http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/bushlegacy/ en-us Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:00:09 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037719/posts The weekly Economist for June 12 placed Iraq on its cover once again. The timing of the cover story was significant. Nine days earlier the Democrats had settled on their presidential nominee -- Barack Hussein Obama -- for the November election. The Iraq story had been downgraded by the mainstream media when the Democratic primary contest intensified and when the good news from Iraq, according to the Economist, was "far better than it was only a few months ago." The good news from Iraq is indeed far better than merely good. The military surge President George W. Bush ordered in... Toronto Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037719/posts#comment Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:00:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037356/posts LAWFUEL - A senior attorney with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was arrested today after allegedly taking a $20,000 bribe from an immigrant seeking documentation to remain in the United States. ICE Assistant Chief Counsel Constantine Peter Kallas, 38, and his wife, Maria Kallas, 39, both of Alta Loma, were arrested this afternoon by special agents with ICE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They were arrested at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland, where they allegedly accepted a bribe payment from an immigrant. The couple is expected to make their... The Law News Network http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037356/posts#comment Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:08:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037231/posts YOU KNOW THE BUSH administration’s North Korea policy is fatally flawed when even Barack Obama, last heard pledging to meet with the world’s dictators “without preconditions,” judges it naïve. And yet, the presumptive Democratic nominee sounded all too sensible yesterday when he suggested that the Bush administration’s baffling decision to strike Pyongyang from the U.S. list of terrorism-sponsoring states and to lift trade sanctions against the tyrannical regime Cross Action News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037231/posts#comment Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:25:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036072/posts President George W Bush refuses to use the word "legacy", but he is clearly thinking about it. During his trip to Europe two weeks ago, he sounded very different from the man who was ready to go it alone on Iraq in 2003. "One of the things that I'll be leaving behind is a multilateralism to deal with tyrants so problems can be solved diplomatically," he said during a press conference. In his comments he was referring to Iran - but also to North Korea. The US is intensifying negotiations with the government in Pyongyang about its nuclear disarmament, as... al-BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036072/posts#comment Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:38:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034431/posts As he leaves the White House at the end of his second term, the President has a poll rating of only 23 per cent, and is widely disliked and even despised. His foreign policy has been judged a failure, especially in view of the long, painful, costly war that he declared, which is still not over. He doesn't get on with his own party's presidential candidate, who is clearly distancing himself, and had lost many of his closest friends and staff to scandals and forced resignations. The New Republic, a hugely influential political magazine, writes that his historical reputation will... uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034431/posts#comment Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:41:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032198/posts In an interview Sunday with Britain's Observer, US President George W. Bush made an important observation. The president argued that the common wisdom about the Middle East, which argues that Palestinian statelessness is the root of regional instability and jihadism, is incorrect. It is Iranian aggression rather than the lack of Palestinian sovereignty that lies at the root of the war. As Bush put it, "When you go to the Middle East and you sit in my seat and listen, yes, there's concern about the Palestinian state. But the dialogue has shifted dramatically from 'solve the Palestinian state and you've... Jerusalem Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032198/posts#comment Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:14:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031640/posts Despite flaws, George W Bush is a loyal friend 06/16/08 When President Bush began his valedictory tour of Europe, we commented that he would be received correctly rather than warmly. Still, it would be churlish not to bid him welcome in his final presidential visit to London. He might not have been the easiest of allies, but an ally he has been. Anyone could compile a list of grievances: the steel tariff, the budget deficit, the reluctance to negotiate reciprocity in the US-UK extradition agreement, the calamities that befell Iraq after the invasion, the deaths of British servicemen in friendly... Telegraph UK http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031640/posts#comment Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:21:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031629/posts 'Bush Believes History Is On His Side' Tim Marshall Foreign Affairs editor Updated:02:04, Monday June 16, 2008 George Bush believes that where the British Empire stumbled, what he calls 'Freedom's March' will succeed. The American President was asked by Sky News about the British and Soviet experiences in Afghanistan. He gave an emotional response which went to the heart of his foreign policy thinking: "This isn't the American Empire, the British Empire or coalition empire; this is freedom's march. And freedom has had a way of taking hold in some of the places where people have never given freedom a... Sky News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031629/posts#comment Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:14:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2029344/posts ABC News' Tahman Bradley Reports: Across the pond for a Europe farewell tour, President Bush spoke candidly about his legacy, acknowledging mistakes in handling the Iraq war. Bush told the British newspaper, The Times, he regrets the bitter division over the Iraq war and -- rather remarkably -- admitted his words in the lead up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq did not help unite the country behind the effort. The paper writes that the president "expressed regret at the bitter divisions over the war and said that he was troubled about how his country had been misunderstood." Bush told... ABC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2029344/posts#comment Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:16:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025116/posts W vs. Terror By John Hinderaker IT'S an article of faith on the left that the Bush administration has done nothing that has enhanced our security - rather, its alleged blunders have only contributed to the number of jihadists who want to attack us. Empirically, however, something clearly has made us safer since 2001. Successful attacks on the United States and its interests overseas have not increased, as had been widely predicted, but instead dwindled to virtually nothing. A steady stream of terrorist attacks on America and US interests abroad were launched from the 1980s forward. A partial history: 1988:... FrontPage Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025116/posts#comment Tue, 3 Jun 2008 02:19:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023900/posts With President Bush-bashing still a national pastime, it's notable how much international terrorism has been forgotten, and how little credit the president has received for keeping Americans safe. .... We all waited for terrorism's second shoe to drop, and, seven years later . . . nothing has happened. Other cities around the world became targets: Madrid, Glasgow, London and Bali; the entire nation of Denmark; and, of course, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Here in America, however, the focus moved from concerns over counterterrorism measures and the abuse of presidential authority to the war in Iraq, the subprime mortgage crisis, the... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023900/posts#comment Sat, 31 May 2008 06:18:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023644/posts After a court order and four years late, Bush administration scientists issue an assessment. President Bush's top science advisors issued a comprehensive report Thursday that for the first time endorses what most scientific experts have long asserted: that greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion "are very likely the single largest cause" of Earth's warming. The 271-page report could undercut opposition to the more aggressive provisions of climate legislation, which is to be debated in the Senate next week. The Bush administration had long resisted a congressional mandate, the 1990 Global Change Research Act, requiring the White House to report every... L A Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023644/posts#comment Fri, 30 May 2008 18:47:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022731/posts The debate over Iraq and the war on terror rages, even amid signs we're winning. John Hinderaker of powerlineblog.com recently posted a blog entry answering the perennial question, "Are We Safer?" We rerun it here with his permission.On the stump, Barack Obama usually concludes his comments on Iraq by saying, "and it hasn't made us safer." It is an article of faith on the left that nothing the Bush administration has done has enhanced our security, and, on the contrary, its various alleged blunders have only contributed to the number of jihadists who want to attack us. Empirically, however, it... IBD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022731/posts#comment Thu, 29 May 2008 00:56:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010964/posts Will President Bush ever get the respect President Reagan once received? America knelt in sorrow on June 5, 2004, when Reagan passed away after a decade-long fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The 40th President—the man who revived America’s economy and exorcised the demonic spirit of Soviet communism—was praised throughout the country as a political genius who changed America for the better and a proud leader who rescued the country from cultural and psychological decline. America had a love affair with Reagan, and his passing brought that affair to a cruel end. It is difficult to envision Bush receiving similar praise when... Human Events http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010964/posts#comment Sun, 4 May 2008 08:44:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010791/posts RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - It's probably as revolutionary and groundbreaking as Mozart gets these days. A German-based quartet staged Saudi Arabia's first-ever performance of European classical music in a public venue before a mixed gender audience. The concert, held at a government-run cultural center, broke many taboos in a country where public music is banned and the sexes are segregated even in lines at fast food outlets. The Friday night performance could be yet another indication that this strict Muslim kingdom is looking to open up to the rest of the world. A few weeks ago, King Abdullah made an... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010791/posts#comment Sat, 3 May 2008 19:26:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001444/posts President Bush often argues that history will vindicate him. So he can't be pleased with an informal survey of 109 professional historians conducted by the History News Network. It found that 98 percent of them believe that Bush's presidency has been a failure, while only about 2 percent see it as a success. Not only that, more than 61 percent of the historians say the current presidency is the worst in American history. In 2004, only 11.6 percent of the historians rated Bush's presidency in last place. Among the reasons given for his low ratings: invading Iraq, "tax breaks for... U.S. News and World Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001444/posts#comment Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:04:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997444/posts There’s a remarkable article in the current Time magazine by Bob Geldof, musician and activist, regarding a recent trip he made to Africa with President George W. Bush. Geldof, a liberal, disagrees with Bush on many things, especially Iraq. Geldof is also fair. He has observed what Bush has done in Africa, particularly on AIDS, and is enormously grateful for the president’s truly unprecedented actions. To cite just one example: in 2003, only 50,000 Africans were on HIV antiretroviral drugs; today, thanks to American relief, 1.3 million receive free medicine. In an illuminating article, there are, however, two items Geldof... Frontpage Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997444/posts#comment Sun, 6 Apr 2008 03:46:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1995997/posts BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - President Bush won NATO's endorsement Thursday for his plan to build a missile defense system in Europe over Russian objections. The proposal also advanced with Czech officials announcing an agreement to install a missile tracking site for the system in their country. NATO leaders were adopting a communique stating that "ballistic missile proliferation poses an increasing threat to allied forces, territory and populations." It also will recognize "the substantial contribution to the protection of allies ... to be provided by the U.S.-led system," according to senior American officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1995997/posts#comment Thu, 3 Apr 2008 13:03:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994643/posts WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush left on Monday for his farewell NATO summit and a final heads-of-state meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin as he tries to salvage a foreign policy legacy frayed by the Iraq war. Seeking to reassert himself on the world stage in the twilight of his term, Bush will press NATO for more troops in Afghanistan, try to keep up momentum in the alliance's eastward expansion and attempt to ease strains with Russia. But with Bush even more unpopular overseas than at home, he could have a hard time swaying world leaders at this... Reuters on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994643/posts#comment Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:47:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994622/posts Condoleezza Albright? The Twilight of the Bush Presidency Is Looking More and More like Clinton Guest Column | By Joel Himelfarb | March 31, 2008 As someone who voted to elect George W. Bush in both of his runs for president, I take no pleasure in saying that when it comes to foreign policy, his final year in the White House looks increasingly like Bill Clinton’s. Clinton spent his second term desperately trying to create a peacemaking “legacy” for himself: courting world leaders who had no real interest in making peace like Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat and North Korean... ACCURACY in MEDIA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994622/posts#comment Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:05:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993036/posts President Bush showed the world that it isn't words, but actions, that truly make a difference. Millions throughout Africa would agree. Mr. Bush recently completed a historic visit to the African continent; a trip he described as "the most exciting, exhilarating, uplifting trip" of his presidency. During his visit, we saw pictures of the president dancing, celebrating and attending ceremonies with heads of state. But the real story is not about just this one trip; it is about the commitment the president made to Africa and what the United States has been quietly accomplishing throughout the continent over the past... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993036/posts#comment Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:47:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1990856/posts I dont know if anyone ever posted this but I just thought we needed a reminder: The accomplishments of George W Bush Abortion & Traditional Values Banned Partial Birth Abortion - by far the most significant roll-back of abortion on demand since Roe v. Wade. Reversed Clinton's move to strike Reagan's anti-abortion Mexico Policy. By Executive Order (EO), reversed Clinton's policy of not requiring parental consent for abortions under the Medical Privacy Act. By EO, prohibited federal funds for international family planning groups that provide abortions and related services. Upheld the ban on abortions at military hospitals. Made $33 million... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1990856/posts#comment Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:37:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1990168/posts JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Vice President Dick Cheney, starting a visit on Saturday to try to push forward Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, said Washington would never pressure Israel to take steps that threaten its security. Palestinians accuse Israel of undermining the U.S.-sponsored peace talks by expanding Jewish settlements, refusing to remove West Bank roadblocks and mounting offensives against militants in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip who fire cross-border rockets into the Jewish state. "America's commitment to Israel's security is enduring and unshakable, as is Israel's right to protect itself always against terrorism, rocket attacks and other attacks from forces dedicated to Israel's destruction,"... al Reuters via Tahoo! News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1990168/posts#comment Sun, 23 Mar 2008 07:25:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1987856/posts The largest church conference on HIV/AIDS in United Kingdom was held this past weekend, reaffirming the belief that churches worldwide are joining in the battle against the deadliest epidemic in the history of mankind.Tue, Mar. 18, 2008 Posted: 18:35:27 PM EST The largest church conference on HIV/AIDS in the United Kingdom was held this past weekend, reaffirming the belief that churches worldwide are joining in the battle against the deadliest epidemic in the history of mankind. More than 300 delegates gathered at Bracknell Family Church in southeast England to not only be informed on the HIV/AIDS issue and what churches... Christian (ear scratching) Post Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1987856/posts#comment Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:20:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1987564/posts WASHINGTON — In the days immediately after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, members of President Bush’s war cabinet declared that it would be impossible to deter the most fervent extremists from carrying out even more deadly terrorist missions with biological, chemical or nuclear weapons. Since then, however, administration, military and intelligence officials assigned to counterterrorism have begun to change their view. After piecing together a more nuanced portrait of terrorist organizations, they say there is reason to believe that a combination of efforts could in fact establish something akin to the posture of deterrence, the strategy that helped protect... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1987564/posts#comment Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:33:36 GMT