Monday, November 9, 2009

Opinion

Robert Schlesinger

The Last Bush Press Conference: Marvelously Out of Touch

January 12, 2009 10:37 AM ET | Robert Schlesinger | Permanent Link | Print

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Bush's Last Press Conference

Paul Simon said it best: "All lies in jest, still a man hears what he wants to and disregards the rest." And so it seems for Greg Faughnan, R.L. Schaefer and JR of XX. To suggest that he handled Katrina well is beyond the pale. To suggest he was at fault alone is not fair either; however, I think as the Germans like to say "Der Apfel felt nicht weit vom Stem." The Apple does not fall far from the tree. Think how his mother responded with her quote of how these people in New Orleans in the Super Dome were better off then they probably ever were before. This strikes at the heart of the problem with Bush: absolute narcism and a clear inability to examine himself in order to learn from his "mistakes." Perhaps the most chilling moment in the Bush Presidency stunned me when he couldn't think of a single mistake he had made during a major press conference several years back.

To see the difference in what could be considered a far more humble and honest approach to government take a look at George Washington's closing address the the American People in which he asks God to not hold his failings and sins against this nation but rather that God would still bless the US. I am well aware that George Washington had his critics even in his day. It is said that soilders from the American Revolution would sometimes tip their cups of draught to his death having felt abadoned by George, the father of our country. Nevertheless, as his final prayer/parting clearly demonstrates, George Washington himself knew his own failings and wasn't afraid to admit them to others and most importantly himself.

I can't blame George Bush for his reaction to 9/11; uncertainty and shock ruled the day. Still, I remember victims of 9/11 whoose loved ones died in the Twin Towers asking us not to go to war even days after the attack. Perhaps, others could have guided him if he had different people around him, still this attack was unprescedented on US soil, so no official in government existed that could lend perspective to this problem.

Yet looking back, 'ordinary' citizens did even then encourage thougtful perspective. George Bush instead reacted rashly and the death of close to 5000 US soilders and many more Iraqui's have resulted from this decision.

Again I would ask that people read the Gettysburg Address by Lincoln to see how humility in one's actions permeated that so-called "greatest of Republican Presidents." You don't get any more eloquent than Lincoln who could admit that in a Nation torn by war, "...we both pray to the same God for victory."

To admit mistakes does not mean to wallow in them, but George Bush's insoucience ought to make you wonder. Still, go ahead hear and see what you want as the song writer suggests, but just be careful not to fool yourself if you think Katrina, torture, a 10 trillion dollar debt, a justice department in shambles, the death of 5000 soilders needlessly and a "let them eat cake' attitude is a Heck Of A Job Bush.

I'm I worse off than 12 years ago

12 years ago I lived in a house that was 80 years old, drove a new pickup truck and an 8 year old cluncker and struggled to pay my bills. Now I live in a 4 year old house, bought it when it was one year old and we have 2 new cars and a cherry 1947 International Pickemup truck. We have $5,000 in checking and over $100,000 in savings. Is that because of Mr. Bush or in spite of Mr. Bush, or could it be that people make their own fortunes or misfortunes.

Does anyone know what yellow cake is? Does anyone know that tons of yellow cake was shipped from Irag to Canada? I felt safer with Mr Bush in office and will wait and see what Mr. Obama will do.

Julias N. wolfson

El Paso Tx

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Robert Schlesinger is a deputy editor at U.S. News and World Report and oversees all opinion editorial content. He is the author of White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters.

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