In a way, I feel sorry for President Bush. Not because he screwed up. Not because he was doing the best he knew how (if this is the best he knew how, then something's seriously wrong with us for electing him). Not because Iraq is on the verge of all out civil war. Not because the media has been critical of what has happened. Not because he's wasted so much good will and credibility to pursue what increasingly looks like a personal agenda in Iraq. And not because he claimed to be a uniter yet instead takes jabs at the democrats in Congress and runs around the legislative branch to do what he wants in spite of their lack of approval.
I feel sorry for him because now he's in a spot where he can't make any move without being pounced on. Before the Baker report came out people were speculating on what Bush would do or how he'd react to it (including myself). Same for so many other things. He's got a reputation (well deserved or not) for being stubborn and pigheaded. The problem with this is, by our actions we've put him in a position where he just can't win. He's no longer the leader of America; he's the guy who gets fingers pointed at. With the Baker report - what the hell is he going to do? If he chooses a different course of action than what it suggested, then he's stubborn. If he follows it, then daddy saved him. If he partially incorporates it, then he can't listen to those who present a "sound" assessment of the situation.
I don't object to being critical of the president - I think that's part of our job as Americans, to see what decisions he's made and announce whether we approve or disapprove so he (or she) can see how we want him or her to proceed in the future. However, I think we need to give the president that CHANCE to make the decision before we criticize him. In short - back off a little.
2 comments:
Unfortunately he already made his decision when he, as the "Decider" chose to ignore advice and manufacture a reason to invade a country that, despite not being especially friendly to our economic interests, at least was fairly stable by comparison. And he chose to do it with short-sightedness. I don't feel sorry for him because he's in a no-win situation now. Unfortunately he doesn't have to deal with the true consequences of his actions - the kids that are coming back damaged (physically & emotionally) and their families and the families who have lost children/parents/spouses are the ones really paying the price for Bush's hubris. And for that, I am not sorry for him at all.
dubya's still president? man. finals make a week feel like 10 years.
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