There's one thing that President Bush has got going for him when his legacy is determined. In 5 or 10 years, when we can take a long-term view of the recent changes taking place in the Middle East - Afghanistan, Iraq, the decline of the intifada - everyone on the left will have to admit that things are better because of George W. Bush. This is not like Reagan, whose victory over Communism is pooh-poohed as part of an inevitable trend. This is the real thing and the Democrats were against it all. Remember that as you read these poll numbers from Afghanistan and Iraq.
Poll: Afghans Optimistic About Recovery
Iraqis Back New Leaders, Poll Says - From page A19 of the Washington Post
3 comments:
Those who predict historical effects of current outcomes typically wind up with egg on their faces. Look at President Carter and the Middle East Peace. Look at President Bush Sr., and the first Iraq war.
Be careful what you predict. Historical precedent suggests that back-analyses are rarely accurate.
Just a thought.
You might be interested in the comment I just left here: http://aclipscomb.blogspot.com/2004_07_01_aclipscomb_archive.html#108969555914373465
...in which I try to predict an epitaph of another sort. :)
Jon
Bush Sr. didn't go into Iraq in order to do anything other than protect the status quo, so he doesn't count.
Carter did, in fact, change the world in the respect that 25 years later we still accept "land for peace" as a fundamental concept in Arab-Israeli relations and the fact that Israel has not been at war with her neighbors since then. Gotta give him credit where credit is due.
Of course he also was in office when the Ayatollah took over Iran, and Sadat's assassination brought fame and fortune to the Muslim Brotherhood which spawned Al-Qaeda and Hamas, so all in all I'd say Carter's effect on the Middle East was probably negative in the long-term.
About Bush Jr., there are two phrases with identical meanings that I learned growing up. Even though they are in two different languages created by cultures thousands of miles apart, they speak to my heart and I know that the President understands.
"Ani ma'amim" and "Ya gotta believe" :-)
I believe that the President of the United States, regardless of his or her party, always acts, in the majority of cases, in the best interests of the country.
I also believe that anything the Constitution allows the President to screw up can be fixed by the end of the following election cycle, or sooner, after voting in someone else.
I believe that the President of the United States, regardless of his or her party, always acts, in the majority of cases, in the best interests of the country.Nixon.
'nuff said.
I'll think about your other points and maybe address them later. :)
J
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