Author:
Aidan Lewis’ article, “A Look at Bush’s Final Days” shows us a dangerous possibility in current politics and trend of history in general. Saying that it is “in everyone’s best interests to let Bush off the proverbial hook” illustrates this seemingly benign, yet insidious method of thinking. This rationale is irresponsible for us citizens, who all need to remain diligent in our roles as standard-bearers and whistle-blowers, because forgetting is precisely what Bush wants us to do. Take for instance the article just this Thursday in the Guardian/UK, which mentions that “George Bush is working at a breakneck pace to dismantle at least 10 major environmental safeguards protecting America’s wildlife, national parks and rivers before he leaves office in January.” This “fire sale” is the last gift of the Bush administration to big oil and gas corporations already marking record profits as the economy plummets. The big Wall Street bailout, which Bush rushed through congress, is still being muddled over by old white men, while the foreclosure crisis gets worse. All this, while a record number of felons and convicts are seeking Bush pardons. What kind of people will this man will pardon? These issues highlight the immense need for the American populace to stay ever vigilant of a failing administrations’ last moves to secure their own financial future without any benefit to the people. So, while Bush may be a “great guy to go fishing with”, that has never been criteria for a good leader, and we shouldn’t grant him any reprieve. Ignoring a bad patch of history is all too easy, but just as civil rights leaders couldn’t just “let go” of their slave histories, because our history – bleak as it may be – defines who we are, so we too must remember our countries’ lowest moments, even in the wake of one of its greatest achievements.
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