I got this idea from The Jimmy Z Show radio blog the other day. He had a picture of George bush waving with the caption "Do ya miss me yet?"
My immediate reaction was darn straight I do. Now I know that it has become quite fashionable-and in Republican circles almost mandatory- to bash Bush. But George Bush was a good President. On Sept 11,2001 he faced the terrorists head on and at the twin towers the next day he showed grit and determination in the face of the enemy when he proclaimed "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon".
I watched that live on television and at that moment I could not have been prouder to be an American and to have George Bush as president. I know his presidency had flaws. He could have done more to stand up to excessive spending by congress. He could have put more pressure on the republicans in congress to get behind, and pass, his Social Security reforms. But these things pale in comparison to the single greatest responsibility this president had. The protection of the American people.
Resolute and determined that is the quality in Bush I most admire. Consider these words from the speech he delivered to Congress shortly after this tragedy that changed the course of this nations history forever. "We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail"
That is true leadership. He set his mind to carry forth the task of fighting the terrorists and never looked back. Even in the face of mounting criticism and opposition from the Democrats and even some in his own party George Bush never tired, never faltered, and never failed in his quest to keep this country safe. I think he succeeded because during his entire time in office we were never attacked. And don't think the terrorists didn't try.
Fast forward to our present time. We have the news chock full of the arrest of some suspected terrorist who were hell bent to celebrate Sept 11 by killing as many Americans as they could. Why? because they perceived that America, under Barack Obama, had gone soft and irresolute in the fight against their monstrous brand of evil. Bush said this on Sept.7,2003 "We have learned that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength,they are invited by a perception of weakness.
We are under the greatest threat of a terror strike perhaps unequaled since Sept 11. For the last few years comments such as "The war is lost" and likening our soldiers to stormtroopers created a perception of weakness in the eyes of our enemies. Since Bush has left office all the tyrants in the world-as well as all our enemies-have been emboldened by the idea that Obama and the Democrats are weak.
So once again I ask you the same rhetorical question. Miss George bush yet. Darn straight I do!
