It’s over. Yet it’s just beginning, a seed of hope that could sprout both a new chance for peace and a salvation of President Bush and his stature in history.
His recent conciliation and expressions of desire to work with the new Democratic leadership is a 180 degree turn from 6 years of bull-headed charges in the wrong direction, a course which has lead to fear and loathing throughout the world, and drapes-pulled-from-the-eyes discontent at home.
If, as his recent stance seems to indicate, his attitude is truly changed, he can retire in two years with a shiny epitaph and restored reputation as a human who erred, yet for the good of humanity, did all he could to right it. Here’s how.
The world is ready. They have renewed confidence in the American public that we too have seen the error of our unilateral and dangerous aggression and want to re-join the community of nations in the quest for shared security and well being for all countries, not just the U.S.
Therefore, they will gladly work with us in bringing peace to Iraq and the region. But President Bush must actively seek and sincerely want their partnership. He must not merely accept, but honestly insist on other nations’ best and equal involvement in solving the quagmire, asking only that any such nation be in it for the right reasons: the welfare of Iraq, the region and the world at large, and not just for what they stand to gain.
This seemed all but impossible before the President’s post-election speeches and firing of Donald Rumsfeld. But such is his power that even with a Democratically controlled Congress it is his demeanor and actions that can continue to break or instead repair us.
With the holidays nearing an analogy to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol seems appropriate. As the ghost of Christmas Future ushers us about we see the world as it will look a few years hence if the present course remains unaltered. Headlines of death, despair and contempt, a presidency ranked at the bottom, President Bush a tragic example of what one should never to be.
Yet, behold! This is a nightmare vision of what might happen. And like the joyful Scrooge upon the discovery that he still COULD change the future, George W. Bush has a second chance. Tomorrow’s headlines full of hope, peace and progress. President Bush, smiling from the cover of his new best seller, “From My War to Our Peace, a Tale of Grace and Redemption,” his legacy secure in the annals of history.
It is possible and it is doable. President Bush need only act with the faith he so proudly professes and with humility and magnanimity face the mistakes of the past to insure a more hopeful tomorrow.
And in a well-deserved glow of contentment he can end his farewell speech not with “God bless America,” but rather “God bless the world!”
Richard F. Dawahare 11/10/06
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