Month: January 2009

The Bush Presidency: An Analysis (Part IV)

I have praised President Bush for his policies to keep America safe from terrorism and for his Supreme Court appointments. Where, in my estimation, did he fall short? Right from the start, I was bothered by his terminology, particularly his emphasis on “compassionate conservatism.” Now I know that may not seem like much to some people, and I also know that he took the title from an excellent Christian author, Marvin Olasky. Yet it seemed to come across as a… Read more »

The Bush Presidency: An Analysis (Part III)

Another of Bush’s positive accomplishments was adding two respected conservative justices to the Supreme Court. John Roberts replaced William Rehnquist as Chief Justice after Rehnquist’s death. Joseph Alito took over for retired justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Both Roberts and Alito are considered to be original intent jurists, seeking to find the reasons the founders included certain provisions in the Constitution. They do not believe that judges should make law. In this, Roberts mirrors Rehnquist; Alito is more concerned about original… Read more »

The Bush Presidency: An Analysis (Part II)

Rarely has a president had to face what Bush faced just eight months into his presidency. The only other times that enemies have attacked American soil were in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and at Pearl Harbor. The 9/11 attacks stunned the nation and called for a determined, forceful response. Bush gave it as he stood on the rubble of the Twin Towers. He vowed that the people who had perpetrated this terrorism would hear from us soon…. Read more »

The Bush Presidency: An Analysis (Part I)

Last week, I spoke at the Republican Club of Lakeland, providing my analysis of the positives and negatives of the Bush presidency. I began with a discussion of the 2000 election, which caused so much rancor in the nation. Through all the recounts and challenges, it was clear that George Bush won Florida, and therefore the election. It was a legitimate victory, marred primarily by attempts to overthrow it. Almost immediately, the media began its attack, treating Bush as a… Read more »

Great Power or Great Responsibility?

So many people want to be president. Perhaps it would do them some good to remember comments by America’s first three presidents. When Washington was elected to the presidency, he wrote to Henry Knox: My movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution: so unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful… Read more »