In my effort to be fair, and not to recklessly defend, I must say that the media has done President Bush a disservice. Yes, he has made some colossal mistakes (with the approval of congress). Primarily, with the use of the English language – but he is not a cold-blooded villain. Definitely, not the man that AOL, Yahoo, and other online resource outlets made him out to be Monday, January 12, 2009.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_news_conference
As I sat and watched the outgoing President during his final news conference I saw a man more humble than he was four yeas ago, I saw man tired/beaten, I saw a man trying to be funny, I saw a man confidently on the defense, and I saw a man trying to explain to the world his reasoning/decisions. For example, his decision to not request a landing of Air Force 1 as it flew over New Orleans after Katrina was legitimate and understandable. However, most of the media coverage did not print or air the stated reason.
What I did not see was an angry animal. Nonetheless, this is what those ‘dependable’ resources and a few liberal journalistic outlets portrayed. They were jumping for joy when they were able to secure and use a photo that caught President Bush looking mean/upset. It was ammunition for their mischaracterization onslaught.
This time they used set-up shoes (questions) to smack him in the face. While the questions were legitimate, I still found it hard to believe that some of America’s journalists are hell-bent on tripping-up the President in his final days. The Commander who was praised by millions, including the liberals, after some fanatical men crashed planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The Chief who has put into place an intelligence community that has kept us out of terrorisms way since that horrific day. Even with this life saving accomplishment, they continue to find no justification to thank Mr. Bush. All they can do is search for failure – but ultimately what they fail to do is listen to his reason. His position. This done in another effort to further stain his presidency.
The contribution to the stain is connected to one decision. A decision that turned out to be a horrible mistake – but what was ultimately wanted by the American people: Retaliation. On thing that I learned as a union president was that in no circumstances whatsoever should I use my power as the leader of over 500 bargaining unit employees to retaliate in the direction of management even if the employees that I represented demanded it.
President Bush made a mistake: He listened to the emotional uproar of the people, and initiated a war that has cost us lives and money. But, like most leaders they lead with the people’s non-leader wants/opinions in mind. Nothing wrong with that. It just does not serve the masses well in the end.
We best believe that our incoming President will be crucified also at the completion of his term. With what he has to rectify as the result of American greed, he best prepare to give his farewell news conference in four years, and to deliver it behind a fiberglass barrier.
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by the President who has done more for Africa than any other President. Inspired by the President who had the most ethnically diverse cabinet ever.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_news_conference
As I sat and watched the outgoing President during his final news conference I saw a man more humble than he was four yeas ago, I saw man tired/beaten, I saw a man trying to be funny, I saw a man confidently on the defense, and I saw a man trying to explain to the world his reasoning/decisions. For example, his decision to not request a landing of Air Force 1 as it flew over New Orleans after Katrina was legitimate and understandable. However, most of the media coverage did not print or air the stated reason.
What I did not see was an angry animal. Nonetheless, this is what those ‘dependable’ resources and a few liberal journalistic outlets portrayed. They were jumping for joy when they were able to secure and use a photo that caught President Bush looking mean/upset. It was ammunition for their mischaracterization onslaught.
This time they used set-up shoes (questions) to smack him in the face. While the questions were legitimate, I still found it hard to believe that some of America’s journalists are hell-bent on tripping-up the President in his final days. The Commander who was praised by millions, including the liberals, after some fanatical men crashed planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The Chief who has put into place an intelligence community that has kept us out of terrorisms way since that horrific day. Even with this life saving accomplishment, they continue to find no justification to thank Mr. Bush. All they can do is search for failure – but ultimately what they fail to do is listen to his reason. His position. This done in another effort to further stain his presidency.
The contribution to the stain is connected to one decision. A decision that turned out to be a horrible mistake – but what was ultimately wanted by the American people: Retaliation. On thing that I learned as a union president was that in no circumstances whatsoever should I use my power as the leader of over 500 bargaining unit employees to retaliate in the direction of management even if the employees that I represented demanded it.
President Bush made a mistake: He listened to the emotional uproar of the people, and initiated a war that has cost us lives and money. But, like most leaders they lead with the people’s non-leader wants/opinions in mind. Nothing wrong with that. It just does not serve the masses well in the end.
We best believe that our incoming President will be crucified also at the completion of his term. With what he has to rectify as the result of American greed, he best prepare to give his farewell news conference in four years, and to deliver it behind a fiberglass barrier.
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by the President who has done more for Africa than any other President. Inspired by the President who had the most ethnically diverse cabinet ever.
8 comments:
Reader Response:
I often say that I'd love to sit down and have a beer with the guy. I remember Kanye West saying on one of those fundraising telecasts for Katrina "GW hates black people." That was the most ignorant statement of the many ignorant statements he has ever made. The man does not hate black people and there is no evidence to prove such. He did have the most culturally diverse cabinet in history which is why I was not so mad after he won in 2000. I voted for the other guy but I was at least happy with the resumes of the people he picked.
Throughout his presidency he made some bad decisions but he was excellent after 9/11. He showed strong resolve and he made swift decisions. People give him crap for taking 20 minutes to leave or however long it took after the planes hit the building. Seriously? If he was in a room full of children he did well not to startled them. He showed real emotion and displayed tremendous courage and leadership. He seemed to geniunely hurt for the people who suffered and for America.
He may have been one of the worst decision makers ever but it takes resolve and strength to be a leader. He stepped up to the plate at a time when America needed a push. The attack was on and he went after the enemy. He just got side tracked hehe thas all. Bad idea. Actually, if the economy hadn't went to crap he wouldn't be so vilified. Plus the value of the dollar has dropped 80% since the 1970's therefore you can blame Reagan, HW, BILL and GW.
I think GW is tired and ready to go. He is unfairly treated by alot of people. However, we must not let him totally off the hook. He has not been very smart in his decision making and it has cost Americans dearly. He was in over his head the entire time. He failed in leadership during Katrina though the entire thing isn't his fault. FEMA was not a good organization then and still isn't as well as the state of Louisiana and the city of NO have plenty of issues. It's not just the federal governments failures it was a cohesive failure. He appointed some duds like Gonzales, Ashcroft, and many others.
In the end it's good to have it all over. I hope he has a happy life and get credit for the good and bad things that he did. Either way he isn't some evil guy with bad intentions. He was just a puppet for Karl Rove and Cheney and before he knew it they had ruined his image. I feel bad for him.
-LS
Muata responds to LS:
LS-
I do not feel bad for him. This is, at times, the price of leadership. Someone has to take the hits.
You know I have to present a biblical analogy:
All the great leaders of the bible. Elijah, Moses, Mordecai, David, Sampson, Abraham, and of course Mr. Jesus ended up being demonized. Not that President Bush was a GREAT leader - but as you mentioned he did display some courage/resolve in the storm. All of the aforementioned leaders did too. They represented the people when the people demanded it. They were flawed, like all men - but they stood-up when the odds were against them. When they had to chose between themselves and their people they selected the people.
Yes, President Bush was not a 'savior' and he does not rank up there with the BETTER leaders of the world. What he definitely was: A President during rough times. Really rough. The same as the biblical men I have mentioned. Of course, he does not equate to them. However, my point is this:
The people will make you or break you. They will be behind you when times are good. Then they will do a 180 when you 'upset' them. The People have proven to be fickle and the ultimate hypocrites during the times when support is needed the most. The biblical Jews. The Hebrews. These groups did it so as we continue to expect things to change, why don't we look to our best source to predict the future: HISTORY? It is littered with the same ole story: The People NEVER see or accept the big picture thus the reason we (humanity) may be still plagued with problem after problem.
We want learn.
-Muata
Reader Response:
LOL...that commentary was funny. I don't even know where to begin so I won't.
-EJ
Muata Responds to EJ:
While you are thinking and laughing, brotha EJ, please help me list 5 mistakes that you believe President Bush made during his tenure. I am trying my best. Of course, what anyone presents/shares can be considered relative. Perhaps, you can give us your definition of mistake?? Then we will apply the 'litmus test'.
LS's notation about the dollar is so true. Now, the point about the economy can be debated.
-Muata
Reader Response:
I haven’t seen it yet but plan to watch online. Out of curiosity, what was his reasoning for not landing AF1?
-DM
Muata Responds to DM:
He was concerned that if he landed most of the local security would have had to come and protect him. This would have left the people without local police personnel. His landing would have pulled them away from tending to the situation on the ground.
-Muata
DM responds:
I don’t know that I buy that. He could’ve easily landed in Baton Rouge and at least made a statement to ease people’s fears with enough security for him and the citizens of New Orleans. Actually, he should’ve landed in New Orleans and at least made a statement to ease fears. The only part of that I buy is that he was concerned/scared for his own safety.
In any event, I guess that’s A LOT of water under a bridge and hopeful we’ll learn as a nation from it.
-DM
Muata responds to DM:
actually, he referenced baton rouge. baton rouge cops/state patrolman were pulled to new orleans to work, actually.
-Muata
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