, goes on sale today, and the hoopla of a major book tour has already begun. Karl Rove may have been " Bush's Brain" back in the day, but Bush's book, from what I can tell, is a typically brainless attempt on Dubya's part to justify the acts of one of the worst administrations in our nation's history. Though I will admit that his personal observations make him seem more sympathetic, Bush doesn't seem to have learned a thing since the days of " Wanted, Dead or Alive" and " You're doin' a heck of a job, Brownie" According to its author, this book is a starting point for the judgment of history, which he clearly feels will vindicate him. Personally, I am not so sure.Decision Points is an apt title. The book justifies, among other things, the following decisions: the invasion of Iraq, the use of water boarding, "enhanced interrogation" and rendition, as well as the massive tax cuts for the wealthy and $200 apiece rebate for the not so wealthy that turned the Clinton budget surplus into the Bush deficit. Oh yes, and Bush talks too about the financial disaster of 2007, but not about the free wheeling old boy network that let it happen. Nor does he mention the unqualified political cronies he packed FEMA, the EPA and a number of other Federal Agencies with. He does, however, take at least partial responsibility for the TARP bailout. Glad to see he is at least in minimal touch with reality.
The only thing, it seems, that he regrets is his handling of Hurricane Katrina, and even there he blames circumstances and his staff. Like everyone else in the USA this morning, I've seen snippets from the extensive interview with NBC's Matt Lauer which kicked off the media blitz. If you missed the broadcast last night, go here to watch it on the NBC website
The interview is very illuminating, and while Bush's POV on his actions and his unwavering belief that history will justify them, does not sit well with me, his informality and humanity in this interview does. He seems almost charming and likable when he makes observations about his personal life, his childhood, his religious conversion and the like. He clearly loves his parents, his wife, and his children and that's more than we can say for a lot of politicians.
The interview gives a personal glimpse into the why of Bush's personality and the reasoning behind his actions, both official and personal. Most touching is when he describes the moment, soon after his 40th birthday, when he realized his drinking was out of control and managed to quit.
I'm hoping the book will also provide some personal glimpses into the man who masterminded the greatest financial crisis since the great depression, got his country into a quagmire in the Middle East under false pretenses, is responsible for the greatest disparity between rich and poor in the United States since the gilded age and left office with the lowest approval rating since the invention of polls.
He has a lot of blood on his hands which he seems quite unaware of. History will, indeed judge him, but not, I think, as he hopes. You made a heck of a mess, Dubya but I can't wait to read your book.
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