Everyone who knows me here knows that I've got one of the biggest bleeding hearts a liberal can get. I'm a pacifist, vegetarian, environmentalist who leans towards socialism. So, I'm a lefty. I didn't vote for President Bush. I voted for Ralph Nader. I didn't support the vast majority of decisions Bush made after he took office. I applauded when the Democrats took over the Senate though I'm not a big fan of them either. However... I am extremely impressed with the way President Bush and his administration has handled this terrorist situation. I don't always like their rhetoric and there are days when I'm scared ****less, but I have been pleasantly surprised by how the whole situation has been handled. It hasn't been the actions so much as the tenor of his approach and the calm and deliberate approach. Here are the best examples I can think of: <li>Reading from the Koran Wow! That took guts! No time in American history has a president embraced so publically a religion other than Christianity or Judiasm. Sure, there have been the visits from the Dalai Lama and meetings with Hindi leaders, but nothing like this. To go into a mosque and read from the Koran was as powerful a statement about respecting each other as any president has ever made. In fact, that one act forever changed my opinion of President Bush. <li>Building an international coalition This has mostly been the responsibility of Collen Powell (boy, I really like him), but it has been really impressive overall. I mean, this has all the characteristics of a worldwide alliance of countries unprecendented in modern times. The ability to unite against a common enemy has brought together Russia, China, America, Europe, Latin America, most of Asia, much of the Middle East and Africa. That, IMO, is simply amazing. Just a few months ago, we were in a tenuous situation with China over a spy plane! <li>Thoughtful, patient response The fact that it took time the US to repsond showed incredible restraint considering the violent nature of the attacks. It also demonstrated a willingness to listen to other countries and work with them instead of responding with no support. For a guy I thought had the patience of a mosquito, this impressed me a great deal. <li>Continuing the message that Islam is peaceful The continual message that Islam is a religion "of peace" and that the terrorists were perverting that message is one I personally appreciate. As someone who belives in peace above all else and tolerance for all other beliefs, this is comforting to hear. It also resonates with the American people. People (like my father), who I would never in a million years have expected to act this way, have said things to me like, "These terrorist aren't true Muslims" or "Islam is a peaceful religon" or "I feel sorry for the people living under this oppressive rule." That is a shock. <li>The persistant dropping of humanitarian aid Not only does this demonstrate our resolve to help people who are oppressed, it shows that we know how to separate the terrorists from peaceful Arab people caught in the crossfire. It has been said, "If you want peace, fight for justice." This is compassion in action and our way of trying to deliver justice. <li>Supporting an independent Palestinian state The fact that the Bush administration is pushing ahead with the formation of a Palestinian state may ultimately be the most important piece of the middle east peace process. There is no question that those who hate us do so partly because of our loyalty to Israel sometimes at the expense of the Palestinian people. The act of pushing for a Palestinian state give the US a chance to demonstrate conclusively, maybe for the first time, that we can be trusted. It may not earn the trust of the Arab world, but it is the right first step in that direction. Like I said, Bush has never had a big fan in me. I'm sure that, once this has been settled, I'll still dislike his domestic agenda. I'm sure that he will do other things that will bug me, but what president hasn't? Whatever happens, my opinion has changed. I am not the patriotic type who would normally "stand behind the president" or wave a flag, but I must say that he's done a good job and I want to give credit where credit is due.
I dont lean to the left as much as you, but Im definitely on that side of the aisle, and I have been talking about Bush in much the same fashion. I didnt vote for him and I have made fun of his gaffes as much as the next guy but... He has handled this in a very impressive manner, I especially respect the fact that he was able to put aside his emotions and do what was necessary to craft out a well thought out response to this tragedy. It would have been way too easy to just send over the B2s and start bombing the sh*t outta them, but that would have caused an explosion in the Muslim world and caused alot more trouble than is currently happening. Did it surprise anyone that he actually got teary-eyed on national tv? He seems to fancy himself a macho kind of guy, and we all know that macho guys dont like to show emotion in public. Call me sentimental, but I thought it showed a side of him I never would have expected to see. How much good do you think the food is doing anyway? I heard somewhere that the Taliban was taking alot of the humanitarian aid for themselves. I dont honestly think that it is doing that much good for our image anyway. Its gonna take more than some food being dropped over there to change the Muslim public's opinion of us anyway. I think that as long as he isnt speaking with forked tongue about a Palestinian state, that alone will do wonders for our image over there. but then again...they will probably think we aren't serious anyway. Lets hope he can keep it up and lead us thru this crisis with the same skill and statemanship he has shown in the last month. Peace sorry for rambling yall, Im not a very good writer and I have lots of opinions. it all seems to come out jumbled sometimes.
I loved his most recent press conference. I have never thought Bush to be a good speaker, but he really impressed me this time. He started out slow, with his usual "we will bring them to justice" spiel, but after about 10-15 minutes, he seemed to loosen up and speak from the heart instead of spouting out previously prepared statements. During that conference, he struck me as an honest, genuine guy. I honestly felt that I got to know him as a person through his answers whereas before he was just some cardboard figurehead to me.
I am a Bush fan and have been since he visited my university campus many years ago when he was running for governor. but that's neither here nor there. . . you guys were talking about how he's not that great a public speaker, and I agree. that's why I LOVED that moment he had on that friday with the firefighters and the bullhorn. he didn't have any speech writer or adviser talking in his ear. the one guy yelled out, "we can't hear you!", and Bush just improvised. and he ended up saying what will probably be one of if not his most memorable quote by the time it is all said and done. "well, I can hear you. and the whole world can hear you. and pretty soon, the people who knocked down these building are going to hear us all!" it was great. and it showed that he can think on his feet. he's not an imbecile. I think he's very much like his father in that respect. put them in front of cameras with a microphone in their face, and they come across stiff as a board. but on their own, when they are relaxed, they are quite personable. of course, the same could probably be said for most people.
thats true, put me in front of a mike or in front of more than 5 people, and I will stutter and stammer and totally forget abything I have to say. but talk to me personally, and you will find that Im fairly intelligent and wellspoken. Some people just weren't cut out for public speaking.
I think probably the best historical comparison is to Harry Truman...someone who was laughed at by his opponents as being somewhat incompetent...but someone who rose to find his place in history. It is sometimes said that some people have greatness thrust unto them...i've even said that before. I think I don't agree with that....history has shown us many times where men and/or women have not risen to the occasion...it is not enough to just be "fortunate" enough to have been a leader in a time of trial. you do have to come through...and i'm really proud of Bush. It seems he's the right man at the right time. While Falwell might say this whole thing was a judgement on America by God...I would argue that it was divine providence that brought about such leadership in a time of need. (i would also argue that, despite the death of 6000 people, it could have been far worse if most of those folks who escaped had someone been unable to get out -- but that's a whole different topic entirely!)
Bush is as good or better a man as he is a politician. We probably haven't been able to say that unequivocally since Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford-- and they weren't exactly great politicians!
Unless you know him personally you really can't say that Bush is a good or better man then he is as a politician. How many times have people said or thought that about countless celebrities and public figures only to find out about their deep dark secrets? So I'm not going go there. But I agree with Jeff, as president, Bush is doing an great job. I'm impressed.
Jeff, you said: I'm a pacifist, vegetarian, environmentalist who leans towards socialism. So, I'm a lefty. I'm a near pacifist, ex-vegetarian, (still believe it in in theory, but my blood chemistry loves high protein), environmentalist who leans toward socialism ala Sweden , glad to hear your views. I voted for Clinton. I like Ralph. I like what he said. I've seen him speak since my college days. I essentially voted against Nader at the last moment for focusing his campaign in the closely contested states. His campaign admitted this afterwards. Turned out the national media would only cover him when he possibly threatened to swing the main contest. I also was pissed off when I later read that Nader had been admitting to close associates that: "of course, Bush election will hurt a great many people but... " Like a typical politician he stayed on message whenever in front of the media that there was no meaningful difference between Bush and Gore. He somewhat sold his soul for his hoped for 5%. It backfired as it was in the battle ground states where he slipped most from preelection polls to results at the polling booth. His campaign was sufficient alone to cost Clinton the election. Of course so did other things, especially Gore's dorky personality. The once in a 50 year surplus has been returned to the rich. Neither Nader nor future democrats will be able to raise that money in the near future. The Republicans won the main issue. That money could have solved a lot of social problems. Bush has been dishonestly conservative since being elected despite pretending to be a moderate.. A few of my friends regret voting for Nader. Any regrets on your part? What do you see as Nader's future? As for Bush and 9/11/01. We all know he 's not exactly hands on. Good thing Colin Powell and Rice are prevailing at the moment. I do think they have learned a few things from the blowback from the Gulf War and their role in creating bin Laden and the taliban. Also the need to assemble a coalition is moderating them.
RocksMillenium: Well, duh, everything posted in this thread is just an opinion. If Bush has well-exceeded the expectations of his non- supporters, then I think categorically we can compliment him as a person who has personally risen to a huge challenge and carried himself with dignity and fine leadership.
I thought the concept of divine mandate for a ruler died a long time ago...guess I was wrong. Jeff & Glynch, Vegetarians and ex-vegetarians are sissies and inferior. Doing things half-way is the mark of yellow-bellied, communistic, cowards.
Bush Sr was a Foreign policy man. No surprise his son would be too. I agree . . i think they man's master stroke was surrounding himself with competent people and then just being a Central Figure for them to funnel info to the presss through. While he is handling 9/11 nicely. The economy still sucks. I see where the CIA wants more sweeping powers of privacy invasion. I see people who don't toe the company line being label UNAMERICAN ala McCarthy. I do not see that as progressive. This is not a time to throw the baby out [our rights] with the bathwater [vile evil folx who abuse the rights] So I'm not all *that* impressed by Bush. I also remember you all b****ed and moaned when I said we'd be at war in 3 years. . . .said i was stupid . . That I was biased etc . . . .well we are at war. To Quote Public Enemy: I don't Truss It Rocket River Free the BOONDOCKS
rimbaud: "I thought the concept of divine mandate for a ruler died a long time ago...guess I was wrong. RR: You're thinking of divine right not mandate.....BIG DIFFERENCE.
I hope you are joking...I can only assume that your all-caps superiority thing is a dead giveaway to the jocular nature of your post. If not, I might have to think less of you, and that would be tragic.
NOT JOKING. Big difference. Explain yourself. Diving "right" belongs to Kings/Queen. Divine "mandate" here belongs to an elected official. I see BIG DIFFERENCE. I didn't think it was POSSIBLE for you to think less of me!
MadMax did not say that every election of a US president involved divine intervention... just George W. Bush.
Dammit that's ballot tampering! Voter fraud! I demand a recount, and this time god better not go anywhere near my ballot!
