Bush’s Final News Conference, and His Legacy
Re “Mistakes, I’ve Made a Few, Bush Tells Reporters” (front page, Jan. 13):
First, a “few” is an understatement.
Second, President Bush tells us of the climate of fear that existed after the 9/11 attacks in which his policies were forged. President Bush stoked the fires of fear like an artist to deceitfully force his agenda to attack Iraq on the nation.
I agree with President Bush that we must not forget — not forget and allow our president to use fear to lead!
Brant Thomas
Brooklyn, Jan. 13, 2009
To the Editor:
President Bush’s defense of his pursuit of the war on terror is emblematic of his vigilance to hold steady to this misguided course, and for that, he does not atone. While he gives a nod to lesser errors, the days of the Bush presidency are haunted by the following laments:
A lament for the war dead, and for the Iraqi families that have gone without food, water and electricity, even as the largest American embassy took root from the desert floor and United States companies bided their time while oil contracts were set up for their taking;
A wail for the quiet erosion of the Constitution, the privacy of citizens, and those interned and tortured without trial or hope;
A cry for the eviscerated social programs failing the American people, and the debt that saddles the future;
And a tear for the earth, cordoned from the caution of science and left, wounded, to its own overwhelmed defense. Nancy Dickeman
Seattle, Jan. 13, 2009
To the Editor:
George W. Bush’s performance — for indeed, that is what it was — on Monday at his final scheduled news conference would have made for fine theater if it had been fictional. Sadly, it was real — or at least as real as this president would allow it to be. The level of self-rationalization, defiance, willful ignorance and simple denial was extraordinary.
Here is a president whose most significant legacy was to plunge our country into a devastating and unnecessary war in Iraq, one that has made the Middle East demonstrably more unsafe while demolishing our standing in the world; and who has devastated our economy, our civil liberties and the very sense of commonwealth that has held this country together.
And yet, as he has said in interviews, he exits with his “head held high.”
May we never be subjected to such an arrogant, ignorant man as our president again. Mark Hagland
Chicago, Jan. 13, 2009
To the Editor:
Say what you will about George W. Bush’s place in history, he managed to accomplish the most amazing feat of positive change for our culture since women and blacks were given the right to vote: thanks to Mr. Bush’s incompetence, America voted overwhelmingly to elect Barack Obama and give the Democrats control over Congress.
And for that, Mr. Bush, we thank you.
Ralph Liberto
