Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Farewell President Bush

I frequently get my news from liberal CNN (from whence came this picture), not because I like their views, but because I like the layout of their site. After becoming accustomed to the hate speech consistently spewed forth there, especially in the comments of political articles . . . In fact, the final picture they showed in their photo piece titled "The Bush Presidency" was a shot of him dodging the shoe. Nice. Very respectful, CNN. Capital bit of journaling, as usual. I hope you can detect sarcasm.

It was refreshing to browse the opinion section of the more conservative Washington Times. Commenters actually have civil discussions there. Astounding.

Anyway, I wanted to say farewell to President Bush and decided to do so by reading a bit about him, reminiscing on events from the past eight years. I'm rather sad. If our lives were made up of many books, one for each area of interest, this would be the end of a chapter. The 2000 elections jump-started an awakening in me; it was the first time I voted. Thus, my political interests have been closely tied to the Bush era. I will never forget researching and debating my views, watching the numbers breathlessly with the rest of the country late into the night not once but thrice . . . after many months and then years of investing time and effort into being informed . . . and the great relief I felt both times Bush won.

Nor will I forget the sorrow I felt as he was cruelly, mercilessly attacked. Did I think he was perfect? No. But that doesn't justify the treatment he received, as Bush-haters prominently showed how low society has spiraled over the past 200 years. Basic decency and manners have been traded for rudeness and disrespect for authority.
The government, it seemed, consisted of a single man. There was no congress, no system of checks and balances, no advisors. This one individual was responsible for everything that went wrong in our country and oftentimes the world. Every serviceman who died . . . It was Bush's fault. The devastation from Hurricane Katrina, Bush's fault. No WMDs? Bush's fault.

The good he did was often downplayed, spun, or largely ignored by the media. This is because "good" is often seen by liberals as evil. In their twisted minds, right and wrong are reversed. His support for abstinence and the unborn, for example. In a liberal's mind, the distribution of condoms and unrestricted access to infanticide is infinitely more effective in preventing STDs and teen pregnancy than avoiding sex altogether. That might be the case in a Bizarro world, but not the real world.

One might wonder, just how is it that paradise on earth is obtained by government? I will tell you: it is not. Just as our government is not made up of one man, it is also not able to fix everything wrong in our lives or in the world. We must look to God for our salvation, peace, comfort, hope, guidance, direction, and future; not government. I am not proposing anarchy or theocracy. I am urging people to take responsibility for themselves and their souls. People have souls, and when they are neglected and starved bad things happen.

I came across a poll asking how history will remember the Bush administration. One gentleman left a comment, which I thought was nicely written. It is the way I would like to remember Bush, so I will share it here:

    Thank you, President Bush, for your 8 years of service to this great nation. You restored dignity to the Office of the President. You kept the country safe after we experienced the attack that awakened us to WWIII. You were a friend to the common man as well as the unborn child. You ushered in prosperity with wise tax cuts, and challenged us to again aim for the moon and beyond. You demanded accountability to investors in the Board Rooms of Wall Street. You embodied freedom to a world dominated by oppression. You supported liberty in school choice at home and in freedom from radical Islamic tyranny in the Middle East. You brought hope to millions of AIDS sufferers in Africa. You showed the nation and the world what it is to be a leader with moral clarity and a heart that is full.
    Mr. President, you are a man of uncommon decency, and although the demise of journalistic integrity failed you, history will chronicle your Presidency with the utmost regard and respect and gratitude. May God richly bless you and your family, and may God bless America.
I won't forget. Farewell, Mr. President, and may the Lord richly bless you and your family for taking on the toughest job in the nation.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Farrah, for these comments. I wholeheartedly agree!

Disney for Boys said...

Wonderful post Farrah!! I too could not agree with you more and I too will miss him and the First Lady greatly! :-)

bubbebobbie said...

History will be kind, it always is. But oh how I wish the world say him without journalistic blinders. I am certain they will soon realize that there was only ONE attack on our nation when there should have been dozens, just look at how many there have been in England. This was a very well done post Farrah. Thanks.

As for praying for the administration, I have a link on my nook for a 100 days prayer sign up. Stop by.

Because of Jesus, Bobbie

Anonymous said...

I agree with you also, Farrah. The good things President Bush did were overlooked or attacked, while every action was villianized.
He was a decent man and I believe he always had the best interests of America at heart.

Praying for you, Greg, and Kylen as you prepare for the future and the job situation.

Connie Marie said...

This is a very well written tribute to our leaving President. Thanks for sharing your heart. I agree, may God richly bless Mr & Mrs George W. Bush. You were and are appreciated and loved by this citizen in Alaska.

Karla Cook @ Roads to Everywhere said...

Good thoughts, Farrah! Thanks for taking time to share that.

I've tagged you for a photo meme, if you want to play along. I know you probably won't get to it this week... but if you need something to blog about sometime, go for it!

katrina said...

beautifully written Farrah.

kari and kijsa said...

A beautiful post- well put!! His presidency will hold up well in histpry!
Happy Day!
blessings,
kari & kijsa

Farrah said...

I appreciate all of your comments! You all help make the world a better place! :-)

Tamela's Place said...

Hello farrah,

I will miss Bush as well. I don't believe that there could of been a better man to fulfill the 8 years in the white house. He had to endure much hardship in those 8 years. He was truly a man of honor, dignity and strength. I praise the Lord for Him and will continue to pray for him and his family.

But now the tides have turned and i will pray for our new President and that he will do the will of God while he is in office.

God bless you :)

Andrew Clarke said...

I agree with your views here, too. We have a parallel experience here with John Howard. He upheld Christian values, and was attacked for it by the self-styled "progressives". I agree George W.Bush upheld some valuable principles and refused to give in to the so-called "intellectual" left. Some journalists in Australia are already saying his place in history may be much better than some of his critics want to believe. God bless us all.

nitewrit said...

Farrah,

Very nice tribute. There have been 13 presidents in my lifetime including Obama. I don't really remember Roosevelt, I was only around four when he died. But I do remember every one since Truman's run against Dewey. Some received some harsh criticism certainly, LBJ in his term during the Vietnam War for instance. And Nixon was always a subject of hot debate. (I was a radical liberal in the 'sixties and it was always fun to sit around and joke about Nixon in the circles I traveled in.) But I never saw anyone given the distain and brutal treatment given President Bush(43).

I am afraid it will continue and whatever happens bad in the immediate future will be blamed on him as well.

But remember, the future is in God's hands and that should give us strength and comfort no matter what happens. I just hope the same unfairness and inhumanity isn't now heaped upon the new President. Certainly we can criticize and disagree with the policies and/or philosophies of the person honestly and with facts without resorting to the lies and disparages throw against Mr. Bush.

I do think we need to up our praying for our country.

Thanks, Farrah!

Larry E.

jeleasure said...

Hi Farrah,
We all knew this day would come. In fact, we Christians also knew the day would come when there would be a lack of respect from the world. The Bible tells us this is one of the signs to watch for as precursors to the second coming of Christ.

However, I have to say, you are right. It is as you say, that noone looks at the big picture. All who hated the Bush years will continue to say he did all kinds of damage to our country. No one will look at the fact that the Democrats would not allow for the country to benefit from some good economic policies. In fact, I seem to recall the first time I heard of AIG needing a 'bail out'. Pelossi clearly said, it is "not a bail out, but a buy in". Now, this bail out stuff happens to be a large part of Obama's strategy. But, please, do not forget, how Pelossi first criticized it.

Thanks for giving us a place to voice our opinion.
Jim

jeleasure said...

Hi Farrah,
Greg an me were discussing blog interaction. I think he is in agreement with my suggestion (I did not wait for his reply) that we ought to visit one another's blog list in an effort to stimulate blogger activity, which has been down since Christmas.
I left a comment here, earlier.
Jim

Andrea Singarella said...

I love this post, Farrah. Thank you for having the guts to say what many do not.
xo