate victim of Republican collusion with Iran, which might have given the Presidency to Reagan in regard to the Hostage Crisis. It sure is funny how Iran got all those weapons from Reagan after his relection in exchange for the release of the hostages AFTER he was elected.
Quite a laundry list for eight years. Germany had twelve years of Hitler; the United States at eight years of George W. Bush.