One Year Ago- The World's Greatest Liberator Since World War II Leaves Office
Posted by Jim Hoft on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 10:38 PM
It’ seems like forever.
A year ago President George W. Bush left the White House. Since that time the unemployment has nearly doubled since the Bush years, the national deficit has tripled, government has grown in leaps and bounds, and the current president has blamed his predecessor for every problem he has encountered. President Obama even blamed George Bush for the Coakley loss yesterday in Massachusetts.
Here again is a tribute to President George W. Bush that was posted last year:
* * * * *
“The decision by Bush, with Blair’s support, to sweep the Taliban out of Afghanistan was a brilliant move, one that not all U.S. presidents would have taken. A weaker leader would have gone to the United Nations Security Council and sought a negotiated settlement with Kabul.”
Nile Gardiner
The Telegraph
“George W Bush: winning the war on terror”
December 27, 2008
US President George Bush prepares to speak to supporters in Freedom Square, Tbilisi, Georgia. (SMH)
Don’t expect to read anything this honest in the US papers…
George W. Bush liberated 60,000,000 Muslims from tyranny- More than any leader since World War II.
The Telegraph gives an honest review of the Bush years:
Ten or twenty years from now, historians will view Bush’s actions on the world stage in a more favourable light. America’s 43rd president did after all directly liberate more people (over 60 million) from tyranny than any leader since Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Widely seen as his biggest foreign policy error, the decision to invade Iraq could ultimately prove to have been a masterstroke. Today the world is witnessing the birth of the first truly democratic state in the Middle East outside of Israel. Over eight million voted in Iraq’s parliamentary elections in 2005, and the region’s first free Muslim society may become a reality. Iraq might not be Turkey, but it is a powerful demonstration that freedom can flourish in the embers of the most brutal and barbaric of dictatorships.
The success of the surge in Iraq will go down in history as a turning point in the war against al-Qaeda. The stunning defeat of the insurgency was a major blow both militarily and psychologically for the terror network. The West’s most feared enemy suffered thousands of losses in Iraq, including many of their most senior commanders, such as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Abu Qaswarah. It was the most successful counter-insurgency operation anywhere in the world since the British victory in Malaya in 1960.
The broader war against Islamist terrorism has also been a success. There has not been a single terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11, and for all the global condemnation of pre-emptive strikes, Guantanamo and the use of rendition against terror suspects, the fact remains that Bush’s aggressive strategy actually worked.
Significantly, there have been no successful terrorist attacks in Europe since the July 2005 London bombings, in large part due to the cooperation between U.S., British and other Western intelligence agencies. American intelligence has proved vital in helping prevent an array of planned terror attacks in the UK, a striking demonstration of the value to Britain of its close ties to Washington.
President Bush, in contrast to both his father, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton before him, had a crystal clear, instinctive understanding of the importance of the Anglo-American Special Relationship. Tony Blair may well have been labeled Bush’s “poodle” over his support for the war in Iraq, but his partnership with George W. Bush marked the high point of the Anglo-American alliance since the heady days of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.
The decision by Bush, with Blair’s support, to sweep the Taliban out of Afghanistan was a brilliant move, one that not all U.S. presidents would have taken. A weaker leader would have gone to the United Nations Security Council and sought a negotiated settlement with Kabul. It was a risky gambit that was vindicated by a stunning military victory in the space of a month, with a small number of U.S. ground forces involved.
Bush also made a firm commitment to defending the fledgling Afghan government, and succeeded in building a 41-nation NATO-led coalition. The notion that the resurgence of the Taliban is America’s failure is nonsense. The U.S. has more than 30,000 troops in the country under U.S. or NATO command, making up over half of all Allied forces there. Continental European allies have simply failed to step up to the plate with more troops, with almost the entire war-fighting burden placed on the U.S., UK and other English-speaking countries. Afghanistan is not a failure of American leadership, it is a damning indictment of an increasingly pacifist Europe that simply will not fight.
President Bush also recognized the importance of re-shaping the NATO alliance for the 21st Century, backing an ambitious program of NATO expansion, culminating in the addition of seven new members in 2004. He also had the foresight to support the development of a missile defence system in Europe, successfully negotiating deals with both Poland and the Czech Republic. Bush was right to back the eventual inclusion of Georgia and Ukraine in NATO, and both would be well on their way to membership today were it not for the feckless decision of France and Germany to side with Russia in blocking their path to entry.
Bush began his presidency primarily as a domestic leader. He ends it as a war leader who has left a huge imprint internationally. His greatest legacy, the global war against Islamist terror, has left the world a safer place, and his decision to project global power and military might against America’s enemies has made it harder for Islamist terrorists to strike against London, Paris or Berlin.
There is much more at The Telegraph.
Via Free Republic
Jules Crittenden adds that it is also with tremendous grace that George Bush has accepted his designated role as villain, fall guy, punching bag.
Today again we thank President George W. Bush.
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Published May 24, 2012 at 8:46 pm - 55 Comments
Auntie Em commented:
I miss him
. I never had an impending feeling of doom when he was in office.
Now, not so much.
I miss President Bush.
Judith commented:
Ah, yes…but the American public in general is far too stupid to recognize what a command of the situation, whether present or future, this guy has. Man, I sure miss him.
iconoclast commented:
My only disagreement with the article is that it ignores the number of people freed when Reagan won the Cold War. But since the wall came down after Reagan’s presidency, maybe that is OK.
Daniel commented:
The most interesting line I ever heard from this POTUS (who shares my birthday) -
“Dead or alive is fine with me.”
When asked about ObL.
bg commented:
++
God Bless & Thank You George & Laura Bush..
albeit indirectly, it’s a pleasure to know you.. and i for one appreciate all you have done and are still doing, not only for we the people, but for our irreplaceable troops & their families..
(i often wonder why it is that we never hear anything about
either of their twin lovely daughters since Jenna got married)
==
Lea commented:
Thank you for running this article again….oh how we miss President Bush and his beautiful wife, Laura. It is hard to understand how so many people are naive to what a a great man and leader he is, and was. Thank you President Bush for putting up with all the flack you have to take, from the very people you protected so well. God’s speed!
James commented:
God bless you President George W. Bush, the greatest president in american history. obama couldn’t carry your jock strap. Thank you for keeping us safe.
Marka in the Keys commented:
I’ve always wondered if Bush’s total committment to the war was the reason he gave in to so many of the Democrats’ demands – in return for funding.
I think that all of this will be put into perspective within a short time, given Obama’s comparative weakness and the vacuum of leadership in the war against terrorism he has created. My favorite image of Bush is the landing on the carrier, where he was so comfortable with and so liked by the men. And that flight suit! What a manly man. Sigh, I miss him, too.
Jack commented:
President Bush is both a great man and leader. What the liberals say about him is an utter embarrassment. We can only hope once we knock Barack out of the White House in 2012 we elect someone who has some of the same great qualities of President Bush. Thank you for protecting our freedom.
manateespirit commented:
I sure miss him. He wasn’t perfect, of course, but I didn’t get the feeling he hated America and Americans.
Fast forward to our POTUS today…sigh.
IAgree commented:
60 million people free?
It’s all Bush’s fault.
Valerie commented:
George Bush, like Bill Clinton, grew in office. In Bush’s case, the growth was greatly magnified by catastrophe, namely an attack on our soil by foreigners.
I hope our current President will also grow in office — he badly needs to, in order to deal with a catastrophe, in this case, an economic disaster caused by the policies of his own party, and exacerbated by his own actions.
Jim - PRS commented:
I have often said that some time in the future President Bush would be likened to President Lincoln. Both were Commanders-in-Chief during unpopular wars, both were great liberators, both were reviled by many as stupid and ape-like and both were challenged politically by their own generals. Of course, most people look at me as if I have two heads when I share that thought.
Time will tell.
Christinewjc commented:
After reading this post, the tears flowed as I sobbed. I’m not quite sure why I had such a powerful reaction to what I was reading. I guess that it was because I miss the feeling that I had when I knew that our president truly loves this country and its people.
I miss knowing that he would do all that was necessary to keep our country safe; and at the same time, enable our brave military to liberate millions of people who probably took it all for granted.
When I compare the adolescent and dangerous Obama administration that we have suffered through over the past year to the previous administration that conducted itself as brave adults with duty, honor, integrity, ethics, genuine patriotism, and love for the people of the United States of America; it’s like comparing night and day and good vs. evil. Now that we are suffering with Obama’s tyrannical rule and policies, the liberty that America so dearly loves and works hard to preserve is now in jeopardy. Perhaps that is why I was led to tears tonight.
I never felt that President Bush would EVER mock or disparage We The People! I never heard him apologize for America’s shortcomings to other nations. I never heard him disparage the United States Constitution by calling it a “flawed document” the way that Obama has done. Obama should look in the mirror and instead of giving himself a “B-” grade for his first year, he should be honest and admit how flawed he has been on every single issue.
When I think about how terribly President Bush was treated by the Media of Mass Deception and how much the Lamestream media now bows at the feet of arrogant Obama, it sickens me.
We The People patriots of the United States of America sincerely miss you, President George W. Bush.
WAICOOL commented:
Great article Jim, the left’s efforts to smear GWB make an article like this a refresher course on the great accomplishments of GWB. Didn’t GWB seat a couple of constitutionally minded supreme court justices as well?
BigJ commented:
I miss Dubya.
I always felt safe when he was in office. I’ve lost more sleep in Obama’s one year in office (over what he’s doing) than I did during Bush’s presidency. I didn’t start getting into politics until the last couple years of Bush’s presidency, but still, I definitely felt safer under him than I do under this leftwing kook who blames his incompetence on his predecessor.
As I like to say, it’s too bad the Democrats don’t hate abortion and terrorism as much as they hate George Bush. Thanks, Mr. Bush!
proof commented:
Thanks for that! It’s good to remember what it was like to have a real President in the Oval Office!
Andreas K. commented:
Technically he didn’t.
They still have islam, which is, per se, fascism. I’m expecting Iraq to fall into some kind of islamic dictatorship within the next 10 to 20 years. Cause, you see… that always happens and since islam is not compatible with democracy the Iraq Experiment will fail.
Hell, it’s already failing. Funny how nobody ever mentions how Christians are harrassed and already oppressed in Iraq.
Mats commented:
As an european I can honestly say: God bless you, W. You have made the world a safer place.
cp commented:
Hi! Anytime, anywhere, a non american chinese here living in asia will loudly applaud president George W Bush and thank him for his brave stance against oppression and terrorism!
Male Silverback commented:
Agrees with headline. Was proud to serve under his command.
TheScribbler commented:
Wow, How odd to read through so many comments and not one troll spewing hate. And with George Bush being the topic of discussion, how refreshing.
I feel melancholy every time I see Mr Bush in a photo or on television. As with so many, I felt safe when he was sitting in the White House. And it makes me down right ticked when people use him as their excuse for all of the world’s evils. It’s so easy to forget that things turned once the Dems took over.
Bless you President Bush.
G. commented:
Much as I like President George W. Bush, I think Ronald Reagan was “The Worlds Greatest Liberator” He did bring on the end of the Cold War, freeing hundreds of millions from communist slavery. Just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions.
“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”
by Ronald Reagan, Brandenburg Gate June 12 1987
Kunta Kinte commented:
I miss the man and his lovely wife. They define the word class. I also miss the statement he made at the end of all of his speeches…… “May God Bless America”. You don’t hear that nowadays.
redrock commented:
I’ve never trusted a president as much as I trusted Dubya, I go back to JFK. History will prove his greatness.
Peter Warner commented:
Thank you, Jim, for this timely and worthy tribute to one of our finest presidents and greatest leaders.
George Bush (43) exemplified the character and virtues of a true American and a reliable friend. Think of the honesty and conviction of a man who would name Jesus as his favorite philosopher, during a debate as a candidate.
Whenever I worried about world events, the knowledge that he spent serious time in prayer gave me reassurance and comfort. May he and his family continue to be guided by His presence.
Best regards, Peter Warner.
Militant Conservative commented:
He wasn’t perfect, But Bush Loved America and protected her. He did not appologize for America nor wipe his A$$ with the constitution. He was a moderate and that is definately better that the socialist we now have but America can do better.
AKA Regan conservatism is comming back and the left is definately scared. LOL
Ruth commented:
Thank you for this good and true report of recent history. I read aloud to my family sharing an accurate view of history (as opposed to the mainstream media misinterpretation).
Thank you George W. Bush for your amazing leadership and continued great example of how truly great men act. Our current weak president blames Bush for everything. This action shows what a weak man Obama is.
Thank you Gateway Pundit for this great post!
Jack Okie commented:
G:
We were certainly blessed that we had both Reagan and W. RR, Pope John Paul and Margaret Thatcher together precipitated a cataclysmic change in the geopolitical situation, with enormous help from Solidarity, Vaclav Havel and many others. The unsung heroes of the time were the field grade officers of the Red Army, who refused to carry out the orders of the leaders of the coup against Gorbachev.
I think Jim’s point is valid, though, because W. launched two hot wars while standing alone against mendacious opposition both here and at the UN.
LC commented:
I may not always agree with President Bush’s politics (most times, not) but God Bless the man for doing what he did to stem the tide of tyranny around the world. For this, our eternal gratitude is appropriately due.
eaglewingz08 commented:
Sorry but Ronald Reagan liberated hundreds of millions of people from Commie tyranny. So at best Bush came in second. Moreover, the people Reagan freed are indeed in secure states. The people Bush liberated are still in the midst of hot wars and so are not yet secure and the whole enterprise could collapse. So, with all due respect, the verdict is still out on Pres. Bush. He did the right thing but the verdict is still out.
Carrie commented:
I have wanted to thank Pres. Bush for a long time. It was always painful to see him so vilified in the press and by people who still don’t have a clue politically or socially.
Give me a ‘good ol’ boy’ any day or an arrogant elitist…..
We are not safe, we are losing our freedoms, and we are having an agenda shoved down our throats at warp speed…….
I, too, feel melancholy after reading this……
Thanks to the writer and Thanks Pres Bush for caring for this great country.
Carrie
Carrie commented:
I meant give me the ‘good ol’ boy’ OVER an arrogant elitist!
sharprightturn commented:
This story is so well-deserved.
Bush is everything that Obama is not when it comes to courage, patriotism, loving America, doing the right thing, decency, respect, accountability, and grace.
Thank you George W. Bush.
johninoregon commented:
So this is satire, right? First of all, it takes some pretty creative math to assert that “unemployment has nearly doubled.” And secondly, this piece is an unseemly reminder of conservatives’ Orwellian tendency to dump unpleasant history down the “memory hole”—even when abundant documentation makes the effort futile.
In Bush’s last days, banks failed, the economy went off the cliff, Afghanistan was in disarray, and America was the world’s pariah. We could argue about the DEGREE of Bush’s “fault” in those and other things that happened during his watch, but the bottom line is, history does not yield to spin, no matter how much conservatives may wish it were otherwise.
Gil commented:
The United States of America…
KEPT SAFE from George Washington to George W. Bush..
by the Grace of Almighty God.
Thank you Good Lord God..
and George W. Bush for your service.
Gil commented:
Johninoregon posted:
So this is satire, right? First of all, it takes some pretty creative math to assert that “unemployment has nearly doubled.” And secondly, this piece is an unseemly reminder of conservatives’ Orwellian tendency to dump unpleasant history down the “memory hole”—even when abundant documentation makes the effort futile.
In Bush’s last days, banks failed, the economy went off the cliff, Afghanistan was in disarray, and America was the world’s pariah. We could argue about the DEGREE of Bush’s “fault” in those and other things that happened during his watch, but the bottom line is, history does not yield to spin, no matter how much conservatives may wish it were otherwise.
Unemployment is over ten percent, Obama assured the US it would never go over eight.
As for your “banks failed, the economy went off the cliff”… that was manipulated due to shenanigans of people with money, not any policy of George W. Bush and was used to bring Obama into power:
An enraged caller had just erupted over the ill-advised $700 billion bailout a few months earlier and Rep. Kanjorski felt pressed to reveal what Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke had told Congress behind closed doors, which so shocked them into supporting this mind-bogglingly huge bailout.
“On Thursday [Sept. 18, 2008] at about 11 o’clock in the morning,” Kanjorski began, “the Federal Reserve noticed the tremendous drawdown of money market accounts in the United States to the tune of $550 billion dollars being drawn out in a matter of an hour or two. The Treasury opened up its window to help. It pumped $105 billion in the system and quickly realized that they could not stem the tide.”
At that point, officials realized, Kanjorski relates, “We were having an electronic run on the banks.”
In response, Kanjorski continued, “They decided to close the operation, close down the money accounts and announce a guarantee of $250,000 per account so there wouldn’t be further panic out there and that’s what actually happened.”
And, if nothing had been done, Kanjorski revealed, “their estimation was that by two o’clock that afternoon, five and 1/2 trillion dollars would have been drawn out of the money market system of the United States, would have collapsed the entire economy of the United States and within 24 hours the world economy would have collapsed (which would have meant) … the end of our economic system and our political system as we know it.”
Kanjorski concluded, “Someone threw us in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean without a life raft. And, we’re trying to determine which is the closest shore, and whether there’s any chance in the world to swim that far. We don’t know.”
But why is no one in the least bit curious to know who that “someone” is who “threw us in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean without a life raft”—the consequences of which have so damaged our economy’s job-creating engine?
This writer, for one, would like to know.
http://dailycaller.com/2010/01/15/the-electronic-run-on-banks-nobody-seemed-to-notice/
As for Afghanistan, Bush showed in Iraq what COULD be done with proper leadership.. Obama has yet to lead as C-in-C.
And America was only a “pariah” to the Progressives, never to anyone with brains, in or out of the USA.
God Bless the Real America.. which Bush represented.
Astratt7 commented:
Thank you GP for this article as well. Do we have any perfect president, no, but George W Bush was the perfect man for his time and thank God he was there when we needed him most. For me, I miss my crying President. He was so kind and real and tenderhearted with the American people, our soldiers and the families of the military as well as the victims of 9-11.
Who can forget President Bush hugging and crying with the young girl who had lost her father in the attacks, or teared up every time he visited our wounded fighting men and women. He was an iron fist against our enemies and a loving and empathetic brother or father to the hurting.
He was never afraid to show his love for America and made no apologies about it. How far have we come since then? Obama has no evidence of compassion or empathy with anyone in his own country. He warms up to our enemies and fights against his own people.
The only thing I can say is….God Bless President Bush and thank you Sir for your service to America.
Solaratov commented:
Christinewjc
January 21st, 2010 | 12:32 am | #16
***You should read the reprint of the article/apology to George bush that the boys at “Hillbuzz” wrotr. They just reprinted it.
http://hillbuzz.org/2010/01/20/one-year-into-the-golden-age-of-hope-and-change/
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
johninoregon
January 21st, 2010 | 10:18 am | #40
You’re an idiot — and a blind, sycophantic apologist for d’ohbama and his disastrous policies and attempts to destroy America.
spayandneuter commented:
As a Baby Boomer who campaigned for JFK, and as someone who remembers the fears we had during the Cuban Missile Crisis, I think George Bush has proven himself to be the strongest, bravest, sincerest President since JFK.
His steadfastness to our national security after 9/11 gave us our safety back. When we were in danger and needed a “Patton”, you were there.
He is the only President in my lifetime who lived his Christian beliefs, not just spouted them.
I humbly thank you for your service President Bush.
–
Joanne commented:
No one appreciated Winston Churchill after all he did for Britain during WWII, so at least Bush is in good company. Needlesstoday, Churchill is now regarded as a great man and leader, and Bush will be regarded as one too.
Jerry commented:
Excellent writing although it really is kind of easy to do when you speak the truth isn’t it? For those wishing to send there thanks they can do so at
http://www.thankw.com
I’m sure he’d appreciate it.
I miss ‘W’
spayandneuter commented:
Jerry
January 21st, 2010 | 9:21 pm | #49
I read that and also the one about Laura at the seminar. Super thanks for sharing.
–
Jim Hlavac commented:
I love the arguing here over whether Young Bush or Reagan freed more people. And I guess dear old Bush only freed a few million, but surely was no slouch in making sure the freed by Reagan were given the support that they need. And Eisenhower was president after he freed more than a few million, with as they say, boots on the ground. So it’s a which Republican freed more people game. Love it.
Odd, too, that critics of presidents always assume he can make all happy on all things.
Meanwhile, the Democrats since FDR have freed, um, none that I can think of, unless you count the million or so in Kosovo by Clinton.
So why are Reagan and the two Bush so despised by the Left? Simple, they freed people from the big-government by any name mindset. And the Left wants that.
Hence Obama is great to them for he speaks not a word for Iranians longing to be free (in their own way) but instead talks to the Stalinettes that run the place. Honduras? For the anti-free guy. South America? Buddies with all the anti-free.
And the one move that Obama makes to keep Afghanis freer than they were, (though not exactly a classic liberal democracy) and the Left is enraged. They, action by action, word by word, deed by deed, show they are against liberty – - except for the grandees and poobahs at the top of power mad heap of economic illiterates called the Democratic Party. What a great bunch.
MissTammy commented:
Always loved him, always will. (I did send him a stern letter regarding his illegal alien policy, however.)
But I miss him, with his deep and obvious love for this country, and I also miss knowing Darth Cheney was off somewhere in an undisclosed location ever-plotting God knows what against our enemies.