During his term, President Bush was often heard to call Islam a religion of peace and to say that Muslims are not categorically the enemies of this nation. Let’s assume that he was entirely sincere in this belief, and that in his retirement, he is not simply dismayed but appalled at the anti-Islamic, Nativist sentiment often seen on the right these days. Suppose further that he is considering contacting President Obama and offering his services to speak out against that. He’s willing to rebuke persons who claim Obama is a Muslim, to attest to Obama’s citizenship, and to speak out for tolerance and acceptance between Christians & Muslims. For whatever reason, he contacts you and asks if he should do this.
It might sway a few people, but I’d imagine a lot of people on the right would just call him a liberal (as some have been doing lately as a way of explaining his administration’s free spending ways).
Woot! I’m 100% of the response! (Well, I was for a moment)
This is something that would make me feel much more warm toward Bush. To his credit, during his term he said what we were not at war with Islam. Too many have forgotten that. If he came out against Islamaphobia, he could make a real difference. Unfortunately, his party thrives on Islamaphobia.
Only anti-Muslim. He has credibility there (from right after 9-11), and it’s a real and growing problem. I wish I could have voted for anti-Muslim and birther, but such is life.
Beyond that, I think he’s still in the traditional “don’t mess with the new guy’s groove” period, isn’t he? When did Bill start lobbing grenades at W (assuming he did, nothing comes immediately to mind).
I thought Bush was a horrible president, but I genuinely believe he didn’t have a bigoted bone in his body (though he was, sadly, willing to tolerate homophobia). If he were willing to speak out against the current madness in his party, I’d be all for it.
I don’t like him and I don’t support him. But I would want him to speak out as a small measure of undoing all of the crap he put this country through during his term
I would appreciate any voice from either side willing to speak out against the ignorance and extremism surrounding the issues of Islam and/or ridiculous accusations about Obama. The wingnuts have had too loud a voice for far too long – it’s time for non-stupid conservatives to get the mike out of their hands. Personally, I don’t think George Bush qualifies, but his speaking out would embolden those who do.
I can’t imagine how it could possibly do any good. The Right mutates with remarkable speed. Over and over, the wingnut fringe ideas of a few years ago find themselves in today’s mainstream.
The monster is out of control; it’s outgrown him and moved on. They’ve no problem balking at many of Reagan’s policies, and he’s been elevated to sainthood. Think anyone’s going to give a shit because Bush II mouths a few platitudes?
Hmm - my vote counted buy my name didn’t show up, and the results didn’t pop up the way they usually do.
But I voted do both (and I of course opposed him.) Whatever he did that was stupid, he did not do it out of bigotry, and it would be good for him to stress that fact with whatever words he can say. It might not help much, but it wouldn’t hurt. Both Jimmy Carter and Herbert Hoover were better ex-presidents than presidents, and Bush can join them. At the end of his term I think he finally began to realize how out of his depth he was, so I can feel the good in him - he can be saved.
I think the more people who speak out against the anti-Muslim hysteria, the better. Orrin Hatch made a statement in support of the “Ground Zero Mosque” (that is neither a mosque, nor at ground zero) - I give him a lot of credit for it.
I neither support nor oppose political candidates or office holders – except when that one time my college friend was running for municipal judge and asked me to put a sign in my yard, but she didn’t win anyway – but I agree with posters that W seemed sincere in his lack of prejudice, and if he could have a well-written speech prepared, I would tell him to go for it. Plus it gives me a chance to call Skald a Commie and demand a cookie.
I said go for everything. For all the good it would do :rolleyes: Dubya would go up in my esteem, just a little, but I doubt the target audience would move.
