THE DAILY BLADE: Hail And Farewell
Speaking before 200 invited guests from the East Room of the White House in the last public appearance of his presidency before Barack Obama is sworn in, a somber, subdued President George W. Bush gave the nation a 14-minute PowerPoint presentation of the eight tumultuous years of his presidency:
† As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did.
† America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil.
† Across our country, students are rising to meet higher standards in public schools.
† A new Medicare prescription drug benefit is bringing peace of mind to seniors and the disabled.
† Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes.
† Vulnerable human life is better protected.
† America's air and water and lands are measurably cleaner.
† [T]he federal bench includes wise new members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.
Regrets, he’s had a few, but then again, too few to mention:
Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance.
But he did what he had to do, and saw it through without exemption:
I've always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right.
The record shows, he took the blows and did it his way:
You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.
For The Stiletto, the highlight of this speech – as with Bush’s seven State of the Union addresses – was his honoring several citizens who embody the inherent courage, generosity, goodness and optimism that defines the American character:
We see examples of America's character all around us. And Laura and I have invited some of them to join us in the White House this evening.
We see America's character in Dr. Tony Recasner, a principal who opened a new charter school from the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. We see it in Julio Medina, a former inmate who leads a faith-based program to help prisoners returning to society. We've seen it in Staff Sergeant Aubrey McDade, who charged into an ambush in Iraq and rescued three of his fellow Marines.
We see America's character in Bill Krissoff - a surgeon from California. His son, Nathan - a Marine - gave his life in Iraq. When I met Dr. Krissoff and his family, he delivered some surprising news: He told me he wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps in honor of his son. This good man was 60 years old - 18 years above the age limit. But his petition for a waiver was granted, and for the past year he has trained in battlefield medicine. Lieutenant Commander Krissoff could not be here tonight, because he will soon deploy to Iraq, where he will help save America's wounded warriors - and uphold the legacy of his fallen son.
In citizens like these, we see the best of our country - resilient and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. 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.
What a refreshing contrast to soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama who repeatedly disparaged her fellow Americans as being ignorant, fearful, timid, isolated and defeated in her campaign speeches. The Stiletto hopes she was taking notes because by this time next week, she will be representing us and our nation to the rest of the world as an unofficial ambassador.
Bonus: Here’s a souvenir program of the George W. Bush presidency.
Editorial Note: Reader "Nick from NYC" sent The Stiletto an article about "The Wrestler" star Mickey Rourke’s comments in a recent interview with the British edition of GQ magazine:
President Bush was in the wrong place at the wrong time, I don't know how anyone could have handled this situation.
I don't give a ---- who's in office, Bush or whoever, there is no simple solution to this problem... I'm not one of those who blames Bush for everything. This ---- between Christians and Muslims goes back to the Crusades, doesn't it. It's too easy to blame everything on one guy. These are unpredictable, dangerous times, and I don't think that anyone really knows quite what to do. …
I was in London recently and I couldn't believe all these hate-talking fanatics you have over here who are allowed to carry on doing their thing even when a bus full of women and children gets blown to pieces.
Nick writes:
It took a great deal of courage to verbalize his sympathy towards George Bush … at the seeming pinnacle of his Phoenician career resurrection. He just won a Golden Globe and the press is now probably going to sink his bid for an Oscar …
In my book that is as courageous as George Bush's being willing to take the heat to save our country through the worst of public opinion and liberal press bashing and Bush Derangement Syndrome. There is no more human act than to sacrifice oneself for the greater good.
Three Cheers for Mickey Rourke.
Hip, hip, hooray X 3!
Change The Stiletto Can Believe In
Congress may give one legacy of Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act the boot. What’s in it for The Stiletto – much less for you? The Wall Street Journal's Political Diary (e-mail subscription) explains:
[N]otorious Depression-era shoe tariffs … were part of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley trade legislation. The shoe duty rates are among the nation's highest - as steep as 67.5% - and land hardest on children's shoes, adding up to 30% to the retail price. For comparison, the effective average U.S. tariff on all imports is about 2.5%, according to the World Bank.
The shoe tax, points out Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, is “inherently regressive,” driving up the cost of “necessities” for families with children, such as baby shoes and sneakers, which must be regularly replaced.
Separated At Birth?
Julius The Monkey and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA):
Good-bye Mr. Bush. I voted for you twice and I will miss you.
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