Critical Reflection on the Presidency of George W. Bush
Netherlands, 19.3.2003
Since President G.W. Bush took office, I’ve harboured reservations about his leadership. His administration commenced akin to “an elephant in a China shop,” evident in the handling of policies regarding Iran, Iraq, North Korea, China, and the Kyoto Protocol, among others.
I express these sentiments with due respect for the esteemed office he holds in this great democratic nation. History will undoubtedly scrutinize his presidency against others, and the prognosis seems unfavourable.
The crux of my concern lies in his apparent lack of intellectual preparedness for the presidency, substituting platitudes and slogans for genuine thought and analysis. His seeming disregard for these cognitive processes suggests a level of contempt.
His reliance on faith-based rhetoric as a born-again Christian imbues him with unwavering certainty about what he perceives as right. Unlike his father, who commands global respect and follows a multilateral approach, George W. Bush’s unilateralist tendencies leave much to be desired.
While intellectually competent, George W. Bush appears to lack the depth of understanding and internationalist perspective his father embodies. His moral certainty post-9/11, while admirable, lacks the seasoned wisdom of his father’s diplomacy.
Observing Bush’s ultimatum to Saddam Hussein, I couldn’t shake the image of Wyatt Earp in the “Gunfight at the OK Corral” — a small-town sheriff overstepping his bounds. Iraq, like the world, isn’t his sole jurisdiction, highlighting a fundamental issue with his leadership.
Undoubtedly, G.W. Bush may be an amiable conversationalist and a devoted family man. However, the intellectual demands of his office seem beyond his grasp, hindering his ability to engage with diverse perspectives and approaches.
In Bush, one recognizes the religious fervour and moral conviction inherent to West Texas. Yet, this fervour can breed intolerance toward divergent viewpoints, evident in his dismissiveness of opposing perspectives on issues like France, Iraq, or multilateralism.
Raised with a moral certainty of divine purpose, Bush seems predisposed to hearing only one voice — his own. This Midland upbringing, while instilling conviction, also fosters a narrow worldview unsuited to the complexities of global leadership.
WJJH – 19.03.2003
Diatribe: Expressing my concerns about President G.W. Bush’s leadership. His unilateralist approach and reliance on faith-based rhetoric have led to scepticism about his intellectual preparedness for the presidency. His upbringing in West Texas may have fostered moral certainty but seems unsuitable for the complexities of global leadership, evident in his handling of international issues such as Iraq and multilateralism.
In what kind of world do we wish to live 