41st President Bush.

Sending him best wishes for a speeding recovery.
President Bush in ICU

I'm very sorry to hear about this. I too am hoping the fever breaks and he recovers quickly.

He's a good guy.

George H.W. Bush is the most under-rated postwar President now that Eisenhower is getting his due. I hope he recovers.

Great point! Never thought Bush(41) ever got enough credit!

The last Republican President that actually had some sort of logic and rationality in his foreign policy, even if one disagreed with it. The last American President to also try to do something about Israel's runaway settlement constructions.

Looking at the smearing at Chuck Hagel now, Bush Sr. would be dismissed by his own party for being too compromising, too liberal, and a Nazi.

(I still maintain that for all the reasons people cite for him losing re-election, the fight over Clarence Thomas used up way too much political capital and I'm certain alot of women who voted for GOP in the 80s went (or went back?) to the Democrats in '92 and voted Bubba.)

Ronnie, using Isreal land appropriation is a vulgar example, you've gone to a topic because of the authors origin. That's your best George Bush(41) example? Really? Simply pathetic.

I didn't realize compliments (and not the back-handed kind) are now deemed vulgar.

What "example" did you want, that Poppycock knew what he was doing with Iraq and his offspring (who thought Pops was the one who made the mistake) didn't? I think the aftermath of 2003 has proven Sr. to be wiser than his contemporary critics were on that issue.

Anyway one of 41's former aides blasted people for prematurely writing his obituary and I agree. He's old, but not dead yet.

Using an Isreal Unfair land grabbing in support of George Bush(41) as an example in this case is beyond me how you don't see that not being vulgar! Because a Rabbi wrote the piece your idea of discrediting the opinion is to use a Jewish issue! And I'm the ignorant one!

I thought you had me on ignore?

Opps.

In the words of the great Archibald Bunker, Stiffle it PINKO!

When will you take SC's advice?

Can we PLEASE get this discussion back on track?

H.W. Bush was a master geopolitical strategist. He wisely and skillfully led the West's response to the dismantling of the Soviet Union, providing critical support to Gorbachev and Yeltsin when neo-Communists threatened to oust them. He also enlisted former Soviet satellites in NATO, preventing the resurgence of another Russian empire. When Saddam Hussein knocked over Kuwait, he forthrightly declare: "This shall not stand." He put together a 34-nation coalition (including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and...Syria!) to stand against Saddam. By the time he got through, only Arafat and Khaddafi stood with Sadam. He convinced Israel, whose very existence was threatened by Saddam, to stand down lest his coalition unravel. He hit him with shock and awe, minimizing American casualties. And, he had the good sense (which his son lacked) to get out--"no oe appointed the US to govern Iraq."

He also negotiated major, multilateral cuts in strategic nukes with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, and helped them to dismantle their missiles and warheads. He moved against Noriega in Panama and brought him to justice. The Madrid conference, which he helped put in place, brought Israel and Palestinian reps in face to face negotiations for the first time. That's quite a positive record.

Alas, his domestic record wasn't anywhere near as good. He said during the campaign, "Watch my lips-no new taxes," then had to raise taxes to the dismay of his own party. He had an unempathetic response to a mild recession and rising unemployment that made many think he just didn't care. And, his starchy manner in public didn't help him.

All great examples of Bush(41) accomplishments

I'm reminded of during Bush Sr.'s term, the UK and French governments were about as receptive to a united Germany as Tennessee is to funding schools. Partly traditional historical Anglo-Franco belief that a united Germany threatened their domination of the continent, it was also a reaction still from WW2 (true on Thatcher's part especially) and not wanting to repeat that. Of sure both governments publicly said they were for a peaceful German unification, because like that was ever gonna happen. Right?

Opps. None the less, Bush twisted arms and got both governments to relent. He also lied through his teeth to Gorbachev in promising that if Germany united and joined NATO, that alliance wouldn't allow anymore members east of Germany. Gorbachev has bitched about that "betrayal" subsequently, but Bush was right. How can you prevent newly democratic governments in Eastern Europe, who by Moscow's choice were subjegated into puppet states or wholly absorbed into Soviet political union against their will, from joining NATO if they so desired? Which they did.

Bush at the time of the USSR's dissolution was criticized for being too reserved publicly regarding it. What nonsense. He and his administration were terrified that a bloody civil war would erupt that would surely spread beyond Russia, and worse what of the nuclear stockpiles that would be at risk of being captured by unsavory elements? He was right to not wave the flag of victory or stick up a banner saying MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Texas Radio Station (falsely) report Bush Sr.'s Death

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/wbap-george-hw-bush-dead_n_2376958.html?ref=topbar

This brings up something I've never understood. Why did Bush Sr. pick Quayle in the first place as his running mate?

Forever debated among political scientists whether running mates win or cost their ticket elections, Quayle is a good example for the argument that they're perhaps overrated in their impact. Considering he was considered a joke from the get-go (if reading the opinions back then are accurate), and of course humiliated in the most famous VP debate moment in history, yet Bush Sr. still went on to whoop some Dukakis ass that year.

Scrabble contests, spelling bee's, SoduKu contests

Rocket, come on guy, the man is sick in the hospital. Regardless what my views are, I wouldn't wish that on any president, even obama, who I don't like.

Funny looking back at my postings, I didn't say anything remotely close to what you're suggesting or insenuating? Please cite exactly what I wrote that made you belief this? Please oh please will ya? Please? I assumed everybody in this board without having to say it so is pulling for the President's recovery. It's called decency. I'm sorry you don't share the same faith.

Besides believe it or not, I think he'll pull through this. I'm not playing his harp already like some folks are doing now as if they're his doctors or family. It's something called faith. He fought in WW2, he survived getting almost assassinated by Saddam. He parachuted out of airplanes in his 80s. Played baseball at Yale. Definately not the wimp the media painted him back in the day.

He also lied through his teeth..... and a few more posts made me think that.

Politicians lie, and sometimes lying is actually the right thing to do. I thought I made that point clear regarding that negotiation over Germany. He played the Soviets and it worked out for the better. I was agreeing in regards to Turnbull's point about Bush Sr.'s foreign policy, and sorta elaborating on it.

Believe it or not, despite what you may believe or wish, I'm not a crazy zealot partisan. There's people on HP and DK openly saying they can't want to pop the champagne when Bush Sr. passes away.

Can you believe that shit?

Some good news to ring in the new year. Former president George H.W. Bush is continuing to improve at Houston’s Methodist Hospital—and is even “singing” with staff, family spokesman Jim McGrath said on Saturday. The jovial Texas native is reportedly “alert” and happily conversing with medical staff. McGrath says Bush’s doctors are “cautiously optimistic” that the current treatment for his bronchitis will be effective. The 88-year-old, who has been hospitalized since Nov. 23, was moved to the intensive care unit Sunday when he developed a fever. Aides have remained confident throughout the ordeal that he will recover.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/...s#ixzz2GTKP1kP8

Excellent! He's a pretty tough old guy. I think he skydived on his 80th birthday.

I always liked George HW Bush a great deal. I'd vote for him today in a heartbeat.

But unfortunately, Ronnie hit it right on the head. His own party wouldn't even nominate him today .

I'm reminded of weeks ago when Bush Sr. among others publicly pushed the Senate to renew a U.N. treaty on disabilities that Dubya signed in '06 and Obama renewed in '09. Bob Dole (like Bush Sr. also wrecked with ill-health rumors) by wheel chair came down to the Senate floor to implore support, especially from his own party that once upon a time he was their leader and of course former Presidential nominee (VP nominee too in '76.)

The treaty renewal failed, with Dole in attendence, with GOP Senators calling it a plot by the U.N. to take over America and kill religious freedom and other crazy talk I can't remember.