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.
