President George W. Bush. What are his best qualities?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 17:59:29 -0500

All presidents go through hell as CIC and that is clearly evident by the gray in their hair and today we are going to discuss the best qualities that he possessed as CIC.
What are some of his best achievements?

As with our current President, their children and spouses are off-limits.
Also do you think he was a good president?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 6:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 18:11:39 -0500

Not on all issues but he loved the military and still meets with military members at the airport and the bike trails.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 31 at 2015 6:24 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 18:24:24 -0500

He absolutely did respect Americans. He genuinely seemed to want to make America a better place.

Since he hadn't come from Congress, his political "prowess" seemed lacking, and we ended up with a Mr. Smith goes to Washington situation.

Finally, he absolutely respected Military as a matter of course. He didn't seem to take the Military Members itself for granted.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jan 31 at 2015 6:30 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 18:30:45 -0500

Good, not great. Better than the presidents on either side of him.

He loves America, it's troops and its people. He fought to get terrorists out of circulation, the ones the idiot in office is letting loose now.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 31 at 2015 6:44 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 18:44:31 -0500

I think that history will treat him better than contemporary journalists and pundits. The WMDs were found. He instigated the hunt that led to Osama bin Laden's demise over the objections of the man who objected to his every action as senator and now takes credit as President.

I think history will be strongly influenced in his favor by his devotion to people, especially the service men and women, clearly evident in the photos of his continuing service to them.

Ultimately, the strength of his character will prevail over his flaws in judgment. I wish the same could be said of me...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 6:48 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 18:48:16 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 7:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 19:17:51 -0500

Not speaking in public. Say, he ducked that shoe pretty fast! Think he had previous practice?

Response by Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn made Jan 31 at 2015 7:44 PM

Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 19:44:49 -0500

I was not impressed with President G.W. Bush's foreign policy; I think that he de-emphasized the Afghanistan campaign when the disastrous decision to invade Iraq in 2003 occurred. It is my opinion that the Iraq campaign made a terrible mistake that drained unnecessary blood and treasure while distracting the administration and the country from the hurt for the Taliban and AQ in Afghanistan. I'm sure that this is an unpopular opinion, but that is my prerogative.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jan 31 at 2015 8:31 PM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:31:33 -0500

He was a Good President. As a person, he seemed like he was in touch with most people especially military members. He did an excellent job rallying the US after 9-11 and made sure the Military got what we needed. I think we did pick a bad time to go into Iraq. I think once History catches up to analyzing everything, I think it will show if the US had waited a year or so and put more time and effort into Afghanistan initially, we may not have been in either country as long as we were. But As for President Bush, he stood behind us all the way, and never faltered. I do not remember any other president so grateful to the Military and to everyone he worked with.

Why he is not great. He seemed to take his eye off domestic policy and we ended up with a ballooning housing market that crashed, causing a domestic financial crisis. Run away costs to the wars also contributed into a now budget problem that the current president failed to resolve himself.

So we shall see where History Places him.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 8:43 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:43:33 -0500

Consider all he has done since leaving office for returning and wounded service members. I used to fly in/out of DFW a lot when on active duty before I went to Afghanistan in 2011. There were many times he and his wife would be there to welcome home returning service members - not for the publicity, but for the men and women in uniform. After I was injured and during my 2 years at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, there were numerous occasions where he and his wife would have wounded warriors out to their ranch for BBQ's and hunts. Again, not for the publicity. They really cared, taking the time to talk with the Soldier's and doing things for them.

Please tell me another President that has shown as much support or done 1/10 as much for us in the military. How much time do you think the current President and wife will spend on/for us once they leave office? Yeah, that's what I thought. I care as much for them as they do for me - F'UM&FFH.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 31 at 2015 9:52 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 21:52:16 -0500

I got to spend a couple of days with him traveling and got some one-on-one time with him. It was an awesome privilege and something that I will never forget. He was a kind person, confident but not arrogant, and very knowledgeable. I was impressed at his recollection of facts and names of people. I know sometimes he is made fun of because of that, but I think it is because some in the media just pick at it.

he mentioned that he wanted to be an education president but ended up becoming a war-time president. So he had to adjust much of his policies. Despite some disagreements on his policies, given the information he had, what the environment was during his tenure, I believe that he made the best decisions he could have.

His book decision points is pretty good, I would recommend it!

Response by SGT Patrick McCullough made Jan 31 at 2015 11:05 PM

SGT Patrick McCullough — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 23:05:29 -0500

There hasn't been a great president since Eisenhower and Truman before him. Kennedy had potential but was a threat to the power elite, therefore had to be removed. Since then there hasn't been a president that has held their oath of office in full. Like history this may have been our golden Age and now we're on a steady decline into whatever comes next.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 1 at 2015 12:35 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 00:35:03 -0500

I am glad for him the record was finally put straight - there were chemical weapons in Iraq.

As CIC, I feel he was in tune with the troops. I watched an interview with him about the Sept 11 incident. He wanted to get back to Washington ASAP, but "they" wouldn't let him, for clear reasons. From what I've seen and heard he had great respect for the Marines who were around him. I don't know if he was the smartest apple in the box, but I feel he did seek advice. I feel he was a good president and had the best intentions of the nation in mind.

I have to agree, since he's been out of office he and his wife have done lots of things for wounded and returning service members. I read that immediately after the FT Hood shooting he immediately drove there without the secret service to check on the troops. After he'd been there a while he received a message from Obama to "Please leave" so he could get his publicity moment with the troops. The funniest part I felt when the description of the gate guard when President Bush drove up (driving himself) and asked directions to the hospital.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Feb 1 at 2015 2:31 AM

COL Ted Mc — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 02:31:39 -0500

I think that Mr. Bush was a better President than his ability, skills, and training would have suggested that he would be. [This is called "Damning With Faint Praise"]

On the other hand, there were times when he gave 100% definite signs that he simply didn't know WHAT he was doing (although he did want to "do the right thing").

My suspicion is that if he hadn't sent the US military haring off after Saddam Hussein and had committed fully to expunging al-Qa'eda and restoring the civil society in Afghanistan the world would be in one hell of a lot better shape. You don't have much success in recruiting terrorists based on "We have to kill the people who improved our lives, stopped our children dying as infants, helped our wives survive childbirth, and brought us an honest government that is really concerned about all the people of the country.". [NOTE:- This "honest government" might well not have been a "republic with a representative democracy" like the United States of America, but it would have been in a form that the Afghans were at least vaguely familiar with and felt was THEIR government - to say nothing of being honest.]

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Feb 1 at 2015 2:36 AM

SSgt Rilene Ann — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 02:36:51 -0500

The first Bush has a great story in the military.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 1:35 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:35:43 -0500

I think he was a good President, SSgt Private RallyPoint Member. One of the things I like best about him is his willingness to get involved with veterans and veteran causes. I think he took his responsibilities as Commander in Chief very seriously, and I think that's evidenced by the fact that he continues to work with veterans even after leaving office. It would be very easy for him to ride off into the sunset and not look back, but he remains engaged and he now rides with disabled vets.

Another thing I especially like about President Bush is that he has held his tongue; he has not criticized President Obama, even as many Dems have been blaming him for just about all the woes of our country. That, in my opinion, shows great class.

http://www.bushcenter.org/military-service-initiative/w100k

W100K

Each spring, approximately 20 servicemen and women wounded in the global war on terror join President George W. Bush for a 100-kilometer mountain bike ride.Part of the Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, the W100K highlights the bravery and sacrifice of warriors and recognizesorganizations thatsupport America’s veterans. 2015 W100K The 2015 W100K was April 30 - May 2 near Waco, Texas.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 2 at 2015 11:58 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:58:29 -0500

I think he was a good president and did the best he could with the poker hand he was dealt. He may have been a bit of gunslinger but that is something I liked he stuck by his convictions. He may have sounded naive but I do no think he was in fact I think that part of his charade.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 11:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 23:11:15 -0500

I bet you President Obama would have been hit by the shoes. Just saying!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 8:32 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 08:32:41 -0500

He believed in and loved this country. He stood by the troops and did not seek any attention for it.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 5:55 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 05:55:32 -0500

At least he gave us pay raises lol

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Apr 3 at 2015 12:47 AM

SFC Collin McMillion — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 00:47:07 -0400

President Bush was not the best, but far from the worst we have so far had. This man loved America and it's people. He knew he made mistakes, but never sat back blaming others, just tried not to repeat the same one twice. People really should know by now that just because you talk a good game don't mean you can play a good one. Look at us now! I agree that this generation will judge him harshly, but in the long term history will more clear about the positive things.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2015 6:21 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 06:21:38 -0400

I was a big fan of Bush when he was in office. Now that he's no longer President that is his greatest strength as he can no longer be blamed for the bad decisions made under the current administration.

Oh . . .

Sarcasm aside he's going to end up like Hoover, hated and villified when he was in and while the next in line held the office, but vindicated by history and recognized for the good he did achieve.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Apr 3 at 2015 6:48 AM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 06:48:27 -0400

Worst President in my opinion. He lied to the American people so we can wage war on Iraq in order to take out an adversary his father failed to deposed of during the first Iraqi war not to mention already fighting a war in Afghanistan.

I must be in a parallel universe where GWB is perhaps one of the worst President in modern era. How anyone would even consider him a good, let alone a great president is beyond my comprehension.

New WMDs were never found, the only WMDs that were found were the old weapons that the U.S. help him developed. Face it, we went to war in Iraq under false pretense that Saddam had WMDs and he conspired with Al Qaeda for 9/11. After over 4,000 dead American troops, not a single evidence supported the Bush Administration of why we went to war with Iraq except to make his lackey extremely rich.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 15 at 2015 11:54 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 11:54:38 -0400

His best quality is that he no longer is in office. I miss his blithering stupid comments though, they made me laugh at times,like when he said the American people should not fear terrorist attacks because the Government did a good enough job doing that themselves.... he was funny to watch, almost as good as the Three Stooges!!!

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Nov 6 at 2015 12:33 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 12:33:53 -0500

I was a big supporter of Bush in the first few years, much of that was going along with the herd. When I realized how the 1st and 4th amendments were attacked on his watch, and with his encouragement it makes it difficult for me to say encouraging words about him (even though I'm more politically inclined to be conservative).

So the good:

Invasion of Iraq - I'll admit that it it was a stretch to tie 9/11 to Iraq, but I knew on election night 2000 that we were going back and it made me happy. I was never in favor of how we left things at the end of Desert Storm, and the policy of airstrikes and U.N. hide and seek during the Clinton administration irritated me to no end. Removing Saddam Hussein from power OR tearing up the treaty signed at the end of Desert Storm were the only acceptable courses of action in my opinion, and he went the way I agreed with. Caviet to that: I think the means by which the war was justified lacked integrity.

September, 2001 - This legacy has been tainted by conspiracy theories that the Bush administration caused or allowed 9/11 to happen, and depending on the day and my mood, my opinion changes on how legitimate those claims are, I do believe though that the second half of September President Bush showed honest courage and leadership, he became the leader that We the People so desperately needed to rally behind.

Ban on Partial birth abortions. I don't see late term and partial birth abortions as anything but murder. The fetus is developed enough to survive without the mother at that point. My stance on abortion overall is closely tied to my belief that I have no right (and it's counterproductive) to push by use of law my faith on someone else, but I think everyone in their right mind, regardless of belief, should be able to agree that stopping a beating heart that would not have stopped without active intervention is killing, and killing an innocent is murder.