A Newfound Respect for Bush

A small news article I found today gave me a newfound respect for former President Bush. While he did not speak glowingly about Obama and did throw in a comment of "if I agree with him," he gets respect for not joining in the rank-and-file Limbaugh-style bashing of Obama.

In the past, I have not had kind words for or about President Bush, but the fact that he chose to decline comment shows a sense of collective patriotism that I did not expect out of him. Add to that, he has insisted that he will commit to some initiatives he started in office such as combating AIDS and malaria in Africa. Regardless of whether or not this is missionary work, it has to be applauded.

So, bravo Mr. ex-President, you have earned an ounce of respect from me.

Disclaimer: I am well aware that I would not have wanted to be in his position when he was forced to make some tough decisions. I just wish we had contemplated and debated more rather than trusting "gut-wisdom." He made some noble attempts and some serious blunders and perhaps the blame should lie on the Republican Party just as much if not more than on him. For better or worse, he was more of a puppet in my opinion than a leader.