The
term American exceptionalism or belief that the United States is qualitatively different
than other nation states is a term that George W. Bush believed in, a term I
believe in, and a term that every American should believe in. Barack Obama
stated it perfectly in 2009 when he said, "I believe in American
exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British
exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism."[1]
I
personally think people are too critical of George W. Bush. Was he the greatest
President the country has seen? – No. As I walked through his museum on the
campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas I saw some of the good
things that came from the 43rd President’s two terms in office. George W. Bush was certainly dealt a tough
hand when assuming his presidency. Not every President of the United States of
America has to deal with members of an Islamic Terrorist group killing nearly
3,000 people on American soil. George W. Bush’s speech at ground zero three
days after 9/11 was legendary. The creators of Bush’s museum thought the same
when, the bullhorn he used was displayed in the gallery The bullhorn was used
to utter the famous line, “I can hear you, and the people who knocked these
buildings down will hear all of us soon.” Another post 9/11 symbol that George
W. Bush used to unite the American people and send a message to the terrorist
was the throwing out of the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2001.
There was a video of this heroic moment shown at the museum as well. This sent
a message that we are not scared of terrorist, and our way of life will
continue. As Bush eloquently stated, “United We Stand, as we stand together in
the face of this threat; we will play baseball in the midst of the beginnings
of this war”
I thoroughly
enjoyed my trip to the Bush Presidential Library, and I recommend you to visit
if you get a chance. Mark McKinnon said, “The library is bold, honest, gracious, respectful and humble. Those were
all strong characteristics of George W. Bush.”[2]
I could not agree more with President Bush’s former media advisor. George W.
Bush was gracious, respectful, and humble since his election in 2000, proof is
in his speech in the Texas House after Bush vs. Gore was decided. The recently elected president delivered a
cordial speech that include the famous line, "I believe things happen for a reason, and I hope
the long wait of the last five weeks will heighten a desire to move beyond the
bitterness and partisanship of the recent past." Bush proved to be a
candid president as well, unlike some presidents the United States has seen.
The president admitted to not finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, when
he could have covered it up lied to the American people like Lyndon Johnson and
Richard Nixon. George W. Bush was always a forthcoming and honest President.
I
have said once and I will say this 100 times if I have to, The United States of
America is an exceptional country! I do not care what Andrew Bacevich or
William Appleman Williams have or had to say about it. The United States remains the largest economy in the world, the
military has unmatched capability. Like President Obama stated, “I think that
we have a core set of values that are enshrined in our Constitution, in our
body of law, in our democratic practices, in our belief in free speech and
equality, that, though imperfect, are exceptional.” I believe that all United State’s President
should view the country as exceptional. If a candidate ever runs for office
that does not believe in American exceptional then he or she will not receive my
vote!
No comments:
Post a Comment