Bush & Company

April Twelfth

On this day in 1861, shots fired by confederate soldiers on the Charleston Harbor island of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, signaled the start of the Civil War.

On the same day in 2006, a banner universal health care bill was signed into law by Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. Once more a contender for the Republican presidential nomination, his greatest achievement as governor he feels he must now downplay because of its unfortunate link to President Obama's plan, despised by conservatives, but modeled after his own. A better approach for Mr. Romnay would be to confront the problem and deal openly with his base.

Treading on eggshells is often the path taken by the politically ambitious; suppressing a significant accomplishment, more rare.

Poor Mitt is in an awful bind
As pundits hasten to remind
His health care model is the source
Of the Obama tour de force.

That imp Obama had to smile,
A smile that he could not repress,
When praising Mitt's like statute while
His chances dwindled down to less,

Whose landmark law could be to blame
For one more disappointing loss
And causing him---that albatross!
To hang his handsome head in shame.

not the intellectually challenged, not the uninformed, not the credulous, but those in charge who know better and don't care. . .

So much of what we see is showing
The ranks of the unjust are growing;

Always wondering, never knowing---
If there's a Hell, I know who's going. . .

"The greatest president in the history of the United States---me!" So crowed real estate mogul and reality show star and host Donald Trump, making himself, by questioning and investigating President Obama' birthplace, the hero of the radical Tea Party wing of the Republican party.

The self-styled brilliant entrepreneur has actually racked up large debts and lost fortunes several times, but Republican-like, interprets his errors and failures as successes.

He may not be running at all---merely grabbing more attention for his show, The Apprentice,
"the ultimate job interview," to influence NBC to renew.

Not known for altruism, humanitarianism or sacrifice, his legacy of tall buildings and showmanship may be superseded by ruthless self-promotion and egotism.

Do you mean it, Mr. Trump?
Are you really on the stump?
Loudly tooting on your horn,
Disputing where Barack was born---

Maybe it's the time to quit,
Now you've made your party's split
Even worse, or don't you care?
Take a breather, fix your hair. . .

If you're tossing in your hat,
If you're serious or not---
Is it just a ploy or what?
Either way, boy---in your hat!

There's a camaraderie among the former presidents, almost like a fraternity, though unofficial.

On Monday, March 21, 2011, at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, a "Beltway Bash" was held, honoring former president, George H. W. Bush's contribution to volunteerism.

Among guests, participants and performers were former presidents Bush 41 and 43, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton

In remarks for the occasion, Mr. Clinton said, "All you really want to do is make sure you leave this earth a little bit better off than when you showed up." Of his one-time political rival, George H. W. Bush, he said, "He can do no wrong in my eyes. . .even though he every five years, makes me look like a wimp by continuing to jump out of a plane." He also philosophized about "how much energy we waste fighting with each other over things that don't matter."

The four living former presidents gathered in solidarity for this event.

Perhaps there should be a formal former presidents fraternity.

The old boys club, now down to four,
And long ago, when they were more,
Perhaps have met, comparing notes,
Exchanging humorous anecdotes,

Examining not too closely those
Sins and omissions to expose;
All barbs and rancor put aside,
By time's erosion mollified;
\
And in some dim and distant pub,
May meet that other old boys club.
Hoist high your mugs, historic gents!

Farewell, farewell, past presidents. . .