President George W. Bush’s Farewell Speech was Nothing But Spin to Influence How He is Treated by History

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To echo the words of Arianna Huffington, President Bush, during his farewell speech last night, was delusional from the beginning to the end. So, as he was bidding us his “fondest” farewell on television, he was sticking us with a $20 billion, secret middle-of-the-night bailout for Bank of America and an additional government backstop of $118 billion for its assets — all on top of cutting a deal with Barack Obama to give away the second $350 billion of the TARP Big Business bailout. That’s a helluva goodbye. At least Obama has committed, in writing, to using some of the funds to address the current mortgage foreclosure crisis.

President Bush is one of the most unpopular presidents in America’s history, and certainly since I started voting in this country. He was classic Bush, unbowed as he defended his tumultuous two terms in a farewell address to the nation. He claimed a series of successes at home and aboard. Reaching back to the Sept. 11 attacks, when the public rallied behind him, Bush declared the United States will “never tire, never falter and never fail.” Wait, where did the victims of Hurricane Katrina factor into his successes? It was a glaring failure and is still an albatross around the necks of the residents from Louisiana and the gulf coast.

He is leaving office with the highest disapproval rating since Richard Nixon, Bush said, “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.” Really, President Bush, you hope we can see that you were willing to make these tough decisions? They did not benefit this country one bit. We are mired in an economic crisis of untold proportions and an unclear duration.

It is rather tragic, that he had to spend his farewell address to the nation, which I might add many people did not even bother to watch, defending his position. A clear sign that he is worried about his legacy and how he will be portrayed in the history books. Bush’s eight-year term is indelibly marked by terrorism, two wars and recessions. He spoke from the East Room of the White House with just 112 hours left in office. I seriously doubt his farewell speech will do much to change the minds of Americans. President Bush spoke in glowing terms about our accomplishments in Iraq, as though we are best friends. But in reality, Iran is more likely the best friend of Iraq than America, which is reviled in parts of the Middle East. Afghanistan is a death trap, where no-one in their right mind would dare venture out without ample protection. News flash– the Taliban is running around the country once again! What would Hamid Karzai do if his American bodyguards left? He’d be assassinated or would have to leave the country himself. President Bush claimed that America’s “air, water, and lands are measurably cleaner.” Really President Bush? Who is doing the measuring? I suppose the same eco-unfriendly companies to which he handed his environmental policies. We entered the Spin-Zone with President Bush’s farewell speech.

This will be his final public appearance until he greets President-elect Barack Obama on Inauguration Day at the White House’s North Portico. Thank God. Bush called the inauguration of Obama, the first black president, a “moment of hope and pride” for America. “Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose story reflects the enduring promise of our land,” he said. That much I agree with him on. Sorry President Bush, I don’t think that history will be as kind to you as you have been to us. I am being sarcastic of course. January 20th can’t come fast enough for me. The real shame is that his father was a better president in his one term than he was in eight years. Thanks President Bush, for sticking it us one last time before you really say goodbye.

Filed under: Afghanistan, Farewell Speech, Inauguration Day, Iran, Iraq war, President George W. Bush, President-elect Barack Obama, Spin Zone

Edward Vaughn, Head of Alabama NAACP, Wants Mobile’s Azalea Trail Maids Disinvited from Inauguration, Says they Remind him of Slavery

Here’s another group mad at Barack Obama and his upcoming inauguration. The head of the Alabama NAACP, Edward Vaughn, wants wants Mobile’s Azalea Trail Maids to stay home on Inauguration Day, claiming the group reminds him of slavery. One hitch. They have been part of a long standing tradition that will soon become a part of Presidential history. Geez, where has he been all these years?

Vaugh said, “these are not just regular costumes. These are the costumes that remind someone of the plantation in Gone with the Wind.” He went on to say the group would be the laughing stock of the Inauguration. County leaders say nothing could be further from the truth.

“We want everyone to know that these young ladies do not need to be identified with slavery,” said Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine. “I don’t see what the dresses have to do with racism. I don’t see it. It’s just a regular dress to me. Just a dress they wore back in the day,” said Carolyn Tius. Organizers stand behind the tradition, but opponents say tradition is the problem. “We needed something that could show Alabama’s great progress rather than something that shows a shameful past,” Vaughn said. Source: WFSA 12 News

Really, Mr. Vaughn? Where were you when Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were inaugurated? You didn’t have a problem then, but you do now? You are fanning the flames of racism. This has no traction, at this point.

Filed under: Alabama, Azalea Trail Maids, Edward Vaughn, Inauguration Day, NAACP, Plantation, President-elect Barack Obama, Racism

Many Students Skipping School to Witness History Being Made with, Barack Obama, the First African American President’s Inauguration

I have been wrestling with the idea of my children skipping school on January 20th to witness history being made, as the first African American becomes the 44th President of the United States. It seems that I am not the only parent faced with this decision. Students are trekking from near and far to Washington D.C. to witness this historic event. It’s a phenomenal civics lesson. Students are showing that the energy and activism Obama’s campaign ignited, even among those too young to vote, in still in full swing.

On Facebook, for example, numerous groups have been formed by students planning road trips and by those angry with class schedules that conflict with the Jan. 20 ceremony. At Harvard University, hundreds of undergraduates have signed an online petition asking administrators to allow students to make up exams scheduled that day. In Montgomery County, officials initially sought to go against a regional trend and keep schools open for the inauguration, but a student petition seeking to close schools drew more than 5,000 signatures.

The Student and Youth Travel Association, based in Michigan, which includes travel agents, tour operators and bus companies, estimates that as many as 500,000 students plan to attend the inauguration. That’s five times the number who attended President Bush’s second inauguration. Debbie Gibb, the association’s associate executive director, said that one bus company recently reported that 30 of its 50 vehicles have been booked by student groups for this inauguration, compared with five in 2005. Source: The Washington Post

Though I believe Barack Obama would want our children to attend school on January 20th, you still can’t help but feel an enormous sense of pride and accomplishment that should be shared by all — young and old; black and white; Jews and Muslims; gay and straight; male and female; Republican, Independent and Democrat. My oldest son has a perfect attendance record at school and my youngest has missed two days due to illness, but I want them to witness history firsthand on television as it is being broadcast live and not later during the re-broadcasts. This will be a poignant moment, when everyone will realize that America has come a long way and finally Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream has been realized. Barack Obama will go down in history as the first African American President of the United States. Yes, this the culmination of the civil rights struggle when so many gave their lives for basic rights. The historic election was also a time when we came together, despite our ethnic background or our social standing or our educational background, to elevate a black man as the next president of the United States.

Filed under: 2009, Barack Obama, First African American President, Historic Civics Lesson, Inauguration, Inauguration Day, January 20, Students Skipping School