Dear President Bush: A Letter From All Of Us

Dear President Bush,

As I watched you depart the Capitol aboard a Marine helicopter, and then Andrews AFB aboard an Air Force jet*, I couldn't help but marvel at the array of emotions that must have been washing over and coursing through you. Among countless others, I imagine there was significant relief, as well as nostalgia, maybe some sadness, and probably some uncertainty (about what's next**). The moment made me consider my feelings toward you as your time in office has come to an end.

The servant and patriot in me say "thank you." Thank you for the work that you did as the leader of our nation. I often disagreed with your ways of thinking and doing, but I appreciate the personal sacrifices you and your family made in order for you to hold this pressure-filled and lonely office, and I appreciate the effort you were putting forth to serve our nation, and to keep it safe and prosperous.

The comedian in me says "come back!" I miss you already. You were very helpful to me as I embarked upon a "career" as a stand-up comic and for that I am grateful. You made statements like, "I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future." As much as I feel for your staffers for the years that statements like that must have taken off their lives, you often made my day (albeit in a bit of a sad way). I find it hard to believe that President Obama will be as funny as you were, so please, don't be a stranger.

The human being/citizen of the world in me says "finally!" Quite frankly, it often felt as though Godzilla was occupying the Oval Office and that anything that displeased the giant lizard-in-chief or got in its way would be destroyed. I suspect that America's standing in the minds and hearts of most of the world's citizens has jumped significantly since President Obama's election and during the transition. That excites me very much, so please, be a stranger.

The leader in me says "good riddance." For the last eight years, it killed me that you so often appeared unable to recognize or admit a mistake, or to change course when something wasn't working. I think you listened to the wrong people (or didn't listen to the right ones or weren't good at deciding whom to listen to) and I suspect that poor decisions were made in processes that will be embarrassing to us all when your staff goes on to other jobs and the stories of the Bush West Wing are shared.

The optimist (and Rob Schneider impersonator) in me says "you can do it!" As an ex-President, you have wonderful opportunities to serve as an ambassador of our country and of noble causes. You have the chance to shed light on and continue to impact the way our nation is governed. You are in a unique position to speak out when something needs to be said or to act when something important needs to be done. You may even be endowed with certain super powers!***

The dude in me says "let's hang out some time." Through it all, you've always seemed like a guy with whom it's probably a lot of fun to watch a game and eat some bbq.

Finally, the blogger in me says "stop by and read up!" Perhaps you will be visitor number 21,000! While in office, you provided much material for the staff here at ZiggyBackRide and for all of our visitors. It wouldn't have been the same without you. I mean, it wouldn't have been a whole lot different. But definitely a little bit.

Thanks, Mr. President, and best wishes to you and Mrs. Bush. Onward and upward!
Sincerely (I tried "Love" first, but I thought it seemed a bit much),
Z

*The flying machines formerly known as Marine One and Air Force One. When you are not the sitting President, those names are not given your transports as I understand it.
**Insert your own W Presidential Library joke here. The comedian in me thinks I'll be seeing him headlining comedy clubs all over for his speaking tour.
***If SNL should choose to revive its old Ex-Presidents cartoon shorts.

A Million Other Things, Part II

I checked back to proudly and vainly reread this morning's post (and, let's be honest, to see how many visitors had seen it) and I feel the need to clarify that I don't find reproductive rights to be a "dumb issue." I kind of made it sound that way, I thought. It - like many, many other things - is very important and worthy of thought and discussion. It's only a dumb issue when it is seen as the only issue or the most important issue.

Think of presidential administrations and vice presidencies as far back as you can recall, and try to name some ways that the opinions of those leaders on abortion affected the impact they had during their time in office. Has Dick Cheney's vice presidency been defined in any way by his beliefs on abortion? Would the last eight years have been different if he believed otherwise? How about Al Gore before him? (I mention the vice presidents because the article that set me off this morning was about potential running mates for McCain.)

In the scheme of what needs to be dealt with day-to-day in the White House, the Old Executive Office Building, the Capitol Building and Congressional office buildings, this issue is one of millions, and is not of a greater magnitude than many of its peers. Belief to the contrary has resulted in the unbelievably insane weight given to this issue in nominating and comfirming Supreme Court justices.

I may have more on this at another time, and I'm sure I'll comment on related issues as the election draws nearer. The staff here at ZiggyBackRide certainly welcomes and encourages your comments.

In other news that is slightly related to the last couple of posts, have you seen the pictures of President Bush with the women's beach volleyball team? Absolutely priceless. If I can, I'll post photos - or a link to some - here.

I Voted, An Endorsement, And A Budgetary Review

I Voted! That's what the little stickers they used to give you on your way out of the polling place said. I haven't gotten a sticker in several years, though. I'm thinking about not voting any more.

Just kidding. I'm not considering that at all. Furthermore, if you live in a state in which voting is taking place today, get your ass to the poll (unless it has already been there, in which case you, too, deserve a sticker)!

I don't mind telling you that the ZiggyBackRide editorial board has chosen to endorse Barack Obama. We feel that of the two Democratic candidates (they were the only ones in the running for this prestigious statement of support), whose policy positions are really rather similar, his campaign is the one most successfully promoting what ZBR likes to call "the America of our dreams."

A brief glimpse at the two websites tells the tale of one candidate charging forward and pulling citizens with him toward our goals and dreams and values, and one candidate pettily quibbling over semantics, fighting not to lose a race, rather than fighting to win as a nation. Of course, their positions as underdog and frontrunner, respectively, contribute to their ability/need to run the campaigns the way they are - the underdog free to play without the pressure of expectation - but in the end, a campaign is the reflection of the candidate that we have to work with, absent a personal conversation with him/her.

In November, the entire ZBR staff will proudly vote for either of these candidates, but for now, Obama gets the nod.

In other news, did you see the President's budget? I mean, did you see this?!? A final (I hope, but at least budgetarily final) testament to his fiscal irresponsibility/incompetency (it's one, the other, or both, and I don't know which is worse), his lack of compassion (cut services to Americans in need to try to convince anyone still stupid/bored/blindly committed enough to listen that tax cuts for the wealthy should be permanent), and his lack of desire to actually accomplish anything (no one on either side of the Congressional aisle wants to support this). Once again, sir, well done.