View Full Version : H. W.
Well, even though he could still get better, he is 88 years old and I'm afraid this may be the beginning of the end. Poor old guy. He is a good and decent man, and an OK President. I really felt sorry for him when you could see he was embarrassed at his son's Presidency. I always believed he had hoped Jeb would be the second Bush President.
I think you're wrong in your assessment. He was extremely proud of his oldest son.
This is him in better health, and that's me standing on the left.
http://lefttoright.net/images/george hw bush.jpg
While he was certainly born with all the advantages (money, power, connections) and married into even more I still think of him as a kind of hero because of his dedication to public service. From WWII fighter pilot to President he has done a lot for this country. Even with all that the lasting image I have is the work GHW and Bill Clinton did together after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It was like partisan politics got suspended for a brief, and dare I say shining, moment. That was nice.
catherine
12-27-12, 2:46pm
Cool picture, Alan!
When I was stationed on a patrol boat in Maine (coast guard) one of our duties was to guard GB #1 (who was VP then) whenever he was in Kennebunkport - which was alot! He had a small speed boat that he would go out fishing in everyday and our patrol boat would follow at a close distance. Then when he was back at home we would just hang out all day and night patrolling just off the house. Our code name that the secret service gave us was "White Knight" and on holidays someone - supposedily Barbara Bush - would make cookies have someone from the SS send them out to us. It was just about the most boring thing I ever did but it was fun to be up close and personal to the Prez (VP at that time) while he fished even though he never said a word to any of us at all.
I always wave when I drive by his house in the summer. I'm amazed how close the public is allowed. There's a big hole in the chain link fence across the back yard- I'm sure the SS is watching, but it looks like kids could just sneak in the back way.
I think it IS close to the end for him too Peggy. To me, he always seemed to have a big heart.........especially after his presidency. He would get emotional very easily, which I thought was nice to see.
Bless his heart. I hope he doesn't suffer long.
P.S. Alan......what a great picture!
I felt he was a kind and thoughtful person. He was probably the last of the republican moderate presidents. He was a good American.
Edited to correct spelling.
Wildflower
12-27-12, 11:50pm
I didn't think he was embarrassed by his son. I remember one instance seeing his eyes well up with tears of pride after a well given speech by his boy a few days after 9-11.
Yes, he's a good guy!
iris lily
12-28-12, 1:19am
Alan, cool!
Here in St. Louis is where the Walkers and the Bushes got together. There are still Presidential relatives here.
I didn't think he was embarrassed by his son. I remember one instance seeing his eyes well up with tears of pride after a well given speech by his boy a few days after 9-11.
Yes, he's a good guy!
That was one heck of a speechwriter in that era. I don't know what happened to him/her.
Wildflower
12-28-12, 3:53am
That was one heck of a speechwriter in that era. I don't know what happened to him/her.
Well, I guess maybe I shouldn't call it a speech. It was a few well chosen words in a church service a few days after 9-11. All of the Presidents, past and present were there at the time. I remember the proud look on Bush Sr. face after the then President Bush spoke....
San Onofre Guy
12-28-12, 8:13pm
I think it was in the summer of 1984 but it could have been 83 when the National Governors Conference was held in Portland. I was working for a tree company and had an urgent job to spray for mosquito control at the Kennebunkport Mansion. My partner and I made the special trip, having driven by Walker's Point many times for work I knew how to get there. The VP wasn't in town so security wasn't tight. As I was spraying near the perimeter I saw a camera on a swivel so I put my spray nozzle down and clapped my hands, the camera turned. As I walked by the guard shack the guy said "we heard you clap and thought that you might like to see the camera move." As I was cleaning up the truck an older woman came out and asked what the charge was. I tallied up the gallons sprayed and the mileage and special trip charge and told her the amount. She replied and I kid you not she said "George has a lot of things on his mind and I don't want him to worry about this, have the bill sent to me, I'm his mother."
I also had the occasion to work at Ed Muskie's house which was a few miles away and about a mile from the coast, a very modest but nice place. He brought me lemonade when I was done and we chatted for a few minutes. This was a few years after he finished his stint as Secretary of State.
Cool experiences San Onofre Guy!
How could anyone presume to comment on whether GHW Bush was embarrassed or proud of his son? It's purely speculative--unless one had discussed the topic with him directly.
Now whether or not he should have been proud of his son is a totally different issue...
How could anyone presume to comment on whether GHW Bush was embarrassed or proud of his son? It's purely speculative--unless one had discussed the topic with him directly.
Now whether or not he should have been proud of his son is a totally different issue...
Take a breath folks. This is just my opinion. The son is/was a complete dufus who literally trashed the economy, and did everything the father would NOT do. Don't forget, he isn't just a proud papa, he was the President of the United States, and a decent one at that. He totally understands what should, and shouldn't be done as President.
I didn't say he hated his son, or wanted to disown him! Our kids find ways to embarras us throughout their lives, just as we embarras them. The Bushes just did it on a grander, more public scale.
And, it seems Bush Sr. is doing better. I'm glad for that.
I've been fond of H.W. for many years. I always felt he was a good man. Hoping he lives just as long as he wants, and not a minute more.
ApatheticNoMore
12-31-12, 2:02am
Most speculation of what goes on in politicians heads is the same purely speculative, so if one were to be consistent, they'd just declare it all unknowable and conclude that for the most part we can only judge actions.
Nonetheless, I'm not consistent and don't find H.W. provokes any of the hot rage more recent politicos do, I can't even summon up any good hate, I even feel kinda sorry for the guy being sick. Gah!!!! :~) I did a college paper on H.W., it lead me to believe he was a mediocre president, which is part of why I didn't vote for W. the first time as I figured it would be a repeat (oh my, if only I'd known, things can get so much worse than mediocre).
I've been fond of H.W. for many years. I always felt he was a good man. Hoping he lives just as long as he wants, and not a minute more.
I love that statement Pug........."just as long as he wants, and not a minute more."
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