On Another Plane, In Another Universe

Confess it, if you weren't aware of the extent of the horror visited upon people unable to defend themselves, the non-combatants whose lives were wasted in the tens of thousands by the U.S.-initiated and -led invasion of Iraq, you would judge outgoing President George W. Bush rather differently. True, Iraq apart, there were some domestic clangers, like the federal response to New Orleans' plight, and the lack of fiscal, fiduciary, prudent oversight in the country's fast-and-loose financial empire.

But think about it, this fellow, so cerebrally unpretentious, so engagingly approachable, so lacking in exhibiting the black moods of those held to ransom by patently unfair and in any event, volatile, public opinion, so without rancour, and charming to boot, is a very nice man. He is a typical hail-fellow-well-met personality, an engaging jock, a family man, and of course, a patriotic American. Taking upon himself the unenviable task of burdening himself with a nation's problems and aspirations.

Burdening the entire world, in the process, with that nation's problems, and aspirations as well, but that is another story altogether. We are, it is true, universally involved with one another, country to country, so that is hardly surprising; everything has become inter-related and inter-twined; politics, global finances, cultural exports, social mores, religion, traditions. We are becoming globally pluralized. To a degree. Some of which, thanks to the growing phenomenon of national and ethnic identity politics may yet be reversed.

That's tangential, however, to Mr. Bush's leave-taking, his gracious and salubrious self-forgiveness for a job well done, under difficult circumstances. He rose to the heights of self-perceived competence, and the public simply has not yet caught up to the larger picture; history will be kinder than his 30% rating in public opinion. How could you possibly not like a man who claims to be "filled with gratitude" for the privilege bestowed upon him during his 8 presidential years?

"I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your president." Only a mass collective of grudging ingrates could hiss at that sweet mode of departure. The man, on leaving office, takes up another office, that of visionary, envisioning the upcoming inauguration of his successor as demonstrating "the vitality of American democracy".

As one who has proven himself to be utterly besotted with democracy, so much so that he has been determined to spread its essence world-wide, within countries whose cultures, religion, traditions and heritage reject it, one can only admire the persistence and determination of such a one. In his departure, he speaks of the future, and in so doing, he speaks to the people whose well-being he leaves in the hands of another.

"Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose story reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation." Heartfelt and quite wonderful words of encouragement as he descends from the throne of world domination, handing the reins of responsibility to one whose promise is one of careful and restrained reasoning and reasonableness in a search for justice.

So much is expected of Mr. Bush's successor. So little of value and moment was achieved by Mr. Bush's successor's predecessor.