Bush defends presidency in final news conference
source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_news_conference
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- gaiusfurius
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After starting what he called "the ultimate exit interview" with a lengthy and personalized thank-you to the reporters in the room who have covered him over the eight years of his presidency, Bush showed anger at times when presented with some of the main criticisms of his time in office.
"I think it's a good, strong record," he said. "You know, presidents can try to avoid hard decisions and therefore avoid controversy. That's just not my nature."
He particularly became indignant when asked about America's bruised image overseas.
"I disagree with this assessment that, you know, that people view America in a dim light," he said. "It may be damaged amongst some of the elite. But people still understand America stands for freedom."
Bush said he realizes that some issues such as the prison for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have created controversy at home and around the world. But he defended his actions after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including approving tough interrogation methods for suspected terrorists and information-gathering efforts at home in the name of protecting the country.
With the Iraq war in its sixth year, he most aggressively defended his decisions on that issue, which will define his presidency like no other. There have been over 4,000 U.S. deaths since the invasion and toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
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Katanajon
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BUSH is gonna be a hard act to follow, time will more than vindicate him, it will immortalize him. The opinion of a few anti social morons won't matter in a decade. At all.
- 3 years ago
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Katanajon
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Conserve_nation
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netstorm2k8 talk about being an elitest asshole. "You don't even live here, so what on earth makes you an authority?" How about the fact that this is a community of people from all over the world. And I agree with Petarro, Bush did what he thought was right and time will tell that he served his country. And I am from the U.S. dipshit.
- 3 years ago
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Conserve_nation
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akamaial [removed]
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Newsflash netstorm2k8, people from all over the world post on this site, to presuppose that only US citizens have any insight that has merit, is not displayed in abundance to any measurable degree here, as your comment so aptly displays.
- 3 years ago
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akamaial [removed]
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petarro
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I support Bush almost on EVERYTHING. I only blame him for making Oil get so expensive, for odds reasons.
People forget what he did, forget what happen on his term and accuse him of doing a bad Job... I don't see anyone else doing a better Job! (Ok, maybe Clinton!)
Seriously, be grateful.
- 3 years ago
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petarro
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netstorm2k8
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petarro:
You don't even live here, so what on earth makes you an authority? Because you read the news a few times in the past eight years?
Seriously, I don't talk about politics in either Costa Rica or Prague because I'm all too aware of my ignorance regarding the status of both.
That's a hint.
- 3 years ago
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netstorm2k8
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petarro
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petarro:
netstorm, I don't need any FUD. And just because I'm not from the US it does not mean I cannot give my opinion. If you don't like it, you may close your Current.com account.
Also, Costa Rican politics do not affect the Oil prices or food prices. And by the way, we have a Nobel price winner as our current president. It does look like you need some advising. I'll try again. Do you remember your country was raped 7 years ago? In the ass?
Please say you forgot, because that is almost the only excuse I can find for someone to actually take the side on the people that chanted your people's death. I'm starting to see where Palin took the "Non-Patriots" line from.
- 3 years ago
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petarro
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netstorm2k8
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Would I have the guts to make which decision? To utilize presidential powers in defense of the country I am sworn to protect? Yes. And I would do it without violating the Constitution I was sworn to uphold as well.
It doesn't take guts to make a decision - it takes guts to make a decision with integrity.
BTW, why is it that when people defend their heroes, those with the shallowest understanding of their own logic have to resort to attacks on the person they're disagreeing with, as opposed to a well-thought out defense of their hero?
- 3 years ago
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netstorm2k8
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neocongo
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People are terrified of what is happening in this country, and around the world with respect to the economy, and yet all this guy can seem to say is "we did the right thing." It truly is no wonder Obama is getting so much attention. People are desparate for leadership, and no one is at the wheel.
- 3 years ago
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neocongo
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Katanajon
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neocongo:
LMAO partisan hacks are a penny a dozen around here. But you aren't even worth that price. Obama changes his mind on major issues everyday. The only thing he is consistent on is he wants money quick! MAKE HIM WAIT FOR DUE PROCESS.
- 3 years ago
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Katanajon
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akamaial [removed]
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Having access to constitutional scholars and attorneys, the conclusions that were made, and the decisions to act upon them after careful analysis can be argued endlessly. Do you think for a moment that he should have utilized those powers to act in behalf of the defense of us all, only to curry favor for popularity. Could you have the guts to make that decision? I suspect not.
- 3 years ago
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akamaial [removed]
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netstorm2k8
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Really? Really?
I mean, I'm not a liberal except as far as free will is being infringed; I'm even conservative in some respects.But kudos for Bush? The guy is just as corrupt as most other politicians, and more so than most.
How will history vindicate his trampling of the Constitution? How did he serve the country his actions, and inactions, have nearly driven into the ground?
- 3 years ago
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netstorm2k8
