Bush’s object lesson in gracious departure

Ray

They always say that a person's true moral character will always shine through.

This article reminded me of the faultless grace and kindness with which Margaret Thatcher always treated her personal staff; as captured in an observation that Sir Cliff Richard once made about how, when a waitress accidentally dropped the plates at a banquet he had been invited to, Lady T's first concern was not for the dinner that was now all over the floor, but rather for the poor tearful girl herself whom the Iron Lady hugged, consoled and instructed not to worry unduly about the embarrassing faux pas now being mopped up from around them.

Contrast that with the legendary rantings and mobile phone-hurling intemperance with which a certain subsequent occupant of Downing Street is reported to entreat his staff. Contrast it further with the thought that Stalin or Mao would probably have had the hapless waitress carted off to a labour camp... or worse.

Sure, Bush made some catastrophic decisions as president that needlessly cost the lives of thousands. However, I trust that future historians will take a more objective view of the guy's essential humanity.

Jenkins

A graceful exit does not redeem seven years of hubris and disaster-presidency. Citizens' frustration with Bush is legitimate, and their passionate participation throughout this transition is more heartening for democracy than being "orderly." Ten weeks of long overdue poise does not merit a free pass. It's a shame he could not have led every month as if it had been his last.

Not Even Likely

Strange man, he was thoughtlessly arrogant when he was loved and incredibly gracious when he was despised. There's probably a syndrome name for that.

Mark Solomon

A fine man comprehensively stitched up by the media, his political enemies and unfortunately some of his friends and cabinet ministers (Rumsfeld above all). He took the tough decisions and led. History should be far kinder to him than Bill Clinton, whose 8 years and the peace dividend were largely wasted, and whose financial policies caused the current problems.

Bush was a good man with a good sense of humour and fine sense of duty and history. His nature and personal comportment is far superior to both his predecessor and successor. Happy retirement Mr President.

Ted

At least Bush didn't subscribe to the man made global warming myth. Strange that Obama will "embrace science and data" whilst talking of agreeing the Kyoto nonsense.

G Bo

A well written article that serves as a good counter-balance to some of the anti-Bush hysteria peddleed in the last few years. One legitimate criticism that could be offered of Bush's presidency was his tendency to paint everything in black and white terms, but there was a real irony in the way his opponents ended doing exactly the same with their own 'world's no1 terrorist' jibes. This article shows Bush as a human being despite his flaws, just as one day people will recognise that Obama, for all his talent, is a flawed human being like the rest of us.

lauriemacdonell-sanchez

Mark Solomon's refreshing, apt comments make mine unnecessary. The only thing I would add is that in crassly parading their hideous double standard by fawning over and lionizing the new President without a hint of critical analysis, while shamelessly glossing over or outright suppressing the rank wrongdoing, past & present, of his hand-picked cabinet & staff, for once the media are doing an excellent job--of hanging themselves!

Yaakov Watkins

As a Republican, I can't wait until the Democrats actually do something other than talk.

As an American, I shudder at the thought that Clinton's husband has received millions from the Arabs, (whose side is she on?), and that the Treasury secretary and Health and Welfare secretary are tax frauds. And all of this in just two weeks of being in office.

For all of the criticism of Cheney's wealth, the mainstream media did not report that Cheney, is now worth about the same as Clinton and that Cheney gave 90% of his income to charity in 2007. Nor was it widely noted that Cheney took a $5 million cut in pay to be VP.

I also take exception to the notion that Bush was a bad president. If Gore had been president, what would he have done about 9/11? What would he have done about Saddam? Probably nothing. And the world would be worse off than it is now.