Muscatine

I found this post on another board. It sums up my feelings pretty well.

Here we are America, We are now seating a new president. Was it my choice, not hardly.... The fact is Barak "Barry" Hussein Obama will be our 44th president. But allow me to move on to where I wanted to go.
Go with Gods speed Mr President Bush

President George Walker Bush will be leaving the Oval Office, after serving our Great Nation for 8 years. Many have called him a dummy, or unfit to serve, but I would like to disagree with all of those critics. The fact is Mr. President assured that there was not going to be a second strike on America's soil while he was in office, and for that Mr. President my hat comes off for you. Thank you for your service.

Next, I would like to say that let the history books show all that Mr. President did for our Great Nation. Bush said a couple of days ago that he did not govern by poll numbers or by what would be the most popular course of action. He governed by what was best for the safety of America, not for approval ratings and to put a big fat smile on Princess Palosi's fat head.

My final word to President Bush. Thank you sir for your many long hours and for showing such pride for our beloved military. I am proud to say that you were my Commander in Chief. May God richly bless your path and shine the light on your legacy. I support the military operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and I feel your judgment was right on.

God Bless Our Great Nation and the men and women that defend Her.

Nice words.

I happened to see on another message board where someone posted they knew for a fact that nobama's impeachment was being worked on already. Not sure what that's all about, but when people commit to "knowing for a fact", it usually has very little to do with fact.

Good morning to you!

Though I didn't watch the quad-annual festivities, I did catch the actual OATH TAKING. I guess it was just that I knew what was afoot, nor would there be any surprises within. I did however take a small bit of pleasure in watching the Bush family depart D.C. in the later clips aired. You made some good points regarding the EX-President's legacy and the efforts he took to secure our great nation's safety. Though I am not entirely in agreement with many of the measures that were taken to do that. I do have to give the man credits for effort, (though many were a bit outside our constitutional foundation) we saw a measures of real success as a result, though many more factors other than politics are relevant to that. I will always take issue with his perception of constitutional law, of equality in many areas of democracy, his perception of at least half of our military direction, and especially his blind-folded downhill educational directives. It has always been my contention that Mr Bush truly felt he was doing what was right, though admitting several errors thereof. I would wager, that should he have another eight years to serve, there would likely be a different president other than the one we have known since 2000. As it was stated above, he didn't play by most of the conventional rules, and for that he might suffer a less than GRAND legacy.

It is perhaps safe to say that who ever writes/enters his legacy into the official record, there will be at least a fair kindness and an understanding conveyed that many have not considered with regard to his tenure. Though George Walker Bush stumbled at times, he was immediately cast  into an arena he didn't expect he would have to fight, he stood his ground. He was and is a tough character that remained defiant in the faces of adversity, taking his responsibility as seriously as any leader would or could. Thus causing some, but not many failures that he was sore to readily admit. Amidst, all that, he left the White House with his head held high, feeling he did the best job he could. Thank you Sir.

I guess that once a person accepts that much responsibility, that much pressure in a world poised to be a boiling-over mess, and manages to trudge through eight years while he and the nation is still standing, not in the greatest shape... but we are still standing. That alone should be a loud statement as to the strength and character of the man who proudly served the highest office in the world. I won't miss the man terribly for a few reasons, but must at least show some respect for some of what he has been able to achieve these past eight tumultuous years. God Speed Mr Bush! and.........Good luck Mr. Obama.

God Bless America

Lstreat,

"I will always take issue with his perception of constitutional law, of equality in many areas of democracy, his perception of at least half of our military direction, and especially his blind-folded downhill educational directives."

A few fine points:

Constitutional law- #1-any president has executive privilege. #2-constitutional law is open to interpretation by all. Happens every day. Bush's legal advisors gave him the best interpretation they could. The attorney general did too; and no court in the land has made any serious rulings otherwise. In fact, with little fanfare because of the coverage of the new messiah, an appeals court just confirmed on January 15 that the Bush administration policy placed sufficient privacy safeguards to meet the constitutional standards of the 4th amendment. Wiretapping without warrants on Americans suspected of terror or spy activity in our country was perfectly legal! A major win for Bush.

Perception of at least half the military direction. Kinda hard to judge a president on military issues; especially if one has not been in the military to have an understanding. As for America, we are safer due to our current military; who I would add are all volunteer and have chosen to serve as directed by their president. Their opinion counts.

Downhill educational directives. You'd have to be more specific. However, remember, NCLB was Clinton's baby and brain child. Bush simply signed it into law after huge congressional bi-partisan efforts.

Equality in democracy. This one puzzles me. Where has Bush witheld Democracy or been unfair?