Sarasota News Leader

01/17/2014

Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/243343

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 32 of 136

Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 33 is the same desk that was used by Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. He lauded Abraham Lincoln for welcoming a defeated South into the Union at the close of the Civil War without exacting retribution and seemed to suggest that approach as a model for dealing with vanquished enemies, i.e. help them recover and form democratic governments. He pointed out that Japan, once an enemy of the United States, has become its ally through use of that approach. He also suggested the U.S. might have become a continent of separate nations, similar to Europe, if not for Lincoln's action. Among other observations, Bush seems to have great respect and admiration for the men and women who serve in the military. He also seems to believe leaders should listen to their advisors, but the advisors should not be sycophants. He stated a role of the president is to make decisions; and that in doing so, it is important to know what you don't know. Before exiting the stage Bush said he is optimistic about the future. I found his comments to be intelligent and thoughtful. Several times he stressed that freedom is essential for everyone, that each person must be free to, for example, choose his/her own religion — or no religion at all. It was interesting when he noted that 9/11, an event with which Bush shall always be identified, is just something that happened in the past to today's youngsters. It does not carry for them the emotional reaction it does for those of us who were adults at the time. It is like Pearl Harbor to an earlier generation. Then-President George Bush throws out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals game in April 2005. Photo by Paul Moore via Wikimedia Commons Recitation of another incident reinforced the "fish bowl" environment the presidency brings, along with the speed by which news travels. While watching a National Football League (NFL) game, then-President Bush choked on a piece of food. After being attended by the 24/7 White House medical staff, the decision was made to notify the media in the interest of "full disclosure." Almost immediately a crawl at the bottom of television screens reported the incident. But what struck me most of all was that the George W. Bush who spoke on Tuesday displayed a keen sense of humor, something I never saw during his presidential years. Equally obvious was pride in his west Texas roots and in his family. Typical of any grandfather, he finds first grandchild, Mila, to be the best baby ever. He has retained relationships

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Sarasota News Leader - 01/17/2014