2008 Woodie Awards
Republican View
George W. is a Good Man
Diana Lesperance
Issue date: 2/5/04 Section: Opinions
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It is nave to believe that a political candidate can solve every problem. But I believe that history is scattered with the memories of men and the legacy they leave behind. It's amazing how we can categorize them as good or bad. Hitler was bad. Churchill was good. Napoleon was bad. Martin Luther King, Jr. was good. History leaves behind the fruit of a person's life. Sometimes the fruit can be seen in the course of their lifetime, and sometimes it takes longer to ripen. But the fruit is still there. George W. Bush deserves to be re-elected because his accomplishments will bear good fruit.
Because of September 11th, his presidency has been characterized by a sincere attempt to protect the American people. And, as he has successfully protected the U.S. from another major terrorist attack, he has also developed a magnificent (yes, magnificent!) and hopeful foreign policy of fighting terrorism by spreading democracy. He wants to end terrorism at its roots and overcome enemies by turning them into friends, and he's been successful.
A Kurdish leader on C-Span characterized what happened in Iraq by saying, "This is the first time there was an active engagement for us on behalf of human rights and freedom. This is a monumental achievement. For the first time in our history, we are able to contemplate building our own democracy." Who wasn't inspired by the presence of the President of the Iraqi Governing Council at the State of the Union Address? His hands were uplifted in thanks to America for getting rid of Saddam Hussein and giving Iraqis a chance at freedom. Also, Afghanistan, who has been set free from the Taliban, finally has hope after decades of war and tyranny. The Bush policy has attempted to win the "hearts and minds" of those who would be our enemies.
Alexis de Tocqueville once said, "America is great because America is good." I believe what we did in Iraq was good. What we did in Afghanistan was good. What we're doing in Africa to combat AIDS is good. Even what Bush is trying to accomplish on the home front through prescription drug benefits, tax relief, education, and social security reform can be argued to be good.
Do we realize that, in the history books of Afghanistan and Iraq, George W. Bush will be remembered as a liberator? Is it wrong to believe that there can be men who care more about helping others than they care about poll numbers? Am I nave to believe George W. Bush is good, or has it become a trend in American political life to gauge intelligence by our level of cynicism?
Because of September 11th, his presidency has been characterized by a sincere attempt to protect the American people. And, as he has successfully protected the U.S. from another major terrorist attack, he has also developed a magnificent (yes, magnificent!) and hopeful foreign policy of fighting terrorism by spreading democracy. He wants to end terrorism at its roots and overcome enemies by turning them into friends, and he's been successful.
A Kurdish leader on C-Span characterized what happened in Iraq by saying, "This is the first time there was an active engagement for us on behalf of human rights and freedom. This is a monumental achievement. For the first time in our history, we are able to contemplate building our own democracy." Who wasn't inspired by the presence of the President of the Iraqi Governing Council at the State of the Union Address? His hands were uplifted in thanks to America for getting rid of Saddam Hussein and giving Iraqis a chance at freedom. Also, Afghanistan, who has been set free from the Taliban, finally has hope after decades of war and tyranny. The Bush policy has attempted to win the "hearts and minds" of those who would be our enemies.
Alexis de Tocqueville once said, "America is great because America is good." I believe what we did in Iraq was good. What we did in Afghanistan was good. What we're doing in Africa to combat AIDS is good. Even what Bush is trying to accomplish on the home front through prescription drug benefits, tax relief, education, and social security reform can be argued to be good.
Do we realize that, in the history books of Afghanistan and Iraq, George W. Bush will be remembered as a liberator? Is it wrong to believe that there can be men who care more about helping others than they care about poll numbers? Am I nave to believe George W. Bush is good, or has it become a trend in American political life to gauge intelligence by our level of cynicism?