I'm still not cool.

This is a farewell to President Bush, who governed America to the best of his ability for eight years, and will hopefully be remembered by history more kindly than he is remembered by the media. To all those who would criticize him - and he is not perfect, like all of us - he has served during eight of the toughest years in American government. Had I been in his position, in all likelihood I would have done no better.

From the National Post:

Re: Taking A Shoe For The Country, Charles Krauthammer, Jan 19.

Charles Krauthammer, as usual, aptly describes George Bush's legacy by citing the incident in which an ingrate launched a shoe at him during a news conference in Iraq. I prefer to extend the shoe incident metaphor to describe the entire Bush legacy. Chiefly, what Bush did in Iraq was to secure the country's freedom by dismantling its tyrannical leader. And how did Iraq respond? By throwing a shoe at him.

Mr. Bush also secured the safety of Americans over the past seven years. And how did America respond? By laughing at him. Yes, an ungrateful era ends, and an over-grateful era begins.

Nick Kandel, Montreal.

Thank you, Mr Bush, from a Canadian who does not engage in Bush hatred to be cool. America - all of North America - owes you gratitude.

And welcome, Mr Obama. May you manage to both satiate your worshipers and pleasantly surprise your opposition. You've got a tough job.

The US Presidential Election

I'm not American. I won't pretend that I know everything about American politics, or that I know enough to have made an informed voting decision.

But I have to say, after reading the paper today, I am so, so sick of newspaper articles prating on about the 'stain of racism' being erased from America's track record. So what is the logic behind that? America enslaved African-Americans, and now the only way it can successfully apologize is to elect a black president? What a glowing endorsement for Obama - here, America feels guilty. Lead our country, and by default most of the free world, and we'll all support you because it's racist not to.

Actually, it's racist both to support Obama because he's black or condemn him because he's black. His race should have absolutely no swaying power. However, you don't see the white people out waving signs, do you now? Somehow, it's okay to have black pride or Native pride or Asian pride or what have you, but the moment I am proud to be white, our left-wing, 'tolerant', walk-on-eggshells world cries "Racist!"

That is the extent of my rant for today.

Thoughts about this election in a nutshell: He's got the single hardest job there is. I didn't support him, but I wish him well.


"Josh Stauffer is wondering why everyone thinks either the world is ending or it's saved. He's just a president. My grandma's seen 14 of them."