God, please send another like him. We do so need one now.
Like Sully the service dog, the good girl in the picture here (Kota) is a service dog too.
The difference being she gets served by me.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/12/03/sully-bushs-service-dog-lies-before-his-casket-before-one-last-journey-with-former-president/?utm_term=.69db44cec76a
2
Yesterday, while America was watching a few hours of staged unity, Republicans in Wisconsin were quietly preparing for a power grab befitting a theocracy, and Michigan is likely next .
THe Trump obliterating snow ball is rolling along.
Unmistakably noticeable at the state funeral was our President standing with arms at his side and with no hand on his heart at the passing of President George H. W. Bush's flag-draped casket. Just as noticeable was the way in which he saluted the casket in the Rotunda; the salute was incorrect and easily learned.
Because I work from home, I was able to watch the state funeral in its entirety and having celebrated the life of my husband after his recent passing with family, friends, and loved ones, the broadcast of the state funeral was not just honoring a former president, but more the life of a man and his family. My grief lightened as it was when the Honor Guard presented me with the flag ceremony and folded flag reserved for veterans. All stood and placed a hand over heart at the moment the flag was set in my hands in honor of all who served our nation in battle (Vietnam for us).
Noticeable was our current president who is a man without honor.
The Times photographs are spirit lifting and thank you ~
1
Hand over heart, hand over heart, Donald. No respect. You should be fired, just like you suggested for those who don't kneel before a football game during the anthem. Be a role model and quit.
5
As I watched and cried yesterday I looked out among the faces of our remaining presidents current and former. The current can't hold a candle to Bush 41, isn't qualified to shine his shoes. Carter looked lost but he still qualifies as one who had grace and then Obama, as much as I disagreed with him I do miss his class and dignity he lent to the office of President of the United States. The last man of his kind and through all of his flaws he was a man of class and dignity and worked hard for the citizens of this country. Possibly the last president to do so. Too many special interests now.
1
I grew up a democrat under my democratic parents. Still am. Too young to vote for Bush Sr. Voted for Bush Jr. (right or wrong?) Trust the man. Trust the family. Trusted the office of the presidency then and since under difficult partisan divided issues. Until now. RIP Mr. President. It was reaffirming to witness the genuine outpouring of respect and admiration for a good man from so many.
3
What does it say that many are more worried about Trump making a scene at the state funeral than they are that Sully will? Sorry Sully, I don’t mean to impugn you.
27
Please let us not canonize George HW Bush. Like most of us, he had many fine qualities and not so fine qualities.
Yes, compared to the atmosphere in Washington today, 41 did want a kinder and gentler America but we should not forget Willy Horton.
He worked across party lines, but so have many others including other flawed legislators like Ted Kennedy. It is sad that we have to elevate the stature of passed legislators/presidents because the standard today has fallen so low.
19
Presidents are human. (Though I have doubts about our current one). While it is important, and right, to pay tribute to their honorable qualities (and Bush Sr. had many), it is equally important to learn from their mistakes. But do not forget: George H.W. Bush mostly reminds us of all we have lost today.
2
God bless, this good American.
I was a volunteer at both conventions - New Orleans and Houston when Mr. Bush was nominated. The first election - I took time off from work to volunteer for his campaign in DC - when 43rd was just a staff worker in the campaign at our offices.
I later attended the 41st Inauguration - which was probably the last most public event - in that there was no strangling security as it is today. I remember just walking up to the Capitol for this swearing in and getting on the lawns of the Congress. It was real easy.
And post Houston convention, I met him at a Republican phone bank when he came to make calls. We, volunteers were asked to behave and basically hide. John Sununu spotted me and asked to come and meet Mr Bush.
I had a great photo of us both directly looking at each other.
My only regret was I did not take his invitation to sit next to him to make calls. I still don't know why I refused but presence of VIP's was intimidating.
As the vice president said yesterday - God Grace's America with these great Americans - who along with all of us - make America great.
5
George HW is the Bush who should have had two terms.
5
And he nominated Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.
GHWB hardly qualifies for sainthood...
22
I could not watch any of Monday's ceremonies, but was mesmerized by C-SPAN's live cameras in the Rotunda. I left it on all night and watched for many minutes at a time breaking down crying at times.
I never voted for a Bush and I don't regret that, but he was a good man and was a fairly good president despite making some serious errors whose consequences we are all still living with. I remember when he was inaugurated: it was uncertain time for many Americans who, like him or not, felt safe with 8 years Reagan after the doldrums of the 1970s. But, I watched his inaugural speech live and could sense his goodness and hopefully was going to be a better president than Reagan.
Anyway, watching C-SPAN, being in the Rotunda was like being in church. Seeing the quiet 5-minute long changing of the guard at the top of the hour is something young people should see.
What moved me the most was around 10 PM ET I believe: a young boy about 9 in a brown Webelo scout uniform. He was there with his mother and two very young distracted sisters (4 or 5). At one point, while Mom attended to the girls, the boy stood alone, camera zoomed in, as he saluted for over a minute. It was like John John at Kennedy's funeral procession.
Lastly, I am not fond of our current president, but was happy that he saluted Bush's coffin before he left, his military schooling coming through. For a moment, I was not ashamed of our president, but then felt sad again thinking that the one in the coffin was better.
11
What this man should be remembered for is all the policies and decisions that were so harmful to our nation. Death does not make a man virtuous.
11
Bush was a decent man, not a very good leader or president, with major stains on his legacy - Sadam Hussein, Lee Atwater, Willie Horton, AIDS, Dan Quale, etc. Canonizing him is ridiculous.
Of course, when compared to the current resident of the White House, any former president looks very, very good.
29
President George Bush, a humble man, would be pleased at this very wonderful tribute that is now being given to him. He certainly deserves this as he was a wonderful and gentle man and gentleman. We need more like this great American today which is certainly lacking in our society. He was quiet without a bit of meanness to his name. He should make all Americans proud to have had him serve our country honorably. May he rest in peace.
4
Every president has a sore spot. Bush's was the AIDS issue which he chose to ignore and thousands of American citizens died because of his abandonment. His "kinder, gentler" presidency had a homophobic slant.
9
The saddest thing is that American politics is so divisive that your current president cannot even be in the same room as the other four living presidents. The hatred he has stirred up infects even the most sombre of moments. I can understand why tradition will be broken and Trump will not deliver the eulogy; Bush Jr is the obvious man of the job. But the fact that he can't even pay respects to a former president because it's too awkward to be seen with the victims of his onerous barbs says a lot for how pathetic American politics has become. I feel sorry for the Bush family and your hate-filled nation.
13
Back in January of 2007 - this country was observing the passing of another American President - Gerald Ford -
After the larger ceremonies in Washington, there was a smaller service for President Ford at his church --
One of the speakers at that service was President George H.W. Bush --
I remember watching that service - and was so moved to tears by President Bush's eulogy, that I copied it and still have it today.
The first paragraphs still move me today --
January 2, 2007:
"Well, as the story goes, Gerald Ford was a newly minted candidate for the United States House of Representatives in June of 1948 when he made plans with a reporter to visit the dairy farmers in western Michigan’s Fifth Congressional District.
It was pouring rain that particular day and neither the journalist nor the farmers had expected the upstart candidate to keep his appointment. And yet he showed up on time because, as he explained to the journalist, "they milk cows every day and, besides that, I promised."
"and, besides that, I promised."
Like many liberals, I had my misgivings about President Bush -- however, like many people everywhere - I suspect George H.W. Bush was also a man who kept his promises --
t seems to be an ironic twist of human nature that some of the best people are also flawed in certain ways --
We are grateful to have received the best of President George H.W. Bush - flaws and all -
Rest in Peace, Mr. President.
16
Are we finished with this overwrought display of emotion? No tears for this jolly sock man who gave us Willie Horton and Clarence Thomas among other sins. Reagan started and the Bush family helped Donald Trump to the Presidency. I have no respect for him and certainly no tears.
10
I wonder - will there be similar tributes for Trump when he dies?
3
@Sam Kanter. Only by his former cohorts in various prisons scattered around the country.
13
Not sure who took it, but the picture of that service dog lying in front of the coffin is heartbreaking. Leave it to a dog to make the whole grand ceremony much more human.
18
Have not seen ANY mention on the greatest stain on his legacy, and that was 1) Choosing Dan Quayle as vice president, and 2) Keeping Dan Quayle for his losing second campaign despite Quayle's thorough demonstration that he was an incompetent idiot and urging by the Bush children to dump Quayle.
8
Apparently the republicans think the populace should be wailing like the North Koreans do when a "dear leader" dies, in the meantime many mothers are quietly grieving their dead children, who were needlessly killed by this "decent" man.
4
I did not vote for him, but have developed an appreciation for President Bush's modesty and personal decency..
I would like to make a gentle plea to the NY Times and it is contributors. It would be so beneficial to everyone's emotional equanimity to have articles and discussions which do not mention Donald Trump.
The relentless referencing of DJT has thoroughly exhausted this particular reader.
Please - enough of this monomania.
10
The man was 94 and lived a life of luxury, what more could he expect. He lived better and longer than those he sent to their deaths.
16
While a generally good guy, no one seems to want to bring up the fact that Bush 1 made a fatal error in dealing with Saddam Hussein. There is still the fact that Bush pretty much set the stage for Saddam to invade Kuwait by indicating the US did not care about Kuwait. We are still paying the price today for that failure of judgement.
And of course his "out of the loop" claims for the Iran-Contra scandal are still laughable.
9
I was lucky enough to be on board the USS PELELIU (LHA-5) working in the med bay in 1996 when our ship was part of the re-enactment amphibious assault landing to show the former President. He was walking up to the flight deck--of which you have to pass the open hatch to the medical center--and he looked in the bay door and waved as he went up to the deck where the thousands of Marines were in formation. He looked just like you see him everywhere else--kind and considerate. He was truly Presidential and will be missed (and I'm a gay Democrat.)
7
Even in his passing, George H. W. Bush has been able to return civility to Washington -- and the nation. How long this will last remains to be seen, but one can only hope this is his dying gift to America.
4
When I think back to GHWB, I remember someone who outright, strongly supported Reagan and his destruction of our nation. And his presidency was a continuation of Reaganism.
We will never recover from that era, ever.
20
As I watched on TV the memorial service for our 41st President, I realized almost all who eulogized came invariably to one conclusion that Mr. George Herbert Walker Bush was a good man – not a cunning man, not a politically adroit or a slick man, but a good man – as though it was a monumental rarity nowadays to find a decent man, just a good man.
He did not use the word “I” when a “we” could have been eminently a better choice; he did not declare himself a “genius” or something. As I realized the gravity of all this, a sad question surfaced on my mind. I wondered if it were going to be the last time when we consciously celebrate the passing of a “good man”!
5
It isn’t that long ago that Bush was widely criticized as an oil magnate and oligarch carried to prominence by means of the corporate ties of his father. Trump has definitely helped to restore Bush’s reputation. In fact, Trump makes all former presidents look better.
20
@michjas, The Bush family's Royal Saudi ties are highly questionable as well. Kissing oligarch cousins.
8
I definitely appreciate George H.W. Bush for his good qualities, of which there were many. And I acknowledge the divisive decisions he made, many of which have been listed in these comments.
But one thing in the latter category I haven't yet read is how this administration was positioned to head off the climate crisis we now face, but didn't. That Bush said the right things, but his lack of true engagement on the issue allowed his Chief of Staff, John Sununu, to scuttle our golden opportunity for real leadership on climate change.
Imagine how much better off we would be today if this dereliction of duty had not occurred. So respect, yes, but also gut-wrenching sorrow at this missed opportunity is what I'm feeling the most this week.
And like many opportunities around the climate change story, it's not being recognized and unpacked as people analyze Mr. Bush's presidency.
Tick-tock, folks.
7
The photo of George and Laura says it all. May they find comfort in their sorrow.
5
Who grieves for the thousands of lives lost to AIDS that could have been saved if GHW Bush had taken action to combat an epidemic, as was his duty, instead of blaming their victims? We will never know. What we don know, however, is that those deaths are on him. Will St Peter ask Bush how many lives were lost to his bigotry before letting him into Paradise? If Heaven were real, one would hope so.
11
@Richard Monckton So by your logic then we should have not grieved the loss of JFK because he didn't ban cigarettes that caused cancer? We knew in 1962 that there was a direct link to smoking and certain forms of cancer just like we knew in 1988 that there was a direct link to HIV and lots of sexual partners.
By the time Bush was President we all knew what caused HIV and it was mainly driven by having unsafe and promiscuous sex.
I'm a gay man and I don't blame the President for the HIV epidemic, an epidemic that wouldn't have spread if gay men didn't engage is so much casual "couplings."
I am very happy HIV is under control and no longer a death sentence but we have to accept personal responsibility in the spread of the disease. As a community we chose our hedonism desires over the wellbeing of our community. If every gay man had abstained from sex for two years in 1984 we probably could have saved countless lives.
7
Please read Alexander Hamilton’s comment below.
@Concerned
You are comparing apples to oranges. Bush failed to ask for research funding for the HIV epidemic. The Federal government funds major research for illnesses. The failure to take this step is what is faulted with Bush.
Not until funds were finally directed to such research did promises of any help begin.
6
George H. W. Bush is the only Republican I ever voted for to be President. He was not a perfect man, we are continually reminded. But I read too many comments speaking of him as if he were some sort of scourge on the land. What makes me think that not one such detractor in today's column ever stepped forth to embrace the rewards, and the risks, of public service at the very highest level? It is so very easy to toss rocks from the sidelines.
Teddy Roosevelt, another imperfect man, said all that needs to be said on this subject, 100 years ago:
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
146
I did not know President Bush was a (handwritten) letter writer. How touching. Actually, that is so much a lost art. Thank you and Godspeed, Mr. President.
10
I hate to rain on the memorial parade but . . .
"Scenes of Tribute and Grief" ? Good grief!
I suppose it is inevitable that we note the passing of a former president, and HW was a decent sort, at least in a noblesse oblige sort of way. But he enabled racism and homophobia and dismantled social programs in the fantastic belief that a thousand points of light would fix everything.
But, more to my point. Grief? Americans can't muster collective grief for 10's of thousands of dead children in Yemen, or millions living in sub-human conditions in sub-Saharan Africa, or children poisoned by lead and indifference in Flint.
Why do people need to publicly "grieve" someone they've never met? HW was a genteel grandfather so I suppose his grandkids cried at his death. But national grieving?
Tributes are necessary. Public outpouring of grief is absurd.
39
@Barking Doggerel
Rest assured, you do not speak for all of us. How many people lining the route of the Presidential train from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Illinois in 1865 had ever personally met Abraham Lincoln? How many people lining Pennsylvania Avenue in 1944 had ever personally met Franklin Roosevelt? Were they so wrong to feel grief?
If there is any absurdity here, perhaps it is your belief that millions of people must be deluded, because they do not think as you think.
19
Well, Trump got his government shut-down...for a day. He'd probably like to be similarly honored when he dies. Too bad he'll miss it. There won't be a day of mourning from most of us, but quite the opposite. And I hope the government isn't shut down.
14
Poppi Bush will not go down as one of the greatest Presidents but one who was an adult and tried to steer the nation down the middle both domestically and foreign policy wise. I did not vote for him but trusted him to do the right thing most of the time.
Can anyone guess where I am going?
The time that we live in seems to act as a foil to 41 and his memory...from all that I have read and how people have spoken they are yearning for normalcy. This is not a Republican or Democratic thing but a longing for a news cycle that does not exhaust you or make you depressed about the Presidency and our government in general.
I am not sure if we can ever get back to normalcy and sense of national pride. Trump makes it very hard to try and do that.
9
I am grateful to GHW Bush for many things. Yes, he compromised his principles to beat Dukakis in 1988. But at least he acknowledged and apologized for race-baiting, and said he was ashamed.
I am most grateful for his courage to raise taxes. He knew it was the right thing to do, and his move was great for the US economy and for Bill Clinton's presidency.
It wasn't great for Bush's 1992 presidential campaign, but Bush was playing the long game for his country, instead of the short-term game for his career.
Democrats and Republicans, find the George Bushes in your party, the people with common decency, who understand that extremes on either side of the aisle are not the way forward.
16
It's crazy to see the hagiography and revisionist history regarding George H. W. Bush. He was no hero. Watch the Oscar-winning movie "The Panama Deception." It shows Bush's illegal American invasion of Panama, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Panamanians.
It's sad that even the NYT has chosen to rewrite and whitewash history to sanitize Bush's record.
17
@Steve Davies If anything, he was a true WWII hero, He was born into wealth but still chose to become a fighter pilot in the Pacific campaign, one of the most dangerous assignments. He was a true American hero.
5
How grateful I am to be able to see these days of the tribute and honor for President George H.W. Bush.
This is a tribute to a person, a citizen, a US servant and to his family who uphold and stand for fundamental decency. They are role models, perhaps not politically, although for many, that too, but in humanity.
This time of grief and mourning takes us yes, to a kinder and gentler feeling for our nation, for our then leaders, for each other. We can relate here and now watching the tradition, the grace, the comraderie and love of family members, of traditional military guards, of a feel to be in touch with what our country stands for, civility and justice. Thanks to a memorial for a 94 year old man who knew how to dedicate his life to service, knew how to dedicate his life to family, and knew yet how to reconcile, comfort, laugh, and just be human.
If I may add, I want my grandchildren to see this tradition, this honor, this tribute. And may we even pay tribute to something I don’t know if we’ve seen in the Rotunda before - even the harmony of life between man and canine companion, President Bush and companion, Sully.
President Bush and Sully will both move on now. The man to join his beloved wife of 73 years in a place of peace and rest, serenity. Sully, a very young service dog, will move on to comfort the living, to bring service for those that need him to find their way, to make life perhaps a little easier at Walter Reed.
A decent, very decent day.
116
He lost the second term for doing the right thing, viz., raised the taxes. It takes courage to do the right thing knowing that he is breaking the promise made to the people. Against the current white house background, he looks like a saint. The nation will miss him.
17
Beautiful photographs - especially the one with his dog " Sully" brought tears to my eyes.
15
I can't see grieving for a man who had an incredible life and lived to be 94. I can see grieving for ourselves, given the comparison between the fine man who lies dead and the sad-sack loser who currently occupies his former office.
33
And let's not forget that George H. Bush was probably the only US president who said -no- to Israel when they launched their illegal settlement campaign in the occupied territories. Either they stopped or the US would put a hold on the "unconditional" aid. Is this the main reason why G.H. Bush was a one-term president?
15
Will Willie Horton be attending any of the memorials? (Let’s not go overboard on the ‘He was a saint’ tributes to GHWB) He and his team helped define the modern version of race baiting white voters with images of African Americans as THE criminal.
18
I would have preferred pictures of this man's life. One of my favorites is of Babe Ruth and Mr. Bush - he, in uniform as Captain of the Yale Baseball Team.
2
Trump is about to experience something he’s never known: dignity.
4
I have to say this and maybe I shouldn't, but I feel it. Washington and the media, all the 'elites' so to speak, may be mourning, but I could care less. And I feel like most people out here feel the same way. I don't like to speak for anyone but myself, but to me this President was totally out of touch and the whole hypocrisy of these politicians is too much to take. It's not nice to speak ill of the recently departed so give me a few days to tell you what I really think of the Bush Family.
27
@Doctor Woo Will you feel the same way when Obama passes?
I'm guessing you are a big Democrat and have no love for anyone named Bush - but at least try to understand that a lot of people probably feel the same way towards Obama; and that is wrong. We should show our respect to every President.
6
Thank you for Justice Clarence Thomas!! What a horrible legacy.
29
Now more than ever before, our nation is yearning to be represented by a person of good character and solid moral values. Hope we can elect someone like that in 2020. It's very hard to see the damage being done to our country right now, including by some of those very revolting politicians who were present at the memorial.
18
Reagan/Bush was the first president I was able to vote for when I turned 18. For those of us old to have had the choice to vote for him or against him there is certainly sadness in his and in Barbara's passing both for the grieving of his immediate family and for the loss of a period of our early lifes.
My belief is that he was not always perfect and he acknowledged not always getting things right, but then who does? Can his critics at least agree that he devoted his life to government service, yes, for his advantage but also so that he could rise and succeed in helping many others? Military service, ambassador to the United Nations, envoy to China, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Vice-President, President, father of a President and father of a large politically successful family. Joining with President Clinton to raise funds for victims of the tsunami and hurricane.
Politically he was in charge at the moment in time when the USSR disintegrated. Not as a result solely of his actions but as a culmination of the actions of his lifetime along with countless military, ambassadorial, congressional, and prior presidential members' efforts to provide a defensive bulwark and support for addressing the threat of nuclear annihilation which was present from my birth in 1964 and throughout the first 25 years of my life.
Please pursue your sincerely held beliefs, but for this instant moment, please respect his life and the grief of his family and of this nation.
22
I certainly believe that his family as well as friends ( including James Baker and Bill Clinton) loved him and will mourn his loss. Most of the rest of us though aren’t mouning “him” so much ( he was a mediocre president) but the normalcy he represents, as well as a leader able to show genuine human connection, kindness and to laughter at himself.
If Gerald Ford died this week instead of when he did the general public would be mourning him a lot harder focusing more on his actions and traits that set him far apart from the current President.
4
Events like this provide an opportunity to reflect on past national leaders of true character, and how those qualities have devolved into our present state. Real men of accomplishment and service like President Bush lie state mourned by millions. While our current faux demigod lies everywhere and serves none but himself.
25
Thank goodness he will not be speaking, he'd make this historic event about himself somehow and his words will be hollow in meaning. He'll have to sit there knowing people will never say good things about him when his time comes.
35
@Margo Channing Agreed. 45 will never have words such as expressed for President Bush.
7
@Margo Channing
Or those that will might speak on his behalf will from jail, or white supremists rallies.
8
@Margo Channing: You think Trump would be so introspective and self-aware to understand people will not say good things about him when his time comes? Hardly! He'll be sitting there writing his own obituary in his head and the word 'great' appears often. He won't listen to a thing anyone says. He'll be chomping at the bit to get back to his tv so he can watch. He likes to watch. And dream about his own grandeur.
2
I am a liberal Democrat. I obviously did not vote for either Bush. I am also very well aware of George Bush's flaws. Nonetheless, I watched the entire televised memorial service held yesterday and was awed and saddened. I cried during some of the tributes, but more importantly was struck by the overwhelming respect shown by those present. I realize that this was a funeral service, at which everyone will be on their best behavior. But the bipartisan seemingly heartfelt expressions of admiration and the continuance of the traditions honoring a deceased President evoked strikingly different emotions from those engendered by our current President. I cannot believe that any Trump supporter watching the service was not moved to compare his ranting, tradition breaking abusive conduct with that of George Bush and those present at the memorial.
219
@Disillusioned
So beautifully expressed. Your message brought a tear to my eye. Hopefully those in need of reflection will take notice.
24
@Disillusioned
I am sure that many of donnies supporter don’t care about the differences between their person and a real hero and president.
They like him to be vile and hateful.
25
I'm anxiously awaiting trumps funeral and how he is transformed into a saint by the republicans.
13
I keep hearing the the economy is strong, jobs are abundant - so why are Americans so unhappy? Whether you agreed with his politics or not, George H. W. Bush was a man of character and integrity. He represented us well in the world, treated others with dignity and respect, and he made us proud to be Americans - as have most of our Presidents. His passing represents an even greater loss - the loss of civility and integrity in our government.
174
@Patricia The First Gulf War, which President Bush sold to Americans on false premises, killed tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians. His unfinished war gave his son the idea to invade Iraq, again on false information. The 2nd Gulf War killed 500,000, destabilized much of the Middle East, created a huge refugee criss and led to the creation of ISIS. This is just one example of why Mr. Bush was not a good president.
15
As I write this there are eight comments posted about this article. Four are searingly critical of the former president. I'm not a Republican or an admirer of his politics but I think, all things considered, he was a decent man who devoted his life to his family and his country. What is enough? Even in death people feel the need to spew their political ideology. If you didn't agree with his policies, that is most certainly your right but the man has died, where is your decency and respect?
66
@Angry: This is part of war and politics. Mr. Bush was a dedicated servant to his country during the war in which he fought valiantly and served in posts from Congress, an ambassadorship, CIA Director, Vice President, and to the Presidency. The man came from Old Money, he could have rested his laurels on family money but decided to take his young family to Texas and made his own fortune as an oil wildcatter. Mr. Bush had a calling and politics was it. It's great to be known for his"honesty" rather just strictly for his wealth.
13
Respect is earned not bestowed by death. I lived through his presidency and am fully aware of his record. He deserves no respect, alive or dead. The worse creeps are the ones with a smile on their faces.
5
H.W. certainly was a gentlemen and a war hero from another time. But let's not forget that this was a man who when running for the Senate in 1964 campaigned on NOT signing the civil rights bill. Then came the racist Willie Horton ad put out by his campaign. Then his refusal to sign civil rights bills when he was President. Let's pay tribute to a former President, sure. But let's not forget who he was, good and bad.
141
@robert
Prescott Bush, HW father...was a founding member and one of seven directors (including W. Averell Harriman) of the Union Banking Corporation (holding a single share out of 4,000 as a director), an investment bank that operated as a clearing house for many assets and enterprises held by German steel magnate Fritz Thyssen.[6][7] In July 1942, the bank was suspected of holding gold on behalf of Nazi leaders.[8] A subsequent government investigation disproved those allegations but confirmed the Thyssens' control, and in October 1942 the United States seized the bank under the Trading with the Enemy Act and held the assets for the duration of World War II.[6] Journalist Duncan Campbell pointed out documents showing that Prescott Bush was a director and shareholder of a number of companies involved with Thyssen.[6]
Doing business with Nazis.
15
@robert After he was elected, having opposed civil rights during his campaign, as you say, he then voted FOR the Fair Housing Act. Unlike most of our reps today, he then returned to Houston and had an open town hall to explain his vote. They must have been persuaded, because he was re-elected.
10
@robert
It's difficult to get past "de mortuis nil nisi bonum."
But would we see such adulation of an at best mediocre president if it were not for the contrast with the unqualified, ignorant, sick narcissist now in the White House?
15
As I scan the pictures of the congressional delegation and cabinet members at the Capitol ceremony,it is difficult to discern more than a handful of GOP representatives who have served honorably since 1980.
Such a sad commentary on our present state of affairs.
29
@LJB That's changing. A significant number of newly elected congressmen have military service on their resumes. I welcome this new informed perspective.
1
Amnesia - that's about the sole explanation for this unalloyed beatification GHWB.
Remember "Operation Condor" and his support for right wing juntas while leading the CIA?
Remember Willie Horton?
Remember his "War on Drugs"?
Remember his support for prayer in schools?
Remember his tough on crime stance and sentencing?
Remember his pardons for all those caught in Iran Contra?
GHWB is a saint only in comparison to DJT. His death does not suddenly make him a good president.
48
Honestly, if we take a step back, Bush was much worse than Trump. Sure, Trump is a sleazy grifter with an objectively terrible personality, but he doesn't have over 100,000 deaths on his hands
10
@Angry
Yet.
6
@Angry No, instead trump has abused thousands of little children migrant minds with trauma that will last a life time and cause untold misery for themselves, others and our communities.
11
Some of us in the nation do not mourn George H.W. Bush. Some of us did not agree with his decision to send our troops to a war over oil. Some of us did not like him turning a blind eye to the have-nots in this country. And now to see members of the news media gush and wax poetic about him is rather disgusting and hypocritical.
32
@susan - Some of us in the nation did not agree with George H.W. Bush. Some of us did not agree with his decision to send troops to war or the fact that he ignored some of the more pressing issues in this nation during his presidency. But some of us also saw and appreciated a man who was courteous, valued modesty - his mother apparently taught him that no one liked people who bragged and talked about themselves, a lesson the current occupant of the White House needs to learn - volunteered to serve his country during World War II (no bone spurs for him!), wrote a gracious letter of support to his successor, President Clinton, and didn’t let his loss to Clinton get him down. He didn’t blame anyone for his failures but himself, and he managed to get along with his predecessors and successors. His post-presidential career included activity to raise awareness for the vulnerable and those impacted by disasters around the world, causes he ventured into with those who sat on the opposite side of the political aisle from him. He didn’t say despicable things to and about our allies. He was married to the same woman for 73 years and with her weathered the loss of their older daughter. He wasn’t perfect but he was a throwback to an era when presidents were expected to be, well, presidential. I miss that, and the only thing I’ve found hypocritical in the coverage of the 41st president’s funeral thus far is the image of Trump, that most blatant of hypocrites, saluting the casket.
57
@Lindsay K I understand what you are reaching for. I don't think it is there. Until we have leaders that can separate this country's capitalistic goals from quality of life for everyone, we have leaders that are protecting only the wealth. They can not imagine that there could be a different way of imagining life. The Bush family represents love of "stuff". Power, money and material wealth with the veneer of Christian perfection. When will this country move forward into the light? Identifying with the loss and sadness is a good thing, but think of the soldiers and their families affected by wars brought by the Bush family.
9
@susan
The Gulf War was fought over the most basic issues of national sovereignty. Iraq had invaded and annexed a neighbor, and an international coalition formed to kick them out of Kuwait. It was a just war if ever there was one.
Furthermore, to reference the "have-nots" in the US as if those abroad are somehow unimportant is unnecessary and untrue: the US is a global superpower, and its responsibilities extend beyond its borders.
2
Bush was at best a mediocre president, who introduced us to race baiting campaign tactics. I guess all the praise and fanfare are because next to his son “W” he looks pretty good, and next to Trump he looks like George Washington.
101
Mr. Trump, the current President came to pay his respects after the Bush family has left. That say it all!
50
The world is in tears not simply because of the passing of a great patriot and tireless civil servant. We're crying because he's the last one of that silent, selfless generation. How heartbreaking that is!
28
How I will miss the man who made it acceptable to smear one's political opponents and took our political campaigns into the toilet.
Who ran a blatantly racist ad and called Dukakis a "card-carrying member of the ACLU."
Whose concern for the environment was such that, he said, we'd be drowning in spotted owls.
That we now look upon Bush's presidency with nostalgia is a sad sign of just how creepy the Republican Party has become, and Bush himself, however much he may have regretted that, was part of the reason it did so.
114
@Josh Hill
You conclusion that the Honorable George H.W. Bush "...made it acceptable to smear one's political opponents.." ignores about two centuries of U.S. history. The defamation endured and issued by candidates since Andrew Jackson's time and onward is evidence of that.
4
@Quiet Waiting The differences between the centuries of U.S. history focus on one key factor, communication. We can, now, communicate the psychology of behavior without delay. We have predictive algorithms, imperfect as they are, that target specific groups to sell products, especially the human product in all areas of our shared human experience. The only defense we have rests with our ability to recognize the need to critically approach all information (save the fight or flight stuff) with listening, learning, and understanding.