Agreed, and also his decision making during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Built a remarkable coalition of countries (how often do US and allied troops lineup alongside those from Muslim countries?). The decision to stop short of taking Baghdad and overthrowing Saddam is certainly an interesting one in hindsight. Saddam was a terrible dictator...but Bush 41 had the foreign policy experience to know a weakened dictator was the lesser of two evils compared to the vacuum left by removing him. As we learned the hard way since.
but, if you participated in WWII and did not lie about your age (i.e. said you were 17 when you were really 15) you would have to be at least 90 years old now.
Voluntered without hesitation. Aimed to fight. Fought
House of Representatives.
Un Ambassador
Ambassador to China
Head of the CIA
Orchestrated for many years the bloodless glidepath of the fall of the Soviet Union
Took a election cycle recession without allowing tax cuts or increased money supply or funding the stock markets via the overnight funds window because he saw those tactics as a burden on future generations and young people just starting out.
Contributed as a post President.
Courteous and helpful to political friends and opponents
Pretty humble. Always loyal
Voluntered without hesitation. Aimed to fight. Fought
House of Representatives.
Un Ambassador
Ambassador to China
Head of the CIA
Orchestrated for many years the bloodless glidepath of the fall of the Soviet Union
Took a election cycle recession without allowing tax cuts or increased money supply or funding the stock markets via the overnight funds window because he saw those tactics as a burden on future generations and young people just starting out.
Contributed as a post President.
Courteous and helpful to political friends and opponents
Pretty humble. Always loyal
Just a small list of a life well lived
good summary of a man who could have made a fortune on Wall Street with his family connections but charted his own path in the oil services sector and then public service
You can see why he is revered by all parties and people in the political spectrum. After losing a tough election... then write a letter like that. All class.
Like others here I disagreed heartedly with his politics, but never doubted that he had the best intentions. His attitude towards and later cooperation with Bill Clinton on charitable endeavors should serve as an example for how to provide service towards the country and a better world. Damn its sad to see the greatest generation dwindle more and more.
RE: Bush may not have been the greatest president Â
Probably not the time to debate the Iran-Contra pardons, Willie Horton, the Saudi connection, Clarence Thomas, W, etc. Historians - professional and amateur - will never reach anything like consensus on GHWB's legacy. For a one-term president, he left a remarkably deep imprint on the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and the world.
He did his best, served his country with distinction and exited the stage with dignity. He wasn't perfect, but we could do a lot worse, and we certainly have.
RE: RE: Bush may not have been the greatest president Â
very sad. He transcended politics and partisanship with grace and dignity. He and his son represent the office of the Presidency the way most of us would want. With respect and courtesy. RIP tons true American hero.
Probably not the time to debate the Iran-Contra pardons, Willie Horton, the Saudi connection, Clarence Thomas, W, etc. Historians - professional and amateur - will never reach anything like consensus on GHWB's legacy. For a one-term president, he left a remarkably deep imprint on the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and the world.
He did his best, served his country with distinction and exited the stage with dignity. He wasn't perfect, but we could do a lot worse, and we certainly have.
I disagree with the first part of this comment - it's the perfect time to debate away. Just because a person has recently passed on doesn't mean we should exclusively reflect on the just the positive aspects of their life's legacy.
It's important to also reflect on some of the messier parts of a person's life to maintain a balance, especially with political figures. With George Bush there was also all of the allegations of him groping women which came out recently.
We're all human, we all have our good moments and our bad moments - I think it's healthier to maintain that perspective, particularly in the wake of a death, than forcing ourselves into a daze of nostalgia to avoid acknowledging the more uncomfortable truths about how a person lived their life.
RE: RE: RE: I admire a lot about the man. Iran-Contra hasn't been mentioned, Â
Probably not the time to debate the Iran-Contra pardons, Willie Horton, the Saudi connection, Clarence Thomas, W, etc. Historians - professional and amateur - will never reach anything like consensus on GHWB's legacy. For a one-term president, he left a remarkably deep imprint on the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and the world.
He did his best, served his country with distinction and exited the stage with dignity. He wasn't perfect, but we could do a lot worse, and we certainly have.
I disagree with the first part of this comment - it's the perfect time to debate away. Just because a person has recently passed on doesn't mean we should exclusively reflect on the just the positive aspects of their life's legacy.
It's important to also reflect on some of the messier parts of a person's life to maintain a balance, especially with political figures. With George Bush there was also all of the allegations of him groping women which came out recently.
We're all human, we all have our good moments and our bad moments - I think it's healthier to maintain that perspective, particularly in the wake of a death, than forcing ourselves into a daze of nostalgia to avoid acknowledging the more uncomfortable truths about how a person lived their life.
Why are we trying to accomplished something "good"? It should be about just remembering a person as they were - the whole picture without trying whitewash their life. I don't think it benefits anyone to be so selective about what we choose to give rememberance to.
Obviously, if it's someone that you know directly or indirectly that died you'll be affected differently and would want to be sensitive to those who were close to that person, but that isn't what we're talking about here.
Why are we trying to accomplished something "good"? It should be about just remembering a person as they were - the whole picture without trying whitewash their life. I don't think it benefits anyone to be so selective about what we choose to give rememberance to.
Obviously, if it's someone that you know directly or indirectly that died you'll be affected differently and would want to be sensitive to those who were close to that person, but that isn't what we're talking about here.
I don't think it benefits anyone to intentionally remember or bring up things that are negative right after the person passes. It just seems unnecessary. There is a time and place for that and right after a death is not the right time.
Why bring up allegations, which anyone can make on anyone, when Â
honoring someone? Allegations aren't anything until proven. Frankly starting allegations has become part of the political process when running a campaign. If he was convicted of something sure, but why demean a reputation on an "unproven allegation"?
Voluntered without hesitation. Aimed to fight. Fought
House of Representatives.
Un Ambassador
Ambassador to China
Head of the CIA
Orchestrated for many years the bloodless glidepath of the fall of the Soviet Union
Took a election cycle recession without allowing tax cuts or increased money supply or funding the stock markets via the overnight funds window because he saw those tactics as a burden on future generations and young people just starting out.
Contributed as a post President.
Courteous and helpful to political friends and opponents
Pretty humble. Always loyal
Just a small list of a life well lived
Well said. An all-arounder and fundamentally decent man with a career in public service matched by relatively few in American history.
The last President from the greatest generation. Â
more about the person making the comment than the subject of the comment. I think most of us here have seen RIP Threads of people they did not like or felt were flawed but had the self restraint to just let it go immediately after a death.
Probably not the time to debate the Iran-Contra pardons, Willie Horton, the Saudi connection, Clarence Thomas, W, etc. Historians - professional and amateur - will never reach anything like consensus on GHWB's legacy. For a one-term president, he left a remarkably deep imprint on the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and the world.
He did his best, served his country with distinction and exited the stage with dignity. He wasn't perfect, but we could do a lot worse, and we certainly have.
and he was pressured to intervene in quashing the investigation into Agnew's criminal activities. But, on the whole, his career was praiseworthy.
Link - ( New Window )
He is with his wife of 73 years now and that's a good thing
Said he still, every day, thought about the other two crew members of his plane that died when they were shot down.
For a sprinkle of levity - the comments on Mike Francesa’s twitter post are absolutely LIT right now.
Next week is going to be absolutely enormous.
Said he still, every day, thought about the other two crew members of his plane that died when they were shot down.
The crazy thing is they were eaten by the Japanese.
RIP GHWB. So sad how the numbers of the greatest generation are dwindling. Wonder who will be the Frank Buckles of this era.
Link - ( New Window )
For a sprinkle of levity - the comments on Mike Francesa’s twitter post are absolutely LIT right now.
"Hey Mike.. George Bush died.
Who?
George. Bush. Former President..
.....
Oh Jesus!
(Hangs up)
RIP.
RIP.
Agreed, and also his decision making during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Built a remarkable coalition of countries (how often do US and allied troops lineup alongside those from Muslim countries?). The decision to stop short of taking Baghdad and overthrowing Saddam is certainly an interesting one in hindsight. Saddam was a terrible dictator...but Bush 41 had the foreign policy experience to know a weakened dictator was the lesser of two evils compared to the vacuum left by removing him. As we learned the hard way since.
RIP to an honorable man
Maybe its just misguided reverence for an idealized past, but the country could use more leaders like him on both sides of the aisle.
Deepest condolences to his family.
Voluntered without hesitation. Aimed to fight. Fought
House of Representatives.
Un Ambassador
Ambassador to China
Head of the CIA
Orchestrated for many years the bloodless glidepath of the fall of the Soviet Union
Took a election cycle recession without allowing tax cuts or increased money supply or funding the stock markets via the overnight funds window because he saw those tactics as a burden on future generations and young people just starting out.
Contributed as a post President.
Courteous and helpful to political friends and opponents
Pretty humble. Always loyal
Just a small list of a life well lived
Class act.
RIP Mr President.
Voluntered without hesitation. Aimed to fight. Fought
House of Representatives.
Un Ambassador
Ambassador to China
Head of the CIA
Orchestrated for many years the bloodless glidepath of the fall of the Soviet Union
Took a election cycle recession without allowing tax cuts or increased money supply or funding the stock markets via the overnight funds window because he saw those tactics as a burden on future generations and young people just starting out.
Contributed as a post President.
Courteous and helpful to political friends and opponents
Pretty humble. Always loyal
Just a small list of a life well lived
You can see why he is revered by all parties and people in the political spectrum. After losing a tough election... then write a letter like that. All class.
Today is not just a day of sadness, it's a day to be proud of our nation for the respect given to this hero.
Sadly that America is likely gone for ever as we spiral into invective and unthinking partisanship
It's not. Decency will win.
He did his best, served his country with distinction and exited the stage with dignity. He wasn't perfect, but we could do a lot worse, and we certainly have.
Quote:
Sadly that America is likely gone for ever as we spiral into invective and unthinking partisanship
It's not. Decency will win.
Man I pray you’re right because right now it’s losing big time.
Rest in Peace, a public servant who did what he thought was best for the nation.
I agree with one of the posts above, class, honor and dignity and respect never go out of style.
Quote:
however.
Probably not the time to debate the Iran-Contra pardons, Willie Horton, the Saudi connection, Clarence Thomas, W, etc. Historians - professional and amateur - will never reach anything like consensus on GHWB's legacy. For a one-term president, he left a remarkably deep imprint on the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and the world.
He did his best, served his country with distinction and exited the stage with dignity. He wasn't perfect, but we could do a lot worse, and we certainly have.
I disagree with the first part of this comment - it's the perfect time to debate away. Just because a person has recently passed on doesn't mean we should exclusively reflect on the just the positive aspects of their life's legacy.
It's important to also reflect on some of the messier parts of a person's life to maintain a balance, especially with political figures. With George Bush there was also all of the allegations of him groping women which came out recently.
We're all human, we all have our good moments and our bad moments - I think it's healthier to maintain that perspective, particularly in the wake of a death, than forcing ourselves into a daze of nostalgia to avoid acknowledging the more uncomfortable truths about how a person lived their life.
Quote:
yatqb said:
Quote:
however.
Probably not the time to debate the Iran-Contra pardons, Willie Horton, the Saudi connection, Clarence Thomas, W, etc. Historians - professional and amateur - will never reach anything like consensus on GHWB's legacy. For a one-term president, he left a remarkably deep imprint on the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and the world.
He did his best, served his country with distinction and exited the stage with dignity. He wasn't perfect, but we could do a lot worse, and we certainly have.
I disagree with the first part of this comment - it's the perfect time to debate away. Just because a person has recently passed on doesn't mean we should exclusively reflect on the just the positive aspects of their life's legacy.
It's important to also reflect on some of the messier parts of a person's life to maintain a balance, especially with political figures. With George Bush there was also all of the allegations of him groping women which came out recently.
We're all human, we all have our good moments and our bad moments - I think it's healthier to maintain that perspective, particularly in the wake of a death, than forcing ourselves into a daze of nostalgia to avoid acknowledging the more uncomfortable truths about how a person lived their life.
Why? What good is there in that?
Obviously, if it's someone that you know directly or indirectly that died you'll be affected differently and would want to be sensitive to those who were close to that person, but that isn't what we're talking about here.
Obviously, if it's someone that you know directly or indirectly that died you'll be affected differently and would want to be sensitive to those who were close to that person, but that isn't what we're talking about here.
I don't think it benefits anyone to intentionally remember or bring up things that are negative right after the person passes. It just seems unnecessary. There is a time and place for that and right after a death is not the right time.
Voluntered without hesitation. Aimed to fight. Fought
House of Representatives.
Un Ambassador
Ambassador to China
Head of the CIA
Orchestrated for many years the bloodless glidepath of the fall of the Soviet Union
Took a election cycle recession without allowing tax cuts or increased money supply or funding the stock markets via the overnight funds window because he saw those tactics as a burden on future generations and young people just starting out.
Contributed as a post President.
Courteous and helpful to political friends and opponents
Pretty humble. Always loyal
Just a small list of a life well lived
Well said. An all-arounder and fundamentally decent man with a career in public service matched by relatively few in American history.
This place will be a madhouse for three days...
Quote:
however.
Probably not the time to debate the Iran-Contra pardons, Willie Horton, the Saudi connection, Clarence Thomas, W, etc. Historians - professional and amateur - will never reach anything like consensus on GHWB's legacy. For a one-term president, he left a remarkably deep imprint on the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and the world.
He did his best, served his country with distinction and exited the stage with dignity. He wasn't perfect, but we could do a lot worse, and we certainly have.
and he was pressured to intervene in quashing the investigation into Agnew's criminal activities. But, on the whole, his career was praiseworthy.