The Bush Presidency: The Historians (Start to) Weigh In

[Wags]

An interesting NY Times article - The Bush Presidency: The Historians (Start to) Weigh In

The Bush Presidency: The Historians (Start to) Weigh In - The Board - Editorials - Opinion - New York Times Blog

Excerpts from the article

The nonprofit History News Network is reporting that in an informal survey of 109 historians, 98.2 percent considered President George W. Bush’s presidency to be a failure, while 1.8 percent called it a success.

On the question of whether he is the worst president in history, there was greater difference of opinion: 61 percent said he was, while others disagreed or are withholding their opinions. (The survey also made clear that James Buchanan has some work to do rehabilitating his whole catapulted-the-nation-into-Civil-War reputation.)

Given the disastrous Iraq War, the sub-prime mortgage meltdown, the economy hurtling toward recession, the huge budget deficits, the plummeting dollar — to name just a few problems — these historians sound a lot like the 20 percent of dentists who don’t recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum.

End of excerpts

Does anyone think that Mr. Bush still has time to turn this around? Or will things get worse?

GOD BLESS US ALL

[Zipper]

Canadians think he has been a moron from day 1.

I think Americans are finally coming to that conclusion 8 years too late.

Personally, I don't think the guy is strung right.

We had our own poll up here about a month ago and he was the overwhelming candidate as worst president you have ever experienced.

[REWahoo]

We'd conduct a poll on the worst Canadian PM if we knew who any of them were...

[youbet]

Originally Posted by Zipper

Canadians think he has been a moron from day 1.

I think Americans are finally coming to that conclusion 8 years too late.

Personally, I don't think the guy is strung right.

We had our own poll up here about a month ago and he was the overwhelming candidate as worst president you have ever experienced.

It's so nice of you to weigh in on this Zip ole buddy! We value your inputs and realize we haven't suffered enough until we've heard from you...

[youbet]

Originally Posted by REWahoo

We'd conduct a poll on the worst Canadian PM if we knew who any of them were...

I can't think of who they are either....... I do know the guy in power now promised to build a climate controlled dome over much of Ontario so that residents could stay there all winter instead of travelling to the southern USA........and having to mingle with all of us rabble. But I don't see any dome yet..... Guy must have been making promises he couldn't deliver on.

[Caroline]

I bow to nobody in my distaste for Bush and his presidency.

But I don't think "historians" are or should be in the business of judging anything current, much less a sitting president. If Lincoln's contemporaries had done that he'd have fared pretty poorly also.

I'm confident that History herself will find Bush sorely wanting, and I'm willing to wait for her.

[Zipper]

Originally Posted by REWahoo

We'd conduct a poll on the worst Canadian PM if we knew who any of them were...

Not to worry.

We'll sell you all the oil and gas we can.

Since Bush's watch the $C has gone from ~$.60 to par.

I guess I shouldn't be complaining!

[youbet]

Originally Posted by Caroline

If Lincoln's contemporaries had done that he'd have fared pretty poorly also.

Actually, there are some historians today that feel Lincoln could have met his objectives while avoiding killing more Americans than any other president and with results that most consider inadequate even today.

The new Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Ill is an interesting place but, surprisingly, left me with some mixed feelings about Lincoln as opposed to confirming that the actions and strategies he took were the best and the only possible ones.

But you're right. It is what it is. We have to march forward from here. And we can let the so-called historians comment on Bush II, Clinton, and the rest as time flows by........

Even Kennedy/Johnson catch some slack despite the travesty of Viet Nam.

[Zipper]

Originally Posted by youbet

I can't think of who they are either....... I do know the guy in power now promised to build a climate controlled dome over much of Ontario so that residents could stay there all winter instead of travelling to the southern USA........and having to mingle with all of us rabble. But I don't see any dome yet..... Guy must have been making promises he couldn't deliver on.

I seem to recall we are about the same latitude as you and about the same climate.

[youbet]

Originally Posted by Zipper

I seem to recall we are about the same latitude as you and about the same climate.

So no need to come down here for the winter?

[Midpack]

Odd how people like to gloat over things like this when we've all suffered through it. Not sure what purpose it serves other than a (childish) 'I told you so?'

[Notmuchlonger]

Originally Posted by Zipper

Not to worry.

We'll sell you all the oil and gas we can.

Since Bush's watch the $C has gone from ~$.60 to par.

I guess I shouldn't be complaining!

What makes you think Jeb Bush wont just go and take it from you when hes president?

[Zipper]

Originally Posted by youbet

So no need to come down here for the winter?

So, no need to come up here for the summer!

[maddythebeagle]

Originally Posted by REWahoo

We'd conduct a poll on the worst Canadian PM if we knew who any of them were...

I thought they had a queen She's on their money right

[Zipper]

You might have your own Queen (Hilary I) in November.

[talltrees]

I thought Cheney was the guy calling the shots in DC.

Youbet, your continuing enlightenment is a joy to behold.

[REWahoo]

Originally Posted by maddythebeagle

I thought they had a queen...

I though about posting this composite of Queen Elizabeth II and Elton John, but realized it might be viewed as crass and tasteless.

Oh, what the heck...

[HFWR]

Originally Posted by REWahoo

I though about posting this composite of Queen Elizabeth II and Elton John, but realized it might be viewed as crass and tasteless.

Oh, what the heck...

We live for crass and tasteless.

God save bless the Queen...

[Wags]

By proposing a global warming initiative Mr. Bush appears to be making an effort to clean up his image and to look like the compassionate conservative which he professed to be way back in 1999.

Washington Times article - Bush prepares global warming initiative

Bush prepares global warming initiative*-*-*Breaking News, Political News & National Security News - The Washington Times

Maybe this act of compromise will help Mr. Bush with his low approval ratings and the way in which some view him.

GOD BLESS US ALL

[youbet]

Originally Posted by Zipper

So, no need to come up here for the summer!

That's a good point Zip, and I was just discussing it with one of my walleye chasing buddies over dinner last Thursday. It's always cost more to head up to the Red Lake, Ontario area than to stay in northern Wis, Minn or N Dakota. But we like it up there and in the past we considered the modest premium in costs money well spent. This year, and probably going forward, is different though. The modest premium is becoming a stiff penalty due to both the unfavorable exchange rate and the 800 extra miles (round trip) of driving with gas costing more than if we filled the tank with Jameson's. So, the vote is still out.

Of course, that's what exchange rates are supposed to do. The dollar is down encouraging us and others to spend money here. So maybe we should take the hint and stay on this side of the border.

BTW Zip, as I've stated in many posts, I like most things about Canada and have said so many times here. It just seems strange that folks like yourself that are so frequent and constant in showing your distain for us and our country, still like to visit. If you're so unhappy with your downtrodden neighbors to the south, just stay home. Why make yourself miserable. There is really nothing you folks need us for. Absolutely nothing.