Change at the top
Whether you agree or not with his politics, it’s hard to deny that today’s inauguration of Barack Obama as president is a great moment in American history. When I was born, black Americans were still second-class citizens in their own country, subject to blatant discrimination and deadly violence. Today, a man born to an African father and a white mother is our president. Time will tell whether Obama will be a good president. Perhaps no American leader since Franklin Roosevelt has faced the immediate challenges Obama will encounter. In the days ahead, we can discuss the moves the new president is making. But today, let’s talk about the man who is leaving the Oval Office. Putting aside his achievements in “keeping America safe from terrorists,” which is no small matter, what, in your minds, are the achievements of the George W. Bush presidency?
Labels: Government
posted by Brant at
12:04 PM
32 Comments:
Brandt, your twisted ways of projecting are evident with this post. You post a picture of Obama, use 90% of the words to speak of the historic moment of the inauguration. Then you add a few words at the end about GWB. Your question is obviously rhetorical. When there is a drought of responses, then you will have put yourself in a position to say, "See, the man didn't do anything while in office." Your devious ways are too obvious. If you wanted to make this a GWB bash post, why not just say as much, use the other 90% of the words as a chastising of the man? The stuff about Obama, the historical day, etc. are a screen that is full of holes.
As much as I disliked GWB, I'm at a loss to understand why some of the haters just will not let go. There must be something about stomping feet on the ground that gives them a sense of goodness and glamor.
You can read into it whatever you please. Seems pretty straightforward to me. Bush's perceived failures have been well-documented. If people want to rehash them, that's fine, but I'm interested in hearing what folks may think he achieved, and perhaps that will spark a good discussion about this presidency. Do you have any Bush achievements you'd like to toss out? Or, if you'd like this to be an opportunity for bashing Bush, lay on.
Bush did pay attention to AIDS in Africa and for that he deserves credit.
Aside from that, um...hmmm...
If nothing else, I think the electorate would have eventually drifted away from doctrinaire conservatism (after all, the GOP has only won the popular vote in one of the last five presidential elections), but the Bush administration hastened its demise through its arrogance and incompetence. There will be a Republican president again one day, but it'll have to be more of moderate, William Weld/ Arnold Schwarzenegger-style Republican than a far-right fire-breather.
--Brad Hundt
It is REAL easy to see who the racist in this nation are. At the end of the benediction that Lowrey jerk decided to slap the white people in the face. What a wonderful way to show us the “change” we were promised! God help us all!!
BTW: Stupid poem read by an idiot
There has not been a terrorist attack on US soil since 911. As much as some like to slam Bush, that is significant and arguably the most important job of the Federal Government.
Facts that Bush haters hate:
He stopped this nation from terrorists attacks after 9/11
He increased aids funding (as Mr. Hundt pointed out) and increased aid to Africa in general
I wish that the Bush stuff would now end.
BTW Mr. Hundt, it is more likely that actual conservatives (not the neo-cons) might take back that Grand Old Party
Another possibility is that the GOP will morph into the party of Catholics, Evangelicals and Mormons. Hence supporting more social spending, but more conservative social values. One reason is that the move towards socialism means that that our political parties will move more towards other issues.
Those that believe that the issue of life will end are mistaken to say the least. They usually have no real understanding (usually only hate) of what drives those that are interested in the issue.
"The move toward socialism"? How's that? Trying to kick the economy out of its stupor with a stimulus package is barely socialism.
If the Republican Party becomes the exclusive domain of Catholics, Mormons and evangelicals, then they'd better get used to permanent minority status. The small-government libertarians would take a hike, as would the big-business corporate types. Sounds to me like that's a prescription for shrinking the tent rather than expanding it.
Yeah, there wasn't another terrorist attack during Bush's tenure, but they used terrorism and the fear of it as a political tool. Seems like the terror alert went up and down at politically convenient times during the first term; after he was re-elected, it was forgotten.
--Brad Hundt
I say let Bush go and good riddance. Now I no longer have to turn off the TV or radio every time I see his puss or hear his voice. But it is too bad Cheney's wheelchair didn't break loose today and run the bastard down.
WHY THE FCUK ISN'T THE ECONOMY FIXED ALREADY?!?!?!???
"Roger" troll is unsuccessful troll.
I think GWB will be considered more favorably as the years pass. He did what he thought was right and in the best interest of our country. He is not an evil, or stupid, man. Problem is that he was not liberal enough for Hollywood or the media (as evidenced by the posts by the media on this blog). I was struck by Obama's words about the government working if it helped people find jobs, provided health care etc. That is true in a socialist government. I guess we will see how much "change" we are in for.
My feeling is that Bush's successes have come with his failures.
Granted, we have not been attacked since 9/11, but that's because we stumbled into a war in Iraq with poor information. Bush showed what can happen in the decision-making process when you don't have capable advisors. We need better information to be more prepared.
With Katrina, he showed a distinct ignorance to what our government should be: for the people. The slow response disgusted so many that he actually handled the next storm better. This showed how important it is for the government to reach out to the people.
You can argue the economic mess was not his doing. OK, but the way he handled that - in a detached and almost fatalistic way - showed that a president needs to be able to rally and assure confidence in people in times of crisis. This issue alone killed the Republicans in the election.
Bush left us with a lot of pluses about what our president and government need to provide. They just happened to arise from his failures.
Whether or not you favor Obama's version of change, it's pretty clear we need some sort of new course in the country.
This Brant guy is either a moron or he is endowed with a paper head.
Wow, what an insightful comment, anonymous retarded person. Do come again.
I liked Bush. I too think he'll be judged less harshly as the years pass. I think that Brant made the most sensible comment I've seen or heard through this whole election:
"Whether or not you favor Obama's version of change, it's pretty clear we need some sort of new course in the country."
I don't like Obama, but I'm willing to see what he does. I'd be very happy to eat my words and say that he turned out to be a great president.
Hey people --- there was not a terrorist attck on American soil BEFORE 9/11 either.
Just got back from the Inauguration in DC. What an amazing experience! I've never seen strangers unite or joy like this before. A couple next to us flew in from Japan just to be there. Such international support and joy for the U.S. and Obama as well. Truly moving.
So the first bombing of the World Trade Center wasn't a terrorist attack? Good to know.
You know, I recently totally forgot about that one, too. Although it definitely was a terrorist attack on our soil, and a terrible thing for those who were affected by it, more people die in some single-vehicle car accidents. I think that's why it slips people's minds. You could also say, however, that after that attack, Clinton kept us safe from terror attacks on our soil for the remaining seven years of his term, much like people say Bush kept us safe the seven years after 9/11. And on the other hand, you could say that, just as with 9/11, there were signs that should have been seen that could have prevented that 1993 attack. I don't blame Bush for 9/11, because if enough terrorists are out there plotting harm against us, all the good efforts by the CIA, FBI, etc., will never be able to stop them all. Sooner or later, no matter how vigilant we are, somebody will attack us again.
How about Timothy McVeigh blowing up a Ryder truck in Oklahoma City? Or theose two jagoffs in Colorado who opened fire at their high school in 1999. Or the mentally disturbed college student who went on a shooting rampage in 2007 at Virginia Tech?
Terrorism does not only come in the form of foreign enemies. Sometimes I think we're so fixated on overseas terrorism that we forget about our homegrown terrorists.
Bush's best act: he didn't die in office, thereby keeping us safe from a Cheney presidency.
"Bush did pay attention to AIDS in Africa and for that he deserves credit."
-----------------
Maybe Bush tortured the AIDS Out of Africa.
You folks must come to the realization that we liberals know what is good for the country. Bush didn't do much of anything towards the welfare of the country.
We still don't have homosexuals "marrying".
We still have the death penalty while we kill our babies.
We still have special groups (blacks for one) receiving special privileges.
We still have "global warming" (can't you yankees feel it).
We still have "fundies" praying to God.
But, as we now have a Demorat president, those issues will be resolved.
I think that this whole first black president hype is CRAP, he is not the first african american president he is the first mulatto president.
He IS, however, the first president whose last name starts with an "O."
Let's hear it for America showing her O face!
Obama is just a puppet, a poster president, it wasnt experience that got him in it was that he fit a mold a look. He is the puppet and the Builderburgehers are controling him.
If being black was the main reason why Osama was elected, we have failed.
Take a look at every city governed by blacks, and you will see nothing but government induced poverty. (generational poverty) So, being black, is not the key here, being an individual who made 510 promises to the gullible American voter is the key.
phonyfeminazi
Where are we at on the list now, Phony? You have been checking them off, haven't you?
-ellipses, hell, too many promises made, and no chance of many of them being accomplished. Typical liberal presidential candidate action, promise everyone a "PIECE OF THE PIE"; "A CHICKEN IN EVERY POT"........and deliver nothing.
The liberal voter is programed to vote for anyone who will promise to put a "buck" into their pocket.
phonyfeminazi
Now now Phony... if you are going to mention the list, you need to at least check things off... I mean, what if he does all the big important things but forgets that he promised to streamline foot traffic through our nation's petting zoos?
-ellipses, this Osama stumulant plan is nothing more than funding existing entitlement programs, and adding additional funds for education. Yes, some of the money will be used to rebuild infrastructure, but most of the money is going to "WELFARE" and to a "FAILED GOVERNMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM". That, my friend, is throwing money down the sewer.
phonyfeminazi
How many of you "progressives" want to give ACORN millions of dollars out of this "STUMULUS" fund???
phonyfeminazi
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home