The Bush Legacy

[nativetexan]

So what is your final take on GW? Please keep your responses thought out and factual.

[wtnhunt]

Think there will be pretty broad range of critiques in the coming years on this topic, might see some pretty varied replies here.

Pretty simple really in my opinion, Bush like most presidents was faced with different situations than what others have been faced with, he met those situations/challenges and made difficult decisions that were not always the most popular and as a result his favorability/approval rating suffered. Easy for the critics to say what they would or might have done differently, but no way to really know what might be different had the popular decisions been made. This country has not seen another terrorist attack on our soil though and in that respect I think his presidency has been successful. Had he waivered I do believe that might not be the case.

[JJL]

20 years from now will be the time to write and discuss the influences of Bush 43.

For now let it suffice to say that the Country is alot better off that if Gore or Kerry had been elected.

[Tominator]

20 years from now will be the time to write and discuss the influences of Bush 43.

For now let it suffice to say that the Country is alot better off that if Gore or Kerry had been elected.


Good assessment IMHO. The country stayed safe, some capitalistic "controls" went too far.

[Missilelock]

I have bben asked a few times, whenever I speak up in favor of Gw, "what did Bush ever do for you"- my short answer is He never did anything against me.... I still have my same American rights that I had when he took office. I love the country I live in & the Christian principles it was founded on & I dont think GW tried to take any of that away from me. I sure gotta hope Obama will do as well, but I dont have very high hopes.

[colorado bob]

I usually don't post on a thread about politics, But I have on this one. George W is the worst president in my lifetime. I'll be glad when 1/20/09 comes. CB

[stevebeilgard]

I usually don't post on a thread about politics, But I have on this one. George W is the worst president in my lifetime. I'll be glad when 1/20/09 comes. CB

i couldn't hardly disagree more. jjl had it right. he was much better than gore or kerry. the country is better off with him. i'm not optimistic about obama, but i hope he does well. and bob must not have been around for carter..
i don't like bush. mccain was even worse than bush. i did vote mccain because i believe he'd be waaaaay better than obama. in 3 years it will be one simple question: are you better off now than before obama got into office? i hope the answer is yes, but i know better. :o:(

[colorado bob]

Steve, your entitled to your opinion. Answer your own question---Are you better off now than when Bush took office? Answer is a resounding NO. We went to heck in a hand basket under him.

As far as if Gore or Kerry would have been better or worse----Who knows. But it would have been different.

I voted for W the 1st go round but not the 2nd.

I was around for Jimmy.

Best one in my liftime-----from JKF to present. Most are mediocre.

Obama has a big hole to come out of----We all better hope he does well. CB

[MUDRUNNER]

I personally thing GW did a decent job.In my lifetime, I can't remember any other president that had the magnitude of things to deal with that GW did.With 9-11,Katrina, and the war, he's had an uphill battle almost constantly.It's hard to really say what Gore or Kerry would have done differently and how things would have turned out.There's no doubt that there were some mistakes made, but overall I would consider his presidency a success also. I believe I read somewhere that out of his 8 years in office 6 of those years showed postitve economic growth....that doesn't seem too bad to me.

[wtnhunt]

Steve, your entitled to your opinion. Answer your own question---Are you better off now than when Bush took office? Answer is a resounding NO. We went to heck in a hand basket under him.

As far as if Gore or Kerry would have been better or worse----Who knows. But it would have been different.

I voted for W the 1st go round but not the 2nd.

I was around for Jimmy.

Best one in my liftime-----from JKF to present. Most are mediocre.

Obama has a big hole to come out of----We all better hope he does well. CB

Are you saying Jimmy Carter was the best President in your lifetime here? Interesting opinion if that is what you are saying.

Obama does have some serious hurdles and I agree we had better hope he does better than most of us expect, however given his record I am a bit skeptical, maybe he will surprise us all. I do foresee a burden being put on the working class for the programs that he intends to help the not working class, which in my opinion may send us further into trouble.

Think people need to remember why the economy while Clinton was in office had done what he was given credit for, it had everything to do with what took place in tech, and maybe not really quite so much to do with Clinton himself. Also need to remember that the market hit all time highs while Bush was in office and recovered pretty nicely over time after it took hits from 9/11/2001. After the market recovered it was not until this election year that the market really took its biggest hits(people are concerned and have little confidence, wonder why, future maybe?), of course the housing bubble burst that in my opinion the liberals allowed to happen by not listening to John McCain 3 years ago. That probably has not helped the economy either, people seem to be pinning that on Bush too. Really is unfortunate that the media helped people with deciding to blame Bush for anything and everything that they could think of that was going wrong, do not hardly think that helped matters in this country. Never in my lifetime can I remember so much negative media bias any president was faced with.

I also agree with MUDRUNNER, Bush was faced with issues other presidents had not been faced with. Hard to assume how Gore or Kerry might have handled those issues. I do believe that Bush probably handled the issues he was faced with in the way he felt best served the entire nation, not one group. With that said, I think he was the better man for the job of the options we had to choose from.

[JJL]

The bottom line is simply this.....................


If you're NOT better off than you were 8 years ago.............YOU screwed up.

8 years ago O'Bama was a "community organizer".........Now he's the President of the United States.............He's not complaining one bit................He did pretty well for himself under Bush.


8 years ago I was a go to work everyday kind of guy and my net worth was around $75,000. Now I'm a work smart everyday kind of guy and my net worth is over $1,000,000........

Is G. Bush responsible for this..........NO. I AM.

The same thing will happen during the O'Bama administration. The game will just be played a little different. The question you have to ask yourself is..........."Am I willing to change in order to play?" I am and expect to excell at it once again.

If you are going to sit on your butts and whine about how tough it is.............Welcome to the club of 95% of the rest of the country............losers.

They can take my money. They can take my rights. They can TRY and take my guns. But, they cannot take my SPIRIT..............and that's why it'll be fun to play..... Even if I lose, at least I played.


You want to complain about taxes...............loss of freedoms.............loss of rights................quit complaining and start doing.



Lesson # 1...............................Money is CHEAP...............I just signed another mortgage at 4.25%.

CHEAP money equals OPPORTUNITY for those who have a set. Where you spend it separates the men from the boys.

[goodnottygy]

The 1st Bush was not bad. I think that the 2nd Bush has sent our country down the toilet. Our country is broke and we are in a recession. Russia went broke fighting terrorism, now here we are. Haliburton is doing well, with no-bid contracts. Oil companies have done well. But the rest of the country is going down the tubes. We were misled to go into war, and now our country is bankrupt because of it. I would hate to be the one trying to fix what has been screwed up in the last 8 years. That isjust my opinion, but you asked for it! It is all in good fun, though. I am not big into politics, but I am not happy with things the way they are now, compared to 8 years ago.

[Gator]

I just love how everybody blames big oil, and Haliburton. Lets talk about Haliburton for a second. Unless I am wrong, I bet ya'll are referencing the fact that their subsidiary, Kellogg, Brown, and Root are the civilian contractors that are in Iraq, correct? How many of ya'll know that they were also involved when CLINTON sent troops on a peacekeeping mission into Croatia and Bosnia back in '95? Yes, they were in those two places, along with Hungary setting up and maintaining Base camps. But NOOOOOO, Cheney is responsible for that this time around, isn't he, since he used to be the CEO of Haliburton. Makes me sick when people talk about this, because I know for a FACT they are clueless.

Big oil, now there's another one. Is it THEIR fault that oil prices got as high as they did? I mean, they WERE drilling ALL OVER the place looking for gas and oil pockets. Yeah, they were making money at the same time, but do you know what it costs to even drill nowadays? ALOT, will into the millions for 1 well. And do you realize how many people are employed when drilling is good, ALOT, IF they want to work. There's rigs that were running that they couldn't fully man because they didn't have the people to work it. And now I wonder, since oil prices have bottomed out, just how many of those same people are out of work? But no, noone probably gives a rats *** about that, all they care about is the price of gas now. Now I wasn't happy to see oil at $140 a barrel, way to high IMO, and now I REALLY don't like seeing it at $34 a barrel.

[nativetexan]

The 1st Bush was not bad. I think that the 2nd Bush has sent our country down the toilet. Our country is broke and we are in a recession. Russia went broke fighting terrorism, now here we are. Haliburton is doing well, with no-bid contracts. Oil companies have done well. But the rest of the country is going down the tubes. We were misled to go into war, and now our country is bankrupt because of it. I would hate to be the one trying to fix what has been screwed up in the last 8 years. That isjust my opinion, but you asked for it! It is all in good fun, though. I am not big into politics, but I am not happy with things the way they are now, compared to 8 years ago.

If this is all you have based your opinions on, then you NEED to get big into politics. We are not Russia either. Russia has been on the brink for decades. The USA has not. Oil, Oil, Oil...who cares. Much more to this country than oil. In case you haven't been watching, the housing crisis was started by Clinton, in which the people screwed themselves by overpurchasing. The auto industry screwed themselves because they pay HIGH wages to their union labor and the American car market sucks. The finance industry..screwed themselves...BECAUSE they had crooked people in charge. Now they all want bailouts. Bush had NOTHING to do with any of that. It is not his responsibility. This is a capitalistic country. If a business fails, it should, and be buried like the rest so a new one can rise. The war...I have preached enough about that, as well as everyone here has too. Terrorism, and countries that harbor such individuals who support it, should be FORCED to not do it. If that means that we will be there until the turn of the century, then so be it. This war is about people trying to force their way of life on us and others..violently. The United States was founded on the principles that you are free to create your own life, and to escape those that wish to conform you to another. We are retaliating against such individuals. It's what we do. I am glad that you have come here and reminded us of one more great reason why people voted for Obama. "Because I don't like the way things are going, and I am not big into politics." Ever look past 4 feet in front of you? There is a much bigger picture out there....

[The_Dawg]

So what is your final take on GW? Please keep your responses thought out and factual.


One thought...one opinion........He did good.

[goodnottygy]

I am not against Haliburton being involved ... but am STRONGLY against giving them a blank check! I am glad to see cheap oil. I drive 80 miles a day to work. Oil prices drove inflation, which in turn started or recession.
If you do not think that Cheney is not loyal to his former company, you have blinders on! One question... how many people were on the plane that attacked the U.S.? Now, how many were from Saudi Arabia?

[Gator]

Read what I said about Haliburton, and their involvement in Bosnia. They are doing the same thing in Iraq as what they were doing there, and guess who was President then, Clinton. Cheney may have been CEO then, I don't know, but he sure as heck wasn't VP either. And I drive 110 miles a day for work, and guess what, I work in the oilfield services area, so I am seeing how this is affecting us, and am worried about what the future holds for me and my fellow employees.

And FWIW, the "planes" didn't attack the US, the hijackers did.

[wtnhunt]

I have preached enough about that, as well as everyone here has too. Terrorism, and countries that harbor such individuals who support it, should be FORCED to not do it. If that means that we will be there until the turn of the century, then so be it. This war is about people trying to force their way of life on us and others..violently. The United States was founded on the principles that you are free to create your own life, and to escape those that wish to conform you to another. We are retaliating against such individuals. It's what we do. I am glad that you have come here and reminded us of one more great reason why people voted for Obama. "Because I don't like the way things are going, and I am not big into politics." Ever look past 4 feet in front of you? There is a much bigger picture out there....

This is something that is so very true. Some people just do not understand the repercussion of what allowing those terrorist to run rampant and not give the people of those countries the opportunity to stand on their own and gain the strength to root out those terrorist would have. It is just my opinion, but I also firmly believe it is better to fight them there than it is to have them here on our soil murdering innocent women and children here.

how many people were on the plane that attacked the U.S.? Now, how many were from Saudi Arabia?

Welcome to the forums. There was more than one plane, and there were Americans on all of those planes, some were heroes and rather than cower, they took control and charged the enemy crashing that plane before it hit its intended target. Of course those heroes sacrificed their own lives to save others. Time and time again in American history men and women have stood up and made sacrifices for others. I have all the respect and honor for those folks, and respect what our men and women are doing and have done in Iraq, Afghanistan, and all over the rest of the world. Whether we agree about war or not, the freedoms that our troops are bringing to those people do allow them the choice in whether to continue on with the muslim way of life or whether to break away from it. Under a tyranical dictatorship what choice do those people have, and is it really feasible to think/believe that the extremist terrorists would just be happy and not want to harm us for being complacent and leaving them alone?

[nativetexan]

I am not against Haliburton being involved ... but am STRONGLY against giving them a blank check! I am glad to see cheap oil. I drive 80 miles a day to work. Oil prices drove inflation, which in turn started or recession.
If you do not think that Cheney is not loyal to his former company, you have blinders on! One question... how many people were on the plane that attacked the U.S.? Now, how many were from Saudi Arabia?

Al Qaeda sticks to no particular nationality. This is not about nationality, its about radical Islam. It's about a global terrorist organization that trained (and were allowed to) in a select few countries. You can "conspiracy theory" all you like. I prefer facts myself. Showing facts tends to make you not look like a horses rear when the truth does come out and judgement is passed. This is why it is called the Global War on Terror. All nations are involved who might be affected. Not just the U.S. In fact, of the countries listed below, many of them are currently or have been battling some form of terrorism for quite some time. Not just from Al Qaeda either. Simple fact is, people are fed up with terrorism and its time to put a stop to it no matter the cost. The cost would be far greater to let it thrive. So I don't buy into oil conspiracies. You want to blame someone about high gas prices? Blame OPEC and the democrats for not letting us drill on our own soil because of a polar bear or a pretty view. You tell me now what makes more sense?



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_United_States.svg) United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States): 250,000 invasion—144,000 current (8/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg) United Kingdom (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom): 45,000 invasion—4,100 current (9/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Flag_of_Australia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Australia.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Australia.svg) Australia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia): 2,000 invasion—~350 current (12/08)
TOTAL INVASION DEPLOYMENT



~297,000 troops
CURRENT DEPLOYMENT BY COUNTRY



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Flag_of_Romania.svg/22px-Flag_of_Romania.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Romania.svg) Romania (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania): 730 peak—501 current (11/08; deployed 7/03)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/Flag_of_El_Salvador.svg/22px-Flag_of_El_Salvador.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_El_Salvador.svg) El Salvador (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Salvador): 380 peak—200 current (8/08; deployed 8/03)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Flag_of_Estonia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Estonia.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Estonia.svg) Estonia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonia): 40 troops (12/08; deployed 6/05)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Flag_of_Singapore.svg/22px-Flag_of_Singapore.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Singapore.svg) Singapore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore): 175 offshore (12/08; deployed 12/03)
APPROXIMATE TOTAL DEPLOYMENT AS OF 8/08



151,000 troops (incl. ~6,500 non-U.S.)
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF CONTRACTORS AS OF 2/08



161,000: 53% (~85,300) Iraqi, 17% (~27,400) American, 30% (~45,500) Other

Including 20–30,000 mercenaries as of 12/07

NATO (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO) Training Mission – Iraq
Countries involved with the NATO training mission, NATO NTM-I (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multinational_force_in_Iraq#NATO-Sponsored_Training_of_the_Iraqi_Police_Force_.28NT M-I.29)


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/22px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg) Bulgaria (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgaria): 485 peak (deployed 5/03-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Flag_of_Moldova.svg/22px-Flag_of_Moldova.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Moldova.svg) Moldova (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldova): 24 peak (deployed 9/03-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Flag_of_Albania.svg/22px-Flag_of_Albania.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Albania.svg) Albania (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania): 240 troops (deployed 4/03-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Flag_of_Ukraine.svg/22px-Flag_of_Ukraine.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Ukraine.svg) Ukraine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine): 1,650 peak (deployed 8/03-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Denmark.svg/22px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Denmark.svg) Denmark (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark): 545 peak (deployed 4/03-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg) Czech Republic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Republic): 300 peak (deployed 12/03-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Flag_of_South_Korea.svg/22px-Flag_of_South_Korea.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_South_Korea.svg) South Korea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea): 3,600 peak (deployed 5/03-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Flag_of_Japan.svg/22px-Flag_of_Japan.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Japan.svg) Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan): 600 troops (deployed 1/04-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Tonga.svg/22px-Flag_of_Tonga.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Tonga.svg) Tonga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonga): 55 troops (deployed 7/04-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Flag_of_Azerbaijan.svg/22px-Flag_of_Azerbaijan.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Azerbaijan.svg) Azerbaijan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan): 250 peak (deployed 8/03-withdrawn 12/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Flag_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina.svg/22px-Flag_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina.svg) Bosnia and Herzegovina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina): 85 peak (deployed 6/05-withdrawn 11/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Flag_of_Macedonia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Macedonia.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Macedonia.svg) Macedonia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Macedonia): 77 peak (deployed 7/03-withdrawn 11/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Flag_of_Latvia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Latvia.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Latvia.svg) Latvia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvia): 136 peak (deployed 5/03-withdrawn 11/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Flag_of_Poland.svg/22px-Flag_of_Poland.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Poland.svg) Poland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland): 200 invasion—2,500 peak (withdrawn 10/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Flag_of_Kazakhstan.svg/22px-Flag_of_Kazakhstan.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Kazakhstan.svg) Kazakhstan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan): 29 troops (deployed 9/03-withdrawn 10/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Flag_of_Armenia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Armenia.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Armenia.svg) Armenia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenia): 46 troops (deployed 1/05-withdrawn 10/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Flag_of_Mongolia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Mongolia.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Mongolia.svg) Mongolia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia): 180 peak (deployed 8/03-withdrawn 09/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Flag_of_Georgia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Georgia.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Georgia.svg) Georgia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_%28country%29): 2,000 peak (deployed 8/03-withdrawn 8/08)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Flag_of_Slovakia.svg/22px-Flag_of_Slovakia.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Slovakia.svg) Slovakia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovakia): 110 peak (deployed 8/03-withdrawn 12/07)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Flag_of_Lithuania.svg/22px-Flag_of_Lithuania.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Lithuania.svg) Lithuania (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania): 120 peak (deployed 6/03-withdrawn 08/07)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Flag_of_Italy.svg/22px-Flag_of_Italy.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Italy.svg) Italy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy): 3,200 peak (deployed 7/03-withdrawn 11/06)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Norway.svg/22px-Flag_of_Norway.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Norway.svg) Norway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway): 150 troops (deployed 7/03-withdrawn 8/06)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Flag_of_Hungary.svg/22px-Flag_of_Hungary.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Hungary.svg) Hungary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary): 300 troops (deployed 8/03-withdrawn 3/05)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg) Netherlands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands): 1,345 troops (deployed 7/03-withdrawn 3/05)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/22px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Portugal.svg) Portugal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal): 128 troops (deployed 11/03-withdrawn 2/05)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Flag_of_New_Zealand.svg/22px-Flag_of_New_Zealand.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_New_Zealand.svg) New Zealand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand): 61 troops (deployed 9/03-withdrawn 9/04)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Flag_of_Thailand.svg/22px-Flag_of_Thailand.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Thailand.svg) Thailand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand): 423 troops (deployed 8/03-withdrawn 8/04)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg) Philippines (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines): 51 troops (deployed 7/03-withdrawn 7/04)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Flag_of_Honduras.svg/22px-Flag_of_Honduras.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Honduras.svg) Honduras (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honduras): 368 troops (deployed 8/03-withdrawn 5/04)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Flag_of_the_Dominican_Republic.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_Dominican_Republic.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_Dominican_Republic.svg) Dominican Republic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic): 302 troops (deployed 8/03-withdrawn 5/04)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Spain.svg/22px-Flag_of_Spain.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Spain.svg) Spain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain): 1,300 troops (deployed 4/03-withdrawn 4/04)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Flag_of_Nicaragua.svg/22px-Flag_of_Nicaragua.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Nicaragua.svg) Nicaragua (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua): 230 troops (deployed 9/03-withdrawn 2/04)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Flag_of_Iceland.svg/22px-Flag_of_Iceland.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Iceland.svg) Iceland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland): 2 troops (deployed 5/03-withdrawal date unknown)
Also, the first part of what you wrote really makes no sense. Kinda lost here in what you mean.

[nativetexan]

There was more than one plane, and there were Americans on all of those planes, some were heroes and rather than cower, they took control and charged the enemy crashing that plane before it hit its intended target. Of course those heroes sacrificed their own lives to save others.

Dang straight. Those people certainly weren't thinking of themselves. Which unfortunately we see (or hear about) fewer of each day in the American people. The selfish have spoken and put their "leader" in charge. The media has spoken and lied to put their leader in charge. The whole thing just makes me nauseous.

[colorado bob]

. The selfish have spoken and put their "leader" in charge. The media has spoken and lied to put their leader in charge. The whole thing just makes me nauseous.


You have been drinking too much "Kool-Aid". The was in Afgan is about finding & killing Al-qaida. The was war in Iraq is NOT, it is Bush's. They were not Iraq, Bush1 & Clinton has Saddam bottled-up---with the no fly zone & blockades. Bush WANTED to invade. He & the neo-conservates made the case for weapons of mass destructions. They got what they wanted from the facts, twisted it & had reason for the war. They knew & lied in about the "yellow cake" in the state of the union address just before the war.

[goodnottygy]

Well said Colorado Bob! Bush 1 should have finished the job the first time we were in Iraq. Then Bush 2 fabricated and distorted the facts to get support to invade Iraq. 9-11 had no Iraq people on those planes. Many were Saudis. So we attack Iraq instead of Saudi Arabia??
Now , Bush 2 spent so much money , that we are broke and owe money to communist China. I always thought "conservative" meant to be tight with money. If a liberal spent this much money, put our country in this shape, you would talk nonstop about those spending liberals. By the way, I am not a liberal. I voted for McCain, but I could have never voted for Bush, and never either time. Saudi Arabia does not like us, but they sure like our money.
I am not a fan of Obama, but he has a big hill to climb us out of because of Bush 2. So lets give him a chance... we have no other choice.

[nativetexan]

You have been drinking too much "Kool-Aid". The was in Afgan is about finding & killing Al-qaida. The was war in Iraq is NOT, it is Bush's. They were not Iraq, Bush1 & Clinton has Saddam bottled-up---with the no fly zone & blockades. Bush WANTED to invade. He & the neo-conservates made the case for weapons of mass destructions. They got what they wanted from the facts, twisted it & had reason for the war. They knew & lied in about the "yellow cake" in the state of the union address just before the war.

Um...not well said. I can barely understand it.

They got what they wanted from facts and twisted it? Explain...

Yes, Bush Sr. and Clinton had Saddam "bottled up." That was solely for the purpose of keeping Iraq from invading another country. Ask the Kurds if Saddam had WMD's. Bottling him up does not control what Saddam does inside his own country.

Again, I don't feel the need to repeat myself over and over about the Saudi Nationals that were involved in 9/11. It is obvious that there is no understanding from either of you what the Global War on Terror is about. It isn't about toppling governments unless those governments approve terrorism as method of dealing with the world or their own people, and allow their soil to be used as a training ground or a place to carry these acts out. If this is the case, then yes, world powers should engage that government and bomb it into oblivion if need be.

As far as the other thread, I will not give Obama a chance. I'll be on the defensive, and as I have said so many times ad nauseum, it's not just Obama, it's everyone else in the party too.

So slap your Bush Lied/War is not the Answer stickers on your cars and carry on with whatever undocumented "conspiracy theory" you wish. One thing I like about War is not the Answer stickers is that those that have them on their cars, usually have no other answer.

I am active duty military. I believe in what we are doing and not through indoctrination. I have seen progress. It's the right thing because we are American's, and we will not be ruled by fear. Nor should any other country.

Maybe if you school yourselves up a bit on the THREAT that is in this world, you might have a different way of thinking. I'll make it easy for you..Here are some links...

http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress07/mueller011107.htm

http://www.nps.edu/Library/Research/SubjectGuides/SpecialTopics/TerroristProfile/TerroristGroupProfiles.html

http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/fs/37191.htm

[The_Dawg]

Well said nativetexan!!

[oldksnarc]

At the time he was portrayed as a doddering fool - but history now remembers Reagan as a great communicator and statesman and credited as being single-handedly responsible for ending the Cold War and tearing down the Berlin Wall.

I believe history will look back and see that Bush 43 wasn't as bad as everyone made him out to be. History will realize he inherited the forthcoming 9/11 and wasn't responsible for it - but he stood tall and reacted the way he should have and kept us from further attack and harm - will the Messiah be able to say the same?

History will realize he wasn't solely responsible for global warming, Katrina, Gustav, or the Tsunami.

History will recognize that he freed the peoples of two nations from oppressive regimes and that, while WMDs have not been publicly been admitted to having been found, they were and so were the tens of thousands of bodies of Sodom's (spelling intentional) own contrymen who died at his hands. Even if WMDs were never found the dead of Iraq dictated our going in and removing Sodom from power. I would venture to say we will soon find ourselves in Africa - not because of WMDs but rather because of the same genocide we saw in Iraq - only this time for and because of color.

Speaking of and as a side note: I understand that because of differences of faith Muslims consider us infidels. But, how many times throughout history have we infidels come to the aid of Muslims (Bosnia, Croatia, Afghanistan and Iraq as a few recent examples) yet they despise us so much?

History will realize that while the housing and financial collapse occurred on his watch they were actually the result of the CRA (community reinvestment act) which were 30-year old democratic policies enacted under Carter and Clinton requiring lenders to loan to those who couldn't make the payments and which ultimately came crashing down around our ears and for which Bush 43 was blamed for.

History will realize that up thru Bush 43 we enjoyed the protections under the 2nd Amendment - until they were either legislated (or failing that - taxed) away.

Yes, Bush 43 made mistakes. But, he's human and never put himself up as anything but - unlike our (or the media's) new Messiah. And, B-43 was willing to take a stand and did what he thought was right rather than do what was popular. He had substance - something we won't be seeing for a while.

[pendog]

Well said Snarc!

[oldksnarc]

I am active duty military.

First, and again, well said.

Second, Thank You For Your Service.

And, ain't it amazing how the Johnny-come-lately seem to all have the same frame of mind?

But, then again, I could be wrong.

[muggs]

They say a picture speaks a thousand words so here you go...


http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:lo7HCX60PScTFM:http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent009/ADDITION_Gas_Prices_CAPS102.JPG (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent009/ADDITION_Gas_Prices_CAPS102.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.autospies.com/news/High-Gas-Prices-Are-We-Actually-Sitting-On-A-Gas-Bubble-29971/&usg=__8Wd-lhgsznb1Ib1Dpfp3QggUi00=&h=512&w=496&sz=65&hl=en&start=33&sig2=i4PfYSTdpui1AQZnqtesXA&tbnid=lo7HCX60PScTFM:&tbnh=131&tbnw=127&ei=ftpkSauoDYuasAOdrfSTDQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhigh%2Bgas%2Bprices%26start%3D20%26gb v%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN)

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

They say a picture speaks a thousand words so here you go...


http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:lo7HCX60PScTFM:http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent009/ADDITION_Gas_Prices_CAPS102.JPG (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent009/ADDITION_Gas_Prices_CAPS102.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.autospies.com/news/High-Gas-Prices-Are-We-Actually-Sitting-On-A-Gas-Bubble-29971/&usg=__8Wd-lhgsznb1Ib1Dpfp3QggUi00=&h=512&w=496&sz=65&hl=en&start=33&sig2=i4PfYSTdpui1AQZnqtesXA&tbnid=lo7HCX60PScTFM:&tbnh=131&tbnw=127&ei=ftpkSauoDYuasAOdrfSTDQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhigh%2Bgas%2Bprices%26start%3D20%26gb v%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN)I don't get it? Gas prices (when adjusted for inflation) will be lower when Bush leaves office than when he took office. :confused:

[wtnhunt]

I don't get it? Gas prices (when adjusted for inflation) will be lower when Bush leaves office than when he took office. :confused:

Mike, and I am not saying it is what Eric believes, but think some people believe there was some sort of conspiracy that Bush and Cheney were solely responsible for the global rise in fuel prices. Guessing those same folks would speculate that with Obama coming in, that Obama is somehow responsible for the lower prices we are now seeing, even though he has yet to take office.

Funny thing is prices at the pump around here are back on the rise.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

...some people believe there was some sort of conspiracy that Bush and Cheney were solely responsible for the global rise in fuel prices. Guessing those same folks would speculate that with Obama coming in, that Obama is somehow responsible for the lower prices we are now seeing, even though he has yet to take office...Well that doesn't make any sense either. If the President (or Vice President :rolleyes:) could actually control prices, why wouldn't Bush just leave them sky high? What's to be gained by driving them down suddenly?

In all reality, here's what the President, along with Congress, can do to influence prices. He can raise or lower taxes at the pump. He can raise or lower taxes on the oil companies. He can tighten or loosen regulations on dilling and exploration. And he can mandate certain pollution standards that require refineries to adjust their formulas.

Other than that, it's mostly a supply and demand market.

[wtnhunt]

Well that doesn't make any sense either. If the President (or Vice President :rolleyes:) could actually control prices, why wouldn't Bush just leave them sky high? What's to be gained by driving them down suddenly?

In all reality, here's what the President, along with Congress, can do to influence prices. He can raise or lower taxes at the pump. He can raise or lower taxes on the oil companies. He can tighten or loosen regulations on dilling and exploration. And he can mandate certain pollution standards that require refineries to adjust their formulas.

Other than that, it's mostly a supply and demand market.

You and I both know that Mike, but seems anymore things don't have to make any sense. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who disregard reality and want to believe these Michael Moore'ish type conspiracy theories and look to lay blame on Bush for anything they can. The Bush blaming and bashing seems is/has been a popular thing to do for many, which has had an obvious effect on his popularity and how he has been viewed as our leader.

[Sambar Hunter]

Gun slinging dumb red neck, I support the Iraqi journalist who throw his shoes at him, should have hit him in the head.

[The_Dawg]

Gun slinging dumb red neck, I support the Iraqi journalist who throw his shoes at him, should have hit him in the head.


Guess I'm a gun slinging dumb redneck too because I support him and believe he has done very well. But that's coming from someone who actually lives in the U.S. :rolleyes:.

[Cajun-101]

Guess I'm a gun slinging dumb redneck too because I support him and believe he has done very well. But that's coming from someone who actually lives in the U.S. :rolleyes:.


im with you hogg... sambar let the us citizens talk. You just keep you mind on australia.

[OUTSIDER]

Well...The commander in chief put myself, my dad, my brother, my friends, and my brothers and sisters of the US Military in harms way many times, asked us to put our lives on the line time and time again, and for that some paid the ultimate price....What do I think? I think that president bush did a wonderful job at being president, we are still the United States, one nation under GOD. He liberated the people of Iraq from a ruthless dictator, has taken out over 2/3's of Al-quaeda's top ranking members, Found Saddam's hiding place, and has helped to thwart terrorism worldwide. We still have our second amendment...(for how long when BHO gets in office, god help us) Yeah, our gas prices got bad...not as bad as some other places, our economy is shot, our military is starting to be stretched thin...my question to you is....Could you do any better??

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Gun slinging dumb red neck, I support the Iraqi journalist who throw his shoes at him, should have hit him in the head.
Then I suggest you go live in Iraq. ;)

Gun slinging red neck? Possibly. Depends on your definition.

Dumb? Not by a long shot.

[Sambar Hunter]

im with you hogg... sambar let the us citizens talk. You just keep you mind on australia.

Well mate, you have got to realize what ever bush said goes, no arguments, even if that meant sending US allied soldiers to the middle east to get slaughtered, there are to many things to mention that Bush screwed up or stuffed up, that’s what the majority of Australian public think and that’s what the general consensus of what people think in Europe as well.

[stevebeilgard]

They say a picture speaks a thousand words so here you go...


http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:lo7HCX60PScTFM:http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent009/ADDITION_Gas_Prices_CAPS102.JPG (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent009/ADDITION_Gas_Prices_CAPS102.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.autospies.com/news/High-Gas-Prices-Are-We-Actually-Sitting-On-A-Gas-Bubble-29971/&usg=__8Wd-lhgsznb1Ib1Dpfp3QggUi00=&h=512&w=496&sz=65&hl=en&start=33&sig2=i4PfYSTdpui1AQZnqtesXA&tbnid=lo7HCX60PScTFM:&tbnh=131&tbnw=127&ei=ftpkSauoDYuasAOdrfSTDQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhigh%2Bgas%2Bprices%26start%3D20%26gb v%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN)


mark my words. in 3 years of less, you'll look at those prices as "the good old days." i predict $6.50 or better gas. remember, when it was this high, obama clearly said he was o.k. with it and thinks it will be $12.00 a gallon. and he's now off to the races.

[stevebeilgard]

Gun slinging dumb red neck, I support the Iraqi journalist who throw his shoes at him, should have hit him in the head.

if this same guy had done the same thing to saddam, he'd have his head cut off by now. and don't forget about the tons of yellowcake that was found in iraq. i know the news hates to report that kind of thing, but it's been found.

[The_Dawg]

Well mate, you have got to realize what ever bush said goes, no arguments, even if that meant sending US allied soldiers to the middle east to get slaughtered, there are to many things to mention that Bush screwed up or stuffed up, that’s what the majority of Australian public think and that’s what the general consensus of what people think in Europe as well.

Bush didn't send the allied troops over there, that was a decision that your PM decided to do. If you and the majority of Australia have a problem with that then take it up with your PM and not blame it on President Bush.

Your PM could have said no.

Look at the facts, not everything President Bush said "went" as you suggest.

[nativetexan]

Well mate, you have got to realize what ever bush said goes, no arguments, even if that meant sending US allied soldiers to the middle east to get slaughtered, there are to many things to mention that Bush screwed up or stuffed up, that’s what the majority of Australian public think and that’s what the general consensus of what people think in Europe as well.

1. What is a U.S. Allied Soldier sent to slaughter? Check the death toll of terrorists, extremist fighters, and the remnants of dictator governments...Whose getting slaughtered now? Patriotism is a great thing, you should try it sometime.
2. Fraid you haven't been paying too much attention to the news over the last couple of years if you think Bush got everything he ever wanted. Unfortunately for us, those who put Obama and all of his constituents in office, I am afraid they have taken on a more European/Australian way of thinking. Hide our heads and hope it goes away....
3. I don't have to "realize" anything from a country who lets their government "run" everything. So I don't really care what Australians think. Our governments are very different. Comparing the two is apples and oranges.
4. Last time I checked, historically, we left Europe for a reason. Recently? Those people left for a reason too. So I don't much care what Europe thinks either.

Got a beef? Throw shoes at your own government and hope a 9/11 doesn't happen on your soil...After all, they will most certainly buy you a new pair.

[stevebeilgard]

Steve, your entitled to your opinion. Answer your own question---Are you better off now than when Bush took office? Answer is a resounding NO. We went to heck in a hand basket under him.

As far as if Gore or Kerry would have been better or worse----Who knows. But it would have been different.

I voted for W the 1st go round but not the 2nd.

I was around for Jimmy.

Best one in my liftime-----from JKF to present. Most are mediocre.

Obama has a big hole to come out of----We all better hope he does well. CB

sorry again, bob, but i am much better off now than when bush took office. i voted for him the first time, then voted against kerry for the second term. i only had 2 options, and bush was better than kerry. i also voted against obama rather than for mccain. i'm a conservative and these guys are liberals. but i'm a bunch of dollars ahead of the case if gore or kerry got in.

and jimmy:confused:. 21% inflation and 18% interest? he was by far the worst to date. and look what reagan did in just 2 years.

[wtnhunt]

mark my words. in 3 years of less, you'll look at those prices as "the good old days." i predict $6.50 or better gas. remember, when it was this high, obama clearly said he was o.k. with it and thinks it will be $12.00 a gallon. and he's now off to the races.


Too many people are too quick to forget about those comments aren't they Steve. I will not forget what the man said. He in those comments showed his true thoughts and I for one believe it was quite ignorant and also arrogant for him to say. It does show that he has no regard for working class people who were/will be struggling with being able to afford to keep fuel in their cars to be able to get to and from work. Very sad so many people in this country just do not get it.

[mossyhorn]

I feel W. did a good job. Yeah some thing I may not be happy with. But most people just by into the media.Imho Obama would have never won had it not been for the media giving so much hype. But thats a different story. I am guessing if you feel like Bush did a terrible job then you also feel like you got ripped off when you seen your stimulus check. Did anyone else hear people doing this. To think some people are so greedy that they can really get mad about the amount of free money they get.

[HUNTINGMAN]

I think he protected our freedom the best he could,I dont get why everyone says he done such a bad job.When congress has the final say in anything a president wants to do,wouldnt this make congresses fault.

[oldksnarc]

wouldn't this make it congresses fault.

Yes. But, why did the democratic Congress spend so many days holding hearings on whose fault the housing/financial crisis was? To point blame in other directions than where it belonged - with them, Carter and Clinton because of the community re-investment act (CRA).

Just as it's congress' fault social security is bankrupt or on the verge of bankruptcy. The money put in the fund is put there by the workers and their employers. It's not congress' money but they have raped and pillaged it and expanded it to those who haven't contributed to it to the point that when I retire in 10 years and have paid into it for 37 years so far - it won't be there.

Can I/we sue to get it returned. No. What recourse do we have under a democracy? None. Under a democracy the rule of government is absolute. We have them telling us what's best for us and what we can do.

I apologize for hijacking another thread -

History 101.
http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/ (http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/)

[High Country]

For what it is worth, I believe that GWB did an admirable job as the 43rd POTUS. Twenty years from now, history will look back on the challenges he faced, and the successes and failures of his administration with a view of the years before and the years following. Without that perspective, anything else is simply biased speculation.

GWB was the first president (that I can remember) that did what he thought (right or wrong) was necessary and actually stood for something (without conducting popularity polls to tell him how to believe). His beliefs tended to be mirrored by conservatives and despised by liberals, but that is the way the political system works.

Did GWB make mistakes? IMO, absolutely...so would anyone else in his position, and so will BHO.

Are we safer than before 9/11? Absolutely, though I am not sure for how long. In less than one week, BHO has turned the Intelligence community on its head...operatives now have to decide if doing the jobs they are assigned to do to keep us safe will jeopardize themselves, legally.

The barbarian me must admit that IMO GWB did make a mistake in his restraint of the military (the poor UN might decide that we used "overwhelming" force in the prosecution of a war). Had he allowed the US military to display what it was truly capable of (sorry UN), then "shock and awe" may have given terrorists (or at least the countries sponsoring them) pause. ***Then again, Hamas did claim victory in the last incident with Israel, of course Israel did pull out of Gaza, when there was nothing left to hit***

UBL made one mistake on 9-11. He did indeed recognize the USAs ability to strike back, he simply did not think that GWB or the US as a whole had the will to strike back. He was only half-wrong IMO.

May GWB accept the rest that he has worked for. And the rest of us, pray that BHO turns out better than I fear.

[TuffnufOutdoors]

I voted for Bush both times. He faced from very hard things to deal with. I do believe he became to focused on the wars without showing us that he cared about what was going on here in the US. But that is a tricky spot for me. That is what I believe the president is suppose to focus on (foreign affairs) . I also know that I will not put the blame for the economy on GW. What about all those over sight committees that are in place to watch over these concerns. They are the ones that drop the ball. These problems stem back to the Clinton years. But end result when people are losing jobs and suffering like this country are the top guy is the one who is going to take the blame. Unfortunately most people voting do not dig deep enough to understand the issues. INMO Obama is not taking the steps that will help us get out of this issue. Butr then again I diont know if anyone really knows what will get us out of this. How do you build confidance because that is what we need to get things moving.

[fly]

I too voted for GW both times.
Voted Obama this time. Our country is in deep and bad times are just starting to be seen. I don't think the worst has been seen. My opinion was/is that Obama was the person most capable to help.

Back to GW:
At the time I was all for the war on Iraq. Now if there is some sort of proof (that could not be disputed) out there that GW lied about Saddam not letting us inspect the nuclear power plant then I'd feel like he was a really bad president. However, I've yet to see/hear that proof. Now we all know there were no weapons of mass destruction found so perhaps going to war wasn't the right decission after all. However, I didn't know that at the time and until it's proven I'll give GW the benifit of the doubt as well.

Economy wise, I honestly don't know what percentage (if any) GW is to blame. I do feel he tried to make it seem less severe than it really was/is. Not the best move.

Overall I don't think of GW's 8 years as great by any means, but then I don't think he is the worst president either.

So what do I think of GW?
Eh, from what I know I'd say that overall he was just ok.

[Dakota]

GWB was my president and I am thankful for his service in office; I can't imagine how AG would have handled the 9-11 catastrophe. As far as BHO, I fear for our nation and pray that he will make good and wise decisions though I know he won't. I voted for McCain, so when BHO messes up don't come running to me. For right now I am looking towards the future and what it may hold. Hey, only 1,449 days til BHO is out of office! :D Go Palin! ;)

Dakota :)