I can't believe it

[essentialsaltes]

W made me nostalgic for the hated Saint Reagan.

And now the Tea Party and the Republicans (and a few Dems, to be sure) are making me nostalgic for the hated W. How is this possible?

"The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They represent evil and war."
Remarks by President George W Bush at Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
September 17, 2001

"This new enemy seeks to destroy our freedom and impose its views. We value life; the terrorists ruthlessly destroy it. We value education; the terrorists do not believe women should be educated or should have health care, or should leave their homes. We value the right to speak our minds; for the terrorists, free expression can be grounds for execution. We respect people of all faiths and welcome the free practice of religion"
President George W. Bush Addresses the Nation
World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia
November 8, 2001

"The teachings of many faiths share much in common. And people of many faiths are united in our commitments to love our families, to protect our children, and to build a more peaceful world. In the coming year, let us resolve to seize opportunities to work together in a spirit of friendship and cooperation. Through our combined efforts, we can end terrorism and rid our civilization of the damaging effects of hatred and intolerance, ultimately achieving a brighter future for all."
President's Message for Eid al-Fitr
December 13, 2001

"America rejects bigotry. We reject every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith America values and welcomes peaceful people of all faiths -- Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and many others. Every faith is practiced and protected here, because we are one country. Every immigrant can be fully and equally American because we're one country."
President George W. Bush Promotes Compassionate Conservatism
Parkside Hall, San Jose, California
April 30, 2002

Comments

[crboltz.livejournal.com]

Wow, that means that good ol' W actually said a few things I agreed with. I had forgotten.

[ian-tiberius.livejournal.com]

Yes he did, and the current furor over the Cordoba House is testimony to how important it was that he made a real effort to calm nativist, anti-Muslim hysteria. He also did more than any other president - by far - to address health crises, particularly AIDS, in Africa. Credit where credit is due. Sadly, we have now exhausted all the good things I can say about him.

Oh, wait, there was also that one time he choked on a pretzel and passed out. That was cool.

[incarnate.livejournal.com]

Oh, and don't forget the time he faceplanted on a Segway. That was fun too :)

[swmartin.livejournal.com]

While much of Bush's presidency was a disaster, you've got to give him this -- he was a fierce advocate for equality and against bigotry. I alwasy got the feeling that on most issues he let Cheney, Rover, Rumsfeld, and other cronies call the shots. But the one thing he truly cared about was racial and religious tolerance, to the point where he defied his own party on the illegal immigration controversy. It's a shame (though not a surprise) that most of the time he was unable to turn that passion into practice.