The Bush Legacy

As the clock ticks down to the inauguration of the Messiah-elect, a lot of people are wishing farewell to President Bush. Some are wishing him the best; others, wishing him not so much. It is no question that George W. Bush has been one of the most polarizing figures of the past several years, and whether or not he really deserves that title will probably be debated for years to come.
He once said that history will judge that some of the things that he has undertaken (the military response to terrorism, the war in Iraq, etc.) to be correct and necessary. Personally, I don't think that we have to wait for history to cast its eye upon his eight years in order to make such a judgment. There is no question that 9/11 warranted a forceful response, and all liberal whining and brouhaha aside, he acted within the boundaries of the law at all times while ensuring that everything that could be done to prevent another attack was being done. It is no coincidence that there has not been another terrorist attack upon America since that fateful day seven years ago.
I fear that his most recent actions threaten to ruin him in the eyes of a lot of people. While conservatives' misgivings about his economic policies vis-a-vis the bailouts are certainly not petty, we must look at the big picture; everything that he has done over the course of his administration. As far as pro-life policies go, he has been an absolute godsend to those who strive to create what he called 'a culture of life' in America. The Mexico City policy was reinstated and the barbarous practice of partial-birth abortion was banned. Two of his Supreme Court nominees sit upon the bench. The victories achieved for the pro-life movement during this administration are no small feats... sadly, they threaten to be overturned by President Obama.
In terms of economics, don't be fooled by the bailouts. He understood that for a nation to prosper, its people have to prosper, and the pro-growth policies that his administration pursued helped keep our economy strong in turbulent times (at least until the credit crunch).

Bush has taken a lot of crap over the past eight years. Some of it has been deserved; his amnesty plans, a massive Medicare expansion, and unfettered growth of government are definite blemishes on his record. But I believe that the vast majority of the slander and disgusting accusations thrown his way were completely unwarranted. Bushitler? 9/11 conspiracy? Bush lied, people died? Bush Derangement Syndrome? Impeach Bush? Photoshopped posters at the 2004 Iowa caucus of Bush with a pistol to his head? I rest my case.

I sit here at my desk tonight, writing a few scattered paragraphs, wishing the best for our departing leader. Some are wishing nothing but 'goodbye and good riddance' to our departing President. They might fancy themselves to be clever or realistic, but they're simply haters; the same league of morons that Bush has been gracefully dealing with for the past two terms.
President Bush, don't let the mob get you down. Thank you for serving your country, and God bless you.