Bush opens Oval Office to Gore: 'Photo opportunity'

George Bush continues to be a class act as a person. Does anyone notice that he does not resort to belittling people, calling persons names, or demeaning them, as is done so often to him? He restored dignity to an office that was so
badly damaged by scandal prior to him.
There is value in being a decent human being, as President Bush is demonstrating today in his honoring Al Gore.

Maybe Gore could use this opportunity to stage the first coup in American history. We've already had the first Supreme Court appointed president. A nation and World would be grateful.

What we learned from 2000 is that elections really do matter, that the wrong vote does have consequences. (And if you don't believe we got it wrong in 2000, just look at what the Supreme Court said in rendering its decision: this is decision is restricted to this election. With a verdict like that, you know the majority didn't believe in its own votes.)

Now comes 2008 and it is going to be rough. This is why both parties are going to want to nominate a candidate who will not quit or give up and will seek ALL advantages and put aside his or her pride for the sake of the nation. Gore fell short on that score by failing to properly use Bill Clinton. I don't think Hillary will have any reservations about using Al Gore if the offer is out there.

George Bush a class act? You're kidding right? Restored dignity? The whole world hates us. Over 70% of Americans can't wait until he leaves office. What planet are you on?

Sorry, Brian, but Bush has been a class act from Day One. And the whole world does not hate us. However, sometimes doing the right thing isn't always the popular thing to do either. Sort of like parenting. Responsible parenting often clashes with the desires of the children. But whether the children like it or not, parents doing the right thing and responsible thing is the way to go.

Also, if the whole world hates us, why do so many of them want to live here? Why do so many of them want to be in and invest in our markets and country?

As far as Bush, he could have listened to those who wanted the Justice Department to investigate the thievery and vandalism that took place in the waning days of the Clinton administration, but he chose not to. He also could have listened to the clamoring by those who wanted the Clinton pardons investigated, but he chose not to. Why? Because he felt it was best for the country to move on and to set a new tone in Washington. Unfortunately, outside of a few months following Sept. 11, 2001, the Democrats have been all about partisan politics all the time.

It is obvious that Cassandra is part of the 30% that still thinks Bush is doing a great job.

Bush has restored dignity to the White House. You must be joking. After all the lies he has told about getting into Iraq, the lies he used to cover up Valerie Plame outing and using that office for his own personal gain you must be living on another planet.

As Brain has stated the United Sattes is the laughing stock of the planet. We are hated by other countries.

January 20, 2009 can not come fast enough.

Why would anyone care about what the rest of the world thinks? They will always hate the greatest country in the world. Get used to it, do what is right and move on.

This would be an ideal opportunity for Al Gore to graciously announce his intent to run for President -- and the shock of it would be delightfully newsworthy. Of course, he should be kind and appreciative to Bush for the invitation -- and keep it subtle. Can you imagine Bush's expressions and reaction??

He also could have listened to the clamoring by those who wanted the Clinton pardons investigated, but he chose not to. Why?
Posted by: John D | November 26, 2007 9:25 AM

Because he needed to pardon Libby.

Lies about WMD.
Outing a CIA officer.
Torture.
Eavesdropping on Americans phone, cell phone, e-mail, and snail mail communications.

This is just a short list, but yes you are correct Cassandra. Dignity has been restored!

Oh Brian,

You're such a foolish lefty...'The whole world hates us?'...because of Bush?
Let's review history and see how the world liked us during the B.J. Clinton lovefest years;
1. 1993 W.T.C Bombings
2. 1995 Saudi Arabia bombings.
3. 1996 al-Khobart towers bombing.
4. 1998 The bombimg of two embassies in Africa.
5. 2000 U.S. Cole bombing..
6. Hundreds killed and thousands of Americans injured during the 1990's

Yes Brian...when the world respected and loved us.

Paulo

Johnny D:

Please tell us all about the thievery and vandalism that took place at the end of the Clinton Administration. Like all the W's being removed from the keyboards? Remember that one that Rush and all the right-wing windbags had?? Which turned out to be untrue!!!

As for pardons, hopefully the first one that President Obama or Clinton will look into is the one that he gave to Scooter Libby to pay him for covering up the lies regarding his involvement in the cover-up.

And the Democrats have been the only ones with partisan politics???? Please - tell us why the new AG has said that any new hires will be based on merit - not party politics. Was he talking about the Democrats or Alberto Gonzalez??

And remember Johnny - the Chinese own a bunch of our debt from the war in Iraq that Georgie can't pay for. What happens when they call that in??

Paulo....These were terrorist actions not "the whole world". Did you mean the terrorists like us now because of Bush?

It all has to do with being a super power. They come around us for economic reasons, because they fear us, and because of our soft culture. But, they do hate us at the same for it. It's the paradigm of being a super power. Less visible when we stay to our selves, and more visible when we go out to directly to exercise our powers; most noticeable hard power.

As to dignity and decorum. Only makes sense if you speak of Oval office sex scandals. Otherwise, Bush can't comment half the time because everything is an ongoing investigation or top secret. What is left is all that time when his mouth opens and Bushisms come out. (The Queen, "Sir"Pope, and "I say to him Vlad--" and "Angela" informal in formal settings.) There is no dignity when you don't say much at all, or when you say a lot of dumb things. (Viewed by the world over).

Paulo:

You forget that the Clinton Administration found, tried, and convicted the mastermind of the WTC bombings. How has W done on 9/11??

Also, there have been THOUSANDS of Americans killed, and TENS OF THOUSANDS injured during the Bush Administration - just in Iraq. Care to compare??

Bobin, seems to me we are holding Kahleil Sheik Mohammed, the true mastermind and force behind 9/11. Also seems to me the Taliban no longer rules Afghanistan and a sane leader in Karzai is in place. Seems to me there has not been one terrorist attack on the U.S. or any of its installations worldwide since 9/11. Under Clinton, we had a half-dozen Al Qaeda attacks on the U.S., no?
Seems to me Bush's record in fighting terror and the Al Qaeda network has been far more successful than Clinton's.

Also, Bobin, it seems to me the Clintons took some dishes and silverware and furniture from the White House that did not belong to them. Would you like more examples?

Let's review history and see how the world liked us during the B.J. Clinton lovefest years;

Posted by: Paulo | November 26, 2007 10:58 AM

How about the lovefest under St. Ronnie...
1. 4-18-83
Bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut; no military action taken.
2. 10-23-83
Bombing of Matine Barracks in Beirut; 4 monthds later Marines pull out.
3. 12-12-83
Bombing of U.S. Embassy in Kuwaitt; no military action.
4. 9-20-84
Bombing of U.S. Embassy annex northeast of Beirut
5. 12-3-84
Hijacking of Kuwait Airways Flight 221
6. 12-14-85
Hijacking of TWA Flight 847
7. 10-85 to 1-86
Hijacking of cruise ship Achille Lauro;
Bombing of Rome, Vienna airports
8. 4-5-86
Bombing of La Belle Discotheque;Reagan ordered bombing of Libya
9. 12-21-88
Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103; one Libyan convicted in 2000 trial.

....................

Also, Bobin, it seems to me the Clintons took some dishes and silverware and furniture from the White House that did not belong to them. Would you like more examples?

Posted by: John D | November 26, 2007 11:57 AM

It SEEMS to you! It seems to me that you are possibly more of an idiot that Paulo. Both of you guys are in need of a good roll in the hay, if you catch my drift.

It doesn't matter what the rest of the world thinks. About 70% of the world would give their left arm and right leg to come to this country. George W. Bush made a lot of mistakes, but I can't attribute all of the negatives that are going on to Bush, he was faced with challenges that no other president except one had to deal with (Roosevelt) and he ended up doing the same thing that Bush did, he went to war when his nation was attacked unprovoked. So I know that many people "hate" Bush, but I think Bush finally responded to the terrorists in a way that Clinton didn't and Gore would never have. Gore would have continued the "I didn't see that" policy of the Clinton administration. It's better than what happened in Spain when, after the Madrid bombings, the country basically shifted in politics to elect a socialist who then did exactly what the terrorists told him to do, he ran away. Way to stand up to the terrorists. Is that what you people want America to become? If so, then you be sure to elect the Democrats next year, and we'll be turning tail faster than you can say jihad.

Who would fare better on a leisurely walk from one edge of any city in the world to the other edge of the same city?

The answer: President Bush would get kicked, beaten, stomped, and spit on if he was lucky.

Clinton on the other hand would be swarmed with well wishers and autograph seekers.

Worst President Ever!!!!

To Cassandra, Brian, and Paulo who think the president is doing such a great job;
To quote the bible "There are none so blind as those who will not see" Wake UP! Smell the Coffee! What planed DO you live on? We had the only surplus during the Clinton administration and are facing a deficit that we many never get out of. Our Currency is worth about the same as Canada and I suggest you invest in Pesos because at the rate we're going, they'll be worth more than the dollar soon. There's a lot I could say, but i'll leave you with this to ponder. Clinton lied about a bj in office - no lives lost millions wasted by Republicans who wanted to oust him. Bush lied about WMD's in office - Thousands have died and Billions have been wasted by Republicans who want to keep him in office. You do the math!

(I honestly don't think that republicans have much upstairs and are pill-popping "stepford" rejects and won't get this anyway!)

Johnny D:

What about Osama Bin-Laden?? Oh that's right - W doesn't think about him that much.

And also, in case you haven't noticed, the Taliban is making a comeback in Afghanistan. You know, the guys W forgot about to take us into Iraq.

And fighting terror?? We have lost almost 4,000 of our military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Why bother come here to "attack" us when we moved 160,000 of our troops there to be targets for the terrorists?

And Karzai is a sane leader?? Please. If he is such a sane, great leader, why is there NO political progess in Iraq? And now we are negotiating on a long term presence in Iraq. Great - more time for our soldiers to be targets for the Sunnis and Shii'a.

Most of us, like the rest in the world, are more in tune to sex scandals and missing sliver ware and "witch hunts" in our OWN countries because it affects us. How do you all feel about that sex scandal in Israel? World opinion and our opinion of the world is based on policies; how it affects them how it affects us.

No one cares if Bush is better than Clinton because our policies are read-- US policy-- to the world. 9/11 hasn't deviated opinion of the US more than 1991. It just becomes more of an issue when we enforce the rules we set.

John D, here's a link to World Public Opinion.

http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/pdf/jun07/CCGA+_FullReport_rpt.pdf

"US Leadership
■ Publics around the world reject the idea that the United States should continue to be
the preeminent world leader and prefer that it play a more cooperative role.
■ Most believe that the US plays the role of world policeman more than it should.
■ Views are divided about whether the United States should reduce the number of its
overseas military bases"

Pg 28 should work out for you. I just think I'd throw this in.

"■ Majorities around the world believe that the Chinese economy will someday grow to
be as large as the US economy.
■ In no country do majorities feel that it would be mostly negative for China to catch up
with the United States.
■ World publics do not trust China to act responsibly in the world any more than they
trust the United States to do so and distinctly less than they trust Japan."

Thanks for all the intelligent conversation today in this thread. My three-year-old and five-year-old were proud of you and have this to add:
"You are a poopy-head."
"You go put your head in the doody."
I think they are at least at the level of discourse evinced here.

I don't think the presidency has been graced by a "dignified" presence since Carter. To my way of thinking to be dignified is to be honest no matter what the cost and follow through on what you say you are going to do. Carter continues to do yeoman's work on issues of domestic and global importance. Clinton and Bush Sr are on the speaker's circuit.

As for the comment by "BoredWithYou"...spend more time with your kids on vocabulary development.

Yep, Bush is a real class act. John D, Casandra, ect all correct. Let's look at global warming, climate change, whatever you want call it, the issue that surrounds Gore's visit to the White House. Bush lived in denial on this issue for years, having Administration hacks silence scientists and edit reports to favor an energy industry-friendly view. Bush also totally squandered the opportunity after 9-11 to call on the country to make a serious commitment to lessen our dependency on Middle Eastern oil. So now Bush smiles and give Gore a call, and the GOP robots find it all swell. So the message is, go ahead kick someone (or something) in the stomach, just make sure your shoe remains shined. Super.

Oscar:

Slight difference between Roosevelt and Bush:

FDR declared war on the country that ATTACKED us - Japan.

Bush took us into a war against a country that had NOTHING to do with 9/11 - Iraq.

Also Oscar, President Gore would have been paying more attention to the Middle East than Bush did - and when his NSA came to him about a plot to fly planes into buildings, President Gore would have acted on it - unless Bush, who ignored it.

In other words Oscar, don't you EVER compare George W. Bush to Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FDR was a great leader - something only W. could WISH to be.

Remember we were told that the "terrorists" hated us for our freedoms? Now that BushCo has stripped away many of our freedoms and we live in a fascist police state (our phones and e-mails recorded, our tax dollars used to murder and torture innocents in other countries, healthcare all but unaffordable to average folks, etc.,) do you think the terrorists have stopped hating us?

Oh Brian,
Now you see that a silly comrade of yours points out that the world didn't like us when Reagan was president either...and let us dare not get into The Jimmy Carter lovefest....uhhh, ever hear about the 444 days?
Oh and to BoblinATL...The F.B.I found the terrorists by running the axle I.D. number of the van and then set up a sting when the terrorist came back to pick-up his deposit from the rental company. Ummmm, Ol' B.J had nothing to do with it...nice try on the spin though!

Paulo

If anyone is looking for a laugh go to foxnews.com to read how they adding their own exquisitely perverse view on the meeting with Gore.

John D, the allegations that the Clinton Administration vandalized the White House in the last days before Bush's inauguration were investigated by the General Accounting Office. The accusations were found to be LIES. They were flat out LIES. The Bush people MADE IT UP. And behavior has become something of a habit for them, in subsequent days, have you noticed? If they had been called to account, sharply, by an outraged press, in this first instance of LYING, would we be in Iraq today, I wonder?

But I forget, there was a previous lie, from Mr. Bush himself, during his inauguration, where he swore, under oath, mind you, to defend the Constitution.

Ummmm, Ol' B.J had nothing to do with it...nice try on the spin though!

Paulo

Posted by: Paulo | November 26, 2007 7:32 PM

More obsession by BJ-less Paulo.