As Mr. Bush rides off into the sunset, I was struck by his farewell speech yesterday evening. It's no secret that I am a fan of the "everyman" President who is leaving office. I will concede he was not a gifted orator as some Presidents past have been. None will live up to Reagan's ability to stand and deliver words of his own choosing to a nation. President-elect Obama is certainly gifted in this area, but he has no political chops as of yet so he is largely just an elected marketing campaign right now. I digress, I want to laud some of the accomplishments that people want to overlook because they decided to knee-jerk judge this man. As shown above, the responsibilities of the office can certainly take their toll.
Bush fought AIDS like no man in history, covered millions with prescription medication and fought to educate our youth.
Consider also this point-of-view and try to look at how this man's actions will be judged over a longer span of history. I must admit I enjoyed seeing that from a European source. People should also remember that the Congress can, and could have, stopped the war(s) at anytime. They have always held this power and no one government position, i.e. The President, can start wars.
The President's speech also acknowledged that he would have done some things differently and that takes courage to say. Certainly no President in history, or any of us, can see we wouldn't change the way we did or said something during our lives. Please read the transcript and pay particular attention to this:
"I have often spoken to you about good and evil. This has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two there can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right. This nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth. We must always be willing to act in their defense and to advance the cause of peace. "
- George W. Bush 01/15/2009
That was awesome. That's as close as he will ever come to fighting back against the natstiness his critics have leveled at him. with class and dignity he stood his ground and stood by what he believed was right regardless of how it would play out for him politically.
Lastly, the story of Dr. Bill Krissoff was mentioned. When it's time to stand up, be counted and do what is right we don't all live up to the image we may have of ourselves. Dr. Krissoff stood in to take his son's place when he fell. Amazing!
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