Two things happened yesterday, and they were not, for the future of the country, of equal importance. First, George W. Bush stopped being president. And second, Barack Obama became president. In the arc of the moral universe, in the grand sweep of American history, Obama's inauguration might have been of more consequence. But in the short-term condition of the country, George Bush's exit was far more significant. Close your eyes and it would not necessarily be the case that a President Clinton would prove dramatically different than a President Obama. A President Bush would.Which is why it's hard to abide the commentary suggesting that celebrants were wrong to cheer Bush's departure. That was part of the day. Arguably, it was, if anything, underplayed. K-Lo writes that "my inaugural good feelings were definitely spoiled a bit by the “Na Na Hey Hey … Goodbye” outburst on the Mall just now. How shamefully disrespectful. Keith Olbermann even thought so!" (Man Keith, you used to be cool.) David Remnick calls the moment a "sour note." I'm with the mob. Bush was a shameful president. His actions led to deaths of hundreds of thousands, the displacement of millions, and the impoverishment of more than we're likely to know. He will never go to jail. He will never be tried in Court. He will never be poor or hungry or homeless or drafted. And this country, sadly, has done away with the stocks. But he can be shamed.And he should be. Forever. The self-delusion of his administration is startling. Last week, Chris Beam crashed the celebratory barbecue of the outgoing Bushies. It was hugs and kisses and high-fives all around. It was like watching Lehman's executives reminisce about the good times. Josh Bolten took the stage and emotionally toasted his colleagues. "If ever there was a group to leave government with their heads held high, this is it," he said. Yech. They can tell each other what they want. But they should have to hear from the country they harmed. Bush's awful, unpleasant, disrespectful post-presidency should serve as a warning to executives who would follow his path. Shaming him is not just appropriate. It's important. NA NA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY, GOODBYE.
Two things happened yesterday, and they were not, for the future of the country, of equal importance. First, George W. Bush stopped being president. And second, Barack Obama became president. In the arc of the moral universe, in the grand sweep of American history, Obama's inauguration might have been of more consequence. But in the short-term condition of the country, George Bush's exit was far more significant. Close your eyes and it would not necessarily be the case that a President Clinton would prove dramatically different than a President Obama. A President Bush would.Which is why it's hard to abide the commentary suggesting that celebrants were wrong to cheer Bush's departure. That was part of the day. Arguably, it was, if anything, underplayed. K-Lo writes that "my inaugural good feelings were definitely spoiled a bit by the “Na Na Hey Hey … Goodbye” outburst on the Mall just now. How shamefully disrespectful. Keith Olbermann even thought so!" (Man Keith, you used to be cool.) David Remnick calls the moment a "sour note." I'm with the mob. Bush was a shameful president. His actions led to deaths of hundreds of thousands, the displacement of millions, and the impoverishment of more than we're likely to know. He will never go to jail. He will never be tried in Court. He will never be poor or hungry or homeless or drafted. And this country, sadly, has done away with the stocks. But he can be shamed.And he should be. Forever. The self-delusion of his administration is startling. Last week, Chris Beam crashed the celebratory barbecue of the outgoing Bushies. It was hugs and kisses and high-fives all around. It was like watching Lehman's executives reminisce about the good times. Josh Bolten took the stage and emotionally toasted his colleagues. "If ever there was a group to leave government with their heads held high, this is it," he said. Yech. They can tell each other what they want. But they should have to hear from the country they harmed. Bush's awful, unpleasant, disrespectful post-presidency should serve as a warning to executives who would follow his path. Shaming him is not just appropriate. It's important. 
