It was 1989, the year Jerry Seinfield introduced us to the complexities of 'nothing', when Michael Keaton wore a lot of black and called himself Batman, and Ronald Reagan left the bickering of DC for the eternal summer days of country rest.
He earned those days.
I was 12. I cried.
Reagan had been my President since memory served. He had the presence of a timeless figure, a man whose voice still evokes tears whenever his speeches replay the words, "My fellow Americans."
He was my President. No one else would fill that position. And to this day, no one has.
I didn't have the same grieving when George H.W. Bush left office. Perhaps I was older, wiser, more jaded. I liked him. I respected him. I did not mourn the silhouette of his figure behind the Oval Office desk.
And when Clinton left office, my only thought was how thoroughly the White House staff would need to clean the carpets.
George W. Bush stepped into the role, returning class and respect to what had become a hub of intern trysts and one "gate" after another. Men wore ties. Infidelity wasn't discussed. And we all returned back to the business of a nation. It wasn't about a personality any longer, it was about our country.
That never changed. And after 9/11, we stood behind President Bush, digging our heels into the dirt right beside him, and growled our resolve to the enemy. This would not happen again. This would never happen again. Terrorists had crossed the line of our tolerance. They would feel the bitter sting of American wrath, a force of rightness in the world, a strength of character, a defender of life against evil. We'd attack and be glad of it.
Suddenly, it felt like Reagan had returned. Nations who should fear us, did. Nations who didn't support us were ignored. We'd go it alone. We had done it before. And with Bush leading the way, never apologizing for our existence, we once again had the right to live our lives, love our lives, and defend our lives against hatred.
It was a great run, President Bush. And now one year after you've left, I can't help but think back to that last walk along the White House corridor. I watched your swagger and felt 12 again. I felt fear and sadness. Nothing would ever be the same. What had been grand and fine, whole and gleaming, would once again fall within the hands of incompetence and vainglory.
We would embark upon a future with a man of twisted ideals and swollen arrogance, watch as our nation changed from a serious, capitalistic nation, to the splash and pomp of frivolous personality swooning. It would be like watching the red carpet at the Oscars each and every night. And trying to take it seriously.
In the meantime, we have fought for our right to make our own choices, to shove the meddlesome nose of government out of our decisions from lightbulb to vehicle, from house loan to health care.
So thank you President Bush. Thank you for keeping us safe, for loving this country and it's people, for doing your job first and being President second.
Sir, it's been a long year. But to your lazy, restful days in Texas, enjoy. You earned them.
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The contributors at the Big sites did a fantastic job of remembering, comparing, and honoring President Bush. It was a lovely trip down memory lane and, of course, a brutally cold wake-up call. I've listed the links below. Every article is worth the read from the first consonant to the last. It's sweet to remember when a President was a servant, not a celebrity.
- George W. Bush...Idiot
- Rethinking Bush: After the MSM's relentless assault, the President still stands proud
- ONE YEAR AGO: the Death of Class
- President Bush answered the calling of our time
Not kidding. All excellent reads. And start with the first. It's poetically, sarcastically, accurate.
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