Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Thanking President Bush

From National Review today:

Among the things President Bush's fellow citizens should thank him for:

* Defeating Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.

* Keeping America safe in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, when virtually no one thought such a thing was possible. In achieving this, President Bush fulfilled the first duty of his office.

* Correcting earlier (and significant) mistakes in Iraq and supporting the surge when almost everyone — the American people, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the commanding general in Iraq, all Democrats, and many Republicans — opposed his efforts. This was a textbook example of leadership and wise decision-making in the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

* Leading efforts that led to a humiliating defeat for al-Qaeda in Iraq and, more broadly, to militant Islam being on the defensive throughout much of the world, including the Arab world.

* Liberating more than 50 million people from two of the most malevolent regimes in modern history.

* Standing with Israel against its enemies and having the wisdom to declare he would not deal with Yasir Arafat.

* Adding two outstanding Justices to the Supreme Court and appointing first-rate federal judges.

* Championing a culture of life and the global AIDS initiative.

* Cutting taxes several times and never, not even once, raising them.

* Putting in place the most far-reaching reforms in education in generations, which insisted on accountabilty, high standards, and produced positive results.

* Restoring dignity to the Oval Office, acting with civility and grace, loving his country, and serving her well.

8 comments:

Heidi said...

Thank you from a citizen in mourning today.

Anonymous said...

Also in mourning and appreciative. He is a much better man than he will ever get credit for.

Hillary said...

I'm dressed head to toe in black as a symbol of my disapproval and my mourning the loss of capitalism today.

apb said...

It's too bad that no matter how much you say it or how big a font you print it in, these facts aren't going to make much of an impact or be recognized. As for what lies ahead tomorrow and the days after, I say we make the most of it. There's no point in being hypocrites and falling into the same habit of criticizing and insulting leadership incessantly. Just what would that say about us??

apb said...

... And just to protect myself from any potential backlash, let me just say that the former comment was in no way designed to be read as a sympathetic plea for the opposing party. Please don't kill me.

Jessica said...

Thank you Adam! I for one totally agree with you and am glad I am not the only one to see things this way.

Jessica said...

Adam, if they come after you to kill you I will hide you, though they would probably be after me to kill me too.

Christian said...

Criticism is one thing, and in and of itself is a necessary ingredient for a healthy democracy. You need at least two political parties-they keep each other honest (well, as much as possible, sort of). But savaging a person to shreds like the left has done to President Bush the last 8 years-that I won't do. Just remember there's a difference between criticism and savagery. As for the unicorns-I only want what I was promised.