TAPPED hasn't had anything to say about President George W. Bush's farewell address last night, but we ought to mark the moment. We've been arguing with and about this man for the last eight years, and now his epoch comes to an end.
Unfortunately, it was an entirely substance-lessevent: Unlike presidents past, Bush didn't choose to make an argumentor issue a warning. He didn't try to explain any mistakes, he simplydefended his legacy. Which is certainly his prerogative, but as far assongs go, it's an old standard. In many ways, Bush's legacy is allaround us; it is the context in which the new administration takesoffice. But we won't really understand what this presidency means for along, long time. the following excerpt from the address represents thecore of Bush's ideology, containing his impressive, principled rhetoricas well as his Manichean worldview and misunderstanding of a complexworld. Those threads long ago undermined Bush's ambitions for a successful presidency.
The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle betweentwo dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of fanaticsdemands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns women tosubservience, and marks unbelievers for murder. The other system isbased on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of AlmightyGod, and that liberty and justice light the path to peace.
As we address these challenges -- and others we cannot foreseetonight -- America must maintain our moral clarity. I've often spokento you about good and evil, and this has made some uncomfortable. Butgood and evil are present in this world, and between the two of themthere can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance anideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people fromoppression and despair is eternally right. This nation must continue tospeak out for justice and truth. We must always be willing to act intheir defense -- and to advance the cause of peace.
-- Tim Fernholz
