Bush - bad guy, or screwed by America's short attention span?

[Jaynelson]

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In the wake of the whole Obama inauguration ordeal, am I the only one who can't help but feel a little sorry for G dub?

I'm not saying I agreed with the guy's policy every step of the way, and I'm definitely not vouching for his public speaking skills. After 911, America wanted nothing but blood, and GB gave it to them. Left wing, right wing, young, old you name it....everyone wanted revenge in whatever form it could be had. Some people understood the implications of going into the targeted countries....many did not; most didn't care at that point.

Unfortunately, it didn't take even a year for the opposition to condemn the path the country had taken. As a few years passed, those on the fence fell off the wagon, and eventually even many of the diehard supporters lost interest and sight of the objectives. The wars abroad became an annoyance for the general public; most of them having completely forgetting why they wanted this in the first place. Disliking Bush became "cool" in the younger, more lefty crowd...which turned out to play a large part in Obama's election. Was he voted in for his policy, or because he was the most opposite image of Bush on the ballot? Doesn't really matter, a vote is a vote, but an interesting question to ponder.

Was it the right choice? Only history will tell us, most of which hasn't played out yet. Was it the wrong choice? Well, there hasn't been another large-scale terrorist attack on US soil during Bush's terms. Would there have been if not for his efforts? Not an easy question to answer....

Your thoughts?

 

[woodzy]

I feel sorry for Bush... Just go read CNN to see what most of the U.S. will be told to think.

 

[mynameislance]

I definitally agree with the short attention span; everyone expected us to go to the middle east with a broom and just sweep up all the problems then be back home in a little bit ready to take on the next person who challenges us, they didn't understand that a war of this matter takes time, they didn't think they our enemy actually has weapons and our troops people would die. I personally think they should randomly show news clips from 9/11 on tv to remind everyone why we are there rather than interviewing the handful of soldiers who come back feeling negative about the war. I personally have not met a soldier that has or is currently fighting in Iraq that feels we should leave (i'm sure there are plenty that disagree, but i have not met any). Granted they don't want to be there b/c of fear, conditions, etc but they do believe we are doing good and should stay.

All in all, I give Bush props for sticking to his decision and not being pushed around by the public even after the polls showed the majority was not satisfied with his performance. I will not say anything bad about Obama nor will I praise him; he has to do something to prove to me that he either is or is not a good leader with America's best future in mind now that he is in office. The talking is over, time to see how well the man walks...

 

[ruffryder]

Your thoughts?

I agree, the fickleness of Americans is disgusting, and the lack of any long term political memory is disgusting too...
Oh and I do feel sorry for him.. I didn't like some of the things he has done.. about 4 or 5 big time screw ups, but a lot of the blame should be on the people of the US... The head can't do much if the body is walking off a cliff...

 

[Snow Fox]

O-BAAAAAAAA-MA

Let the Sheeple follow him, Bush won't look so bad in a few years.

 

[Anti-Hero]

I already miss W

 

[Skogen]

I do not think he did to bad personally. Show me one presidency that did not have its problems and challenges. Bush faced more then many ever did in his 8 years. He used what was avalible.

Remember, the media is evil. They show what will sell papers, and the general public will belive them. They cut out the boring or realistic details and only leave, well the exciting stuff, or the controversial issues. Because it sells papers.

As far as those who wanted blood during 911, and now jumped ship. Well, they are sheep, they follow the media and cannot think outside the box. Regardless if it was a good move or not, we are there. Our boys are there fighting every day. We should be incredibly proud of our boys and gals in the service. Do not repeat a vietnam where they were degraded by a outspoken public when they came home. We are there, in Iraq, we are in it in the long run. Do they realize what would happen if we just up and left.

 

[Pit Crew]

He will be remembered years from now as one of the best, presidencys are remembered for their toughest challenges and Bush's immediate reaction to 9-11 will go down in history as a great act.

 

[Ex-Member]

I think he did what he should have, given the information he had at the time. UN's WMD statements are specifically what I'm talking about. They saddam had WMDs, we went in and THEN found the information was faulty. There was no way to know that before.

They say hindsight is always 20/20; presidents are no exception.

 

[Weekday Warrior]

Its the insta-gratification panty waste society we live in now makes it impossible to fight a proper war.


Bush TOLD us that it was going to take a long time, years. When asked what was one thing that he regrets it was the banner on the warship that said "mission accomplished".

That wasn't Bush's idea, that warship was done and they put the banner up but the media twisted it and turned it against Bush. They told America the war was over but it was just getting down to the dirty work, Bush's speach on that boat even said there was much to come, and it would take a long time to finish it.

America lost the stomach for it and the Media started its death toll counts.

 

[CDA_RMK]

O-BAAAAAAAA-MA

Let the Sheeple follow him, Bush won't look so bad in a few years.

yep so true

 

[ruffryder]

Would you like to make a wager on that^^^^? Say $1000, 20 years from now? Oh, and what currency would you like to use as payment?

I am in with sldgy.... I think Chinese currency would be best!

 

[spring snow hero]

bush, likeall presidents had great and horrible times. I seem to remember the last president to get impeached had a lot of the same folks as our new lead. if that is short attention, then so be it....to me it is stupidity.

the next campaign will just be based on ice ceram it works, obviously.

 

[JDKZRT]

I think he did what he should have, given the information he had at the time. UN's WMD statements are specifically what I'm talking about. They saddam had WMDs, we went in and THEN found the information was faulty. There was no way to know that before.

They say hindsight is always 20/20; presidents are no exception.

.... BUT, Bush had Osama in his cross hairs in 2003 (in Afghanistan) and he pulled out without getting him. This was a major major blunder..... particularly after what he was saying after 911.
If he had followed through on this one thing, history would/will remember him differently than it is going to.

 

[AzCats]

Cheney recognizes a dumb *** when he see's one. He successfully manipulated the puppet for 8 years.

 

[gonehuntnpowder]

No attacks for 7 years. Lots of people don't like Bush/Cheney, but they kept us safe. Will we be able to say that for the next 7?
Bush is getting screwed, but history will redeem him.

 

[DARKO]

Some great choices, some poor choices. After all, he's a human.

 

[justadude]

That should have read, after all he is from Texas!!

Some great choices, some poor choices. After all, he's a human.

 

[framus]

Cheney recognizes a dumb *** when he see's one. He successfully manipulated the puppet for 8 years.

Another undermined brain on Obama.

 

[AzCats]

Another undermined brain on Obama.

You apparently have more money than brains, but that may be an optomistic assumption..