Okay, I'm gonna say something nice about George W. Bush and

[monmouth]

bet I don't get flamed all that much. President Obama very graciously extended the invitation to W to join him in New York on Thursday. It is significant and important, especially for New Yorkers that he go there. Dubya declined the invitation, I suppose for all or many of the reasons that have been stated. I remember that Bush, during the transition, was very cooperative with the new incoming team and from all appearances he and Obama had a conciliatory relationship. That's a good thing. President Bush understands this is President Obama's "baby" and I truly believe he wants him to enjoy whatever the day brings for him. Good decision President Bush, my opinion of you has inched up a notch or so.

[leftstreet]

1. Maybe it's a sting to arrest him !!

War crimes and all

[monmouth]

7. As much as we would like that, realists know that is never going to happen IMO..n/t

[dkf]

2. Bush as ex prez isn't so bad. But as prez he was beyond awful.

[TransitJohn]

13. I have the same opinion.

Nowadays he's just kick back.....the kind of guy you could have a beer with. :evilgrin:
He does understand propriety and staying out of the media spotlight. Too bad he fucked the country up so bad and killed all those people.

[dkf]

29. Yeah. He really wasn't cut out for the job.

[ChoralScholar]

26. it's pretty good company, that is, people who are better

ex-presidents than they were presidents.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I suspect you're right...No flames from me.

[eleny]

4. Okay, I'll play

If W were to attend the event and the right wing continues to find fault with the mission - then he can say it had nothing to do with him. Legacy protection.

:hi:

[monmouth]

8. HA! Good point...Sort of a CYA decision..Could be...n/t

[eleny]

11. Yeh, W always did seem like a CYA kinda guy - Didn't he get his Masters in CYA?

[DearAbby]

5. I had mentioned Bush's graciousness in his Statement

following the announcement OBL was dead. Again He has shown graciousness. :thumbsup:

[bluestateguy]

6. My opinion of him notched up an inch too: from -1000 to -999

nt

[Whisp]

14. big fat lol

:D

my numbers are about the same

[blondeatlast]

9. I'm suspicion of his motivation for the decline, but there's a bit more dignity to

proceedings because he won't be there.

Not exactly praise, but I won't flame you, either.

[Booster]

10. I hate to disagree, but I do. Bush just isn't that interested in our

country - he wasn't when he was President and he certainly isn't now. He's just like Trump - only interested in himself. Fuck everybody else.

[wickerwoman]

12. He's a classic narcissist. If he isn't holding the megaphone, he can't be arsed, frankly.

Where would be the fun in standing behind Obama and watching him get all the applause?

[monmouth]

17. There is a laziness about him that I'm sure has grown since he is

now in "retirement." Having to get ready to go to New York, wear a suit, be on the good manners and ex-presidentin' behavior. Nah, he'd rather stay home, ride his bike and watch the tv. He isn't all that interested and his appearance of being "gracious" is fine with him.. You make a good point.

[Booster]

30. Actually, you make a better point than I did. You're right; it is his

laziness - getting all dressed up and having to act nice. That's exactly what it is - he's lazy as Hell and can't be bothered.

[steve2470]

15. I had the same initial reaction you did, despite my extreme distate for him

Another theory: He wasn't the President who "solved" the OBL issue, so perhaps he's embarrassed to be seen in public with the President who did. I dunno.

[whatchamacallit]

16. Awesome, we're praising Bush now!

I guess it's inevitable when democrat validates neocon wars. Maybe DU will be reaching out to free-republic soon.

[leftstreet]

24. The Bipartisan bus. You're either on it, or under the wheels

:hi:

[alsame]

18. He couldn't care less about 9/11, Ground Zero, the families or

NYC. Never did, never will.

[RagAss]

19. And I'm going to ask you to think about the torture of a human being.

Get that image in your brain.

[mainer]

20. As much as I despised the man in office ...

Bush has been a surprisingly gracious ex-Prez. And I have to tip my hat to him for that.

[Canuckistanian]

21. Bush knew he was out of his league

And he was probably relieved to be out of the spotlight and off the "hot seat".

I wish him well in his new career picking up dog do and the very occasional rubber chicken dinners at the local Lion's Club.

[JuniperLea]

22. I'll add a compliment if I may...

Over the weekend I saw a video of Bush on a bike ride with a bunch of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans... some missing limbs. Bush stood there and said he was responsible for them going to war, and he was in awe of their strength. I felt a little glimmer of respect for him; that was the most honest statement I've ever heard him utter... and it was a wonderful thing.

[guitar man]

23. I don't think it's anything that elegant

He'd have to sober up, shave and put on a suit and tie and I think that's just too much work for him ;)

[sellitman]

25. Such a nice

fucking war criminal!

[progressoid]

27. Uh no. He's not going because Swamp People is on the History Channel.

Duh.

[jimlup]

28. Or maybe he was afraid he'd be booed

I'm sorry but I hate the ass clown to the core.

[BlueStater]

31. Being respectful isn't going to bring back the thousands who died because of his lies.

Sorry but I'll hate that bastard until the end of my days.

[Solomon]

32. Bush was a President who enjoyed doing what he was told to

do. No need to have to think or anything else. Just willingly enjoy doing what you're told to do. He was very effective and competent at this. Some people loved him for it, some hated him for it.

Obama, on the other hand, tries to fight, bargain and compromise against what he's told to do. He gets what he can wrangle out of the powers that be, and that will always be short of people's expectations. Some people love him for it, some hate him for it.

[Bluebear]

33. Maybe he declined because he's on a bender. nt

[Zen Democrat]

34. Did he invite Bill Clinton to Ground Zero in 2001? Or did the word go out to blame Clinton?

Because I remember the Republican meme in the days immediately following the 9/11 attacks were, "Thank Goodness Al Gore ins't President," and "Bill Clinton was warned and didn't do anything about Bin Laden." I don't think George Bush should show his face.