So this is hardly news at this point, but back on Thursday George II gave his farewell address to the nation (not a moment too soon). I’d meant to parse it up then, but I was too busy with other things, so I’ll do it now.
Afghanistan has gone from a nation where the Taliban harbored al Qaeda and stoned women in the streets to a young democracy that is fighting terror and encouraging girls to go to school.
Problem. Afghanistan is still a nation where the Taliban and al Qaeda run amuck and women are still stoned in the streets! It’s not a young democracy fighting terror, it’s a young democracy on the verge of going back to being a terrorist state because we took our eye off the ball and got distracted by Iraq.
Iraq has gone from a brutal dictatorship and a sworn enemy of America to an Arab democracy at the heart of the Middle East and a friend of the United States.
I’m sure a great many Iraqis today would consider themselves a sworn enemy of America. I’ll wager it’s a lot more than did so before we invaded. It’s a borderline democracy at best, and hardly a friend.
There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil.
Yes, and I wore black socks today and failed to get cancer. Also, from 1993 to 2001 we had no foreign terrorist attacks on US soil. Also, prior to 1993 we had none. There’s plenty of room for debate about the results of Bush’s efforts. He’s made this country far less safe with massive bungling and alienating our allies.
The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle between two dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of fanatics demands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns women to subservience, and marks unbelievers for murder.
Yes, but under our Constitution, people like Fred Phelps and the other, less radical types like Anne Coulter are still allowed their right to say and believe as they please.
You know, the irony to that joke is the sentence that follows it.
The other system is based on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of Almighty God, and that liberty and justice light the path to peace.
Translation: “They’re a bunch of religious fanatics, but, thank Almighty God, we aren’t!”
Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes.
Actually, I pay more, but that’s largely due to the fact that, unlike most Americans, my income has gone up considerably. Anyhow, massive tax cuts have contributed to a $10,000,000,000,000 deficit. I’d hardly be bragging about that.
Vulnerable human life is better protected.
Translation: “I’ve done every thing I can to destroy Roe v Wade.”
Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance.
Savor this moment, people. Savor it! This is the closest we’ll get to him ‘fessing up to his failures.
I’ve often spoken to you about good and evil, and this has made some uncomfortable.
Yes, it does, because you see things in this stupid, naive little black-and-white viewpoint where we’re always good and right and our enemies are totally evil, with no room for compromise. You lack pragmatism and that’s a major problem.
Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere.
So what is it when we kill innocent civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan? True, it isn’t (usually), intentional, but still.
Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right.
Oh, that’s what it is when we do it!
President Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” As I leave the house he occupied two centuries ago, I share that optimism.
Technically, I believe the house Jefferson occupied was burned down by the Brits during the War of 1812. But I get what he’s saying, so I’ll give this a pass.
We see it in Julio Medina, a former inmate who leads a faith-based program to help prisoners returning to society.
Would we see it (“it” being American character), had this former inmate gone on to lead a reason-based program to help prisoners returning to society? (additional story)
We have faced danger and trial, and there’s more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great nation will never tire, never falter, and never fail.
This I generally agree with. Except that, well, we might fail despite our greatness. Still, cheerleader-in-chief, remember? (link)
And I will always be honored to carry a title that means more to me than any other – citizen of the United States of America.
No problem here and something I agree with completely! For all its many, many flaws, I still love this country. The difference between me and many others is that I want the flaws noticed so that we can work on eliminating them and making our nation even better.
And so, my fellow Americans, for the final time: Good night. May God bless this house and our next President. And may God bless you and our wonderful country. Thank you.
Again, I still wonder why it boils down to “God bless America” and not “God bless everyone,” but whatever.
All in all not a horrible speech, but it still shows the incredible myopia Bush has in regards to his failures. He thinks history will vindicate him. It won’t. I’ll bet all the money I have right now ($2.14), that within twenty years he’s still in the bottom fourth of American presidents, if not at the bottom.
Oh, well. Clear the decks! Here comes the new guy! 
