December has traditionally been a month of rest for The Texas Pilgrim, but I could not let the momentous significance of last week’s tribute to President George H. W. Bush pass without comment. It has been suggested that the pomp and circumstance of the events in Washington, Houston, and College Station would not have been welcomed by the President and that he might even have been embarrassed by much of the praise heaped upon him for the life that he lived, which in his view was nothing more than what was expected of him in the spirit of noblesse oblige. I expect that might have been so.
But I have a different view. America badly needed what we experienced last week–a time of celebration of and thanks for the life of an American hero; a time of reflection on the qualities reflective of what a man should be, particularly those who aspire to leadership; a time for reverence for those values that help inform what defines American exceptionalism—faith, family, duty, country; and an extended time for renewal and open advancement of these ideas in the public square. In fact, I thought as I watched these events that there was an almost providential timing of them when the body politic seemed to need these reflections and this renewal more than ever.
There will be plenty of time to discuss his record as President, this and that decision, foreign and domestic policy, pro and con, victories and failures, and for me there is some of all of it to revisit in the coming months. My first take on it is that on balance he will be very well treated by history primarily for the way he handled the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the reunification of Germany, and I believe he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. But right now, let’s simply hope that we have all learned something from this past week about decency and civility and have reminded ourselves of what duty looks like in a real patriot. God speed, George Herbert Walker Bush.
Excellent very well said. GOD BLESS GEORGE BUSH We are s much better nation for him
Good morning Jim,
I may have misunderstood that President Bush planned his own funeral ceremony and would have been aware of the spectacle. Nonetheless, he was due honor for his service to our country.
Let us see how long the carnival hucksters in the media can behave respectfully of any conservative, dead or alive. I fear it is not long.
George H.W. Bush was the last President of the Greatest Generation and an example to us all. Spot on Jim.
Excellent, Jim! And I also thought the timing almost providential and desperately needed by our country.
Well said, as always. Our lives are shaped in great part by our heroes, and today we need better ones. Something more than mere celebrities. This last week focused our attention onto a depth of life and strength of character which should be the goal for all of us. Blessings, Jim, to you and all your family.
Well said, Jim. Best to you, Lela, and the family.
Amen – a life well lived in the public eye is now a rarity
George Bush was a prince of a guy in every way. His life was in stark contrast to Donald Trump in civility, honesty, competency, faithfulness to spouses and truthfulness.
Jim, I salute your tribute to President George H. W. Bush which was well-written and well-deserved.
After a week of comments on the celebration of his life by pundits, politicians and private citizens, I was struck by their judgement of Donald Trump in pointing out the stark contrast of his qualities to the late president’s. Has everyone forgotten the much-heralded friendship that developed between both presidents Bush and a former president, William Jefferson Clinton? His short-comings were never included when they were making news together. Hypocrisy reigns!