Note: Written on November 6, 2008.
So as the Bush Administration slowly whines down in its final months
before Inauguration Day on January 20, 2009, what has some the history
book has to say about President Bush during his term in office, my
opinions on Bush, and maybe in a later time, I'll update again when more
stuff comes to light.
Many consider me a conservative, rightly so, but if you expect a conservative report, I'm not going to provide that.
Since
George Bush's presidency revolves around September 11, 2001. Let's
first start off of Bush's overall approval rating over the years. Do
you see the irony here? This graph is a testament to the American
people's flip-flop attitude, not that is should be a surprise.
George W. Bush's Approval Ratings - Wikipedia
Taking a look at Bush's foreign policy over the last 8 years.
Sure,
you have Iraq and Afghanistan that is always a 'tip of the iceburg' on
foreign policy, since American foreign policy pretty much involves
almost every nation on the globe.
Foreign Policy -
Afghanistan: C+
Let's
admit it, Afghanistan was the right target, the world community had our
back on this one, and the cry foul on Mr. Osama Bin-Ladin was, at the
least, short of Redneck invasion of that nation. In my opinion, we made
significant inroads to realistically improve life in Afghanistan after
the 2001 invasion. But Mr. Bush didn't take the historic cue from
Russia and their epic fail in here in the 1980's... so in recent years,
things have gotten cloudy here, not surprisingly. Also, America's
dealings with Pakistan were at least pretty friendly before 2007, but
supporting a dictator is an image of hypocrisy. Things were sunshiny
here once, but since Iraq, quagmire. Of course, this conflict could
have been handled better... but war isn't chocolates and flowers, right?
Iraq: D-
The
only thing that stopped this from getting an 'F' was a optimist is me
on the future, but nonetheless, Iraq has been mainly one big screw-up
since before Day One of Fighting. Its pretty obvious by now that the
original reason of going in (aka: Weapons of Mass Destruction) was a
facepalm and a half. From a historic standpoint, one could say this was
'finish the job' from the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991, but that's not
true. The only reason why Bush 41 didn't topple Saddam the first time
was due to political, cultural, etc. dangers it could produce, the
problems we see now in Iraq. Of course, America is only staying there
to prop whatever political stability there is left, since the real
alternatives aren't looking too good. If the majority of Iraqis want us
out, so be it... since political stability is in their ballpark now.
North Korea: B
Bush's
dealings with North Korea has been one of the quietly real attempt at
diplomacy towards North Korea's nuclear arsenal. This has been met with
mixed success, as such the six nation dialogue talks have succeeded in
persuading the North Koreans in disbanding, but diplomacy is a two-way
street, and this is a real attempt at diplomacy, I give it that. Yes,
the initial talks backfired sometime ago, but the at least the North
Koreans are disbanding again.
Iran: C
Talk about clash of the
hot-air leaders... on one side you have President of Iran threaten to
"wipe out Israel from the map" then you have George Bush be the regular
tough guy. This is a battle of words here and nothing more. Liberals
are so up in arms over the possibility (Note: Which is seriously remote
here folks) of invading Iran, its full of bulls**t. And the possibility
of a nuclear strike of America by Iran... zippo. Only a handful of
nations are capable of launching ICBMs. Of course we should be quite
concerned with Iranian President's words, but if a 'dirty bomb' was in
the form of... let's say a suitcase nuclear device. (Yes, technology is
advancing where WMD's could possibly be shoved into a suitcase.) And
even if there were talks... nothing would happen, and I think both sides
agree on that. There's really nothing going on between the United
States and Iran.
Russia: D+
Russia... this has been a source
of pleasure and pain for the Bush Administration. Before Iraq,
relations were good, then got poo-pooed in the following years. At face
value though, Bush is right about Russia, its still Communist with
Capitalist ideals. It doesn't help that we're setting up a "missile
defense system" in Eastern Europe, oh please, defending Europe and
America from a nuclear missile from the likes of Iran? Bullshit plan is
bullshit. But its not like Russia is any better with their publicized
assassinations. Look at Russia and their fuming at the elections in
Ukraine and Georgia. Yes, Georgia was a complete ass by trying to take
over the separatist region, but Russia's overwhelming force was uncalled
for. As John McCain said, " When I looked at President Putin, I saw on
his forehead, a K. a G. and a B."
China: B
We haven't heard
much from our American-Chinese relations over the last 8 years, so it
hasn't changed much for better or for worse. Apart for that "American
spy plane colliding with a Chinese fighter jet" incident, the usual
dealing with Taiwan, North Korea, and trade deficit. The same ball game
from previous administrations continues to be played, so its all good.
Europe: D
Since
Iraq, Bush has polarized Europe into anti- and pro- Bush governments.
This is of course would happen in liberal-leaning Europe. Taking a cue
from time to time from Europe is nice, but not always the absolute
option. When has "Let's be Europe!" has become the fad? Europe is far
from perfect, same applies to the United States too. In short,
relations here got botched up
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