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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
January 19, 2009
/ 23 Teves 5769
How did he do?
By
Roger Simon
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Here is George W. Bush pushing an aluminum cart down the aisle of his TWA charter, pretending to take drink orders from reporters. He is wearing a blue, basket weave shirt, a red Ferragamo tie, dress slacks and a big Western belt with a huge state of Texas belt buckle that has "George W. Bush" embossed on it. He is wearing ostrich-skin boots.
About 100 journalists are on the plane, which has "Great Expectations" printed on its nose. It is June 12, 1999. Bush is beginning his first campaign for president.
He shakes the hand of every reporter, talking easily, laughing and joking with them. A few seconds earlier, he had gotten out his half-glasses, perched them on his nose and read from a piece of paper into the intercom.
"This is your candidate speaking," he said. "Please stow your expectations securely in the overhead bin as they may shift during the trip and they could fall and hurt someone — especially me."
The reporters laughed.
"Please understand that while you are traveling with a well-trained crew, for many of us, this is our first solo flight," he continued. "Thanks for coming along today — we know you have a choice of candidates when you fly, and we appreciate you choosing Great Expectations."
The reporters applauded. We knew this was part of Bush's calculated "charm offensive," but we were charmed anyway. The Bush campaign also knew that reporters like stuff, so when we came aboard each seat had resting on it a T-shirt that read "I Have Great Expectations for Governor Bush" and a laminated luggage tag labeled "Score Card" that asked: "How Did He Do?"
I still have my tag. It asks for grades for Bush. The grades are: "Grand Slam," "Triple," "Double," "Single" and "Back to Minors."
Now, at the end of his presidency, Bush is handing out no such scorecards. But he is getting graded nonetheless.
I don't think George W. Bush ever wanted to be president. Not really. In 1992, as "owner" (he had a 1.8 percent stake) of the Texas Rangers, he lobbied hard to become commissioner of baseball, even though Texas Republican leaders had already asked him to run for governor. Only when his attempt for the baseball job failed did Bush decide to run for governor. But he had to be pushed into it. Just as he had to be pushed into running for president.
And there were always people around him willing to do the pushing, seeing him as a vehicle for their agendas.
I don't think George Bush ever had a passion for the job of president. Nor do I think he ever enjoyed it. I don't view Bush as a tragic figure, but his two terms had tragic consequences: a war in Iraq, a shattered economy, the shredding of America's image around the world.
In his farewell address on Thursday, he understandably tried to make the best of things, pointing out some of his achievements: keeping the country safe from further attack after Sept. 11, 2001, fighting AIDS and malaria in Africa, increasing benefits for veterans.
Then there came this line: "You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions."
That was the problem, however. He made tough, wrong decisions. Or those around him did.
How better things might have been if Bush had said in 2003, "Launching an invasion of Iraq is a really tough decision. But let's wait to see if those weapons of mass destruction really exist."
And then there were those decisions not quickly made. Like rushing aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. His "willingness" to make tough decisions lagged a little there. And people no longer felt as if their president really had his head in the game.
"I'm not really the type to wander off and sit down and go through a deep wrestling with my soul," he once told reporters.
So maybe he will not wrestle with his soul over these last eight years. But I think he is very, very glad they are over.
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© 2009, Creators Syndicate
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