Bush & Company

On January 12, 2009, President George W. Bush held a final press conference and on January 15, gave a farewell address before a small group---cabinet members and Vice President Cheney---televised to the nation from the East room of the White House.

At his news conference, he expressed disagreement with the majority belief that “. . our moral standing has been damaged.” He also defended his decision to send a surge to Iraq of 30,000 troops “. . . as opposed to withdrawing.” This was done in January, 2007. Apparent was his continued rejection of presidential responsibility, despite cogent evidence that his ignorance of the Middle East resulted in a stubborn and unrealistic determination to establish Western-style democracy in the region.

In his farewell address, he emphasized his resolve throughout his tenure both to protect the nation from further terrorist attack and to prevent collapse of the economy. “There are things I would do differently if given the chance, Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. . .I was willing to make the tough decisions.” However, his insistence on deregulation aided in creating the 2008 financial meltdown, certain to continue for some time and though receiving an intel report every morning but Sunday, he somehow missed the warnings, some very detailed, that signaled 9/11.

(some parting words from George W. Bush paraphrased)

I made tough choices to ensure
America would be secure.
My conscience always guided me---
(But will historians disagree?)

So much taints that grand old Bush name,
Still President Bush takes little blame.
His attitude has stayed the same--- This presidency is about me.

In the Hereafter, George W. Bush, who should have served his people as champion and protector, must finally face up to misdeeds and sins of omission, both of which have far-reaching and collateral ramifications.

Ghostly faces, haunted eyes,
Like a tide around you rise;
Multitudes that like a sea,
Stretch far as the eye can see.

You chose to disregard their cries,
Cries that reached the very skies.
Now eyes, for voices they have none,
Cry wordlessly, what have you done?

The president will leave us soon,
Shedding his sheltering safe cocoon
To go out in the world alone
And show that he's not been outshone.

Outdone by Dad with bat and ball,
He bolstered his own self-esteem
And bought himself a baseball team.
In business Poppy's better, too;

He even flew an aeroplane
More skillfully than George could do;
No contest who best wears the hat
Of an effective diplomat.

Besides misdeeds, once and for all,
Can he prove that he can exceed
His senior in financial greed,
The better Bush thus to outdo---

Every so often make a speech,
An easy seventy-five thou-plus each?
It seems to be part of their creed;
How much dough do these people need?