George W. Bush – not an endorsement, I’m just asking a question...
By Jeff-March 26, 2007
I don’t know your personal opinion of George W. Bush. I agree with a number of things he does/says, and I have a number of issues with him as well. So, I have not come to praise – or bury – Caesar, but rather just to ask the following question for your pondering.
How will history treat George W. Bush?
I ask this question because history will often differ from public opinion of the time.
Let’s start with the hypothesis that Bush’s “historical value” will be based on the War on Terror and how he handles the issue of Illegal Aliens (i.e. – undocumented visitors). It would be fair to say that not only are Americans polarized on both of these issues, but there is also division amongst those who in or out of the “Bush ideology camp” as well.
From a general overview, “Pro-Bushers” will say that he has the fortitude and courage to “stay the course” and follow his convictions, no matter the fallout.
“Anti-Bushers” will argue that he doesn’t listen to his advisors or public opinion, and he is, therefore, an idiot.
I wonder how we will feel twenty or fifty years from now.
Here are a few examples of people whose public opinion did not match up with their historical significance. When you consider these examples, think of them not only in the context of their time, but also consider how they would appear in the age of the 24 hour news/gossip channel.
Abraham Lincoln: While history holds old “Honest Abe” as one of America’s greatest presidents, I would bet that Lincoln’s idea of freeing the slaves did not garner him great public support in the southern part of the USA. After giving black men the right to vote (before white women, I might add – wouldn’t that be a slap?), I am sure that he wasn’t making many friends in the north either. Did the news media argue that he didn’t listen to his advisors or the public? I don’t know. I do know that he stood by ideals that got him shot.
Observation #2 – Martin Luther King Jr. Again, like President Lincoln, history views Dr. King as a great man. However, in the context of the time, his ideas were not popular throughout the entire nation. His ideas were unpopular enough to get him assassinated as well. Again, while many people supported his cause, do you think that there were some within his closest circle that told him this was a bad idea? Maybe some told him to “play it safe, sit down, and shut up.” Did he listen to all of his supporters/staff? Again, I would venture not. Would the press and the court of public opinion have treated him the same as history would later view him?
Another example: Adolf Hitler. Those of you who know me well know that I have an odd fascination with the life and doings of history’s possibly most evil person. History views him as a mad-man, a man of pure evil, and a hate monger. However, in the court of 1938 public opinion, he was the savior of Germany. Hitler rose to great power (granted, partially through acts of skullduggery), brought Germany out of the Depression, and (I’ll bet you didn’t know) brought cars to the general public (he is responsible for the production of the Volkswagen automobile – the original Beetle is VERY similar to a version from the 1970’s.). Anyway –this is not a praise of Hitler, but rather to point out that prior to 1943 he was VERY popular in Germany, yet history (correctly) views him as a murderer and dictator.
Lastly, I submit Winston Churchill for your consideration. In 1938 and 1939 Churchill spoke loudly, and often, of the evils of Adolf Hitler (see above). If I remember correctly, he went as far as to say that Hitler’s Germany “should be neutralized before it creates a larger threat (or words to that effect)”. Churchill, at the time, was poo-poo’d as a war hawk. It was only later, in 1940 and 1941 during the Battle of Britain, where he was acknowledged as being correct. Now history views him as a great leader and a hero of WWII. In the 1938 & ’39 polls he was just a drunken goof.
Am I comparing President Bush to any of these people (good or bad)? Absolutely not. Am I praising or criticizing him? Certainly not. As I stated at the beginning, I agree with him on a number of things, I disagree with him on a number of things. I am interested though, to see how history will view him in 2020 or 2050. I hope I’m around to see it.
That’s the Soapbox! Thanks for readin’. Have a great day.
Jeff
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